Morocco
A delicate balance between East and West - Morocco is home to a spiritually uplifting culture grounded by gracious hospitality and compelling customs. With its strategic location in North Africa, Morocco stretches across fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains, two extensive coastlines and an immense desert. Every region harbors a distinct local culture, tied to a distant past that shapes Morocco’s distinguished personality in the Muslim World. Over thousands of years, various tribes, Roman legions, Arab conquests, and European colonists have contributed to the formation of its heritage, and have left their mark on its history and cities.
With its strategic location in North Africa, Morocco stretches across fertile valleys, snow-capped mountains, two extensive coastlines, and an immense desert. Every region harbors a distinct local culture, tied to a distant past that shapes Morocco’s distinguished personality in the Muslim World. Over thousands of years, Berber tribes, Roman legions, Arab conquests, and European colonists have contributed to the formation of its heritage, and have left their mark on its history and cities.
Essaouira | Villa Maroc
- 2 nights, 2 Suites
Marrakech | Riad Jardin Secret
- 3 nights, 2 Rooms
Skoura | L'Ma Lodge
- 2 nights, 2 Suites
Merzouga | Desert Camp
- 1 night, 2 Tents
Fez | Riad Dar Bensouda
- 3 nights, 2 Junior Suites
Rabat | Dar Shaan
- 3 nights, 2 Rooms
Departure
- No tourist visa is required to enter Morocco for citizens of the United States.
- Fully vaccinated travelers are not required to present a negative COVID-19 test result before traveling to Morocco.
These guidelines are for reference only. Scenset holds no responsibility for travel restrictions. Travelers are responsible for ensuring the right documentation to travel.
Land at Marrakech Airport where you will be greeted at the arrivals terminal and transferred privately to Essaouira.
- Approximately 3 hours
During the entire trip through Morocco, a dedicated guide and driver with a vehicle will be available.
Essaouira is a charming fishing town on the Atlantic Coast known for its beautiful fortified port, laid-back atmosphere and traditional crafts. The old medina of Essaouira (UNESCO) was formerly named Mogador, originating from the Phoenician word “Migdol” meaning a “small fortress”. This relaxed port on the Atlantic is a fortified town from the mid-eighteenth century. It was constructed according to the principles of contemporary European military architecture in a North African context, while in perfect harmony with the precepts of Islamic architecture and town-planning.
Its relatively late foundation, in comparison to other medinas of Morocco, was the work of a Sultan (1757- 1790). He wanted to build an Atlantic town to serve as a royal port, acting as a Moroccan commercial centre open to the outside world. Over the centuries, it played a major role as an international trading seaport, linking Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world.
Rise early in the morning to see the port of Essaouira at work with boats coming in and out.
This museum is a former pasha’s palace filled with Roman ruins, Jewish artefacts, Moroccan costumes and musical instruments.
One of the most atmospheric terraces in town, you can dine by candlelight inside or out. With great views over the square and port, and an interesting menu specialising in fish, it’s a great place to be. There’s often live music, too, and the magician will have you mesmerised. It’s also good for afternoon tea, or a drink at the bar. As well as a bar, boutique, gallery and library, Taros has a kitchen serving nourishing Moroccan food.
Why we love it for you
Essaouira’s scenset, 18th-century riad hotel with 21 shabby-chic rooms, a Carita-endorsed spa and a front-row, ocean-view location in the Unesco-protected medina. Located at the southern end of the medina in between Place Moulay Hassan and Place Orson Welles. This is a great place to be situated, right between the beach, harbour and the heart of the medina with a roof terrace encompassing all three.
Villa Maroc | 2 Suites
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your guide and private transfer to Marrakech (approx. 2.5 hours).
Founded almost 1000 years ago, Marrakech is a feast for the senses and has remained at the heart of Moroccan life ever since, acting as Sultanate capital on occasions, but now undoubtedly as the country’s cultural centre. Meet your guide at the lobby of your hotel and take a private transfer to a restaurant for lunch on the terrace. After lunch, walk down the street to a tea room for some Moroccan tea.
At sunset, explore the famous Jamaa El Fna Square with your expert guide - a 1000-year old UNESCO site with everything from snake charmers and acrobats, magicians and storytellers, to food stalls and orange juice stands.
Visit Jardin Majorelle, a gift to Marrakesh by Yves Saint Laurent in 1964. Explore the electric- blue villa and its gardens that preserve the vision of its scenset owner, landscape painter Jacques Majorelle. Then, circle around the block to visit the newly inaugurated Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
This is a stunning museum of Moroccan photography in a riad, housing a permanent collection & offering rotating exhibitions.
