I wasn’t prepared for how much this North African gem was going to blow my mind. For real, with its fantastic culture, beautiful views, and extremely friendly people, Morocco is essentially the end destination for any traveler seeking some adventuring mixed with a true experience.
From Marrakech’s untamed markets to the celebrated Sahara sand dunes, Morocco is like a different world at every turn — and I’m here to tell you about some neat highlights when you’re checking out this mystical destination.
1. Marrakech – Morocco’s heart
Let’s start with Marrakech, because let’s face it, who wouldn’t? It’s basically the first destination for all of us, isn’t it? And it simply renders you speechless — a good thing, naturally. The moment I entered the medina (the old town), I was completely awed by this crazy array of colours, sounds, and aromas. Just imagine this: donkey carts navigating through these narrow streets, spices filling the air at every corner, and craftspeople busy at work producing brass lanterns in these small shops.
One of the highlights of my trip was intentionally being totally lost within the souks. I walked past all these great handmade carpets, leather bags, and Berber tribal accessories. You’ve got to visit Jemaa el-Fnaa, this incredibly famous central square, and see it at sunset. It’s crazy with jugglers, street performers, and food vendors—it’s like you’re in a movie or something!
If you need to relax for a while, you absolutely have to visit the Majorelle Garden. It was created by this Frenchman, Jacques Majorelle, and then Yves Saint Laurent redesigned it. The bright blues and gorgeous flora make it one of the top spots in the city for Instagram—no kidding, it’s really relaxing too.
2. The Atlas Mountains: A Hiking Dream Location
After all that wildness in Marrakech, I had to relax and get some nature, so I went to the Atlas Mountains. The range stretches across the entire country and has some amazing hiking opportunities. I ended up staying in this adorable little Berber village close to Imlil, which is a common place to start a hike to Mount Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa.
Now, full disclosure: I didn’t summit Toubkal (next time!), but I did some lower-altitude hikes that were absolutely breathtaking. Imagine terraced fields, snow-capped peaks, and herds of goats being led by shepherds in traditional dress. It’s wild, remote, and totally different from the cities.
You want to know what the highlight was? After a day of hiking, I got to relax in a Berber guesthouse with a cup of mint tea and some absolutely divine homemade tagine. It’s the small things — sitting on the floor, eating with your hands, laughing with the people you only met a day before — that made the Atlas Mountains one of my Morocco highlights.
3. Ait Benhaddou – A Journey Through the Past
On my trip to the Sahara, I had a quick detour at Ait Benhaddou, which is this incredible UNESCO World Heritage Site standing as a massive sandcastle rising from out of the desert. You might’ve seen it on movies such as Gladiator or Game of Thrones. It’s a ksar — effectively a fortified village constructed out of clay — and walking through its streets really does feel as if you’ve traveled through time.
I trekked up to the hill’s crest to see the spectacular view of the desert, and to be honest, it was one of the coolest places I’ve ever just relaxed at. It’s really a photographer’s utopia, particularly once that late afternoon sun begins radiating all golden tones.
You should definitely stop by there to visit the town of Ouarzazate, which is sort of the “Hollywood of Morocco.” It has a hip, eclectic feel and some movie studios where you can go on a tour.
4. The Sahara Desert – A Night Under the Stars
This was definitely the highlight of my trip—there was no question about it. I organized a desert tour out of Merzouga, which is essentially the access point for the Erg Chebbi sand dunes. Riding camels across the sand at sunset may sound a bit cheesy, but I swear it was incredible. The sand dunes came alive with this beautiful pink and orange color as the sun set, and all you could hear was the slow thud of camel paws on the sand.
We overnighted at this fantastic Berber desert encampment, and it was simply amazing with everyone drumming and dancing there, together with the sky full of stars. Zero light pollution existed anywhere—it was simply the Milky Way illuminating everything. I had a disrupted sleep because I didn’t want to miss a single moment of it.
Pro tip: Bring some layers! It gets really cold in the desert at night, even if you’ve been sweating all day.
5. Fes – Let’s explore the culture!
I went on over to Fes, and I swear, it absolutely feels like the soul of Morocco’s culture. The medina is this crazy labyrinth-like thing — I’m not even kidding. It’s a UNESCO Heritage Site and there are some seriously old architecture, such as the University of Al Quaraouiyine, which is technically the world’s oldest university.
I’ll be honest, I got lost in the medina within five minutes. But you know what? That’s all part of the fun. I stumbled upon these tanneries where they still dye leather the traditional way. It was really cool and somewhat humbling to see workers standing waist-deep in dye vats in the hot sun.
Fes isn’t as glamorous as Marrakech, but it has its character and some great history. You should explore a riad (which is essentially a typical Moroccan home) for some relaxing relief from city craziness. I stayed in one with a rooftop deck overlooking the entire city — drinking coffee up there in the morning was great!
6. Chefchaouen – The Blue Pearl of Morocco
You’ve got to hear about it: Chefchaouen is every bit as enchanting as it appears on photos. This quaint little town nestled within the Rif Mountains is famed for its blue buildings, and you can’t help but feel as if you’re strolling through a fairytale.
I’ve been lounging for a couple days, strolling through the streets, camera-clicking, sipping mint tea at warm cafes, and browsing local crafts. It’s a great place to unwind and relax after the hubbub of the major metropolitan areas.
There is some great scenery if you hike up the hills here. I went up to the Spanish Mosque, which is on a hill on the outskirts of town, for a sunset, and it was pure magic.
7. Essaouira – laid-back atmosphere by the sea
After all those mountains and deserts, I was totally needing the ocean — and Essaouira totally delivered. This laid-back beach town has a completely different feel. Think surf shops, seagulls, seafood, and beaches all windy and awesome.
I absolutely adored the medina here as it was so much more relaxed and easier to navigate than the ones in Marrakech or Fes. The whitewashed houses and sea breeze completely gave it that Mediterranean feel with a Moroccan flair.
I just went to this great seafood barbecue on the piers where you choose your fish and they grill it for you on the spot. It’s really convenient, totally fresh, and totally delicious. And if you’re going surfer- or kitesurfer-style, the wind here is incredible — they must’ve named it the “Windy City of Africa” for a reason!
Tips for Traveling Through Morocco
Before I wrap up, I just want to pass on some tips I learned that can definitely aid you in maximizing your time in Morocco:
- Learn a few words of Arabic or French. Seriously, just “hello” (salaam) and “thank you” (shukran) can go a long way.
- Dress modestly, especially outside the big cities. Morocco is relatively liberal, but respectful attire is appreciated.
- Be prepared to haggle at the souks—it’s completely normal and simply makes it more enjoyable!
- Always carry cash. Many small shops and restaurants don’t accept cards.
- Don’t over-plan. Some of my favorite moments came from spontaneous detours and last-minute decisions.
Final Thoughts
Morocco is completely full of surprises and contrasts. You’re riding camels across the desert one minute, then lounging with locals sipping some mint tea in a relaxed blue mountain town, or negotiating spices at a frenetic souk the next thing you know. It’s crazy and serene, a blend of old and new — that’s why it’s so great.
If you’re considering traveling to Morocco but need some guidance on where to begin, I truly hope this is helpful for you as it was for me. We all travel differently, but I can tell you, Morocco will linger with you, as it has for me.