The Perfect Morocco 7 Day Itinerary For First Timers
Planning to spend 7 days in Morocco? After spending a month exploring, we’ve outlined the perfect itinerary for first timers below.
Morocco. The land of spice and endless desert. A place filled with colour and brimming with life. A place that stole our hearts.
Morocco is truly my favourite country. It captured my heart and left me longing for more. We spent a whole month exploring everything this vibrant place has to offer and we’re genuinely SO excited you’re planning a trip there too.
We’ve narrowed down the best places to see in Morocco in 7 days within this itinerary. We’ll take you through the Marrakech medina, road-trip to the Sahara Desert, see ancient ruins and natural wonders, finishing in the souks and tanneries of Fes.
We’ll show you exactly why we love Morocco so much, and give you all the insider tips you’ll need to make the most of your time.
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Morocco Itinerary: 7 Days Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech – Explore the Medina
- Day 2: Marrakech – Ben Youssef Madrasa, El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace
- Day 3: Sahara Desert Tour: Marrakech to Tinghir
- Day 4: Sahara Desert Tour: Tinghir to Merzouga
- Day 5: Sahara Desert Tour: Merzouga to Fes
- Day 6: Day Trip to Chefchaouen
- Day 7: Fes – El Attarine Madrasa & Explore the souks
Days 1 & 2: Marrakech
Welcome to Morocco! This itinerary begins in Marrakech, though it is also completely reversible so feel free to adapt it to your plans.
We decided to start in Marrakech as it’s our favourite city in Morocco, and will give you an amazing, vibrant experience to start off with. It allows you to get accustomed to the Moroccan heat and chaos without being totally overwhelmed. Plus, there’s great flight connections to Marrakech from all over Europe.
How To Get To Marrakech From The Airport
The first obstacle of any trip is how to actually get into the city from the airport. In Marrakech, you have 3 options.
- Catch a bus – The airport bus costs 30 MAD and will drop you at Jemaa el-Fnaa. The journey takes 30 minutes.
- Catch a taxi – From the airport, you can either get a ‘petit’ or a ‘grand’ taxi. A petit taxi takes up to 3 people and is metred. A grand taxi is shared and you pay per seat, up to 8 people. All seats need to be paid for before departure however, so if you’ve only got 6 people, the extra 2 seats will be split between you. A taxi will cost you around 50-100 MAD. Be aware of scams with petit taxis where they over-inflate the prices for tourists and don’t start the metre.
- Private transfer – We booked a private transfer to avoid all the hassle of local taxis and potential scams.
Where To Visit In Marrakech
Day 1
For your first day, we recommend just taking a stroll through the medina, exploring the souks, and getting your bearings. This is one of the best ways to get to know Marrakech, and it is a lot of fun.
Be prepared to get lost. Wander with no sense of direction and see what you come across. Stop to see the Koutoubia Mosque and relax in the Koutoubia Gardens. Explore Souk Semmarine and shop for souvenirs in Raba Kedima Square.
Spend the afternoon in Bahia Palace, admiring the traditional tilework and stunning courtyard. We’d advise to get there for 3pm to have time to explore before it closes at 5pm.
Head to Jemaa el-Fna after dark to experience the vibrant Moroccan culture. Watch the street performers, grab a snack from one of the street food vendors, and immerse yourself in the culture.
If you’re feeling adventurous, you could also book onto this Marrakech street food tour.
Day 2
On your second day, it’s all about ticking off the big Marrakech bucketlist sites. Start at Ben Youssef Madrasa to see the intricate tilework and carvings in this beautiful Islamic school. This was our favourite spot in Marrakech – it’s so incredibly beautiful and peaceful, it totally blew us away.
Visit El Badi Palace, a 500 year old Moroccan palace. We loved exploring here, seeing the storks nesting on top of the walls, and the views from the tower are incredible. You could easily spend a couple of hours exploring.
Head over to the nearby Saadian Tombs to relax in a peaceful enclosed garden and see even more beautiful Moroccan tilework. If you want to relax further, head to Le Jardin Secret, a tranquil oasis in the heart of the medina.
Alternatively, head to Le Jardin Majorelle to see the tropical garden, towering cacti, and iconic blue building. It is worth noting that this is Morocco’s most visited tourist attraction, so if you would like to visit, book your tickets in advance and arrive before opening time.
