Once the imperial capital of the Almoravids, Marrakech earned its “Red City” nickname from the rose-hued ramparts that still guard its medina. Inside, a maze of souks spills with brass lanterns, Berber rugs, spices, and cedarwork. The call of storytellers in Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk meets the steam and orange-blossom scent of traditional hammams.

Two hours west, Essaouira—formerly Mogador—balances 18th-century bastions with a breezy, bohemian rhythm. Gnaoua rhythms drift from cafes, kite-sails pepper the horizon, and grill stalls serve just-landed sardines. The city’s Vauban-inspired ramparts and blue doors make it a photographer’s dream.

Practical notes: Dress modestly in the medina, carry small bills for taxis and tips, and expect bargaining in souks. Ramadan (dates shift yearly) brings serene mornings and lively iftar nights; many cafes still serve travelers in tourist zones. For flights, compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or—if coming from Europe—Omio.

Marrakech

Golden light on the Koutoubia’s minaret, tiled courtyards in Bahia Palace, and cobalt tones at Majorelle Garden—Marrakech is a city of textures. Between garden strolls and riad rooftops, duck into the Mellah’s spice square, the Museum of Confluences at Dar el Bacha, and the newly restored Ben Youssef Madrasa.

• Top sights: Jemaa el-Fnaa, Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Dar el Bacha Museum, Majorelle Garden & YSL Museum, Menara Olive Grove.
• Eat & drink: Rooftop modern-Moroccan at L’mida; mezze and grills at Naranj; slow-braised tagines at Al Fassia (Gueliz); garden courtyard at Le Jardin; pastries at Pâtisserie Amandine; sunset mocktails at El Fenn Rooftop.
• Experiences: Hammam and argan-oil massages; a medina food walk (snail soup, tanjia, msemen); a Berber village visit in the Atlas.

Where to stay: Search riads in the Medina or boutique stays in Gueliz/Hivernage on VRBO or Hotels.com. Riads place you near souks and sights; Gueliz offers wider streets, galleries, and cafes.

Getting in: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com; from Europe also try Omio. Airport taxis to the medina are typically 80–150 MAD; agree on the fare before departure.

Day 1: Arrival and First Taste of the Medina

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Check into your riad and decompress with mint tea. Stroll to Dar el Bacha’s Museum of Confluences for exquisite zellige, then treat yourself to single-origin pours at Bacha Coffee next door (expect a short queue).

Evening: Watch Jemaa el-Fnaa ignite at twilight—orange-juice stands, musicians, henna artists. Dinner on the rooftops: try L’mida for smoky zaalouk, saffron seabass, and a killer sunset view; or Naranj for pomegranate fattoush and spiced lamb skewers. Cap with sesame chebakia and fresh-squeezed sugarcane juice.

Day 2: Palaces, Madrasa, and Hammam

Morning: Start at the serene Ben Youssef Madrasa—carved cedar, stucco, and a mirror-still courtyard pool. Coffee at Atay Rooftop (cinnamon-spiked nouss-nouss), then browse Souk el Attarin (spices) and Souk Semmarine (leather, babouches).

Afternoon: Tour Bahia Palace’s painted salons and riad gardens, then cross into the Mellah. Visit the spice square and pick up ras el hanout; pop by the Saadian Tombs for 16th-century marble and muqarnas.

Evening: Book a hammam: Heritage Spa or Les Bains d’Orient for a black-soap scrub and ghassoul wrap. Dinner at Al Fassia (run by women, famed for pigeon pastilla and lamb shoulder with prunes). Nightcap on El Fenn’s rooftop under the Atlas silhouette.

Day 3: Majorelle Morning, Cooking Class, and Rooftop Night

Morning: Timed entry to Majorelle Garden before crowds; continue to the YSL Museum for couture and color theory. Espresso and sablé at Pâtisserie Amandine in Gueliz.

Afternoon: Join a hands-on cooking class (try the Amal Women’s Training Center) to master preserved-lemon chicken tagine and salads like taktouka. Shop for brassware on Souk Haddadine (blacksmiths) and peek at the dyers’ quarter for rainbow skeins.

Evening: Dinner-and-show at Comptoir Darna—live oud, drumline, and candlelit mezzes—or opt for Limoni’s garden patio for calamari chermoula and homemade gnocchi. Gelato stroll through Hivernage before turning in.

Day 4: Atlas Mountains Day Trip

Morning: Drive into the High Atlas (1.5–2 hours) to Imlil. Take a gentle guided hike to waterfalls and walnut groves; tea with a local Amazigh family offers mountain hospitality and warm bread straight from the tabouna.

Afternoon: Lunch on a terrace with Toubkal views—think cumin carrot salads, lentil tangia, and apricot tagines. Optional stop at Anima Garden on your return for art-filled paths and flower beds.

