Morocco rewards the curious. From Marrakech’s rose-red walls and labyrinthine souks to the wind-carved dunes of Merzouga, this 7-day itinerary blends history, cuisine, and landscapes shaped by centuries of caravans and craftsmanship. You’ll trace dynastic footprints through palaces, cross the High Atlas, and sleep beneath a riot of desert stars.

Marrakech, founded in 1070 by the Almoravids, became a crossroads of trade and ideas. Its medina is a living museum: perfumers, metalworkers, and dyers still practice their arts in souks that once provisioned Saharan caravans. Meanwhile, the modern districts showcase galleries, cafes, and design boutiques that speak to a confident, contemporary Morocco.

Practical notes: Morocco uses the dirham (MAD); cash is handy in souks. Dress modestly in medinas; ask before photographing people. Street food is excellent—follow the locals—and book popular sights (like the Majorelle Garden) early. Spring and fall bring ideal weather; the desert can be hot by day, cold by night.

Marrakech

Marrakech is sensory theater: call to prayer echoing off terracotta walls, pyramids of cumin and saffron, cedar-scented riads, and lantern-lit alleys that seem lifted from a storybook. The city balances heritage—Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque—with design-forward cafes and galleries in Gueliz and the creative quarter around M Avenue.

Top sights include the medina’s souks (Semmarine for leather and lanterns, el-Attarine for spices, des Teinturiers for vivid-dyed yarns), the Bahia Palace’s zellij mosaics, and the tranquil Secret Garden. Save time for the Majorelle Garden and Yves Saint Laurent Museum, plus a restorative traditional hammam.

• Where to stay: Sleep in a riad inside the medina for atmosphere, or Gueliz/Hivernage for easy taxis and modern comforts. Browse stays on VRBO and Hotels.com. Consider Riad BE (photogenic courtyard), Riad Yasmine (emerald-tiled pool), or La Mamounia for a heritage splurge.
• Eating & drinking: Try mechoui (slow-roasted lamb) in Mechoui Alley near Jemaa el-Fnaa, tangia at Chez Lamine Hadj Mustapha, refined Moroccan at Al Fassia (women-run), and rooftop sunsets at Nomad or Café des Épices. Bacha Coffee inside Dar el Bacha Museum elevates single-origin brews and pastries.

Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

Merzouga edges the Erg Chebbi dunes, where apricot-colored sand mountains shift with the wind. Camel caravans still silhouette the horizon at sunset, and quiet here has its own sound—a soft hush under an impossible ceiling of stars.

Beyond the classic camel trek and desert camp, visit the Gnawa village of Khamlia for trance rhythms, try sandboarding, or kick up dust on a quad bike across the dunes. Time your visit for clear skies; nights can be chilly, even after warm days.

• Where to stay: Desert camps range from traditional to luxe with en-suite tents and hot showers. If you’d like a pre/post-camp night, look in the village or Hassi Labied. Search options on VRBO and Hotels.com.
• Food & culture: Expect tagines baked slow in clay, fresh salads, and mint tea rituals. If time allows, stop at Cafe Nora in Khamlia for live Gnawa music and a simple, delicious Berber omelet.

How to get there

Fly into Marrakech (RAK). Compare fares on Trip.com (flights) and Kiwi.com. If you’re coming from Europe, you can also check Omio flights. The road journey from Marrakech to Merzouga is ~560 km via the High Atlas and takes 9–10 hours with sightseeing stops; most travelers join a 3-day guided tour that breaks up the drive with scenic overnights.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech, Rooftop Sunsets, and Jemaa el-Fnaa

Afternoon: Arrive and check into your riad. Ease into the medina with a slow wander to Koutoubia’s gardens, then proceed to Jemaa el-Fnaa as the square transforms with orange juice vendors and storytellers.

Evening: Grab a terrace table at Café des Épices for views over the spice market; order the zaalouk (smoky eggplant) and a spiced chicken brochette. For dinner, choose Nomad for modern Moroccan (try the cumin-scented cauliflower and lamb shoulder) or head to Mechoui Alley to sample fall-apart lamb pulled to order. Nightcap at Le Salama’s rooftop under lanterns.

Day 2: Palaces, Souks, and a Traditional Hammam

Morning: Bahia Palace’s painted ceilings and carved stucco shine in early light; continue to the Saadian Tombs, rediscovered in 1917 and now among the city’s most exquisite marble work. Coffee at Bacha Coffee (cardamom-scented brews, immaculate pastries) pairs perfectly with a quick visit to the Dar el Bacha Museum next door.

Afternoon: Dive into the souks: Souk Semmarine for leather babouches and brass, Souk des Teinturiers to see dye vats, and Place des Épices for ras el hanout. Lunch at Atay Café on a rooftop of rugs and mint tea—get the kefta tagine. Expect to bargain; start at about half the first price and smile.

