The Perfect 7-Day Morocco Itinerary for Australians (2026)
A day-by-day 7-day Morocco itinerary for Australians — Marrakech, the Sahara Desert and Fez, with AUD costs, flight timing and honest local tips. Start planning.
Why This 7-Day Morocco Itinerary Works for Australians
Let me be honest with you: most “7-day Morocco itinerary” articles are written by people who have never had to fly 22 hours to get here. They’ll tell you to “pop up to Chefchaouen” on day three as if it’s a quick drive. It is not.
After seven years living here and guiding a lot of Aussies through their first trip, I’ve found there’s really only one 7-day route that makes sense for a first-timer flying in from Australia. It links the three experiences you actually came for — the chaos of Marrakech, a night under the stars in the Sahara Desert, and the ancient medina of Fez — without putting you in a car for more hours than you spend out of it.
This is that route. Day by day, with real AUD costs, the honest version of the long drives, and where to slow down.
The 7-Day Morocco Itinerary at a Glance
| Day | Base | The Day in One Line |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Marrakech | Land, settle into a riad, ease into the medina |
| 2 | Marrakech | Full day — Jemaa el-Fna, souks, palaces, gardens |
| 3 | Dades Valley | Drive over the Atlas via Ait Ben Haddou (desert tour begins) |
| 4 | Sahara (Merzouga) | Gorges, then a camel trek to an overnight desert camp |
| 5 | Fez | Sahara sunrise, long drive north to Fez |
| 6 | Fez | The world’s largest car-free medina, tanneries, history |
| 7 | Depart | Fly home from Fez, or train back to Marrakech |
A few quick logistics before we start the clock — sort your visa (easy for Aussies) and skim the best time to visit so you’re not landing in a 45°C July.
Getting Here From Australia
There are no direct flights from Australia to Morocco — there never have been. Your realistic options are:
- Emirates via Dubai — the most seamless connection from the east coast. Roughly 22–24 hours total to Marrakech (RAK).
- Qatar Airways via Doha — similar timing, often a touch cheaper.
- Etihad via Abu Dhabi, or a European hub (Paris, Madrid) if you’re combining Morocco with a Europe leg.
Return economy fares from Sydney or Melbourne usually run A$1,400–2,400, cheapest in the shoulder seasons. Fly into Marrakech and out of Fez if your fare allows it — it saves you doubling back. If not, a 7-hour train returns you to Marrakech on day 7 (more on that below).
💡 Pro tip: Build in a buffer. Landing jet-lagged after 22 hours, the last thing you want is a tight connection into a desert tour. Day 1 is deliberately gentle for exactly this reason.
Day 1 — Land in Marrakech & Ease In
You’ll arrive frazzled. That’s normal. Don’t try to “do” anything today.
Get a pre-arranged transfer through your riad (worth it after that flight — about 150–200 MAD / A$24–32), drop your bags, and let the medina come to you. Wander as far as you’re comfortable, get spectacularly lost for an hour, and have an early tagine.
- Where to stay: A riad in the medina, every time for your first nights. I’ve broken down my favourites in the best riads in Marrakech guide. Pick something near Bab Doukkala in the northern medina — authentic but reachable with luggage.
- My practical tip: Buy a local SIM (Maroc Telecom or Orange, about A$5) at the airport. Offline Google Maps is your lifeline in the medina.
Day 2 — Marrakech in Full
This is your one full day in the Red City, so make it count. The classic loop:
- Jemaa el-Fna at mid-morning — quieter than the evening madness, good for orientation.
- The souks — dive in. Bargaining isn’t rude here, it’s expected. Start at ~40% of the first price and meet in the middle with a smile.
- Bahia Palace & the Saadian Tombs — both genuinely worth the entry fee.
- Jardin Majorelle — book online and arrive at 9am opening, or you’ll queue forever.
- Back to Jemaa el-Fna after dark — this is when it transforms into an open-air food theatre.
I’ve written the full breakdown — what to skip, where to eat, the hammam I send everyone to — in the Marrakech travel guide. Read it the night before.
- Budget today: ~800–1,200 MAD (A$130–195) including entries, food, taxis, and a hammam.
Day 3 — Over the Atlas to the Dades Valley
Today the desert tour begins, and this is where the 7 days starts to feel like an adventure. Almost everyone does this as a 3-day private or small-group tour ending in Fez — book it before you arrive, through your riad or a reputable operator. Expect to pay around A$220–450 per person for the 3 days depending on group size and camp quality.
You’ll cross the Tizi n’Tichka pass through the High Atlas, then stop at Ait Ben Haddou — the fortified earthen city you’ve seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. It earns the hype.
- What surprised me first time: how fast the landscape changes. You go from snow-dusted Atlas peaks to red Martian valleys in a single morning.
- Overnight in the Dades Valley, with its surreal twisting rock formations.
