Morocco has always been a big draw for travellers, especially those looking for somewhere exotic and different to visit, whilst still remaining easily accessible from Europe. There is such an amazing variety of scenery, sights and activities in this relatively small country and it is so close to Europe that you can hit the ground running and fit in quite a lot with just one week in Morocco.
Despite its relatively small size, the sheer amount of amazing places to visit in Morocco means that unfortunately you can’t see it all in one week. To address this I have come up with 3 separate itineraries for how to make the absolute most of one week in Morocco.
Djemaa-El-Fna Market, Marrakech
Each itinerary is geared towards a different type of travel as there are parts of the country better accessed by a car but also plenty that can be seen using public transport or in combination with short tours. There is definitely something for everyone here so read on to find the perfect one week Morocco itinerary to suit you and what you want to see.
To begin check out the highlights of each trip in the next section and click through to the trip that most interests you for a detailed description and plan.
See below for some useful tips to prepare you for your Moroccan adventure ↓
Table of Contents
Best time to visit Morocco
Morocco is great in that the best time to visit is during the bumper season of other European destinations. You’ll want to arrange your trip between the middle of March and May (Spring), or September/October (Autumn). Outside of these periods it can be oppressively hot or freezing cold.
Renting a car in Morocco
Many major car hire companies have offices in the airports and cities of popular Moroccan destinations. We found the whole process much smoother and easier than expected and the road conditions in Morocco were also much better than expected.
If your trip involves crossing the Atlas Mountains you should consider spending a little more to get a car with a decent engine as we hired a tiny one and it was properly struggling up the steep bits!
I use google maps for navigation and always pre-download the map area whilst on a stable network as well as downloading the route before leaving. This avoids any issues of losing signal or accidentally cancelling navigation whilst out of signal.
We use this search tool as it is an easy way to compare all the companies in one go. You can also arrange comprehensive insurance for cheaper than the hire companies as well as get informed of any hidden charges.
Booking busses and trains in Morocco
The biggest pain about travelling in Morocco is that you can’t book tickets online. The websites seem to suggest you can however they will only accept Moroccan bank cards. There are online services that offer to purchase tickets for you and I have heard it works however do not have personal experience. There is of course a hefty mark up for this service.
The train company is called ONCF and you can find schedules on their website. The bus company is CTM and their website and schedules can be a little unreliable. The best thing to do is to book onward tickets as soon as you arrive in a place so you know your timings in advance and have more options.
Some guest houses may also arrange tickets for you for a fee; once you book the guesthouse you can always broach the subject in an e-mail if you are really keen to lock in advance tickets. We personally travelled in high season and didn’t have a problem getting tickets at the station.
The Best Travel Insurance for Morocco
Morocco is known as a relatively safe destination however travel is never without risk. Especially when driving overseas you want to make sure you have insurance that covers all the activities you may be involved in.
When travelling abroad, we always go with Heymondo travel insurance. They are one of the most reputable travel insurance companies that will provide you with simple and flexible coverage. Whether you are into adventurous activities or simply looking for trip cancellation and medical insurance, Heymondo has you covered.
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Highlights
One Week in Morocco – The West
(Car Only)
One Week in Morocco – The North
(Bus/Train or Car)
One Week in Morocco – The East
(Tour and Self-Guided)
One Week in Morocco – The West
Explore the Exotic Markets of Marrakech, Cross the Atlas Mountains to the UNESCO listed fortress of Ait-Ben-Haddou, visit Berber desert cities before chilling out on the Atlantic shores where the desert meets the waves.
Overview
(Car Only)
Day 1 and 2 – Arrive in Marrakech, check in to amazing riad, explore.
Day 3 – Cross the Atlas Mountains to Ait-Ben-Haddou
Day 4 – Travel through the desert to the Berber town of Taroudant
Day 5 – Head to the coast and visit the chilled out surf town of Tagzhadout
Day 6 – Follow the coastline north to the ancient port city of Essaouira
Day 7 – Return to Marrakech and depart (Or alternatively fly out of Essaouira)
A beautiful riad in Marrakech
Day 1 and 2
Marrakech
How to Get There:
Marrakech Menara airport has connections to many international cities and you can often grab quite a bargain. From the airport to the medina is about a 15min taxi ride or if you’re on a tight budget you can the L11 or L12 bus from the main road for next to nothing.
