Morocco Experience Guide

Things to Do in Morocco 30 Unforgettable Experiences, Cities, Culture and Sahara Tours

Morocco offers more than a checklist of monuments. The strongest trips combine medinas, food, local craftsmanship, mountain roads, Atlantic towns and time in the Sahara. This guide covers the country’s essential experiences, unusual activities, family ideas and the Pro Morocco Tours routes that connect them.

The Essential Shortlist

What should you not miss in Morocco?

For a first journey, prioritize experiences that reveal different sides of the country rather than trying to visit every city. A medina, the Sahara route and either the mountains or coast create the best contrast.

1. Marrakech or FesChoose at least one major medina for souks, crafts, architecture and food.
2. Merzouga SaharaSpend a night near Erg Chebbi for sunset, camp life, sunrise and desert landscapes.
3. Southern Road TripCross the Atlas and see Ait Ben Haddou, Dades Valley and Todra Gorge.
The Complete List

30 best things to do in Morocco

Use this list to mix famous highlights with slower, more local and less crowded experiences.

01 Marrakech

Explore Marrakech’s medina and souks

Walk through market lanes, artisan quarters and historic streets around Jemaa el-Fna. A licensed local guide can add context and reduce time lost in the maze-like medina.

02 Merzouga

Spend a night in the Sahara Desert

Travel to Merzouga and Erg Chebbi for sunset, a desert camp, traditional music, sunrise and wide-open night skies.

03 High Atlas

Cross the High Atlas Mountains

Drive the Tizi n’Tichka route, stop at mountain viewpoints and see Amazigh villages between Marrakech and southern Morocco.

04 Ait Ben Haddou

Visit Ait Ben Haddou

Explore the fortified earthen ksar and its panoramic viewpoints on the old caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara.

05 Fes

Walk through Fes el-Bali

Discover workshops, food markets, old gates, fondouks and historic religious and educational landmarks in one of Morocco’s most atmospheric medinas.

06 Chefchaouen

See the blue streets of Chefchaouen

Photograph the blue-painted lanes, visit the kasbah and walk toward the Spanish Mosque viewpoint above town.

07 Tinghir

Walk inside Todra Gorge

Follow the river beneath high limestone walls and combine the canyon with Tinghir’s palm groves and nearby villages.

08 Dades

Drive the Dades Valley

See kasbahs, red-rock formations, the Monkey Fingers landscape and the famous mountain road bends.

09 Marrakech or Fes

Eat Moroccan food with a local guide

Try cooked salads, tagine, couscous, harira, breads, pastries and mint tea while learning how meals differ by region.

10 Marrakech, Fes or Essaouira

Take a Moroccan cooking class

Shop for ingredients, prepare a tagine or couscous and learn about spices, preserved lemons and traditional meal customs.

11 Casablanca

Visit the Hassan II Mosque

See Casablanca’s monumental Atlantic-side mosque and its detailed Moroccan craftsmanship. Check current visitor hours before going.

12 Rabat

Walk Rabat’s Kasbah of the Udayas

Combine white-and-blue lanes, Atlantic views, Andalusian gardens, Hassan Tower and the Mohammed V Mausoleum.

13 Near Meknes

Explore Roman Volubilis

See mosaics, columns, arches and countryside views, usually paired with Moulay Idriss and Meknes.

14 Essaouira

Relax in Essaouira

Walk the ramparts and fishing port, eat seafood, browse galleries and enjoy a slower coastal atmosphere.

15 Taghazout

Surf around Taghazout

Book a lesson or spend time at the beaches north of Agadir, where surf schools serve beginners and experienced surfers.

16 Atlas Mountains

Hike from Imlil

Take a village walk, waterfall hike or guided mountain route in the Toubkal region. Match the route to the season and your fitness.

17 Azilal Province

Visit Ouzoud Falls

Walk to viewpoints, take a boat near the base when operating and enjoy a full-day nature trip from Marrakech.

