Morocco may be famous for its grand medinas, shifting dunes, and mountain vistas. Yet what has stayed with me most isn’t just the variety of sights, but the sheer mood of the place — a world of distinct colors and textures. To help you best capture all of Morocco’s essence, I’ve put together this step-by-step travel route.
Now, to be straight with you, travelling in Morocco is not without some challenges — I’ll tell you how to survive the market sellers later! — but the rewards are often unforgettable.
I love the multi-hued aesthetic of Morocco, from the subtle mint greens of palm grove canopies to the ocher-red clay buildings of Marrakech and the distinctive whitewashed walls of Essaouira accented with blue details. It’s not just visual: what has struck me equally is the utter sensory overload of cities like Marrakech contrasted against the breezy tranquility of the coastal fort towns.
The Koutoubia Mosque tower in Marrakech
To fully capture Morocco’s sensory experience, I believe your travel route should include as many of these different notes as possible. In this itinerary, I’ve done just that — bringing together the various ‘colors’ into a route designed to give you an incredible first-time trip to Morocco.
I’ve traveled in Morocco for five weeks combined, visiting the most popular destinations. The refined 7 to 10 days Morocco itinerary that I’ll be sharing here I’ve done twice using different travel styles, letting me add some extra tips and suggestions that I hope you’ll find very useful.
Alright, let’s go ride this camel into the sunset…
Itinerary at a glance
This streamlined yet action-packed itinerary combines the ancient walled city of Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, and a delightful coastal fortress town for what I think is a perfectly balanced Morocco trip.
I’ll suggest two variations depending on how much time you have. Of course, I’m going to dive into all of these places in much more detail in the sections to come.
Wait… why not more places?
Before I dive into the route specifics step-by-step, let me explain why it may be different from other routes you may find online.
Most Morocco itineraries out there feature a lot more places, or ones that are located further apart. Based on my own experience, I deliberately tried to keep it tight and not overstuff this travel route.
Many 10 day itineraries in particular seem to take a kitchen’s sink approach, adding northern cities and towns to the mix like Chefchouen, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, or even Tangier. Search on Google Images for “10 day itinerary map” or, dare I say, ask an AI to create one and this is almost always the suggestion.
(Side note: as someone who travels for a living, I really don’t recommend using AI for travel planning unless it’s for basic questions!)
Maybe it’s just a difference of travel style, but I think you can often get more from a more focused trip. On a whirlwind tour of Morocco, you might not have time to see the stunning Bahia Palace or Madrasa Ben Youssef in Marrakech, maybe only getting a quick glance at the ruins of El Badi. Or you might not have time to genuinely appreciate the tranquil and creative vibes that Essaouria is so famous for.
To my amazement, some itineraries I’ve seen change location literally every day. For instance, ChatGPT will send you from Merzouga to Fes to Chefchaouen to Meknes in just the span of four days, and assigns just a single day to both Casablanca and Rabat, two major cities about 100km apart. I don’t recommend this! There is actually a ton to experience within each destination, and it would be a shame to just skip all over it.
My travel route here is hand-curated based on the real experience of doing it. I’ve tried to balance a range of experiences while leaving enough time for transit, hotel check-ins, and proper exploration and enjoyment.
While you might still decide you want to see as many destinations as you have days available, I wanted to explain why I went with a compact route. It’s actually still quite a high-paced trip — and I personally prefer the slower 10-day version for a bit more time to smell the roses.
(P.S. If you’re thinking of a bigger trip through Morocco, check out my Morocco backpacking guide for some suggestions beyond this specific route.)
Two ways to do this route
As I mentioned, I’ve done this route twice. First I did it as a backpacker using public transportation and local tours. Later I did it again as part of a family road trip using a rental car.
Each has its distinct pros and cons…
Option 1: A self-drive road trip
You might assume that self-driving in Morocco is beyond your comfort zone, but it’s far less adventurous than you probably imagine. Self-driving is actually my recommendation if you’re with a group or family and don’t want to worry whatsoever about timetables or tour schedules at all.
