the best things to do in Morocco

Morocco offers a range of activities to cater to travelers of all ages and interests. With its varied terrain encompassing plains, mountains, coast, and desert, Morocco is an ideal destination for both adventure seekers and those seeking relaxation. Below is a list of our favorite things to do in Morocco.

Exploring Souks and Medinas

The Medina area of many towns and cities in Morocco are the old, often walled, city center areas. Here there is a jumble of narrow streets and alleys that are hives of activities and a feast of colors, sounds, and smells. In Marrakech, for example, the Jemma El Fna is the central area of its medina, an open area filled by day with musicians, snake charmers, fortunetellers, henna painters, and much more; by night, outdoor restaurants are set up so that traditional Moroccan foods can be enjoyed in an enthralling atmosphere.
The Souks lead off from the Jemma El Fna and they are a labyrinth of fascination where stallholders are selling their wares, and haggling over prices; it is much fun to enter into haggling when you are tempted to purchase. As well to sellers, there are many small workshops too, woodworkers, metalworkers, shoe repairers, and tailors. A visit to a traditional apothecary is very interesting, learning about herbs and spices and their culinary and medical uses.

Ait Benhaddou Kasbah

A Kasbah is a fortified stronghold, like a castle, in which the chief landowner lived. Most are now decaying, falling into disrepair due to being built of mud bricks. The buildings, with their four corner tall lookout towers, are everywhere to be seen whilst traveling in the High Atlas, The Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs in the Dadès Valley.
One outstanding example of a kasbah, with its fortified village around it, is Ait Benhaddou, located on the old camel train trade route between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Now a World Heritage Site, it is a beautifully conserved kasbah and to wander around its buildings gives a real sense of history and how life once was. Often used as a film set ( “Gladiator” with Russell Crowe), this is a Moroccan gem well worth seeing.

Visit a Hammam

A hammam is a traditional cleansing steam “bath”, a typical feature of many rural homes that continues to this day. However, many modern up-market versions are available as luxurious saunas with many optional extras such as various massages (head and neck to full body) and aromatic and herbal therapies. Pampering in this way may be for gentle relaxation or as a reward after some strenuous days out traveling/hiking. Either way, a hammam experience is a delight and guaranteed to unwind and relax both mind and body.

Camel Trekking in the Sahara Desert

For a more tranquil experience of the desert environment, a camel trek provides just that. A camel trek can be for a short or long duration, it may be used as a way to ascend a high sand dune for a sunset viewing (or indeed a sunrise), and/or it may be taken over a day or two (or more) if you truly want to become enveloped by your desert experience and traditional way of life.

Quad Bikes & ATVs

The Sahara is a great place to enjoy these activities. With acres of room and winds that soon cover any tracks made, this is an invigorating way to experience the desert and its dunes.

Mountain and Sahara Desert Biking

offer this opportunity for the Amateur of mountain and desert biking, to discover southern Morocco, enjoy the incredible moments through the palm groves, gorges, Berber villages, oasis, and Kasbahs, learn about the nomad’s lifestyle and spend some time with them in their tents, afterward, you ride camels crossing the big dunes of Chegaga and dunes of Erg Chebbi for spending the night under the stars at the dunes, etc…

Kitesurfing on the Atlantic Coast

Morocco is rated one of the best destinations in the world for kitesurfing. The Atlantic wind conditions, warm summer waters, the many hours of sunshine throughout the year, and the Moroccan charm of the Atlantic coastal towns and villages make it a great kitesurfing destination. Agadir, Taghazout, Essaouira, offer excellent kitesurfing conditions as well as on-shore facilities. Sidi Kaouki (south of Essaouira), a most charming, relaxed place, has exceptional conditions throughout the year.

Hot Air Ballooning

This activity requires an early morning start when the air is cool and clear. To soar over the land and villages of the Marrakech Plain and Jbilet mountains, for example, offers wide, panoramic views. Traveling serenely in the tranquility of the balloon’s basket, under the professional pilot’s command, new patterns and perspectives are gained from the sceneries and activities below.