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What to do in Morocco in one week: A road trip by rental car
- jorismachholz
- Sep 10
- 4 min read
Morocco is a fascinating country full of contrasts: from bustling cities to endless desert landscapes to stunning Atlantic coastlines. In just one week, you can experience an impressive tour that captures all of these facets. Here's my what to do a one-week road trip in Morocco by rental car.
Contents
Day 1: Arrival in Marrakech
Our journey began in Marrakech, the vibrant city full of life, colors, and smells. We spent a night in a traditional riad in the old town. In the afternoon, we explored the Djemaa el-Fna, the famous market square, which offers a unique experience with its mix of food stalls, snake charmers, and musicians. Keep an eye on your valuables here—the narrow streets are full of vendors and people, and the occasional pickpocket.
Marrakesh offers a lot of activities as guided medina tours, also day trips to the desert, balloon flight and more. Take a look at GetYourGuide
Day 2-3: Desert adventure in the Agafay Desert
The next morning, we drove to the Agafay Desert, just about an hour from Marrakech, in our rental car. The Agafay Desert is not a typical sand desert, but rather a desert of rock and gravel, yet impressive in its vastness and tranquility. We spent two nights in a luxurious desert camp, whose nostalgic charm evoked old desert expeditions. The Atlas Mountains stretched across the horizon, and in the evenings, we experienced spectacular sunsets followed by an incredible starry sky. Camel rides and quad bike tours are available in the desert. I highly recommend the latter.
The Scarabeo Camp is exclusive, and the food is world-class! The scenery speaks for itself.
There are tours available starting from Marrakesh, day trips, quad rides, camel rides and more. Check out GetYourGuide
You might also be interested in Agafay in Morocco
Day 4-5: Relaxation by the sea in Taghazout
After the desert adventure, our journey continued to the Atlantic coast, specifically to Taghazout, a small fishing village now known as a surfer's paradise. The drive there took about four hours, but the route offered impressive views of the Atlas Mountains and typical Moroccan villages. We spent two nights in Taghazout, relaxing on the beach and enjoying fresh fruit from the market stalls. The accommodation was modern and located right by the sea. You also have the option of staying in surf camps and, of course, going surfing. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough time for that.
Surfers paradise in Taghazout. Check out
Day 6: Stopover in Taroudannt
On the sixth day, we continued on to Taroudant, a charming town often referred to as "Little Marrakech." The city walls surrounding the old town did remind us of Marrakech, but Taroudant is much quieter and less touristy. We explored the souks and enjoyed the authentic atmosphere. A local unobtrusively engaged us in conversation, and just like that, we had our own personal guide. This wasn't our original plan, but we explored the city in no time and gained a much deeper insight into life and everyday life behind the city walls. After a night in a small room in a dar, we set off back to Marrakech the next day.
Day 7: Back to Marrakech and departure
After a long drive, we arrived back in Marrakech. This time we were outside the medina and spent our last night in a riad. Our flight left early the next morning, so we strolled through the alleys of the medina and bought some last-minute souvenirs. Our week-long tour ended with many unforgettable memories and a delicious dinner.
Costs: Plan your budget
When it comes to costs, there are no limits. You can travel frugally, use public transportation, and stay in inexpensive hostels, or you can indulge in a luxurious riad with a rooftop pool. Here's a brief overview to help you plan. We've divided some of the prices by four.
Flight: Ryanair , with luggage about 220€
Rental car: Rented through BSP Auto, a mid-size SUV Dacia Duster, approximately €250/€63 per person. Comparison sites like Check24 provide a good overview.
1 liter of diesel costs between 1.10€ and 1.20€
Riad in Marrakech, including breakfast on the roof terrace for €140/€35 per person, highly recommended!
Flatbread in the supermarket: 20 cents!
Freshly squeezed fruit juice 0.3l: about 1€
Beer (only available in liquor stores or bars with a liquor license): 0.25l between €2.50 and €5
In a restaurant you pay about 10€ for a tagine and a small drink.
A 2-hour quad tour costs around €80.
This brought my total to around €900 for the week. However, there's still plenty of potential for savings on accommodation and restaurants.
Conclusion: Morocco in one week
One week is enough to get a first impression of Morocco's diversity. From the lively streets of Marrakech to the tranquility of the Agafay Desert, the relaxing sea breeze in Taghazout, and the charm of Taroudant: this tour offers a perfect blend of adventure, relaxation, and culture.
Tips for the tour:
Rental car: A rental car is ideal for flexible travel. The roads are generally well-maintained, and the distances between the individual stations are comfortable for day trips. It can get a bit bumpy in the desert. Make sure you have a valid credit card when renting a car. I only have a debit card and had to pay a small extra fee.
Accommodation: Riads and desert camps offer an authentic atmosphere. Especially in the desert, it's worth booking something special.
Best time to visit: Spring and fall are probably ideal for escaping the summer heat and enjoying pleasant temperatures. I was there in early December, and it was a pleasant 22-25 degrees Celsius during the day, but the nights were cool. So be sure to pack long clothing.
Are you keen to explore Morocco? Then grab a rental car and let yourself be enchanted by the magic of this country!
If you enjoyed this post, please let me know in the comments. And if you'd like to buy me a coffee , I'd be delighted.
See you next time,
Joris
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