When visiting Morocco, most visitors rush to Marrakech. Packed full of artisanal shops, converted riads, and new cultural attractions, the city certainly has a lot to offer, but the country is increasingly garnering attention for its other treasures too. Hikers can explore mountain summits, sand dunes, and rock plateaus in the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert. In ancient Roman cities and Islamic necropolises, history buffs can find ornate tombs, sandstone mosques, and Amazigh architecture made from tightly packed mud bricks. Myriad beaches and luxury resorts are also available for those looking to make the most of region’s warm climate. For those looking to navigate the many things to do in Morocco, here are some of our favourites.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
If you're looking to stay put in one place (such as Marrakech) during a trip, a long weekend will suffice. A high speed railway connects the main destinations in Morocco, meaning that more adventurous travellers can also pass comfortably throughout the country over the period of a week or two.
When is the best time to travel to Morocco?
If you are sensitive to heat, it is best to avoid the desert and larger cities in Morocco during the summer period, when temperatures can easily rise beyond 40 degrees. Instead, head to the beach or lounge by the pool in one of the country’s coastal towns, such as Essouira or Agadir. During spring and autumn, the region benefits from a milder climate far more suited to wandering around historical sites and hiking through natural wonders.
The best things to do in Morocco
Occupying an impressive stronghold in Morocco, the Atlas Mountains are home to a range of activities for adventurous visitors. At the Toubkai National Park, hikers can make their way up to the top of Jebel Toubkal. The highest peak in North Africa, the summit offers broad views of the dusty mountain range and nearby Amazigh dwellings. Impressive vistas can also be found closer to the base of the mountains, with the verdant Imlil Valley boasting apple, walnut and cherry orchards. Further inland, visitors can trek through the Ouzoud waterfalls, which reach a height of 110 meters in three separate tiers. A range of accommodation is available, though the luxurious Dar Ahlam is particularly impressive; nestled within palm and almond groves, the two hundred year old rammed-earth Kasbah offers fourteen whitewashed and linen clad suites for guests.
The Moroccan Sahara, located in the southeastern part of the country, is well known for its ochre sand dunes and rocky plateaus. Quintessential activities include camel trekking through the sand dunes of Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. Desert camping is also offered by several companies, with star gazing and astronomy tours available at some of the lodges. Be sure to stop off in the Draa Valley too; leading towards the desert, the region contains the country's longest river. Ancient kasbahs and palm groves cling to the river’s bank, forming a stark contrast to the surrounding arid landscapes.
Marrakech’s time-honoured charms are now well known to the average tourist; Jemma el-Fnaa Square’s food stalls and the artisanal shops in the old Medina have long been firm favourites. Most recently, a flurry of hotel and restaurant openings have also brought a dynamic edge to the ancient city.
Join the in-crowd and spend a weekend at one of the city’s newly opened riads; the art focused Izza or secluded Farasha Farmhouse both offer tastefully decorated suites. Be sure to sample traditional cuisine at Sahbi Sahbi, where zesty meat tagines and sweet chicken pastilla is served in minimalist surroundings. The rooftop at El Fenn is similarly chic, serving up ravioli stuffed with wild mushrooms from the Atlas Mountains.
For a hit of contemporary culture, head to the Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden or Le Jardin Majorelle. A spot of boutique shopping is also advisable, with Norya ayroN offering eclectic kaftan style dresses and Moro housing a range of locally made brands, including tableware and homemade beauty products.
Morocco’s warm climate means that the country’s beaches and poolsides are occupied all year round. In Essouira, visitors can be found darting in and out of the Atlantic’s inky waters beneath the whitewashed port city. The city’s crescent beach benefits from strong trade winds, making it the perfect destination for surfing and other water-sports. Agadir also boasts kaleidoscopic waters, whilst newer luxury resorts can be found along the Alboran Sea; the manicured Royal Mansour Tamuda Bay is well-suited to guests looking for an intimate escape.
Morocco has a plethora of ancient sites for history buffs to explore, including the UNESCO protected Volubilis and Lixus. Once an ancient Roman city, Volubilis still houses sweeping mosaics and an ancient basilica amidst the region’s fertile agricultural land. Further northeast, the ancient Phoenician city of Lixus has an expansive amphitheatre and Roman bath.
