Things To Do
in Morocco
Morocco is a North African country where Arab, Amazigh (Berber), and Mediterranean influences meet in a tapestry of vibrant cities, rugged mountains, and vast desert landscapes. Ancient medinas, colorful souks, and centuries-old kasbahs blend with contemporary cafés, riads, and modern coastal cities. The cuisine is aromatic and diverse, with mint tea and slow-cooked tagines as national touchstones.
From the blue alleys of Chefchaouen to the dunes of the Sahara and peaks of the High Atlas, Morocco offers contrasts that suit culture seekers, outdoor lovers, and photographers alike.
Day Trips
Spend a day exploring around
Arrive in Casablanca and check into your hotel, allowing some time to freshen up after your journey. Enjoy a delicious Moroccan breakfast at a local café where you can savor pastries and mint tea. Take a stroll along the Corniche, soaking in the refreshing Atlantic breeze and the vibrant atmosphere of the city.
Visit the impressive Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world, where you can admire its intricate design and stunning ocean views. Explore the Royal Palace and the Habous District, known for its unique architecture and bustling souks. Don't forget to stop by a local artisan shop for some unique handicrafts.
Experience the vibrant nightlife in Casablanca by dining at a traditional Moroccan restaurant, savoring dishes like tagine and couscous. After dinner, take a leisurely walk by the waterfront, enjoying the twinkling lights reflecting on the waves. Conclude your evening at a local café, indulging in sweet pastries and mint tea.
After breakfast, head to Rabat, Morocco's capital, with a comfortable drive along the coast. Upon arrival, explore the beautiful Kasbah of the Oudayas, where blue and white houses create a picturesque scene. Don’t miss the nearby tranquil gardens that offer a serene escape.
Visit the Hassan Tower and the Royal Mausoleum, where historical and architectural wonders await. Stroll through the Chellah, an ancient Roman site surrounded by beautiful gardens and storks nesting atop ruins. Take some time to enjoy a leisurely lunch at a local restaurant featuring regional specialties.
As the sun sets, wander along the Bou Regreg River, taking in the stunning views across to Salé. Choose a cozy restaurant for dinner, where you can indulge in traditional dishes while enjoying live Moroccan music. Wrap up with a stroll in the illuminated historic medina, capturing the enchanting vibe of Rabat at night.
Prices
| Item | Price |
|---|---|
| 🍔Meal at inexpensive restaurant | $5-10 |
| 🍽️Three-course meal for two at mid-range restaurant | $25-50 |
| ☕Coffee or tea | $1.50-3 |
| 🚕Short taxi ride (city) | $2-7 |
| 🏨Mid-range hotel / riad (per night) | $40-100 |
Strengths and Weaknesses
- Rich cultural heritage with diverse landscapes—medinas, mountains, and desert.
- Excellent value for money, with affordable food, accommodation and experiences.
- Vibrant markets, distinctive architecture and strong craft traditions for unique souvenirs.
- Outdoor activities from surfing to high-mountain trekking and memorable desert experiences.
- Busy, crowded medinas can be overwhelming and disorienting for some travelers.
- Heat extremes inland and in the desert can be challenging in summer.
- Haggling and persistent vendors/touts in tourist areas may be tiring.
- Infrastructure outside major cities can be limited; rural roads and services may be basic.
- "Salam / As-salamu alaykum" - Hello / Peace be upon you
- "Shukran" - Thank you
- "Bslama" - Goodbye
- "Choukran bezaf" - Thanks a lot
- "Bghit ..." - I want ...
- "Chhal thaman?" - How much does it cost?
- "Fin ...?" - Where is ...?
- "La shukran" - No, thank you
- "Smah lia" - Excuse me / Sorry
Places to Visit in Morocco
Visit one of these nice places.
Iconic blue-painted alleys and stairways offering dreamy, color-saturated shots—best in soft morning or late-afternoon light when colors pop and shadows are gentle.
Lively square with performers, food stalls and evening chaos—capture street scenes, portraiture of performers, and rooftop sunset panoramas over the medina.
UNESCO ksar with dramatic earthen architecture and cinematic views used in many films—beautiful at sunrise and sunset when warm light hits the mud walls.
Sweeping sand dunes near Merzouga offering sweeping landscape photos, silhouettes at sunrise/sunset, and starry-night astrophotography opportunities.
One of the largest mosques in the world with ornate details, oceanfront setting, and striking minaret—photograph from the esplanade for wide shots and from inside on guided tours for details.
Vibrant dye pits and craft workshops offering colorful, gritty documentary-style images—best from viewpoints above the pits and with permission before close-up portraits.
Steep canyon walls, twisting roads and dramatic landscapes ideal for wide-angle shots, rock-detail close-ups and cultural photography of mountain villages.
Food in Morocco
Morocco Famous Food
Signature dishes, delicacies and famous food
A slow-cooked stew named for the clay pot in which it's cooked; common varieties include lamb with prunes, chicken with preserved lemon and olives, and vegetable tagines. Find excellent tagines in traditional riads and local restaurants across Morocco.
Must-Try!
Steamed semolina grains typically served with meat and vegetables on Fridays and special occasions; try a family-style couscous at a local eatery or market on market day.
A savory-sweet pie often made with pigeon or chicken, layers of thin pastry, almonds, cinnamon and sugar; elevated restaurant specialty found in Fez and Marrakech.
A hearty tomato-and-lentil soup often eaten to break the fast during Ramadan; widely available at cafés and food stalls, especially in the evenings during Ramadan.
