Dreaming of exploring historic medinas and historic kasbahs? Crossing the rusty dunes of the Sahara Desert and climbing the arid peaks of the Atlas Mountains? Sitting below the swaying fronds on a palm oasis or strolling by the blue metropolis of Chefchaouen whereas listening to the decision to prayer? Whereas many individuals planning a visit to Morocco will solely keep just a few days in Marrakech, or mix a go to with a visit to Spain or Portugal, this nation in North Africa has a lot to supply that it’s price visiting by itself and planning a 7 day Morocco itinerary.
Morocco is shortly changing into a scorching journey vacation spot not only for younger vacationers, however many households are selecting to go to Morocco with children. But determining the proper Morocco journey itinerary generally is a problem, particularly as a result of there are such a lot of stunning locations in Morocco.
Hold studying for 3 choices in your Morocco itinerary relying on how a lot time you need to spend in Morocco.
- 7-Day Morocco itinerary (4 days in Marrakech, 3 days in Fes)
- 10-Day Morocco itinerary (3-4 days in Marrakech, 1 night time in Skoura/Ourzazate, 2 nights Merzouga/desert, 3 nights Fes)
- 14-Day Morocco itinerary (Day 1 Casablanca / Rabat, Day 2 Rabat to Chefchaouen, Day 3 Chefchaouen, Day 4-7 Fes, Day 7-8 Sahara Desert camp, Day 8-10 Skoura, Day 10-14 Marrakech)
How A lot Time SHould You Spend in Morocco?
Two weeks is admittedly the best period of time to go to Morocco. Nevertheless, you may positively get an excellent really feel for the nation with only one week or, even higher, not less than 10 days. Relying on how a lot time you may spend in-country, you could have some robust decisions to make about what you retain in and what you need to miss of your Morocco journey itinerary.
For instance, for those who dream of driving camels within the Sahara desert and staying in a single day in a desert camp, it’s exhausting to suit that right into a one-week Morocco itinerary as a result of it’s not less than an eight-hour drive from Fes to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara, and even farther from Marrakech.
Equally, you actually can’t match within the beautiful Blue Metropolis of Chefchaouen for those who solely have a ten day Morocco itinerary. A minimum of not except you might be keen to surrender a visit to the desert!
However that’s okay, I’m going to stroll you thru what a 7, 10, or 2-week Morocco itinerary may appear like!
Do you want assist planning your journey? In case you are feeling overwhelmed and don’t have the time or assets to wade by tons of knowledge and query your selections, I assist purchasers plan a customized itinerary, tailor-made to your pursuits and journey model. Be taught extra about my journey planning companies.
Possibility 1: 7 Day Morocco Itinerary
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In the event you solely have one week in Morocco, I might advocate that you simply fly into Marrakech. In the event you discover a higher deal or a direct flight flying into Casablanca, simply understand that most guests don’t spend far more than a day in Casablanca to see the Hassan II Mosque, and that it’s roughly three hours from Marrakech.
With 7 days in Morocco, you should have time to go to two locations. I might advocate both Marrakech and Fes or Marrakech and Merzouga within the Moroccan Sahara.
- Days 1-4: Marrakech
- Days 5-7 Fes
Plan to spend three nights in Marrakech (4 if you wish to do a day journey). It’s possible you’ll select to remain in a standard Moroccan riad, or at one of many resorts just like the 4 Seasons Marrakech or the Fairmont Royal Palm Marrakech, outdoors of metropolis middle. Some good riad choices embrace:
- Riad Kaiss in Marrakech – most attraction (that is the place we stayed for 2 nights after which we break up our time between the riad and the 4 Seasons for 2 nights)
- Villa des Orangers — for a splurge riad
- Riad Kniza — extra moderately priced
Day 1 – Marrakech Souk
Spend your first full day soaking within the metropolis with a half-day tour of Marrakech souk. This will depart you loads of time to wander by the medina and store after the tour. It is possible for you to to see locations the place they hand-dye textiles, do steel working, and different handicrafts. Simply understand that many shopkeepers don’t need you to {photograph} the merchandise with out permission or financial compensation. (Additionally, it’s offensive within the Islamic tradition to {photograph} folks’s faces.)
