Travel Guides

Best Places to Visit in Morocco Morocco is one of the most varied countries you can explore in a single trip. Within a few hours you can move from Atlantic coastline to mountain villages, from dense historic medinas to vast desert landscapes. If you’re researching the best places to visit in Morocco, the key isn’t choosing destinations in isolation, it’s understanding how they connect. Your route, your entry point and your pace shape the entire experience. I travelled Morocco by car, crossing from Spain by ferry with my dog Roly, building the journey region by region. Whether you’re flying in or road-tripping across the border, this guide breaks down the 10 best places to visit in Morocco and how to combine them properly. Table of Contents Arrival to Morocco 10 Best Places to Visit in Morocco Other Places Worth Adding to The Route Best Places in Morocco for First-Time Visitors Best Places to Go in Morocco for Culture Best Places in Morocco for Nature How You Arrive in Morocco Shapes Your Route If You’re Flying: Most international travellers land in: Marrakech (RAK) – ideal for central Morocco Casablanca (CMN) – strongest international connections Fes (FEZ) – best for northern routes Tangier (TNG) – good for north + coastal start Agadir (AGA) – southern coastline access From Marrakech, it’s easy to combine: Marrakech → Atlas Mountains → Essaouira From Fes: Fes → Chefchaouen → RabatFrom Casablanca: Casablanca → Essaouira → Marrakech From Agadir: Agadir → Taghazout → Imsouane → Essaouira → Marrakech If You’re Driving from Spain: The most common crossings are: Tarifa → Tangier Ville (fast passenger ferry) Algeciras → Tangier Med (car ferry, ~1–1.5 hours) Crossing by car changes the dynamic completely. The morning we crossed, Spain slowly disappeared behind us and Morocco came into view through haze and sunlight. By late morning we were driving south from Tangier Med with goats crossing roads, hills opening up, everything feeling unmistakably different.The drive from Tangier Med to: Tangier city → 45 minutes Asilah → 1 hour Rabat → 3 hours Chefchaouen → 2–2.5 hours If you’re road-tripping, northern Morocco becomes your natural starting point. 10 Best Places to Visit in Morocco Here are 10 of the best places to visit in Morocco, whether you’re planning a one-week trip or a longer road journey. Imperial Cities Marrakech Region: Central MoroccoType: City (historic + modern)Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most iconic stops; intense, energetic, and visually unforgettable. You’ll get the full medina experience here (souks, rooftops, noise, colour), but it also has a more modern side in Gueliz with cafes, brunch spots and an easier day-to-day pace. Best for: first-time visitors, rooftop dining, shopping, classic Morocco energy Nomad note: easiest to work from if you base in Gueliz or a quieter compound and dip into the medina Dog note: doable in parks + open areas, but the medina isn’t the easiest with a dog Fes Region: Northern MoroccoType: City (historic / cultural)Fes is Morocco at its most historic and detailed. The kind of place you visit for depth. The medina is one of the most famous in the world, and it’s less polished than Marrakech in a way that makes it feel more raw and real. Best for: history, architecture, traditional culture, photography Nomad note: better for a focused few days than a long base Dog note: expect restrictions in indoor spaces; plan around outdoor walks + quieter streets Rabat Region: Atlantic Coast (Northwest Morocco)Type: Capital cityRabat feels more structured and local than the cities tourists usually chase. It’s more functional, and gives you a sense of modern Moroccan life alongside history (kasbah, coastline, key landmarks). Best for: a capital stop, daily-life vibe Nomad note: good “reset base” for work days because the pace is steadier Dog note: one of the least dog-friendly cities. Plan for takeaway and outdoor-only stops Desert & Mountains Sahara Desert (Merzouga) Region: Southeast MoroccoType: Desert landscapeMerzouga is the gateway to the Sahara dunes experience, the classic “Morocco desert” you picture. It’s a longer drive to reach, but it’s one of the most unique landscapes in the country and feels completely different to the cities and coast. Best for: bucket-list landscapes, dunes, stargazing, overnight desert camps Nomad note: treat it like a trip segment, not a work base Dog note: doable with planning, but consider heat, sand, and long travel days Atlas Mountains Region: Central / High AtlasType: Mountains / villages / hikingThe Atlas Mountains are where Morocco opens up with cooler air, big scenery, winding roads and small villages that feel a world away from the cities. It’s one of the best places in Morocco to slow the pace and get into nature. Best for: hiking, mountain stays, scenic drives, escaping city intensity Nomad note: great if you want quiet and deep focus (check Wi-Fi before booking) Dog note: one of the best regions for travelling with a dog with lots of space and outdoor living Aït Benhaddou Region: Near Ouarzazate (South of the Atlas)Type: Historic ksar / road trip stopAït Benhaddou is one of Morocco’s most famous road-trip stops. A fortified village made of earth-toned buildings that looks cinematic in real life. It’s an easy add-on if you’re driving across the Atlas region. Best for: road trips, history, photography, film locations Nomad note: perfect as a stopover between bases Dog note: good because it’s outdoors-focused and walkable Coastal Morocco Essaouira Region: Atlantic Coast (West Morocco)Type: Coastal townEssaouira is one of the easiest places to live in Morocco. It's walkable, relaxed, creative, and (in my experience) one of the most dog-friendly. It has a softer medina than Marrakech, beach routines, and enough cafes and restaurants to stay for longer. Best for: longer stays, ocean air, medina wandering, relaxed pace Nomad note: genuinely strong work base — routines are easy to build here Dog note: one of the best places in Morocco for dogs (cafes/restaurants are far more welcoming) Taghazout Region: Atlantic Coast (near Agadir)Type: Surf town / coastal villageTaghazout is best known for surf culture and beach living. It’s the kind of place people choose for a few days to switch off, or for longer stays if they want sun, ocean and simple routines. Best for: surf, coastal living, laid-back stays Nomad note: popular with remote workers. Check Wi-Fi and accommodation setup Dog note: strong option for dogs because life is outdoors and beach-led Casablanca Region: Atlantic Coast (West Morocco)Type: Major city Casablanca is modern, busy, and less medina-led with more boulevards, coffee culture, restaurants and day-to-day movement. It’s not the “classic Morocco” most people picture, but it’s a great contrast and a strong city base if you like urban energy. Best for: modern city life, food, cafes, coastal walks, cosmopolitan vibes Nomad note: one of the easiest cities to work from (modern apartments, strong amenities) Dog note: mixed. It's doable outdoors, but expect restrictions indoors Northern Morocco  Chefchaouen Region: Rif Mountains (Northern Morocco)Type: Mountain townChefchaouen is famous for its blue streets, but it’s not just pretty, it’s also a compact mountain town that feels like a visual reset. It’s a great add-on if you’re exploring Northern Morocco. Best for: photography, slow wandering, mountain scenery, short stays Nomad note: good for a calm few days (Wi-Fi depends on accommodation) Dog note: generally easier than big cities because it’s walkable and outdoorsy Honourable Mention Asilah Region: Atlantic Coast (North Morocco)Type: Coastal townAsilah is a distinctive coastal town in Morocco with whitewashed walls, bold blue doors, large-scale murals across the medina and Atlantic views from the ramparts. It’s visually strong and creative without feeling overworked for tourism. Best for: art, coastal walks, medina, adding contrast to bigger cities Nomad note: a strong short-term base. Peaceful enough to focus, lively enough not to feel isolated Dog note: An easy place in Morocco to navigate with a dog with beach access, open streets and fewer restrictions than larger cities Other Places Worth Adding to Your Route Not every stop in Morocco makes a “top 10” list. Some places work better as route add-ons, alternatives, or more local detours. If you’re driving especially, these are worth considering. Imsouane (Atlantic Coast) Between Essaouira and Taghazout, Imsouane is smaller, less built-up, and centred almost entirely around the ocean. It’s known for long surf breaks and open coastal views. Best for: slow coastal stops, surf days, low-density beach living Works well as: a 1–2 night pause between larger bases Safi (Atlantic Coast) Often skipped, Safi sits between Essaouira and Casablanca. It’s less polished, more industrial in places, but that’s part of its character. The pottery tradition here is strong, and the coastal fortifications give it a different feel to