Rest assured, the main roads are in great shape (they’re beyond what you’d expect of a ‘developing country’), the challenges of local traffic are quite manageable, and Morocco can be a superb road trip destination.
In our case, we were travelling with our 3-year-old daughter so this was a wonderfully unrushed and totally flexible way to get around, always free to take toilet breaks or stretch our feet at any time. Another advantage is seeing epic sights like Aït Benhaddou at quieter times when the tour groups have left.
You can rent a car in Marrakech and follow this itinerary entirely at your own pace. Car hire is very affordable in Morocco: we spent around €20 per day to rent a 5-seater compact.
POV: Driving through the High Atlas 
Passing by villages and palm grove oases amid a vast sea of ocher red desert 
Driving through the Todra Gorge
While driving in Morocco is a bit different from Europe and has its challenges, for the most part it’s not too difficult. For instance, apart from central Marrakech, when you’re on the open road there’s little traffic chaos to deal with. And signs are almost always both in Arabic and French, so they’re legible for Western tourists.
That said, there are some useful things to know before you go. For the nitty gritty on how to do this route by car, check out my dedicated guide to a road trip in Morocco.
Need a rental car in Marrakech? Then I recommend searching with Discovercars, which scans all the offers to find you the best deals along with trusted ratings.
find Rental Car deals 
Shown here, the traffic in Marrakech can be a little hectic. Luckily it easy to put behind you quickly!
Option 2: Public transport & tours (backpacker style)
The other (more common) option is to take buses between cities and to book local tours to reach the more remote locations. I did this as a solo backpacker on my first trip in Morocco to keep my costs low and to not have to drive.
This approach can actually be quite fast-paced (due to the tour schedules) and less customized (due to public transport limitations). However, it’s much simpler, you’ll have fewer worries, and you can pack in a lot of sightseeing each day.
The section between Marrakech to Essaouria can be done very easily by public transport. A ticket will cost around €10 and there are about half a dozen connections per day.
For more distant places like Aït Benhaddou, the Todra Gorge, or the Sahara desert, it makes most sense to book a multi-day tour from Marrakech, simply because they are too difficult or impossible to do by public transport. I usually prefer not to use tours on my trips and go my own way if I can help it, but in this case it’s 100% the best way to go.
The tours are quite affordable, especially considering they will include lodging, guides, and transportation (e.g. it’s around €100 for 3 days).
Throwback to my 10-year-old backpacking trip in Morocco
If you’re won’t have your own transportation, consider one of these tours starting from Marrakech as essential for doing this itinerary:
- Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari (the default trip) with stops in Aït Benhaddou, Boumalne Dades, Todra, and Erg Chebbi. This is the exact tour itinerary I did originally and it offers the most sightseeing in a time-efficient manner
- From Marrakech 4 Days Tour To Morocco Sahara Desert (my recommendation). I highly recommend this if you can spare the extra day! It’s what I wished I’d had done on my previous trip. You’ll have a bit more time to smell the roses, with less driving per day and a few more stops in the Atlas Mountains and in oases villages.
- 2-Day Sahara Tour to Zagora & Ait Ben Haddou (shortened route). This tour goes to Zagora desert, which has smaller dunes than Erg Chebbi / Merzouga. Consider this only if you’re really looking for a shortened option.
Using one of these tours is more or less unavoidable since the locations are so spread out and difficult to reach. Simply do yourself a favor by tackling these 3 or so days with an off-the-shelf experience with a local guide. Don’t worry, the rest can still be done entirely by following your own plans!
Before you pack for Morocco… some FAQs
I’ll be diving into all the itinerary specifics next. But there are always questions to ask. Here’s a little more travel advice you may want to check first…
Packing essentials & dress code
You might think “Morocco = desert = hot”, and yes… sometimes this is very true. But for the windy coast, high elevations in the Atlas, or even the cold nights in the Sahara, it’s still useful to have some warm(ish) clothes with you.
