The best 7 Day Morocco itinerary

From exploring souks in Marrakech and icons of the Atlas Mountains, to feasting in Fes, Morocco is unbelievably beautiful, and has much to offer pretty much every type of traveler. While you’ll be hard pushed to even touch the surface in a week, here we present our best 7-day Morocco itinerary — based on a personal trip that was packed with unforgettable experiences.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech

After checking into my hotel in the Northern Medina, I went for a wander and immediately saw why Marrakech is known as the Red City. 

The ochre pigment of its buildings almost looked aflame in the early-afternoon sun as I explored some of this area's top sights, starting with Ben Youssef Madrasa – a stunning 14th-century Islamic school with the most incredible tiles and cedar woodwork.

I also visited Le Jardin Secret (a grand riad with tranquil tropical gardens), and Koutoubia Mosque – the largest mosque in Marrakech, and an icon of Morocco — which rounded off day one in pretty spectacular style.

Where to stay

If you’re a first-time visitor to Marrakech (as I was), you might want to stay in the Northern Medina. It offers easy access to tons of iconic landmarks, such I those I visited on my first afternoon in the city.

Or, for a quieter stay that’s also close to lots of attractions, consider staying in charming Kasbah.

Want more information on accommodation? Read up on where to stay in Marrakech.

Day 2: Explore Marrakech

After spending the afternoon of day one exploring the Northern Medina, we suggest spreading your wings a little on day two.

Things to do

We haven't packed in too much here – better to focus on a few highlights than rush around and not really have chance to take anything in. 

Visit Bahia Palace

Built in the 19th century for the Grand Vizier, the exquisite Bahia Palace was designed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Seeing in real life lives up to that aspiration.

Blending Andalusian and Moroccan styles, its interior is a bedazzlement of intricate mosaics, carved cedar ceilings, and stucco work, with its lush inner courtyards, fragrant with orange trees, offering a peaceful retreat.

Explore the Jardin Majorelle 

Visiting the Jardin Majorelle is definitely one of the best things to do in Morocco. 

Designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle, and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this garden is one of Marrakech’s most iconic sites — a paradise of tropical plants and bright blue buildings.

Editor’s tip: after exploring the garden, be sure to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door.

Dive into Ville Nouvelle

Developed during the French colonial period, Ville Nouvelle (Gueliz) is Marrakech’s modern district. 

As such, it provides a fascinating offers a contrast to the historic medina, and boasts trendy cafes, galleries and boutiques aplenty.

Editor’s tip: leave time in your schedule to rest up in a Ville Nouvelle — people-watching from a pavement café was a real highlight.

Day 3: Day trip to the Atlas Mountains 

On day three, the magic of the Atlas Mountains awaits. 

Taking a day trip here was another highlight of my trip, especially the stop off at Ait Benhaddou — more on that a little later.

As soon as we left the city, the landscape seemed to shift to more rugged terrain, not least when we took the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which offered incredible views of snow-capped peak, with Berber villages speckling the hillsides.

After around 4 hours, we reached Ait Benhaddou — an ancient ksar (fortified village) with UNESCO World Heritage site status. You’ll most likely recognize it from movies like Gladiator, and the Game of Thrones TV show.

Wandering its narrow alleys and walkways was an absolute joy and, despite the crowds, kind-of felt like traveling back in time.

Driving time

The drive from Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou takes 3.5-4 hours one way, so you can expect the trip to last around 10-12 hours, including the journey back to Marrakech and stopping off. 

Rental car vs organized tour

In my view, you’re better off taking an organized tour. 

This is your last day in this area of Morocco, so it might be wiser to not have the hassle of picking up the car and navigating your way around with limited time.

The drive is long and the Tizi n’Tichka Pass can be intimidating for inexperienced drivers. Better to be able to sit back and enjoy the scenic ride than having to worry about all the steep drop-offs and winds. 

In addition, you’ll most likely learn a lot more about the places you pass along the way — and Ait Benhaddou when you arrive — in the company of an experienced tour guide.

