Welcome to Marrakesh-Safi, a region where rose-colored ramparts guard centuries of history and Atlantic trade winds cool whitewashed ramparts. Marrakech, founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids, still beats to the rhythm of its market squares, storytellers, and artisans. A few hours west, Essaouira’s fortified port town—once favored by caravans and counterculture musicians—offers a calmer, salt-perfumed rhythm.

Across seven days, you’ll wander tiled palaces, sip cardamom-scented coffee under cedar ceilings, hike Atlas Mountain valleys, and dine on seafood grilled minutes from the sea. Think rooftop sunsets over the Koutoubia, hammam steam and orange-blossom oil, and evenings wrapped in Gnawa music. The result is a Morocco itinerary that balances energy and ease.

Practical notes: Haggling is expected in souks—smile, start low, and meet in the middle. Keep small cash for taxis and market snacks. Scooters share medina alleys; walk single file near walls. Morocco is welcoming year-round; pack a light layer for cool evenings, sunscreen for high-altitude days, and respect local customs around religious sites.

Marrakech

Marrakech is Morocco’s sensory theater: cobalt-blue gardens, zellij-tiled courts, brass clatter from coppersmiths, and the citrus-and-spice of tagines simmering by doorways. The UNESCO-listed medina rewards curiosity—each turn reveals a new craft, courtyard, or rooftop terrace.

• Top sights: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque (exterior only), Dar el Bacha Museum of Confluences, Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Maison de la Photographie, and the souks (leather, lamps, carpets, spices).
• Experiences: Traditional hammam, rooftop sunset over Jemaa el-Fna, spice-blending and cooking classes, day trips to the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert.
• Good to know: Many palaces close for official events—go early and have a Plan B (e.g., Dar Si Saïd/Carpet & Weaving museum).

Where to stay: Browse riads and boutique hotels near Medina, Kasbah, or Mouassine. VRBO and Hotels.com have excellent selections:

• VRBO: Marrakech stays
• Hotels.com: Marrakech hotels and riads

Getting there: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Search fares on Trip.com (flights) or Kiwi.com. If you’re coming from or heading to Europe, compare on Omio flights.

Day 1: Arrival and First Sunset in the Red City

Afternoon: Arrive at your riad and settle in with mint tea. Stroll to Jemaa el-Fna as daylight softens—snake charmers and orange juice vendors give way to grill smoke and drumbeats.

Evening: Dinner at Nomad (modern Moroccan; try the spiced lamb shoulder and cauliflower zaalouk) or L’Mida (zesty sardine briouates, chermoula octopus) for rooftop views across the medina. For a nightcap, head to Kabana near Koutoubia for a date-and-ginger spritz and skyline views.

Day 2: Palaces, Tombs, and a Hammam

Morning: Coffee and msemen at Café des Épices overlooking the spice square. Visit Bahia Palace for carved cedar ceilings and Andalusian courtyards, then the nearby Saadian Tombs with their ethereal muqarnas domes.

Afternoon: Explore Dar el Bacha Museum of Confluences (stunning riad-museum). Treat yourself at Bacha Coffee—single-origin brews and orange-blossom madeleines under geometric woodwork. Lunch at Le Jardin (lush courtyard; kefta tagine, citrusy carrot salad).

Evening: Unwind with a traditional hammam at Les Bains de Marrakech or Heritage Spa (black soap scrub, rhassoul clay, argan oil). Dinner at Al Fassia (Gueliz), a women-run institution—order the slow-cooked lamb shoulder with prunes or chicken pastilla. If you want a show, Comptoir Darna pairs mezze and tagines with live music and dancers.

Day 3: Gardens, Museums, and Souk Treasures

Morning: Go early to Jardin Majorelle (the electric-blue garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent) and the Musée Yves Saint Laurent next door—fashion history in a minimalist, brick-latticed museum. Brunch at Plus61 (seasonal, vegetable-forward plates with Moroccan produce).

Afternoon: Dive into the souks: Souk Semmarine for leather babouches, Souk Haddadine for blacksmiths, and Souk Chouari for woodwork. Pop into Maison de la Photographie for evocative 19th–20th-century Morocco photography and a rooftop mint tea.

Evening: Golden hour on a rooftop at Atay Café (views to the Atlas on clear days). Dinner at Le Foundouk (romantic lantern-lit riad; monkfish tagine, saffron couscous) or book a sampling feast at Dar Yacout—multi-course, old-school Marrakchi dining in an atmospheric palace.

Day 4: Atlas Mountains Hike and Agafay Desert Sunset

Morning: Depart around 8:00 for Imlil (1.5–2 hours). Meet a local guide for a gentle 2–3 hour village-to-village hike with walnut groves, terraced fields, and Toubkal views. Stop for thyme tea in a Berber home.

Afternoon: Traditional lunch (tagine cooked over coals; homemade khobz) in the valley. Continue to the Agafay Desert (rocky lunar plateau, 1 hour from Marrakech). Opt for a short camel ride or quad session before sunset.

Evening: Sunset dinner at an Agafay desert camp—think lanterns, fire pits, harira soup, and grilled brochettes—then return to Marrakech (45–60 minutes). Back in town, a night stroll past the illuminated Koutoubia feels cinematic.

Featured Sahara Experiences (Optional Add‑Ons from Marrakech)

If the desert is calling, tack on one of these Merzouga experiences pre- or post-itinerary, or swap them in for Days 4–6. All are popular and current as of 2025.

