Things to Do in Morocco: The Best Activities

Morocco is much more than sightseeing. In one trip you can sleep in the Sahara, hike in the Atlas, cook a tagine with a local family, surf the Atlantic and end the day in a hammam. Here are the activities our travelers enjoy most, grouped by type, with notes on where and when to do them.

In the desert

• Camel trek and a night in a desert camp: the highlight of most trips, in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga or the wilder Erg Chigaga near Zagora. See our guide to Morocco desert tours.
• Sunrise and sunset on the dunes: the light changes the color of the sand from gold to red to pink.
• Sandboarding: fun for all ages on the softer slopes.
• 4×4 and quad excursions: visit nomad families, the Gnawa musicians of Khamlia, fossil sites and the old caravan town of Rissani.
• Agafay near Marrakech: a stony desert 45 minutes from the city, with camel rides, quad biking and dinners under the stars. Read our Agafay guide.

In the cities

• Guided medina walks: the best way to understand Marrakech, Fes and the other old cities. A licensed local guide brings the history and craftsmanship to life.
• Cooking classes: shop for spices and vegetables in the market, then learn to cook tagine, couscous or pastilla. Read about our favorite cooking class experiences.
• A traditional hammam: a steam bath and black-soap scrub, either in a public hammam or a more comfortable spa.
• Shopping in the souks: rugs, leather, ceramics, lamps and argan oil. Bargaining is part of the fun.
• Food tours: taste street food with a local, from snail soup in Jemaa el-Fna to fresh msemen pancakes. See our street food guide.

In the mountains

• Day hikes in the High Atlas: walk between Berber villages around Imlil, 90 minutes from Marrakech.
• Climbing Mount Toubkal: North Africa’s highest peak (4,167 m), usually in two days. See our Toubkal guide.
• The Ourika Valley and Ouzoud Waterfalls: easy day trips with rivers, waterfalls and riverside lunches.
• Skiing at Oukaimeden: in snowy winters, the Atlas has a small ski area about 80 km from Marrakech.

For more ideas, read our complete guide to hiking in Morocco.

On the coast

• Surfing: Taghazout, north of Agadir, is the surf capital of Morocco, with schools for beginners.
• Kitesurfing and windsurfing: Essaouira and Dakhla have strong, reliable winds.
• Beach days and seafood: Asilah, Oualidia and Agadir are great for slowing down. See our guide to Morocco’s beaches.

From the air

A hot-air balloon flight over the palm groves and villages outside Marrakech at sunrise, with the Atlas on the horizon, is a memorable way to start the day. Flights usually include a traditional breakfast in a Berber tent.

Culture and festivals

• Gnaoua World Music Festival in Essaouira, usually in June.
• Fes Festival of World Sacred Music in late spring. Read our guide to the festival.
• Rose Festival in Kelaat M’Gouna, in the Valley of Roses, in May.
• Traditional music in the evenings at Jemaa el-Fna and in desert camps. See our guide to traditional Moroccan music.

Combining activities

The best trips mix a bit of everything: a few days in the cities, a night or two in the desert, a walk in the mountains and some time to relax. All our private Morocco tours can be built around the activities you enjoy most. Tell us what you’d like to do, and we’ll plan the route around it.