Travel advice for Morocco
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Morocco
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Fatima Vieira
Our experience was amazing. Very well organized. During our stay there was a problem with a Riad , Insight guides solved the problem in a very professional...
Inspired?From exploring souks in Marrakech and icons of the Atlas Mountains, to feasting in Fes, Morocco is unbelievably beautiful, and has much to offer pretty much every type of traveler. While you’ll be hard pushed to even touch the surface in a week, here we present our best Morocco itinerary for 7 days — based on a personal trip that was packed with unforgettable experiences.
As mentioned above, one week in Morocco isn’t very long — in fact, the time flew by — but with planning, I enjoyed a fabulous week-long trip that covered stacks of iconic attractions.
Before going into day-by-day detail, here’s a handy overview of our Morocco itinerary for 7 days.
After checking into my hotel in the Northern Medina, I went for a wander and immediately saw why Marrakech is known as the Red City.
The ochre pigment of its buildings almost looked aflame in the early-afternoon sun as I explored some of this area's top sights, starting with Ben Youssef Madrasa – a stunning 14th-century Islamic school with the most incredible tiles and cedar woodwork.
I also visited Le Jardin Secret (a grand riad with tranquil tropical gardens), and Koutoubia Mosque – the largest mosque in Marrakech, and an icon of Morocco — which rounded off day one in pretty spectacular style.
If you’re a first-time visitor to Marrakech (as I was), you might want to stay in the Northern Medina. It offers easy access to tons of iconic landmarks, so it's the perfect base to start your Costa Rica itinerary for 7 days.
Or, for a quieter stay that’s also close to many attractions, consider staying in charming Kasbah.
Need further information on accommodation? Read up on where to stay in Marrakech.
After spending the first day of your Morocco itinerary exploring the Northern Medina, I suggest spreading your wings a little on day two.
I haven't packed in too much here – better to focus on a few highlights than rush around and not really have a chance to take anything in.
Built in the 19th century for the Grand Vizier, the exquisite Bahia Palace was designed to be one of the most beautiful in the world. Seeing in real life lives up to that aspiration.
Blending Andalusian and Moroccan styles, its interior is a bedazzlement of intricate mosaics, carved cedar ceilings, and stucco work, with its lush inner courtyards, fragrant with orange trees, offering a peaceful retreat.
Visiting the Jardin Majorelle is definitely one of the best things to do in Morocco.
Designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle, and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this garden is one of Marrakech’s most iconic sites — a paradise of tropical plants and bright blue buildings.
Editor’s tip: after exploring the garden, be sure to visit the Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door.
Developed during the French colonial period, Ville Nouvelle (Gueliz) is Marrakech’s modern district.
As such, it provides a fascinating offers a contrast to the historic medina, and boasts trendy cafes, galleries and boutiques aplenty.
Editor’s tip: leave time in your schedule to rest up in a Ville Nouvelle — people-watching from a pavement café was a real highlight.
Driving time: Marrakech to Ait Benhaddou takes 3.5-4 hours one way, so you can expect the trip to last around 10-12 hours, including the journey back to Marrakech and stopping off.
On day three, the magic of the Atlas Mountains awaits.
Taking a day trip here was another highlight of my one week in Morocco itinerary, especially the stop off at Ait Benhaddou — more on that a little later.
As soon as I left the city, the landscape seemed to shift to more rugged terrain, not least when I took the winding Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which offered incredible views of snow-capped peak, with Berber villages speckling the hillsides.
After around 4 hours, I reached Ait Benhaddou — an ancient ksar (fortified village) with UNESCO World Heritage site status. You’ll most likely recognize it from movies like Gladiator, and the Game of Thrones TV show.
Wandering its narrow alleys and walkways was an absolute joy and, despite the crowds, kind-of felt like traveling back in time.
In my view, you’re better off taking an organized tour.
This is your last day in this area of Morocco, so it might be wiser to not have the hassle of picking up the car and navigating your way around with limited time.
