The Perfect 2 Week Morocco Travel Guide

Start your perfect trip to Morocco with four nights in Marrakech. The vibrant capital city is brimming with culture, activities, food and architecture. Fly into Marrakech's Menara Airport and be sure to have your hotel arrange to pick you up at the airport.

Where to Stay

La Mamounia - Since 1923, La Mamounia has hosted many famous faces on their trips to Northern Africa. Modern luxury meets timelessly opulent design at this palace hotel in the heart of Marrakesh. Visit the rooftop lounge, the Le Pavillon pool, the Hammam spa, or enjoy afternoon tea, or Sunday brunch.

Four Seasons Resort Marrakech -A Garden sanctuary in the heart of Marrakech, the Four Seasons in situated in the medina. The Moorish gardens are full of spots to relax, sit by the pool or visit the spa. There are three restaurants to choose from offering Moroccan, Turkish, Lebanese, and Italian cuisines. Stop in for a mint tea ceremony and learn the ritual way of prepping this extremely popular Moroccan drink.

Where to Eat

NOMAD- A modern take on traditional Moroccan food. Don’t miss the grilled, marinated grilled lamb chops or the sunset from the rooftop terrace.

Le Jardin - Beautiful open-air lunch garden in the middle of the city decorated with gorgeous locally made green tiles. Try the mechouli or the couscous with chicken (Note: no alcohol is served here).

El Fenn Raid - The views of the Atlas Mountains make this a great spot to stop for lunch and the colorful styling makes this a great place for a photo op. El Fenn has been included on Conde Nast’s Gold List three times for its unique styling and luxurious atmosphere. Also check out the rooftop bar if you want to grab a cocktail with a view.

Le Churchill Bar - A cozy atmosphere of British refinement where you can find bold cocktails and intimate conversations. The bar offers caviar, champagne and an opulent atmosphere in tribute to Churchill, who was known to visit La Mamounia.

Le Marocain - Gorgeous and glam spot inside La Mamounia for an upscale dining experience

What to do

Day 1 - After arriving at your hotel and refreshing from the travel, explore the grounds and gardens or settle down to tea and snacks. Take a relaxing afternoon to enjoy the pool before heading to the rooftop for an aperitif. Enjoy dinner at your hotel and get ready for a big day of exploring.

Day 2 - In the morning, explore the medina (market). The vendors in the souks offer almost everything from jewelry, perfumes, spices, rugs, vegetables and meat. Most of the medinas are foot-traffic only, but watch out for scooters. The main square of the city, Jemma el Fna, is lively and you can often spy cobra tamers, street food, henna artists and local artesian crafts. This is the more traditional area of the city and you can expect people to follow Muslim customs here, so dressing conservatively is best. The afternoon is the perfect time for a camel ride or quad-bike tour. The hotel concierge can arrange this for you if you’re feeling adventurous. After your adventure, check out NOMAD for dinner.

Day 3 - Get up early for a hot air balloon ride over the desert and an epic view of the mountains. Once back in the city, explore Ben Youssef Madrassa, once the largest Islamic school in North Africa and now a UNCSCO World Heritage Site. The beautiful architecture here is truly breathtaking and makes a great backdrop for pictures. Next, head to Bahia Palace, an amazingly intricate and colorful site. Head back to your hotel for lunch and a relaxing afternoon by the pool or visit the Moroccan hammam spa.

Day 4 - Visit the YSL Museum and garden this morning. The exhibitions are an excellent spot to visit for fashionistas and those interested in anything designer, but the gardens on the property will appeal to all. This is a great spot for a photoshoot in the colorful scenery. In the afternoon, head back to the Medina to make any last-minute purchases or opt for another relaxing afternoon by the pool. If you didn’t get enough garden action in the morning, head over to Le Jardin Secret, Marrakech’s botanical garden dating to the Saadian Dynasty (400 years ago)! For dinner, try Le Fenn Raid for a gorgeous view of the medina from the rooftop.

Day 5 - Enjoy breakfast and a leisurely morning before heading off to Essaouira. You can fly or hire a driver to take you as it’s only 2.5 hours from Marrakech.