Whereas exploring the souk, it’s possible you’ll wish to cease into one of many pharmacies for natural treatments and merchandise like rose water, argan oil, or Moroccan tea. A go to to one of many spice distributors can be a visible delight, simply watch out when buying objects like saffron as there are numerous fakes within the medina too. It helps to ask an area the place to buy.
Within the night, you’ll want to take a stroll by Jemaa-el-Fna Sq.. It may be fairly the spectacle, with snake charmers, meals distributors, and all kinds of products on show. Simply maintain a detailed eye in your valuables and for those who cease to take an image of the snake charmers, you’ll must tip them. You’ll quickly study that tipping is predicted in Morocco, even when somebody offers you instructions or helps you in any method.
Close to the sq., you may stroll by the Kutubiyya or Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret, which is the biggest mosque in Marrakesh.
Day 2 – Marrakech Meals
In your second full day, I might counsel that you simply dig deeper into the delicacies with a cooking class & market go to or meals tour with Marrakech Meals Excursions. We took a cooking class with Souk Delicacies, which was superior.
It began with a go to to the market the place our information gave us every a buying record and cash and helped us buy what we would wish to organize a meal. We then went to an area’s dwelling to organize the meal, with their assist, together with strolling our bread to the native bakery oven. Then we loved an genuine Moroccan meal ready with our personal palms.
Within the afternoon, take a while to calm down at your riad or lodge. There are a lot of nice eating places in Marrakech for those who really feel like exploring different cuisines as the remainder of your time in Morocco you will notice the identical dishes on the menu, together with kefta, couscous, tagine, pastille, and briouats.
Day 3 – Marrakech Museums & Palaces
In your third day in Marrakech, there may be nonetheless a lot to see however two points of interest you shouldn’t miss embrace the Dar El Bacha Museum and the Bahia Palace. Situated close to the doorway of the medina, the Dar El Bacha was as soon as the house of Thami El Glaoui, the pacha of Marrakech.
The structure of the museum is the principle attraction, though there are attention-grabbing artifacts inside that characterize the varied cultures of Morocco together with Berber, Arabic, and Jewish. The museum has unimaginable wood carvings, stunning tilework, and a beautiful courtyard with aromatic orange bushes.
Bahia Palace is a phenomenal mid to late Nineteenth-century palace that was first constructed by Si Musa, grand vizier of Alaouite sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, in 1859 after which continued and expanded by his son Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa, grand vizier of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz between 1894 and 1900.
There are stunning mosaics, carvings, and tilework that present a superb backdrop for images. We selected to have household images right here by Flytographer.
When you have extra time, it’s possible you’ll wish to go to among the main points of interest reminiscent of:
- Les Jardins Majorelle botanical gardens and YSL Museum
- Museum of Marrakech
- Dar Si Mentioned
- Saadian Tombs
Day 4 – Day Journey
When you have a fourth day in Marrakech, I might advocate selecting an tour that pursuits you outdoors of town. These are primarily full-day excursions, though some may very well be half-day.
Some day journey choices embrace:
- Day journey to Essaouira — Essaouira is a picturesque seaside city. The principle sq. was utilized in Orson Welles’ Othello. The bay is widespread with kite and wind surfers, and you’ll head right down to the water to see the fishing boats after which stroll alongside La Skala, one of many port bastions.
- Excessive Atlas Mountains / Berber Villages — head into the Excessive Atlas Mountains and go to just a few genuine Berber villages, together with a cease for lunch at an area’s dwelling. You’ll be able to even embrace a camel trip.
- Ouarzazate and Ait Ben haddou — take a full day journey throughout the Atlas Mountains to see the traditional kasbah of Ait Ben haddou (it’s possible you’ll acknowledge this from Gladiator or Sport of Thrones) and the “Hollywood within the Desert” of Ouarzazate.
- Rock Desert and Camel Journey — take a half-day tour into the close by rocky desert and climb on board a camel for a trip by a palm grove. This tour will usually cease for conventional mint tea in an area village.
