Morocco 7-Day Itinerary: choose your focus
A week in Morocco forces you to choose. Trying to see it all is exhausting and disappointing. Here are three tried-and-tested routes that work in 7 days, from the most cultural to the most adventurous.
Route 1 — Imperial Cities
Ideal for: a first cultural visit, travellers without a car, families.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival Casablanca. Hassan II Mosque, Habous. Overnight Casablanca.
- Day 2: Train to Rabat (1h). Kasbah Oudayas, medina, Hassan Tower, Chellah. Overnight Rabat.
- Day 3: Train to Fès (2h30). Check-in, medina at sunset. Overnight Fès.
- Day 4: Intensive Fès with a local guide: madrasas, tanneries, Place Seffarine. Overnight Fès.
- Day 5: Excursion to Volubilis + Meknès or Moulay Idriss. Overnight Fès.
- Day 6: Train to Marrakech (7h, a lost day) or domestic flight (1h). Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 7: Marrakech: Jemaa el-Fna, souks, Bahia, Majorelle. Return to airport.
Transport
ONCF train from end to end. No car needed. See route comparator.
Indicative budget (2 people, comfort)
- Accommodation: 6 × 90 € = 540 €
- Transport: 100 €
- Meals + activities: 350 €
- Total: ≈990 € / 1500 € depending on accommodation
Route 2 — Marrakech, desert, Essaouira
Ideal for: a first “complete” trip, city–desert–ocean contrast.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival Marrakech. Riad check-in, dinner Jemaa el-Fna. Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 2: Marrakech: medina, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Bahia Palace, Majorelle. Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 3: Early departure to Aït-Ben-Haddou (4h), Ouarzazate, Dadès Gorges. Overnight Boumalne or Tinghir.
- Day 4: Todra Gorges, drive to Merzouga (5h). Sunset in the dunes. Overnight bivouac Erg Chebbi.
- Day 5: Sunrise in the dunes. Return to Marrakech (10h, long day). Overnight Marrakech.
- Day 6: Supratours bus to Essaouira (3h). Medina, port. Overnight Essaouira.
- Day 7: Essaouira in the morning, return to Marrakech airport.
Transport
- Marrakech–desert: with an organised excursion (200-350 € per person) OR hire car with driver (400-600 € over 3 days for 2 people).
- Marrakech–Essaouira: Supratours bus (9 €).
Less tiring variant
Swap Merzouga (10h of driving) for the Agafay desert (45 min from Marrakech): stony desert and luxury bivouac, saving 2 days.
Indicative budget (2 people, comfort)
- Accommodation: 6 × 80 € = 480 €
- Desert excursion: 500 €
- Bus + activities: 200 €
- Meals: 250 €
- Total: ≈1430 €
Route 3 — North and blue
Ideal for: avoiding the crowds, mild climate year-round, a different vibe.
Itinerary
- Day 1: Arrival Tangier. Medina, kasbah, Café Hafa at sunset. Overnight Tangier.
- Day 2: Cap Spartel, Hercules Caves. Afternoon Asilah (excursion). Overnight Tangier.
- Day 3: CTM bus to Chefchaouen (2h30). Medina at sunset. Overnight Chefchaouen.
- Day 4: Spanish Mosque, Akchour hike (half-day). Overnight Chefchaouen.
- Day 5: Bus to Fès (4h). Check-in. Overnight Fès.
- Day 6: Fès: medina, madrasas, tanneries. Overnight Fès.
- Day 7: Domestic flight Fès–Casablanca or train (3h30). Hassan II Mosque before the airport.
Transport
CTM buses and ONCF trains. Car optional to extend the Akchour hike.
Indicative budget (2 people, comfort)
- Accommodation: 6 × 70 € = 420 €
- Transport: 150 €
- Meals + activities: 350 €
- Total: ≈920 €
How to choose between the three
- If you want the cultural concentrate → Route 1.
- If you want to “see” Morocco in all its diversity → Route 2.
- If you want to avoid Marrakech and the crowds → Route 3.
Mistakes to avoid in 7 days
- Putting 5 cities: seeing everything means seeing nothing. Limit to 3–4 stops.
- Trying to do Merzouga in 2 days: 20h round-trip. Allow at least 3 days.
- Underestimating distances: Marrakech–Fès = 7h by train. Check via our route comparator.
- Not booking Supratours/CTM buses in high season.
- Arriving on Friday at noon: many shops close for 1–2h.
Flights: where to land?
- Route 1: land in Casablanca (CMN), depart Marrakech (RAK). No surcharge with Royal Air Maroc.
- Route 2: Marrakech (RAK) return.
- Route 3: land in Tangier (TNG), depart Casablanca (CMN).
7-day budget summary
| Profile | Total budget (2 ppl, excl. flights) |
|---|---|
| Backpacker | 600-900 € |
| Comfort | 1200-1800 € |
| Premium | 3000-5000 € |
For a precise calculation, use our Morocco travel budget estimator.
Go further
- First-time visit to Morocco
- How to get around Morocco
- Morocco travel budget
- Should you hire a car in Morocco
Frequently asked questions
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
It’s short but realistic to discover 2–3 regions. Don’t try to do it all; pick a focus.
Can you do the desert in 7 days?
Yes if starting from Marrakech: 2 days Marrakech, 3 days Marrakech–Merzouga–Marrakech, 2 days Essaouira.
Do you need a car for 7 days?
No for the imperial cities route. Optional for Marrakech–Essaouira. Recommended, or a driver, for the desert.
How much does 7 days in Morocco cost?
500–800 € with mid-range comfort, 1200–2000 € with higher comfort, excluding flights.