Morocco 7-day itinerary: 3 ready-made routes
Imperial cities, Marrakech-desert-Essaouira, north and Chefchaouen: three complete routes, day by day, with transport and budget figures.
Seven days in Morocco is short but realistic to discover one or two regions intensively. The golden rule: don't try to see everything. Pick one axis — cultural (imperial cities), adventure (desert) or relaxed (north) — and stick to 3–4 stops.
We've prepared 3 complete routes, tested and optimised for 7 days, with day-by-day stops, transport, budget and sample accommodation.
Imperial cities — the great classic
Casablanca → Rabat → Fez → Volubilis → Marrakech
Ideal for: Discover Morocco's historical heritage by train, no car needed.
Day-by-day programme
- Day 1
Arrival Casablanca
Hassan II Mosque at sunset, dinner on the corniche. Overnight Casablanca.
- Day 2
Casablanca → Rabat
Train to Rabat (1 h). Kasbah of the Oudayas, medina, Hassan Tower, Chellah. Overnight Rabat.
- Day 3
Rabat → Fez
Train to Fez (2 h 30). Check into a riad, first medina walk at sunset. Overnight Fez.
- Day 4
Fez in depth
Guided medina tour: Bou Inania and al-Attarine madrasas, Chouara tanneries, Seffarine square. Overnight Fez.
- Day 5
Volubilis & Meknes day trip
Roman ruins of Volubilis (UNESCO), sacred village of Moulay Idriss, Meknes medina. Back to Fez. Overnight Fez.
- Day 6
Fez → Marrakech
Day train (7 h) OR domestic flight (1 h, €60–100). Medina riad, dinner at Jemaa el-Fna. Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 7
Marrakech & departure
Medina, souks, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden. Transfer to Marrakech (RAK) airport.
Transport
ONCF train end-to-end. No car needed. Fez–Marrakech flight recommended to save 6 h.
Indicative budget (2 pers., comfort)
- Accommodation (6 nights × €90)€540
- Transport (trains + domestic flight)€180
- Food€200
- Activities & local guide€150
- Total for 2 people≈ €1,070
Marrakech, desert, Essaouira — the contrast trip
Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Merzouga → Marrakech → Essaouira
Ideal for: First 'complete' trip: city-desert-ocean in one week.
Day-by-day programme
- Day 1
Arrival Marrakech
Check into a riad, dinner on Jemaa el-Fna (stalls 14, 31 or 32). Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 2
Marrakech immersion
Medina, Ben Youssef madrasa, Bahia Palace, Majorelle Garden, evening hammam. Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 3
To Aït Ben Haddou & Dades
Early start, Tichka pass (2,260 m), Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO), Dades gorges. Overnight Boumalne or Tinghir.
- Day 4
Todra gorges → Merzouga
Todra gorges, drive to Merzouga (5 h). Sunset on camelback, Berber bivouac in the Erg Chebbi dunes. Overnight in a tent.
- Day 5
Sunrise & back to Marrakech
Sunrise over the dunes, long drive back (10 h) or overnight stop in Ouarzazate. Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 6
Marrakech → Essaouira
Supratours bus (3 h, ~€9). Medina, fishing port, walk on the Portuguese ramparts, grilled fish at sunset. Overnight Essaouira.
- Day 7
Essaouira & departure
Beach morning or Sidi Mohamed Ben Abdellah museum. Back to Marrakech airport.
Transport
Marrakech-desert via organised tour (€200–350/pers.) OR private driver (€400–600 for 3 days, 2 pers.). Supratours bus to Essaouira.
Indicative budget (2 pers., comfort)
- Accommodation (6 nights × €80)€480
- 3-day desert tour€500
- Bus & activities€200
- Food€250
- Total for 2 people≈ €1,430
North and blue — the relaxed alternative
Tangier → Chefchaouen → Fez → Casablanca
Ideal for: Avoid Marrakech and the crowds, mild climate year-round, a different vibe.
Day-by-day programme
- Day 1
Arrival Tangier
Medina, kasbah, Café Hafa at sunset over the strait. Overnight Tangier.
- Day 2
Tangier & Cap Spartel
Cap Spartel, Hercules Caves, afternoon in Asilah (small white town). Overnight Tangier.
- Day 3
Tangier → Chefchaouen
CTM bus to Chefchaouen (2 h 30). Medina at sunset, blue alleys, Spanish mosque. Overnight Chefchaouen.
- Day 4
Chefchaouen & Akchour
Spanish mosque at sunrise. Half-day Akchour hike (waterfalls, natural bridges). Overnight Chefchaouen.
- Day 5
Chefchaouen → Fez
Bus to Fez (4 h). Check in, first medina walk. Overnight Fez.