The drive is long and the Tizi n’Tichka Pass can be intimidating for inexperienced drivers. Better to be able to sit back and enjoy the scenic ride than having to worry about all the steep drop-offs and winds.
In addition, you’ll most likely learn a lot more about the places you pass along the way — and Ait Benhaddou when you arrive — in the company of an experienced tour guide.
Editor's tip: to make the most out of your Morocco itinerary, make sure to check the best time to visit Morocco.
Travel time: around an hour flight
On day four, it’s time to bid goodbye to Marrakech. Rise early and take the earliest flight to max out your time in Fez — a city that’s known as the culinary capital of Morocco for excellent reason.
Once you've checked into your Fez hotel, we suggest devoting your first day to exploring Fes el-Bali Medina. It's the oldest part of the city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and arguably one of the best things to do during your 1 week in Morocco.
After passing thorough the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud a labyrinth of narrow alleys unfolds, mostly lined with stalls selling handcrafted goods, spices and leather products.
It's a wonderful place to lose yourself while soaking up the city's unique vibe.
A few hours later, I took a look at the palatial Al Quaraouiyine University — founded in 859, it's one of the oldest universities in the world, and incredibly impressive.
Next, I headed to the Al-Attarine Madrasa and the Bou Inania Madrasa, both of which are absolute architectural masterpieces.
Alongside some of the food experiences I had in Fez (keep reading for more on those), visiting Chouara Tannery made a big impression on my 7-day Morocco itinerary.
It’s the biggest and oldest tannery in Fez, with a terrace offering fascinating views of tanners at work.
While accommodation in Fez is plentiful, from opulent hotels, to charming mid-price boutique joints, if you’re into culture — and trying to stick to a tighter budget — we especially recommend staying in the Fes el-Bali Medina.
It has lots of budget-friendly riads and guesthouses for all types of traveler, including those traveling with kids.
After a good night’s sleep, I rose early to make the most of my second day in Fez, stomach rumbling ahead of a long-awaited focus on food!
OK, so my second day wasn’t only about feasting my way round Fez — it also included a relaxing visit to a hamman. But first a food-themed tour.
Most Fez food tours kick-off in Medina of Fes el-Bali, where the souks are stacked with local ingredients your guide will talk you through.
After picking up ingredients for your upcoming cookery class, you’ll most likely get to check out a few food stalls and sample some local delights. Don’t miss trying briouats (pastry stuffed with meat or cheese) and sfenj doughnuts.
Next, we headed to a riad, where a local chef showed us how to make the perfect Moroccan tagine.
That afternoon, treat yourself to a spa-like hamman experience, though you could opt to visit a more traditional hamman, with simple, tiled rooms divided into hot, warm, and cool areas.
If you go for a more luxurious option, expect low lighting, calming music, and high-end décor, products and treatments.
Editor's tip: if our Morocco itinerary for 7 days is just a bit too short for you, check out our 10 day itinerary.
Driving time: around 3.5-4 hours
Day six will see you transfer from Fez to Chefchaouen, which is a straightforward experience, whether you opt to drive yourself, take a bus, or book a private transfer.
Note that while the bus is a pretty reliable option, you’re looking at a longer journey time — typically 4.5 hours.
Accommodation in Chefchaouen’s Old Town comes especially recommended for first-time visitors, and travelers who want to be surrounded by the city’s blue-washed buildings, narrow alleys and charming squares.
For a more local feel, located a little uphill in the Medina, El Kharrazine strikes an aggregate balance between quiet streets and easy access to the main attractions.
One day seven, it’s time to find out why Chefchaouen is Morocco’s best-kept secret and should be on every Morocco itinerary.
Nestled in the Rif Mountains, and known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco, it’s an impossibly pretty place to wander and shop for handmade souvenirs, and also offers easy access to wonderful walks.
Though this 7 days in Morocco itinerary only gives you a day in Chefchaouen, you'll still have time to get a feel for the place.
