7 days in Morocco is enough to see the big three: Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes. It is not enough to see everything, and that is where most first-time plans go wrong. After more than 35 years of guiding travelers, our family has a clear view of what works in a week.
Below are our two favorite 7 days in Morocco itineraries, day by day. Each one has real driving times, where you sleep and what a private trip costs. Both include the Sahara, because for most people the desert is the reason to come.
7 Days in Morocco at a Glance: Two Routes
| Route A: Marrakech to Casablanca | Route B: Casablanca Loop | |
|---|---|---|
| Start / end | Marrakech / Casablanca | Casablanca / Casablanca |
| Sahara nights | 1 (desert camp) | 2 (camp + hotel) |
| Cities | Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen | Rabat, Chefchaouen, Fes, Marrakech |
| Longest drive | About 7 to 8 hours (Merzouga to Fes) | About 7 to 8 hours (Fes to Merzouga) |
| Best for | Flights into Marrakech | Flights into Casablanca |
| Private tour from | $820 per person | $830 per person |
Prices are per person for 2 travelers on a private tour and include the vehicle, your driver-guide, accommodation and the desert camp. Each tour page lists exactly what is included.
Route A: 7 Days in Morocco From Marrakech to Casablanca
This is the classic first trip. You arrive in Marrakech and cross the High Atlas to the Sahara. Then you continue to Fes and the Blue City, and fly home from Casablanca. It follows our 7-day desert tour from Marrakech to Casablanca.
Day 1: Arrive in Marrakech
Settle into a riad in the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and spend the evening in Jemaa el-Fna square. Not sure where to sleep? Read riad vs hotel in Morocco.
Day 2: Marrakech to the Dades Valley
Cross the Tizi n’Tichka Pass and stop at the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, then continue through the Valley of Roses. About 330 km and 7 hours of driving with stops. Night in the Dades Valley.
Day 3: Todra Gorge to the Merzouga Desert Camp
Walk into the Todra Gorge, then drive to Merzouga for a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes. About 290 km and 5 hours of driving. Night in a desert camp.
Day 4: Merzouga to Fes
Sunrise over the dunes, then the longest drive of the week, north through the Ziz Valley, the cedar forests of Azrou and Ifrane. About 470 km and 7 to 8 hours with stops. Night in a Fes riad.
Day 5: Guided Day in Fes
Explore the Fes el-Bali medina with a licensed guide: the madrasas, the Chouara tannery and the craft souks. Read Fes vs Marrakech to see how the two cities differ.
Day 6: Fes to Chefchaouen
About 200 km and 3.5 to 4 hours to the Blue City in the Rif Mountains. Spend the afternoon in its blue lanes and watch the sunset from the Spanish Mosque. Here is why Chefchaouen is worth the detour.
Day 7: Chefchaouen to Casablanca
About 340 km and 4.5 to 5 hours to Casablanca for your flight home, with time for the Hassan II Mosque if your schedule allows.
Route B: 7 Days in Morocco as a Loop From Casablanca
Many flights from North America land in Casablanca. This loop goes north first, then to the Sahara, and gives you two nights in the desert instead of one. It follows our 7-day Casablanca grand tour.
Day 1: Casablanca to Chefchaouen via Rabat
Visit the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat, then drive into the Rif. About 340 km and 5 hours with stops.
Day 2: Chefchaouen to Fes via Volubilis
Stop at the Roman ruins of Volubilis and the imperial city of Meknes on the way. About 250 km and 4 to 5 hours.
Day 3: Guided Day in Fes
A full day in the medina with a local guide, then a quiet evening in your riad.
Day 4: Fes to the Sahara
Through Ifrane, Azrou and the Ziz Valley to Merzouga, then a camel ride to the camp. About 470 km and 7 to 8 hours.
Day 5: A Full Day in the Desert
Explore around Merzouga by 4×4: Gnawa music in Khamlia, nomad families and the dunes. Second night in a hotel at the edge of the dunes.
Day 6: Merzouga to the Dades Valley
West along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, with a walk in the Todra Gorge. About 290 km and 5 hours.
Day 7: Dades Valley to Marrakech, Then Casablanca
Cross the High Atlas via Ait Ben Haddou to Marrakech, about 7 hours with stops. Then continue to Casablanca, about 240 km on the motorway, or end the tour in Marrakech.
Is 7 Days in Morocco Enough?
Yes, for a first visit, if you accept two things. First, there are two long driving days. The desert is far from the cities, and the drive is part of the trip. Read what the drive to the Sahara is really like. Second, you will skip some places, such as Essaouira and a Toubkal trek.
With one more day, we would add a full day in Marrakech or a slower day in Chefchaouen. That is our 8-day Morocco tour, or see the 8-day itinerary for limited vacation time. For shorter or longer trips, compare options in how many days you need in Morocco.
Tips for Planning 7 Days in Morocco
- Pick the season: spring and autumn are best. Summer is very hot in the desert, and winter nights are cold. See the best time to visit Morocco.
- Fly into one city and out of another: an open-jaw ticket saves a full day of driving. For example, fly into Marrakech and home from Casablanca or Fes.
- Pack layers: the desert can go from 30°C at noon to near freezing at night. Here is what to pack for the Sahara.
- Go private: with only 7 days, a private driver-guide lets you stop where you want. You also avoid the fixed timings of group tours.
How Much Do 7 Days in Morocco Cost?
A private 7-day tour with Navigate Morocco starts from $800 to $830 per person for 2 travelers, depending on the route. That covers your vehicle and driver-guide, fuel, accommodation in riads and hotels, and the desert camp. Flights, most lunches, entrance fees and tips are extra. Larger groups pay less per person, and we can upgrade to luxury riads and camps.
Want a route built around your dates? Send us your plans or message us on WhatsApp at +212 609 490 681. One of our family will reply personally.
Not sure how much to tip? Read our guide to tipping in Morocco.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the best 7-day itinerary for Morocco?
For a first visit, Marrakech, one or two nights in the Sahara at Merzouga, Fes and Chefchaouen. It gives you cities, mountains and the desert in one trip.
Can you see the Sahara in 7 days in Morocco?
Yes. Both of our 7-day routes include at least one night in a desert camp at Merzouga. Each one includes a sunset camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Is it better to start in Marrakech or Casablanca?
Start where your flight is cheapest. From Marrakech, the Sahara comes early in the trip. From Casablanca, you see Rabat and Chefchaouen first.
How much does a 7-day Morocco tour cost?
Our private 7-day tours start from $800 to $830 per person for 2 travelers. That includes transport, a driver-guide, accommodation and the desert camp.
Is it safe to travel in Morocco for a week?
Yes. Morocco is one of the most visited countries in Africa, and a private driver-guide makes the trip easier. Solo women can read our honest local perspective on safety.