Where To Stay In Marrakech
We highly recommend staying in a traditional Moroccan riad in the heart of the medina. A riad is built around a central courtyard, often with a small pool or garden, with traditional tilework and carvings. The craftsmanship is amazing and they offer a tranquil escape in the midst of a vibrant city.
Most riads will offer a complementary Moroccan mint tea and a traditional breakfast. We loved the mint tea in Morocco, it’s so unlike anything we’d ever tried before. Nat doesn’t even like hot drinks normally but he downed quite a few in the month we were visiting!
- Best Budget Riad – Riad Sijane – A simple riad in the heart of the medina, just a few minutes walk from Jemaa el-Fnaa. The breakfast here is incredible, and the hospitality is amazing.
- Best Mid-Range Riad – Riad L’Etoile D’Orient – A beautiful contemporary-Moroccan riad, with a rooftop hot tub, comfortable courtyard, and a traditional hammam.
- Best Luxury Riad – Riad Ekla Boutique Hotel – This riad is stunning, with a swimming pool in the courtyard, plenty of seating areas, and a sunny rooftop terrace.
Top Attractions In Marrakech
Have a little more time in Marrakech? Check out our perfect 3-day itinerary!
Where To Eat In Marrakech
Days 3-5: Sahara Desert Tour
For the next part of your itinerary, we highly recommend you make your way out to the Sahara Desert. This is such a bucketlist experience and was even more magical than we could have imagined.
With just three days, we highly recommend booking onto an organised tour. If you have the budget, a private tour will allow you more flexibility, but group tours are also really good.
The journey from Marrakech to the Sahara is long, but you’ll stop at some incredible places along the way, making it so worth doing.
Depending on the tour you choose, the exact itinerary may vary.
Day 3: Marrakech To Tinghir
Day 3 will mark the start of your tour. After meeting up with your guide and group, you’ll depart on a scenic drive through the High Atlas Mountains. This is one of the most scenic drives in Morocco and we loved it.
If you get travel sick, however, I would highly recommend taking travel sickness tablets beforehand. Unfortunately, one woman on our bus didn’t know and suffered the consequences.
The highlight of day 3 has to be visiting Aït Ben Haddou. This historic fortified village was used as a film set in many productions, including Game of Thrones.
Before reaching Aït Ben Haddou, you’ll stop at a viewpoint of the village, showing it climbing up the hillside. This is such an iconic photo spot of Aït Ben Haddou.
Afterwards, you’ll get to spend an hour or so exploring the village. There are a handful of families still living inside, and you can stop for a fresh mint tea, or to buy a souvenir from one of the families.
We’d highly recommend walking to the top of the village for the most incredible views over the surrounding desert.
After visiting Aït Ben Haddou, you’ll continue through the scenic Valley of the Roses to Tinghir, where you’ll spend the night.
Tinghir was once one of the richest towns in Morocco due to its silver mines. Nowadays, there’s not a whole lot to it, but the locals are super friendly.
We actually loved Tinghir and spent 2 nights in this little town. Spend the evening taking a walk through the palmery and taking in the local way of life.
Total driving time: 5hr 30mins
Stops Along The Way
- Tizi n’Tichka – The highest mountain pass in Morocco (There are various viewpoints along the way you can stop at)
- Aït Benhaddou – A historic fortified village used as a film set in productions such as Game of Thrones and Prince of Persia
- Atlas Film Studios – Explore the sets of famous films set in Morocco
- Valley of the Roses – See the striking contrast between the red rocks and green rose bushes. The roses are in bloom from April to mid-May.
Where To Stay In Tinghir
If you’re heading on a tour, your accommodation will be included. However, if you decide to rent a car, you’ll want to book your own place to stay.
Tinghir is only a small town, not really developed for high levels of tourism, so there aren’t really any ‘luxury’ places to stay. However, both options we’ve listed below are fantastic. You can check out all other options by clicking here.
- Best Budget Stay – Hike & Chill Homestay – We stayed here and made so many friends. The owner is lovely and took us on a tour of Tinghir, including some hidden gems and ‘local’ spots. The rooftop terrace is the perfect place to relax.
- Best Mid-Range Stay – Riad Dar Bab Todra – A comfortable riad with a pool in a beautiful location. The staff are very friendly and the breakfast and dinner are delicious.
