Travel advice for Morocco
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Morocco
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Valentino Ellis
Our tour was fabulous. Ali was our driver and also one of our tour guides. We had a wonderful time -- Morocco is amazing and we cannot recommend Ali highly...
Read all reviews ⤍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 Morocco itinerary for 5 days, along with advice on how to get there, and where to stay.
Created by local experts
Here’s a day-by-day overview of this Morocco itinerary for 5 days.
Editor’s tip: read up on the best things to do in Morocco as you plan your own trip.
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:
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? Browse our customizable Morocco itineraries and let our Morocco travel experts take care of curating your perfect trip.
Not limited to five days? Here’s how to spend 10 days in Morocco, and suggested 7-day itineraries.
Read on for a run-down of how to spend your first day in Morocco.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Here’s how your second day could pan out during this Morocco itinerary for five days.
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.
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.
Treat yourself to a relaxing hammam (many riads and hotels offer them) before dining at a rooftop restaurant in the medina.
Make sure to read our Marrakech itinerary.
Stunning scenery, adventure and immersive cultural experiences await on day three of this 5-day Morocco itinerary.
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.
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.
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? Here’s how to enjoy the perfect weekend in Marrakech.
Here’s what to look forward to on the final full day of your five-day Morocco vacation.
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.
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.
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.
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 10 days in Morocco, and three suggested 7-day itineraries.
Ready to book your trip? Contact our local Morocco experts to be freed from the hassle of arranging tours and transfers.
From travel safety to visa requirements, discover the best tips for visiting Morocco
written by
Joanne Owen
updated 06.08.2024
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.