Seven days is a great amount of time to discover Morocco. Starting from Fes, you can explore an imperial medina, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the dunes of the Sahara, dramatic gorges, ancient kasbahs and the lively souks of Marrakech.
This day-by-day itinerary is designed for first-time visitors who want to see the highlights without rushing too much.
Itinerary Overview
- Day 1: Arrive in Fes
- Day 2: Guided tour of Fes
- Day 3: Day trip to Chefchaouen
- Day 4: Fes to Merzouga and the Sahara
- Day 5: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
- Day 6: Dades to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
- Day 7: Marrakech
Day 1: Arrive in Fes
Arrive at Fes-Saïss Airport or by train, transfer to your riad and settle in. In the late afternoon, take a gentle walk to Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate, and enjoy your first Moroccan dinner. If you need help choosing a riad, read our Fes travel guide.
Day 2: Discover Fes
Spend a full day exploring Fes el-Bali with a licensed guide. Highlights include Bou Inania Madrasa, Al-Qarawiyyin, Al-Attarine Madrasa, Nejjarine Square, the Chouara Tannery and the artisan quarters. In the afternoon, visit the Royal Palace gates and the Mellah, then watch sunset from the Merenid Tombs.
See all the highlights in our list of the best things to do in Fes.
Day 3: Day Trip to Chefchaouen
Leave early for the blue city in the Rif Mountains, about 3.5 to 4 hours away. Walk through the blue medina, visit Plaza Uta el-Hammam and the Kasbah, and climb to the Spanish Mosque for a view. Return to Fes in the evening.
Tip: if you can add one day, sleep in Chefchaouen instead. See our 3-day Chefchaouen itinerary.
Day 4: Fes to the Sahara Desert
Drive south through the Middle Atlas: Ifrane, the cedar forest of Azrou with its Barbary macaques, Midelt for lunch and the beautiful Ziz Valley. Arrive in Merzouga in the late afternoon for a camel trek at sunset and a night in a desert camp. Read our Fes to Merzouga road trip guide.
Day 5: Merzouga to Todra Gorge and Dades Valley
Wake up for sunrise over the dunes, then return by camel and have breakfast. Drive west via Rissani and Tinghir to the towering walls of Todra Gorge. Continue to the Dades Valley for the night. See our Todra and Dades guide.
Day 6: Dades to Marrakech via Ait Ben Haddou
Drive along the Road of a Thousand Kasbahs to Ouarzazate, then visit the UNESCO-listed ksar of Ait Ben Haddou. Cross the High Atlas Mountains by the Tizi n'Tichka pass and arrive in Marrakech in the evening.
Day 7: Marrakech
Explore Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia and Majorelle Garden. Read our Marrakech travel guide. Depart from Marrakech airport or stay longer.
Alternative: A Slower 7-Day Itinerary
If you prefer less driving, you can skip Chefchaouen and spend more time in Fes, adding a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis. You can also spend two nights in the desert.
Getting Around
The easiest way to follow this itinerary is with a private driver, because the desert, gorges and kasbahs are poorly served by public transport. Trains are useful between Fes, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, but not for the south.
Best Time for This Itinerary
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal. In summer, the desert is very hot; in winter, desert and mountain nights are cold. See the best time to visit Morocco.
What to Pack
- Comfortable walking shoes.
- Layers and a warm jacket for desert nights.
- Sun protection.
- A scarf for sun and sand.
- A small overnight bag for the desert camp.
Driving Times on This Itinerary
| Route | Approx. distance | Approx. driving time |
|---|---|---|
| Fes to Chefchaouen | about 200 km | 3.5–4 hours |
| Fes to Merzouga | about 470 km | 7–8 hours with stops |
| Merzouga to Dades Valley | about 300 km | 5–6 hours with Todra Gorge |
| Dades to Marrakech | about 320 km | 6–7 hours via Ait Ben Haddou |
These times include short breaks but not long visits. A private driver lets you stop whenever you want for photos, tea or a short walk.
What This Itinerary Costs: Budget, Mid-Range and Luxury
The total budget depends mainly on your accommodation, the type of desert camp and whether you travel privately or in a group.
- Budget: simple guesthouses, a standard desert camp and shared tours. Good for backpackers and young travellers.
- Mid-range: comfortable riads, a private driver, a standard or upgraded desert camp and some guided visits. The most popular choice.