18 Ouarzazate

Explore Ouarzazate’s kasbahs and film sites

Visit Taourirt Kasbah, nearby studios and the gateway landscapes connecting Marrakech with the desert.

19 Skoura

Visit Skoura’s palm oasis

See palm groves, cultivated fields and historic kasbah architecture, including the well-known Amridil area.

20 Major cities

Experience hammam culture

Choose a traditional neighborhood hammam or a spa-style version. Ask your accommodation what to bring and what level of privacy to expect.

21 Medinas and artisan cooperatives

Shop for Moroccan crafts

Look for rugs, leather goods, ceramics, lamps, baskets, textiles, spices, argan products and metalwork. Compare quality before negotiating.

22 Marrakech or Fes

Drink mint tea on a rooftop

Take a break above the medina and watch daily life from a café or riad terrace.

23 Tangier

Visit Tangier’s coastal viewpoints

Combine the kasbah, old medina, Cape Spartel and the Caves of Hercules on a northern Morocco route.

24 Tetouan

See Tetouan’s medina

Explore a less-touristed northern city known for Andalusian influence, crafts and access to Mediterranean beaches.

25 Asilah

Walk Asilah’s painted lanes

Enjoy whitewashed walls, murals, sea views and a relaxed medina south of Tangier.

26 El Jadida

Explore El Jadida’s Portuguese City

Visit coastal fortifications, historic streets and the Atlantic promenade.

27 Middle Atlas

See Ifrane and the cedar region

Stop in Ifrane and the Middle Atlas on the road between Fes and the Sahara, with seasonal forest scenery near Azrou.

28 Merzouga

Photograph sunrise in the desert

Wake early for changing light across Erg Chebbi. A clear morning can be one of the strongest moments of a Sahara trip.

29 Across Morocco

Meet local communities respectfully

Choose experiences arranged through trusted guides and avoid treating homes, nomadic families or villages as staged attractions.

30 Marrakech, Fes or Rabat

Slow down in a riad

Stay inside or near a medina, enjoy the courtyard and rooftop, and leave time between major sightseeing days.

City-by-City Ideas

Best things to do in Morocco’s main destinations

Marrakech

  • Jemaa el-Fna and the souks
  • Bahia Palace and Ben Youssef Madrasa
  • Gardens, riads and rooftop dining
  • Cooking class or food tour
  • Start an Atlas or Sahara journey

Casablanca

  • Hassan II Mosque
  • Atlantic Corniche
  • Art Deco center
  • Habous Quarter
  • Begin a Casablanca-to-Marrakech circuit

Fes

  • Guided walk through Fes el-Bali
  • Tanneries and artisan workshops
  • Historic gates and fondouks
  • Traditional food and cooking
  • Start a Fes-to-Marrakech desert tour

Chefchaouen

  • Blue medina streets
  • Kasbah and central square
  • Spanish Mosque sunset walk
  • Rif Mountain day hikes
  • Continue to Fes through Volubilis

Agadir & Taghazout

  • Beach and resort time
  • Surf lessons
  • Kasbah viewpoint
  • Paradise Valley
  • Coastal seafood

Tangier

  • Kasbah and medina
  • Cape Spartel
  • Caves of Hercules
  • Historic cafés
  • Start a northern Morocco route

Meknes & Volubilis

  • Bab Mansour
  • Imperial granaries
  • Moulay Idriss
  • Roman mosaics
  • Day trip from Fes

Ouarzazate

  • Taourirt Kasbah
  • Film studios
  • Fint Oasis
  • Skoura excursion
  • Ait Ben Haddou route

Rabat

  • Kasbah of the Udayas
  • Hassan Tower
  • Mohammed V Mausoleum
  • Chellah
  • Calm medina and coast
Choose Your Experience

Things to do by travel style

Families

Private desert tours, cooking classes, Ouzoud Falls, gardens, sandboarding, short camel rides and coastal stays.

