Away With The Steiners

4 Days in Morocco: Perfect itinerary for your first visit.  

Sarah Steiner

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 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. 

Ourika Valley day trip from Marrakech 10 days in Morocco itinerary.
The beautiful waters and colour of the villages in Ourika Valley in the Atlas Mountains.

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. 

This itinerary is for 4 nights and 4 days in Morocco. 

Welcome to colourful North Africa and Morocco by the way. 

Highlights – 4-Days in Morocco Itinerary

There is so much of Morocco to choose from!  

Highlights of this 4-day Morocco travel itinerary include: 

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.  

Snow-capped peaks in the Atlas Mountains visiting Ourika Valley from Marrakech in February.

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.

MORNING – Day 1 

AFTERNOON – Day 1

EVENING – Day 1 

*Alternatively you could visit the YSL Museum and Jardin Majorelle first thing in the morning.

All kinds of activities and games, henna artists, food vendors, fresh juices and more fill the Jemaa El-Fnaa square by sunset.

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

Views from further round the waterfall hike looking back over Setti Fatma.

AFTERNOON – Day 2 

One of the Seven Ourika Waterfalls.

EVENING – Day 2 

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. 

Having Moroccan tea with Mohammed; our incredible guide for Ourika Valley and Setti Fatma.

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 

AFTERNOON – Day 3 

Welcome to Essaouira by the way.

EVENING – Day 3

The best sunset views in Essaouira are from the rooftop restaurants near Place Moulay Hassan and the iconic ramparts.

It is a truly iconic blue and white coastal port city of Morocco.

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

AFTERNOON – Day 4

EVENING – Day 4

Hot kebabs sizzling and clay pots of traditionally cooked Mechoui meat at Jemaa El-Fnaa Square.

Have longer than 4 days in Morocco? 

Here are some other itinerary ideas for Morocco. 

See our detailed destination and city guides for more of Morocco.  

Any takers? (Apart from the huge, circling gulls).

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. 

To get around in Marrakech and Essaouira you can reach most of the things to do on foot. 

There are all kinds of ways to get around in the city. 

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. 

The SupraTours bus arriving from Marrakech to the ticket office just outside the Medina near Bab Marrakech Gate.

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.  

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.  

If you have more time or are keen for an adventure activity of some sort there are lots of options.

The canons still lining the top of the Sqala Du Port above the seafood market in Essaouira Port.

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. 

Walking ‘home’ for the night back through the Mellah after an evening Hammam.

More about planning for travel in Morocco and beyond

These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel. 

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