Best Places to Visit in Morocco: 12 Top Destinations
Morocco packs an astonishing range of places into one country: medieval medinas and modern cities, snow-capped mountains, Saharan dunes, blue-washed villages and a long Atlantic coastline. The hard part isn’t finding somewhere beautiful. It’s deciding what to leave out.
This guide covers the best places to visit in Morocco, what makes each one special, and how they fit together into a realistic itinerary.
At a glance
- Best for first-timers: Marrakech, Fes, the Sahara and Chefchaouen
- Ideal trip length: 8–12 days for a first loop
- Best seasons: spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November)
- Getting around: private driver, train between the northern cities
1. Marrakech
Marrakech is the Morocco most travelers imagine: the red-walled medina, the storytellers and food stalls of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks, the gardens and the palaces. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the city makes an easy base for day trips into the Atlas Mountains or the Agafay desert.
Don’t miss: Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk, the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque’s minaret (from the outside), and a night in a traditional riad.
2. Fes
If Marrakech is Morocco’s showpiece, Fes is its soul. Fes el-Bali, the old medina, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. Its maze of lanes hides madrasas, artisans’ workshops and the famous Chouara tannery. It’s also home to Al Quaraouiyine, founded in 859 and widely cited as the oldest continuously operating university in the world.
Tip: hire a licensed local guide for your first day. You’ll learn far more and spend much less time lost.
3. Chefchaouen
Tucked into the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its blue-painted streets and relaxed pace. It’s a lovely stop between Tangier and Fes, and a good place to slow down for a night or two.
4. The Sahara: Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
A night under the stars in the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga is a highlight of many Morocco trips. The journey there, over the High Atlas and through the Dades Valley, is part of the experience. Allow at least three days from Marrakech, ideally four. Read our Sahara desert trip guide for the details.
5. The High Atlas Mountains
Less than two hours from Marrakech, the High Atlas offers Berber villages, walnut groves and some of the best walking in North Africa. Imlil is the main trailhead for Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4,167 m. See our guide to hiking in the Atlas Mountains.
6. Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate
Aït Benhaddou, a fortified village of earthen buildings, is a UNESCO World Heritage site and a familiar film location. It sits on the road between Marrakech and the desert, so most Sahara trips stop there.
7. Essaouira
This breezy Atlantic port has a walled medina (another UNESCO site), a working fishing harbor, art galleries and a laid-back atmosphere. It’s an easy escape from Marrakech, and very welcome after a few days of city heat.
8. Tangier
Tangier sits on the Strait of Gibraltar, just across the water from Spain. Long overlooked, it has been transformed in recent years, and its Kasbah, cafés and coastline make it a rewarding gateway to northern Morocco. Read our full Tangier travel guide.
9. Casablanca and Rabat
Casablanca is Morocco’s economic capital. Its highlight for visitors is the Hassan II Mosque, set on the edge of the Atlantic and one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can visit on a guided tour. Rabat, the capital, is calmer and greener, with the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and a modern tram. Both are well connected by train.
10. Agadir and Taghazout
The southern Atlantic coast is Morocco’s sun-and-sea region. Agadir has a long sandy beach, while nearby Taghazout and Tamraght are surf villages with a relaxed, international vibe, and the setting for our surf and yoga retreat.
11. Meknes and Volubilis
Meknes, one of Morocco’s four imperial cities, is quieter than Fes and full of monumental gateways. Nearby, Volubilis preserves the remains of a Roman city with remarkable mosaics. Both make an easy day trip from Fes.
12. The Dades and Todra Gorges
On the way to or from the Sahara, these dramatic canyons and palm-filled valleys deserve more than a photo stop. Plan a night in a kasbah guesthouse to enjoy them properly.
How to combine Morocco’s top destinations
Distances are bigger than they look, and mountain roads are slow. A few classic routes:
- 7–8 days: Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains and a 3-day desert loop, or the imperial cities (Rabat, Meknes, Fes, Marrakech).
- 10–12 days: Tangier, Chefchaouen, Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech, finishing in Essaouira.
- 5 days in the north: Tangier, Asilah, Tetouan and Chefchaouen, an easy add-on from southern Spain.
Our signature Morocco tours follow these routes and can be adapted to your dates, pace and budget. The season matters too: see our guide to the best time to visit Morocco.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?
It depends on what you love. For atmosphere, the medinas of Fes and Marrakech. For landscapes, the Sahara dunes and the High Atlas. For photography, Chefchaouen.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
Eight to twelve days is ideal for a first trip that includes a city, the mountains and the desert. A week works if you focus on one region.
Is it better to visit Marrakech or Fes?
Both, if you can. Marrakech is livelier and better for day trips, while Fes feels more traditional and intense. Many itineraries start in one and end in the other.
Plan your Morocco journey
Explore Morocco DMC is a local destination management company based in Tangier. We design private tours with licensed guides, comfortable vehicles and hand-picked accommodation. Tell us which places inspire you, and we’ll build a route that fits your time and style.