Of course, breezy, loose-fitting clothes are ideal for those hot afternoons. But to adjust to local norms, be sure to dress modestly. While women aren’t expected to wear headscarves and tourist men can wear shorts, it’s considerate to cover your shoulders and your legs preferably up to the knees.
In the more touristy locations Western dress styles are more expected, but the dress code is conservative for Morocco overall. I’ve seen influencer photos with women wearing hotpants or men wearing tank tops, which is definitely not the Moroccan way (and to me this seems quite cringe and unkind to the host country!).
Navigating language barriers
French has traditionally been the main foreign language taught in Morocco, but English is a growing second language. Young people may speak some basic English, as well as those working in the tourism industry. However, any French knowledge you have can still be highly useful. (Or Arabic of course, should you be lucky to know it.)
When’s the best time to visit Morocco?
I’ve personally travelled in October/November and in April. I consider both autumn and spring ideal for the generally mild temperatures. I’ve followed the common advice to avoid summer, which can be absolutely roasting in some places in the interior. I would only consider the summer for a purely coastal beach break in, say, Essaouria or Agadir.
Wait… what is Arab, Berber, Amazigh, or Bedouin?
While researching Morocco you will surely see these terms thrown around a lot, which may get confusing. So here’s the gist: Morocco has a mix of mainly two ethnicities, Arab and Berber. There are overall more Arabs on the coast and more Berbers in the interior, though the two ethnicities intermix a lot.
Berbers are the original inhabitants of North Africa, also called Amazigh (or Tuareg in other countries). You may notice the distinctly geometric and zig-zaggy Berber alphabet used at times, or notice the Berber symbol of the free man ⵣ used in art or signage.
Arabs in Morocco are mainly descendants of immigrants from the 7th century Muslim conquest. Bedouin refers to the nomadic Arabic people living in the desert, so when you’re staying in the Sahara your accommodation will be often referred to as a “Bedouin camp”.
How much should you budget?
Morocco can be quite an affordable destination by Western European standards — at least, if you don’t overindulge with shopping or paid activities.
On my most recent visit with my partner, I paid 20 EUR per day for a compact car rental, and usually in the range of 30-50 EUR per night for budget hotel rooms. Most meals, like a tajine or couscous in a mid-range restaurant, will cost about 80 to 100 Moroccan dirhams (about X – Y EUR).
While Morocco is quite budget-friendly, the reality is you’ll be paying tourist prices most of the time. Local prices are actually much lower. As an example, when we bought fruit from a roadside stall, we paid just 18 dirham for 1,5 kg of fruits (pears, oranges, bananas, etc.).
A crafty and minimalist budget traveller could probably keep costs under $25 a day, however for those not counting every last dirham I would suggest these budgets:
- Backpacker (staying in hostel dorms): $40/person/day
- Flashpacker (staying in basic private rooms): $50/person/day
- Road tripper mid-range (private rooms & compact car rental, 2 people sharing): $70/person/day
Can you drink alcohol in Morocco?
Alcohol itself is legal in Morocco but it’s not really a thing for religious reasons (and consumption in public is forbidden). As a non-Muslim tourist in Morocco it’s still possible to find alcoholic drinks… at least sometimes, and if you know where to look (e.g. specific licensed bars/hotels).
In a restaurant in Essaouria we were surprised to see wine listed on the menu, but at 6 EUR a glass we got some truly awful-tasting wine, which was a reminder that maybe this just isn’t Morocco’s speciality. I’ve had the odd beer or two in Morocco before, but with the can wrapped in paper by the waiter so it looked like it could maybe be a soda (and not cause offence on a public terrace).
I generally recommend embracing the local ways and sticking with coffees, fruit juices, and mint teas.
You can purchase a SIM card from local telecom providers like Maroc Telecom, Inwi, or Orange. This is a nice option especially if your phone is dual-SIM. For the smoothest experience, I recommend getting it at the airport or an official telecom store.
