15 Unforgettable Places to See in Morocco
From Chefchaouen to the Merzouga dunes, Ait Ben Haddou and Essaouira — the best places to see in Morocco and how to link them.
Morocco packs an astonishing amount into one country: medieval cities, Saharan dunes, snow-capped mountains, Atlantic beaches and valleys full of kasbahs. If you are wondering where to point your camera and spend your days, here are the places we take our guests again and again — and how they fit together into a journey.
The imperial cities
Marrakech is the country’s beating heart — the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, labyrinthine souks, the Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Garden. Fes is older and more atmospheric still, home to the world’s oldest university and a medina so complex it feels like time travel. Meknes and Rabat round out the four imperial cities, each with grand gates, palaces and calm that the bigger names sometimes lack.
The Sahara — Merzouga & Erg Chebbi
No trip is complete without a night in the desert. The dunes of Erg Chebbi, near Merzouga, rise up to 150 metres and glow orange at sunrise and sunset. Ride a camel over the crests, sleep in a Berber camp, and look up at a sky thick with stars. It is the memory most travellers carry home.
Chefchaouen, the blue city
Tucked into the Rif Mountains in the north, Chefchaouen is a maze of blue-washed lanes, flower pots and friendly cafes. It is small, walkable and wonderfully photogenic — a complete change of pace from the big cities.
Kasbahs, gorges & valleys
- Ait Ben Haddou — the UNESCO-listed earthen citadel that has starred in countless films.
- Todra & Dades gorges — dramatic canyons and the famous Road of a Thousand Kasbahs.
- Draa & Roses valleys — endless palm groves and, in spring, fields of fragrant roses.
The Atlas Mountains
The High Atlas is Berber heartland — terraced villages, walnut groves and Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak. Even a day trip to the Ourika Valley or Imlil trades city heat for cool mountain air.
The Atlantic coast — Essaouira
Breezy, laid-back Essaouira is a walled port town of blue fishing boats, fresh seafood and artists’ studios. It is the perfect place to slow down for a day or two after the desert.
How to link them: Most first trips run Marrakech → Atlas → Ait Ben Haddou → the gorges → Merzouga desert → Fes, with Chefchaouen and Essaouira added if you have more time. A private driver-guide makes the long, scenic distances comfortable.
See how these come together on our Morocco tours, or start with a day trip from Marrakech.
Tours related to this article
Frequently asked questions
How many days do I need to see Morocco's highlights?
Allow seven to ten days for Marrakech, the Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the gorges, the Merzouga desert and Fes. Add two or three days if you also want Chefchaouen or Essaouira.
What is the classic route for a first trip?
Most first trips run Marrakech, the Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, the Merzouga desert and then Fes, with Chefchaouen or Essaouira added when there is time.
How high are the dunes at Erg Chebbi?
The dunes near Merzouga rise up to about 150 metres. They glow orange at sunrise and sunset, which is the best time for a camel ride.
