Morocco’s story stretches from ancient caravan routes to modern cafe culture, with centuries-old medinas, Berber fortresses, Andalusian arches, and French art deco all sharing the same skyline. In this one-week itinerary, you’ll trace that history from Marrakech’s “Red City” ramparts to the deep silence of the Sahara, watching the sunset paint the Erg Chebbi dunes in copper and rose.

Expect sensory overload in the best way: saffron and cumin in the markets, hammered copper echoing through the souks, and the cool hush of tile-lined courtyards. You’ll cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, wander UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou, and sleep in a desert camp under a Milky Way so bright it feels close enough to touch.

Practical notes: Dress modestly in medinas; cash is king at small stalls (dirhams, not euros). Tap water isn’t recommended—choose sealed or filtered water. Ramadan shifts yearly and can change opening hours. Taxis are inexpensive but agree on a fare or insist on the meter. Tipping (10-15% in restaurants) is appreciated.

Marrakech

Marrakech dazzles with its pink-hued walls, labyrinthine souks, and a rhythm that quickens at sunset when drummers, storytellers, and food vendors converge on Jemaa el-Fnaa. It’s both museum and marketplace, a place where cedar-scented palaces sit minutes from avant-garde galleries and design-forward cafes.

• Top sights: Bahia Palace (stunning zellij and painted cedar), Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque (12th-century minaret), Jemaa el-Fnaa, and the souks of Semmarine, Chouari (wood), and Attarine (spices).
• Modern icons: Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Museum, photography at Maison de la Photographie, and contemporary art in Gueliz.
• Food & drink: Classic tagines and mechoui, plus new-wave rooftops like Nomad and L’mida for fresh Moroccan fusion and sweeping medina views.
• Fun fact: Marrakech is nicknamed “Al Bahja” (City of Joy) and its signature ochre plaster inspired the term “Marrakech Red.”

Where to stay (Marrakech):

• Royal Mansour Marrakech – a handcrafted palace commissioned by Morocco’s royal family (exceptional spa and dining).
• Riad Dar Attajmil – intimate riad with warm service and a leafy courtyard, steps from the medina’s heart.
• Es Saadi Marrakech Resort - Hotel – expansive pool scene in Hivernage, convenient to both old and new quarters.
• Browse more stays: VRBO Marrakech and Hotels.com Marrakech.

How to get here: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Check fares on Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com. Taxis from RAK to the medina take ~20 minutes.

Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

Merzouga fronts the towering dunes of Erg Chebbi, where wind-scrolled sand forms a living sculpture garden. Days are for dunes and desert villages; nights, for Gnawa rhythms, ember-warm tagines, and a sky sluiced with stars.

• Why go: Camel treks at sunset, sandboarding, and Berber hospitality in desert camps with traditional mint tea by the fire.
• Nearby highlights: Fossil fields, the black desert, Khamlia village for Gnawa music, and seasonal lakes attracting flamingos after rains.

Where to stay (Merzouga & nearby):

• Kasbah Hotel Tombouctou – proper desert hotel with pool and views of the dunes.
• Auberge Les Roches – friendly base for 4x4 outings and camel treks.
• Riad Nezha – comfortable rooms and rooftop panoramas.
• More options: VRBO Merzouga and Hotels.com Merzouga.

Getting there from Marrakech: Overland via the High Atlas (most scenic, ~9–10 hours driving split across 2 days on tours). Alternatively, fly to Errachidia (via Casablanca on select days; 3.5–5.5 hours total with connection) and transfer 2–3 hours by road to Merzouga—check Trip.com flights or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Marrakech Arrival, Rooftops, and the Medina’s First Taste

Morning: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Compare fares and connections on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Set up currency at the airport or an ATM in Gueliz.

Afternoon: Check into your riad and orient on foot: pass the Koutoubia’s minaret to Jemaa el-Fnaa to sense the square’s daytime calm before the nightly spectacle. For a gentle first bite, try L’mida for citrusy sardine briouats and seasonal salads, or Café des Épices for a harira soup and a sunlit terrace.

Evening: Dive into the souks at golden hour (lanterns quarter is a photographer’s dream). Dinner at Nomad: try the spiced cauliflower, kefta tanjia, and almond-milk “snake” pastry; rooftop sunset never disappoints. Nightcap at Kabana rooftop—DJ sets, mocktails, and a skyline of minarets.

Day 2: Palaces, Tombs, Souks, and a Hammam Reset

Morning: Start early at Bahia Palace (plan ~60–90 minutes; ~70 MAD) to admire painted cedar ceilings and mosaic courtyards. Walk to the Saadian Tombs (16th century; ~70 MAD) for muqarnas-detailed mausoleums, then peek at Bab Agnaou gate.

Afternoon: Lunch at Al Fassia (Gueliz): famed women-run kitchen—order the slow-roasted mechoui shoulder and orange-flower pastilla. Shop the medina by “themes”: Rue Dar El Bacha for antiques and design, Souk Semmarine for leather slippers and woven baskets, and Rahba Kedima for spices (look for saffron sealed in glass and ras el hanout blends).

Evening: Book a traditional hammam and scrub (45–90 minutes; budget 250–700 MAD). Dinner at Dar Zellij, a 17th-century mansion with candlelit zellij—go for lamb tagine with prunes and almonds; vegetarian couscous is excellent. Post-dinner mint tea on your riad’s rooftop.