Another option is to get an eSIM from Saily so you can seamlessly switch to local data without roaming. Most cafes and restaurants offer free WiFi, so you could also just go without data. In this case, be sure to load an offline-capable map app (I really like MAPS.me).
Day 1 & 2: Sensory overload & navigating Marrakech
Marrakech is in many ways a perfect jumping-off point for a trip in Morocco. Its central location and high density of sights give it major tourist appeal.
But if you think there’s going to be a subtle buildup in your Morocco experience, think again. There’s no way around it: Marrakech will throw you into the deep end right away!
This busy beehive of a city can be quite overwhelming, though I think most travellers will end up ultimately loving this chaotic and exotic place.
I must admit that when I first visited Marrakech on my solo budget backpacking trip through Morocco, it didn’t really click for me. I found the pushy salesmen rather stressful, I got scammed several times, and I just didn’t enjoy the vibe.
When I went back on a family trip, I actually loved it — we weren’t scammed once, managed to browse the shops without major issues, and perhaps enjoyed the city more because we had more budget available for our meals and accommodation.
I’m just sharing this to say that Marrakech can leave quite different impressions depending on your luck and/or perspective.
Honestly, the city still wears me out after a few days, but I do adore its beautiful architecture, its pervasive ocher hues, and the lively atmosphere in its endless markets inside the old walled part of the center (known as the medina).
To my geeky mind, the never-ending maze of little streets and alleys feels a bit like a real-life version of Mos Eisley, the desert city from Star Wars. The many sand-colored walls, the men in robes (actually the djellaba typical in the Maghreb), and the constant movement of pedestrians, scooters, and carts loaded with wares made me imagine being in some kind of exotic trade port.
But… just like the fictional sci-fi setting, you must always be alert to scams, pickpockets, and other villainy! Marrakech is somewhat notorious in this regard, so be sure to read up on how to avoid potential issues. If nothing else, the pushy salesmen may get tiresome after a while, but know you can always ignore their advances if you’re not in the mood.
Some basic advice:
- Ignore people trying to ‘show you the way’ when you seem lost. Chances are, they’ll try to aggressively extract some ridiculous amount of money from you for the favor, or they’ll just guide you to their friend’s carpet store where you’ll be subjected to high-intensity selling. Put an offline map app (like MAPS.me) on your phone so you can figure it out by yourself.
- Shops almost never have sticker prices, so you’ll have to haggle. My advice is to always go super low on your opening bid. It’s much easier if the seller has to bid it up, instead of you bidding it down. Keep in mind that certain wares may be fake (e.g. colorful geodes are usually just common minerals that have been painted over).
- Be mindful of pickpockets, especially in busy alleyways and in- and around Jemaa el-Fnaa square.
For further preparation, I recommend reading my post Is Marrakech worth visiting? to get a better sense of what awaits. You might also want to check this post on scams to be aware of in Morocco, where the comment section reveals some negative experiences that travellers have had.
While Marrakech has its pros and cons, the good news is that if you can brush off some of the annoyances, it becomes a dazzling visual feast that will kick off your Morocco trip with several exciting days of city exploration.
Tip: If the highly proactive sales techniques used in Marrakech are not your thing, you can also delay your souvenir shopping until you get to Essaouira later in this route. The shopping there is a lot more relaxed!
Essential sights in Marrakech
Marrakech is full of things to do and see, so make sure you have at least 2 full days to explore and to take in the sights and smells.
(Side note: if you’re a sightseeing completionist, you could even spend 3 or 4 days here. In that case, I suggest splitting Marrakech between the beginning and end of your trip, so that you can get a little break from its chaos in between. On a 1-week itinerary, I think 2 days in Marrakech is a lot.)
Start from its most iconic place, the medina, which is the old central area with its countless winding streets. Pass by Koutoubia, Marrakech’s largest mosque. From the central Jamaa El-Fna square, you can get lost in the narrow streets and bargain your way through the souks, the marketplaces where you will find all sorts of items (some decidedly made-in-China, others meticulously hand-crafted in Morocco — always check the quality!).
