Morocco Holidays

Popular sights

These places are absolute musts for first-timers in Morocco.

• Jemaa el-Fnaa – Inside the Medina, this bustling square is packed with market stalls, street food vendors and performers. It’s quite calm during the day, then gets lively around sunset when the musicians and dancers start to fill the space. Soak in all the sights and sounds as you wander around or head up to a rooftop bar around the square to see it all from above.

• Chefchaouen – Nestled in the Rif Mountains, this charming town is famous for its blue-washed streets and buildings that give it the name the Blue City. It’s very aesthetic and peaceful, so it’s a great place to visit after the buzz of bigger cities like Marrakech.

• Jardin Majorelle & YSL Museum – Set up by French painter, Jacques Majorelle, and restored by Yves Saint Laurent, this beautiful garden features tropical plants from all over the world, fountains and ponds, and the iconic deep-blue Art Deco villa. For nature lovers, it’s a zen retreat away from the busy streets. And if you’re into your fashion, the YSL Museum next door celebrates the designer’s life in Marrakech and showcases his work.

UNESCO-approved

Morocco’s home to nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites…

• Medina of Marrakech – Marrakech’s medina is a living museum. Its maze of souks and riads and landmarks – like the Koutoubia Mosque and Bahia Palace – are a testament to what life was like here in the 11th century. Haggle for some ceramics in the markets, watch snake charmers in Jema el-Fnaa square and learn about the city’s past at the Museum of Marrakech.

• Medina of Fes – Founded in the 9th century, Fes Medina is one of the world’s best-preserved Medieval cities – it’s home to Al-Qarawiyyin University, the oldest continuously operating university. You can learn all about Islamic and Moroccan history as you walk through its network of alleys, historic madrasas and traditional tanneries.

• Ait Ben Haddou – This mudbrick kasbah has stood for over 1,000 years on the old caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Ait Benhaddou is considered a masterpiece of traditional Berber earthen architecture and has featured in loads of films and TV series, including Gladiator and Game of Thrones.

Outdoor scenes

Morocco’s natural side is as big a draw as its cities.

• Atlas Mountains – This mountain range stretches across Morocco and is home to Berber villages, national parks and top-tier hiking routes, as well as the tallest mountain in North Africa. The mountains are split into three different levels – the Low, Middle and High Atlas. In the winter, the taller peaks get regular dumps of snow and there are even ski resorts up here, but the lower and middle areas are popular for climbing all year round.

• Sahara Desert – The desert’s probably Morocco’s biggest attraction. Explore the sprawling dunes on a buggy or 4x4 tour and try activities like sandboarding. You can also head here at night for stargazing.

• Todra Gorge – A paradise for rock climbers and hikers, featuring dramatic limestone cliffs that rise up to 300 meters. This stunning canyon, carved by the Todra River, has scenic walking trails, refreshing natural pools and small Berber villages along the way.

• Ahansal River – A hidden gem for outdoorsy types, known for its crystal-clear waters and rafting and kayaking scenes. Out of the water, it’s also a great spot for camping and hiking along the banks.

Shopping in Morocco

You might want to save some luggage space if you love to shop…

• Marrakech – The Marrakech Medina is home to Souk Semmarine, where you’ll find all kinds of handmade crafts from leather goods, ceramics and jewellery to fabrics and furniture. The Rahba Kedima spice market is where you can pick up fragrant spices and natural beauty products, like argan oil – the trees only grow in Morocco.

• Fez – The Chouara Tannery gives you the opportunity to watch traditional leather-making and purchase handcrafted, high-quality leather products straight from the source.

• Chefchaouen – The markets here are known for their handwoven blankets, colourful wool products and more laidback atmosphere.

• Tangier – Grand Socco and Petit Socco blend Moroccan market charm with a French twist – think piles of textiles and spices sat next to antique shops and patisseries.

• Casablanca – Home to Morocco Mall, the largest shopping centre in Africa. It features luxury brands like Louis Vuitton, Gucci and Dior, as well as local Moroccan designers. On top of shopping, there’s a mix of dining and entertainment, including an indoor aquarium and a musical fountain show.

Beaches

Morocco makes a great choice for a beach break, too.

• Agadir Beach – A 10-kilometre stretch of golden sand with sunlounger rentals, cafés and lifeguard-patrolled zones in summer. The bay is curved, so the water’s nice and calm, and around 340 sunny days a year mean it’s pretty much always at swimming temperature. The seafront’s lined with bars and restaurants, too, so you’re set for a day out.

• Taghazout Beach – The hub of Morocco’s surf scene, with famous breaks like Anchor Point and Killers bringing in surfers from September to April. The small fishing village has plenty of rental shops and surf schools.

• Essaouira Beach – A favourite for windsurfing and kitesurfing thanks to its strong coastal winds. Its wide, sandy shore and amazing views of the historic medina and fishing port make it a great spot for a sunset stroll.

