Morocco Travel Guide

Places to visit in Morocco

Morocco’s key destinations are spread across a compact and well-connected country, making it ideal for touring. Whether you’re visiting imperial cities, trekking mountain passes, or unwinding on the Atlantic coast, each region offers a distinct character and pace.

Top things to do in Morocco

Morocco is rich with experiences, from iconic landmarks to quieter cultural encounters. Many of the activities below are included within Newmarket Holidays tours, while others can be enjoyed during time at leisure. Always check your individual tour itinerary, as free time and optional activities vary.

1. Explore Marrakesh's Jemaa el-Fnaa Square 

Morocco’s most iconic square is a sensory spectacle of snake charmers, storytellers, musicians, and food vendors. Surrounding it is the medina’s intricate maze of souks selling textiles, spices, metalwork, and crafts. A guided visit reveals layers of cultural authenticity that independent exploration often misses.

Time needed: 3-4 hours (visits in the morning and evening are both rewarding)
Estimated cost: Free to explore; optional meals and shopping from £5-£20
Accessibility: Crowded and uneven surfaces; narrow alleyways with steps. Morning visits are less busy. Discuss mobility requirements with your guide in advance.

Included on: Imperial Cities of Morocco & the Sahara Desert

2. Sahara Desert Camel Trek & Berber Camp

Watch the sunset transform the dunes through shades of amber and rose, enjoy traditional meals, and stay under starlit skies, a genuinely breathtaking way to experience the desert.

Time needed: Up to two to three days with overnight camping
Estimated cost: Typically included on escorted tours; costs vary by tour standard
Accessibility: Camel riding involves mounting and dismounting; discuss fitness levels with your tour operator. Berber camps offer comfortable traditional accommodation with modern facilities.

Included on: Imperial Cities of Morocco & the Sahara Desert

3. Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca

One of the world’s largest mosques, the Hassan II Mosque combines impressive Islamic architecture with views over the Atlantic Ocean. Its minaret, at 210 metres, is the tallest in the world. Non-Muslim visitors can tour the interior, exterior and surrounding grounds during designated times.

Time needed: One to two hours
Estimated cost: Typically included on escorted tours
Accessibility: Exterior grounds are mostly accessible; some uneven surfaces. Interior visits involve steps - discuss requirements in advance.

Included on: Imperial Cities of Morocco & the Sahara Desert

4. Wander the Medina of Fes

Fes’s medina is one of the world’s largest car-free urban areas. A guided tour reveals the Medersa al-Attarine, with its colourful tilework and carved cedar wood; the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts; and the Chouara Tannery, where leather has been dyed using traditional methods for over 1,000 years.

Time needed: Four to six hours (can be split across visits)
Estimated cost: Typically included on escorted tours; tannery visits from approximately £5-£10 independently
Accessibility: Extremely narrow alleys with frequent steps and uneven medieval paving. A guide is essential. Not suitable for those with severe mobility restrictions.

Included on: Imperial Cities of Morocco & the Sahara Desert

5. Trek in the Atlas Mountains

The Atlas Mountains offer spectacular scenery and authentic encounters with Berber communities. Guided treks or scenic drives reveal traditional mountain villages, terraced fields, and panoramic viewpoints. The walk through Todra Gorge, towering limestone canyons carved by the Todra River, is a particular highlight.

Time needed: Half to full day depending on route
Estimated cost: Typically included on escorted tours; independent treks from approximately £30-£60
Accessibility: Trekking involves uneven terrain and higher altitude (2,000-3,000 metres). Discuss fitness levels before trekking. Scenic drives are suitable for all mobility levels.

Included on: Imperial Cities of Morocco & the Sahara Desert

6. Essaouira's Beach & Harbour

This captivating Atlantic coastal town offers fresh seafood restaurants overlooking the harbour, windswept beaches, and a bohemian atmosphere. It’s an ideal counterpoint to the intensity of Marrakesh and Fes, and the argan-oil cooperatives in the surrounding region are fascinating to visit.

Time needed: Up to a full day
Estimated cost: Meals from £8-£20; beach activities free
Accessibility: The medina has some uneven surfaces; the seafront promenade and beaches are more accessible.
Optional leisure-time activity: This experience is enjoyed during free time on certain tours. Check your individual itinerary for details.

Vegetarian & plant-based dining

Morocco has a strong vegetarian tradition rooted in its culinary history, and plant-based eating is well catered for across the country. Many dishes are naturally vegetarian or can be easily adapted. Vegetable tagines, couscous, salads, and bread are staples in every region, and most restaurants readily offer vegetarian mains and mezze platters. Markets are excellent for fresh produce, nuts, and dried fruits, and street food vendors commonly sell vegetable-filled pastries and bread. If you’re unsure about ingredients - for example, whether a broth is meat or vegetable-based - it’s always worth asking.

Safe street food & drinking water tips

• Bottled water is recommended for visitors, even in areas where tap water is treated; your tour operator will advise
• Street food is most enjoyable at busy stalls with visible preparation and high turnover
• Fresh juice stalls and mint tea are widely available and typically safe throughout Morocco
• Hygiene standards in restaurants catering for tourists are generally good; escorted tours manage all meal logistics

Local dining etiquette

• Dining is leisurely and social - meals are a time for connection, not rushing
• Eating with the right hand is customary when sharing communal dishes
• Accept mint tea or coffee as a gesture of hospitality - it’s polite to at least taste it
• Sharing food from communal plates is normal and encouraged in traditional settings
• During Ramadan, eating, drinking, or smoking in public during daylight hours is disrespectful; plan accordingly

The best time to visit Morocco

Morocco can be visited year-round, and the best time to visit depends on your interests and which regions you plan to explore. The country’s climate varies significantly by altitude and geography - the coast and high mountains are considerably cooler than the desert lowlands - so the ideal timing differs by destination. Spring and autumn are widely considered the most comfortable seasons for touring across all regions.

Autumn (September-November)

Temperatures ease after the summer heat, and September through October remain warm (22-30°C) with excellent conditions for all regions. The crowds thin from the summer peak, and late-season tours often offer good value. November brings comfortably cool temperatures, ideal for active touring in the cities and mountains.

Winter (December-February)

Mild to cool across the lowlands (10-20°C), winter is an excellent season for desert and city touring. Attractions are quieter and prices are often better value. Mountain regions can experience snow, which can affect accessibility on higher roads - worth checking before travel. Occasional rainfall in coastal areas is possible.

Spring (March-May)

This is the most popular season for good reason. Temperatures are ideal across all regions, wildflower blooms appear in March and April, and the longer daylight hours in May are perfect for sightseeing and trekking. It’s the peak season, so popular sites will be busier and prices higher - but the conditions are hard to beat.

Summer (June-August)

Temperatures in the desert and lowlands reach 35-40°C, which can make intensive sightseeing challenging. However, the Atlas Mountains and Atlantic coast remain pleasant, and this is the quietest period with the best value for budget-conscious travellers. Mountain trekking and higher-altitude areas are particularly appealing in summer.