9 Days in Morocco: Group Trip Itinerary from Marrakech to Fes to Rabat – (Part I)
From Marrakech to Fes to Rabat — what we did, where we stayed, and why I finally said yes to Morocco
🌍 Why Morocco?
After hosting six amazing group trips through Europe, I was ready for something different. Morocco had been on my bucket list for years, but I’ll admit — I was hesitant.
I’d heard it all:
“It’s not safe for women.”
“You have to have a guide.”
“It’s overwhelming if you go alone.”
But this spring, I partnered with a local tour company — Afritrip Morocco — to create a curated 9-day trip for my small group. They’re Moroccan-owned and based in Morocco, which made the planning feel more grounded and trustworthy.
From there, we co-created the itinerary. I shared what I wanted to see and experience, and they handled the bookings, logistics, and on-call support while we traveled.
I just had to show up and lead.
✈️ Where We Went (Full Route):
- Day 1–3: Marrakech
- Day 4–5: Fes (with a stop in Casablanca)
- Day 6–7: Rabat
- Day 8: Day trip to Tangier
- Day 9: Travel day
This trip was a mix of cultural immersion, guided tours, epic food, and a few surprises I’ll be breaking down below and in my second post.
🇲🇦 MARRAKECH – 3 Days
🛏 Where We Stayed:
A stylish 2-bedroom apartment with a doorman, helpful hosts, and a cozy vibe that felt safe and homey.
Booking link: Apartment
Want a more traditional Riad stay? My friend recommends this one:
Beautiful Marrakech Riad
📍 Day 1: Arrival & Dinner Show
Most of our group arrived from the U.S., so we kept it lowkey.
We kicked off the trip with dinner at Dar Essalam, where we got our first taste of traditional Moroccan cuisine, paired with live local performances — drummers, belly dancers, the works. 10/10 vibes.
Also: the tea. The tea. I could drink it every day. And these oranges with cinnamon were divine!
🧭 Day 2: Guided City Tour + Majorelle Garden
We explored the old city with a local guide (highly recommend if it’s your first time — the souks can be intense). He took us to trusted shops, helped us skip lines, and made sure we got quality over tourist traps.
Shop my look:
Later, we toured Majorelle Garden — an iconic spot with bold colors and photo-worthy backdrops.
Pro tip: Wear white or bright colors to stand out against the famous Yves Klein blue house.
We ended the day with a camel ride experience, which checked off a big bucket list moment.
☁️ Day 3: Hot Air Balloon Ride + Chill Day
This was our “choose your own adventure” day. We chose… a hot air balloon ride at sunrise. Unreal.
We booked through Atlas Montgolfiere via Afritrip for a discounted rate — just ask for it.
📍More activity recs:
We wrapped the day with tea at 1112 Moroccan Teahouse and a visit to the Photography Museum.
Dinner was at Stah Marrakech — nice rooftop views but watch out for sneaky “order minimum” tricks from staff. Be firm and direct.
Marrakech Recap:
Busy, buzzy, beautiful. The city is chaotic in the best way, but I always felt relatively safe — especially with a guide and a small group. This is a great 2–3 day city for first-time Morocco travelers.
Watch my Morocco Group Travel Part 1 Video here!
Up next: Fes, Rabat & Tangier — the unexpected highlights (and one Riad that gave major ghost vibes 👀)
🔗 Read Part 2 here
📩 Want the real real? I’m sharing more personal reflections + unfiltered truths over on my Substack: Get Paid and Go – subscribe for free to read the full story!
Also if you want to book with Afritrip – click here – mention my name, Nancy, for 10% off!