Festivals and events

See what’s on while you’re on holiday in Morocco.

• Marrakech International Film Festival, December – This prestigious event draws in all the big names in the film industry, from international stars to directors. Expect workshops, panel discussions and film screenings, with some open-air cinemas popping up in Jemaa el-Fnaa square.

• Rose Festival, May – Or El Kelaa M’Gouna. This festival celebrates the annual rose harvest in the Valley of Roses. The event includes parades, music and traditional Berber dancing, and you’ll get the chance to buy natural rose products.

• Eid al-Fitr – The end of Ramadan is a really special time to visit Morocco. You’ll be able to soak up the party atmosphere and see how the locals celebrate, with huge crowds coming together outside the big mosques to pray. Expect some businesses to be closed for a few days of rest, so it’s a great time to explore cultural sights or wander through the medinas minus the crowds.

Traditional food

Moroccan cuisine is simple, spicy and you don’t have to spend much to try it.

• Tagine – Morocco’s signature dish. This way of slow cooking in a cone-shaped clay pot allows all those delicious flavours to really develop. You can cook pretty much anything in a tagine, from tender meat like chicken and lamb to stew-like dishes with chickpeas and vegetables. Everything is usually simmered with aromatic spices, dried fruits and nuts.

• Shakshuka – Eggs baked in a rich, tomato sauce, made with onions, garlic and a blend of cumin, paprika and chillies, usually mopped up with bread. It’s hearty, nutritious, and perfect for brunch lovers. Originally from North Africa, it’s eaten all over Morocco, especially in the morning or as something light.

• Bastilla – Or pastilla. A flaky pastry made with layers of warqa dough, which is a bit like filo. It’s filled with spicy meat like chicken, almonds, cinnamon and egg, then dusted with sugar and cinnamon. Grab one for lunch or as a snack from a street food stall – it’s a great way to see how Moroccan cuisine plays with sweet and savoury flavours.

Local drinks

Here are some local drinks you can’t leave without trying…

• Moroccan mint tea – Or ‘atay’. This sweet and refreshing tea is Morocco’s national drink and a huge part of the culture here – you’ll see everyone drinking it in bars, cafés and even just on the side of the road. There’s a whole ritual around it – green tea, fresh mint and lots of sugarcane are brewed together in an ornate silver pot, poured out and back in multiple times to make sure it’s well-mixed. Once it’s steeped, it’s poured into a cup from up high to make it frothy. And, you drink it from small glasses, which makes it cool down quickly.

• Moroccan coffee – Coffee isn’t grown in Morocco, but there’s a massive coffee culture here. It’s brewed strong and spiced with cardamom or cinnamon. You can get it anywhere, even out the back of barista vans on the side of main roads.

• Orange juice – You’ll see orange trees everywhere you go here, so it makes sense that Morocco makes great orange juice – Moroccan oranges are famous for being super sweet. It’s sold everywhere, especially in Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, where juice vendors freshly squeeze it right there and then.

Nightlife

Here’s where you can go out on a holiday to Morocco.

• Marrakech – Marrakech’s Medina is full of rooftop bars, jazz clubs and a few all-nighter clubs. Catch some traditional belly dancing in Le Comptoir Darna and Theatro Nightclub goes all-out with international DJ sets and acrobatic shows. For a relaxed evening drink, Lola Sky Lounge and Café Arabe serve cocktails with scenic views over the city.

• Casablanca – Sky 28 offers panoramic city views and live jazz, and Le Cabestan is a stylish seafront spot. For clubbing, Maison B is a modern venue with a moody bar area and big dancefloor.

• Agadir – Morocco’s party destination. The beach resort has a mix of bars, beach clubs and lounges. So Lounge has a bit of everything with a bar, restaurant and live music stage, or Papagayo Agadir is a go-to for dancing until the early hours.

• Fez – The nightlife here’s more culture over clubbing, with live music venues, storytelling cafés and rooftop bars around the city. Café Clock hosts traditional gnawa performances and poetry readings, then Palais Faraj Bar serves Moroccan wine with medina views.

Train

A cheap and reliable way to travel between Morocco’s major cities, with the ONCF railway network connecting Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakech, Fes, Tangier and other key destinations.

Bus

Catching the bus is a budget-friendly way to get across cities and between places. Plus, it’s a great way to see more of Morocco and get your bearings. Services like CTM and Supratours have air-conditioned coaches, too.

Taxi

A great option for one-off trips, visiting cultural sights that are away from the centre, or getting from the airport to your stay. You’ll see plenty on the roads, especially in the bigger cities, and you can just hail them down.

Car hire

Renting your own car gives you the flexibility and freedom to travel where you want, when you want. You could drive along the coast, head into the Atlas Mountains or check out the Sahara. Roads in the city are well-maintained, but the condition is mixed in more rural areas, so a 4x4 vehicle is a good option.