Things to Do in Morocco: 22 Highlights & Nature Must-Sees

The 22 Sights of Morocco on One Map

There are so many incredible things to do in Morocco. Before we walk you through them one by one, we’ve pinned all 22 of our Morocco highlights on a map.

This gives you the perfect overview so you know right away where the most beautiful places and nature highlights are — and where you need to go on your Morocco vacation.

Morocco's Most Beautiful Places, Cities, and Cultural Highlights

There are so many wonderful places in Morocco, whether right on the coast or deep inland. We’ll start with the 13 most beautiful places and cultural highlights the country has to offer.

For a better overview, we’ve listed them from north to south.

Chefchaouen

What do you need to know? The small town of Chefchaouen is perched picturesquely on a hillside. What makes it special: in the Medina, almost everything is blue — the houses, the doors, even the staircases. Fittingly, Chefchaouen is also known as the Blue City of Morocco.

Is it worth it? The highlights of Chefchaouen are genuinely stunning, and it’s one of our favorite places in all of Morocco. Every alley is basically a perfect shot for your travel photography. That said, the city is really far from Morocco’s other top attractions. So you’ll need to decide whether the detour is worth it for you.

Our tip: If you do make the detour, spend at least one night in Chefchaouen. The sunset from the Spanish Mosque is truly magical.

Photo shoot with a professional photographer

In a dedicated article you’ll find more information and our best tips:

Fès

What do you need to know? Fès is the largest of Morocco’s four royal cities, ahead of Marrakech, Rabat, and Meknès. An absolute standout is the Medina — the oldest and largest in all of North Africa. Fès is also renowned for the quality of its leather goods. Tanning has a long tradition in Morocco, and Fès is home to more tanneries than anywhere else in the country.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! Fès is one of the coolest places in Morocco for us. The contrast with popular vacation destinations in Europe couldn’t be sharper than here in the Medina. You’ll smell oriental spices everywhere and donkeys will cross your path. Just be prepared for the hustle and bustle.

Our tip: Stay in Fès in the Medina — you really have to. You’ll be right in the thick of things and can reach almost all the points of interest in Fès on foot. And don’t just book any hotel — book a Riad. These are traditional, intimate Moroccan townhouses. We’ve already picked out the 13 most beautiful Riads in Fès for you.

Half-day guided city tour of Fès

We’ve written up more information and tips in separate articles:

Volubilis (Walili)

What do you need to know? Volubilis was a Roman city in Morocco and is today a well-known archaeological site. Here you’ll find the oldest Roman ruins in all of Morocco and one of the most impressive excavation sites in Africa. Since 1997, Volubilis has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Is it worth it? If you’re into history, you’ll absolutely love Volubilis. For many visitors, the ruins are a top highlight in Morocco. The whole site works like a fascinating open-air museum. What we especially love are the stunning mosaic floors — laid with incredible craftsmanship and depicting scenes from Roman mythology.

Our tip: The best way to visit Volubilis is on a guided day trip from Fès (sight number 2). The tour also includes a stop in Meknès (sight number 4). It doesn’t get much better than that!

Day trip from Fès to Volubilis and Meknès

Meknès

What do you need to know? Meknès is the smallest and least well-known of the four royal cities. Still, you’ll find some really impressive sights in Meknès — like the Bab Mansour, the most famous city gate in all of Morocco, or a massive royal palace complex with the largest horse stables we’ve ever seen.

Is it worth it? Compared to Morocco’s other cities, you can wander through the Medina in Meknès in a much more relaxed, unhurried way. That said, if we had to cut something from our road trip through Morocco due to time constraints, Meknès would be the first place we’d skip.

Our tip: If you want to experience a royal city that hasn’t yet been overrun by tourists, Meknès is perfect for you. You’ll still find a very authentic side of Morocco here.