If you can ignore the salesmen, wandering the souks can actually be an amazing sensory experience. I remember feeling like I’d stepped into a different world when I first saw the intensely deep Majorelle blue pigments sold in some of the shops, or stumbling upon an alley draped with a dense canopy of vibrant pink yarns dyed with natural safflower.
Besides diving into the shopping and cuisine, Marrakech is home to some awe-inspiring palaces and gardens that I think are the real highlights of this ancient city.
Top sights to mark on your map:
- The iconic Majorelle Gardens, a lush garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and renovated by the designer Yves Saint-Laurent
- Bahia Palace, a 19th-century palace with gorgeous tiling and lush riad gardens
- Madrasa Ben Youssef, once the largest Islamic college in the Maghreb, featuring stunningly decorated courtyards and a maze of ancient student dormitories
- El Badi Palace, the ruined remains of a 16th-century palace. See its towers and walls, often home to flocks of nesting storks
- The Perfume Museum, where you can learn about the seven scents of Morocco and even create your own perfume, guided by a master perfumer
- The Saadian Tombs, which houses two lavish and exquisitely detailed mausoleums with over a hundred tombs
Majorelle Gardens 
Madrasa Ben Youssef 
El Badi Palace 
Bahia Palace
There are more museums and historical sites than you can cover in two days, so you’ll have to pick a few from the list that catch your interest.
Besides ticking sights off your to-do list, know that simply weaving through all the little streets is highly entertaining and will probably take up much of your time. (Tip: install an offline map app like Maps.me in case you get lost.)
Don’t leave Marrakech before dining with a traditional tajine (a stew cooked in a conical earthenware pot) and getting lost again in the medina, which has a whole other vibe at night. For an extra twist, take a Marrakech street food tour by night, which lets you sample a wide variety of local delicacies, including some culinary discoveries you wouldn’t easily make on your own.
book this street food night tour 
The quintessential Moroccan dish: tajine
Getting into Marrakech
Menara Airport is located just 15 minutes from the city center, making it one of the easiest airport-to-city transfers I’ve done in a major city.
Just know that if your hotel is anywhere within the car-free medina, you may have to proceed on foot with your luggage. Your hotel may be able to arrange a luggage cart or even a porter for you if needed.
Be sure to mark your hotel or riad on your map!The medina can be confusing and hard to navigate, especially upon arrival.
Marrakech Airport
Bus: Two bus lines serve the airport. Bus 11 is your cheapest option at just 4 MAD (about $0.40), while Bus 19 costs around 30 MAD ($3). Both terminate at Jemaa el-Fnaa square. The wait can be quite long and I only recommend it if you’re a backpacker on a tight budget.
Taxi: Official airport taxis now operate on fixed rates: 100 MAD ($10) during the day and 120 MAD ($12) at night to get you to the center. This takes out a lot of the guesswork and potential for scams, though still be sure to confirm the price before heading off.
Private transfer: This can actually be cheaper than using a taxi, costing as little as $8. It’s pre-scheduled, so the driver will await you outside the arrivals terminal. You can check private transfer options here.
In my travel guides I normally recommend just grabbing a taxi or bus, but in the specific case of Marrakech a private transfer is actually the smoothest and most cost-effective way into the city.
book your airport pickup
Staying in a Riad
To add an exotic element to your trip — and to balance out all the chaos with a tranquil oasis — I highly recommend staying in a type of hotel known as a riad.
While I always include a ‘where to stay’ section in my guides, staying in a riad is actually just as much a ‘thing to do’ — something that truly adds to the experience!
Riads are traditional Moroccan buildings with central courtyards, usually featuring beautifully tiled mosaic walls and floors, hand-carved wooden ceilings, and an inner garden or fountain area. Most riads also have a rooftop area where you can enjoy breakfast with a view of Marrakech’s wonderfully jumbled roofscape but away from the hubbub in the streets below.