• 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert — A classic Marrakech-to-Sahara loop with camel rides, starry nights, and Atlas passes.

  

  View on Viator
• Merzouga Camel Trekking & Overnight Desert Camp — Ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes for sunset, dine fireside, and sleep under the Milky Way.

  

  View on Viator
• Merzouga quad & sandboarding — Add adrenaline to your desert time with powerful quad bikes and dune surfing.

  

  View on Viator

Essaouira

Essaouira, the “Wind City of Africa,” is Morocco’s sea-breezy muse. Its UNESCO-listed medina—white walls trimmed in indigo—was shaped by Portuguese fortifications and trans-Saharan trade. Today, it’s a haven for surfers, artists, and food lovers.

• Top sights: Skala de la Ville ramparts and cannons, Mellah (Jewish quarter) lanes, Sidi Mohamed ben Abdallah Museum, bustling fishing port, and broad Atlantic beach.
• Experiences: Fresh fish grilled to order, argan oil cooperatives, kite or windsurf lessons, winery visits at Domaine du Val d’Argan, and sunset rooftops with Gnawa beats.
• Vibe: Slower pace than Marrakech; perfect for unwinding with sea views and long, lazy lunches.

Where to stay: Riad courtyards near Bab Sbaa for easy beach access, or medina rooftops near the ramparts for views. Browse:

• VRBO: Essaouira stays
• Hotels.com: Essaouira hotels and riads

Getting from Marrakech: Morning bus with Supratours or CTM takes ~2.5–3 hours (about 90–120 MAD per person). Private transfer runs ~900–1,200 MAD per vehicle and takes ~2.5 hours. If you’d rather fly into/out of ESU (limited routes to Europe), search fares on Trip.com or Omio flights.

Day 5: Marrakech to Essaouira, Ocean Air, and Ramparts

Morning: Depart Marrakech after breakfast for Essaouira (aim for a 9:00 bus or private transfer). Check into your riad and drop bags.

Afternoon: Lunch at the Port fish stalls: pick your catch (sardines, sea bream, langoustines), pay by weight, and it’s grilled with lemon and cumin. Walk the Skala de la Ville ramparts and cannon-lined bastions; peek into woodcarvers’ workshops along Rue de la Skala.

Evening: Sunset drinks at Taros (rooftop with live music; citrus mocktails are great) followed by dinner at La Table by Madada (refined seafood—razor clams with chermoula, black risotto with squid ink). Stroll the lamplit medina to end the night.

Day 6: Crafts, Beach Time, and Argan Traditions

Morning: Coffee and pastries at Pâtisserie Driss (since 1928; almond horns and mille-feuille). Visit the Sidi Mohamed ben Abdallah Museum for regional jewelry, music, and textiles, then browse galleries like Galerie la Kasbah for contemporary art.

Afternoon: Take a beach walk or book a kite/windsurf lesson (steady trade winds make this a year-round spot). Lunch at Triskala (seasonal, organic—try the roasted beetroot with orange and cumin, and ginger lemonade). Visit an argan cooperative just outside town to learn how kernels become culinary and cosmetic oil.

Evening: Dinner at Umia (short, creative menu; seared tuna with harissa beurre blanc, or slow-braised beef with dates). For a casual post-dinner vibe, Mega Loft blends art, live music, and tea under a bohemian ceiling of lampshades.

Day 7: Sea-to-Table Lunch and Departure

Morning: Leisurely breakfast of baghrir (spongy pancakes) and amlou (argan-almond spread) at your riad. If timing aligns, watch the morning fish auction at the port—shrimp, conger, and sardines move fast in the lively bidding.

Afternoon: Early lunch at Chez Sam by the port (classic seafood platters, views of blue boats). Depart by road back to Marrakech Menara Airport (~2.5 hours); plan a buffer for traffic and security. For flights, compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio flights (Europe routes).

What and Where to Eat (Quick Picks)

• Street & casual: Jemaa el-Fna grill stands for kefta and merguez; Henna Café for vegetarian couscous and rooftop tea.
• Classic Moroccan: Al Fassia (Marrakech), La Maison Arabe for cooking classes, Le Foundouk for date-night ambiance.
• Modern takes: Nomad, L’Mida, and Plus61 in Marrakech; Umia and La Table by Madada in Essaouira.
• Cafés & coffee: Bacha Coffee at Dar el Bacha, Café des Épices, Atay Café (views), Pâtisserie Driss (heritage bakery).
• Special sips: Winery tastings at Domaine du Val d’Argan near Essaouira (reserve ahead; try white and gris with seafood).

How to Get Around

• Marrakech: Taxis are plentiful; agree on fare before departure. Many sights cluster in the medina—walking is faster than cars in peak hours.
• Essaouira: Medina is pedestrian; the beach and port are a 10–15 minute stroll from Bab Sbaa.
• Intercity: Buses (Supratours, CTM) Marrakech–Essaouira take ~2.5–3 hours. Private transfers shave time and add flexibility.

In one week, you’ll have felt the pulse of Marrakech, tasted the sea air of Essaouira, and—if you choose—brushed the Sahara’s dunes. This Marrakesh-Safi itinerary balances big sights with unscripted moments, leaving room for tea refills, terrace sunsets, and a last wander through the souks.