We have flights booked to Malaga in September. The original plan was to spend the entire two weeks there, probably split between Malaga itself, Granada and Seville travelling between each by train rather than renting a car. It then occurred to me that we could maybe include some time in Morocco as there are relatively inexpensive flights between Malaga and Marrakech.
I did backpack around Morocco but that's decades ago and my recollections , for many reasons, are somewhat hazy. Our options are for 3 days which would seem to be enough for Marrakech itself, or 7 days - Marrakech & where/what else?

Initial thoughts would seem to be to include a trip into the desert, the Atlas Mountains, the beach (Essouria), another city Fez, Rabat, Casablanca perhaps? Or somewhere else .

I am leaning towards a seven day visit but could do with some input on where, apart from Marrakech?

Any recommendations on areas or specific accommodations in Marrakech would be much appreciated. (circa €100-150)
I anticipated getting between cities by train if possible - good idea?
Ideas on how/where to book excursions to the desert or mountains?


TIA

IMO the train is the best choice for the visit of the Royal cities: Marrakech - Rabat - Meknes - Fes. You may then proceed by train to Nador (ferry to Malaga and Motril).
Ryanair has direct flights from Fes to Malaga on Monday and Thursday.
There are daily direct flights from Casa to Malaga.
If you go to the desert (Dades Valley etc.), you may fly back to Malaga from Ouarzazate, with a plane change at Casa.

Many thanks neckervd. I didn't think to look for flights or indeed ferries, to or from other Morrocan cities. That opens up other options. I shall have a look.

I would not underestimate how much there is to see and do in Marrakech. Three days might work for you; I found four days to be just enough for me – and I fill basically every minute of every day.

A trip to the desert is best with a minimum of four days (if you go to Erg Chebbi) or five days (if you go to Erg Chigaga).

I thought Rabat delightful; decidedly underrated!

Casablanca? Not so much.

Trains are comfortable and convenient. For the desert, you would need to arrange transportation and should be able to do that through your camp.

The Moon Guide to Morocco is excellent. And you might find some useful information, or inspiration, from my trip report: Memorable, magnificent Morocco!

Chefchaouen was my favorite!

Honestly Marrakech can be a lot sensory-wise, so I’d do 7 days but not all there - split it with mountains or coast and you’ll enjoy it way more.

You’ve got a great idea extending your Spain trip into Morocco—but I’d tweak the route a bit to make the most of your time and the September weather.Seven days is definitely the better option, but I wouldn’t spend all of it around Marrakech. It’s an incredible city, but it can feel intense and quite hot that time of year. A much nicer balance would betart in Marrakech (2–3 nights) to experience the souks, riads, and main highlights. You can add a day trip to the Atlas Mountains for some fresh air and scenery.Then head to Essaouira (2 nights) — this is a perfect contrast: relaxed coastal vibe, cooler temperatures, great seafood, and much less hectic.After that, I’d strongly recommend going north instead of heading inland to the desert. Places like Tangier and Chefchaouen are ideal in September—milder weather, beautiful landscapes, and a very different feel from Marrakech. Chefchaouen in particular is a favorite for many travelers.As for the desert: it’s amazing, but in September it can still be extremely hot. To do it comfortably, you’d really want higher-end camps with air-conditioned tents, and it takes at least 3–4 days just for the journey—so it can eat up your whole itinerary.My take:Marrakech → Essaouira → Tangier → ChefchaouenFly out of Tangier back to Spain, or even better, take the 1-hour ferry across the Strait of Gibraltar.Transport tips:Trains are excellent between major cities (Marrakech–Casablanca–Rabat–Tangier).For places like Essaouira or Chefchaouen, you’ll need a private transfer.