Destinations Northern Africa

10 best activities to do in Morocco

Written by Denise Chido

Morocco, located in Northern Africa, is home to some of the world’s most spectacular tourist destinations. The best activities to do in Morocco offer a little bit of everything to a traveller seeking thrills or tranquillity.

You get famed bazaars and precious holy areas to tree-climbing goats. Due to Morocco’s proximity to Europe, many travellers come for a brief visit, concentrating their efforts on one or two places and activities. Extending your stay enables you to combine city excursions with a visit to the beach, mountain scenery, or an overnight stay in the dunes.

Here are our top best things to do in Morocco.

Shop in Marrakech’s Souks

If you’re travelling to Morocco, you’ll want to visit Marrakech’s souks. This is one of the best activities to do in Morocco.

This internationally renowned exotic marketplace sells spices, textiles, and curiosities worldwide. Prepare to haggle and bargain in this lively bazaar brimming with culture, with over 300 vibrant stores.

Shopping in Marrakech. Photo/ National Geographic

Make a trip to Chefchaouen

Visit Chefchaouen during your Moroccan getaway to experience life as if you were strolling through the skies.

The blue medina is perched on a mountainside and is steeped in history, as seen by its stunning blue-washed residences. Chefchaouen, a popular destination for hikers and backpackers, offers a glimpse into the past and is a location where tradition and modernity coexist. It is most definitely one of the best activities to do in Morocco.

Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque

The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca is a monument worth seeing while on vacation. It is the seventh-largest mosque in the world. The mosque featured the world’s highest minaret and was constructed over seven years by 10,000 workers. When visiting the mosque, tours are given in various languages, and you must follow specific standards upon entry, including removing shoes and covering the knees and shoulders. It is one of the best activities in Morocco as it broadens your mind.

Pay a visit to Africa’s Hollywood

This has to be one of the best activities to do in Morocco. Ouarzazate City, sometimes regarded as the Hollywood of Africa, is nicknamed ‘the entryway to the desert.’

The largest in Morocco, these film studios have produced some of our most extraordinary films and television shows, including The Mummy, Gladiator, and even a few Game of Thrones episodes. Additionally, they have a Museum of Cinema, which houses vintage props, equipment, and cameras from films shot in the city.

Hollywood of Africa. Photo/ Heart Enjoy Africa

Majorelle Gardens

The Majorelle Gardens and home are a marvel initially designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle. Two and a half acres of vibrant plants and flowers from every continent in the centre, where a fountain bursts in front of a blue Moorish house.

Majorelle Gardens, now owned by designer Yves Saint Laurent, is a stunning sight and the ideal spot to visit if you enjoy flowers and lush foliage. You will not regret this visit, it is one of the best activities to do in Morocco.

Watch Goats in the Argan Trees

Have you ever seen a goat ascend a tree? It’s certainly one of the best activities to do in Morocco. You may visit Essaouira, Morocco, and experience it for yourself!

In Morocco, goats spend most of their time in Argan trees. The goats spend their time eating the seeds produced by the tree. Tourists worldwide go to Essaouira to see the tree-climbing goats and observe them as they stand along the branches.

Spend the night in a Riad

If you want to elevate your vacation experience, consider staying in a Moroccan Riad rather than a hotel. A riad is a traditional Moroccan multi-story residence with numerous rooms and a courtyard with a fountain. Although many are now boutiques, you can still rent some.

Take a Sahara safari

The Western Sahara desert surrounds Morocco, and it would be a waste not to explore the arid landscape. On your next Moroccan journey, ride camels through the golden sand and take in the Sahara’s magnificent beauty. It’s a beautiful desert safari.

Dessert Safari. Photo/ GetYourGuide

Sleep Under the Stars at Erg Chebbi

For a desert adventure without the need to rough it, come to Erg Chebbi, where glamping-style desert resorts offer overnight stays inside the Sahara dunes. You can not miss this one, it is truly one of the best activities to do in Morocco.

Merzouga (559 kilometres east of Marrakesh and 467 kilometres southeast of Fes) is the most popular desert activity base in Morocco, located on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dune sand sea. From here, visitors can embark on sunset or sunrise camel excursions and stay in glammed-up desert camps nestled among the undulating dunes.

Hike Jebel Toubkal

Jebel Toubkal is North Africa’s tallest peak, standing at 4,167 meters. The two-day return journey to the mountain is the most popular walk in the High Atlas and one of Morocco’s most popular pastimes.

It is a non-technical hike (no climbing), although trudging on scree slopes is required due to the steepness of the upper reaches. Additionally, it takes place at altitude, and the trek can be strenuous, requiring a reasonable degree of fitness. The breathtaking views along the climb and at the summit make an effort worthwhile.

About the author

Denise Chido

Leave a Comment