Walk through Moroccan artisanat & ancient art guilds: step into the hidden world of the medina’s back-ways to explore the different sections that produce crafts of copper, leather, silver, wood, and others. Meticulously handmade, these ancient art forms are passed down from generation to generation within family art guilds that keep their crafts alive to this day. Witness the traditional leather auction that is held in the mornings and learn about the processes of wood carving at the workshop of a master craftsperson.
Visit Marrakech’s main historical attractions in style: by sidecar. Hop on a tour of the Red City in the most unique way and wizz by the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, an ancient university and a palace. Continue on to explore the souks by sidecar and get a unique perspective on the medina.
Experience Marrakech and its surrounding valleys, mountains and villages from above on a unique hot air balloon ride that allows you to see the Sahara Desert merge with the High Atlas Mountains and the Ouarzazate steppe in the distance. The 40-60 minute flight includes Moroccan welcome tea and coffee, wi-fi on board, breakfast in a caidal tent, air shop access and the delivery of a flight certificate with your name in Arabic.
- Total duration of the experience is about 4.5 hours including a 40-60 minute flight.
Why we love it for you
It's not just the dazzling lush interior garden and beautiful rooftop patio that draws us to this discreet riad in the heart of the Marrakech medina, it's also the spacious rooms, the casual feel of the owners, and the beautiful breakfast display.
Riad Jardin Secret | 2 Rooms
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your guide and private transfer to a lodge in the Skoura Valley with stops along the way (approximately 4.5 hours).
Stop by the famous UNESCO site Ait Ben Haddou. This is a fortified village (ksar in Arabic) located along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Many families still live in this ancient village, which is composed of a dozen kasbahs -- or merchants' houses and other individual dwellings. The structure is a spectacular feat of earthen clay architecture that is typical of this southern region of Morocco.
Skoura Valley is a palm grove outside of Ouarzazate with calm fields and pastures in the middle of a desert gorge. This huge oasis is home to the Skoura village with its charming market and adobe kasbahs.
Your guide will take you on a trek through the valley. Explore its orchards and villages with their forts and traditional lifestyle. Skoura is known for its many historical places as well as its natural attractions. Enjoy a visit in the palm grove and visit Kasbah Amerhidil, an ancient adobe fort. Explore the small beaches along the Dades river where you can swim, and stop by the Toundount salt mine, where a 180 million-year old dinosaur was discovered.
Day at leisure to enjoy a wide variety of activities and explorations in the Ouarzazate region with the assistance of a guide and team.
Why we love it for you? This stunning lodge in the palm grove of Skoura has it all. The beautiful touch of elegance mixed with Moroccan flare. The exquisite restaurant. The outdoor pool for warm sunny days. And of course, the perfect location from where you can walk out or rent buggies to explore the region.
Lma Lodge | 2 Suites
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your guide and private transfer to Merzouga in the Sahara Desert (approximately 4 hours).
Kellat Megouna is a little known slice of paradise in the southern region of Morocco that harvests roses in the springtime and cultivates rosewater that is then distributed around the world. The Gorge of Dades is famous for its amazing roads and red rock formations. Stop as much as you feel like it to take in this beauty!
Arrive at a desert camp by 4x4 transfer, deep in the dunes of Erg Chegaga. The camp staff are traditional nomads and will introduce you to their true nomadic life in the Sahara.
Your camp is exclusive and only has four ensuite tents of 34 sq. The tents have a superior look with an entire glass front. Wake up to a magical desert sunrise right from your bed. Tents are equipped with A/C (working at night), a private bathroom with flush toilet/sink/shower (hot and cold water), towels and a set of toiletries, electricity, and water and seasonal fruit.
Why we love it for you
This tented camp in the stunning dunes of Merzouga is set up away from the crowds in a quiet and remote area of the Erg Chegaga Dunes. The staff are kind and helpful, and the food is surprisingly delicious!
Desert Luxury Camp | 2 Superior Tents
- Includes Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner
Greeting by your guide and private transfer to your hotel in Fez (approximately 7 hours).
Reach your riad hotel in the late afternoon. Check in to your accommodations and take a few hours to recuperate from your journey. Fez is the oldest of Morocco’s imperial cities and the medina is the largest car-free urban UNESCO site in the world.