- Different choices embrace quad biking, horseback driving, and excursions of Marrakech by way of bike sidecar.
Day 5 – Journey to Fes
Within the curiosity of time, from Marrakech, I might advocate taking a brief one-hour flight to Fes. An alternative choice could be to take a practice however that takes 6.5 hours (though it’s a good finances possibility.) The previous city of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage Web site and options one of the best medina in Morocco. It is called the mental and non secular coronary heart of Morocco, whereas Marrakech is extra touristy.
In the event you proceed to Fes, that is the place I might positively advocate staying in a standard riad within the medina, even for those who opted for a resort or a riad outdoors of the medina in Marrakech. Some nice choices embrace:
- Riad Fes — Relais & Chateaux luxurious riad (that is the place we stayed)
- Karawan Riad — beautiful property, better of one of the best
- Dar Roumana — extra finances pleasant however fairly conventional and good
Upon arrival, I might head out on a Fes meals tour (except you took one in Marrakech, then possibly attempt a cooking class with Riad Fes.) In the event you aren’t a lot of a foodie, then I might counsel taking a medina tour or visiting the tanneries to see this vital a part of the native tradition and financial system. Fes is certainly an ideal spot to do a few of your memento buying! We ended up shopping for pottery, leather-based items, and steel merchandise in Fes.
Or, for those who simply wish to calm down, check out one of many conventional hammams for a soak, scrub, and therapeutic massage.
Day 6 – Fes Tour
Your second day in Fes is when you must actually dig into exploring this wonderful metropolis. I might advocate hiring a information to get the complete historical past and background, however you would definitely discover many of those locations by yourself. A number of the highlights embrace:
- Historic Medina – a lot extra genuine than Marrakech, it’s straightforward to get misplaced on this labyrinth but in addition enjoyable to find the completely different sections, reminiscent of fancy clothes, steel working, spices and meals, and so on. Simply understand that among the extra generic memento kinds of retailers close to the Blue Gate promote items which can be made in Asia, not Morocco. Search for retailers the place you may see the artisans at work and be ready to discount! It’s a sport that Moroccans get pleasure from.
- Royal Palace (Fes Palais Royal Dar El Makhzen) with its golden gates – you can not go inside however it’s enjoyable to take images in entrance of the gorgeous golden doorways
- Outdated Jewish Quarter (or Mellah) – situated close to the Royal Palace you may stroll by a gate into the quarter, go to the synagogue and Jewish cemetery, and go to the retailers (it is a huge jewellery district.)
- Pottery quarter – you may go to a cooperative to see every step of the pottery making course of. It is a great place to by genuine souvenirs.
- Close by fortresses of Borj Sud and Borj Nord – these forts had been inbuilt 1582 and provide nice views over Fes.
You’ll be able to see all of those websites in sooner or later however you will want a automotive to get to many of those spots so hiring a information is one of the best ways to go.
Day 7 – Return
In your final day in Morocco, it is advisable to get again to your metropolis of departure. You might both fly again to Marrakech, or you would rent a driver to take you to Casablanca by way of Meknes and Rabat.
Possibility 2: 10 Day Morocco Itinerary
With three further days to play with, you should have time to get to the Sahara desert for those who don’t thoughts spending a variety of time in a automotive. Begin your journey out in Marrakech, as I’ve outlined above, however in your fourth full day (not counting your arrival day), both lease a automotive or rent a driver in your three-day journey into and out of the desert.
- Days 1-4: Marrakech (as outlined above)
- Day 5: Eit Ben Haddou / Skoura
- Day 6-7: Merzouga, Sahara Desert
- Days 8-10: Fes
Day 5 – Drive to Eit Ben Haddou & Skoura
I can’t stress sufficient how lengthy the drive is from Marrakech out to Merzouga within the Sahara Desert. You’ll want to cease in a single day to interrupt up the journey. Even then, the driving can really feel a bit countless and it may be gradual going, particularly for those who get behind a truck.