Morocco’s more touristy towns. Best for: off-route exploration, pottery heritage, seeing a less curated coastal city Tamraght (Near Taghazout) Just south of Taghazout, Tamraght offers similar coastal access with slightly less density. If Taghazout feels too established, Tamraght can be a softer alternative Best for: surf access with more space Ouzoud Waterfalls (Near the Atlas) One of Morocco’s most dramatic waterfalls, located northeast of Marrakech. It’s popular, and geographically striking, especially if you’re combining Marrakech with Atlas travel. Best for: a nature-focused day or overnight trip from Marrakech Tazekka National Park (Near Fes) If you’re starting in Fes and want something less tour-bus heavy, Tazekka offers caves, forested areas and mountain trails that feel more rugged and less filtered. Best for: hiking near Fes M’Hamid (Southern Sahara Edge) Further south than Merzouga, M’Hamid sits on the edge of the Sahara with a more remote feel. Fewer polished camps, more raw desert access. Best for: travellers wanting a less commercial desert experience. Best Places in Morocco for First-Time Visitors If it’s your first trip to Morocco, don’t build your itinerary around a checklist. Build it around contrast. Morocco isn’t one experience, it’s several. Your route should reflect that. Decide how you travel. Are you flying in for a short break? Working remotely for a month? Road-tripping down from Europe? Travelling with a dog? Morocco shifts depending on your pace and entry point. Here’s how to think about it. If You’re Flying In for a Short Stay (5–7 Days) Start with Marrakech. It gives you the full sensory introduction with the medina, rooftops, architecture, energy. Then add Essaouira for beaches, coastline and contrast. Its more walkable medina gives you space after Marrakech’s intensity. It’s one of the easiest places in Morocco to settle into, whether that’s for two nights or two weeks. If You Want Culture Without the Hype Land in Fes instead. Pair it with Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, and finish in Rabat for a more local capital feel. This route is less commercially intense than Marrakech and often overlooked by first-timers. If You’re Driving from Spain (My Route) Crossing by ferry into Tangier Med changes the tone of the trip. Instead of flying straight into the deep end, you enter gradually: Tangier → Asilah → Rabat → Casablanca  → Marrakech → Essaouira → Imsouane → TaghazoutThe shift from Europe into Morocco unfolds in stages. The roads open up. The landscape changes. It feels like crossing into somewhere new, not arriving abruptly.It’s a slower introduction, but a memorable one. If You’re Choosing a Digital Nomad Base Not every Moroccan city works equally well long-term. Essaouira is one of the most liveable bases: compact, coastal, easy to build routine. Taghazout works if you want surf culture and ocean access. Casablanca offers the strongest infrastructure if you prefer a bigger-city movement. Marrakech works but neighbourhood choice makes all the difference. Choose based on daily life, not just landmarks. If You’re Travelling with a Dog Morocco is possible with a dog, but route planning matters. Coastal towns like Essaouira, Asilah, Taghazout, Imsouane are noticeably easier. Mountain regions are manageable. Dense medinas require more planning. It’s not about whether you can do it, it’s about choosing the places that make it smoother. If You Have Two Weeks Two weeks gives you space to combine regions properly:Marrakech → Atlas Mountains → Sahara → EssaouiraorTangier → Chefchaouen → Fes → Rabat → MarrakechYou don’t need to rush. Morocco rewards depth over speed. Best Places to Go in Morocco for Culture Culture in Morocco isn’t something you observe from a distance. It’s something you step into. It shows up in food, in music, in trade, in surf breaks, in desert camps, in daily rituals. Not just monuments.Here’s where you actually feel it. The Desert: Camel Riding & Campfire Evenings Yes, camel riding is cultural because it isn’t just an activity, it’s tied to how people moved across the Sahara for centuries. The desert isn’t empty land. It’s trade routes, nomadic history, survival knowledge.In Merzouga or M’Hamid, riding out into the dunes at sunset isn’t about the photo. It’s about scale. Silence. Sitting around a fire under a sky with no light pollution while local guides play traditional music.That’s lived heritage, not performance. The Kitchen: Cooking Classes & Market Shopping If you want to