Things not to miss in Morocco

Trekking in the Atlas Mountains, traversing the Sahara on camel-back, or surfing along the Atlantic Coast: Morocco offers a plethora of things to do and places to explore. Also check out the video for some of our favourites.

1 - Go blue in Chefchaouen

Simply the most beautiful small town in Morocco, Chefchaouen blue-washed walls enclosed by mountains. Find out more in our guide to discover Chefchaouen.

© Olena Tur/Shutterstock

2 - Fez

The most complete medieval city in the Arab world, Fez’s labyrinthine streets conceal ancient souks and iconic monuments, none more so than the exquisitely decorated Medersa Bou Inania

© Shutterstock

3 - Go Camel trekking

Venture into the Sahara on an overnight camel trek from Zagora, M’Hamid or Merzouga.

© Vixit/Shutterstock

4 - Atlas passes

The nerve-shredding Tizi n’Test and the higher Tizi n’Tichka wend up over the Atlas mountains, providing breathtaking views along the way.

© Guy RD/Shutterstock

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5- Hike to the Cascades d’Ouzoud

The most dramatic of the country’s waterfalls, with overhanging cafés, and inviting pools to plunge into.

© Alberto Loyo/Shutterstock

6 - Marvel at Koutoubia Mosque

The symbol of Marrakesh, the Koutoubia’s twelfth-century minaret is visible for miles around the city.

© Balate Dorin/Shutterstock

7- Tin Mal Mosque

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This great Almohad building stands isolated in an Atlas river valley.

© Marcel Baumgartner/Shutterstock

8 - GO shopping for traditional Crafts

From carpets and carpentry to leatherwork and ceramics, Morocco’s craft tradition is extraordinarily vibrant, and on magnificent show in its souks.

Colorful handmade leather slippers (babouches) on a market in Marrakech, Morocco © Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock

9 - Savour traditional Tea

“Whisky Marocain” (mint tea) is the accompaniment to any discussion or transaction.

© MariaKovaleva/Shutterstock

10 - Bab Oudaïa, Rabat

The most beautiful gate of the medieval Moorish world stands in Rabat.

Entrance gate to the Kasbah of the Udayas (Kasbah des Oudaias), Rabat, Morocco © Glen Berlin/Shutterstock

11 - Kasbah Telouet

An evocative relic fortress of the time when the infamous Glaoui clan ruled over the Atlas and Marrakesh.

Glaoui Kasbah at Telouet in the moroccan Atlas © Nicolas VINCENT/Shutterstock

12 - Jemaa el Fna, Marrakesh

Musicians, acrobats and storytellers converge each night on the spellbinding city square Jemaa el Fna.

Jemaa el Fna at night - Shutterstock

13 - Hike Todra Gorge

Take a walk (or a climb) in the majestic Todra Gorge on the Southern Oases Route, with its towering 300m canyon walls.

© Edgar9/Shutterstock

14 - Barbary apes

Troupes of macaques populate the dense cedar forests of the Middle Atlas.

© Olena Tur/Shutterstock

15 - Spanish colonial vibes at Sidi Ifni

The old Spanish colonial town of Sidi Ifni retains a seductive array of Art Deco buildings.

Sidi Ifni, Morocco © Roserunn/Shutterstock

16 - Enjoy the beach in Asilah

The relaxed seaside town of Asilah – setting for a first-class cultural festival in August – is home to one of the best beaches on the northwest coast.

© Jose Carlos Serrano/Shutterstock

17 - Chill out by the sea in Essaouira

Relax by the Atlantic at Morocco’s most popular resort, Essaouira, home to a growing windsurfing scene.

© Ruslan Kalnitsky/Shutterstock

18 - Volubilis

Volubilis was the chief city of Roman Morocco and is today a beautiful, extensive ruin.

© oBebee/Shutterstock

19 - Tangier

Tangier, the old “International Port”, sometime home of Bowles and Burroughs, has a seedy charm of its own.

© Jose y yo Estudio/Shutterstock

20 - Get a movie feel in Casablanca

Casablanca’s colonial architecture blends traditional Moroccan designs with French Art Deco into a distinctive style known as Mauresque.

The outside of Casablanca cathedral, Morocco

© kessudap/Shutterstock

21 - Travel the Route of a Thousand

Morocco’s southern oases are dotted with crumbling kasbahs and mud-built villages.

© monticello/Shutterstock

22 - Partake in the Imilchil Moussem Festival

The Moroccan cultural calendar is packed with festivals but few can match the largesse of Imilchil’s three-day “Marriage Market”.

Moroccan wedding © Issam alhafti/Shutterstock

23 - Go Birdwatching

Morocco offers much to birdwatchers, from storks nesting on minarets to desert bustards, via bee-eaters, flamingos and falcons.

© Said Mrigua/Shutterstock

24 - Majorelle Garden, Marrakesh

A lovely, mature botanical garden, maintained by Yves Saint-Laurent and filled with the sound of birdsong.

Majorelle garden in Morocco © Sergiy Borakovskyy/Shutterstock

25 - Relax in a 1001 nights setting in countless Riads

These renovated old mansions, centred on a patio and often full of stylish designer touches, provide a tranquil retreat from the outside world.

Interior courtyard of a traditional Moroccan riad © Myphotojumble/Shutterstock

26 - Trekking in the Atlas

The High Atlas offer fantastic trekking opportunities, from day walks in the Toubkal Massif to expeditions through isolated valleys.

© Ryzhkov Oleksandr/Shutterstock

Travel advice for Morocco

Find even more inspiration for Morocco here