The Best 7 Things to Do in Morocco

The High Atlas Mountains are home to an endless array of hiking trails, ranging from gentle paths through valleys and villages to challenging summits – including Toubkal, the tallest peak in North Africa. If you’re hoping to hike, make the enchanting Kasbah Tamadot your home base; this luxury hotel is surrounded by trekking trails for all experience levels.

The best time to visit Morocco’s mountains is March–May, when spring flowers are blooming and temperatures are pleasantly cool. Summer (June–August) is also a good time to escape the heat with a mountain retreat, and autumn (September–November) offers good hiking conditions as well, though it can get rainy as winter approaches.

Foodies will find plenty of mouthwatering activities to do in Morocco, from guided street food tours to hands-on cooking lessons. If you only learn to make one local recipe, tagine is a solid choice. This word refers to both the dish and the clay vessel it’s cooked in, which has a conical lid that traps steam to enhance the ingredients’ flavours and textures.

Join a cooking workshop led by a dada (traditional Moroccan chef) who will share expert tips to help you make an authentic tagine. This isn’t just a fun way to spend a few hours; it’s also a chance to add a new recipe to your repertoire, allowing you to savour – and share – the distinctive flavours of Morocco long after you return home.

The sweeping expanses of sand and undulating dunes of the Sahara are among the most iconic sights in Morocco. Things to do in the desert include everything from sand boarding to off-road adventures, but sometimes the most magical experiences are also the slowest; if you opt for an overnight expedition to the desert, you’ll be treated to some of the starriest skies on earth.

Stargazing in the Moroccan Sahara is truly exceptional thanks to low light pollution and perpetually clear weather. All you have to do is emerge from the comfort of your cosy tent at Merzouga or Azalai Desert Camp and look up. The hardest part is tearing your eyes away from the glittering celestial show above you.

One of our favourite things to do in Morocco is wandering through its labyrinthine souks, where you’ll find everything from artisanal crafts and clothing to spices and tea. The vendors in these local markets range from tiny stalls selling everyday necessities to larger spaces where expert craftspeople make and exhibit their creations.

The souks of Marrakesh are especially inviting, including the lively square of Jemaa el-Fnaa where you’ll find street performers and dozens of fragrant food stalls. That said, every city across the country has its own magnificent markets; whether you’re in Casablanca, Essaouira, Fes or Tangier, visiting a bustling souk (or several) is an obligatory activity.

On any trip, accommodation is arguably just as important as your itinerary – especially if the accommodation is an experience in and of itself. That’s certainly the case if you choose to stay at a Moroccan riad: a traditional residence defined by its central courtyard, which often includes leafy gardens and bubbling fountains.

Many former homes and palaces built in this style have been transformed into superb hotels. One such place is La Villa des Orangers in Marrakesh, an exquisite palace with three courtyards, two swimming pools and 27 elegant rooms and suites. The aromatic orange trees for which it’s named can be found in its tranquil interior gardens.

Some places are so strikingly picturesque that they attract travellers from near and far with the simple promise of a photo op. Chefchaouen is definitely one of those places. The world-famous ‘Blue City’ is painted in dazzling shades of azure, cerulean and royal blue that practically beg to be photographed – but there’s far more to do here than just snapping pictures.

Take a historical tour through the medina’s alleyways, staircases and squares to discover the 15th-century kasbah: a former fortress and prison that today boasts an ethnological museum and phenomenal views. You’ll also find plenty of mosques, souks and street food to sample. We usually suggest visiting Chefchaouen as a day trip or a stop between Tangier and Fes.

Just a few hours’ drive from Marrakesh you’ll find one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. The Ouzoud Waterfalls consist of several different falls cascading over rough reddish cliffs into a series of pools. Their name is the Berber word for ‘the act of grinding grain’, likely referring to the grain mills that can still be found above them.

You can visit the Ouzoud Waterfalls on a day trip from Marrakesh or a journey through the Azilal province, known for its fertile valleys and the El-Abid River. There are a few hiking trails around the falls if you want to explore the surrounding area further. Keep in mind that because this is a popular tourist attraction, it’s worth arriving early to avoid larger crowds.