Thinking of a first short trip to Morocco? In less than two hours you can be a world away in North Africa! Here is the perfect introductory itinerary for 4 days in Morocco flying in and out of Marrakech.
- About this Morocco itinerary
- Summary
- Highlights
- Transportation
- Best time to visit?
- 4-DAY MOROCCO ITINERARY
Day 1 – Marrakech
Day 2 – Ourika Valley
Day 3 – Essaouira
Day 4 – Marrakech - Have more than 4 days in Morocco?
- Getting there
- Where to stay in Marrakech
- Where to stay in Essaouira
- More about Morocco
About this 4-day Morocco itinerary
This short 4-day itinerary for Morocco is ideal for a first visit to North Africa.
Obviously, the longer you have in Morocco the better. (Spoiler alert: It’s amazing!). But with four days in Morocco you can get a great introduction to the culture, food and history.
This itinerary starts in Marrakech with a full day of exploring the city. The next day takes a day trip to the beautiful Ourika Valley in the High Atlas Mountains. Then get out of the city and head for the coast with one night in the iconic blue and white port town of Essaouira.
How long do you need? Is 4 days in Morocco enough?
If you’re dreaming of planning a trip to Morocco but only have four days, don’t worry! With just 4 days in Morocco, you can visit some of the most unforgettable destinations.
Wander through the vibrant souks of Marrakech, take a scenic day trip to Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains and stay overnight in the famous and historic fishing port town of Essaouira.
Summary – 4-Days in Morocco Itinerary
See your complete adventure below.
- Day 1 – Marrakech – Arrival
- Day 2 – Ourika Valley (Atlas Mountains)
- Day 3 – Essaouira
- Day 4 – Marrakech
This itinerary is for 4 nights and 4 days in Morocco.
Highlights – 4-Days in Morocco Itinerary
There is so much of Morocco to choose from!
Highlights of this 4-day Morocco travel itinerary include:
- Marrakech Medina
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Jmaa El-Fnaa Square (Marrakech)
- Jardin Majorelle YSL Garden
- Bahia Palace
- Saadian Tombs
- Ben Yousef Madrasa
- Souk Semmarine
- Essaouira Medina
- Skala Du Port (Essaouira)
- Essaouira Port
- Argan Oil Cooperative
- Hammam Mouassine
You can see a more detailed list in our articles about each Morocco destination.
What is the best time of year to visit Morocco?
Generally the best time to visit Morocco is during the early spring (March-April) or autumn (September-November). This is when the climate is pleasant and summery throughout the country without being too hot for day-time exploration.
But Morocco really is a year-round destination.
In our experience we would also recommend the wintertime (December, January and February) as a perfect escape from the Northern-hemisphere to make the most of the sunshine and pleasant day-time temperature.
- Read about travel in Morocco during Ramadan.
DAY 1 – 4-Day Morocco itinerary
Marrakech is known as Morocco’s dazzling ‘Red City’. It is a chaotic tangle of narrow streets with a maze-like Medina in hues of red and pink and all the dashes of brightly coloured trinkets and souvenirs on display.
The city was once an important trading centre for caravans crossing the Sahara Desert with gold, salt and slaves. So Marrakech has been welcoming travellers for literally centuries.
- Read more about things to do in Marrakech.
MORNING – Day 1
- Koutoubia Mosque: This magnificent historic mosque was completed in 1158 and is the tallest structure in the old city.
- Saadian Tombs: Many of Morocco’s monarchy are buried here.
- Bahia Palace: A stunning late 19th-century palace with beautiful courtyards, zellige tiles, and ornate ceilings. The palace showcases the history of Moroccan architecture and design and is a beautiful place for photos.
AFTERNOON – Day 1
- Lunch: Try the Lamb Mechoui and Tangia (different from Tagine) at Chez Lamine. This is the restaurant that became famous as the place Gordon Ramsay dined in Marrakech.
- Souk Semmarine: After lunch, take a relaxing(ish) wander through the Souks of Marrakech medina.
- Jardin Majorelle and YSL Museum: The gardens were created as a project by the French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920’s. Since then (and thanks plenty to Insta) it has grown to become one of the city’s most popular tourist attractions*.