Day 4: Fly to Fes

On day four, it’s time to bid goodbye to Marrakech. Rise early and take the earliest flight to max out your time in Fes — a city that’s known as the culinary capital of Morocco for very good reason. 

Travel time

Good news — the flight from Marrakech to Fes only takes around an hour. Be sure to book in advance, though — it’s a popular route.

Things to do on your first day

Once you've checked into your Fes hotel, we suggest devoting your first day to exploring Fes el-Bali Medina — the oldest part of the city, and a UNESCO World Heritage site to boot.

Enter the Bab Bou Jeloud (Blue Gate)

After passing thorough the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud a labyrinth of narrow alleys unfolds, mostly lined with stalls selling handcrafted goods, spices and leather products. 

It's a wonderful place to lose yourself while soaking up the city's unique vibe.

See architectural wonders 

A few hours later, I took a look at the palatial Al Quaraouiyine University — founded in 859, it's one of the oldest universities in the world, and incredibly impressive.

Next, I headed to the Al-Attarine Madrasa and the Bou Inania Madrasa, both of which are absolute architectural masterpieces.

Visit the Chouara Tannery

Alongside some of the food experiences I had in Fes (keep reading for more on those), visiting Chouara Tannery made a big impression. 

It’s biggest and oldest tannery in Fes, with a terrace offering fascinating views of tanners at work.

Where to stay

While accommodation in Fes is plentiful, from opulent hotels, to charming mid-price boutique joints, if you’re into culture — and trying to stick to a tighter budget — we especially recommend staying in the Fes el-Bali Medina.

It has lots of budget-friendly riads and guesthouses for all types of traveler, including those traveling with kids.

Day 5: Explore Fes

After a good night’s sleep, I rose early to make the most of my second day in Fes, stomach rumbling ahead of a long-awaited focus on food!

Things to do on your second day

OK, so my second day wasn’t only about feasting my way round Fes — it also included a relaxing visit to a hamman. But first a food-themed tour.

Morning food tour of the Medina with cookery class

Most Fes food tours kick-off in Medina of Fes el-Bali, where the souks are stacked with local ingredients your guide will talk you through.

After picking up ingredients for your upcoming cookery class, you’ll most likely get to check out a few food stalls and sample some local delights. Don’t miss trying briouats (pastry stuffed with meat or cheese) and sfenj doughnuts.

Next, we headed to a riad, where a local chef showed us how to make the perfect Moroccan tagine.

Afternoon hamman experience

That afternoon, treat yourself to a spa-like hamman experience, though you could opt to visit a more traditional hamman, with simple, tiled rooms divided into hot, warm, and cool areas. 

If you go for a more luxurious option, expect low lighting, calming music, and high-end décor, products and treatments.

Day 6: Travel from Fes to Chefchaouen

Day six will see you transfer from Fes to Chefchaouen, which is a straightforward experience, whether you opt to drive yourself, take a bus, or book a private transfer.

Driving time

It takes around 3.5-4 hours to drive between the cities, covering a distance of 200km through mountainous landscapes as you approach the Rif Mountains. 

Note that while the bus is a pretty reliable option, you’re looking at a longer journey time — typically 4.5 hours.

Where to stay

Accommodation in Chefchaouen’s Old Town comes especially recommended for first-time visitors, and travelers who want to be surrounded by the city’s blue-washed buildings, narrow alleys and charming squares. 

For a more local feel, located a little uphill in the Medina, El Kharrazine strikes an aggregable balance between quiet streets and easy access to the main attractions. 

Day 7: Explore Chefchaouen

One day seven, it’s time to find out why Chefchaouen is Morocco’s best-kept secret. 

Nestled in the Rif Mountains, and known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco, it’s an impossibly pretty place to wander and shop for handmade souvenirs, and also offers easy access to wonderful walks.

Things to do

Though this 7 days in Morocco itinerary only gives you a day in Chefchaouen, you'll still have time to get a feel for the place.

