How to Spend One Week in Morocco: The Perfect 7-Day Itinerary

One week in Morocco sounds short, but with a private driver and a well-designed route it is enough to see the country’s three great faces: the imperial cities, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert. The secret is simple: arrive in one city and leave from another, so you never waste a day driving back.

The classic route: Marrakech to Fes via the Sahara

Our most popular week starts at Marrakech airport and ends at Fes airport (or the other way round). It crosses Morocco from south-west to north-east and passes through almost every landscape the country has.

Day 1 – Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou

Your driver meets you at the airport and you cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, more than 2,200 metres high. In the afternoon you walk through Ait Benhaddou, the earthen ksar listed by UNESCO and seen in many films.

Day 2 – The Road of a Thousand Kasbahs

Through Skoura’s palm groves and the Valley of Roses to the red cliffs of the Dades Gorges, with stops at old kasbahs along the way.

Day 3 – Todra Gorges and the dunes of Merzouga

A short walk inside the narrow Todra canyon, then the drive to Merzouga, where camels wait to take you into the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset. Dinner, drums and a night in a desert camp.

Day 4 – A full day in the desert

Sunrise on the dunes, the Gnawa village of Khamlia, nomad families and the seasonal lake. Many travellers choose a second night in the desert: it is the highlight of the week.

Day 5 – Ziz Valley, Middle Atlas and Fes

North through the Ziz palm valley and the cedar forests near Azrou, where Barbary macaques live, to Fes.

Day 6 – Fes with a local guide

Fes el Bali is the largest car-free medina in the world. With a licensed guide you see the Chouara tanneries, the Bou Inania madrasa and the old craft quarters.

Day 7 – Departure

A free morning, then your driver takes you to Fes airport.

Other ways to spend your week

• Coming from the north? Try Tangier to Marrakech, with Chefchaouen, Fes and the Sahara.
• Arriving in Casablanca? Casablanca, Sahara and Marrakech adds Rabat and the Hassan II Mosque.
• Prefer the sea to the desert? Marrakech, Atlas and Essaouira is a slower week with mountain walks and the Atlantic coast.

Our advice

Do not try to see everything. A good week in Morocco combines three to six places and leaves time to sit in a riad courtyard with a mint tea. Tell us your arrival and departure airports and we will design the seven days around your flights.