The Top 10 Things to See and Do in Morocco

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Limiting a list of the top things to do and see in Morocco to just 15 entries is almost impossible - after all, the North African country is an eclectic destination with something for everyone. From skiing to desert sand-boarding, there are endless opportunities for adventure; while culture vultures will relish the incredible history to be found in the country's Imperial Cities. Off-the-beaten-track destinations like Chefchaouen encourage rest and relaxation, while the coastal towns of Taghazout and Essaouira promise beautiful beaches and rewarding surf spots. This article, then, offers a tiny snapshot of all the excitements that await in Morocco - but it's a good place to start planning your perfect trip.
01 of 15
Visit the Tanneries in Fez


The Imperial City of Fez is famous for its leather products, most of which come from the leather bazaar in the old medina. The tanneries have been in operation since medieval times and haven't changed much since. For the best view, head to the leather shops in the galleries above Chaouwara Tannery's central courtyard. From here, you can see the vats filled with colorful dyes; and the skins laid out to dry in the sunshine. The smell of the quicklime and pigeon feces mixture used to cure the hides can be overwhelming, but the sight of history in action more than makes up for it. Browse the shops themselves in search of authentic leather goods ranging from handbags to slippers.
02 of 15
Stroll Through the Blue Streets of Chefchaouen
Blue Streets of Chefchaouen

Situated in Morocco's Rif Mountains, the sleepy town of Chefchaouen provides a welcome respite after the hectic pace of the country's larger cities. Founded in the 15th century, the town served as a place of refuge for Muslims and Jews during the Spanish Reconquista; and again for Jews fleeing from Nazi rule during WWII. Today, it is famous for its bohemian atmosphere and the breathtaking beauty of its cobbled streets. The buildings are painted in a hundred shades of blue, and between them, one often catches a glimpse of the distant mountain peaks. Come to Chefchaouen for its scenery, and stay for its quaint craft markets, traditional guesthouses, and street-side cafés.
03 of 15
Learn to Cook, Moroccan Style
A Traditional Moroccan Dinner

Moroccan cuisine is famous around the world for its fragrant spices and unique cooking methods. It is an amalgamation of many different influences - including the native cuisine of the Berbers, the Arabs, the Andalusians and the French. Sample iconic dishes like tagine and harira at street-side stalls in the city medina, then sign up for a cooking class to learn how to recreate the flavors at home. Many guesthouses or riads offer half or full-day culinary classes. The best ones take you into the market to purchase fresh ingredients, then show you the traditional ways to prepare them. Afterward, you'll get to taste your creation, while the skills you learn are a souvenir that will last forever.
04 of 15
Steam in a Traditonal Hammam
Hammam, Casablanca

A hammam, or public steam bath, is a Moroccan rite of passage. In the past, when few people had the luxury of private bathrooms, hammams were social meeting places where people could come to bathe and gossip. Now, there are fewer public hammams but the ones that do still exist offer a fascinating cultural insight - and a chance for the best cleansing and exfoliation experiences of your life. They are also a great way for female travelers, in particular, to meet and socialize with local women. If the thought of bathing with total strangers is off-putting, consider an upscale hammam at a riad with private treatment rooms and high-quality products sourced from around Morocco.
05 of 15
Have Dinner at the Djemaa el Fna


A vast central square located at the heart of the medina, the Djemaa el Fna is Marrakesh's beating heart. During the day, it's a popular meeting place full of snack stalls and street vendors; but at dusk, it transforms into an entertainer's paradise complete with jugglers, musicians, and snake charmers. The snack stands are replaced with stalls offering more substantial fare and the square is filled with tantalizing scents and the smoke from a hundred fires. Order grilled meats and fragrant tagines and eat with the locals at the vendors' communal tables; or watch the action from the relative peace of one of the elevated cafés that line the edge of the square.
06 of 15
Overnight in the Sahara Desert
Sunset, Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert is a magical place to spend a few nights. Use the eastern town of Merzouga as your gateway to the spectacular Erg Chebbi dunes (recognizable as the backdrop for movies like The Mummy and Sahara). From here, you can book a camel safari or a 4x4 tour, both of which offer the chance to spend the night under the stars or in a traditional Bedouin village. Sunsets and sunrises are spectacular in the desert, transforming the dunes into dreamlike landscapes of ochre and red. After dark, the stars are blazing constellations unspoiled by the pollution of civilization. Keep an eye out for nocturnal desert creatures, including the jerboa and the fennec fox.
07 of 15
Go Surfing at the Coast
Morocco, Agadir, Tagazhout, surfing in the north Atlantic Ocean

Morocco's Atlantic coast is home to its fair share of surf breaks, some of them world-class. For serious surfers, the best destination is Taghazout, a small fishing village located just north of Agadir. There are waves for all abilities here, from the challenging Boilers site to laid-back Immesouane, one of the longest rides in the country. Point Anchor is famed for its right-hand break, which runs for 500 meters during a powerful northwest swell. Beginner surfers and kite surfers also flock to popular beach resort Essaouira, where the swells are gentler (though less consistent). Wherever you go, try to time your trip for the September to April winter season, when swells are at their best.
08 of 15
Perfect Your Haggling Skills in the Souks


No visit to Morocco would be complete without at least one foray into the chaotic world of the urban souks. Typically located within the historic medina of cities like Fez, Marrakesh, and Meknes, these maze-like bazaars are filled with colors, scents, and sounds. Discover labyrinthine shops overflowing with Aladdin's lamps and swathes of richly colored fabric, or listen to the vendors as they advertise everything from hand-woven carpets to raw spices. The souk is the best place to buy your souvenirs, but be prepared for aggressive sales tactics and to bargain enthusiastically for the lowest price. Haggling is a skill that requires a good sense of humor and plenty of tenacity.
09 of 15
Unwind in the Majorelle Gardens
Majorelle Gardens, Marrakesh

Visitors to Marrakesh can find peace and quiet in the beautiful Majorelle Gardens. Located northwest of the medina, the gardens were designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle in 1919. Since restored by Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent, they now represent an idyllic oasis filled with slender palms, exotic botanical flowerbeds, and tinkling water features. Majorelle's workshop has been converted into a small museum about Islamic Art, while Yves Saint Laurent's ashes were scattered here in 2008. Pack a picnic or a good book and spend a few hours relaxing in the garden's blissful shaded areas, or step out into the sunshine to appreciate the full splendor of its colorful blooms.
10 of 15
Trek the High Atlas Mountains


The Atlas Mountains stretch over 1,500 miles, from the west coast of Morocco to Tunisia. The High Atlas region is home to North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal, a top destination for hikers with a summit of 13,671 feet/ 4,167 meters. Most Jebel Toubkal treks start from Imlil, a mountain village located an hour's drive from Marrakesh. Although it's not compulsory to walk with a guide, it's definitely recommended. There are simple accommodations along the route, and the best time to attempt the summit is in April or May when the weather is pleasant and rains are at a minimum. If you don't feel like climbing the peak, there are many more sedate hikes in the surrounding area.