Day trip from Fès to Volubilis and Meknès

We’ve packed more information and tips about Meknès into a dedicated article:

Rabat

What do you need to know? The city of Rabat sits right on the ocean. It’s not only Morocco’s administrative capital but also the country’s cultural hub. You’ll find modern cultural centers, theaters, and cinemas here — plus some beautiful sights in Rabat worth exploring.

Is it worth it? We love the mix of modernity and Moroccan flair in Rabat. In the morning you stroll along the new promenade; in the evening you wander through the centuries-old Kasbah. And then there’s the Hassan Tower — once intended to be the minaret of the world’s largest Islamic mosque. Seriously fascinating!

Our tip: If you include Rabat in your road trip, spend at least one night in Rabat. The city really only comes alive in the evening, when locals and visitors fill the streets.

In two dedicated articles we’ve written up all the information and tips about Rabat:

Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

What do you need to know? The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is one of the largest mosques in the world — and for that reason alone, an absolute top attraction in Morocco. Its minaret stands at around 200 meters tall, making it the second-tallest in the world. It’s also the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to enter, but only on a guided tour.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The mosque is genuinely stunning, with elaborate ornamentation covering every surface inside. The construction used predominantly Moroccan materials — granite from Tafraoute, marble from the area around Agadir, and cedar wood from the Middle Atlas.

Our tip: Honestly, we don’t find the rest of Casablanca all that exciting. That’s why we recommend keeping it to a short day trip or stopover. From Rabat it takes less than two hours.

Guided tour of the Hassan II Mosque

Marrakech

What do you need to know? Marrakech is probably the most popular destination in Morocco. Several million people visit the so-called Pearl of the South every year. No other city has as many grand palaces, mosques, beautiful gardens, and historic must-sees. The Bahia Palace alone is one of the most visited attractions in Morocco.

Is it worth it? The things to do in Marrakech are an absolute highlight. The city has an incredible energy — in the souks (markets), locals and tourists haggle side by side, old motorcycles zip through narrow alleyways, and on Djemaa el-Fna square you’ll find street performers and food stalls. You can recharge in the beautiful Riads in Marrakech.

Our tips: First-timers should absolutely stay in Marrakech right in the heart of the Medina. If you have plenty of time, consider a day trip from Marrakech. We’d also really recommend a cooking class in Marrakech — one of the best experiences we had in the city.

Our restaurant tip: For really delicious, affordable, and authentically Moroccan food, head to Dar L’hssira. After all our cooking class meals, this was still the best food we had. Make a reservation!

Guided tour with Bahia Palace, Koranic school & Medina

On our Marrakech overview page and in further articles you’ll find all the information and tips:

Aït-Ben-Haddou

What do you need to know? There’s a good chance you’ve already seen the desert city of Ait-Ben-Haddou before. The Ksar (a fortified city) of Ait-Ben-Haddou is a hugely popular filming location. Scenes from The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones were all shot here — how cool is that!

Is it worth it? Definitely! For us, Ait-Ben-Haddou is one of the most impressive places to visit in Morocco. The entire city is built from a mud-straw mixture, which we find really fascinating. Walking through the alleyways and discovering traces of the past is super engaging — and there are some great viewpoints overlooking the Ksar too.

Our tip: Try to arrive early in the morning or in the afternoon. During the peak travel season in Morocco, the tourist buses tend to roll in around midday — and it gets really crowded.

Day trip from Marrakech to Ait-Ben-Haddou & Ouarzazate

More information and tips on Aït-Ben-Haddou can be found in a dedicated article:

Ouarzazate

What do you need to know? Ouarzazate is Morocco’s film city par excellence. There are three modern film studios, but the most famous are the Atlas Studios. In addition to the productions mentioned above, other films shot here include the James Bond film “The Living Daylights” and The Baader Meinhof Complex.

Is it worth it? For film fans, a stop in Ouarzazate is a real treat. When nothing is being filmed, you can tour the Atlas Studios — really cool! We also took a stroll through the Kasbah district of Ouarzazate, which we quite enjoyed. The mud fortress Kasbah Taourirt is also well worth a visit.