understand Morocco properly, you go to the market first.In Marrakech or Fes, walking through the produce stalls with someone who knows what they’re buying changes everything. Spices aren’t aesthetic. They’re functional. Preserved lemons, olives, fresh bread, it’s layered.Taking a cooking class here isn’t a tourist add-on. It’s a window into domestic life. You learn how tagine is built, why mint tea is poured from height, how hospitality operates.Food is culture in Morocco. Full stop. The Atlantic: Surfing as Identity Surfing in Taghazout or Imsouane isn’t just a sport scene. It’s reshaped entire towns.Fishing villages became surf hubs. Cafes cater to early morning tides. Boards lean against whitewashed walls. The ocean sets the pace of the day.That’s culture too, modern, coastal, evolving.It’s different from the medinas. It’s still Morocco. The Medina: Craft & Trade In Fes especially, culture is still craft-based. Leather, metalwork, weaving, ceramics, these aren’t souvenir factories, they’re skills passed down through families. The medina functions like a working organism.Even if you don’t buy anything, watching artisans work tells you more than any guidebook paragraph could. Music: Gnawa in Essaouira In Essaouira, culture comes through sound.Gnawa music isn’t background noise. It’s spiritual, rhythmic, rooted in West African history. During festival season the entire town shifts. But even outside of it, you’ll hear it in small squares and side streets.It’s woven into the place. Best Places in Morocco for Nature Nature in Morocco isn’t one landscape. It’s contrast. You can drive for three hours and feel like you’ve changed continents. Coastline to mountains. Mountains to desert. Desert to Atlantic wind.If you’re coming for scenery, don’t just pick a destination. Pick a terrain. The Sahara: Scale & Silence The desert near Merzouga isn’t impressive because it’s sandy. It’s impressive because of proportion. The dunes absorb sound. Footsteps disappear quickly. Night falls fast and the temperature drops with it. When you step away from camp lights, the sky sharpens into something you don’t see in cities.Camel riding here isn’t a gimmick, it’s the traditional way people moved through this terrain. Sitting that high above the sand changes your perspective. You feel the vastness instead of just looking at it.The Sahara is less about activity and more about exposure. You either embrace the stillness or you don’t. The High Atlas: Altitude & Air The Atlas Mountains don’t feel like a backdrop, they feel like a shift. Leaving Marrakech, the road begins to climb and the city intensity fades behind you. Switchbacks cut through dry valleys. Villages cling to slopes. In winter, peaks hold snow. In summer, the light is sharp and dry.You don’t need to trek for days to feel the difference. Even a single night at elevation changes the tone of your trip.The Atlas gives Morocco vertical dimension. The Atlantic Coast: Wind & Movement Morocco’s Atlantic coastline isn’t tropical. It’s powerful. Essaouira has a wide beach with an open horizon. The wind defines it. The ocean is rarely still.Further south, Taghazout and Imsouane feel more exposed. Surf breaks shape daily life. People plan around tides. The coastline isn’t manicured, it’s active.If the desert is silence, the Atlantic is motion. The In-Between: Driving as Nature Some of Morocco’s most interesting scenery isn’t a final destination. It’s the drive.Crossing from Spain by ferry and watching Africa appear through haze. Driving south from Tangier with hills rolling out. Moving from Marrakech towards Essaouira as the land softens and flattens.Morocco reveals itself in transitions. If you’re driving, you see more of its texture than most fly-in itineraries allow. Water & Greenery: The Unexpected Layer Most people associate Morocco with desert and heat. Then you stand at Ouzoud Waterfalls and realise that isn’t the whole picture. Forested areas near Tazekka National Park. Green valleys hidden between mountain ridges.Morocco isn’t monochrome. It just doesn’t advertise its green side loudly.Nature in Morocco isn’t curated. It’s layered. You don’t visit “a nature site.” You move through terrain.That’s the difference. Morocco isn’t a single experience you tick off. It’s a sequence of contrasts; coast, city, desert, altitude. The more intentionally you design your route, the more it reveals. Whether you’re flying in for a week or driving in for months, the best places to visit in Morocco are the ones that fit your pace.