Seven days is enough to see a remarkable amount of Morocco: the Sahara dunes, the medieval medina of Fes, the blue town of Chefchaouen and the Atlantic cities. It is also easy to try to see too much. Here is a proven route from Marrakech, day by day, followed by two alternatives for travellers who prefer a slower pace or shorter drives.
The classic 7-day loop from Marrakech
This is the route of our 7-day Morocco tour, starting and ending in Marrakech.
- Day 1: Marrakech to the Dades Valley. Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n’Tichka pass, visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou and continue to the Dades Valley.
- Day 2: Dades Valley to Merzouga. Walk in the Todra Gorge in the morning, then drive to Merzouga. Camel trek into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset and a night in a desert camp.
- Day 3: Merzouga to Fes. Sunrise over the dunes, then drive north through the Ziz Valley, Midelt and the cedar forests near Ifrane to Fes.
- Day 4: Fes. A day in the medina of Fes el-Bali with a local guide: madrasas, souks, craft quarters and the tanneries.
- Day 5: Fes to Chefchaouen via Volubilis. Visit the Roman site of Volubilis, then continue to Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains.
- Day 6: Chefchaouen to Rabat. A morning in the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, then drive to Rabat for the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower.
- Day 7: Rabat to Marrakech via Casablanca. Stop at the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, then drive back to Marrakech.
Who it suits: first-time visitors who want to see the desert and the great cities in one week. The trade-off: several long driving days. The route and the number of nights in each place can be changed, and it can also start in Casablanca or Fes.
Alternative 1: desert and Marrakech, at a gentler pace
- Days 1 to 4: the 4-day Merzouga and Draa Valley tour, with shorter driving days, a night in the dunes and a return through the palm groves of the Draa Valley.
- Day 5: rest day and a guided tour of the Marrakech medina.
- Day 6: a day trip to Imlil and the High Atlas.
- Day 7: the Agafay Desert at sunset before your departure.
Ideal for families and for travellers who want the Sahara without spending every day in the car.
Alternative 2: no long drives, based in Marrakech
If you would rather keep the same hotel all week, Marrakech is an excellent base for day trips:
- Day 1: arrival and the Agafay Desert at sunset (about 45 minutes away).
- Day 2: Marrakech medina with a local guide.
- Day 3: Imlil and the High Atlas (about 1h30 away).
- Day 4: Essaouira on the Atlantic coast (about 3 hours away).
- Day 5: free day in Marrakech.
- Day 6: the Ouzoud waterfalls or the Ourika Valley.
- Day 7: a Palmeraie camel ride or shopping before you leave.
You will not see the high dunes of the Sahara, which are too far for a day trip, but you will experience desert, mountains, coast and city with no long transfers.
Tips for planning a week in Morocco
- Choose your priority: the Sahara dunes need at least three days from Marrakech.
- Avoid changing hotel every night for the whole week; two nights in Fes or Marrakech make a real difference.
- Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; read the best time to visit Morocco.
- Arriving in Casablanca? Our 10-day Grand Morocco tour starts there and adds more time everywhere.
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
Yes, for a first visit focused on either the desert and the imperial cities, or Marrakech and its surroundings. With 10 days or more you can include both at a relaxed pace.
If you prefer palaces and medinas to long desert drives, our 4-day imperial cities tour covers Rabat, Meknes and Fes.
Can the itinerary be changed?
Yes. All our tours are private, so the route, the pace and the hotels can be adjusted to you.
Do I need a driver?
For a route like this, a private driver saves you navigating mountain roads and medinas, and lets you stop wherever you like.
Plan your week
Book the 7-day tour online and save 10%, with nothing to pay today, or tell us your dates and we will adapt the route to you.
