Morocco in 11 Days: Marrakech, Fez & Sahara

Our Moroccan adventure begins with our arrival at Marrakech International Airport, the gateway to one of the country’s most fascinating and vibrant cities. Upon arrival, we will meet our team, who will assist us and accompany us on the private transfer to the hotel. Along the way, we will begin discovering Marrakech’s first landscapes, a city where Moroccan traditions blend seamlessly with a cosmopolitan atmosphere full of charm.

Once at the hotel, we will check in and have some time to settle in and relax after the journey. Depending on our arrival time, we may also take this first opportunity to get acquainted with the city’s atmosphere and enjoy the hotel’s facilities.

In the evening, we will enjoy an included dinner at the hotel’s restaurant, an excellent opportunity to taste the first flavors of Moroccan cuisine and begin immersing ourselves in the local culture.

Please note that the restaurant closes at 10:30 p.m. and dinner is not available through room service, so we recommend taking this into consideration depending on the arrival time of your flight.

Greca Tip: If your flight arrives early, take some time to relax and enjoy the hotel’s facilities. Marrakech awaits with its vibrant colors, captivating aromas, and enchanting corners.

After a delicious breakfast at the hotel, you will be picked up to start the journey to Essaouira, formerly called Mogador, it was an important fishing port, which would later be known as the capital of the hippies.

This relaxed and peaceful Moroccan town located in the west of Morocco and bathed by the Atlantic is the perfect place to disconnect and rest from the hustle and bustle that characterizes big cities.

In the Berber language, Essaouira means "wall" and travelers from all over the world do not miss the opportunity to explore this beautiful city with French, Portuguese, and Berber architecture, its special climate, and its delicious fresh seafood.

You will start the trip through the attractive Moroccan valleys bathed by orange groves, olive groves, and farms.

After you arrive in Essaouira, you will be surprised by the contrast of its medina bordered by walls and occupied by bazaars that are easy to navigate along the sea coasts. Its amazing beaches are the ideal place for surfing and visiting the port is almost the same as traveling back in time.

You will have free time to enjoy the local gastronomy (optional) and then continue your route along the Moroccan coast to Casablanca, first passing through Mazagan, a city of the Portuguese colony between the 16th and 18th centuries that was later abandoned and taken over by Sultan Muhamed III and renamed as "El-Jadida".

There you will visit the citadel with its huge carved stone walls and if possible you will go down to the Cistern.

At the end of the visit, you will return to the road to Casablanca, where upon arrival you will register at the hotel where you will have dinner and stay.

Greca Tip: In Essaouira, there are many restaurants hidden in the maze of streets that have the best traveler ratings for seafood. Check with your guide!

After a tasty breakfast, we will visit Casablanca, starting with the Boulevard of the Corniche, the seafront promenade, and the coastal road, through which we'll reach Anfa (old quarters of the historic city), a famous neighborhood in which its luxurious houses stand out.

The tour will lead to the exterior of the Great Mosque of Hassan II, a monumental and modern work (sliding roof and resistance to earthquakes) that holds the title of the third largest mosque in the world after Mecca and Medina (optionally, you can visit the inside). It is the most representative monument of the 20th century.

We will depart from Casablanca through the road and fertile valleys until we reach Meknes, a World Heritage Site and one of the four imperial cities along with Marrakesh, Fez, and Rabat, the former capital of Morocco.

You will visit the fortified city starting with its walls and great gates: Bab El Mansour Laalej, the largest gate in the country and North Africa; the Agdal pond, built for irrigation in the area; and the Lahdim Square, the epicenter of the city's activity. Then you will have free time for lunch (optional).

Finally, we will arrive in Fez, where we will have dinner and stay overnight.

Greca Tip: It is worth sitting in one of the restaurants in Bab Lahdim Square and watching life go by while having tea or cane juice.

After enjoying a delicious breakfast, we will start our journey with a visit to Fez Royal Palace with its magnificent golden doors. These seven bronze doors, each of different sizes, represent the seven days of the week and the seven levels of the monarchy.

Next, we will explore the Medina, also known as the Old Quarter. Here, we'll have the opportunity to visit the Madrasa Bou Inania, which is an Islamic school. We'll also see the Nejjarine Fountain, one of the most beautiful fountains in the medina and the oldest in Fez.

Additionally, we'll visit the Al-Karaouine Mosque, a significant cultural center of Islam, housing a library with over 30,000 copies. This mosque is also the headquarters of the University of Fez. Lastly, we'll visit the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss, the most revered saint in Morocco.

During our journey, we'll make a stop in the famous neighborhood of the Tanners, which is truly unique in the world.

Later, there will be an optional lunch opportunity. In the afternoon, we will continue our exploration of Fez, visiting its beautiful artisan neighborhoods that are divided by guilds.

Finally, we will return to our hotel to relax and unwind.

Greca Tip: We recommend finding a seat at one of the restaurants in Bab Lahdim Square. From there, you can enjoy the lively atmosphere and observe life in the city while sipping on tea or cane juice.

After a tasty breakfast at the hotel, we will go to the imperial city of Rabat, the capital of the kingdom and the second most populous city in Morocco. The visit will begin with the Royal Palace of Rabat and the seat of government, Dar-el-Makhzen, where more than two thousand people reside.

Later we will visit the Kasbah of the Oudaya, a fortified space of Berber origin dating back to the 12th century, a World Heritage Site. You will continue through the Mausoleum of Mohamed V (10 years of work and the collaboration of more than 400 artists), the unfinished Mosque and the Hassan Tower, and monuments of the Berber dynasty of the 12th century.