Our tip: Attention horror movie fans! About 40 kilometers from Ouarzazate stands the film set from The Hills Have Eyes — specifically, the Gas Haven gas station where the whole movie takes place. We thought it was awesome and a little creepy, haha!

Day trip from Marrakech to Ait-Ben-Haddou & Ouarzazate

Kasbah Amridil

What do you need to know? In Morocco, the word Kasbah refers to castles or fortresses. One of the most impressive Kasbahs in the entire country is Kasbah Amridil — you’ll even find it pictured on some 50 Dirham banknotes! It’s located between Ouarzazate and the Dades Gorge (our sight number 18).

Is it worth it? If you haven’t visited any other Kasbah in Morocco yet, this is definitely worth a stop. It’s in very good condition and there’s a lot to explore. We took the left entrance (there are two, each with a separate admission fee) and got to see several rooms and the garden. Really beautiful and idyllic.

Our restaurant tip: Right next to the Kasbah is Restaurant Espace Amridil — a small, family-run place where grandma does the cooking. We had the best chicken-lemon tagine of our entire trip here. Highly recommended!

Essaouira

What do you need to know? One of the most beautiful coastal cities in Morocco is definitely Essaouira. The Medina is lined with beautiful white buildings, there’s fresh fish at the harbor, surfers relax alongside camels on the long sandy beach, and the fortress also served as a filming location for Game of Thrones.

Is it worth it? Yes! In Essaouira you get to experience Morocco’s laid-back mentality at its best. The best way to discover this small city is on foot — wander through the Medina, the colorful souks, and explore the most beautiful sights in Essaouira. We also really love the many art galleries. You can recharge on the rooftop terrace of your Riad in Essaouira after a full day of exploring.

Our tip: Head to the harbor in the morning — that’s when the fish market is in full swing. Fishermen sell their fresh catch while white seagulls swoop down trying to grab the scraps. It’s a really cool experience.

Private sightseeing tour of Essaouira

The best tips and all the information can be found in separate articles:

Taghazout

What do you need to know? Taghazout is not only a small and incredibly relaxed coastal town in Morocco — it’s also an absolute surfer’s paradise. Alongside spots on Fuerteventura, Bali, and beyond, Taghazout ranks among the best surf spots in the world. It’s even said to have the longest wave in Africa.

Is it worth it? There’s a lot to do in Taghazout, and not just for surfers. In this former fishing village you’ll meet plenty of locals and travelers alike. They stroll through the alleyways, sip mint tea at small cafés, or enjoy fresh fish at a restaurant with ocean views. The beach is also one of the most beautiful beaches in Morocco for us.

Our tip: In Morocco, Taghazout is the best spot for digital nomads or for a surf and yoga retreat. Prices in Morocco are genuinely affordable compared to most other destinations in the world.

7-night surf camp with yoga in Taghazout

Tips on hotels in Taghazout, surfing, and more can be found in two dedicated articles:

Agadir

What do you need to know? Agadir is a classic and hugely popular beach destination, and for many visitors one of Morocco’s most beautiful places. Along the long sandy beach — one of the best in the country — large hotels sit within expansive, gorgeous resort grounds.

Is it worth it? For a beach vacation, Agadir is perfect — with 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s the sunniest city in Morocco. There are also some nice attractions in Agadir worth seeing, such as the ruins of the old Kasbah perched atop a 236-meter-high hill, or the Souk El Had d’Agadir, said to be one of the most authentic souks in the country.

Our tip: Of all the coastal cities in Morocco, Agadir is probably your best bet if you want to tack on a few relaxed beach days after your road trip. The airport has direct connections from many international airlines.

Guided city tour with cable car

Morocco's Nature Highlights

Beyond its many beautiful cities, Morocco also offers breathtaking natural wonders. Here are our top 9 nature highlights — some of the most spectacular things to do in Morocco for outdoor lovers.

