- Day 1 Arrive in Casablanca – Overnight in Casablanca
- Day 2 Casablanca/ Meknès/ Moulay Driss Zerhoun/ Volubilis Overnight in Fes
- Day 3 Discover Fes – Overnight in Fes
- Day 4 Fes to the Sahara desert via Atlas Mountains Overnight in Sahara Desert
- Day 5 Sahara desert To Dades and todra valley Overnight in ait benhaddou
- Day 6 Ait benhaddou to Marrakech Overnight in Marrakech
- Day 7 Discover Marrakech
One Week Morocco Itinerary Highlights
Day 1 Arrive in Casablanca – Overnight in Casablanca
Start in Casablanca, the largest city of Morocco with a guided tour of Hassan II Mosque, located on a platform overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, with the tallest minaret in the world, non-muslims may visit this mosque between prayer times. Stop at Rick’s Café, Quartier Habous and the old medina.
Day 2 Casablanca/ Meknès/ Moulay Driss Zerhoun/ Volubilis Overnight in Fes
After breakfast drive to Meknes (238 KM).an imperial city less known and visited comparing to its neighbour Fes , visit the the city’s major landmarks and historic highlights including Bab al-Mansour, one of the most beautiful gates in Morocco, Bab al-Mansour faces the main square of the old city called Place Hedim where you can have a coffee on some of the rooftops or try local food while watching this vibrant site. Another interesting place to visit in meknes is Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail a fine representation of the Islamic architecture and design.
After lunch head to Moulay Driss Zerhoune, the first Muslim city in North Africa founded by Moulay Driss , until 2005 non-Muslims were not allowed to stay overnight, that is why it is still well preserved perched between hills. Enjoy the view of the fascinating houses from the top and continue to volubilis, the perfect is to arrive there one hour or one hour and half before sunset when the last rays of the sun light the ancient columns,this archaeological site shows the urban development and romanization border of the Roman Empire, there plenty of explanations and texts in the site and at the entrance there is a museum. After your visit drive to fes, have diner and rest .
Day 3 Discover Fes – Overnight in Fes
wake up early to start visiting the oldest and largest medina of Morocco a full day sightseeing tour of this UNESCO World Heritage Medina, i would recommend taking a guided tour for fes as it is not easy to navigate the old town streets.It will be a busy day but totally worth it Here a list of the things to visit in Fes.
Al-Attarine Madrasa is a must-see built in the 14th century in the heart of the Medina and were used primarily for the promotion of Sunni teachings during the reign of the Marinid dynasty.After go to Bou Inania Medersa Bou Inania functioned as both an educational college and a mosque, (For this reason, it’s closed to visitors during prayer times.). Don’t miss the famous Bab Boujloud Also known as “The Blue Gate of Fes.”
One of the most important places to visit when you are in Fez, al-Qarawiyyin Mosque & University, a religious school / college was founded in 859 by Fatima al-Fihri, a member of an elite family who emigrated from the Tunisian city of Kairouan. It is now the spiritual heart of fez and one of the oldest universities in the world. Admire the institution’s simple yet beautiful design, decorated with Andalusian art bordered with Kufic calligraphy.
experiencing the sights and smells of Chouawara Tannery, One of the most iconic spots in the city Located on the eastern edge of the medina; Fes el-Bali, At The tanneries all is done manually without the need for modern machinery, transforming the hides of cows, sheep, goats and camels, into high quality leather products such as bags, coats, shoes, and slippers. Stop by the Royal Palace of Fez with The famous seven golden doors, unfortunately, is not open to the public, but the outside is still worth a visit.
Aben Danan Synagogue The building was built in the 17th century named after Aben Danan, a member of a prestigious family. It is One of the oldest and most important synagogues in North Africa and one of the finest buildings in the Jewish culture and occupies a special place in Moroccan Judaism. the synagogue was renovated in 1999, is still used on high holy days. Borj Nord built in 1582 at the sultan of Saadian Sultan Ahmed El Mansour Eddahbi. it’s a long way from the medina (there’s no direct walking path) It is perfect for a commanding view across the Medina with the best panorama of the city. In the evening have a local food for dinner in one of the restaurants in the medina.
Day 4 Fes to the Sahara desert via Atlas Mountains Overnight in Sahara Desert
Have breakfast and get ready to leave fes and drive to the magical sahara desert of Morocco in merzouga in a long day drive over the Middle Atlas mountains through the cedar forests of Ifrane (the Switzerland of Morocco),azrou, Midelt and crossing the Ziz Valley and its gorges where you can stop for a while every time to visit these small towns and you reach Merzouga before the sunset, once you arrive to your hotel on the foot of the Dunes of Erg-Chebbi or if you book a desert camp you will need to take a camel to carry you across the sandy Dunes of the Erg-Chebbi, enjoy the beauty of the sunset on the dunes, spend night in a berber tent.Most of desert camp provide dinner, campfire and drums playing.
Day 5 Sahara desert To Dades and todra valley Overnight in ait benhaddou
Wake up early to witness sunrise over the sahara dunes and ride back your camel to the car to take you back to ait ben haddou passing by the dades and todra valley where you can stop every time to visit and walk in the fascinating todra gorge q sublime experience to be stuck between a rock and a hard place, where a 300 m deep fault splits the orange limestone into a deep ravine at some point. Arrive to the kasbah ait benhaddou to spend the night.
Day 6 Ait benhaddou to Marrakech Overnight in Marrakech
Wake up have breakfast in your riad and explore the magical ait benhaddou kasbah that has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987,this red mudbrick ksar (fortified village) built in the 11th century and used to be a strategic stop for caravans of camels, , often numbering hundreds, on the trans-Saharan trade route from the Sudan to Marrakech carrying gold, silver and slaves and returning with salt. Continue driving through Atlas mountains and the famous tizi n tichka pass to arrive to Marrakech, have dinner in the big square of jemaa el fna to see the vibrant life music, dance , street food and smells in the square.
Day 7 Discover Marrakech
for Marrakech start your day exploring the city in the old town called also medina by visiting the Koutoubia Mosque unfortunately you can’t visit from inside but it is still worth the visit from outside in front is the square jemaa el fna and keep walking exploring the souks and markets and the bahia palace located southeast of the Medina and close to the Mellah (jewish quarter) walk to the kasbah and visit tombeaux saadiens, eat in one of the rooftop restaurants of the medina with view of Marrakech and Atlas Mountains. After lunch head toward the newtown and visit majorelle gardens known also as Yves Saint Laurent gardens, its buildings are embellished by a unique shade of cobalt blue – the featured color in the garden, a great spot to take pictures. If you have time before you fly try to book a moroccan hammam that can be the best thing to end your One Week Morocco Itinerary Highlights.