While a modern hotel might offer bigger rooms or amenities like a gym, staying in a riad is the truly Moroccan way to go. Since the riads are usually smack in the middle of the ancient medina, it also makes it easy to start exploring right from your doorstep.
But don’t worry: while central Marrakech can be noisy, the riads are designed to be very private and calm, making them the perfect place to rest and escape the crowds after a busy day of sightseeing.
Riad la Caleche & Spa:
Marrakech has easily the widest selection of riads to choose from on this itinerary, so if you want to include a riad stay in your trip I suggest doing it here.
I’ve stayed in several riads and have listed my favorites here. In short, I suggest these top picks depending on your budget:
Sahara near Marrakech?
We’re almost ready to head off from Marrakech to the desert! But first… an important clarification. Several Morocco route maps I’ve seen suggest there is a Sahara desert right near Marrakech. These itineraries are unfortunately incorrect: the Sahara is a 9-hour drive east of Marrakech.
The confusion stems from the Agafay Desert, which is 40 minutes south of Marrakech. This rocky desert is just beyond the urban perimeter of the city. You can stay in a tented camp here and drive around in an ATV, but there are no sand dunes, and the experience is not directly comparable to staying in the Sahara.
While it’s a long drive to the Sahara, there are numerous amazing sights along the way and the final destination is super worth it, so I recommend making this trip if you can. I think Agafay is really for those who are onlyvisiting Marrakech on a city trip and who want to add a quick overnight stay in the desert.
Days 3–5: Into the Berber lands of deserts and mountains
The second act of this Morocco itinerary is all about exploring the rugged interior — a land of sweeping deserts dotted with palm grove-fringed oases and ancient adobe kasbahs. It’s here that the locals are mostly Berber (Amazigh), the indigenous people of North Africa with language and traditions distinct from the Arab population.
This part of Morocco will hit many of the iconic notes that you’re surely looking forward to. Yes, it will involve a lot of driving to make it all the way to the Sahara, but the expansive barren landscapes and the unique experience of staying overnight in the desert make it absolutely worth it.
Berber sign — the symbol of the “free man” 
Forgotten kasbahs on the road to the Sahara 
Merzouga Sahara (yes, a real shot!)
This will be the most action-packed part of this 1-week itinerary. Be sure to plan at least 3 days discovering the fortified kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, the Todgha Gorge and Dades Valley canyons, and Erg Chebbi, one of the two main Saharan ergs — the large dune fields formed by windblown sand.
There is one small city (Ouarzazate) along the way. Otherwise it feels very remote with only some settlements here and there.
I loved driving through the barren, desert landscapes interrupted only by the occasional oasis with palm groves. The windy roads through the Atlas mountains are another highlight — its snowy peaks can be quite a surprise if you’ve only seen images of the dry Sahara associated with Morocco.
If you have your own vehicle, then you have a bit more flexibility on how to approach this section. Mostly, you’ll want to head east along the N9 through the snow-topped Atlas Mountains, via Aït Benhaddou fortress, and on to the Valley of the Roses with a final stop in Merzouga for a Sahara experience.
If you have a bit of time to spare, I recommend staying overnight at the famed ancient fortress of Ait Benhaddou so you can see it at sunset. You can also stop at viewpoints or in the smaller villages to have a proper look around.
A fun detour is to take road P1506 through the Ounila Valley with its expansive rocky landscapes and some end-of-the-world villages. You can read more about a Morocco road trip in my specific guide.
Stopping along the way on the P1506 road through the Ounila Valley 
Heading to Merzouga from Ait Benhaddou
If you’re travelling independently, then be sure to book ahead your Sahara desert camp. You can’t reach the camps on your own as you have to go at least some way through the dunes — typically on camelback, which the accommodation can arrange for you.
Tip: For a budget-friendly option, check out this Merzouga tented camp. For something really memorable, I suggest this Sky View luxury camp, where each tent has windows giving you views of the starry night sky. There is very little light pollution in the Sahara, making this a truly unique experience.
