Morocco has been a crossroads of Berber, Arab, Jewish, Andalusian, and sub-Saharan cultures for over a millennium. From imperial cities to caravan routes, its history is written in cedar doors, zellij tiles, and storytelling squares. This 7-day Morocco itinerary threads the best of Marrakech, a Sahara Desert experience, and Fes—balancing iconic sights with local flavor.

Expect medina mazes perfumed with saffron and orange blossom, mountain passes over the High Atlas, and the quiet ritual of mint tea under Saharan stars. You’ll wander palaces and madrasas in the morning, barter for handwoven carpets by afternoon, and dine on slow-cooked tagines by night. The rhythm is immersive yet manageable, with time for a hammam and rooftop sunsets.

Practical notes: Morocco uses the dirham (MAD); cash is handy in the medina. Dress modestly, confirm prices before committing, and tip small amounts for local help. Most major sights in Marrakech and Fes are open as of 2025; occasional restoration may affect access. Trains are comfortable for long hops; desert legs are best with a reputable 3‑day tour.

Marrakech

Marrakech is Morocco’s sensory overture: the call to prayer over the Koutoubia, the spectacle of Jemaa el‑Fna, and the souks’ endless kaleidoscope. Its pink ramparts guard sultans’ palaces, secret gardens, and riads where fountains murmur in tiled courtyards.

Top sights include the Bahia Palace’s painted cedar ceilings, the Saadian Tombs’ carved marble, the serene Ben Youssef Madrasa, and the palm-shaded Le Jardin Secret. Balance history with a traditional hammam, rooftop cafés overlooking the Atlas, and contemporary dining in Gueliz.

• Don’t miss: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Ben Youssef Madrasa, Jemaa el‑Fna at sunset, Le Jardin Secret, Dar el Bacha (for its museum and famed coffee house).
• Food highlights: slow-cooked lamb mechoui, chicken lemon-olive tagine, zaalouk (eggplant), pastilla, and freshly pressed orange juice.
• Where to stay: Riads in the medina for atmosphere, Gueliz/Hivernage for easier taxi access.

Accommodations: Compare riads and apartments on VRBO Marrakech or hotels on Hotels.com Marrakech.

Getting there: Fly into RAK (Marrakech). Search fares via Omio (flights to/from Europe), or globally via Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights. Airport taxis to the medina take ~20 minutes (about 70–100 MAD); many riads can arrange a porter from the nearest drop-off.

Fes (Fez)

Fes is the scholarly soul of Morocco—home to the world’s oldest university and a medina that feels paused in a golden century. Its skyline is a lace of minarets; its lanes brim with copper clangs, loom rhythms, and the spice market’s perfume.

Explore the exquisite Bou Inania and Al‑Attarine madrasas, the leatherwork at Chouara Tannery, and the Andalusian quarter’s tranquil corners. In the Ville Nouvelle, cafés pour espresso for students and artisans alike.

• Don’t miss: Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate), Bou Inania Madrasa, Al‑Attarine Madrasa, Chouara Tannery viewpoints, Jnan Sbil Garden, Merenid Tombs for sunset.
• Food highlights: Fassi specialties like pastilla, bisteeya milk pastilla for dessert, harira soup, and goat cheese from nearby hills.

Accommodations: Browse riads near Talaa Kebira or Batha on VRBO Fez or compare hotels on Hotels.com Fez.

Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech

Afternoon: Check into your riad and learn the route to the nearest gate (Bab Laksour/ Bab Doukkala are handy). Ease in with Le Jardin Secret’s tranquil courtyards before diving into the medina.

Evening: Watch Jemaa el‑Fna transform at dusk—storytellers, acrobats, and sizzling grill stalls. For a relaxed first dinner, choose a rooftop: Nomad for modern Moroccan (try the spiced lamb shoulder and date cake), or L’Mida for citrusy sardine briouates and a great Koutoubia view. Nightcap at Kabana Rooftop for skyline cocktails or mint tea.

Day 2: Palaces, Souks, and a Hammam

Morning: Coffee at Bacha Coffee inside Dar el Bacha (single-origin brews and brioche) before touring the museum’s refined salons. Walk to Bahia Palace, then the Saadian Tombs near the Kasbah Mosque. Keep small change for site tickets.

Afternoon: Explore the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the craft souks: dyers’ quarter (Rue Sidi Ishak), coppersmiths near Place des Ferblantiers, and carpet ateliers off Souk Semmarine. Lunch at Café des Épices for grilled kefta and fresh juices, or support local training at Amal Women’s Center in Gueliz (book ahead).