As soon as you allow Marrakech, you’ll journey throughout the plains that encompass Marrakech and over the Tichka Go of the Excessive Atlas Mountains. Be sure you cease for some wonderful views of this winding street. The primary cease will both be the historic kasbah of Telouet, or head straight to Ait Ben Haddou.
Ait Ben Haddou is one of the best preserved kasbah in Morocco. The village is an Eleventh-century assortment of kasbahs which can be nonetheless inhabited by a handful of households. It should look acquainted as a result of it has been used because the backdrop to many motion pictures and TV exhibits.
There aren’t actually any indicators or markers throughout the city, so to get essentially the most out of the expertise, I might advocate hiring an area information. When you have a driver, they will most likely assist organize this. Count on to pay round 200 Dirhams (about $20) for a brief tour (see my Morocco journey finances to study extra about what a visit to Morocco prices.)
From Ait Ben Haddou, you’ll undergo Ouarzazate. As we speak this ex-French international legion outpost is a bit touristy and the middle of the film business. You’ll be able to cease and go to the movie studio however I’m unsure whether it is price it.
On the finish of the day, you’ll arrive in Skoura, a palm oasis, the place you may spend the night time. In case you are in search of luxurious, Dar Ahlam is the place to remain. Nevertheless, we stayed on the L’Ma Lodge, which options a big backyard of palms and fruit bushes with a pool and welcoming leisure areas. We liked this essentially the most of all of our lodging on the journey. It was such a calming place to relax out.
Day 5 – Drive to Merzouga
Your subsequent day is spent driving from Skoura to Merzouga on the fringe of the Sahara desert. You’ll move by the Dades Valley and Kelaa M’Gouna (which sits on the head of the “Rose Valley”) and Todra Gorge. When you have time, cease at one of many girls’s rose cooperatives to buy rose oil, rose water, and different locally-made merchandise.
Cease for lunch close to the Todra Gorge and you’ll take a straightforward hike by the higher a part of the gorge. Todra Gorge is a sandstone ravine with 300-meter cliffs on both aspect of a really slim passage.
From there, you’ll proceed on to reach in Merzouga earlier than sundown. In the event you select, you may organize for a sundown camel trek into the desert to get to your desert camp.
There are fairly just a few desert camps on this space, so it isn’t like you might be alone within the Sahara. The one we stayed at was Jaimas Madu, which had luxuriously-appointed tents with non-public rest room amenities (a should for us!) We had been stunned by how good our tent was and the meals was scrumptious. It was such a particular expertise.
Day 6 – Sahara Desert
Spend the day having fun with camp and the actions obtainable within the desert together with sand boarding, four-wheel drives, and night time time star gazing.
Day 7 – Drive to Fes
Today is devoted to the lengthy drive over to Fes. You’ll move by the Center Atlas Mountains. Be sure you cease earlier than you get to the Swiss-inspired college city of Ifrane to feed the macaques. You’ll be able to’t miss them as you might be driving by and there are distributors promoting peanuts.
When you arrive in Fes, you may decide up from the one-week Morocco itinerary above to finish your journey.
Possibility 3: 14 Day Morocco Itinerary
When you have two weeks to spend in Morocco — fortunate you! With two weeks, you may take a special strategy than the 7 day or 10 day Morocco itineraries outlined above. I might counsel utilizing the next schedule:
Day 1 – Arrival
To your two-week Morocco itinerary, I might attempt to fly into Casablanca and out of Marrakech, or into/out of Casablanca (except you might be connecting by Europe, then it will be preferrred to begin in Tangier for those who may.)
Upon arrival in Casablanca, you would both spend your first night time there (go to the Hassan II Mosque and Rick’s Cafe) or head as much as Rabat, Morocco’s capital metropolis.
In Rabat, you may hit just a few of town’s highlights: Hassan Tower, Kasbah des Oudaias, Chellah, and the Medina earlier than the four-five hour drive to Chefchaouen.
Day 2 – Chefchaouen
Most of at the present time can be spent touring to Chefchaouen as sadly, there isn’t any straightforward strategy to get there. Many individuals have requested me, “is Chefchaouen price it?” And when you’ve got lower than two weeks in Morocco, then it’s positively not price all of the journey to get there. Nevertheless, for those who do have two weeks or extra, I completely liked this little gem.