At the end of the visit, we will have free time for lunch (optional) and then continue the route to Marrakech, where we will have dinner and stay overnight at the hotel. 

Greca Tip: The Arabic term ribat or rábida refers to the building that functioned as a fortress and monastery in the center of the city.

After a tasty breakfast, we will dedicate our day to exploring the city of Marrakech. The visit will begin at the Menara Gardens, located to the west of the city of Marrakech, at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. One of its most prominent features is a large rectangular pool known as the "Menara Pool" that reflects the mountains and the pavilion at the end of the pool. The pavilion itself is a modest structure with columns and green roofs, and it is a popular spot to enjoy panoramic views of the gardens and mountains.

We will also visit the majestic minaret of the Koutoubia, which stands at about 77 meters tall and is known for its impressive Islamic architecture. It was built during the reign of the Almohad caliph Abd al-Mu'min in the late 12th and early 13th centuries. The design of the minaret has influenced the construction of other minarets in the Maghreb region.

Our city tour will end at the iconic Jemaa el Fna square, one of the liveliest and most emblematic places in the city and often considered the cultural and social heart of Marrakech.

We will return to our hotel for dinner and rest to continue our adventure the next day.

Greca Tip: Around Jemaa el Fna square, there are souks (markets) where you can buy a variety of products such as spices, carpets, crafts, clothing, and more. Merchants will try to sell their products, and bargaining is a common part of the shopping experience.

After an exquisite breakfast, you will leave early for Zagora, Along the main road that passes through the highest mountain pass in North Africa, the Tizi-n-Tichka (2260 meters), you will pass through incredible landscapes dotted with small towns and vegetation.

You will go to the Kasbah Ait Benhaddou, an old obligatory stop for camel caravans, declared a World Heritage Site. Considered the most impressive ksar (fortified city) in southern Morocco and the best preserved in the country, which as the sun shines takes on different shades of red depending on the time of day. It has also served as the setting for numerous films.

You will have time for lunch (optional) and later continue to Zagora, passing through the Anti Atlas massif, Tizi N'Tniffift, Agdez, and Draa, with its innumerable palm groves (an estimated 11 million palm trees). You will arrive at the hotel where you will have dinner and accommodation. 

Tip Greca: Check out the list of movies and TV shows filmed at Ait Ben Haddou, such as Gladiator and Game of Thrones, among many others.

We will enjoy a delicious breakfast at the hotel. Then, we say goodbye to Zagora and begin our journey toward Erfoud, immersing ourselves in increasingly arid and mysterious landscapes, filled with the unmistakable charm of southern Morocco.

Our first stop will be in Tamgroute, a small village renowned for its traditional pottery center, where ancestral techniques are still used to create green-glazed ceramics, unique to Morocco.

The route continues through the picturesque villages of Tansikht, Nkob, Tazzarine, and Alnif, offering spectacular views of the pre-Saharan scenery, dotted with oases and red-hued mountains. In Alnif, you will have the option to enjoy lunch before we carry on.

In the afternoon, we head toward Erfoud, with a brief stop in Rissani, birthplace of the influential Alaouite dynasty, the current royal family of Morocco.

By the end of the day, we will arrive in Erfoud, where a comforting dinner and overnight stay at the hotel await you.

For adventurous souls, we recommend purchasing an unforgettable 4x4 excursion to the Merzouga dunes, where you can truly feel the immensity of the desert.

Greca Tip: In Tamgroute, don’t miss the chance to visit its mystical Koranic library, a hidden gem that houses centuries-old manuscripts written on leather and palm bark.

After relishing an exquisite breakfast, if the clouds permit, we will have the wonderful opportunity to attend the captivating sunrise show amidst the breathtaking dunes of Merzouga (optionally).

At the agreed time, we will depart for Tinghir, where we will discover one of the most magnificent landscapes of our trip—the Todra Gorges. This remarkable rocky canyon is renowned as one of the world's most spectacular, attracting climbers from far and wide.

We will have some free time for lunch (optional) before continuing our journey towards Ouarzazate, also known as the "door of the desert." Along the way, we will traverse the famed "route of the kasbahs," a series of impressive adobe fortresses featuring battlemented towers made of raw brick.

Additionally, we will pass through the enchanting "City of Roses" (Kelaa de los Mgguna), a small fortified village known for cultivating the damask rose—a highly prized species that thrives even in harsh conditions. Its blooming season extends from mid-April to mid-May, adding to the village's allure.

Upon our arrival in Ouarzazate, we will embark on a brief panoramic tour of this captivating city before heading to the hotel, where we will enjoy a delicious dinner and spend the night.

Greca Tip: A visit to the City of Roses presents a wonderful opportunity to purchase rose water or fragrances, allowing us to bring home a cherished memento of our journey.

After a rich breakfast, we will be picked up to start your transfer back to Marrakech.

After our arrive in Marrakech, you will have free time to optionally take a city tour or visit the city at your own pace. Also, you can have lunch in a typical Moroccan restaurant (optional).

At night, we will have dinner at the hotel and stay overnight.

Greca Tip: Be sure to try the tajines, one of the main typical Moroccan dishes.

After an exquisite breakfast and at the agreed time, we will be transferred to the Airport of Marrakech.

After spending some fantastic days with Greca, we hope to see you again to enjoy some wonderful moments that will remain forever in your memory.

Have a good trip! Or, as you can say yourself: “Rihlat saeida!”.

Greca Tip: If you think that your stay in Morocco was too short, you can add additional nights at the time of your booking.