Adventure

Atlas trekking, surf lessons, Todra climbing, desert 4×4 exploration and seasonal mountain routes.

Culture

Fes crafts, Marrakech monuments, Rabat, Volubilis, food tours, music and artisan workshops.

Photography

Chefchaouen, Erg Chebbi, Dades, Ait Ben Haddou, Fes lanes and Atlas village landscapes.

$

Free & low-cost

Public squares, medina walks, beaches, viewpoints, markets, sunsets and self-guided neighborhood exploration.

Unusual

Tetouan, Asilah, Skoura, local hammams, desert stargazing and slower oasis or village experiences.

Connect the Highlights

Recommended Pro Morocco Tours itineraries

A private or small-group route is the easiest way to combine cities, the Atlas, kasbah country and the Sahara without arranging separate transport for every stage.

3-Day Marrakech to Merzouga

A fast route through the High Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades, Todra Gorge and Erg Chebbi.

View tour →

4-Day Marrakech to Merzouga

A more comfortable desert route with additional time for stops and the Sahara region.

View tour →

5-Day Marrakech to Merzouga

Recommended for a slower pace, more photography stops and a fuller desert experience.

View tour →

3-Day Fes to Marrakech

Connect Fes, the Middle Atlas, Ziz Valley, Merzouga, Todra, Dades and Marrakech.

View tour →

7-Day Casablanca to Marrakech

Combine imperial cities, the Sahara route and Marrakech in one practical journey.

View tour →

10-Day Complete Morocco Circuit

Add Chefchaouen and Fes before crossing the Sahara and continuing to Marrakech.

View tour →
Practical Questions

Money, food safety, clothing and local etiquette

Plan for a smoother trip

  • Carry some Moroccan dirhams for small purchases
  • Use licensed guides and transport
  • Dress modestly in conservative settings
  • Keep tissues for rural and roadside stops
  • Ask before photographing people
  • Follow signs about toilet paper and plumbing

Reduce common problems

  • Choose food with good turnover
  • Use safe drinking water
  • Avoid political demonstrations
  • Do not photograph military or sensitive sites
  • Do not carry illegal or restricted items
  • Check official travel advice before departure

About prices

Morocco can suit different budgets, but a local café meal, luxury riad and private multi-day desert tour belong to very different price categories. Compare complete inclusions and current exchange rates rather than relying on one universal daily figure.

AnswerThePublic Questions

Frequently asked questions about things to do in Morocco

These answers cover the major attractions, budget, packing, etiquette, family and desert-booking prompts in the supplied research.

What is the number one tourist attraction in Morocco?

There is no official single number-one attraction. Marrakech’s medina is the country’s best-known urban experience, while Erg Chebbi near Merzouga is often the highlight of a longer Morocco journey. The Hassan II Mosque is one of the strongest individual monuments.

What are the top three places to visit in Morocco?

For a first trip, choose Marrakech, the Merzouga Sahara and Fes. Together they offer markets, palaces, mountain and kasbah landscapes, desert dunes and Morocco’s richest traditional medina experience.

What is the most touristy place in Morocco?

Marrakech is generally Morocco’s busiest leisure destination, especially around Jemaa el-Fna, the souks and major gardens. It is popular for good reason, but quieter neighborhoods, early starts and a local guide can improve the experience.

What should you not miss in Morocco?

Do not miss at least one imperial medina, a High Atlas crossing, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades or Todra landscapes and a night near the Erg Chebbi dunes. With more time, add Chefchaouen or Essaouira.

What are the main tourist attractions in Morocco?

Major attractions include Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, the Sahara Desert, Ait Ben Haddou, the Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, the Hassan II Mosque, Rabat, Volubilis, Todra Gorge and the Dades Valley.

What should I avoid in Morocco?

Avoid unofficial guides who pressure you, unlicensed transport, displaying valuables, isolated areas after dark, political demonstrations, photographing sensitive military or government sites, and carrying prohibited items. Check official travel and customs advice before departure.

