5 days in Morocco: Itinerary for First Timers

Presenting travelers with a rich range of experiences — from exploring souks in Marrakech, to overnighting in the desert after exploring UNESCO-designated treasures — Morocco is a uniquely rewarding destination. Like the sound of that but have limited time? Read on to discover the best 5 days in Morocco itinerary, along with advice on how to get there, and where to stay.

5 days in Morocco: overview

If you're trip planning to Morocco and only have 5 days, you'll need to make every moment count. From lively medinas to breathtaking desert landscapes, this itinerary covers the highlights. Here's a day-by-day overview to help you experience the best of Morocco in a short time.

• Day 1: Your first day in Morocco will be devoted to exploring some of Marrakech’s main sites — Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs.
• Day 2: Shop ‘til you drop in the medina’s souks before heading to Ben Youssef Madrasa, El Badi Palace, and the Jewish Quarter. Round off your day with a relaxing hammam.
• Day 3: Enjoy a day trip to the Atlas Mountains, stopping in Setti Fatma to hike to a glorious waterfall. Then visit Imlil — gateway to Mount Toubkal treks — before returning to Marrakech, enjoying a traditional mint tea with a local Berber family en route.
• Day 4: Take a trip to the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Aït Benhaddou, crossing the High Atlas Mountains en route. Overnight in a guesthouse after seeing a sublime sunset and enjoying a starlit dinner.
• Day 5: Return to Marrakech. If you have time, stop in Ouarzazateen to see the Taourirt Kasbah UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Editor’s tip: read up on the best things to do in Morocco as you plan your own trip.

How to get to Morocco

Good news — you can fly direct to Morocco from the US, with most direct flights — operated by RAM and American Airlines — departing from John F. Kennedy International Airport, Washington Dulles International Airport, and Miami International Airport.

The most popular — and most frequent routes are as follows:

• JFK to Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, with an average flight time of 7h 58m.
• Washington Dulles International Airport to Mohammed V International Airport, Casablanca, with an average flight time of 8h 13m.
• JFK to Marrakech-Menara Airport, with an average flight time of 12h 3m.

Alternatively, if Morocco is part of a bigger trip, you have tonnes of options to fly to European cities to take connecting flights to Morocco. 

For example, direct flights run between Paris, London, Madrid, Lisbon and Istanbul.

Not a fan of vacation planning? Check our Morocco itinerary and plan your perfect trip.

Day 1: arrive in Marrakech

You'll start your 5 days in Morocco in Marrakech, one of the most impressive cities in the country and the perfect start to your itinerary.

Morning

Start your day in the heart of Marrakech by heading to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Here, plenty of cafés serving traditional Moroccan breakfasts can set you up well for the day before you visit the nearby iconic Koutoubia Mosque.

While non-Muslims can’t enter the mosque, its exterior is incredible, as are the gardens that surround it.

Next, visit Bahia Palace. With its beautiful courtyards and rooms adorned with intricate tilework and carvings, it’s an outstanding example of Moroccan architecture.

Afternoon

After lunch, visit the Saadian Tombs, a historic royal necropolis, and then head to the enchanting Jardin Majorelle. 

This dazzling garden was created by French painter Jacques Majorell, and later restored by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Besides strolling the lush gardens, be sure to visit the Berber Museum that’s housed within the grounds.

Evening

Return to Jemaa el-Fnaa Square for an evening filled with street performances, music, and delicious street food, or else take your pick from the many restaurants in the area.

Where to stay in Marrakech

As tends to be the case with cities, when it comes to deciding where to stay in Marrakech, each neighborhood has its own vibe — and price-range.

As a general rule, the Northern Medina is a good area if you’re looking for cultural immersion, while Kasbah and Mellah exude historic charm and are well-sited for sightseeing, especially if you’re a first-time visitor. 

Looking for luxury? Palmeraie is known for its lavish offerings, while Agdal offers more budget-friendly options.

Meanwhile, if you’re looking for hip, upscale experience, head to Hivernage.

