Things to see and do in Morocco

Attractions in Morocco

Be entertained in Djemaa El Fna

Djemaa el Fna is the hub of life in Marrakech, and locals and tourists alike flock here to watch the daily spectacle unfold. As night falls, the vast square comes alive as a thronging, open-air stage filled with acrobats, storytellers, snake-charmers and musicians, all perfumed with the smoke from a hundred food stalls. Unchanged for centuries, this is surely one of the world’s ‘must see’ cultural wonders.

Be soothed by Jardin Majorelle

The antithesis of bustling Djemaa el Fna, Jardin Majorelle is an immaculately presented garden created in the 1920s by French artist Jacques Majorelle. Purchased and restored to its former glory sixty years later by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, today this oasis blossoms with rare botanical specimens: palms, cacti and bamboo, surrounding limpid ornamental pools heavy with water lilies.

Drink in the Cascades D’Ouzoud

What could be more of an attraction in an arid, semi-desert country than roaring waterfalls plunging through a burst of greenery? The Cascades d'Ouzoud in the Central Atlas is just that, making them a popular stopping point between Marrakech and Fez. Try the spring water here - so cold and refreshing you won’t want to leave.

Enjoy Tangier’s bohemian vibe

Head back to the decadent bohemian days of Tangier in the Grand Socco and Petit Socco, where among tax-exiled aristocrats and international spies, some of the 20th century's greatest writers, Beat poets, and rock stars like the Rolling Stones found their inspiration. Even today, this port town’s raffish ‘ask no questions’ vibe creates a thrilling ambiance.

Explore the Drâa Valley

The Drâa Valley is a ribbon of fertile green in the sandy semi-desert, scattered with Berber villages and impressive kasbahs, some built into the valleys rock walls themselves. The valley is a wonderful place to explore, and never more spectacular than in the evenings, as the dipping sun sets fire to the red earth.

Get lost in Fez

Unravel the mystery of Fes, a refined ancient centre of sacred learning and imperial power. Labyrinthine streets are anchored by the soaring minarets of the Al-Qarawiyin and Al-Andalus mosques (not open to visitors) and centuries of history are captured at the Dar Batha Museum. Fez’s medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and by square kilometre is the largest continuously populated medieval city in the Islamic world.

Get windswept on the Atlantic Coast

Morocco’s Atlantic coast is a beach-lovers dream. Here, you might stay in Asilah, the little whitewashed town near the shores favoured by locals, relax in Agadir, where huge stretch of sand are replete with western comforts, or wander the beautiful and wild deserted shores of the Oued Massa, Souss Massa and El Houceima National Parks.

Go birdwatching in Merja Zerga National Park

This biological preserve is famous among twitchers for its spectacular array of birdlife. Ask a local guide to take you out on the Blue Lagoon – a shallow salt lake that attracts vast flocks of migrant wildfowl, waders and flamingos. December and January are the best months for bird watching.

Haggle for goods in Marrakech Souk

This legendary, bustling and chaotic bazaar is the city’s pulse, and entering its vast and shadowy canopy-covered labyrinth north of the Djemma el Fna always elicits a thrill. Everything from carpets to cardamom can be found down these twisting lanes - and remember, the haggling’s all part of the fun.

High in the High Atlas Mountains

Explore the spectacular mountain range that runs nearly the full length of eastern Morocco, and challenge yourself with a trek to the summit of its highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, standing at 4,167m (13,671 ft). As your breath returns you’ll be rewarded by magnificent views. The trip can be made in a day, but most trekkers take a leisurely three.

Kick back in Casablanca

Inside the urban sprawl lies a charming whitewashed Old Town, where faded works of art deco from the city’s day as a French protectorate sit alongside intricate Moorish architecture (including the largest mosque outside Mecca). Casablanca’s citizens generally tend to be among the most westernised and culturally progressive in the country.

Make a detour to Tinerhir

Clustered around a verdant palmerie in the shadow of the High Atlas, this sun-bleached city is still just a small blip on the tourist radar, but offers much to enjoy. Explore the crumbling old Jewish Quarter, pick up a bargain in the bustling town souk, or escape the heat with a wander through the fragrant oasis that runs for miles through the centre of the city.

Marvel at Chellah in Sala Colonia

An ancient necropolis at the heart of the old Roman city of Sala Colonia, the Chellah is one of the most magical sights in Morocco. Perhaps the most important tomb here belongs to Abu al-Hassan, a legendary Merenid ruler and empire builder known to history as the ‘Black Sultan’ of Morocco due to his dark complexion.

Relax in sunny Essaouira

With its picture-postcard medina and fortress ramparts jutting into the sea, not to mention great seafood restaurants, boutique hotels, and a charming souk, this historic, romantic, artistic seaside town on the coast west of Marrakech is a perennial favourite of many. The broad, blustery beach, perfect for world-class windsurfing, seals the deal.

Seek adventure in the Todra and Dades gorges

These stunning, red-cliffed sister canyons arguably offer some of Morocco’s most beautiful scenery and are at their best in late spring and early summer when roses carpet the canyon floor. There’s also rock-climbing and white-water rafting available here, but most people simply come to lose themselves in the sublime surroundings.

Spend lazy days in Chefchaouen

This breathtaking old town, known for its medina comprising of painted blue houses scattered down a slope in the heart of the Rif Mountains, is one of Morocco’s prettiest. Because it was once claimed by Spain as part of Spanish Morocco in the 1920s, the architecture through its steep and winding cobbled streets is a unique blend of traditional Arabic and Andalusian.

Sweat it out in the Sahara Desert

Witness the vast and empty majesty of the Sahara from its western edges at Ouzina and Merzouga. Venture out across the shifting ocean of sand, where trekking by camel means you can visit nomad settlements, oases, and the mighty dunes of Erg Chebbi.

Trek through the Rif Mountains

This fascinating and scenic range in the country’s north is the stronghold of the Berber people. Wonderful trekking opportunities avail, notably through the fir forests in the Talassemtane National Park.

Walk around Aït Benhaddou

This fortified ksar (city) and UNESCO World Heritage Site lies on the former caravan route between Marrakech and the Sahara. It is most famous as the setting for various high-profile Hollywood films, including Gladiator, The Mummy, The Last Temptation of Christ, The Sheltering Sky, Kingdom of Heaven and Prince of Persia.

Wander around Meknes and Volubilis

Although smaller and more relaxed than Marrakech and Fez, Morocco’s third imperial city is equal in charm. The ancient streets are easily navigated without a guide, and their 17th century renovations by Sultan Moulay Ismail make them a gorgeous showcase of Islamic architecture.

Outside the town are the ruins of Volubilis, the largest site of Roman remains in North Africa. Considered the ancient capital of the Roman-Berber kingdom of Mauretania, Volubilis once again illustrates the cultural diversity and richness of Moroccan history.

Tourist offices

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK

Moroccan National Tourist Office in the USA