- Day 6
Fez in depth
Medina, madrasas, Chouara tanneries, Seffarine square. Overnight Fez.
- Day 7
Fez → Casablanca
ONCF train (3 h 30) or domestic flight (50 min). Hassan II Mosque before the airport.
Transport
CTM buses and ONCF trains. Car optional to extend the Akchour hike or explore the Rif.
Indicative budget (2 pers., comfort)
- Accommodation (6 nights × €70)€420
- Transport (bus + train)€150
- Food€200
- Activities & guide€150
- Total for 2 people≈ €920
How to choose between the three?
Cultural focus
If you want historical heritage and the intensity of medinas → Route 1. No road fatigue, comfortable train, gradual immersion.
Morocco in all its diversity
If you want to see Morocco on a grand scale — city, desert, ocean → Route 2. More tiring (long drives) but intense memories.
Off the beaten path
If you want to avoid Marrakech and prefer calm → Route 3. Mild climate year-round, Andalusian vibe, less touristy.
Where to land and depart?
Good news: flying into one city and out of another costs nothing extra with Royal Air Maroc and most low-cost carriers. Optimise your time by skipping the return leg.
Route 1
Arrival: Casablanca (CMN)
Departure: Marrakech (RAK)
Route 2
Arrival: Marrakech (RAK)
Departure: Marrakech (RAK)
Route 3
Arrival: Tangier (TNG)
Departure: Casablanca (CMN)
7-day budget — summary by profile
€600–900
Backpacker
Hostels, local food, 2nd-class train
€1,200–1,800
Comfort
Boutique riads, mixed restaurants, guides
€3,000–5,000
Premium
Palaces, private driver, fine dining
Budgets shown for 2 people, excluding international flights. Add €200–500/person for flights from Europe depending on the season.
📊 Estimate your budget precisely
Our tool splits your budget by profile, number of travellers and itinerary.
Open the budget estimator5 mistakes to avoid on 7 days
- 1
Wanting to see 5 cities or more
Seeing everything = seeing nothing. Every hotel change costs 2–3 h. Stick to 3–4 stops max.
- 2
Squeezing Merzouga into 2 days
20 h of driving round-trip from Marrakech. Plan a minimum of 3 days, or pick Agafay (45 min) for a taste of desert.
- 3
Underestimating distances
Marrakech–Fez = 7 h by train. Check every trip with our route comparator before finalising.
- 4
Not booking buses in high season
Supratours (Marrakech–Essaouira) and CTM (Chefchaouen) buses fill up. Book online 2–3 days ahead.
- 5
Arriving on Friday at noon
Many shops close for 1–2 h for Friday prayer. Avoid transfers at that time.
Your itinerary deserves the right car
With 1,200 to 1,800 km in 7 days, a car unlocks all the stops. Compare rentals and pick up at the airport on app.karvyx.com.
Explore Morocco's cities
Practical guides by destination: what to do, where to stay, how to get around and average budget.
Rent a car at the airport
Counters, hours, prices and tips by airport — pick up your vehicle right on arrival.
Most requested routes
Duration, tolls, recommended stops and train/bus alternatives for each route.
Frequently asked questions
Are 7 days enough to visit Morocco?
It's short but realistic to discover 2–3 regions. Don't try to see everything: pick one axis (imperial cities, desert, or north) and stick to 3–4 stops max.
Can you do the desert in 7 days?
Yes, from Marrakech: 2 days on site, 3 days Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech (with a night in the dunes), 2 days in Essaouira. The Agafay desert (45 min from Marrakech) is an alternative to save 2 days.
Do you need a car for 7 days in Morocco?
Not for the imperial cities loop (ONCF train is perfect). Optional for Marrakech–Essaouira. Recommended (or private driver) for the desert from Marrakech.
How much does 7 days in Morocco cost?
For 2 people (excluding flights): €600–900 backpacker, €1,200–1,800 comfort, €3,000–5,000 premium. See our budget estimator for a per-profile breakdown.
Which is the best arrival airport?
Casablanca (CMN) for the north–south imperial cities loop, Marrakech (RAK) for Marrakech-desert-Essaouira, Tangier (TNG) for the north loop. Flying into one city and out of another costs nothing extra with Royal Air Maroc.
How many stops max in 7 days?
3 to 4 stops maximum. Beyond that, you spend more time on the road than in the cities. Every hotel change costs 2–3 h (check-out, transfer, check-in).
Should you book accommodation in advance?
Yes in high season (March–May, September–November, European school holidays). Boutique riads in Marrakech, Fez and Essaouira fill up fast. Book 2–3 months ahead for the best.