We’ve listed the natural highlights of Morocco from north to south as best we could.

Ouzoud Waterfalls

What do you need to know? The Ouzoud Waterfalls are the highest and most beautiful waterfalls in Morocco. The Oued Ouzoud river plunges a total of 110 meters down the rock face with incredible force — and over multiple tiers. That makes the Ouzoud Waterfalls one of the most spectacular natural sights in the country.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! The Ouzoud Waterfalls are genuinely stunning and incredibly impressive. On-site you can hike through surrounding forests and olive groves, take a little boat tour, and even swim. You can work them into your road trip itinerary or do a day trip from Marrakech.

Our tip: The best light for photos of the waterfalls is in the early afternoon — they fall into shadow in the morning and evening. The best vantage point is from the observation platform.

Day trip from Marrakech to the Ouzoud Waterfalls

Agafay Desert

What do you need to know? The Agafay Desert is one of the three best-known desert regions in Morocco. Unlike Erg Chebbi (sight number 21) and Erg Chegaga (sight number 22), there are no towering sand dunes here — Agafay is more of a rock and gravel desert. On the plus side, it’s only 40 minutes by car from Marrakech.

Is it worth it? If you want a taste of the desert without a long drive, the Agafay Desert is a great alternative. You can ride camels, zip around on ATVs, or truly unwind in the pools of the mostly luxurious desert camps.

Our tip: If you’re only doing a day trip to the Agafay Desert or staying for one night, we recommend booking a guided tour from Marrakech. That way you don’t have to worry about a thing and can just enjoy the day.

5-hour desert tour with ATV, camel ride & dinner

In a separate article we have even more information and tips for you:

Setti Fatma in the Ourika Valley

What do you need to know? The Ourika Valley is a truly beautiful mountain valley in Morocco’s interior. The tourist hub is the charming village of Setti Fatma, through which the Oued Ourika river flows. In summer, many people sit at small restaurants right along the riverbed. Setti Fatma also has seven cool waterfalls.

Is it worth it? Setti Fatma is especially lovely in summer, when all the restaurants are open and locals and visitors alike settle into colorful nooks — really cool! A highlight for us was the hike to the waterfalls. They’re admittedly less spectacular than those at Ouzoud (sight number 14), but still well worth the effort.

Our tip: Setti Fatma is a very popular day-trip destination from Marrakech. We recommend going independently and staying at least one night, starting the hike to the waterfalls early in the morning — later in the day the crowds get quite intense. If you’d prefer a guided tour, that’s of course an option too.

Day trip from Marrakech to Setti Fatma

Mount Toubkal

What do you need to know? At 4,167 meters, Mount Toubkal is the highest peak in Morocco. The national park surrounding the mountain is by far the most popular hiking area in the Atlas Mountains, the high mountain range that stretches across the country. The best base for hikes is the small mountain village of Imlil.

Is it worth it? If you’re planning to go hiking in Morocco, you should absolutely do it around Mount Toubkal. There are tons of trails, day hikes, and loop routes here. Plus, Imlil is only about 50 kilometers from Marrakech, making it perfect for a day trip too.

Our tip: The coolest hike is of course the one to the summit of Mount Toubkal — it takes about three days. We’d strongly recommend booking a guided tour to make sure you stay safe in Morocco.

Here are our tour recommendations:
Day hike around Imlil from Marrakech

Summit of Mount Toubkal: 3-day tour from Marrakech

Dades Gorge

What do you need to know? The Dades Gorge is one of two incredibly impressive canyons in Morocco. The absolute standout is the dramatic switchbacks — a seriously winding road that snakes between fascinating rock formations. The gorge is truly one of the most beautiful natural sights in Morocco.

Is it worth it? Absolutely! Driving through the gorge and along the switchbacks is a truly unique experience. We would have loved to stop at every single turn to photograph the breathtakingly beautiful landscape. A river flows through the gorge with ancient Kasbahs standing on either side — a stunning scene!

