Our third trip to this wonderfully diverse country in the last 15 years, so about the time to rave about fab Morocco itinerary 8 days with our favourite dining spots, charming riads and authentic markets, luxurious spas and old medinas, wide desert, arid mountains and seaside coast spoiling with wide beaches and awesome surfing. Widely varied and stunning lands, driving in Morocco feels safe and relatively easy, best to enjoy exploring at own pace from Tangier to Tamouda Bay by the Mediterranean to exquisitely blue little known Chefchaouen; buzzy Casablanca to sophisticated Marrakesh; desert and thereafter bohemian Essaouira.
7 days itinerary in Morocco can also fit in all the above in a compressed, shorter version; April or October we reckon ideally, but also feasible in December, February, March or May, as we kept testing over the years. Tangier is well served from London and one can start the trip in here; Casablanca the same; or one can fly into Essaouira and depart from Tangier, as we have done recently, the one off fee for the rental car has been rather modest and allowed full flexibility as we wished.
North Morocco we reckon best to enjoy April onwards and summers at Banyan Tree superb villas are just a ferry away from Spain; we loved it as well in February, where we had royal service given the limited number of guests. Tangier charmed us with its art galleries and food, hats off to El Morocco Club restaurant, bar and staff, from oysters to steak, to art and music, we all had a blast.
The daytrip to Chefchaouen also ranks high in our list, the blue pearl of the Rif Mountains felt so authentic and unspoilt by mass tourism, a gem with warm characters, inviting rather than hassling (mind the main square though), story telling rather than selling.
The roadtrip is charmingly passing by deep blue lakes and villages spared by tourism and fabulously timed with rainbows on our trip.
For a luxurious Morocco itinerary 8 days, we warmly recommend Banyan Tree villas as a base for 3 nights, allowing spa time after Chefchaouen wanderings and pampering the tired feet.
The breakfasts are spoiling with Moroccan pastries and goodies, but also fab for European foodies, from oeufs in avocado, to eggs benedict, crepes and French toast with coulis de fruits rouges; the dinners were fantastic between soupe de poisson et sa rouilles, to freshly caught fish, burgers for kids starving after gym, spa and exploring or easy pizza. Wine selection great and the spa a dream – I have been in luck and had a massage from a former Maldives Banyan Tree & Angsana Velavaru super lady; whilst the kids adored the circuits and the pools.
Casablanca suit us well for a stopover and late lunch but one can easily spend a full day here, walk and play by Boulevard de la Corniche, tour Hassan II Mosque, featuring the tallest minaret in the world and dining at Beach Mama, tapas, French or champagne bathtub!
Marrakesh will be buzzing and on this occasion, with feedback from Moroccan friends we booked and adored dining at Royal Mansour; strolling Jardin Majorelle and indulging into high cuisine patisserie at Mamounia by Pierre Herme.
The kids adored Marrakesh’s chaotic Jemaa el Fna Main Square, wearing snakes apparently the sensation of the month; buying yoyos and playing by Koutoubia mosque also high on their list.
For the adults, the Royal Mansour has been the highlight of our trip; from impeccable dining to the most luxurious buzzing Marrakesh evening between the flowers and huge doors adorned with Morrocan art, superb wine, the tallest ceilings, most beautiful flowers and impeccable service; we will be back!
An epic trip wraps up beautifully with bohemian Essaouira, and if adventures buds need more tickling there’s camel or dromadery riding, deserts to be explored, quads or simply chilling by the pool at Sofitel villa’s or hotel.
We raved extensively about Essaouira markets, harbour and food as well in our dedicated article; from pastis to spa, markets, freshly caught fish and art galleries, the soul, taste buds and senses are beautifully looked after in here.
8 days in Morocco felt epic and we will be back again! For further Arabic inspiration, check our Jordan roadtrip, 7 fantastic roadtrips from Dubai or Dubai stay, Abu Dhabi or Oman 10 days itinerary.
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