Morocco itinerary 7 days from Tangier

Your 7 days tour from Tangier begins where the Atlantic meets the Mediterranean. Upon arrival at Tangier Ville Port or Ibn Battouta Airport, you will be greeted by your private driver—fluent in English and a veteran of Moroccan roads.

Before heading inland, we visit the Caves of Hercules. Legend says the Greek hero rested here during his labors. The cave’s sea opening, shaped naturally like the map of Africa, offers a stunning photo opportunity against the crashing Atlantic waves. We then stop at Cape Spartel, the northwesternmost point of Africa, where you can physically see the convergence of two oceans.  

Leaving the coast, the journey winds into the lush Rif Mountains. Unlike the arid south, this region is verdant and green. By late afternoon, we arrive in Chefchaouen, the Blue Pearl. Founded in 1471 by Moorish exiles from Spain, the city’s blue-washed walls are said to symbolize the sky and heaven.  

Expert Tip: Drop your bags at your Riad and hike immediately to the Spanish Mosque on the hill. It takes about 20 minutes. You’ll watch the sunset turn the blue city into a glowing violet gem—a view unmatched anywhere in the north.  

• Overnight: Charming Riad in Chefchaouen (e.g., Riad Lina & Spa or similar).

After a traditional breakfast of goat cheese and harcha (semolina bread), we descend from the mountains into the fertile Saiss Plain. Our first stop is Volubilis (Oualili), the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. Unlike a quick photo stop, we dedicate time here to explore the House of Orpheus and the Decumanus Maximus. Your guide will point out the ancient olive oil presses, proving that this region has been the olive capital for over 2,000 years.  

Next is Meknes, the Versailles of Morocco. We stop at Bab Mansour, a colossal gate adorned with zellige tilework and marble pillars looted from Volubilis by Sultan Moulay Ismail. We also visit the Heri es-Souani, the massive royal granaries and stables designed to house 12,000 horses, a testament to the Sultan’s military might.  

We conclude the day with a short drive to Fes, the spiritual capital of the kingdom and the intellectual heartbeat of your Morocco itinerary 7 days.

• Overnight: Historic Riad in Fes Medina (e.g., Riad Fes or Palais Amani).

Today, the car stays parked. You will dive into the Fes Medina (Fes el-Bali), a UNESCO World Heritage site with over 9,000 alleyways. Navigation here is an art form, which is why you are accompanied by a licensed “Mustapha”—a local expert who knows the secret shortcuts.

Key Stops:

1. University of Al-Qarawiyyin: Founded in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri, this is the oldest existing, continually operating educational institution in the world. While non-Muslims cannot enter the prayer hall, we will take you to unparalleled viewpoints to see its green-tiled roofs and courtyard.  

2. Chouara Tannery: Brace yourself for a sensory explosion. We provide a sprig of mint to hold to your nose as you look down upon the honeycomb of stone vats. You’ll watch men thigh-deep in natural dyes (indigo, saffron, poppy) processing leather exactly as they did in the 11th century.  

3. Nejjarine Museum: Admire the intricate wood carving and fountains in this restored caravanserai.

Lunch: Enjoy a traditional Pastilla (chicken and almond pie) in a restored palace deep within the medina.

• Overnight: Same Riad in Fes.

This is the longest driving day of your Tangier Desert Tour 7 Days, but also the most visually spectacular. We ascend the Middle Atlas Mountains to Ifrane, a town built by the French in the 1930s that looks like an Alpine village, complete with pitched roofs and ski resorts.  

Just outside Ifrane, we stop at the Azrou Cedar Forest, home to the endangered Barbary Macaque monkeys. You can observe these playful primates in their natural snowy habitat—a surreal contrast to the desert that awaits.  

Descending the Tizi n’Talghamt pass, the landscape turns arid. We drive through the Ziz Valley, a miraculous ribbon of green date palms cutting through red limestone cliffs. Finally, the golden dunes of Erg Chebbi appear on the horizon.

The Highlight: Upon reaching Merzouga, you will trade your 4×4 for a dromedary (camel). Guided by a blue-robed Berber camel man, you will trek into the dunes as the sun sets, turning the sand vivid shades of orange and pink. You arrive at your Luxury Desert Camp (equipped with ensuite bathrooms and hot showers) for a dinner of slow-cooked tagine and a night of drumming under the Milky Way.  

• Overnight: Luxury Desert Camp in Merzouga (e.g., Les Roches luxury desert camp).

Wake up early to climb a dune and watch the sunrise—a spiritual moment of silence. After breakfast in the camp, we return to the village by 4×4 or camel.

Before leaving the desert, we visit Khamlia Village, known as the “Village of the Blacks.” The inhabitants are Gnawa, descendants of people brought from Sudan and Mali. You will share tea with them and listen to their trance-inducing spiritual music, a highlight of any 7 days Sahara Desert tour from Tangier.  

We then journey west to the Todra Gorge. Here, 300-meter vertical rock walls sandwich a crystal-clear river. We take an easy walk along the riverbank, watching climbers tackle the limestone cliffs.  

The day ends in the Dades Valley, famous for the “Monkey Fingers” rock formations and the zig-zagging road of Tissadrine.

• Overnight: Auberge or Kasbah Hotel in Dades Valley (e.g., Chez Pierre).

We follow the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” to Ouarzazate, the film capital of Africa. We stop at Ait Ben Haddou, the most famous ksar (fortified village) in Morocco. A UNESCO World Heritage site, this labyrinth of earthen clay buildings has starred in Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones. Your guide will lead you through the narrow streets to the granary at the top for a panoramic view of the Ounila River.  

The final leg of our 7 Day Trip from Tangier to Marrakech conquers the High Atlas Mountains via the Tizi n’Tichka Pass (2,260m). The road snakes through Berber villages clinging to the mountainsides. We stop at an Argan Oil Cooperative to see how local women process the nuts into “liquid gold.”

We descend into the Haouz plains and arrive in Marrakech by late afternoon.

• Overnight: Riad in Marrakech Medina (e.g., Riad Kniza or La Maison Arabe).

Your final day is dedicated to the Red City.

• Bahia Palace: Explore the 19th-century harem quarters, a masterpiece of painted cedar ceilings and zellige tiles.  

• Koutoubia Mosque: View the minaret that served as the model for the Giralda in Seville.

• Jemaa el-Fnaa: We end the tour in the world-famous square. By day, it’s a market; by dusk, it transforms. Watch snake charmers, acrobats, and the Hlaiqi (storytellers) keep oral traditions alive. For the brave, sample the spiced snails at Stall #3.  

Depending on your flight schedule, your driver will transfer you to Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) or Casablanca (CMN), marking the end of your 7 days Morocco tour.