Explore the Blue Medina

The best place to start is in the Medina — the heart of Chefchaouen, which presents itself as a beautiful blue-hued tangle of winding alleys and craft shops.

Be sure to stop by its central square — the Place Outa el Hammam — to sit back and watch the world go back from an outdoor café. Frankly, I could have spent hours here, but that would have meant missing out on seeing other highlights…

Relax at Ras El Ma spring

Located on the edge of the Medina, the natural Ras El Ma spring is a refreshing spot to cool off in while soaking up beautiful views of the mountains. 

We also recommend following the trail just above to spring for more scenic views over town.

Hike to the Spanish Mosque

Staying on the subject of views, for the best views of Chefchaouen, take a 30-minute hike up to the Spanish Mosque, which sits on a hilltop above town. 

Come sunset, the vista looks especially stunning as the Blue Pearl glows against its Rif Mountain backdrop.

How to visit Morocco in 7 days

Now you’re armed with the best 7 day Morocco itinerary, it’s time to turn our attention to practical matters to make planning your trip a breeze.

When to visit Morocco

On balance, the best time to visit Morocco is during the March to May spring months, or else in the fall months of September and October.

At these times of the year, temperatures will be comfortably warm, so you’ll escape the heat of summer, which is very intense in the south and desert regions in July and August. 

Also note that winter in Morocco (November through to February) can be extremely cold, especially in in the Atlas Mountains and the desert at night. 

If you’re not keen on crowds — or on a budget — March to May might suit you better than September and October as the latter months fall within a peak season for tourism.

How to get around Morocco

Good news if you’re thinking of traveling independently — getting around Morocco is pretty easy. Here’s an overview of options.

Trains

Connecting cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Fes, Morocco’s ONCF train network is reliable, comfortable, affordable and pretty speedy.

For example, the high-speed Al Boraq train runs between Tangier and Casablanca in about 2 hours.

Buses

Often covering places the train network doesn’t cover, including Chefchaouen and Merzouga, buses are affordable, and generally air-conditioned and comfortable. 

Just don’t expect to reach your destination is super-speedy time. 

Grand taxis

“What are ‘grand taxis’?” I hear you ask. They’re shared cabs (often old Mercedes) that cover fixed routes between cities and towns. 

Carrying up to six passengers, they’re inexpensive, but you might feel somewhat squashed on long journeys.

Editor’s tip: if you want to get around cities at speed, petit taxis are on hand as your affordable friend!

Rental car

If you want to hit more remote roads, you could consider renting a car from Royal Air Maroc, for example.

A word of warning — while roads are well-maintained, driving in cities has its challenges — the traffic is pretty chaotic.

Editor’s tip: read more on getting around Morocco.

Cost of a 7-day trip

It goes without saying that the cost of a 7-day Morocco itinerary will vary hugely depending on your travel style.

So, here’s a ballpark breakdown of what you can expect for a mid-range experience.

• Accommodation: $50-100 a night to stay in boutique riads or mid-range hotels
• Food: $25-50 per day to eat in local cafes and mid-price restaurants.
• Activities: $20-50 per activity, including guided tours and hammams.
• Transport: $20-40 a day for train tickets or private taxis between cities.
• Miscellaneous: $10-20 a day for tips, shopping, and small purchases.

Adding that up, you’ll need to allow for a daily budget of $105-$210.

Do I need a visa?

Citizens of around 65 countries don’t need a visa to enter Morocco for up to 90 days. 

These include the US, UK, all 27 Schengen countries, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Australia.

What you will need is a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your planned stay. You may also be asked to provide proof of onward or return travel.

Read more on Morocco visas.

Is 7 days enough?

Like we said at the start, while your week is likely to fly by, following this best 7 day Morocco itinerary will enable you to see a stack of top attractions, and take in a variety of landscapes and vibes.

Chances are, you’ll totally fall for the country — or at least some of the places on the itinerary (in my case, I was enchanted by Chefchaouen) — and will end up planning to return soon.

Want more pre-trip information and inspiration? Read our Morocco travel tips, and browse our customisable Morocco itineraries.