Morocco Highlights in 7 Days: Marrakech, Sahara, Fes & Blue City

What's Included

Meeting and pickup

Itinerary

Day 1
Marrakech City Tour
4 stops
1
Bahia Palace
Visit the Bahia Palace, a 19th-century architectural masterpiece in the heart of Marrakech. Discover beautifully decorated rooms adorned with intricate stucco work, painted ceilings, and colorful mosaics, all surrounded by peaceful gardens and courtyards. Built to reflect the elegance of Moroccan and Islamic art, the palace remains one of the city’s most impressive historical landmarks.
40 minutes • Admission ticket not included
2
Koutoubia Mosque
Admire the iconic Koutoubia Mosque from the outside, the most important religious landmark in Marrakech. Its majestic minaret dominates the city skyline and represents a remarkable example of Almohad architecture and Moroccan spiritual heritage.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
3
Explore the tranquil Menara Gardens, a historic green oasis set against the Atlas Mountains. Stroll among olive groves surrounding a large reflective pool and admire the 12th-century pavilion, offering a peaceful escape from the city’s vibrant atmosphere.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
4
Jemaa el-Fnaa
Experience the lively atmosphere of Jemaa El-Fna, Marrakech’s main square and cultural heart. Enjoy the vibrant scenes created by street performers, traditional musicians, storytellers, and food stalls, making this square one of the most unforgettable places in Morocco.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
Day 2
Marrakech → Ait Ben Haddou → Ouarzazate → Dades Gorges
3 stops
5
High Atlas Mountains
Depart from Marrakech around 07:30 am and cross the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass at an altitude of 2,260 meters. Along the way, enjoy breathtaking mountain scenery, panoramic viewpoints, and traditional Berber villages clinging to the hillsides. This scenic road offers some of the most impressive landscapes in Morocco before reaching the region of Ait Ben Haddou.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
6
Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
Visit the fortified Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, built in the 11th century and once an important stop on the ancient caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Set on a hill overlooking the Ounila River, this UNESCO World Heritage Site showcases remarkable examples of traditional kasbah architecture. While many residents now live across the river, a few families still inhabit the ksar. The site has served as a filming location for famous movies such as Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Alexander.
1 hour 30 minutes • Admission ticket included
7
Dades Gorges
Continue toward the Dades Gorges via Ouarzazate, passing through the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs, where impressive fortified houses line both sides of the valley. Travel through Kalaat M’Gouna, known as the Valley of Roses, with its green fields of alfalfa, olive trees, fig trees, and grapevines. This region is famous for rose-based cosmetic products and its annual Rose Festival held each April. The journey continues through the Dades Valley, rising into the High Atlas Mountains and offering spectacular natural scenery.
2 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 3
Dades Gorges → Todra Gorges → Merzouga Desert
2 stops
8
Todra Gorge
Travel through the town of Boumalne Dades, located at the edge of the Dades Valley, an important agricultural area supporting a large Berber community. Continue toward the spectacular Todra Gorges, situated beyond the Central High Atlas Mountains. These impressive canyons feature towering rock walls, dramatic plateaus, and landscapes often compared to the Colorado canyons. The region is surrounded by high peaks, including Jbel Saghro and Jbel Mgoun, one of the highest summits in the High Atlas. The area is traditionally inhabited by Berber communities and offers breathtaking natural scenery.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
9
Erfoud
Continue toward Erfoud, a town renowned for its fossil workshops and pottery. Around 350 million years ago, this region was covered by an ancient ocean, making fossils an important local industry today. Discover how these ancient marine fossils are extracted and transformed, highlighting Erfoud’s unique geological heritage.
25 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 4
Merzouga → Errachidia → Midelt → Ifrane → Fes
6 stops
10
Merzouga
Wake up early to witness a spectacular sunrise over the dunes of Merzouga, where changing colors and shadows create a magical atmosphere. After sunrise, return by camel or 4x4 vehicle to meet your driver, then begin the journey toward Fes while enjoying beautiful desert and mountain landscapes along the way.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
11
Errachidia
