Morocco is a huge country and both nature and culture wise incredibly diverse. Seeing it all in a week is simply not possible. But if that is all time you've got, my one week itinerary will give you plenty of time to explore and see different areas of Morocco without being rushed.  

- Practical Information -

• The Moroccan currency is the Dirham. When it comes to spending money, carry cash and expect to haggle in the markets.
• Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, Berber, English, and French.
• Most mosques are off limits to non-Muslims.
• Fridays are a holy day.

When to visit Morocco

Morocco's climate is very diverse. The day times are warm and the evenings can get quite cool, especially in the winter.

Best Weather - March - May - The best time to travel to Morocco is either in Spring or even in Autumn.

Hot and Crowded - June - August - Traveling in the middle of summer should be avoided because it gets unpleasantly hot.

Cold - September - February - Winter is fine but take into account that the days are short and you will probably be wearing a coat for most of your trip.

What to pack/dress

As it is a Muslim country, Morocco is more conservative than Western countries. Keep in mind that the level of conservativeness varies from city to city. For example, Marrakech is a fairly liberal city compared to much of the rest of the country. Tourism in Morocco has been on the rise for a number of years now, so seeing tourists in 'western' clothes isn't exactly a shock to the locals, but it is considered to be disrespectful to reveal too much skin. 

Always carry a scarf or shawl with you as well. Dressing respectfully in Morocco will mostly get you treated with respect. The catcalling can be intense, but dressing appropriately will significantly cut that down. 

Most hotels and riads in Marrakech cater for western tourists, so they don't expect their guests to dress traditionally on their properties. When you're by the poolside, it's perfectly acceptable to wear regular swimwear, and within the hotel itself, sundresses and shorts are fine. 

Arrival in Marrakesh - 3 Days

Marrakech is one of the most amazing places you will ever visit. Bursting with color, history, and welcoming locals, this eclectic city has something to offer to everyone. It's perfect for any type of traveler; from the luxury traveler to the budget backpacker, to families and seniors. 

This 1000-year-old city is home to a thriving medina, amazing shopping, the walled medieval city center with maze-like streets and souks, for its luxurious palaces and lush gardens, the various halls of shows, excursions, several museums, restaurants and some of the most gorgeous architecture you'll find anywhere in the world. Marrakech is also famous for its beautiful riads (guesthouses often converted from family homes). 

WHERE TO STAY

When in Marrakech, you can stay in a riad or resort-style hotel. Both options are great and offer a completely different experience, so if possible, I recommend splitting your time between the two.

Riads have much more of a local and homey feel. A riad is a traditional Moroccan home with a fountain and courtyard that is open to the sky in the middle of the home. They're set in the heart of Marrakech, so are perfect for the days that you want to do less relaxing and more exploring. They also tend to be significantly cheaper than the luxurious hotels, but still have great guest services, food and staff. Here are some recommendations:

Riad BE - a hidden gem with a stunning indoor courtyard and the cutest rooftop terrace to escape the madness of Marrakech. The indoor courtyard is a dream and has so many cozy spots to relax. Classic Moroccan breakfast is served every morning, and you don't want to miss out on it. 

The resort-style hotels are perfect for more relaxation and pampering, ideal for days that you'd like to spend less time in the medina and more time enjoying the decadent amenities. If you're looking for that touch of luxe then this might be more your style. Here are my suggestions:

Royal Mansour - a luxury hotel with 80% being handcrafted. You will find top-notch restaurants, breathtaking gardens and a jaw dropping spa, it provides everything you could possibly desire. Designed to host heads of state and visiting royalty, the property is extravagant in the best way.

La Mamounia - a stunning Marrakech hotel offering beautiful gardens, four restaurants, and Moroccan style rooms, near the Medina and Jemaa El Fna square. 

WHAT TO SEE & DO

Plaza Jemaa El-Fnaa - Plaza Jemaa El-Fnaa is the main square in Marrakech, which is also part of the medina.

During the day you will find in this square, snake charmers, incredible shops with typical Moroccan clothing, spices and furniture. In the early evenings it transforms into one of the most hectic markets that you'll ever been to. At night, the square turns into a great cultural center with dancers, fire spitters and food court with typical local cuisine!

Bahia Palace is a nineteenth century palace that was built for Si Moussa, vizir of the sultan at the time and showcases beautiful Arab and Islamic architectural styles. The Bahia Palace is vast and richly decorated and includes gardens, fruit trees and fountains. Take in all of the intricate ceilings, colorful tiles, and beautiful chandeliers. 

