Morocco Travel Guide

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Top Things to See

Saharan sand dunes
Witness the dazzling, shape-shifting dunes of the Sahara at Merzouga, where the next stop across the sands is the legendary Timbuktu.

Djemaa el-Fna
Marvel at the non-stop drama in the Djemaa el-Fna, the UNESCO-listed public square in the medina of Marrakech. See henna-painters, potion-sellers, snake-charmers and acrobats by day. At night, witness storytellers, Gnaoua musicians, cross-dressing belly dancers and the world's biggest alfresco restaurant.

Scenic landscapes
Boggle your mind with the spectacular outer-space landscapes of the Todra Gorge, reached through the dramatic Dades Valley carpeted with wild roses in spring.

Fes
Unravel the mystery of Fes, the refined ancient center 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 captured at the Dar Batha Museum.

Art at Asilah
Take in the art colony charms of seaside Asilah on the Atlantic coast where whitewashed walls are a ready canvas for colorful murals. Visit its delightful beaches, museums and quiet streets.

Essaouira
This charming seaside town is laced with history. Explore the historic medina, dotted with art galleries and enjoy fresh fish in the local restaurants. Strong winds make it a having for windsurfers.

Roman remains
Explore the third-century Roman ruins at Volubilis, which are on UNESCO's World Heritage list. A nearby archaeological museum preserves the area's Jewish, Berber and Roman past.

Chefchaouen
Mellow out in the blue-tinged medina of Chefchaouen, where Moroccan archways harmonize with Andalusian architecture.

Casablanca
Wander the streets of Casablanca's whitewashed old-town and admire its faded Moroccan art deco glories, from wrought-iron geometric arabesque gates to faded movie palaces.

Tangier
Flashback to the decadent Bohemian days of Tangier in the Grand Socco and Petit Socco, where writers like Paul Bowles, Beat poets and rock stars like the Rolling Stones found inspiration.

Top Things to Do

Shopping
Bargain your best for handicrafts at the souk (market) in the historic medina of Fes, a UNESCO World Heritage site. Don't expect a brisk business transaction: in Morocco, successful negotiations unfold in a leisurely, sociable way, accompanied by bottomless glasses of mint tea.

Trekking
Experience a climatic moment atop Morocco's picturesque High Atlas Mountains. One of the most popular treks is the ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4,167m/13,671ft), North Africa's highest peak, starting from the idyllic Berber village of Imlil, built right into the base of the mountain.

Moroccan spas
Let off some steam in a traditional hammam (steam bath), where the tabaya (assistant) will slough away your cares and a layer of skin using traditional savon noir (black soap) and a rough glove, followed by a massage with rejuvenating essential oils.

Camel riding
Head boldly into the Sahara Desert as part of a camel caravan. Camel treks (méharrées) can be arranged throughout the Sahara region in southwestern Morocco. Camp under the stars and enjoy a traditional Moroccan way of life.

Music festivals
Get into the summer groove at May's TANJazz in Tangier, or June's Gnaoua and World Music Festival in Essaouira. July sees the Marrakech Festival of Popular Arts and the Festival of World Sacred Music in Fes.

Desert kasbahs
Storm the battlements of the spectacular desert kasbahs built right into cliff walls lining the Drâa Valley. You won't get much resistance these days. Some fortifications like Aït Benhaddou have been used as Hollywood film sets.

Watersports
Swim, surf, windsurf and splash around in the Atlantic. Choose from the sheltered, sandy coves of Agadir and Oualidia and the one-time Portuguese pirate ports of El Jadida and Essaouira.

Mountaineering
Spot millennia-old Berber petroglyphs as you rock-climb and spelunk your way across the Middle and High Atlas Mountains and get a foothold on the rock faces of the Dades and Todra Gorges.

White-water rafting
Hit the rapids on an adrenaline-fuelled rafting trip. Pass through spectacular mountain scenery and enormous gorges while traveling on the scenic rivers of the High and Middle Atlas ranges.

Mountain biking
Follow desert oases and rugged terrain trails in the Anti-Atlas and Drâa Valley. Enjoy nature without the environmental damage to the fragile local ecosystem caused by dune buggies and 4-wheel drives.