Evening: Restore at a hammam such as Les Bains de Marrakech or Hammam de la Rose—book a gommage (black soap scrub) and argan oil massage. Dinner at Al Fassia (semolina couscous and pigeon pastilla) or Dar Yacout for a set-menu feast in an atmospheric mansion, followed by a stroll past lantern shops on Rue Riad Zitoun.

Day 3: Marrakech to the Desert—Across the High Atlas

This is a full-day guided journey; no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening.

Join the 3 Days Group Tour from Marrakech to Merzouga Desert (typical from $150–$250 per person, depending on season and camp tier). Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260 m) with hairpin views, explore UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou’s earthen ksar, and continue via Ouarzazate to the Dadès Valley for the night.

Lunch stops feature Berber omelets and chicken-lemon tagines; carry small change for mint tea and roadside almonds. Overnight in a simple guesthouse overlooking the Dadès Gorges’ striated cliffs.

Day 4: Todra Gorge, Camel Trek, and Night in the Sahara

This is a full-day guided journey; no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening.

Roll past the Todra Gorge, a cathedral of ochre rock favored by climbers, then on to Merzouga. Near sunset, mount camels for the classic approach to the Erg Chebbi dunes; your camp awaits with tea, tagines, drums by the fire, and a dazzling Milky Way. Sunrise over the dunes is worth the early wake-up.

Have an hour to spare before the camel ride? Add a burst of adrenaline with Merzouga quad & sandboarding (~$40–$60 for 1 hour). It’s a thrill and a different perspective on the dune sea.

Day 5: Return to Marrakech via Ouarzazate (Evening Arrival)

This is a full-day guided journey; no need to split by morning/afternoon/evening.

After sunrise and breakfast, ride back across the sands by camel or 4x4 and begin the return via the Anti-Atlas and Ouarzazate, often arriving in Marrakech early evening (9–10 hours with breaks). Dinner back in the city: try La Famille (vegetable-forward, garden setting) or the smoky grills of Zeitoun Café overlooking the square.

Prefer to break up the drive and finish the next day? Book a pre-arranged ride such as “Ouarzazate to Marrakech: Your Comfortable Private Transfer” (typically $120–$180 for a private vehicle depending on group size).

Day 6: Gardens, Design, and Modern Marrakech

Morning: Visit the Majorelle Garden before crowds—electric-blue studios, cacti, and palms once owned by Yves Saint Laurent—then the YSL Museum for fashion history. Coffee and a tart at the adjacent garden café, or head to LE 68 Bar à Vin for a daytime espresso and croissant.

Afternoon: Explore Gueliz boutiques (Some Slow Concept, Max & Jan) and contemporary art at MACAAL or MCC Gallery. Lunch at Plus61 for Mediterranean plates with Moroccan produce, or at Amaleen for inventive mezze and fresh juices.

Evening: Golden hour at the Secret Garden’s tower offers sweeping medina views. Dine at Comptoir Darna (classic Marrakchi dishes and live music) or Limoni for Sicilian-Moroccan pastas in a lemon grove courtyard. For a late mint tea, snag a sofa at Dar Cherifa, a restored 16th-century riad.

Day 7: Last Sips, Last Souvenirs, Departure

Morning: Squeeze in a final wander: pick up argan oil (cosmetic grade, cold-pressed) and hand-loomed textiles in Souk Zrabi. Breakfast at Pâtisserie Amandine (almond gazelle horns, mille-feuille) or KAWA 16 for specialty coffee and a cinnamon roll.

Afternoon: Pack and transfer to the airport. Check flights again on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio. If your schedule allows, one last orange juice at Jemaa el-Fnaa is a sweet farewell.

Extra options (if you extend a day)

• Spend a night in Ouarzazate and take a guided visit to Aït Ben Haddou and Atlas Studios with a local tour like “Aït Ben Haddou, Ouarzazate, Atlas Studios” (lunch included); it’s a film-location treasure trove. Alternatively, book the product directly if you’re already based in Ouarzazate: tour link.

Estimated costs and timing at a glance

• Flights to Marrakech: widely variable; from Europe often $60–$250 round-trip on sales; from North America $600–$1,000+. Search via Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or Omio.
• 3-day Sahara tour (shared): about $150–$250 pp including transport, one hotel night, camel trek, and desert camp dinner/breakfast.
• Quad biking in Merzouga: ~$40–$60 per hour.
• Meals in Marrakech: street food $2–$5; mid-range restaurants $8–$15 per main; hammam + massage packages $30–$80.

Good to know

• ATMs are common; small notes help at markets. SIM/eSIMs are inexpensive; ask your riad to arrange airport pickup.
• Friday is a holy day; some shops open later. Photography: always ask, especially in the souks.
• Pack layers for the desert: warm jacket for night, scarf for sun/wind, closed shoes for sand.

In a week, you’ll taste Marrakech’s rhythm and the Sahara’s vast silence—two sides of Morocco’s soul. Keep your curiosity—and your camera—ready; the country rewards wanderers with moments that linger long after the journey home.