• Riad Le Petit Joyau: if you’re looking to stay in a riad, this pretty place is centrally located and has a glorious sun terrace.
• Riad l'Oiseau du Paradis: understated on the outside and elegantly opulent within, this offers views of Koutoubia Mosque from its rooftop terrace.
• Hivernage Secret Suites & Garden: close to Marrakech Medina, the suites all come with a balcony, terrace and spacious seating area.
• Longue vie Hotels: located near the train station, this stylish, modern 4-star hits the spot for hipsters.

Day 2: explore Marrakech

Here’s how your second day could pan out during this Morocco itinerary for five days.

Morning

Spend the morning exploring the medina and its labyrinth of souks — the perfect place to pick up unique souvenirs, including, textiles, ceramics and leather goods.

When you’re done shopping, visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa — an Islamic college that’s celebrated for its incredible architecture and intricate tilework. 

Afternoon

After lunching in a traditional riad — a Moroccan house with an interior garden or courtyard —  explore the ruins of the El Badi Palace. If you have a head for heights, climb the terraces for panoramic views of the city.

Next, move to Marrakech’s Mellah (Jewish Quarter), factoring time to visit the Lazama Synagogue and nearby Jewish cemetery.

Evening

Treat yourself to a relaxing hammam (many riads and hotels offer them) before dining at a rooftop restaurant in the medina.

Editor’s tip: Looking to immerse yourself fully in Marrakech? Discover how to make the most of a 3- or 4-day stay.

Day 3: trip to Atlas Mountains & Berber villages

On day 3 you'll visit the famous Atlas mountains, often considered as one of the best places to visit in Morocco.

Morning

Depart Marrakech early to head to the Ourika Valley, a scenic 1.5-hour drive that’ll take you through the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.

Stop off in the village of Setti Fatma — starting point for your hike to the spectacular Setti Fatma waterfalls. 

Afternoon

After your hike, enjoy lunch in a local Berber village. If you’re lucky with the timing of your trip, you could also visit a Berber market before continuing deeper into the Atlas Mountains to visit the village of Imlil.

A popular starting point for treks to Mount Toubkal — the highest peak in North Africa — spend a few hours in Imli, visiting local shops and soaking up the epic mountain views.

Evening

Before heading back to Marrakech for the night, enjoy a traditional mint tea with a local Berber family. 

Want to pop to Marrakech as part of a bigger trip to Morocco?  Here’s how to enjoy the perfect weekend in Marrakech.

Day 4: trip to Aït Benhaddou

Here’s what to look forward to on the final full day of your five-day Morocco vacation.

Morning

Leave Marrakech early to venture to Aït Benhaddou, with a view to arriving around noon. The journey takes in the region of four hours and will see you crossing the High Atlas Mountains via the breath-taking Tizi n'Tichka pass.

Along the way, you’ll most likely want to stop at viewpoints, or perhaps visit a Berber village. 

Afternoon

Hopefully, you’ll reach Aït Benhaddou around midday, which will enable you to devote the afternoon to exploring this famous ksar (fortified village) after checking into your guesthouse.

Used as a backdrop for many films, it’s easy to see why Ait Ben Haddou is a designated UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Besides wandering its atmospheric alleys, and visiting the ancient granaries and kasbahs, you could climb to the top of the hill for panoramic views of the area.

Evening

At dusk, watch the sun set from one of Aït Benhaddou's viewpoints. Having soaked up sight of the ksar bathed in a glorious glow, return to your guesthouse for a traditional Moroccan dinner. 

After dinner, relax in the courtyard or rooftop terrace beneath a clear desert sky that’s likely to be lit by countless sparkling stars.

Day 5: return to Marrakech

If you’re in no rush to return to Marrakech, you could take a short hike in the nearby hills, or visit a local market before heading back to the city.

Time permitting, you could also make a stop in Ouarzazateen. Known as the "Gateway to the Sahara”, it’s home to another UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Taourirt Kasbah.

And there ends this suggested way to spend five days in Morocco — a short itinerary that delivers big when it comes to offering a diversity of activities and landscapes.

Not sure how long to visit? Here’s how to enjoy 7-days in Morocco.