The top things to do in Morocco are spending an evening on Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech, sleeping in a Sahara camp at Erg Chebbi, walking the medieval medina of Fes, visiting Ait Ben Haddou, exploring blue Chefchaouen, hiking in the High Atlas, and relaxing on the Atlantic coast at Essaouira.
The top 10 at a glance
| # | Experience | Where | Time needed |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jemaa el-Fna at dusk | Marrakech | One evening |
| 2 | Night in a desert camp | Erg Chebbi, Merzouga | 3 days from Marrakech |
| 3 | Fes el-Bali medina | Fes | One full day |
| 4 | Ait Ben Haddou | Near Ouarzazate | 2 hours on site |
| 5 | The blue medina | Chefchaouen | One night |
| 6 | High Atlas walk | Imlil | Half day to 2 days |
| 7 | Atlantic ramparts and port | Essaouira | One day |
| 8 | Hassan II Mosque | Casablanca | 90 minutes |
| 9 | Todra and Dades gorges | Tinghir, Boumalne | One day |
| 10 | Hammam and a cooking class | Any large city | Half day |
City experiences: Marrakech, Fes and Casablanca
1. Jemaa el-Fna at dusk
Marrakech's main square changes character through the day. Orange juice carts and henna artists work in the morning. From about 18:00, rows of food stalls set up and circles form around storytellers and Gnawa musicians. Watch the transition from a cafe terrace, then walk down into it.
3. Fes el-Bali
The old medina of Fes is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Goods still move by donkey and handcart. Visit the Chouara tannery, the Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, and the outside of Al-Qarawiyyin, founded in the 9th century. A local guide is worth it here, because the lanes do not follow any grid.
8. Hassan II Mosque
Built partly over the Atlantic, this mosque has a 210 m minaret and is one of the few in Morocco that non-Muslims can enter, on guided visits at fixed times outside prayers. Dress modestly, with shoulders and knees covered.
Desert and kasbah experiences
2. A night at Erg Chebbi
The dunes near Merzouga rise to around 150 m and turn from gold to deep orange as the sun drops. You ride a camel or take a 4x4 to a tented camp, eat dinner by a fire, and get up before dawn for sunrise. From Marrakech it takes two days of driving each way to do properly, which is why the 3-day desert tour from Marrakech to Merzouga is the shortest sensible option.
4. Ait Ben Haddou
This fortified village of earthen towers sits on a hillside above a dry riverbed, about 30 km before Ouarzazate. A handful of families still live inside. Climb to the old granary at the top for a view over the palm groves, ideally before 11:00 or after 16:00 when the light is softer and the day-trip groups have gone. Our Ait Ben Haddou kasbah guide has the details.
9. Todra and Dades gorges
On the road between Ouarzazate and Merzouga, two rivers have cut deep canyons into the Atlas foothills. Todra is the narrower one, with walls about 300 m high and a flat walk along the stream. Dades is known for its hairpin road and red rock formations.
Mountains and coast
5. Chefchaouen
This small town in the Rif Mountains is painted in shades of blue from the pavement up. It is quieter and cooler than the big cities. Come for the evening and early morning, when day visitors have left, and walk 20 minutes up to the Spanish Mosque for the view.
6. The High Atlas from Imlil
Imlil is a mountain village 65 km south of Marrakech, about 90 minutes by road, at 1,740 m. From here you can do a gentle half-day walk between walnut terraces and Amazigh villages, or a two-day ascent of Jebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167 m.
7. Essaouira
A walled port town on the Atlantic, about 190 km west of Marrakech. Walk the sea ramparts, watch the blue fishing boats unload, and eat grilled fish near the harbour. A steady wind keeps it mild all summer, usually in the low to mid 20s °C.
Culture you can take part in
10. Hammam and a cooking class
A hammam is a steam bath followed by a scrub with black olive soap and a rough glove called a kessa. Neighbourhood hammams are cheap and local; spa hammams in riads are private and gentler for a first time.
A cooking class usually starts with a market visit, then you prepare a tagine and a couple of cooked salads. It is the quickest way to understand the spice mix ras el hanout, preserved lemons and why mint tea is poured from height. See the Morocco food guide for dishes to look out for.
How to fit them into one trip
You cannot do all ten in a week without rushing. As a rough guide:
- 5 days: Marrakech, Ait Ben Haddou, Dades or Todra, Erg Chebbi (numbers 1, 2, 4, 9).
- 7 to 8 days: add Fes and a hammam or cooking class.
- 10 days or more: add Chefchaouen, Casablanca and either Essaouira or Imlil.
The 10-day grand tour of Morocco from Marrakech covers nine of the ten. Imlil and Essaouira also work as single day trips from Marrakech if you have a spare day.
When to go
March to May and September to November give the best balance: warm cities, open mountain passes and desert temperatures you can enjoy. Summer is fine for the coast and the mountains but very hot in Marrakech, Fes and the Sahara. Winter brings clear skies, cold desert nights and snow on the Atlas.
Frequently asked questions
What is the number one thing to do in Morocco?
For most visitors it is a night in the Sahara at Erg Chebbi. It is the experience people cannot easily get anywhere else, and the drive there passes several other items on this list.
How many days do I need to see the highlights?
Seven to ten days. A week covers Marrakech, the desert and Fes. Ten days lets you add Chefchaouen and the coast.
Are these places suitable for children and older travellers?
Yes, with adjustments. Use a 4x4 instead of a camel, choose shorter walks in the Atlas, and split long drives with an extra overnight stop.
Can I visit mosques in Morocco?
Most mosques are open to Muslims only. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the main exception, and historic madrasas in Fes and Marrakech are open to everyone.
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