7 days morocco itinerary

Your journey begins in Agadir, Morocco’s modern Atlantic resort city, rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake into a laid-back beach town with wide boulevards, a long crescent beach, and a relaxed, cosmopolitan vibe quite different from the older imperial cities. Since this is an open arrival day, take it easy: settle into your riad or hotel, stroll along the Corniche, and watch the sunset from the Kasbah hill overlooking the bay.

Head south along the coastal road toward Tiznit, a walled Berber town known for its silver jewelry souk and traditional architecture, worth an hour’s stop to walk the ramparts and browse the silversmiths. Continue on to Mirleft, a small, bohemian surf village with pastel-colored buildings tumbling down toward the sea — a good spot for lunch and a coffee overlooking the Atlantic. Finish the day at Legzira Beach, famous for its dramatic natural rock arches carved into red cliffs (note: the larger arch collapsed in 2016, but the remaining arch and cliffs are still spectacular, especially at sunset). Spend the night nearby in one of local accommodation overlooking the beach.

Leave the coast behind and head inland into the Anti-Atlas mountains toward Tafraoute, a stunning pink-granite valley dotted with almond and argan trees and traditional Berber villages built into the rock. Stop to see the famous Painted Rocks just outside town, boulders splashed with color by a Belgian artist in the 1980s, and take a walk through the old town with its distinctive rose-tinted kasbahs. From Tafraoute, wind through scenic mountain roads to Taroudant, often called “the grandmother of Marrakech” for its similar red ramparts on a much smaller, more intimate scale. Walk the old medina walls at sunset and enjoy dinner in one of the riads tucked behind the fortified gates.

After breakfast, we visit the medina of Taroudant with its souks and walls, then continue to Taliouine (capital of saffron) and lunch, crossing the el Glaoui Kasbah. In the afternoon, we continue to the old fort of Agdz (resting place of the old caravans), then to the wonders of the Draa Valley, the longest river in the kingdom and the largest palm grove in Morocco. Arrive at Zagora and overnight in the Hotel.

Continue deeper into Sahara Desert, driving through the stark, rocky expanses around Tazarine, visiting nomad market ( rissani ) before arriving at Merzouga, gateway to the Erg Chebbi dunes — Morocco’s most iconic Saharan landscape, with golden dunes rising up to 150 meters. ride  camel or 4×4 into the dunes for a night in a desert camp. Watching the sunset turn the sand deep orange and gold, followed by a clear night sky thick with stars, is the highlight of the whole trip for most travelers. Enjoy a traditional Berber dinner around the campfire, with drumming and music under the stars

Rise early for a Sahara sunrise over the dunes before heading back to Merzouga village and continuing west toward the Todra Gorges, one of Morocco’s most spectacular canyons, where sheer rock walls rise up to 300 meters above a narrow river-cut passage — a favorite spot for rock climbers and an easy, dramatic walk for everyone else. From there, continue to Ouarzazate, Morocco’s “Hollywood of the desert,” home to major film studios (Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and Lawrence of Arabia were all shot nearby) and the nearby Ait Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage fortified village of red-earth kasbahs. Spend the night in Ouarzazate

On your final day, take the scenic route back over the mountains via Taznakht, known for its Berber rugs weaving cooperatives, retrace the route through Taroudant before completing the loop back to Agadir.  { departure of this tour can be in Marrakech , Agadir or Ouarzazate }