Day 4 — Gorges, Then a Camel Trek into the Sahara
The big one. After the Todra Gorge (300m canyon walls, genuinely jaw-dropping), you push on to Merzouga and the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Late afternoon, you swap the 4x4 for a camel and ride out as the dunes turn gold, then crimson. You sleep in a desert camp — and if you’ve paid a little more, that means a proper bed, an ensuite, and a Berber drum circle under a sky absolutely drenched in stars.
- My practical tip: It gets genuinely cold in the desert at night, even in spring. Pack a fleece — see the full Morocco packing list.
- Don’t overpay for “luxury”: a mid-range camp with a real toilet is the sweet spot. The A$400+ camps are lovely but not necessary.
Day 5 — Sahara Sunrise & the Long Drive to Fez
Wake before dawn. Climb a dune. Watch the sun come up over the Erg Chebbi. It’s the photo you’ll still be showing people in ten years.
Then — and I won’t sugar-coat this — it’s a long driving day north to Fez (roughly 7–8 hours) through the Ziz Valley palm groves and the cedar forests of Midelt (keep an eye out for Barbary macaques). Break it up with stops, podcasts, and snacks. You’ll roll into Fez by evening, tired but satisfied.
💡 Pro tip: This is the day people underestimate. Embrace it as part of the journey rather than a transfer — the scenery genuinely is the attraction.
Day 6 — Fez, the Ancient Soul of Morocco
If Marrakech is the show, Fez is the substance. The Fes el-Bali medina is the largest car-free urban area on Earth, and getting lost in it is the entire point.
- The Chouara Tanneries — visually and, ah, aromatically unforgettable (they hand you mint at the door for a reason).
- Al-Qarawiyyin — the world’s oldest continually operating university, founded in 859.
- Bou Inania and Al-Attarine Medersas — peak Islamic architecture.
Hire a licensed guide for the morning through your riad (about A$30–40). In Fez’s medina, this isn’t optional for first-timers — it’s the difference between wonder and a panic attack. My full Fez travel guide covers the route in detail.
Day 7 — Depart (or Loop Back)
How today works depends on your flights:
- Flying out of Fez (FEZ): easiest option. A relaxed morning, last mint tea, transfer to the airport.
- Returning to Marrakech: the ONCF train from Fez to Marrakech runs ~7 hours via Casablanca. Comfortable, scenic, about A$25–40 in first class. Book a day or two ahead in peak season.
And that’s a complete first loop of Morocco — the imperial cities, the mountains, and a night in the Sahara, in exactly one week.
What This Trip Actually Costs (Per Person, AUD)
| Item | Budget | Mid-Range |
|---|---|---|
| Riads / camp (6 nights) | A$210 | A$480 |
| 3-day desert tour | A$220 | A$400 |
| Food & drink (7 days) | A$140 | A$280 |
| Local transport & train | A$60 | A$120 |
| Entries, guide, hammam | A$70 | A$130 |
| Total (excl. flights) | ~A$700 | ~A$1,410 |
Add international flights of A$1,400–2,400. For the full breakdown of how far your dollar stretches here, see my cost of travel in Morocco guide.
Want to Adjust the Route?
This is a first-timer’s loop, but it flexes:
- Got 10 days? Add Chefchaouen (the Blue City) after Fez — it’s the natural northern extension.
- Surfer? Swap the desert intensity for the Taghazout surf coast near Agadir.
- Hate long drives? Do Marrakech (3 nights) + a one-night Agafay desert trip instead of the full Sahara loop.
A quick note on peace of mind: Morocco is a safe, welcoming destination for Australians — I cover the realistic detail in is Morocco safe for Australian tourists.
FAQ
Is 7 days enough for Morocco?
Seven days is enough for one excellent loop — Marrakech, the Sahara and Fez — without rushing. It’s not enough for the whole country, so this route picks the three experiences first-timers care about most and connects them logically rather than cramming in the coast and the north too.
How much does a 7-day Morocco trip cost for Australians?
Excluding international flights, budget roughly A$700–1,800 per person depending on whether you travel budget or mid-range. International return flights from Australia add A$1,400–2,400.
What’s the best way to get from Marrakech to Fez?
The best way is a 3-day desert tour that ends in Fez, turning the long transfer into the highlight (Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges, an overnight in the Sahara). If you skip the desert, the ONCF train links the two cities in about 7 hours via Casablanca.
Do Australians need a visa for this trip?
No — Australian passport holders enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Make sure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your arrival date.
When is the best time to do this itinerary?
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal: warm days, cool nights, and a comfortable desert. Avoid July–August, when Marrakech and the Sahara are dangerously hot.
Ready to build out the rest of your trip? Browse the full Itineraries collection for city-by-city guides. Last updated: May 2026 — I review every itinerary as prices and transport change.
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