Medieval monuments can also be found in Chellah, where an Islamic necropolis overlooks the nearby Bou Regreg river plain. Ornate tombs and a sand-coloured madras still occupy a birds-eye view on the hilltop site. For those interested in Amazigh architecture, a visit to Aït Benhaddou is a must. The fortified village sits along the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech; the mud brick buildings and towering kasbahs (large fortified homes) found at the site served as the backdrop for numerous films, including Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.
Morocco’s cultural calendar is choc-a-bloc with festivals to plan your trip around. The most fascinating of these takes place each year in Marrakech, where the annual International Storytelling Festival is bringing new life to the ancient tradition of the hakawati. The ritual, which involves performers recounting tales in public spaces, dates back over a thousand years. Traditionally, the tellers would meet and perform for the merchants in the Jemaa el-Fna square. Within the shaded courtyards of riads and beneath the minarets of the old city, master storytellers from across Morocco and abroad are now sharing fables once again. Audiences sit cross legged on carpets, lanterns flickering as words ripple through the night air. If you miss the event, be sure to drop in at Marrakech’s World Story Telling Cafe. The spot has regular events throughout the year.
In June, the Sefrou Cherry Festival transforms the small town of Sefrou with folk dances, Fantasia horse displays, and the crowning of a Cherry Queen. Summer also brings the Gnaoua World Music Festival to Essaouira, with the coastal town filled with hypnotic rhythms and global musicians specialising in the style. Younger visitors tend to gravitate towards the rap focussed L’Boulevard Festival, Jazzablanca, and Mawazine in Rabat, where stages host international acts alongside regional talent.
For those looking to hunt down artisanal homewares or accessories, head straight to the souks. In Rabat, the iconic Rue des Consuls can be found in the centre of the ancient market, with highlights including Boutique Japon for woodwork, Iazra Leather for fine handbags, and Maison D’Argent for jewellery. Casablanca’s Quartier Habbous is also worth a visit for shoppers in the city. Here, vibrantly coloured leather goods, patterned ceramics, and carved wood reign supreme.
For a more curated and upmarket experience, arrange a visit to the Beni Rugs Studio just outside of Marrakech. Here, visitors will find a team of women weavers hand making bespoke rugs. Designed to honour ancestral methods while incorporating contemporary design, the pieces are bold - imagine linear patterns in claret and sage against creamy backgrounds.
Morocco’s impressive host of ancient sites often means that visitors spend a good deal of time exploring historical architecture. Be sure not to fall into this trap - the country has an impressive roster of twentieth century and contemporary gems too. Casablanca is the entry point, with avenues lined by some of the world’s best preserved Art Deco and Art Nouveau façades; streamlined facades, wrought iron balconies, and bold lettering all feature heavily. My favourite spots to explore are Casa Voyageurs Station and Crédit du Maroc Building. Casamémoire, a non profit organisation focussed on preserving the city’s iconic twentieth century constructions, offers comprehensive city tours to visitors.
Beyond Casablanca, Sidi Ifni retains a distinctive coastal ensemble of Art Deco architecture, shaped by Spanish influence and exceptionally striking in its oceanfront isolation. In Rabat, St. Peter’s Cathedral stands as a striking example of Art Deco design. Built in the early twentieth century by architect Adrien Laforgue, the spot features streamlined towers and geometric stained glass windows. Nearby, the Central Post Office, with its white facade and ornate arched doorways, stands as an impressive display of both Art Deco and Neo-Moorish influence.
Things to know
- Weather: Winter in Morocco can be unexpectedly cold, especially in the inland regions; in cities like Marrakech, temperatures often drop to single digits at night, while the Atlas Mountains see regular snowfall. Coastal areas like Casablanca experience milder winter temperatures, generally hovering around fifteen degrees Celsius. Spring and Autumn offer more pleasant conditions, with the weather ranging from the high teens to mid-20s, making it an ideal time for travel. During the height of summer, it is customary for temperatures to soar well into the 40-degree Celsius range, with high levels of humidity only compounding the heat further.
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham
- Transportation and how to get around: A reliable high speed railway system connects the main destinations in the country. Once in a specific location, taxis are a safe option, as are apps such as bolt or inDrive.
- Visa requirement: None, but stays are limited to 90 days.