Our tips: Café-Restaurant Timzillite Chez Mohamed offers the best view of the Dades Gorge switchbacks. The food isn’t great, but a mint tea always hits the spot. There’s also some great hiking around the gorge if you want to stretch your legs.

Hike in the Dades Gorge with lunch

In a separate article we’ve written up even more information and tips:

Todra Gorge

What do you need to know? The Todra Gorge is the second impressive canyon in Morocco. The highlight: at its narrowest point, the cliff walls rise 300 meters high while the gorge is only ten meters wide. If you’re exploring Morocco by car, you can easily drive through in a rental car — those massive cliff walls suddenly appear before you after 12 kilometers. Quite the moment!

Is it worth it? Absolutely! Standing between those narrow, towering cliff walls is a seriously fascinating experience. But even the drive there is wonderful — along the road you’ll pass beautiful mud villages and very old Kasbahs. There are cool hiking trails around the gorge that you can explore partly on your own.

Our tips: If you’re traveling independently, come very early in the morning or after 5 PM — by then the tourist buses have cleared out. Also make sure to stop in the town of Tinghir and check out the oasis gardens.

Hike in the Todra Gorge

Even more information and our best tips can be found in a dedicated article:

Paradise Valley

What do you need to know? Paradise Valley lives up to its name. The Tamraght River winds through the valley, and with its rock pools, steep cliffs, small waterfalls, and palm trees, it’s genuinely paradisiacal. It’s considered one of the most beautiful valleys in southern Morocco.

Is it worth it? You can really unwind in the pools — or sit down at one of the restaurants, order a fresh mint tea, and dip your feet in the water. If you’re in the mood for a little adrenaline, you can also jump off the rocks into the pools below.

Our tip: Paradise Valley is about 20 kilometers northeast of Agadir, set in a rugged mountain landscape. It’s perfect for a day trip from Agadir. During peak season it can get pretty crowded, though — if you want it more to yourself, head there independently by rental car or taxi first thing in the morning.

Day trip to Paradise Valley from Agadir

Erg Chebbi in the Sahara Desert

What do you need to know? The Erg Chebbi is the most popular desert landscape of the Sahara in Morocco. Here you’ll find Morocco’s highest sand dunes at 150 meters, along with a really solid tourist infrastructure. From the desert town of Merzouga, it takes about an hour by camel to reach the desert camps, or just 20 minutes by 4WD.

Is it worth it? The Sahara is an absolute must-see in Morocco. If it’s your first time in the country, we recommend doing your desert tour in Morocco here. The logistics are easier, you can choose between basic and luxury camps, and a tour here is usually a bit more affordable too.

Our tip: You can drive to the Sahara on your own or join a guided three-day tour. If you’re only doing a city trip to Marrakech but still want to experience the Sahara, a guided tour is the perfect solution.

3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Erg Chebbi

In a dedicated article you’ll find all the information and tips for the desert tour in Erg Chebbi:

Erg Chegaga in the Sahara Desert

What do you need to know? The Erg Chegaga is a desert landscape in Morocco’s Sahara. Although it’s the largest sand dune area in Morocco by surface area, not many tourists make it out here — mainly due to the long drive from the surrounding desert towns and the higher prices for a tour to Erg Chegaga.

Is it worth it? If you don’t mind roughly two extra hours by 4WD from the desert towns deep into the dunes, the Erg Chegaga is perfect for you. There’s not much luxury here, but plenty of adventure and very few other visitors.

Our tip: Plan your desert tour to Erg Chegaga independently if you can. With the classic guided two-day tours, you don’t actually venture deep into the desert — instead you stay closer to the edge, in the so-called Zagora Desert.

Private 3-day desert tour to Erg Chegaga

We’ve written up all the information and tips for the desert tour to Erg Chegaga — whether guided or independent — in a dedicated article.

Tips and Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Sights in Morocco