Shop the Souks - Souks (also known as shops or markets) literally fill the entire streets of the Medina. Just north of the Jemaa El Fna, you will find a maze of alleyways filled with shops. You'll find everything from everyday goods, to shoes, clothing, carpets, to souvenirs. Be prepared to do some serious bargaining! The souks of Marrakech are quite an experience. If you're going to shop in Morocco, do it in Marrakech, there's something for everyone. 

Tip: Do not forget to negotiate your purchases! They want to negotiate and want you to join in on it as well. It would also be wise to have some bills smaller than a one hundred. A lot of the shop owners will say they don't have change when in reality they do. 

One note of caution about the snake charmers you see in the streets, often the snakes are captured from the wild and some even have their mouths sewn shut and fangs pulled out (so they can't harm us). This essentially starves the snake to death. Once this happens, a replacement is caught. Now, I'm not a fan of snakes, but this is cruel.

And if you ever get lost in the alleyways of the city there is usually always someone around that can help you, but beware they will want to be paid. 

El Badi Palace - This building was built by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansur on his accession to the throne (1578) in order to commemorate the Battle of Alcácer-Quibir. It is known that it was the Portuguese who financed this work, with the ransom paid by them after the battle. It took about 25 years to complete and when it was finished it contained some of the most expensive materials of the time including gold and onyx.

There are several pavilions, stables, and dungeons onsite, all centered around a fabulously large pool and small pockets of lush gardens. 

Indulge in a Hammam - Hammam, or public bathhouses, is a great way to experience the local culture and relax at the same time. It is a spa ritual, an experience, and above all a place to socialize. This traditional treatment involves being scrubbed with Moroccan black soap, a hot and cold water treatments, and a full body massage . You can choose to experience high-end hammams at a spa or a more authentic experience like at a riad or a public hammam. Experiencing a hammam is a MUST when in Morocco.

Jardin Majorelle - Jardin Marjorelle is a beautiful place and I highly recommend it, even if it is "just a garden". The property sits on about 12 acres and was complete in the 1920's. The Majorelle Gardens are located on Yacoub el Mansour Avenue and it was here that the landscape and nature painter, Jacques Majorelle, lived. Then in the 1980s, the garden and house were in disrepair and were purchased and restored by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge.

Right away you'll notice the incredibly vibrant blue and yellow... 

...and photo opportunities at every turn... 

Here is where Yves Saint Laurent is buried. The garden it's filled with 3000 botanical species, such as many types of cactus, coconut trees, water lilies, gorgeous flowers and towering palm trees. Along with the gardens, there is also the Berber Museum and the Islamic Art Museum. And it's connected to the YSL Museum, a museum dedicated to all things Yves Saint Laurent. Arrive early or later in the day before closing to avoid the crowds. 

Koutoubia Mosque - A beautiful mosque standing tall in the heart of the Medina. This muslim mosque is the largest in Marrakech and worth viewing from the outside. As a non-muslim, you are unable to enter the mosque but can walk around it and through the gardens off the back side. 

Its construction dates back to the 12th century and the name literally means "that of the booksellers" - a reference to the scroll vendors who once surrounded the mosque. 

Ben Youssef Madrasa - Madrasa is the Arabic word for all educational institutes and if you are wandering now 'Why should I bother to visit Arabic schools in Morocco?' the answer is simple - they are some of the most beautiful buildings in the country. Totally hidden in the narrow streets of the medina you will find this beautiful architectural building. The Ben Youssef Madrasa was founded in the 14th century, was once the largest Islamic school in the North Africa and at its peak housed around 900 students! While it is no longer an active school, the beauty of the now restored building is open to visitors. I would recommend going at the very start of your day to catch it in absolute silence. It also encompasses the Ben Youssef Mosque.

Le Secret Garden is everything you want Jardin Marjorelle to be - secret, quiet, and tranquil. There is something so special about the gardens in Marrakech. I truly think it is the stark contrast they provide to the intensity of the medinas. Walking into Le Jardin Secret is like walking into your most peaceful dream.

Have a seat on the bench, close your eyes, take a deep breath, and bask in the peacefulness. A quiet Marrakech is a rarity. 

