Morocco folds centuries of Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian, and French influence into one endlessly photogenic tapestry. From Marrakech’s spice-scented souks and tile-clad palaces to the music of Gnawa and the stark beauty of the Sahara, each day offers a new rhythm. Expect ancient medinas, crafts passed down through generations, and a cuisine of saffron, preserved lemon, and charcoal-kissed meats.

Fun fact: Hollywood loves Morocco. From Aït Ben Haddou’s mud-brick ksar to Ouarzazate’s studios, you’ve seen these landscapes on screen long before you arrive. The Sahara’s Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga deliver bucket-list sunsets, starry skies, and warm Berber hospitality in tented camps.

Practical notes: Dress modestly in medinas. Carry small cash for taxis and tips. Book timed-entry for popular sights (Majorelle Garden) and consider a hammam after souk days. If traveling during Ramadan (dates shift annually, often spring), expect adjusted hours and a special post-sunset food scene.

Marrakech

Electric, historic, and delicious—Marrakech is a sensory education. The medina unfurls around Jemaa el-Fnaa with acrobats and orange juice stalls, while nearby palaces display stucco, cedar, and zellige that define Moroccan artistry.

• Top sights: Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, Le Jardin Secret, Dar el Bacha Museum, Majorelle Garden & YSL Museum (in Gueliz).
• Where to eat: Mechoui Alley (slow-roasted lamb), Nomad (modern Moroccan), Al Fassia Gueliz (iconic women-run kitchen), Naranj (Levantine with Moroccan touches), Café des Épices (rooftop views).
• Good to know: Rooftops are best near golden hour; bargain with humor in the souks; plan a hammam after a long market wander.

Stay in Marrakech: For a quick search, try VRBO Marrakech or Hotels.com Marrakech. Editor’s picks: Royal Mansour Marrakech (legendary craftsmanship and service), Riad Dar Attajmil (intimate riad with excellent tagines), Es Saadi Marrakech Resort - Hotel (resort vibe near Hivernage).

Getting to Marrakech: Fly into RAK. Compare fares on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, and (if flying to/from Europe) Omio. Typical flight times: 3–4 hours from Europe; 7–11 hours with 1 stop from North America.

Merzouga (Sahara Desert)

Merzouga sits at the edge of the golden Erg Chebbi dunes—the Morocco you picture in dreams. Camel caravans crest the sands at dusk; at night, the sky turns into a planetarium. Days can include visits to nomad families and live Gnawa music in Khamlia.

• Top experiences: Sunset camel trek, stargazing from camp, 4x4 to fossil fields and nomad tents, sandboarding, sunrise over the dunes.
• Local flavor: Try madfouna (often called “Berber pizza”) and hearty tagines cooked low and slow; tea is poured high and sweet.

Stay in/near Merzouga: If extending your desert time before/after the tour, consider Kasbah Hotel Tombouctou (oasis-style comfort), Auberge Les Roches (friendly base with dune access), or Riad Nezha. Browse more on VRBO Merzouga or Hotels.com Merzouga.

Getting there: This itinerary uses a 3-day Marrakech-to-Merzouga tour with transport. An alternative is flying to Errachidia (ERH) and taking a private transfer to Merzouga (about 2 hours) via Viator transfer.

Day 1 – Arrive in Marrakech, first taste of the medina

Afternoon: Arrive at RAK and check into your riad or hotel. Ease into the medina with a walk to Jemaa el-Fnaa—sip fresh orange juice and listen to Gnawa rhythms as the square gathers momentum.

Evening: Early dinner in Mechoui Alley just off the square: hand-pulled, slow-roasted lamb with cumin and salt, eaten with khobz. For rooftop tea and city views, head to Café des Épices or Le Jardin. Nightcap options: Baromètre (inventive cocktails) or the live music at Comptoir Darna in Hivernage.

Day 2 – Palaces, gardens, souks, and a hammam

Morning: Coffee and viennoiseries at Pâtisserie Amandine (Gueliz) or single-origin brews at Bacha Coffee inside Dar el Bacha Museum. Tour Bahia Palace (painted ceilings and zellige), then the Saadian Tombs and Koutoubia’s gardens.

Afternoon: Lunch at Nomad (spiced lamb burger or roasted cauliflower) or Naranj (shawarma platters; excellent juices). Explore Le Jardin Secret for courtyard calm, then dive into the souks by theme: dyers’ souk for indigo skeins, metalworkers for lamps, Rahba Kedima for baskets and spices.

Evening: Unwind at a hammam—Heritage Spa or Les Bains de Marrakech—for steam, scrub, and argan oil massage. Dinner at Al Fassia Gueliz (try the pigeon pastilla or lamb with prunes). Late walk past the illuminated Koutoubia.

Day 3 – High Atlas and Aït Ben Haddou (start 3-day Sahara tour)

This is a full-day guided journey. You’ll be on the road with scenic and cultural stops, so no need to split the day into morning/afternoon/evening.

Main activity: 3 Days Marrakech to Sahara Adventure Merzouga Dunes & Camel Trek

Depart Marrakech in the morning, cross the High Atlas via the Tizi n’Tichka pass, and reach UNESCO-listed Aït Ben Haddou—its earthen ksar has starred in countless films. Continue through Ouarzazate toward the Dades Valley, with gorge viewpoints at dusk. Driving today: roughly 6–7 hours with stops; lunch often near Aït Ben Haddou (try auberges like Chez Brahim for tagines).