Morocco Itinerary Day 4: Tinghir To Merzouga
Get excited because today you’ll be heading to the Sahara Desert!
Start your day with an early wake-up call to make the most of your day, before heading to the nearby Todra Gorge.
Todra Gorge is a magnificently beautiful oasis, with a river running through tall limestone cliffs up to 400m in height.
It’s a great area for adventure lovers, and you’ll often see climbers scaling the tall cliffs. There are also a few beautiful hikes in the area if you have a little more time.
Spend an hour exploring the gorge, taking photos, cooling off in the river, and buying souvenirs and treats from the locals. It is a very popular area so we would recommend arriving early for a more peaceful experience.
The majority of today will be spent on the road, driving through arid desert landscapes and little oases on the way to Merzouga.
Once you arrive in Merzouga, you’ll take either a camel ride or a 4×4 deep into the Sahara Desert to your camp for the night.
Merzouga is home to the Erg Chebbi dunes, and it’s exactly how we always imagined the Sahara Desert to be. The dunes are constantly changing, with some as tall as 150 metres. It is mind-blowingly beautiful.
Your evening will be spent watching the sunset over the dunes, before enjoying a delicious traditional 3-course meal and traditional music. The music had our whole group up and dancing round the tent, it was so much fun.
Travel Tip: Make sure to ask for your bed to be brought outside to sleep under the Milky Way.
Best Desert Camps In Merzouga
- Best Budget Desert Camp – Desert Berber Fire Camp – Amazing atmosphere and lots of activities.
- Best Mid-Range Camp – Sahara Elegance Camp – This camp offers private bathrooms and free wifi.
- Best Luxury Camp – Sunrise Sahara Camp – Stay in a luxury dome with a windowed front and comfortable touches to make you feel right at home
Travel Tip: If you have an extra day, we would highly recommend spending 2 nights in the Sahara Desert.
Day 5: Merzouga to Fes
Start your day with another early alarm to watch the sunrise over the Sahara dunes. Even if you’re not a morning person, you HAVE to wake up for this. Sunrises in the Sahara are next level beautiful.
After sunrise, enjoy a Moroccan breakfast before taking a 4×4 or camel back to your car or minivan.
Today is another day with lots of driving as you make your way to Fes, however it will be broken up with regular stops.
The first stop will be in the village of Erfoud, a place famous for its dates and fossils. Some of the fossils found here date back hundreds of millions of years.
It is possible to purchase both dates and fossils here in Erfoud, though if a deal feels too good to be true, it probably is! Some fossils for sale are fake, though they look very realistic.
The journey will continue along through cedar forests, where if you’re lucky you might be able to spot some cheeky monkeys, before traversing through the Middle Atlas Mountains.
Total driving time: 8hrs
Finish the day in Fes, where you’ll check into your riad for the next few nights. Head out for some dinner in the medina, before getting some rest after a long few days.
Where To Stay In Fes
- Best Budget Riad – Palais Fes Yahya – A beautiful riad with stunning tilework and stained glass. The owners are super helpful and the location is excellent, right in the centre of the medina.
- Best Mid-Range Riad – Riad Sidrat Fes – Everything in Riad Sidrat is beautiful, without being too much. The rooms are spacious and comfortable, and the breakfast is incredible.
- Best Luxury Riad – Riad Ommeyad Suite & Spa – This is one of the best hotels in the heart of the medina. Stay in a suite with a hot tub and enjoy the rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the mountains and city.
Where To Eat In Fes
- Medina Café & Restaurant – We ate here twice and highly recommend. The service was amazing, we were given free mint tea, and the upstairs has lots of windows to enjoy the view.
- Fez & Friends – Fantastic atmosphere and delicious food, including lots of tasty vegetarian options
- Restaurant Boujloud – The best vegetable pastilla around (if you haven’t tried pastilla, you’re missing out)
- Mom’s Touch – Amazing atmosphere and service, and the quality of food is very high.
Day 6: Chefchaouen Day Trip
Yes, I know, you’ve only just arrived in Fes and you’re already leaving? Well, not quite, you’ll be returning tonight. The reason we recommend visiting Chefchaouen on day 6 is so that you can have a slightly more relaxed final day in Morocco. Plus, Chefchaouen is an incredible place and we’d hate for you to miss it if you have an early flight on day 7.
