Morocco has lured travelers for centuries with a heady mix of African, Arab, and Berber cultures. From Marrakech’s rose-red walls and spice-scented souks to the silent immensity of the Sahara, it’s a place where history feels vividly alive. This one-week itinerary balances city energy with desert calm so you experience both.

Marrakech dazzles with Moorish architecture, tiled courtyards, and the legendary square of Jemaa el-Fnaa, a UNESCO-recognized cultural space. You’ll wander palaces and gardens by day, then savor tangia, mechoui, and mint tea on rooftop terraces at sunset. Practical notes: the Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a cash-first currency, haggling is customary in markets, and modest dress is appreciated away from beach resorts.

Then you’ll head east over the High Atlas toward Merzouga and the golden Erg Chebbi dunes. Out here, time stretches: quad across sand waves, listen to Gnawa rhythms in Khamlia, and ride a camel to an overnight desert camp under a sky crowded with stars. If visiting during Ramadan (expected late Feb–late Mar 2025), expect shorter hours and gentler evenings—magical in their own right.

Marrakech

Marrakech is a living museum and a modern city in one. Inside the medina, artisans hammer brass, weave carpets, and distill rosewater much as they have for generations. Outside the walls, leafy gardens and contemporary galleries show a creative city forever reinventing itself.

• Top sights: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque (exterior), Le Jardin Secret, Jardin Majorelle & the Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
• What to eat: slow-roasted mechoui lamb in Mechoui Alley, tangia cooked in clay urns, fresh orange juice on Jemaa el-Fnaa, and flaky msemen with honey.
• Where to stay: Sleep in a riad for tiled courtyards and rooftop breakfasts. Browse options: Search Marrakech stays on VRBO or Find Marrakech hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there: Fly into Marrakech Menara (RAK). Compare fares: Search flights on Trip.com or Search flights on Kiwi.com. Taxis to the medina are typically 15–25 minutes depending on your riad’s location.

Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Sahara)

Merzouga sits on the edge of the cinematic Erg Chebbi dunes—an ocean of apricot and gold that shifts with the wind. Sunsets stain the sand pink; nights unfurl a canopy of constellations. It’s the Morocco of desert dreams.

• Top experiences: camel trekking at sunset, quad biking and sandboarding, tea and live Gnawa music in Khamlia village, and sunrise over 150-meter dunes.
• Local bites: try medfouna (Berber “desert pizza”) in nearby Rissani, aubergine zaalouk, and hearty tagines after a day in the dunes.
• Where to stay: Base in Merzouga/Hassi Labied or overnight in a desert camp. See options: Search Merzouga stays on VRBO or Find Merzouga hotels on Hotels.com.
• Getting there from Marrakech (Day 4 below): 8–9 hours by private 4x4 via the High Atlas and Aït Ben Haddou, or 1h 15m flight to Errachidia + 2-hour transfer. Compare flights: Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Day 1: Arrive Marrakech — Medina Orientation

Morning: In transit.

Afternoon: Arrive at RAK and transfer to your riad. Ease in with a mint tea on the rooftop, then walk to Koutoubia’s gardens to reset after the flight. Duck into Le Jardin Secret to admire carved cedar and zellij—an instant primer on Moroccan craftsmanship.

Evening: Head to Jemaa el-Fnaa at golden hour as storytellers and juice vendors set up. Dine nearby: try mechoui at Mechoui Alley (slow-roasted lamb pulled by hand), refined Moroccan classics at Al Fassia (all-women-run kitchen), or modern mezze and grills at Naranj. Finish with orange-almond pastilla and a rooftop view at L’Mida.

Day 2: Palaces, Tombs, and a Hammam

Morning: Breakfast on msemen and amlou at your riad, then tour Bahia Palace’s painted salons and the Saadian Tombs’ intricate stucco. Explore the Mellah (Jewish Quarter) for spice merchants and historic synagogues.

Afternoon: Lunch at Amal Women’s Training Center (daily specials support culinary training) or Café des Épices for brochettes and bissara. Then book a hammam: a traditional scrub at a neighborhood bathhouse or a spa session at Les Bains de Marrakech/Hammam de la Rose (plan 60–90 minutes). Expect 150–250 MAD for a simple local hammam; 500–800 MAD for spa-style rituals.

Evening: Wander the souks by theme—dyers’ souk for indigo and saffron hues; Souk Semmarine for leather slippers and rugs. Dinner at Dar Cherifa (ambient courtyard) or Nomad for seasonal Moroccan plates. Try tangia, Marrakech’s slow-cooked beef dish traditionally baked in the hammam coals.

Day 3: Gardens, Museums, and Rooftops

Morning: Visit Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum early to beat queues; cobalt blues and cacti glow in the morning light. Coffee after at Bacha Coffee inside Dar el Bacha (book or arrive early for their single-origin brews and croissants).