Day 3: Into the High Atlas and the Oases (Start of Your 3-Day Sahara Tour)

Today you begin a classic Sahara route on the 3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek (typical from ~$150–$250 per person, shared small-group; private 4x4 also available). Expect scenic stops across the Tizi n’Tichka pass, a guided visit of UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou, and an overnight in the Dades Valley or Ouarzazate area. Meals are often included; confirm specifics when booking.

Notes: It’s a full travel day (5–7 hours with stops). Keep a scarf for dust, sunglasses, and a power bank. Lunch stops often feature tagines and Berber omelets; bring small bills for tips and local crafts.

Day 4: Todra Gorge, Camel Trek, and a Night Under the Stars

Continue through the Tinghir palm oasis to walk beneath the honeyed limestone of Todra Gorge. By late afternoon reach Merzouga, where you’ll switch to camels for a slow sway into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset. After sandboarding and tea, settle into your desert camp for a fireside dinner and drum circle. On clear nights the Milky Way is radiant—perfect for astrophotography.

Alternative (if traveling independently): Book a focused dune experience like Merzouga Sunset Adventure: Camel, Quad, Buggy or 4WD to tailor the timing and activity mix.

Day 5: Sahara Sunrise and Return to Marrakech

Wake before dawn to climb a dune for sunrise. After breakfast, your driver/guide retraces the route toward Marrakech, with comfort and photo stops along the way (expect 8–10 hours with breaks). Back in Marrakech by early evening, unwind with a casual dinner—try Mechoui Alley near Jemaa el-Fnaa for slow-roasted lamb pulled to order with cumin and salt, or Kafe Merstan for rooftop views of the medina’s domes.

Day 6: Majorelle Blue, YSL Design, and Gueliz Flavors

Morning: Beat the queues at Jardin Majorelle (aim for opening; ~120–150 MAD) and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (combo tickets available). The cobalt-blue garden dates to painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s; YSL’s museum showcases couture alongside Berber textiles.

Afternoon: Coffee at Bacha Coffee inside Dar el Bacha (book ahead; closed some Tuesdays). Try single-origin brews with vanilla chantilly. Lunch in Gueliz at Plus61 for market-driven Mediterranean-Moroccan plates or at Amaia for bistro comfort. Shop concept stores (33 Rue Majorelle, SOME) for modern Moroccan design.

Evening: Sunset stroll through the medina’s quieter quarters (Mellah spice market is photogenic near closing). Dinner-and-show at Comptoir Darna (belly-dance sets, live music) or a contemporary Moroccan tasting at Sahbi Sahbi (women-led, wood-fired breads, refined tagines). Reserve ahead on weekends.

Day 7: Slow Morning, Last Souvenirs, and Departure

Morning: Breakfast on your riad terrace—msmen pancakes with amlou (almond-argan-honey) and fresh-squeezed orange juice. Consider a short cooking workshop at your riad to learn chermoula and preserved lemon techniques (many offer 2–3 hour sessions) or pick up final spices and ceramics (look for hand-painted Safi bowls with signatures underneath).

Afternoon: Check out and transfer to RAK for your flight. Compare options on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. If your schedule allows, a final mint tea at Café Kif Kif opposite Koutoubia makes a perfect farewell.

Evening: Fly out or enjoy a bonus night. If staying, consider a final spa session or a quiet dinner at La Table du Palais with herb-laced couscous and a courtyard lit by lanterns.

Travel Logistics and Costs (At a Glance)

• International flights: To/from Marrakech (RAK). Often cheapest midweek. Check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Marrakech ↔ Merzouga (tour): 3 days round-trip with Aït Ben Haddou and Todra Gorge (shared minibus or private 4x4). Typical budget: ~$150–$250 pp shared; private varies by group size. Overnight desert camp (standard or “luxury”) included on many tours.
• Independent alternative: Fly to Errachidia (via Casablanca) then 2–3 hours by road to Merzouga; check fares via Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Road transfers are easy to arrange through your riad or Merzouga hotel.

Optional Add-On in the Ouarzazate Region (If You Extend)

If you choose to linger around Ouarzazate/Aït Ben Haddou, this focused visit makes a worthy extra:

Visit to the Ksar of Aït Ben Haddou – a deep dive into the iconic earthen ksar used as a backdrop for many films, best in late afternoon light.

Restaurant short list (Marrakech):

• Nomad: Modern Moroccan plates, rooftops over spice square; reserve sunset.
• L’mida: Light, colorful dishes (think beetroot hummus, chermoula fish) with panoramic views.
• Al Fassia (Gueliz): Legendary women-run kitchen; book the mechoui in advance.
• Dar Zellij: Candlelit palace vibes and classic tagines in a 17th-century riad.
• Comptoir Darna: Dinner with live music and dance—festive and theatrical.
• Bacha Coffee: Single-origin coffees, pastries, and a museum setting (book ahead).

Across seven days, you’ll taste Marrakech’s timeless medina, cross storybook mountains and kasbahs, and stand atop dunes as the desert fades into night. It’s a compact route that still captures Morocco’s essence: color, hospitality, and a horizon that keeps you curious.