To visit Chefchaouen, you’ll either need to hire a car or head on an organised tour. We wouldn’t recommend trying to visit by public transport as you would only get a couple of hours in the city before having to leave again.
Chefchaouen is known as the Blue Pearl, and the town is painted almost entirely blue. There is lots to do in Chefchaouen, but your guide will be able to advise you of the best photo spots.
On the way to Chefchaouen, you’ll stop at Barrage Sidi Chahed, a beautiful artificial lake, as well as a coffee shop on each leg. The journey to and from Chefchaouen is around 3.5 hours. This will allow you 4 hours in Chefchaouen to explore.
Things To Do In Chefchaouen
Day 7: Explore Fes
Your final day in Morocco will be spent exploring the ancient city of Fes. We spent 3 days in Fes and loved it. It’s certainly a very vibrant and slightly hectic place, but it has a very authentic feel to it.
Plus, we found the souks to be a little less ‘pushy’ then in Marrakech, and you could stop to browse without being given a 30 minute sales pitch.
Start your day by taking a stroll through the souks. They are a complete maze, so don’t be afraid to get lost, but it may be worth hiring a guide to make the most of your time.
Walk through the souks to the famous Chouara Tannery. The surrounding shops have terraces with amazing views of the tanneries, though some may charge you to enter. The smell is relatively strong, but you’ll be given fresh mint to smell to take the edge off.
Stop at Café Clock for some lunch on the rooftop terrace (the mint lemonade is sooo good on a hot day).
Make sure you spend an hour or so exploring Al Attarine Madrasa, a 14th-century Islamic school with ornate tilework and carvings. You can also visit Bou Inania Madrasa which functioned as both an Islamic school and a mosque.
Stop by the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud (the blue gate) and make your way to the Royal Palace to see the most beautiful tilework.
Finish your day in Jnan Sbil, a peaceful garden just outside of the medina. You could also head to Shpigel Lookout for amazing views over the entire medina.
Top Attractions In Fes
How To Get To The Airport From Fes
To get to Fes airport you have three different options.
- Catch the bus – The number 16 bus runs from Avenue des Almohades to the airport. There is a bus every 30 minutes and it costs just 4 MAD per person. The journey takes around 1hr, so it’s definitely not the quickest or most convenient option, but it’s certainly the cheapest.
- Take a grand taxi – A grand taxi will be able to pick you up from anywhere outside the medina and take you directly to the airport. It will set you back around 150 MAD, though this is shared between passengers so is cheaper is you’re travelling as a group.
- Book an airport transfer – This is easily the most convenient and comfortable way to get to the airport, and will generally take 30 minutes to an hour depending on traffic. You can book your airport transfer by clicking here.
FAQs
Is 7 Days Enough To Explore Morocco?
Yes! This itinerary has been designed so that you can see all the highlights of Morocco without feeling too rushed.
If you have a few extra days we would recommend adding an additional day to Fes, Chefchaouen, and Merzouga.
What Is The Best Time To Visit Morocco?
Morocco is an amazing place to visit year-round. However, the best times to visit are during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) when the weather is warm and pleasant.
Summer in Morocco can be swelteringly hot so we would avoid it if possible. That being said, we travelled Morocco during July and August (including the Sahara Desert) and you do adjust quickly to the heat.
What Should I Pack For Morocco?
Pack light clothing made of natural materials such as cotton and linen to keep you cool. Bring layers for the evenings and comfortable shoes as you’ll be doing a lot of walking.
We would recommend dressing modestly, making sure men keep their shoulders covered and women cover their shoulders and knees. This is to be respectful to their culture and religious beliefs and to avoid any unwanted attention.
Is Morocco Safe For Tourists?
Yes, in our experience Morocco is safe for tourists. We never felt unsafe in Morocco, though it is important to educate yourself of the local customs and potential scams.
Of course, exercise the same precautions you would in any city, and avoid going out in the medinas alone after dark.
Wrap Up: 7 Days in Morocco
Morocco is a beautiful country with a huge variety of places to see and things to do. Highlights include the Marrakech medina, the Sahara Desert, the blue city of Chefchaouen, and the historical Fes el-Bali.
On this 7-day Morocco itinerary, you’ll cover all the major sites without feeling too rushed. There’s the perfect blend of exploration, nature, and bucketlist experiences to make your stay unforgettable.
We’re sure this country will capture your heart as much as it did ours, and leave you wanting to come back for more.
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