Casablanca to Marrakech in 7 days: route overview
Most long-haul flights land in Casablanca, so this route turns the arrival airport into the start of a loop through the north, the desert and the south, finishing in Marrakech. You cover roughly 1,500 km, with the longest drive on day four between Fes and Merzouga.
| Day | Route | Highlights | Overnight |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Casablanca – Rabat | Hassan II Mosque, Hassan Tower, Mausoleum of Mohammed V | Riad in Rabat |
| 2 | Rabat – Rif Mountains – Chefchaouen | Free afternoon in the blue medina, Plaza Uta el-Hammam | Guesthouse in Chefchaouen |
| 3 | Chefchaouen – Volubilis – Fes | Roman mosaics, guided walk in Fes el-Bali | Riad in Fes |
| 4 | Fes – Ifrane – Azrou – Midelt – Ziz Valley – Merzouga | Cedar forests, macaques, first view of Erg Chebbi | Hotel at the edge of the dunes |
| 5 | Erg Chebbi | Nomad visit, Khamlia Gnawa music, sunset camel trek | Desert camp in Erg Chebbi |
| 6 | Merzouga – Todra Gorge – Dadès – Kelaat M'Gouna – Ouarzazate | Gorge walk, rock formations, Valley of Roses | Kasbah hotel in Ouarzazate |
| 7 | Aït Benhaddou – Tizi n'Tichka – Marrakech | UNESCO ksar, High Atlas crossing | Drop-off in Marrakech |
Is 7 days in Morocco starting in Casablanca the right choice?
This itinerary suits first-time visitors who fly into Casablanca and want to see the Atlantic coast, the blue town, an imperial medina and the Sahara in one week. It is a full programme: expect a different bed most nights and several 5 to 9 hour driving days, broken up by sightseeing stops. Families with teenagers, couples and groups of friends usually enjoy the variety.
Compare with other routes from Casablanca
- Fewer hotel changes: the 8 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca adds a full guided day in Fes and a final morning in Marrakech.
- Imperial cities only: the 5 day tour from Casablanca to Fes skips the long desert drives.
- More time in the south: the 10 day Morocco itinerary from Casablanca allows extra nights in the gorges and Marrakech.
See every option on our page of private tours from Casablanca. Since the tour is private, you can also return to Casablanca at the end or add a night in Marrakech.
The Sahara desert tour from Casablanca: Merzouga nights
You reach Merzouga on the evening of day four and sleep in a comfortable hotel near the dunes. Merzouga has comfortable, clean, well-serviced hotels rather than luxury ones, so this night is the same in both accommodation categories.
Day five is spent in the desert without long drives. In the morning a 4x4 takes you off-road to a nomad family and to Khamlia for Gnawa music. In the late afternoon you ride camels for about 90 minutes to a dune top for sunset and continue to camp. The camel ride depends on camel availability that day; if none are available, you go to camp by 4x4 with a sunset stop on the dunes and ride the camels the next morning on the way back.
In the comfort camp, private tents, normally for two, each have their own bathroom and toilet; a partner camp with air-conditioned tents is also used, and the luxury category upgrades the camp. Because Erg Chebbi has many camps, isolated wild bivouacs are not offered. Optional Sahara desert activities in Merzouga such as quad biking can be added.
What the 1 week Morocco itinerary from Casablanca includes
- Included: airport pick-up in Casablanca and drop-off in Marrakech, a private air-conditioned vehicle with driver-guide for seven days, six nights' accommodation with daily breakfast, dinners in the Sahara and Ouarzazate, the camel trek and a private local guide for the half-day Fes medina walk.
- Not included: international flights, lunches, dinners in Rabat, Chefchaouen and Fes, entrance tickets (including the Hassan II Mosque), tips and travel insurance.
Prices start from €790 per person for groups of 4 to 6. Solo travellers and couples receive a quote adjusted to the private vehicle. Driver-guides work in English, French, Spanish or Italian; Spanish- and Italian-speaking guides depend on availability and are confirmed before booking.
When to go and what to pack for a week from Casablanca
- Spring (March–May): green Rif hills, wildflowers in the Middle Atlas and warm desert days.
- Summer (June–August): mild on the coast, hot in Fes and very hot in the Sahara.
- Autumn (September–November): settled weather and comfortable temperatures throughout.
- Winter (December–February): rain in the north, possible snow around Ifrane and on the Tizi n'Tichka, cold desert nights.
Pack layers, a warm top for the desert night, modest clothing for the Hassan II Mosque and the medinas, walking shoes and a scarf for sun and sand. The dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so take cash from an ATM at the airport. Before you fly, check entry rules on our Morocco visa requirements page and confirm with official sources.