7 Days in Morocco: Marrakech, Fes & the Sahara

3 days exploring Marrakech's vibrant medina, ornate palaces, serene gardens, and the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa square that comes alive at night with food stalls and storytellers.

2 days in the world's oldest medina — wander labyrinthine alleys, see the famous Chouara tanneries, and visit exquisite medieval madrasas like Bou Inania and Al-Attarine.

The largest mosque in Marrakech with a stunning 77m minaret. Non-Muslims cannot enter but the gardens around it are beautiful. Best viewed in the morning light.

The iconic square by day with fresh orange juice stalls and snake charmers. Grab lunch at a rooftop cafe overlooking the action — try a traditional tagine or couscous.

A 19th-century palace with beautiful courtyards, carved cedar ceilings, and intricate zellij tilework. Allow 1–1.5 hours. Entry is 70 MAD (cash only).

The square transforms at sunset — dozens of food stalls smoke with kebabs, snails, and harira soup. Grab a stall seat (#1 or #14 are well-reviewed) or head to a rooftop for the view. Bargain prices, busy atmosphere.

Yves Saint Laurent's iconic blue garden — a peaceful oasis with cactus gardens, bamboo groves, and the Berber Museum inside. Book tickets online to skip the queue. Combined ticket with YSL Museum is 300 MAD.

Hidden for centuries until rediscovered in 1917. The Hall of the Twelve Columns is breathtaking — Italian marble, carved stucco, and gold leaf. Entry 70 MAD. Small site, allow 30–40 min.

Try Le Kasbah Café or a nearby stall for authentic Moroccan street food. Get a bissara (fava bean soup) or a pastilla pie for a local specialty.

Morocco's largest medieval madrasa, recently restored. The central courtyard with zellij tilework and carved cedar is stunning. Entry 50 MAD. Climb to the roof for medina views.

Get lost in the endless souk alleys — carpets, lamps, leather, pottery, spices. Haggle hard: offer 30–50% of the asking price. Souk Semmarine is the main thoroughfare for textiles and crafts.

Many riads offer evening cooking classes — learn to make tagine or couscous from a Berber chef, then eat your creation. Book through your riad or a popular option like Nafis Cooking Studio. ~3 hours including dinner.

The ruined 16th-century palace is a vast sunken garden with reflecting pools and orange groves. Climb the ramparts for excellent medina views. Entry 70 MAD. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

A beautiful 19th-century palace housing Berber jewelry, woodcarvings, and weapons. The courtyard alone is worth the entry. Entry 40 MAD. Quiet and rarely crowded — a hidden gem.

Henna Cafe is a social enterprise — enjoy a light lunch while getting a henna tattoo, with proceeds supporting local women. Alternatively, try Cafe Clock for camel burgers and live music.

A Moroccan hammam is essential — your riad may have one, or try a public hammam like Hammam Mouassine or a luxury option like Les Bains de Marrakech. The scrub (gommage) leaves your skin incredibly smooth. Allow 1.5–2 hours.

End your Marrakech stay with sunset from a rooftop cafe — Le Salama or Cafe Arabe offer great views and cocktails. Then a farewell dinner of mechoui (roast lamb) or seafood pastilla. Prepare for tomorrow's early departure.

Leave Marrakech early and drive the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260m) — the highest road in Morocco. Stunning switchback views over the Atlas Mountains. Photo stops recommended.

A UNESCO World Heritage site and famous film location (Gladiator, Game of Thrones). This ancient mud-brick ksar is breathtaking. Cross the river and climb to the top for panoramic views. Entry 10 MAD. Allow 1–1.5 hours.

Ouarzazate is the 'Hollywood of Morocco' — grab lunch at Le Berbere Palace or a local café. Try a Berber omelette or grilled brochettes. Stock up on water for the desert ahead.

Brief stops at the dramatic rock formations of Dades Gorge ('Monkey's Fingers') and the towering 300m limestone walls of Todra Gorge. Both are quick photo stops — the scenery is the real highlight.

Arrive in Merzouga at the edge of Erg Chebbi dunes. Check into your desert camp — most include dinner, breakfast, and a camel trek. The stars away from all light pollution are phenomenal. Dress warmly — desert nights are cold.

Wake early to watch the sunrise paint the Erg Chebbi dunes in shades of orange and gold. A light breakfast of msemen pancakes, bread, and mint tea is served at camp. Best photos are just after sunrise.

Try sandboarding down the dunes (included at most camps) or simply hike the massive golden ridges. The silence of the desert is profound. A 4x4 desert tour can also be arranged to explore deeper dunes.

Head into Merzouga village for a relaxed lunch at Cafe Restaurant La Source or similar. Try a camel tagine (tender slow-cooked camel meat) if you want an authentic desert meal.

The quintessential Sahara experience — ride a camel 1–1.5 hours deep into the dunes for sunset. Camels are surprisingly comfortable at a walking pace. Your guide leads the line and will take photos for you. Arrive at the deep-desert camp for the night.

A traditional Berber dinner under the stars — slow-cooked tagine, fresh bread, and sweet mint tea followed by drumming around the campfire. Then lie on the dunes and stare at the Milky Way — the clearest night sky you will ever see.

One last sunrise over the dunes if you have energy — the light show is worth it. Pack up and enjoy a camp breakfast before departing north toward Fes.

Known as 'Little Switzerland' for its alpine architecture and clean streets. A great place to stretch your legs and grab coffee or a snack. Nearby Azrou has a cedar forest with wild Barbary macaques — look for them by the roadside.

Check into your Fes riad (book one inside the medina for convenience). Grab lunch at Cafe Clock Fes or Restaurant Dar Roumana — both serve excellent Moroccan cuisine with views over the old city.

Enter through the iconic blue gate (bab meaning gate) into the maze of Fes el-Bali. Evening is the best time for a gentle introduction — shopkeepers are winding down, the light is golden, and the crowds thin. Get your bearings for tomorrow.

Many riads in Fes serve dinner on their courtyards or terraces — often a set menu of traditional dishes. Try Riad Laaroussa or Riad Fes Madina for an atmospheric dinner featuring lamb with prunes and almond pastries.

Fes's most iconic sight — the rainbow-colored dye pits of Chouara Tannery. Enter a leather shop for the best viewpoint (they'll give you mint leaves to mask the smell). Go early for the best light and before the heat intensifies the odor. Entry is free but guides expect 20–50 MAD tip.

A 14th-century madrasa with extraordinary zellij tilework, carved stucco, and cedar lattice screens. Much more intimate than Marrakech's Ben Youssef. Entry 20 MAD. Small but exquisite — allow 30 min.

The world's oldest existing university (founded 859 AD). Non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, but you can view the courtyard and library from the adjacent Bou Inania Madrasa rooftop. Still a functioning university today.

The finest madrasa in Fes and the only one with a working mosque (so still has ablutions fountain). The intricate stucco, carved cedar, and zellij mosaics are breathtaking. Climb to the roof for panoramic medina views. Entry 20 MAD.

Shop for Fes specialties — the medina is famous for leather bags, slippers (babouches), and copperware. Have a final lunch at Ruined Garden or Cafe Clock. Settle in your riad's courtyard with mint tea before heading to the airport or train station.

Depart from Fes. If your flight is late, consider a sunset visit to the Merenid Tombs for a stunning final view of the entire medina. One last mint tea in the airport café. Travel wisely!