Green tea steeped with fresh mint and loads of sugar; offered as a sign of hospitality in homes, shops and restaurants.
Food Markets
Explore local food markets
Iconic square full of evening food stalls serving snails, skewers, salads, msemen pancakes, and more; great for atmospheric street-food experiences (watch hygiene and choose stalls with steady customers).
While the tanneries themselves aren’t food markets, Fez’s medina features narrow lanes of food vendors selling pastries, olives, and traditional dishes—try a local bakery or café for fresh sweets.
A bustling fish and produce market where you can sample fresh seafood preparations and buy ingredients to take to nearby restaurants for cooking.
Weather
How to Behave
Tips on cultural norms and respectful behavior
Wear modest clothing, especially in conservative towns and rural areas—cover shoulders and knees to show respect and avoid unwanted attention.
Polite greetings are important—use 'Salam' or 'As-salamu alaykum' and shake hands when offered. Accepting a cup of tea is a sign of respect; remove shoes when invited into homes and some religious sites.
Haggling is customary in souks—start lower than the asking price, be friendly, and expect a back-and-forth that ends with mutual satisfaction.
Always ask permission before photographing people, especially women, and avoid taking photos inside some religious sites unless allowed.
During Ramadan, be discreet when eating, drinking or smoking in public during daylight hours, and be mindful that opening hours and services may change.
Safety
Tipping in Morocco
Ensure a smooth experience
Tipping is appreciated across the service sector: small amounts (10–20 MAD) for porters or restroom attendants, 5–10% in casual restaurants if service is good, and rounding up or leaving small change for guides and drivers. Tourist-heavy spots may expect tips for photo help or information.
The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD) and is not fully convertible outside Morocco—bring cash and withdraw dirhams from ATMs. Credit cards are accepted in many hotels, restaurants and shops in cities, but smaller vendors and rural areas are cash-only.
Best Time to Visit
And what to expect in different seasons...
March–May: One of the best times to visit—mild temperatures, blooming wildflowers in the Atlas and Rif, and comfortable conditions for trekking and sightseeing.
June–August: Very hot inland (Marrakech, Fez) and in the desert; coastal areas are cooler. If traveling in summer, plan morning and evening activities and avoid strenuous midday exertion.
September–November: Pleasant and similar to spring—warm days, cooler nights, and ideal conditions for outdoor travel and festivals.
December–February: Mild on the coast but cold in the Atlas Mountains (snow common) and at night in the desert; good time for lower-season travel but pack warm layers for high-altitude or desert nights.
Morocco at Night
Hiking in Morocco
Immerse in an unforgettable hike.
North Africa's highest peak (4,167 m) with multi-day treks from Imlil—spectacular alpine scenery, opportunities for guided climbs and mountain villages along the route.
A close, accessible day-hike option from Marrakech featuring waterfalls, terraced fields and Berber villages—good for moderate hikes and cultural visits.
Gentle to challenging trails with panoramic views, cedar forests and routes linking traditional villages around the blue city.
Hikes along the canyon floor and rim offering dramatic rock faces and access to local climbing routes and river-side walks.
Winding scenic routes with many short hikes among oases, ksour and dramatic rock formations—great for photography and moderate walking.
Airports
How to reach Morocco by plane.
The largest international gateway with frequent connections worldwide; about 30–45 minutes to Casablanca city centre depending on traffic and taxis and trains connect to Rabat and Marrakech.
Major tourist hub with many European and some regional flights; close to the city and medina, making it the primary entry for southern Morocco and desert tours.
Serves the capital region with regional and some international flights; roughly 20–30 minutes from Rabat city centre.
Convenient for northern Morocco and access to Spain via ferry ports; serves domestic and European routes.
Gateway to Fez and northern imperial cities; useful for travelers visiting Fez, Meknes and the Middle Atlas region.
Walkability
Demographics
Explore demographics in this area.
A major cultural and linguistic group across urban and many rural areas; Arabic (Moroccan Darija) is the common spoken language.
Indigenous groups primarily in the Atlas and Rif Mountains and rural regions—Amazigh languages (Tamazight, Tarifit, Tashelhit) are widely spoken and cultural traditions are prominent.
French remains an important language of business, education and administration; many educated Moroccans are bilingual in Arabic and French.
Northern areas near Ceuta and Melilla and parts of the Rif have historical Spanish influence and some older populations speak Spanish.
Popular Sports
Explore popular sports in region.
The most popular sport nationwide with passionate local followings, many local clubs and lively matches in stadiums and street games.
Growing scene along the Atlantic coast at Taghazout, Essaouira and Agadir—suitable for beginners and experienced surfers with many surf schools.
Road races and mountain-running events are popular, and locals enjoy communal outdoor exercise in parks and coastal promenades.
In some regions, horse and camel racing and fantasia (traditional equestrian displays) remain important cultural sports and festival attractions.
Traffic
Dietary Restrictions
Tips for restricted diets.
Vegetarian options are widely available—many tagines are vegetarian or can be made so; specify 'bila l-lahm' (without meat) and rely on vegetable couscous, salads, and egg or cheese dishes. In rural or traditional settings menus may be more limited, so communicate clearly.
Most meat sold and served in Morocco is halal by default; alcohol is available in tourist restaurants, bars, and some hotels but limited in conservative areas.
Wheat is common in breads, pastries and semolina; if you need gluten-free, explain allergies in French or Arabic and opt for salads, grilled meats and vegetable tagines—packaged foods often lack clear labeling, so travel with basic snacks if needed.
Healthcare
Accomodations
Find the best place to stay when visiting Morocco.