Things to do in Morocco

Learn tagine and pastries in a riad or a dedicated cooking school.

Half or full day with an official guide is the best way to understand the city.

Imperial city and Roman ruins less than an hour away.

Discover the 1920s–50s buildings of the centre with a local guide or on your own.

Sunset at the Udayas, mint tea at Café Maure, then the souks.

Visit the Great Mosque area and the Merinid madrasa of Salé.

Explore the alleys between the Grand Socco and the kasbah.

A white seaside town famous for its murals and summer arts festival, 45 km south.

Spain is about an hour away by fast ferry (bring your passport).

Half-day trip to the Roman ruins and the hilltop holy town.

Horse-drawn carriage tour of the imperial city.

The "little Marrakech" with intact earthen ramparts.

Weekly souk for the valley villages.

Skoura palm grove, Amridil kasbah and the Dades valley.

Sets from famous productions.

Cistern, church of the Assumption and ramparts, all within a few streets.

An easy hour or two through the lanes and along the walls.

Ancient site near Larache, about 40 km south.

Earthen kasbahs below Jbel Kissane on the road from Ouarzazate.

Try harira soup, grilled meats and snail broth; agree the price before sitting.

Bissara (fava bean soup), msemen pancakes and pastilla, the sweet-savoury pie of Fes.

Choose fish at the stalls and have it grilled nearby.

Riverside dining between the marina and the kasbah.

Fish, tapas-style dishes and pastries.

Fresh local cheese, bissara and tagines.

Morocco’s main wine-growing area surrounds the city.

Choose your fish at the stalls and eat it freshly grilled.

Fresh oysters and seafood straight from the lagoon farms.

Grilled fish in the restaurants by the ramparts.

Oysters, fish and octopus fresh from the ocean.

Leather, lanterns, carpets and spices along Souk Semmarine and the dyers’ souk. Bargaining is expected.

Watch tiles being cut by hand in the potters’ quarter outside Bab Ftouh.

Crafts, olives and traditional pastries at fixed and fair prices.

Embroidery, wood and leather made by local artisans.

Local textiles sold in the medina.

Silver thread inlaid in iron, a Meknes speciality.

Women’s cooperatives producing argan oil on the road to Marrakech.

Watch the wood-fired kilns and the famous green glaze.

Stony desert about 40 km away for sunset dinners, camel rides and quad tours.

From simple bivouacs to luxury tented camps.

Boards are available at most camps.

Nomad families, fossils and old mines.

Two-day trip by 4×4 or camel from M’Hamid.

Berber villages and the Setti Fatma waterfalls, about an hour away.

About 1 h 30 by road into the Rif.

Riverside trails to waterfalls and the natural rock bridge.

Forest trails, lakes and the Ain Vittel spring.

Go with a licensed mountain guide; check the current local rules before you go.

Easy to moderate hikes with lunch in a Berber house.

Walk between 300 m cliffs.

Longer trails along the river and through Berber villages.

Schools rent boards and offer lessons for beginners.

Beginner-friendly waves right below the kasbah.

Schools on the main beach; Sidi Kaouki for more space.

For all levels, with board rental.

Short rides on traditional rafts under the spray.

Schools and camps around the lagoon for all levels.

Pools and sunbeds facing the Atlantic.

Long Atlantic beaches near Cap Spartel.

Martil, M’diq and Fnideq beaches from June to September.

Swimming season roughly May–October.

Long sandy beach and cafés south of the centre.

Town beach and Paradise Beach, reached on foot, by taxi or by horse cart.

Quiet green spaces in the city.

Multi-day treks through forests and Rif villages.

See them in the wild — do not feed them.

Ride towards the dunes and the Diabat ruins.

Birdwatching, including the rare northern bald ibis.

Palm-lined gorge with natural pools in the Atlas foothills.

About 40 minutes inland.

Palm groves stretching towards Zagora.

About 20–30 minutes down; boats and cafés by the pools.

Leave early: the drive takes about 2½–3 hours each way.

Walk or cycle between gardens and irrigation channels.

Birds, dolphins (seasonal) and lagoon landscapes.

From neighbourhood bathhouses to luxury spas offering black soap and kessa scrubs.

Many riads have their own hammam and spa.

Many surf houses combine yoga and surf.

Natural thermal springs near the lagoon.

Course between the hills and the sea.

Golf course at Michlifen among cedars.

Several courses around the city.

Course overlooking the ocean.

Links course by the ocean designed by Gary Player.

Small ski slopes at Michlifen when snow conditions allow (usually January–February).

Snow-dependent ski area, usually in winter.

Free concerts across the town every June.

Live music with tea in the village.

Large summer gathering south of the city with tbourida horse displays.

Exhibitions, talks and mural painting in summer (dates vary).