Doing this on your own road trip is amazing, but admittedly, it’s not the most accessible option for everyone. Luckily, you don’t need to self-drive if you don’t want to.
Most likely, you’ll do this itinerary segment on an organized tour. It is the most effective way to cover this much ground in just 3 days (or maybe 4 if you choose an extended tour). It’s what I did on my first Morocco trip, and while I have a soft spot for DIY road trips, I can’t deny that the tour is ideal when you’re time-limited, not to mention you’ll have a reserved spot at a tent camp for a night inside the Sahara Desert.
Your tour experience will vary depending on the operator. On my first time in Morocco, I booked this tour very cheaply through a hostel in Marrakech without checking any reviews. It honestly was very rushed with way too many people crammed in a minibus. I felt like a cattle being transported around, and the guide was not particularly insightful, but I guess you get what you pay for.
For a better experience, I suggest this GetYourGuide tour as the perfect choice to experience the Sahara Desert and the other sights on the way. It includes hotel pickup, an English-speaking guide, dinner and breakfast (with vegetarian and vegan options available), hotel accommodation for the first night, and a night at a Bedouin camp. With a 4.6-star rating (based on almost 10,000 reviews!) you’ll be assured of a great experience.
take this 3-Day Desert Safari 
Last map pin: Merzouga 
The Sahara at Erg Chebbi feels remote and expansive, but if you’re wondering if you’ll be roughing it in the middle of nowhere… well, it’s not quite like that!
Firstly, you’ll be just on the edge of the desert. Look West and you’ll see lights coming from Merzouga town. But look East and, yes, you’ll see seemingly infinite stretches of sand.
The overnight stay in a Berber or Bedouin camp isn’t in some random spot in a trackless desert. These tented camps are semi-permanent and go beyond a DIY camping experience. Standard camps typically have eco toilets, private tents, electricity powered by solar panels, and a spacious restaurant/entertainment area. Luxury camps may even have flushing toilets, showers, and other amenities.
You will usually reach the camp by camel ride. When I did this it took about an hour and this seems to be typical. If you do this on an organized tour, you will likely set off from Merzouga around 5 or 6PM — if you’re lucky, in time for sunset, which will bathe the desert in a beautiful golden glow. Riding a camel might be mildly uncomfortable at first but it’s quite nice when you get into the rhythm of it. The caravan will be headed by an experienced camel driver.
At night, there’s usually a communal dining experience at the tented camp, accompanied by entertainment like a Berber drum circle.
The Sahara is an amazing place for stargazing. They say there are as many stars as there are sand grains, so you’re in the perfect place to contemplate the vastness of the universe. In the morning, you can opt to get up early for sunrise for a 10-15 minute hike up a sand dune for some amazing views.
Day 6 & 7: Coastal reset in Essaouira’s creative calm
After the madness of Marrakech and the long journey to and from the Sahara, it’s time to chill by the Atlantic Ocean. There is no better place to do it than Essaouira, a small historic fortress town beside a beautiful crescent bay, with the horizon punctuated by the rocky Mogador Island.
Known as the “Windy City”, Essaouira is a gentle and breezy place where you can truly take your time to wind down. So calming is this town that even the market sellers seem to be incapable of the aggressive tactics experienced elsewhere in Morocco. Yes, here you can actually browse without having to use only your peripheral vision so as not to attract a sales pitch!
Essaouira has for decades been a creative and artisan haven and is home to many little boutique shops and vibey art cafes.
It has an interesting mix of the local and international: along the market streets, you’ll see women selling handmade argan oil and grinding traditional almond butter, while trendy surf shops sell RipCurl boards and Havaianas to the sporty crowd drawn here by the waves.
Essaouira Sisterhood Coffee Shop
The Atlantic winds make Essaouria a hotspot for kitesurfing and other water sports, so it’s a great place to take some lessons or even join a surf camp if you have the time.