Evening: Unwind in a traditional hammam—Les Bains de Marrakech is a reliable choice; reserve a scrub and argan oil massage. Dinner at Al Fassia (Gueliz), famed for family-run recipes like lamb shoulder with prunes; or medina favorite Le Foundouk for candlelit ambience. For live music and a late drink, Comptoir Darna blends dinner with a lively show.

Day 3: Atlas Mountains to Dades Valley (Start of 3‑Day Sahara Tour)

Depart Marrakech early (around 7:00). Cross the Tizi n’ Tichka pass with photo stops over the High Atlas. Tour the UNESCO ksar of Aït Ben Haddou, a mud-brick stronghold seen in countless films—climb to the granary for panoramic views. Continue via Ouarzazate’s film sets and the Skoura palm oasis to the Dades Valley. Overnight in a guesthouse; dinner usually features vegetable tagine or berber omelette. Driving time: ~6–7.5 hours with stops.

Typical tour costs: Shared 3‑day tours run about $180–350 per person including camp, dinners, breakfasts, and camel trek; private tours for two often $650–1,000 total depending on comfort level.

Day 4: Todra Gorge to Merzouga and Camel Trek

After breakfast, walk inside Todra Gorge between towering limestone walls—an easy, scenic stroll. Continue to Erfoud and the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga. At sunset, ride camels or take a 4x4 to your desert camp. Expect a fireside dinner (think lamb tagine, harira soup) and Gnawa rhythms under a Milky Way sky. Overnight in a traditional or luxury tent with en‑suite options available.

Day 5: Ziz Valley, Middle Atlas, Arrive in Fes

Wake for a dune sunrise, breakfast, and a return to the trailhead. Drive through the palm-lined Ziz Valley, stop around Midelt for lunch (roadside auberges serve grilled brochettes and tajines), and continue via the cedar forests near Azrou—you may spot Barbary macaques. Roll into Fes by evening and settle into your riad inside the medina. Total drive: ~7–8.5 hours with stops.

Alternative to the desert: If you prefer a direct transfer, the ONCF train from Marrakech to Fes takes ~6h45–7h30 (about $22–38 depending on class). Buses (CTM) run ~8–9 hours (~$20–25).

Day 6: Fes El‑Bali—Madrasas, Tannery, and Gardens

Morning: Enter via Bab Boujloud (Blue Gate) and visit the superb Bou Inania Madrasa—a rare madrasa with a working mosque and ornate cedar. Continue to Al‑Attarine Madrasa by the spice market. Coffee and a light brunch at Café Clock—try the camel burger or date smoothie; they also host calligraphy and music events.

Afternoon: Navigate to the Chouara Tannery for classic views over dye pits; locals will hand you mint sprigs for the scent. Stroll the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts & Crafts, then catch your breath in the Jnan Sbil gardens.

Evening: Dinner at The Ruined Garden (smoked aubergine zaalouk, seven-vegetable couscous) in a lush courtyard, or book a home-style feast at Dar Hatim (warm hospitality; set menus). For a post-dinner view, sip a mocktail at Palais Faraj or the bar at Riad Fes.

Day 7: Artisans of Fes and Departure

Morning: Breakfast like a local with bissara (fava bean soup) and hot khobz from a market stall near Place R’cif. Visit the Ain Nokbi pottery district to see hand-painted fes ceramics and zellij techniques. If time allows, peek into the University of al‑Qarawiyyin courtyard from accessible viewpoints and explore the Andalusian Quarter.

Afternoon: Lunch at Fez Café inside Jardin des Biehn (seasonal salads, chicken with preserved lemon). Transfer to FEZ airport (~30–40 minutes) or the train station if continuing. Trains to Casablanca take ~3h20–4h (about $12–22). Flying out of Morocco? Check Omio (Europe flights) or global options on Kiwi.com and Trip.com Flights. If you must return to Marrakech, ONCF trains run ~6h45–7h30; occasional feeder flights via Casablanca take ~2.5–4 hours including transit.

Where to stay, city by city:

• Marrakech stays: Compare medina riads and apartments on VRBO Marrakech or browse hotels on Hotels.com Marrakech.
• Fes stays: Find riads near Batha/Talaa Kebira on VRBO Fez or compare hotels on Hotels.com Fez.

Getting between cities: This itinerary uses a 3‑day desert tour from Marrakech to Fes (about 1,000 km total over three days). Direct options include ONCF trains (Marrakech–Fes ~6h45–7h30; $22–38) or CTM buses (~8–9h; ~$20–25). Limited flight options exist via Casablanca; search with Kiwi.com or Trip.com Flights.

In one week, you’ll unravel Marrakech’s medina, cross the Atlas, sleep under Saharan constellations, and savor Fes’s scholarly calm. It’s a balanced Morocco itinerary with culture, cuisine, and landscapes that linger long after the last mint tea.