Day 4 – Dades to Merzouga, dunes at sunset

This is the heart of the desert experience. The tour continues east via the Todra Gorge and palm-filled valleys to the dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Optional add-on before the camel trek: Merzouga Explorer Tour: Desert Life, Nomads and Gnawa Music

Arrive at the edge of Erg Chebbi mid- to late afternoon. Mount camels for a golden-hour ride into camp; try sandboarding on the soft slopes as the sun sinks. Dinner is fireside, often followed by drums under a sky dense with stars. Driving: ~4–5 hours plus stops.

Day 5 – Sunrise dunes and return to Marrakech

Wake early for sunrise over the sand sea—then breakfast and a camel or 4x4 ride back to the trailhead. The journey to Marrakech retraces palm valleys and the cinematic landscapes around Ouarzazate. Expect 8–9 hours of driving with breaks; arrive in the evening for a simple dinner near your riad (L’Mida for light, modern plates or Café Clock for Moroccan comfort food and occasional music nights).

Day 6 – Essaouira day trip: whitewashed ramparts and Atlantic breeze

Trade desert heat for sea air on a full-day coastal escape. The road passes argan groves (you may spot tree-climbing goats), and the medina is a relaxed UNESCO World Heritage site famed for music and woodwork.

Main activity: Essaouira day trip from Marrakech

Morning: Depart around 8:00–8:30 a.m. On arrival, coffee and an almond croissant at Pâtisserie Driss, a local institution since the 1950s.

Afternoon: Walk the Skala de la Ville ramparts, browse thuya-wood workshops, then lunch by the port—choose your fish at the grills or sit down at Chez Sam for calamari and sea bream. Optional beach time or a quick kite-surfing lesson when winds are right.

Evening: Return to Marrakech. Dinner at Dar Moha’s garden if you want a refined take on classics, or keep it cozy at Le Jardin with herb-forward salads and chicken tagine with preserved lemon.

If you decide to linger in Essaouira overnight: Book Heure Bleue Palais, Le Medina Essaouira Thalassa Sea & Spa - MGallery, Villa Quieta, or the bohemian Riad Dar Afram.

Day 7 – Majorelle morning, last souks, and departure

Morning: Beat the crowds at Majorelle Garden and the YSL Museum; the cobalt-and-cactus palette is pure joy. Coffee in Gueliz afterward (Kawa 16’s espresso or Bloom’s flat white), then pop into concept stores for ceramics and woven baskets.

Afternoon: Quick lunch at Plus61 (Mediterranean plates and fresh salads) or Grand Café de la Poste for a colonial-era brasserie vibe. Transfer to the airport. If you need gifts: argan oil (verify cooperatives), saffron, ras el hanout, or hand-hammered trays—pack well-padded.

Evening: Departure day; if you have a late flight, circle back to Jemaa el-Fnaa for one last mint tea and a farewell browse.

Transport notes and timing

• City-to-desert: The 3-day tour covers all transport. Approximate driving: Day 3 (Marrakech to Dades) 6–7 hours with stops; Day 4 (Dades to Merzouga) 4–5 hours; Day 5 (Merzouga to Marrakech) 8–9 hours.
• DIY alternative: Fly to Errachidia (ERH) then take a 2-hour private transfer to Merzouga. Compare flights on Trip.com, Kiwi.com, or (Europe routes) Omio.
• Within Marrakech: Walk the medina; use petit taxis for Gueliz/Hivernage (carry small cash and agree the fare or ask to use the meter).

Optional add-on if you stay around Ouarzazate

If you decide to break the return and spend extra time in the film capital, this private day offers a deep dive into sets and ksour:

Optional activity: Ouarzazate ‘Hollywood of Morocco’ Private Full-Day Tour with Ait Ben Haddou

Where to eat and drink (quick picks to bookmark):

• Marrakech breakfast/coffee: Bacha Coffee (Dar el Bacha), Pâtisserie Amandine (Gueliz), Kawa 16 (Gueliz).
• Marrakech lunch/dinner: Nomad, Naranj, L’Mida (fresh, modern Moroccan), Al Fassia Gueliz (classics), Mechoui Alley (rustic lamb), Dar Moha (garden dining), Le Jardin (green oasis).
• Merzouga: Café Restaurant Tenere (tajines, couscous), Maison Café Sahraoui in Hassilabied (berber omelet, mint tea), plus dinner/breakfast at your desert camp.
• Essaouira: Pâtisserie Driss (pastries), Chez Sam (seafood), grilled fish stalls by the port, Triskala (creative vegetarian plates), Mega Loft (artsy café with live music).

Final lodging tip: Prefer a riad in the medina for atmosphere, then a night or two in Gueliz or Hivernage if you want easy access to Majorelle, museums, and cocktail bars. For quick comparisons, use Hotels.com Marrakech or VRBO Marrakech.

In one week, you’ll taste Marrakech’s history, cross the Atlas, and sleep to the song of desert wind. The balance of souks, scenery, and seaside makes this Morocco itinerary both vivid and unhurried—enough to fall in love, with just enough left for your return.