Twenty-five things to do in Morocco, region by region, from a Sahara camp night and the Fes medina to Atlas villages, the Atlantic coast and a hammam.
The best things to do in Morocco are a night in a Sahara desert camp, getting lost in the medinas of Marrakech and Fes, walking the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, crossing the High Atlas to Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades Gorges, and eating your way through tagines, street food and mint tea. Here are 25 experiences, grouped by region so you can see what fits your route.
Marrakech
Jemaa el-Fna at dusk. The main square fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers as the light goes; watch from a café terrace first, then walk in.
The souks. Leather, lanterns, spices, rugs and metalwork in lanes that each specialise in a craft. Our souks guide explains how haggling works.
Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Garden. Painted ceilings and tiled courtyards in the first, cobalt-blue walls and cactus gardens in the second.
A hot air balloon at sunrise over the palm groves and villages outside the city, with the High Atlas on the horizon.
A hammam. Steam, black soap and a kessa scrub, either in a neighbourhood hammam or a spa; see our hammam guide.
A cooking class that starts at the market and ends with your own tagine for lunch.
Quad biking or a camel ride in the Palmeraie, or a sunset dinner in the stony Agafay desert, both within an hour of the city.
A night in a desert camp at Merzouga. The Erg Chebbi dunes rise up to about 150 m; you ride or walk in at sunset and sleep in a tented camp. Compare camps in luxury vs standard desert camps.
A camel trek into the dunes at sunset or sunrise.
Sandboarding and a 4x4 loop around the dunes, nomad camps and the village of Khamlia.
Ait Ben Haddou. The earthen ksar on the old caravan route, a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987.
The Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 m, the most dramatic road over the High Atlas.
The Dades and Todra gorges. Hairpin bends, red cliffs and a walk between the narrow walls of Todra.
Marrakech to Merzouga is about 560 km, so the desert takes at least three days from Marrakech; our Sahara desert tours page explains the routes.
Fes, Meknes and the north
The Fes el-Bali medina, a UNESCO site since 1981 and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, best seen with a local guide.
The Chouara tannery, watched from the leather shops’ terraces above the dye pits.
Volubilis and Meknes. Roman mosaics in the countryside and the gates of an imperial city, an easy day from Fes.
Chefchaouen. The blue town in the Rif Mountains, about 3.5–4 hours from Fes; see our Chefchaouen guide.
Rabat. The calm capital, with the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Hassan Tower; see our Rabat travel guide.
Tangier. The port at the Strait of Gibraltar, with views to Spain; see the Tangier travel guide.
Mountains and countryside
A walk in the High Atlas from Imlil, among Berber villages below Toubkal.
Climbing Mount Toubkal, at 4,167 m the highest peak in North Africa; read the Toubkal trek guide.
The Ouzoud waterfalls, about 110 m high, with a boat ride at the bottom and macaques on the path.
The Ourika Valley, about an hour from Marrakech, for river-side lunches and the Setti Fatma falls.
The Atlantic coast
Essaouira, the walled port town about 2.5–3 hours from Marrakech, for grilled fish at the harbour and wind on the ramparts.
Agadir and Taghazout for winter sun, beaches and surf; see the Agadir travel guide.
Things to do in Morocco by season
Season
Best things to do
Spring (Mar–May)
Almost everything: the desert, the Atlas valleys in bloom, city sightseeing in comfortable heat
Summer (Jun–Aug)
The Atlantic coast, Chefchaouen and the mountains, Toubkal; the Sahara and interior often pass 40°C, so start early
Autumn (Sep–Nov)
The desert, gorges and medinas in warm, settled weather; a favourite season for multi-day tours
Winter (Dec–Feb)
Marrakech and Fes, Agadir and the coast, and the Sahara if you pack for cold nights; snow on the High Atlas
What to book ahead
Desert camps at Merzouga in spring, autumn and the Christmas and New Year weeks.
Hot air balloon flights, which depend on the wind and fly only at sunrise.
Riads in the Marrakech and Fes medinas during school holidays.
A licensed guide for the Fes medina and for Toubkal.
Everything else, from the souks to a café on Jemaa el-Fna, is best left loose. Read our Morocco travel guide for visas, money and safety before you go.
How to fit these into one trip
One week covers Marrakech, the Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and a night at Merzouga, then Fes. Ten days to two weeks adds Chefchaouen, Rabat or the coast. Our Morocco itinerary page has routes from 3 to 14 days, and the Morocco destinations page tells you how long each place deserves. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons for most of this list.
Desde € 25,00
Residencia en 7 personEste precio está basado en 7 viajeros. El precio varía según el tamaño del grupo.
Preguntas frecuentes
What is the number one thing to do in Morocco?
For most visitors it is a night in a Sahara desert camp at Merzouga: a camel ride into the Erg Chebbi dunes at sunset, dinner under the stars and sunrise over the sand. It takes at least three days from Marrakech because of the distance.
How many days do you need to see Morocco?
A week covers Marrakech, the High Atlas, the Sahara and Fes at a steady pace. Ten days to two weeks lets you add Chefchaouen, Rabat, Essaouira or the Atlas without long driving days back to back.
What can you do in Morocco in winter?
Winter suits city sightseeing in Marrakech and Fes, sunny days in Agadir and on the coast, and the Sahara, as long as you pack for cold desert nights. Snow covers the High Atlas, which is beautiful from the road but limits trekking.
Is Morocco good for first-time visitors?
Yes. Marrakech, the Atlas, the desert and Fes form a natural first route, and a private driver-guide removes most of the logistics. Dress modestly in the medinas and villages and agree prices before you buy or ride.
Planifica tu viaje privado
Tu propio conductor y vehículo, una ruta adaptada a tus fechas y respuesta en pocas horas.
