5 Days in Morocco: Two Itineraries From Marrakech (With or Without the Sahara)
With 5 days in Morocco, base yourself in Marrakech and choose between two routes. Route A: 2 days in Marrakech plus a 3-day Sahara tour to the Merzouga dunes via Ait Benhaddou and the Todra Gorge. Route B: 3 days in Marrakech with an Atlas Mountains day trip, plus 2 days split between Essaouira and an Agafay desert evening.
Route A: Marrakech and the Sahara
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Arrive in Marrakech; afternoon in the medina, sunset at Jemaa el-Fnaa |
| 2 | Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, Majorelle Garden, souks |
| 3 | Desert tour: Tizi n'Tichka, Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate, night in the Dades Valley |
| 4 | Todra Gorge, camel trek into Erg Chebbi, night in a desert camp |
| 5 | Sunrise over the dunes, long drive back to Marrakech (arrival in the evening) |
Days 3–5 match our 3-day Sahara desert tour (from €145). If you fly out of Fes instead, reverse the logic and take the 3-day Fes to Marrakech desert tour. Best for: travellers for whom the Sahara is the priority. Keep in mind the long drives; read Marrakech to Merzouga for what to expect.
Route B: Marrakech, the Atlas and the coast
| Day | Plan |
|---|---|
| 1 | Southern medina: Koutoubia, Saadian Tombs, Bahia Palace; street food at night |
| 2 | Majorelle Garden, Ben Youssef Madrasa, souks; cooking class |
| 3 | Atlas Mountains: Imlil and the Three Valleys or the Ourika Valley |
| 4 | Day trip to Essaouira on the Atlantic coast |
| 5 | Morning balloon flight or free time; Agafay desert sunset with dinner |
Book the excursions individually: the Imlil day trip, the Essaouira day trip and the Agafay sunset dinner. Best for: first-timers who prefer variety and less time in the car. For the city days, follow our 3-day Marrakech itinerary.
Which route should you choose?
- Choose Route A if you dream of sand dunes and do not mind about 20 hours of driving over three days.
- Choose Route B if you travel with young children, in summer heat, or want to sleep in the same riad every night.
- Have one or two extra days? Our 7-day Morocco itinerary combines both.
Tips for a 5-day trip
- Fly into and out of Marrakech to avoid wasting a day on transfers.
- Book desert tours a few days ahead in spring and autumn.
- Budget with our guide to how much a trip to Morocco costs.
- Check the best time to visit Morocco for your dates.
Official entry information is on your government's travel advice pages, for example the UK Foreign Office advice for Morocco.
Book it with a local operator
- From Marrakech: 3-Day Sahara Desert Tour to Merzouga with Camel Trek — from €145 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: Imlil & Three Valleys Atlas Day Trip with Berber Lunch — from €25 per person, pay on the day.
- From Marrakech: Essaouira Day Trip to the Atlantic Coast — from €25 per person, pay on the day.
Frequently asked questions
Is 5 days enough for Morocco?
Five days is enough for Marrakech plus either a 3-day Sahara tour or a mix of the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira. To see Fes and Chefchaouen as well, you need 7–10 days.
Can I visit the Sahara in a 5-day Morocco trip?
Yes. Spend 2 days in Marrakech and 3 days on a desert tour to Merzouga, returning to Marrakech on the evening of day 5.
What is the best 5-day itinerary from Marrakech without the desert?
Two days in the medina, a day in the Atlas Mountains (Imlil or Ourika), a day trip to Essaouira and an Agafay desert sunset dinner.
Should I rent a car for 5 days in Morocco?
It is not necessary. Tours include transport and pickups, and taxis are cheap in Marrakech. Driving in the medina is impossible anyway.
Main photo: Petar Milošević, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0.
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