This will drop you off just outside the medina on the side of the Jemaa-El-Fna market square. The taxis cannot enter the medina so depending on where you stay remember that you will have to walk some distance with your bags however a taxi may be able to get you closer.
The beautiful gardens of Koutoubia Mosque
Marrakech
This city is probably the most well-known destination in Morocco, and not without cause. You will be arriving into the heart of the tourism industry in Morocco and it can be a pretty hectic place to step into!
The first thing you want to do is make sure you’ve booked yourself an amazing riad, as Marrakech has some of the best. Here you can freshen up and drink some mint tea before hitting the streets. You should also buy your bus tickets for the onward journey in advance so you get the times you want. See the following section for further details.
Exploring the shops in Marrakech
Your first day here I’d suggest taking it easy, take a stroll around the medina and visit the Jemaa-El-Fna market in the evening when it’s in full swing. Witness the snake charmers, magic lamp salesmen and just the amazing sensory overload of this unique place. When you need a break from the craziness then grab something to eat at one of the rooftop restaurants with amazing views over the huge market square.
Retire back to your riad and get ready for a full day of sightseeing tomorrow. I’m not going to tell you how to spend this second day as there are so many things to see in Marrakech, it really depends on your personal preferences. A day tour can be a great way to tick off a lot of attractions in one go. With just one week in Morocco you’ll want to squeeze as much into your days as possible!
Some highlights that deserve consideration are:
- Jemaa-El-Fna Market (if you missed it yesterday)
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Jardin Majorelle
- El Badi Palace
- Palacio Da Bahia
Taxis are a cheap and easy way to get between places but remember to haggle! Popular sites such as Jardin Majorelle can sometimes have long lines so plan to spend longer than expected there.
Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech
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Day 3
Ait-Ben-Haddou
How to Get There:
You can hire a car for the whole trip in Marrakech, it’s possible to do this at the airport when you land however you cannot enter the medina with a car so this gives you big parking issues. It’s easiest to pick up the car the day you are leaving but book early because pick up can take some time. It is best not to get the smallest car (like we did!) as the mountain road is unsealed in some parts and can get quite steep. The drive will take about 5 hours with stops.
Alternatively if you don’t want to drive out of Marrakech and over the mountains you can get a CTM bus from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and hire a car there. From here it’s about a 30min drive to Ait-Ben-Haddou. The major car hire companies allow one way rentals so it should be possible to drop the car back in Marrakech or in Essaouira near the end of the trip but confirm this in advance.
A majestic sunrise at Ait-Ben-Haddou
Ait-Ben-Haddou
In my humble opinion this is the crown jewel of Morocco’s many beautiful sites. The visually striking and amazingly well preserved clay fortress sits beside a picturesque palm lined valley and conjures exotic images of ancient desert caravans.
Spending at least one night here is a must do and getting to experience the sunrise and sunset at this majestic location is a memory that you will treasure forever. Many one week Morocco itineraries only include a day trip to Ait-Ben-Haddou which is a big mistake. I would suggest leaving Marrakech as early as possible because crossing the mountains takes some time and you want to spend as much time here as possible.
Make sure you book your accommodation here as far in advance as possible as there are only a couple of places that offer amazing view of the fortress from their balconies or even from your bedroom window! Check out Chez Brahim or Dar Mouna La Source for the best views in town.
The view from our guest-house window, Chez Brahim
Use the cooler hours of the evening or the following morning to climb up to the top of the fortress for amazing views over the desert and down the valley. Visit the Salon Du Thé Panoramique near the final staircase for a cup of mint tea with a view.
I personally find early mornings hard but getting up for the sunrise here and strolling down to the river is really something special. Your guest house will have a delicious breakfast waiting for you when you return so you can relax and fuel up before heading off to Taroudant.