The best place to start is in the Medina — the heart of Chefchaouen, which presents itself as a beautiful blue-hued tangle of winding alleys and craft shops.
Be sure to stop by its central square — the Place Outa el Hammam — to sit back and watch the world go back from an outdoor café. Frankly, I could have spent hours here, but that would have meant missing out on seeing other highlights…
Located on the edge of the Medina, the natural Ras El Ma spring is a refreshing spot to cool off in while soaking up beautiful views of the mountains.
We also recommend following the trail just above to spring for more scenic views over town.
Staying on the subject of views, for the best views of Chefchaouen, take a 30-minute hike up to the Spanish Mosque, which sits on a hilltop above town.
Come sunset, the vista looks especially stunning as the Blue Pearl glows against its Rif Mountain backdrop.
Now you’re armed with the best 7 day Morocco itinerary, it’s time to turn our attention to practical matters to make planning your trip a breeze.
On balance, the best time to visit Morocco is during the March to May spring months, or else in the fall months of September and October.
At these times of the year, temperatures will be comfortably warm, so you’ll escape the heat of summer, which is very intense in the south and desert regions in July and August.
Also note that winter in Morocco (November through to February) can be freezing, especially in the Atlas Mountains and the desert at night.
If you’re not keen on crowds — or on a budget — March to May might suit you better than September and October as the latter months fall within a peak season for tourism.
Good news if you’re thinking of traveling independently — getting around Morocco is pretty easy. Here’s an overview of options.
Connecting cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Tangier and Fes, Morocco’s ONCF train network is reliable, comfortable, affordable and pretty speedy.
For example, the high-speed Al Boraq train runs between Tangier and Casablanca in about 2 hours.
Often covering places the train network doesn’t cover, including Chefchaouen and Merzouga, buses are affordable, and generally air-conditioned and comfortable.
Just don’t expect to reach your destination is super-speedy time.
“What are ‘grand taxis’?” I hear you ask. They’re shared cabs (often old Mercedes) that cover fixed routes between cities and towns.
Carrying up to six passengers, they’re inexpensive, but you might feel somewhat squashed on long journeys.
Editor’s tip: if you want to get around cities at speed, petit taxis are on hand as your affordable friend!
If you would like to hit more remote roads, you could consider renting a car from Royal Air Maroc, for example.
A word of warning — while roads are well-maintained, driving in cities has its challenges — the traffic is pretty chaotic.
Editor’s tip: read more on getting around Morocco.
It goes without saying that the cost of a 7-day Morocco itinerary will vary hugely depending on your travel style.
So, here’s a ballpark breakdown of what you can expect for a mid-range experience.
Adding that up, you’ll need to allow for a daily budget of $105-$210.
Citizens of around 65 countries don’t need a visa to enter Morocco for up to 90 days.
These include the US, UK, all 27 Schengen countries, Canada, Italy, New Zealand and Australia.
What you will need is a valid passport with at least six months of validity beyond your planned stay. You may also be asked to provide proof of onward or return travel.
Read more on Morocco visas.
Like we said at the start, while your week is likely to fly by, following this best 7 day Morocco itinerary will enable you to see a stack of top attractions, and take in various landscapes and vibes.
Chances are, you’ll totally fall for the country — or at least some of the places on the Morocco itinerary (in my case, I was enchanted by Chefchaouen) — and will plan to return soon. However, if you have more (or less) time, check out our other itineraries as well;
For even more inspiration, check out The Rough Guide to Morocco. You can also browse our customized Costa Rica itineraries and our Morocco travel tips.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Morocco
Discover Morocco's most captivating stories
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 14.11.2024
Joanne is a Pembrokeshire-born writer with a passion for the nature, cultures and histories of the Caribbean region, especially Dominica. Also passionate about inspiring a love of adventure in young people, she’s the author of several books for children and young adults, hosts international writing workshops, and has written articles on the Caribbean and inspirational community initiatives for Rough Guides. Follow her @JoanneOwen on Twitter and @joanneowenwrites on Instagram.
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