- Luxury: boutique riads and kasbah hotels, a luxury desert camp with private bathroom, private guides in each city and special experiences.
Not sure which camp to choose? Compare them in our guide to luxury vs standard desert camps.
Where to Stay Each Night
- Nights 1–3, Fes: a riad in the medina near Bab Boujloud or Batha. Read our guide on where to stay in Fes.
- Night 4, Merzouga: a desert camp in the dunes of Erg Chebbi.
- Night 5, Dades Valley: a guesthouse or kasbah hotel with views of the valley.
- Night 6–7, Marrakech: a riad in the medina or a hotel in Hivernage or Gueliz.
Variations to Suit Your Interests
For culture lovers
Replace the Chefchaouen day with a day trip to Volubilis, Moulay Idriss and Meknes, and spend more time in the Fes medina with a licensed guide.
For nature lovers
Add a hike in the Todra Gorge or the "Monkey Fingers" canyons of Dades, or include the Azrou cedar forest on the way to the desert.
For families
Choose a luxury camp with real beds, add a second night in the desert to avoid long drives two days in a row, and plan pool time in Marrakech.
For honeymooners
Book a private luxury tent, a sunset camel ride for two and a romantic riad with a hammam in Marrakech. See our Morocco honeymoon tour for a longer version.
What If You Only Have 5 or 6 Days?
With 6 days, skip the Chefchaouen day and go directly from Fes to the desert after one full day in the medina. With 5 days, take the 5-day tour from Fes to Marrakech via the desert, which combines Fes, the Middle Atlas, Merzouga, Todra, Dades and Ait Ben Haddou. If you want a slower trip, our 10-day Morocco itinerary adds Chefchaouen, Essaouira and more free time.
Practical Tips for a Smooth Week
- Fly into Fes and out of Marrakech to avoid driving back the same way.
- Keep a small overnight bag for the desert night.
- Carry cash for lunches, tips and small purchases in rural areas.
- Start the long driving days early to arrive in daylight.
- Leave one free evening in Marrakech to enjoy Jemaa el-Fna square.
What to Expect on the Long Driving Days
Days 4, 5 and 6 include several hours on the road, but they are also some of the most beautiful days of the trip. You cross the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas, the Ziz Valley with its endless palm groves, rocky desert plateaus, oasis villages and the High Atlas mountains. Your driver stops for photos, tea and lunch in local restaurants, so the drive becomes part of the adventure rather than simple transport. Download music or podcasts, bring snacks and keep a light jacket in the car, as temperatures change a lot between the mountains and the desert.
Is This Itinerary Right for You?
This route suits travellers who want to see the essentials of Morocco in one week: an imperial city, the blue city, the Sahara, the southern valleys and Marrakech. If you prefer fewer hotel changes and more time in each place, consider dropping Chefchaouen or extending to 9 or 10 days. Our team will gladly adapt it to your pace.
Ready-Made Tours Based on This Route
If you like this itinerary but prefer to have everything organised, our team can arrange it as a private tour with a driver, hand-picked riads and the desert camp of your choice. Start from our desert tours from Fes and we will adapt the days to your dates and interests.
One Week, Many Moroccos
In just seven days, this itinerary takes you from the medieval lanes of Fes and the blue walls of Chefchaouen to the golden dunes of the Sahara, the gorges and kasbahs of the south and the energy of Marrakech. It is busy, but every day brings a completely new landscape, which is what makes a first trip to Morocco so memorable. If you want to slow down, simply add a night in the desert or an extra day in Fes or Marrakech.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
It is enough for the main highlights of the north and the desert. With 10 days or more, you can add the coast and more relaxed time.
Can I start this itinerary in Marrakech?
Yes, simply follow it in reverse.
Is the drive to the desert long?
Yes, around 8 to 9 hours with stops, but the landscapes are spectacular.
What is the best month for this 7-day itinerary?
March to May and late September to November offer the best balance of temperature in the cities and the desert.
Can this itinerary be done in reverse?
Yes. Many travellers start in Marrakech and finish in Fes. The route and stops stay the same.
Book Your 7-Day Tour
We can organise this entire itinerary as a private tour with your own driver. See our 5-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour or our 9-day Heart of Morocco tour, and contact Fes Morocco Tours to adapt it.