Around sunset, visit the doors of Al Quaraouiyine with your guide, the oldest existing and continually operating educational institution in the world and is sometimes referred to as the oldest university. It was founded in 859, becoming one of the leading spiritual and educational centers of the Muslim world. In 1963, it was incorporated into Morocco’s modern state university system.
Enjoy a hidden medina tour of Fez showcasing the alluring charm of the old town, the colorful streets and souks, and the rich tapestry of life that exists within its ancient walls. Gain access to ancient palaces and Islamic gardens, venture into the depths of the tanneries, observe weavers at their loom and discover hidden workshops where generations of artisans ply their individual trades and adapt century old techniques to a modern market. Visit Medrasah Nejjarine (Quaranic School) and gain expert insight into the different ornamentation and decorative techniques. Floral motifs, infinite geometric patterns, ceramic carvings, and calligraphy are all testament to the rich cultural heritage of the vast Islamic empire.
Experience the energy and essence of the Fez street food scenset as it comes to life. This fascinating tasting trail reveals the captivating appeal of the medina as the sun goes down and the locals enjoy the specialities that only the evening offers. Your walk will take you from Bab Boujloud, winding your way through the alleys and souks with a local food expert. You will visit different food souks allowing the chance to try traditional Moroccan street food including dried meats, milawi, harsha, briwats, spicy sardines, spicy potato cakes, snail soup, stuffed camel spleen, olives and more. At the honey souk taste an array of delicious wild honeys, discuss their flavors and health-giving properties and find out why honey is so important in Islamic culture. Discover the world of spices and their uses in Moroccan cuisine.
Why we love it for you
There are many things going for Riad Dar Bensouda. It's the family-owned feel, the perfect location, the sleek combo of modern design and traditional decor, and the friendly staff who make your stay feel like you're at home.
Riad Dar Bensouda | 2 Junior Suites
- Breakfast included
Greeting by your guide and private transfer to Rabat (approximately 3 hours). On the way, stop by the city of Meknes.
The ancient capital of Meknes was once considered to be the Versailles of Morocco. It’s known as the “poor brother” among imperial cities of the country. It was developed as a capital late in the history of the nation, in the 17th century. The city’s Friday mosque was built in 1200 along with the main city gates. Back then, Meknes was a prosperous commercial city, known also as a spiritual and educational hub. This city offers a “snapshot” of Morocco’s last imperial era. A ruler's palace-city (over 40 km. of walls, not counting outer defenses) is a stupendous investment of might in masonry.
Arrive at Rabat, a seaward gem little known on the tourist map. This recently renovated city is home to one of the most impressive Roman cities, boasts a beautiful medina, a blue-washed kasbah overlooking the Atlantic Ocean and a modern calmness that comes with capital cities.
The royal mausoleum is decorated with exquisite examples of Moroccan craftwork, including colorful zellige (geometric mosaic tiles) and carved plaster. Its carved cedar ceiling is covered in gold leaf, and is quite magnificent. Royal guards wear traditional clothes. Visitors must be respectfully dressed and can look down into the tomb from a gallery.
This is an especially magical place. It is a historic citadel that occupies the site of the scenset ribat (fortress-monastery) that gave the city its name. Predominately residential now, the winding alleyways are whitewashed blue houses, built by Muslim refugees from Spain. There are scenic views over the river to Salé, the neighboring city, and out to the Atlantic. The pretty Andalusian Gardens at its southern edge are a popular meeting spot for locals.
After the Phoenicians came, the Romans took control of Chellah 40 CE. From 1154, it was abandoned until the 14th century, when a sultan built a necropolis on top of the Roman site. An elegant minaret is all that's left of a once-impressive mosque and behind it, the sultan's tomb, complete with stone carving and mosaic traces. Get lost in its stunning gardens and perfectly preserved Roman city.
Rabat is possibly the best place to go shopping in Morocco and it's perfect to end the trip here. The medina is calm and collected, with similar products and handmade crafts sold across the country. You can shop with ease accompanied by your expert guide.
Spend the day in Asilah, a stunning coastal town with a uniquely shaped kasbah 2 hours away from Rabat. The tortilla, paella and rioja served in most of Asilah's restaurants are reminders that this compact town was Spanish territory for a long time. It boasts a pretty medina to explore.
Why we love it for you
This beautiful riad is located in the heart of the old medina of Rabat, allowing for easy access to the main sightseeing highlights of the city.
Dar Shaan | 2 Suites
- Breakfast included
Private transfer to the Casablanca airport for your flight departure.
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