Morocco Itinerary 7 Days: The Perfect Week From Marrakech

One week is the most popular trip length for Morocco, and with a smart route it is enough to see imperial cities, mountains and the desert. Below is the Morocco itinerary 7 days that our drivers and guides recommend most, with realistic driving times – not the rushed versions you find in many blogs.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech

Land at Marrakech Menara airport, transfer to your riad and head to Jemaa el-Fna square at sunset. Keep the first evening easy: mint tea on a rooftop, dinner in the medina. Need a pickup? Book a private Marrakech airport transfer. Our Jemaa el-Fna guide explains how to enjoy the square without stress.

Day 2: Marrakech highlights

Visit the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, the Koutoubia and the Majorelle Garden, then get lost in the souks. A licensed guide saves a lot of time – see our private guided tour of Marrakech or the 3-day Marrakech itinerary.

Day 3: High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou and Dades Valley

Cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass (2,260 m), visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and continue to the Dades Valley for the night. Driving time: around 6–7 hours with stops.

Day 4: Todra Gorge and the Sahara at Merzouga

Walk through the Todra Gorge in the morning, then drive to Merzouga. At sunset, ride a camel into the Erg Chebbi dunes and sleep in a desert camp under the stars. Read what to expect in our Sahara desert camp guide.

Day 5: Merzouga to Fez via the Middle Atlas

Watch the sunrise from the dunes, then drive north through the Ziz Valley, the cedar forests of Azrou (Barbary macaques!) and Ifrane, nicknamed “Morocco’s Switzerland”. Arrive in Fez in the evening (about 7–8 hours).

Day 6: Fez medina

Spend a full day in Fes el-Bali, the world’s largest car-free urban area: Chouara tannery, Al-Qarawiyyin, Bou Inania Madrasa and the artisans’ quarters. Our things to do in Fes guide has the details.

Day 7: Chefchaouen or back to Casablanca

Either finish in the blue city of Chefchaouen (3.5–4 hours from Fez) or take the fast train from Fez to Casablanca or Rabat for your flight. Travelling from Spain? Our ferry to Tangier guide shows how to reverse this route.

Alternative 7-day routes

• Starting in Casablanca: 7-day tour from Casablanca via Chefchaouen, Fez and the desert.
• More time in the south: combine a 5-day desert tour with two days in Marrakech.
• With children: a slower family trip to the desert.

Tips to make the most of one week

• Hire a private driver rather than self-driving: roads are good but long, and a local knows the best stops (see private driver vs self-drive).
• Sleep in riads in Marrakech and Fez for the full experience.
• Pack layers: it can be 30°C in Marrakech and 5°C in the desert at night.
• Carry cash in dirhams for small purchases.

Frequently asked questions

Is 7 days enough for Morocco?

Yes. Seven days is enough for Marrakech, the Atlas, one night in the Sahara, Fez and Chefchaouen if you use a private driver and accept a few long travel days.

Should I start my Morocco trip in Marrakech or Fez?

Both work. Starting in Marrakech is easier for flights; starting in Fez or Tangier suits travellers arriving from Spain. The route can simply be reversed.

How much does a 7-day Morocco tour cost?

A private 7-day tour with driver, riads and a desert camp usually costs between €700 and €1,300 per person depending on group size, season and hotel category.

Can I see the Sahara in a 7-day trip?

Yes. The classic 7-day loop includes one night in a desert camp at Merzouga, with a sunset camel ride on the Erg Chebbi dunes.

Written by the Todo Marruecos Tours travel team, local tour operators based in Morocco. Last updated: September 2026.