Why can’t you wear shorts in Morocco?

Shorts are not universally prohibited. Loose knee-length shorts may be acceptable in many tourist areas, but lightweight trousers, long skirts or modest clothing are often more comfortable and respectful in medinas, villages and religious settings.

What is Morocco famous for buying?

Popular purchases include rugs, leather goods, ceramics, lanterns, baskets, textiles, spices, argan products and metalwork. Compare craftsmanship, ask about materials and avoid purchases involving protected wildlife or questionable antiques.

How far does $100 go in Morocco?

It depends on the city and travel style. It can cover several casual meals, local transport and entry fees, but it goes much less far in luxury hotels, private transport, high-end restaurants or multi-day guided tours.

How much money do I need per day in Morocco?

There is no single daily amount. Build a budget from accommodation, meals, local or private transport, guides, entrance fees and activities. A medina city break can cost much less than a private Sahara itinerary.

Is $50 a lot in Morocco?

$50 can cover a useful amount of everyday spending, such as casual meals and local transport, but it is not a large budget for quality accommodation, private touring or premium activities.

What can I buy with 100 Moroccan dirhams?

Prices vary by city and location. It may cover a casual meal, several short local taxi rides, snacks or small market items. Tourist attractions, airport services and premium shops may cost more.

Should I bring toilet paper to Morocco?

Hotels and established restaurants normally provide it, but carrying tissues or a small travel pack is useful for roadside stops, markets and rural facilities.

Can I brush my teeth with tap water in Morocco?

Water quality and personal sensitivity vary. Many travelers use sealed or properly filtered water for drinking and brushing their teeth, especially during short trips or in rural areas. Follow current health guidance and avoid unsealed bottles.

Do you throw toilet paper in the toilet in Morocco?

Plumbing varies. Follow signs and the instructions of your hotel, riad or restaurant. Where a waste bin is provided specifically for paper, use it rather than risking a blockage.

How can I avoid a stomach bug in Morocco?

Choose busy restaurants with good food turnover, drink safe water, wash your hands, be cautious with unrefrigerated food and peel or wash produce when appropriate. Seek medical advice for persistent or severe symptoms.

What should I not bring into Morocco?

Do not bring illegal drugs or other prohibited goods. Rules also apply to weapons, drones, pornography, some religious materials and undeclared high-value or restricted items. Check Morocco’s current customs rules and your airline’s requirements before packing.

What is Article 490 in Morocco?

Searchers usually mean Article 490 of Morocco’s penal code, which concerns sexual relations outside marriage. Current foreign travel guidance says these rules primarily concern Moroccan nationals and that hotel-room rules do not generally apply to visiting foreign nationals in popular tourist areas. Visitors should still respect local laws and avoid public displays of affection.

Are there free things to do in Morocco?

Yes. Walking medina streets, visiting viewpoints, browsing souks, exploring beaches, watching sunset and wandering many public squares are free. Some monuments, gardens, museums and guided experiences charge admission.

What are unusual things to do in Morocco?

Consider a village walk in the Atlas, a night in Skoura, a food tour in Fes, an artisan workshop visit, stargazing in the Sahara, Tetouan’s medina, the painted lanes of Asilah or a slower oasis route beyond the standard highlights.

What are the best things to do in Morocco with family?

Families often enjoy Marrakech gardens, a private desert tour, short camel rides, sandboarding, cooking classes, Ouzoud Falls, Essaouira and gentle Atlas village walks. Private transport makes pacing and stops easier.

How do I book a Morocco desert experience online?

Choose a company with a detailed itinerary, clear hotel and camp standards, direct contact information, verified reviews, cancellation terms and a written list of inclusions. Confirm whether the tour is private or shared and where it begins and ends.

Build Your Morocco Experience

Turn the places you want to see into one practical itinerary

Share your dates, group size and arrival city. Pro Morocco Tours can recommend the route that best combines the Sahara, imperial cities, mountains and coast.

Plan My Morocco Tour