EVENING – Day 1
- Dinner: Try dinner at one of the many (MANY) busy food stalls in Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.
*Alternatively you could visit the YSL Museum and Jardin Majorelle first thing in the morning.
- Read more about the Jardin Majorelle – and find out if we reckon it is worth a visit.
DAY 2 – Atlas Mountains – 4-day Morocco itinerary
For your second day in Morocco head out of the city for a day trip to the beautiful Ourika Valley. The valley is a little more than 50km south of Marrakesh in the Atlas Mountains and is popular as the city’s escape hatch from the soaring summer heat.
Temperatures are cooler in the shadow of snowcapped High Atlas peaks, and it is a stunning valley that follows the Ourika River up into the mountains.
At Ourika Valley there is a short walk from Setti Fatma village to the waterfalls overlooking the valley.
MORNING – Day 2
- Breakfast: Enjoy a traditional breakfast at your accommodation in Marrakech.
- Depart: Mid-morning for the drive to Ourika Valley (around 1.5 hours from Marrakech).
- Morning Tea: Stop en route for some Moroccan mint tea and sweet Amlou on M’smen at one of the roadside eateries as you enter the valley.
AFTERNOON – Day 2
- Setti Fatma Village: Take in the incredible scenery of the surrounding snow-capped peaks of the Atlas Mountains and the colourful village of Setti Fatma.
- Trek: Go with a guide for the short trek (around 1 hour) to the beautiful waterfalls overlooking the valley.
- Lunch: The riverside restaurant serve delicious tagines and Moroccan lunch sitting right on the river.
EVENING – Day 2
- Dinner: Enjoy dinner back in the Marrakech medina at one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking the busy Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.
The day trip to Ourika Valley can easily be done with a rental car. Or you can book the trip as a day tour from Marrakech.
Once at Setti Fatma you will need a guide to escort you on the hike to the waterfalls.
We highly recommend this! Each time we have visited we use the same guide, Mohammed and after the short walk we visited his village and family home just up the valley.
- Read more about how to visit Ourika Valley as a day trip from Marrakech.
- Contact Ourika Valley guide Mohammed on +212 641 80 53 41.
DAY 3 – Marrakech to Essaouira – 4-day Morocco itinerary
Today it’s time to depart Marrakech for a night on the coast at the iconic fishing port and historic city of Essaouira.
Essaouira is known as the ‘Windy City of Africa’. It is a bustling fishing port and one of the top destinations in the world for kite surfing!
MORNING – Day 3
- Breakfast: Have an early breakfast in Marrakech.
- Marrakech to Essaouira: The drive to Essaouira is around 3 hours from Marrakech.
AFTERNOON – Day 3
- Essaouira Medina: Go for a wander through the bustling UNESCO medina. Follow the main shopping street into the Mellah – the Jewish Quarter – and loop back towards the Ramparts by Place Moulay Hassan.
- Essaouira Port: Visit the busy fishing port and famous ramparts of Essaouira.
- Lunch: Choose seafood cooked fresh at the fishing port or try one of the rooftop restaurants above Place Moulay Hassan.
EVENING – Day 3
- Essaouira Beach: Take a wander along the beach or to the Ramparts of the port in the golden hour before sunset.
- Drink: Enjoy a cold drink at Ocean Vagabond, one of the beachfront restaurants to the view of kite surfers – and camels!
- Dinner: Choose a seafront restaurant and enjoy dinner overlooking sunset on the Atlantic coast.
The best sunset views in Essaouira are from the rooftop restaurants near Place Moulay Hassan and the iconic ramparts.
- Read more about things to do in Essaouira.
DAY 4 – Essaouira to Marrakech – 4-day Morocco itinerary
Today is the last day of this 4-day Morocco itinerary and it’s time to head back to Marrakech.
MORNING – Day 4
- Breakfast: Have breakfast in the courtyard of your Riad.
- Essaouira Medina: Take one final stroll down the shopping street of Essaouira for any souvenirs.
AFTERNOON – Day 4
- Return to Marrakech: The drive is around 3-hours.