Evening: Back in Marrakech, sample Mechoui Alley’s slow-roasted lamb (pull-apart tender, sprinkled with cumin and salt) then dip into Jemaa el-Fnaa’s night food court (stall 14 for fried fish, dates for dessert). Early night—you’ll change scenes tomorrow.

Essaouira

Whitewashed lanes, cerulean doors, and Atlantic spray—Essaouira is Morocco’s “city of trade winds,” where artisans carve fragrant thuya wood and fishermen mend nets under the ramparts. The UNESCO-listed medina is scaled to wandering: every alley yields a gallery, a music bar, or a bakery scenting the air with anise.

• Top sights: Skala de la Ville ramparts, the port and fish auction, Moulay Hassan square, the Skala du Port, Jewish mellah, nearby Diabat dunes.
• Eat & drink: Triskala for seasonal, eco-minded Moroccan; Umia for refined seafood tagines; La Table by Madada for oysters and chermoula catch; Pâtisserie Chez Driss for classic pastries; Taros Rooftop for cocktails and Gnaoua sets.
• Experiences: Kitesurfing lessons, camel or horse rides on the beach, argan oil cooperative visits, winery tastings at Val d’Argan.

Where to stay: Medina riads near Moulay Hassan for nightlife, or ocean-view guesthouses just outside the walls. Compare options on VRBO and Hotels.com.

Getting there from Marrakech (Day 5 AM): CTM or Supratours buses take ~2.5–3 hours, ~90–120 MAD; private transfers run ~2.5 hours, ~1,200–1,600 MAD. Depart after breakfast to maximize your seaside afternoon.

Day 5: Marrakech to Essaouira, Ramparts and Harbor

Morning: Depart Marrakech after breakfast. Watch argan forests slide by—yes, you may spot goats in trees. Check into your riad and refresh.

Afternoon: Lunch at Triskala (try the catch-of-the-day bowl with preserved lemon and cumin) or La Table by Madada (razor clams, oysters, and grilled prawns). Walk the Skala de la Ville for cannon-lined ocean views and browse studios of marquetry and contemporary art.

Evening: Golden hour at the port as boats unload—photogenic blues and gulls. Dinner at Umia (octopus with harissa butter; chocolate fondant) or Mega Loft (live music, art on the walls, hearty kefta). Mint tea nightcap on a breezy rooftop.

Day 6: Beach Day, Argan & Wine

Morning: Sunrise wander on the beach, then a kitesurfing or wingfoil lesson with a local school (steady trade winds make learning forgiving). Coffee and croissants at Pâtisserie Chez Driss—an Essaouira institution since the 1950s.

Afternoon: Visit an argan cooperative near Ounagha to see cold-pressing in action and taste culinary vs. cosmetic oils. Continue to Val d’Argan winery for a North-African terroir tasting under olive trees.

Evening: Taros Rooftop for sunset and Gnaoua grooves, then dinner at La Licorne (monkfish tajine, pastilla with seafood) or Caravan Cafe (theatrical vibe, spicy seafood brochettes). Stroll the lantern-lit lanes for last-minute handicrafts.

Day 7: Diabat Dunes, Farewell Lunch, and Departure

Morning: Short ride to Diabat for camel or horse trekking over dunes with ocean views, or a relaxed beach walk collecting sea-polished shells. Coffee at Mandala Society (smoothies, specialty roasts) back in town.

Afternoon: Early lunch—grilled sardines at the port’s informal stalls or a light couscous bowl. Transfer back to Marrakech Airport (~3 hours) for your afternoon departure; if you’ve found a seasonal flight from Essaouira (ESU), compare times on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio.

Evening: In transit.

Optional Sahara Extensions from Marrakech

If you crave dunes and starry skies, tack these onto the start or end of your week (they depart from Marrakech and venture east). Multi-day tours replace some Marrakech/Essaouira time, so plan accordingly.

3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert — Camel rides, Erg Chebbi dunes, and desert campfire music on a guided journey across the High Atlas.

Book on Viator

2 Days Trip from Marrakech to Merzouga (end in Fes or Marrakech) — A fast-paced Sahara sampler with sunset camel trekking and an overnight in tents under the Milky Way.

Book on Viator

Getting Between Cities & Around Town

• Marrakech ⇄ Essaouira: Morning buses (CTM/Supratours) 2.5–3 hours, ~90–120 MAD; private car ~2.5 hours, ~1,200–1,600 MAD. Ask your riad to arrange pickups at the city gates.
• Taxis: Petit taxis in Marrakech are metered; short hops 15–40 MAD. In Essaouira, most is walkable—bring a scarf or windbreaker for gusty evenings.
• Tickets & flights: For international and domestic options, compare on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, and (from Europe) Omio.

In a week, you’ll savor Marrakech’s souks and gardens, the Atlas foothills, and Essaouira’s salt-kissed tempo. From rooftop sunsets to seafood at the ramparts, this itinerary blends history, flavor, and sea air—easy to follow, yet ripe for happy detours.