Morocco packs an extraordinary variety into one country: medieval medinas, snowy mountains, Saharan dunes, Roman ruins and long Atlantic beaches. Choosing where to go is the hardest part. Here are the 15 places we recommend most, grouped by region, with ideas to combine them.
Key takeaways
- For a first trip, combine one imperial city, the desert and the coast.
- Distances are large: plan 4–6 hours between regions.
- Marrakech, Casablanca and Rabat airports are the easiest entry points.
- A car gives freedom between cities; a driver or circuit removes the logistics.
Imperial cities
1. Marrakech
The most famous city in Morocco: souks, palaces, gardens and an incredible food scene, with the Atlas and the Agafay desert close by. Start with our list of the best things to do in Marrakech.
2. Fes
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free medinas in the world, listed by UNESCO, with medersas, tanneries and artisans’ workshops. Plan at least two days.
3. Rabat
The calm, green capital: the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and a pleasant ocean promenade, about an hour from Casablanca.
4. Meknes and Volubilis
Meknes has monumental gates and a quiet medina; nearby Volubilis is the best-preserved Roman site in Morocco, with superb mosaics.
The north
5. Chefchaouen
The famous blue town of the Rif mountains, relaxed and photogenic. Add the Akchour waterfalls for a nature walk.
6. Tangier
A port city facing Europe, with a lively medina, cafés overlooking the strait and Cap Spartel nearby.
Mountains and valleys
7. Imlil and the High Atlas
Berber villages and trails at the foot of Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak, about 90 minutes from Marrakech.
8. Aït Ben Haddou
A spectacular fortified village of earth buildings, listed by UNESCO, on the road from Marrakech to the desert.
9. Dadès and Todra gorges
Red cliffs, winding roads and palm groves: a highlight of any route to the Sahara.
10. Ouzoud waterfalls
Some of the highest waterfalls in North Africa, set in olive groves, about three hours from Marrakech.
The desert
11. Merzouga and Erg Chebbi
The high orange dunes most people picture when they think of the Sahara: camel rides at sunset and a night in a desert camp. See our 4-day Sahara itinerary.
12. Agafay desert
A stony desert an hour from Marrakech, ideal if you have little time or travel as a group. Compare both in Agafay or Merzouga.
The Atlantic coast
13. Essaouira
A windy, laid-back port with blue boats, ramparts and a UNESCO-listed medina, about three hours from Marrakech.
14. Casablanca
Morocco’s economic capital and main airport hub, home to the Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
15. Taghazout and Agadir
Surf villages and long sunny beaches in the south, popular in winter.
How to combine them
| Trip length | Suggested route |
|---|---|
| 4–5 days | Marrakech + Agafay desert + Essaouira or the Atlas |
| 7 days | Casablanca → Rabat → Meknes/Volubilis → Fes → Chefchaouen (see the imperial cities route) |
| 7–8 days | Marrakech → Aït Ben Haddou → Dadès → Merzouga → Fes |
| 10–14 days | Casablanca → Fes → Merzouga → Ouarzazate → Marrakech → Essaouira |
Getting around
- By car: the most flexible way to combine regions. Motorways link the big cities; mountain roads are slower. Read Morocco’s driving rules.
- By train: good between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech, but not to the desert or the mountains.
- With a driver: private transfers at fixed prices for single journeys.
- Organised circuit: route, hotels, guides and transfers handled for you. See our Morocco circuits.
Ready to plan? Rent an automatic car at Casablanca, Marrakech or Rabat airport, or tell us your dates for a tailored itinerary.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?
It depends on what you love: Chefchaouen for its blue streets, the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga for the Sahara, Aït Ben Haddou for its earth architecture and Fes for its historic medina are the most often cited.
How many days do you need to see Morocco?
Seven days lets you see one region well, for example the imperial cities or Marrakech and the desert. Ten to fourteen days lets you combine cities, the Sahara and the coast.
Which city is best for a first trip to Morocco?
Marrakech is the easiest first stop: direct flights, many accommodation options and short trips to the Atlas mountains and the desert.
Is it better to rent a car or take tours in Morocco?
A rental car gives the most freedom between cities and regions. If you prefer not to drive, private transfers or an organised circuit handle the logistics for you.