On particularly windy days, the beach is less ideal for sunbathing, though within the walled old town, you will hardly notice a breeze. The Medina is always wonderfully calm and unrushed — truly an oasis compared to relentless Marrakech.
The best spot to enjoy the laid-back atmosphere of Essaouira is by booking a boutique hotel with sea views. The historic Villa Quieta is an excellent option, which features traditional architecture and a big swimming pool. Another great option is to stay in a riad within the Medina. I stayed in Riad Azul, which has a great atmosphere, terrific breakfast, and very friendly staff.
Shown above: Riad Azul
Spend your days in Essaouira by shopping in the streets of the medina, relaxing at the beach, soaking up the Moroccan sun, or taking a refreshing swim in the ocean. Don’t miss visiting the mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and consider treating yourself to a couple of hours in a hammam.
Walk around the port with the characteristic fishermen’s blue boats and the old Portuguese fortification walls. Here I suggest you go to lunch at a nearby fish restaurant: you can choose from the catch of the day, which is then usually cooked on grills.
My guide to Essaouria has all the specifics you need to plan your stay in detail. Most of all, I recommend taking a breath and taking it easy. With its gentle soul and friendliness, Essaouria is my favorite town in Morocco.
Getting to Essaouira
The best way to get to Essaouira from Marrakech is by bus. The main bus company offering the transfer is Supratours, with many daily connections. The other bus company covering the route is CTM; however, the transfer runs only once a day.
The ride takes 3 hours and the ticket price is around $10 one-way, and you can purchase it online or directly at the Supratours bus station. The bus station is located right next to Marrakech’s train station.
How to extend your trip
We’ve almost come to the end of this guide, which I hope has inspired you to book your trip right now. It’s a real testament to this route that even when I retraced my steps on a ‘do-over’ trip, I still thought it was just as fun as the first time.
This itinerary is based on 7 days because this is such a common holiday period, though honestly it will probably be a bit rushed. If you can expand your trip to 10 days (e.g. 5-6 working days + two weekends) then you can have a more complete experience.
So let me offer some suggestions for how to use the extra 3 days on a 10-day trip.
Of course, you could use the extra days to add more destinations. Personally, I simply prefer having a bit more padding within an itinerary and staying longer in each place.
With more time you can really soak in the details — and cover more cultural sites like the Madrasa Ben Youssef in Marrakech
Option 1: Spend more time in Marrakech and Essaouria (recommended)
Consider spending 3 days in Marrakech and 3 days in Essaouria instead of the 2 days each in the 7-day itinerary.
Essaouria is a super chill place with a wonderful holiday feeling. You can use your extra day to try kitesurfing, go on a camel ride through the dunes, or visit the nearby seaside town of Sidi Kaouki.
In Marrakech, it will give you a bit more time to go shopping or to see more of the gorgeous palaces. I would suggest splitting your Marrakech time in two: spend your first 2 days in this city, plus the final day before departure. That way you can do some final souvenir shopping or tick a few final things off the list before you go. (Or, if you’d like to relax a bit more before the end of your trip, go for a spa or hammam experience.)
I like this approach the most since it will let you stop and smell the roses a bit more and get the maximum potential from each place.
Option 2: Make a beeline for northern Morocco
Another option is to tackle Marrakech and Essaouria first, then continue with your tour into the interior, but extend it to link up to Fes in the north of Morocco.
This 4-day Sahara tour ending in Fes actually has it baked into the itinerary, so you’ll get to see Ait Benhaddou, the Valley of the Roses, the Sahara, and then get dropped off in Fes.
Fez from above 
The. blue town of Chefchaouen
In this case, instead of getting a return ticket for Marrakech, you would fly into Marrakech and fly out of Fes or elsewhere in the north.
Fes is another very interesting city that is teeming with culture, history, and life. However, this route is pretty spread out, so personally, I would keep the north for another future trip. If you have at least 2 weeks in Morocco, I think it’s a lot easier to add Fes as well as other northern highlights like Chefchaouen and Rabat.