Stop in Errachidia to visit the palm tree oasis, a green contrast to the surrounding desert environment. This region is known for its vast palm groves nourished by ancient irrigation systems, offering a glimpse into traditional oasis life in southeastern Morocco.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
12
Midelt
Arrive in Midelt, a Berber town located at the foothills of the eastern High Atlas Mountains. Lunch is scheduled in the area, surrounded by wide plateaus and mountain scenery. The region is inhabited by large Berber communities and is known for its diverse landscapes, including palm oases near Jbel Ayachi, which rises to 3,747 meters.
1 hour • Admission ticket free
13
Enjoy a short stop at Michlifen Forest, home to Barbary macaque monkeys. This cedar forest is a natural habitat for these animals and offers a refreshing mountain atmosphere.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
14
Ifrane
Pass through Ifrane, one of the most modern and clean cities in Morocco. Known as the “Little Switzerland” of Morocco, this green town is a ski resort located in the Middle Atlas at an altitude of 1,665 meters. Ifrane is also home to Al Akhawayn University, an international institution where classes are taught in English.
45 minutes • Admission ticket free
15
Fez
Arrive in Fes in the evening and enjoy drop-off at your accommodation, marking the end of the day’s journey through the Middle Atlas and northern Morocco.
30 minutes • Admission ticket free
Day 5
Fes → Ouazzane Province → Chefchaouen
3 stops
16
Fez
Enjoy a half-day guided city tour of Fes with an official local guide. Once known as the “Mecca of the West” and the “Athens of Africa,” Fes is one of Morocco’s four imperial cities and a former capital of the kingdom. The city is divided into three main areas: Fes el Bali, the oldest walled part with more than 9,000 narrow streets and alleys; Fes el Jdid, home to the historic Mellah (Jewish Quarter); and the Ville Nouvelle, developed during the French period. Fes el Bali is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains the world’s oldest operating university, Al-Qarawiyyin University, founded in 859 AD. After the visit, depart toward Chefchaouen in the late afternoon.
7 hours • Admission ticket free
17
Province of Ouezzane
Stop briefly in the province of Ouazzane for a short break during the drive toward northern Morocco before continuing to Chefchaouen.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
18
Chefchaouen
Arrive in Chefchaouen around 8:00 pm and enjoy drop-off at your accommodation. Known for its blue-painted streets and relaxed atmosphere, the city offers a peaceful setting for the evening and overnight stay.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 6
Chefchaouen (Free Time)
1 stop
19
Chefchaouen
Enjoy a full day at leisure in Chefchaouen, exploring the city at your own pace. Famous for its vivid blue-washed houses, Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most picturesque destinations and is especially popular during the summer months. Wander through its winding streets and narrow alleys, home to lively souks offering local cuisine and traditional handicrafts such as wool products, detailed embroidery, and locally made goat cheese—specialties unique to northern Morocco. Spend time relaxing in the main square, discovering the city’s calm atmosphere, or simply enjoying the charm of this mountain town.
12 hours • Admission ticket free
Day 7
Chefchaouen → Rabat → Casablanca
5 stops
20
Chefchaouen
Depart from Chefchaouen toward Casablanca.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
21
Enjoy a short break in Allal Tazi to stretch your legs and relax before continuing the journey toward Rabat or Casablanca.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free
22
Rabat
Visit Rabat, the political capital of Morocco, on a sightseeing tour that includes the Kasbah of the Oudayas and its beautiful Andalusian-style gardens overlooking the Bou Regreg River. Continue to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Hassan Tower, the minaret of an unfinished mosque dating back to 1195 AD. The tour also passes by the Royal Palace, residence of the Moroccan royal family. After the visit, continue toward Casablanca.
3 hours • Admission ticket free
23
Hassan II Mosque
In Casablanca, visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, a remarkable example of Moroccan architecture. Built partly over the Atlantic Ocean, it is the largest mosque in Morocco and the fifth largest in the world. The mosque can accommodate up to 105,000 worshippers, and its minaret rises to 210 meters, making it the tallest in the world.
30 minutes • Admission ticket not included
24
Casablanca
Arrive in Casablanca in the evening and enjoy drop-off at your hotel or Casablanca airport, marking the end of your journey through Morocco.
20 minutes • Admission ticket free

Additional info

• Public transportation options are available nearby
• Not recommended for travelers with spinal injuries
• Not recommended for pregnant travelers
• Not recommended for travelers with poor cardiovascular health
• Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness

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