Afternoon: Return to Gueliz for contemporary galleries, then back to the medina for artisan workshops—watch brass-embossing or wood inlay if you’re shopping. Lunch at Le Jardin (shady courtyard, light Salade Marocain and kefta tajine).

Evening: Sunset drinks and small plates on the El Fenn rooftop bar, then dinner at La Maison Arabe’s restaurant (classic couscous and live oud). Nightcap with live Gnawa/jazz at a lounge in Hivernage or an early night before tomorrow’s journey.

Day 4: Cross the High Atlas to Merzouga (Travel Day)

Morning: Depart by 7:00 a.m. with a private driver (8–9 hours). The road climbs over the Tizi n’Tichka pass—ask for photo stops. Break in Aït Ben Haddou (UNESCO ksar) for a short walk and lunch; it’s a spectacular desert fortress of packed-earth towers.

Afternoon: Continue via Ouarzazate and the Draa or Ziz valleys toward Erfoud and Merzouga. Expect total road costs of roughly $250–350 per vehicle each way for a comfortable 4x4. Alternative: fly Marrakech–Errachidia (~1h 15m) then transfer 2 hours to Merzouga—compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com.

Evening: Check in to your desert lodge in Hassi Labied or Merzouga village. Dinner close to home: kefta tagine and harira at Café Restaurant Tenere, or roast chicken with olives at a family-run auberge. Early to bed—the dunes await.

Day 5: Merzouga — Quads, Khamlia Rhythms, and Camel Trek at Sunset

Morning: Kick off with a guided quad bike session across Erg Chebbi—soft sand practice, then throttle onto rolling dunes. It’s adrenaline with jaw-dropping views.

Book this option if you want a set time and sandboard included: Merzouga quad & sandboarding.

Afternoon: Drive to Khamlia for tea and live Gnawa music, then lunch on medfouna (Berber “pizza”) in Rissani—flattened dough stuffed with spiced minced meat and herbs. Rest during the hottest hours; pack a small overnight bag for the camp.

Evening: Camel trek into the dunes as the light turns amber. Arrive at your camp, try sandboarding, savor a fireside dinner, and stargaze. A classic, great-value choice is: Merzouga Camel Trekking & Overnight Desert Camp.

If you prefer more comfort (AC in tents; handy in peak summer and cool winter nights), consider this upgrade: Merzouga Luxury AC Camp: Camel Ride, Dinner & breakfast.

Day 6: Sunrise Dunes and Return to Marrakech

Morning: Wake before dawn for a short camel ride or a quick hike to a crest—the sunrise over Erg Chebbi is unforgettable. After breakfast at camp, transfer back to your lodge to shower and pack.

Afternoon: Return to Marrakech. Fastest: drive 2 hours to Errachidia and fly (~1h 15m) to Marrakech, then taxi to your riad; compare fares on Trip.com or Kiwi.com. Overland: 8–9 hours via the Ziz Valley and Ouarzazate, with meal stops.

Evening: Back in Marrakech, stretch your legs with a stroll along the city walls. Casual dinner ideas: L’Mida’s rooftop for harira and fish chermoula; La Cantine des Gazelles for hearty portions and fast service; or grilled brochettes with zaalouk near Bab Doukkala. Sleep well.

Note for travelers who prefer a slower road trip back with a night en route, this service offers a paced return with scenic stops: Private taxi for two days from Merzouga to Marrakesh.

Day 7: Marrakech Mornings and Departure

Morning: Last tastes: Bacha Coffee for an aromatic brew and French-Moroccan pastries, or Amandine for classic Moroccan cookies (gazelle horns, almond ghriba). Pick up final souvenirs—argan oil, rosewater, hand-painted bowls—aiming for 30–40% below first asking price with good humor.

Afternoon: Enjoy a quick lunch of sardine kefta sandwiches from a reputable grill or a light couscous at a nearby café. Transfer to the airport for your afternoon flight. If you still need a room night or day-use near the airport, compare options on Hotels.com.

Evening: In transit.

Getting Between Cities: Time and Budget Snapshot

• Marrakech → Merzouga by road: ~8–9 hours with scenic stops; private 4x4 typically $250–350 per vehicle one-way. Shared buses (CTM/Supratours) run via intermediate towns; add time for changes.
• Marrakech → Errachidia by air: ~1h 15m flight + 2-hour transfer to Merzouga. Typical one-way fares vary by season; check Trip.com and Kiwi.com.
• Where to book stays: Compare riads and camps across budgets: VRBO Marrakech, Hotels.com Marrakech, VRBO Merzouga, Hotels.com Merzouga.

With Marrakech’s maze of souks and palaces balanced against the serene vastness of Merzouga’s Sahara, this itinerary delivers Morocco’s greatest contrasts in one compelling week. Expect head-turning flavors, warm hospitality, and star-filled skies you’ll remember for years.