WHERE TO EAT

At Your Riad - Eating at a riad is an experience in itself. Typically each riad has a chef or staff that cook traditional Moroccan dishes and most of the time they are better than any local restaurant! It's so pleasant to arrive, settle into your room and stroll up to the roof terrace for practically a private dining experience. I highly suggest you have at least one meal at a riad, whether it's your riad or a random one you find while getting lost in the many alleys of Marrakech. Keep in mind, if you intend to have dinner at your riad you need to order the night before. This gives the staff time to shop for fresh ingredients at the market to prepare your meal.

Nomad - Located in the medina and known for its delicious modern take on Moroccan cuisine over 4 floors in what used to be a carpet store. All your favourites, like tagine and cous cous are on there alongside other North African dishes, and an experimental ice cream and sorbet menu will have you salivating. No alcohol served here. Make a reservation for dinner or you most likely won't be able to eat here. 

Le Jardin - A sister restaurant of Nomad, Le Jardin is known for amazing Moroccan infused bites in a huge lush courtyard. It's quite hard to find and looks very unsuspecting from the outside, like most places in Morocco, but is delicious. Is a very cute outdoor/courtyard cafe that offers a decent selection of menu options from the mixed briouates to a variety of tajines, and even an orange blossom creme brûlée. Be sure to make reservations in advance and call to ask for directions.

Le Salama - This bar-restaurant is located in the medina by the famous Jemaa EL Fna Square, offering classic dishes in the tradition of Moroccan cuisine. This is one of the few places in the medina that serve alcohol. Le Salama is a fun place covering 3 floors with a very pretty conservatory style bar on the rooftop with hanging plants everywhere.

The ambiance has a romantic blend of traditional Moroccan riad décor and the look and feel of a jazz bar. On the rooftop you can enjoy hookah and cocktails with their daily "Happy Hour" two for the price of one cocktails. So if you like mixed drinks then you can enjoy 2 strawberry mojitos for 150 dirhams while listening to their local DJ's music mix and their belly dancer performances.

 So don't forget to visit the skybar that overlooks the Atlas mountains. 

Es Saadi Casino & Epicurien - These two I'm going to put together as they are both in the same building and are part of the Es Saadi Hotel grounds. If you like slots machines and gambling then you can check out the Casino and test your luck. If you prefer to skip the gambling, you can walk straight to the back and find this restaurant-by-day-nightclub-by-night. They have two in-house DJs and a live band that covers old and new hits in their own style.

WHAT TO EAT

Like many bustling cities, you can get any sort of food you like in Marrakech but whith a local cuisine this tasty, it's worth eating your way around the traditional dishes. I'd recommend trying all of these if you can!

The Tagine - The tagine is probably the thing you most associate with this part of the world (apart of course from cous cous), and you've probably tried making it at home too. It's a totally different experience in Marrakech (or indeed anywhere in Morocco). Full flavoured, with soft, butter-like meat in amongst the zesty spices, it doesn't get better than this. To make it, range of vegetables and meats are slow-cooked in a clay pot which gives the dish its's name - the tagine.

Cous Cous - In Marrakech, cous cous is more than just a side dish - it's also the main event. Mounds of the grain are cooked with meat and vegetables to produce an incredibly tasty and very hearty meal. The cous cous is actually steamed over the mix of meat and veg which gives everything a succulent texture that is hard to replicate at home.

Olives - Morocco is the 5th largest producer and exporter of olive oil in the world. You'll probably get a little bowl of spiced olives before every meal. And they make their way into pretty much every Moroccan dish. If you're not an olive lover, better get used to picking them out of your food!

Briouate - The briouate is a simple puff pasty dish which is a big part of Moroccan cuisine. They are filled with mixed meats or cheese (and can we sweet too) and come in either a cylindrical or triangular shape. They are super tasty and very filling, and we often found these on the menu for a starter. 

Mint Tea - I imagine that you mostly associate mint tea with drinks in Morocco, and you'd be correct. Forget everything you know about mint tea however, because in Morocco, it's a ritual. There are certain tools for the job, including the Moroccan teapot, (or berrad) which has a perfect shape for the long pour you need to serve. Moroccan tea glasses tend to be small and colourful, without handles as well. 

So on to the tea. It's prepared with fresh mint leaves, Chinese gunpowder tea and plenty of sugar - Moroccan tea is always served with sugar brewed in it so it might taste very different to the mint tea you have at home! Loose tea leaves and water are placed into the berrad and brought to boil, after which the mint leaves and sugar are added and left to steep for 5 minutes.