Continue your perfect Moroccan adventure with a road trip to Essaouira. This coastal city on the western side of Morocco may look familiar to some as it was the filming location for “Astapor” in Game of Thrones. Essaouira offers a more relaxed side of Morocco after the hectic medina of Marrakech. The laid-back atmosphere is excellent for a relaxing day at the beach or a stroll around the fish markets in the port.

Where to Stay

Heure Bleue Palais - In the heart of the city this beautiful hotel with an open garden in the center is the perfect place to base your time in Essaouira. Traditional Moroccan architecture with modern luxurious influences and a fountain, the bubbles in the center, the atmosphere is truly unique. Visit the traditional hammam or the panoramic outdoor pool on the terrace overlooking the medina and the ocean. The staff here are exceptional, friendly and very accommodating.

Where to Eat

La Fromagerie - This open-air restaurant on the edge of the olive groves is warm and inviting. The Mediterranean offerings are a fixed menu and are served with wine. This is truly a feast for the senses.

Beach & Friends - A chill Mediterranean bar on the beach, Beach & Friends offers an all-day fair and is a great spot for lunch or sundowners.

La Lincorne - Fine dining in a romantic atmosphere with delightful ambiance. The menu is full of traditional food with a bit of French influence. This is the place to try the tajin, a dish cooked in an earthenware pot using spices, onions and olives.

What to do

Day 5 (continued) - After arriving in Essaouira, head over to the beach! Enjoy a short stroll along the Atlantic and stop at a seaside restaurant or bar for a sundowner. Head back to the hotel to get ready for dinner at La Lincorne.

Day 6 - Take a stroll through the port where you can see the fishermen in brightly colored boats bringing in the catch of the day. Wonder the fish market to see all the interesting things they’ve brought in and pick one up if you’re feeling adventurous. Walk around the ramparts for ocean views and check out the GoT filming location. Grab some lunch at La Chalet De La Plage, a staple in the restaurant scene since 1893. Located on the seafront, it’s the perfect spot to try some local fishermen and watch the waves. In the afternoon explore the medina, much smaller and calmer than Marrakech, the medina in Essaouira offers similar wares but is a great spot to shop with less buying pressure. In the evening, Villa Maroc offers great cooking classes if you want to try your hand a making a traditional Moroccan dish.

Day 7 - Enjoy a leisurely morning on the beach before the day starts to heat up. Try kite-surfing or windsurfing if you feel adventurous. In the afternoon, visit the Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdullah Museum. This evening, have dinner at Hotel Heure Bleue Palais and enjoy cuisine that is based on traditional Moroccan flavors but inspired by the sea.

Day 8 - Wake up bright and early for your travel day to Fes. This journey is an 8-hour drive, so it is better to fly or take the train.

Unlike other cities in Morocco, Fes has a very distinctive sound and smell. The city is alive with artisans and the sound of hammers shaping metal goods can be heard reverberating around the city. The center of the town is a large tannery, which makes this a great place to purchase leather goods. The view from the balconies overlooking the color-dying pools is not to be missed. Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage site and the largest car-free urban area in the world.

Where to Stay

Riad Fes - With 26 rooms and suites, Raid Fes is on the larger side for a riad, but it still has a very intimate feel. Staying at a riad is a quintessential Moroccan experience and this is the place to do it. Riad Fes has a full restaurant, a pool, a hammam and a shuttle service to the Fes Royal Golf Club if you need even more reasons to stay at this contemporary classic property.

Palais Armani - A restored 17th-century palace Armani is a classic raid hotel in a setting of traditional elegance. Each room or suite is different, but with ornate woodwork, lavish textiles and exquisite handmade tiles, each is a haven of contemporary comfort. The onsite restaurant offers three-course seasonal menus and the Hammam and spa do not disappoint.

Where to Eat

NUR Restaurant - A delight of modern technique mixed with Moroccan flavors, NUR offers a delicious tasting menu and wine pairings. The fine dining in the middle of the medina appeals to the traveler looking for the refinements of home while tasting something new. And don’t worry about funding the hidden gem- NUR will send someone to your Riad to walk you to the restaurant so you don’t lose your way.