Possibly it was as a result of we had been there in March and never “excessive season” for all of the Instagrammers, however I discovered it charming and genuine, so long as you may ignore these posing for footage (which wasn’t a ridiculous quantity.)
Chefchaouen is called the Blue Metropolis and tourism is booming after many have fallen in love with its blue-washed partitions and secret alleyways after seeing it on Instagram (confession – I’m responsible!) It’s arguably the prettiest metropolis in Morocco, nestled between two peaks of the Rif Mountains.
Lodging are considerably scarce in Chefchaouen and never the identical degree of luxurious that you could find in different cities. We stayed two nights on the Lina Ryad, and likewise thought of the Riad Cherifa.
Day 3 – ChefChaouen Exploration
You should have a little bit over a day to discover the winding alleyways and markets of Chefchaouen. Uncover the previous Jewish quarter, and go to the Ras El Ma spring, the place native girls wash their garments.
In case you are feeling adventurous, you may take a hike to the previous Spanish Mosque/fort on a hill outdoors the medina. From right here you may see stunning views of the valley and if you’re fortunate, catch a phenomenal sundown.
We employed a information, which helped us to not get misplaced, however truthfully I don’t assume you want a information to discover as town is pretty compact and you’ll normally discover your method again to the place you got here from.
Day 4 – Drive to Fes
From Chefchaouen it’s a 4 hour drive to Fes, the place you’ll decide up from the 7-day itinerary above, however in reverse order.
Day 5-6 – Fes
You’ll spend three nights in Fes earlier than heading into the desert. It’s possible you’ll think about taking a day journey to Meknes from Fes to see the partly excavated Berber-Roman ruins of Volubilis. Discuss with the Fes part below the 7-day itinerary above.
Day 7-8 – Merzouga
Since you could have time, I might advocate spending two nights within the desert so that you’ve extra time to do actions like sand boarding and dune busting, in addition to the sundown camel trip. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.
Day 9-10 – Skoura
Then, in your method out of the desert, you may spend two nights in Skoura to interrupt up the driving. See particulars within the 10-day itinerary above.
Days 11-14 – Marrakech
You’ll then proceed on to Marrakech by way of Eit Ben Haddou. You’ll spend three to 4 nights in Marrakech and might both fly out of Marrakech, or organize a three-hour switch again to Casablanca on the finish of your journey. See particulars within the 7-day itinerary above.
Attending to Morocco
Most guests coming from america will fly into Casablanca, though you might be able to fly into Marrakech for those who join by Europe. U.S. cities with direct flights to Morocco embrace New York, Washington D.C., and Miami. In Europe, some cities with direct flights to Morocco embrace Paris, London, Lisbon, and Madrid. Most main airways provide direct flights to Morocco, together with Air France, British Airways, and Royal Air Maroc. There are additionally a number of finances airways that supply flights to Morocco, together with Ryanair and Easyjet.
Getting Round Morocco
I’ve an entire publish in regards to the execs and cons of driving in Morocco, however the backside line is that whereas it’s solely doable to drive your self safely round Morocco, it’s also far more nice to have a driver if the finances permits.
In the event you resolve to self-drive, simply beware that there are pace traps arrange outdoors of just about each city. Many roads are slim and winding, with many vehicles to deal with. One other nice advantage of hiring a driver is that they’ll know one of the best locations to cease and eat, use the toilet, or sights to go to alongside the best way.
Our driver Hassan was such a gem. He crammed us in on a lot native historical past and customs throughout our lengthy drives, giving us a deeper appreciation of Morocco throughout our go to.
Searching for extra data in your Morocco itinerary?
Tamara Gruber is the Founder and Writer of We3Travel. A former advertising and marketing govt and journey advisor, Tamara is an award-winning journey author and acknowledged professional in household journey. Tamara is a member of SATW, NATJA, IFWTWA, and the Journey Journey Commerce Affiliation, and serves on the Board of the Household Journey Affiliation. She can be the writer of YourTimetoFly.com and the co-host of the Trip Experts journey podcast.