- Stop en route: Visit an Argan oil cooperative on the way back.
- Lunch: Stop at a highway café on the way. Don’t be put off that these are typical highway stops. These huge hubs have fabulous tagines for lunch that have been cooking slowly on coals all day!
EVENING – Day 4
- Moroccan Hammam: Relax and unwind with a traditional Moroccan hammam at Hammam Mouassine. This is the oldest hammam in Marrakech and has been in operation since 1562!
- Dinner: Celebrate a fantastic trip with one final dinner at a traditional Moroccan restaurant overlooking Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.
Have longer than 4 days in Morocco?
Here are some other itinerary ideas for Morocco.
- 5x Itinerary options for 7-days in Morocco.
- 5x Itinerary options for 10-days in Morocco.
- Plan 2-days in Marrakech.
- 8-day Morocco itinerary: Marrakech to Zagora and M’Hamid.
- 10-day Morocco itinerary: Tangier to Fes, Chefcahouen and Marrakech.
See our detailed destination and city guides for more of Morocco.
- Read more about the things to do in Chefcahouen, Casablanca, Tangier, Tetouan, Agadir, Taghazout and Tamraght, Fes and Rabat.
Getting to Marrakech
Flights to Marrakech arrive at Menara Airport (RAK). There are daily flights connecting Marrakech with Europe, Middle East and North America.
By road the city is well connected to other major city destinations.
There are frequent daily buses with SupraTours and CTM.
Or there is a fast train connecting Marrakech with Casablanca, Rabat and Tangier.
Transportation and getting around for 4 days in Morocco
Renting a car is a great option for travel in Morocco. It is the best choice for a flexible itinerary.
With 4 days in Morocco I would recommend hiring a car in Marrakech to drive to Essaouira for the night.
- Marrakech to Essaouira: 2 hr 35 min (176.7 km)
To get around in Marrakech and Essaouira you can reach most of the things to do on foot.
- Read about driving in Morocco.
Travel by bus between Marrakech and Essaouira
The other option to travel between Marrakech and Essaouira is by bus.
CTM and Supratours are the two main bus companies that travel multiple times per day between the two cities.
It is easy to book a bus ticket online directly through the CTM and SupraTours website.
- Book a ticket online for the bus with CTM or SupraTours.
Other things to do in Marrakech
The above itinerary for 4 days in Morocco covers most of the main highlights. These you could do all or most of with just two days in Marrakech or 4 days in Morocco.
But there are literally LOADS more amazing things to do in Marrakech.
- El Badi Palace
- Yves St Laurent Museum
- Marrakech Museum
- Tinsmiths Square
- Maison Tiskiwin
- La Mamounia Hotel & Spa
- Souk El-Khemis (Flea Market)
- Dar Bellarj Arts & Cultural Centre
- Bab Debbagh Tannery
- Musee de la Musique
If you have more time there is more to see.
Other things to do in Essaouira
Essaouira is on the small side comparatively. But it is full of history, shopping, culture and experiences that are unique to Morocco.
- Surfing
- Camel Riding
- Quad Biking
- Kite Surfing
- Surfing
- Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Museum
- La Cite Heureuse
If you have more time or are keen for an adventure activity of some sort there are lots of options.
- Book a tour or activity in Essaouira through GetYourGuide.
Where to stay in Marrakech
Marrakech is well known for its range of beautiful accommodation and Riads in the old city.
Here is our pick of the best range of budget and mid-range riads and luxury hotels in Marrakech to choose from.
Budget riads in Marrakech:
Mid-range riads in Marrakech:
Luxury riads in Marrakech:
Where to stay in Essaouira
There is a great range of accommodation in Essaouira. But if you haven’t yet stayed in a riad in Morocco this is a great place to do it.
Essaouira has everything from traditional riads to hostels and AirBnB’s. So you will definitely find something to match your budget.
Budget riads in Essaouira
Mid-Range-Luxury riads in Essaouira
Granny came to meet us in Essaouira and we all stayed at Riad Dar Rhamna. It turned out to be a good budget riad option close to everything.
More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Travel insurance tailored for short or longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have insurance before embarking on any itinerary for 4 days in Morocco!