Ruined Garden - This merchant house turned rubbish dump turned garden is now a restaurant and bread-making school. Offering lunch and dinner, the menu is distinctly Moroccan, but with an ambiance that is not repeated anywhere.

What to do

Day 8 (continued)- Arrive at your raid in Fes and unwind from a day of travel. Eat in the hotel and get rested up for tomorrow’s adventure.

Day 9 - Take a walk through the tanneries and head up the stairs at Shop 64 for the best view overlooking the pools of colored dye. The smell can be very strong and locals may offer you a plant or herb to smell while browsing. The beautiful handmade leather goods make it worth the sensory adventure. Handbags, ottomans, shoes, backpacks, and other items are available (make sure to barter)! Take a tour of historical sights. In the afternoon, visit Al-Attarine Madrasa- a historical institute in the heart of the medina, that was built as a center for learning. The Islamic architecture is incredible and it makes for a great photo op and a break from the crowds. Explore the souks in the medina for tasty treats or head back to your hotel for a rest before dinner at NUR.

Day 10 - Travel to Chefchaouen. This is approximately a 3.5-hour drive.

The “Blue City” is a photographer’s dream with a photo op around every corner. Set in a wide valley between two mountain peaks, the shades of blue on almost every building are a dramatic contrast. This northern city is quiet in contrast to Morocco’s other cities, with the main draw being the colorful city walls.

Where to Stay

Hotel Casa Hassan & Dar Baibou - Two charming guest houses with traditional Moroccan architecture. The magical atmosphere in this old residence is beautiful and functional, offering a few different room styles. The traditional style and great amenities make Dar Baibou the perfect spot.

Where to Eat

La Lamp Magique at Aladin’s - Come here for the rooftop views and the delicious lunch offerings.

Morisco - Located in the main square, Morisco serves traditional Moroccan food. The view is really cute and it’s a nice spot to sit in the center of things.

What to do

Day 10 (continued) - After arriving at your accommodations, settle in and then find the nearest rooftop. You’ll want to be there for sunset to listen to the call to prayer echo around the entire valley as the sun sinks over the mountains.

Day 11 - Start the day off with a walking tour of the city. Using a local guide to explain the significance of the color choices and the history of the city is a great way to learn about this special region of Morocco. Stop for lunch at Le Lamp Magique at Aladin’s. After lunch, hike up to the Spanish Mosque for a bit of a challenge and great opportunity to get some shots of the city from above. Give yourself a couple of hours for this hike to explore when you get to the top. This is a great activity to do just before at sunset for some really epic photos, but only if you feel comfortable hiking back down in the dark!

Day 12 - Travel to Tangier. This is approximately a 2-hour drive.

Where to Stay

Fairmont Tazi Palace Tangier - Secluded on the hills above the medina, the Fairmont is a graceful and luxurious 1920s hotel with an unparalleled view. With seven restaurants and bars and a pool and spa, this is a great spot to relax at the end of your perfect Moroccan vacation.

Hilton Tangier Al Houara Resort & Spa - This modern hotel is elegant, sophisticated and right on the beach. This hotel boasts amazing views of the ocean, including from the rooftop bar. The pool is a massive oasis looking over the ocean and a great spot for a relaxing afternoon at the end of your vacation.

What to do

Day 12 (continued) - After checking in to your accommodation, enjoy a little down time to relax and rest, maybe visit a hammam or sit by the pool. The breeze from the ocean can be felt across most of the rooftops in the city. Enjoy a rooftop dinner at your hotel.

Day 13 - Explore the white-washed seaside city and take in the last sights of historic Islamic architecture. Visit Dar el Makhzen, the former palace of the Sultans that is now an interesting museum. There is also an interesting American Legation Museum documenting the relationship between the US and Morocco. For your last afternoon, head to the beach or find a spot to sit and enjoy the breeze from the ocean.

Day 14 - Time to return home or to the next stop on your journey. Tangier has an international airport and it is easy to head home from here. You can also take a fast ferry over to Spain and fly from there or continue your vacation.