Orange or pomegranate juice - Sure, you can get these from anywhere, but do they taste as good as in Marrakech? Maybe not. You'll see scores of stands making and selling freshly squeezed orange and pomegranate juice in the Jemaa al-Fnaa and both the smell and the riot of colour will draw you in. It's very good and cheap too.

DESERT TOUR FROM MARRAKECH TO FEZ - 2 Days

After a few days in the city its time to explore nature and get to see 'the real Morocco'. No trip to Morocco would be complete without a visit to the Sahara.

WHERE TO STAY

Book a two-night luxury glamping adventure with Desert Luxury Camp. This entailed one night in the beautiful oasis of Skoura, one night at the luxury camp and private transportation with pickup in Marrakech and drop off in Fes. The tour starts in Marrakech and ends in Fez. The scenery and sites you will visit will make up for the long drive. 

Then, sitting perched on a camel, you're led into the vast desert for a night camping under the starry African sky. This is adventure at its finest, a highlight of any North African adventure. 

The tents  beds were comfortable, and the tents have full bathrooms (warm showers), outlets, and blankets, so you won't feel like you're camping in the Sahara 

Your hosts will prepare a hearty feast, so the only thing you need to worry about is soaking up the atmosphere and gazing at the gorgeous, ever-changing shades.

GETTING TO THE SAHARA DESERT

The trip covers over 900 miles. You will cross the Middle Atlas, High Atlas and Anti Atlas Mountains ranges. The stops include:

Ait Benhaddou - Recognized as a UNESCO site, the Ksar Aït Benhaddou in Ouarzazate is one of the most extraordinary Kasbahs in Morocco, that looks like it's carved within the mountain itself. The oldest constructions are from the 17th century. Those buildings are made from mud, clay, and straw. Totally mind-blowing.

This small little village is known locally as an ighrem (something similar to a walled and protected village) that was once used as a stopping point for traders through the desert.

Although very few people live here now, it's still an incredibly beautiful village to see. Just make sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds (and that intense midday sun).

Ouarzazate - This town has a modern feel and it's refered as Morocco's Hollywood. The Ouarzazet area is a noted film-making location. Some examples are below. Located here is also Atlas Studios, one of the largest movie studios in the world in terms of land area.

1962 - Lawrence of Arabia

1999 - The Mummy

2000 - Gladiator

2002 - Asterix & Obélix: Mission Cleopatra

2006 - The Hills Have Eyes

2013 - Game of Thrones

FEZ - 2 DAYS

Fes or Fez is the second largest city of Morocco. It has more than 1000 years of history between its walls, including numerous stunning madrasas, mosques, zawiyas and city gates. Considering this, it's not a surprise the Medina of Fes is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is also believed to be the world's largest urban pedestrian zone. 

Enjoy Your Riad In Fez

One of the most famous is Riad Myra. This place is so charming, and beautiful. Breakfast is included and served in the courtyard. They also serve Moroccan crepes, French crepes, American pancakes, eggs, toast, pastries, fresh fruit, and more.

Be sure to have dinner at your riad one night. The vegetable pastilla at Riad Myra is said to be incredible. 

Al Attarine Madrasa

One more Madrasa that is a must-see! Built in the 14th century by the famous Marinid Dynasty (known as passionate patrons of madrasas) Al Attarine takes its name from the renowned perfume and spices market nearby. And rightfully so since this school, much like the very best perfumes in the world, is a feast to the senses.
The heart of the madrasa - its inner courtyard is this incredible mix of colors, ornaments and Arabic calligraphy, fine crafted by the very best masters in Morocco.

Day trip to Chefchaouen - By now you have seen both cultural and natural Morocco, but sadly you've also skipped out on a lot of interesting sights. Chefchaouen is a sleepy but beautiful city build up against a mountain with most of its houses painted in blue, Chefchaouen favorite color. Which is said to symbolise the sky and heavens, many believe it brings about spiritual enlightenment. A place for hope after such hard times.

Chefchaouen is a mixture of city meets nature. You can easly get lost in the city. This city is an instant shock to the senses; it definitely lives up to its reputation as the Blue City or Blue Pearl of Morocco. Little blue alleyways lead to little blue doors, it sort of look like we are in the video clip for that 90's song "Blue".

Visit the heart of the city to get a feel for the style and culture. Make sure to visit the medina, you'll find it a much more relaxing and calm experience compared to the souks of Marrakech. Grab a bite, do some bargaining and find yourself some gems. 

And that ends the week!