Morocco 7-Day Itinerary: A Dream-Like Luxury Desert Camps, Souks & Imperial Cities

Fly into Casablanca and take advantage of the completely worth it Fast-Track service to whisk you through immigration and customs. Your Fast-Track guide will help you gather your bags and deliver you to your personal driver for the week. Your driver is a local who is just as excited to welcome you to Morocco for seven-days and show you his beautiful country as you are to see it! You’ll become fast friends while you’re here. Having a dedicated local driver allows you to soak up the journey without having to worry about maps or navigating. (You can always rent a car, take the train or use public transportation too if that’s your preference - especially if you have been to Morocco before. But I love the experience of a driver who will stop at their favorite spots along the way and share so much more than a map ever could).

Head to Hassan II Mosque: The second largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 14th oldest in the world - for a private tour. Famous for the intricate and gorgeous Islamic architecture, it’s one of the few mosques that allows non-muslim visitors. One distinct feature is the floor - made entirely of glass! It can accommodate up to 25,000 worshippers at a time! After your private tour, take a refreshing walk along the Corniche to have mint tea and lunch before heading to your hotel to check-in, freshen up and explore Casablanca, have dinner, and then settle in for the night.

Dinner ideas in Casablanca:

Rick’s Café: If you’ve seen the movie and would like a taste of Hollywood nostalgia, Rick’s will give you that! Inspired by the film, it offers American and European dishes with live piano music, incredible balconies, and very ornate fixtures throughout the restaurant.

Dar Dada: Traditional Moroccan food in a lovely Riad setting within the Medina.

After breakfast, begin the journey to the 1,200-year-old city of Fes. Along the way, enjoy the Moroccan countryside, pause for a visit to the Roman ruins of Volubilis where you’ll marvel at the partially excavated Berber-Roman city. Even if you’ve been to Rome, this incredible city has some of the most intricate details still intact and is worth visiting. Next stop is Meknes, the smallest of the Imperial cities of Morocco, tour Lahdim Square, Bab Mansour - the biggest gate in North Africa. From there, visit Domaine de la Zouina for a wine tasting luncheon at this beautiful French winery. After lunch, continue to Fes and check into Riad Fez.

Dinner in Fez:

Riad Fes: In a city known for its traditional food, this one is not to be missed. The chef relies on family recipes passed down from mother to daughter while also creating something new. A Relais & Chateaux Riad and restaurant, enjoy the beautiful Moroccan decor and ambiance of this wonderful restaurant.

Take a private walking tour of this medieval city. Fes is an unforgettable experience on any Morocco seven-day itinerary.

See the largest and most authentic medina (ancient part of the city) with its incredible maze of twisting alleys, mosques, fountains and every type of market imaginable.

Visit the 17th century madrasas (schools), the old Karaouine University and the Jewish Quarter El Mahel, including the Jewish cemetery and Ibn Danan synagogue.

Lunch will be a walking food tour to sample the olives, cheeses, mint tea, pastries, potato cakes and other traditional foods in the market. You won’t leave hungry.

In the evening, do a little stargazing on the rooftop of Riad Fes - the highest point in the medina offering breathtaking views of the entire city. The scent of jasmine and the songs of the Muezzins make the views of the Tghat and Zalagh mountains at sunset all the more magical. Feast on tapas of fresh local foods while you sip wine or a signature cocktail.

Today you’ll travel from Fes to Merzouga. This long journey is worth the drive just for the villages and sights along the way. First stop should be Ifran - AKA “Little Switzerland” - this lovely ski village in the Atlas mountains has chalets that remind you of the ski areas in Austria and Switzerland. Enjoy the cooler temperatures, fresh air and pine trees in this lovely village. Next you’ll stop in Ziz where you can wander to see the cliffs leading down into the river valleys lush with palm trees.

Arriving at Merzouga Luxury Desert Camp Erg Chebbi, you’ll be greeted by the vast Sahara Desert. Take a sunset camel ride where you’ll be in awe of the spectacular beauty. The dunes at Erg Chebbi are among the most popular in Morocco with their striking colors and imposing peaks.

Delight in a three-course meal served under the stars and end the night around a campfire with traditional music in this magical setting. Your luxury tent provides everything you need for an unforgettable evening in the desert.

After breakfast in the desert, begin the journey towards Marrakech. You’ll travel through the Todra region with a stop in Tinghir for lunch. The people in this village are Berber and are famous for their hospitality - often inviting visitors to join them in their homes for tea and sweet dates. The red clay city is very photogenic too!

Continue your journey to Skoura, a palm-filled oasis and check-in to Ksar El Kabbaba Kasbah & Spa. Take advantage of the relaxing pool, the hammam, the restaurant and the spa after your long journey.

Enjoy breakfast in the kasbah, then a morning of leisure around the pool or in the spa before heading to your final destination for the last nights of your seven-day Morocco itinerary - Marrakech.

The road will take you to Aït Benhaddou which is along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. The earthen clay architecture is one of the finest examples of Moroccan architecture and has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.

Once you’ve reached Marrakech, you’ll check into your hotel or riad, and begin exploring the city. This afternoon and tomorrow, you’ll visit palaces, the medina, the souks, spice market, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Le Jardin Secret and much more.

Enjoy an evening visit to Jemaa el-Fna which is filled with snake charmers, folk dancers, musicians and street food vendors serving every imaginable food.

Choose from a hot air balloon ride over Marrakech, or take a traditional cooking class. I’m a huge fan of the cooking class at La Maison Arabe where you learn how to make Moroccan bread along with picking fresh herbs in their garden before preparing a delicious Moroccan tagine. The best part? You get to eat what you’ve prepared with your new friends.

Enjoy your final night in Morocco with mint tea on the rooftop along with the setting sun.

On your final day, your driver will deliver you safely to Casablanca for your flight home.

Saying goodbye to this magical country won’t be easy, but you’ll have incredible memories of your journey along the way.