Morocco Cities · 3 min read
15 Best Places to Visit in Morocco in 2026 (Chosen by Local Guides)
Quick answer
The best places to visit in Morocco are Marrakech, Fes, Chefchaouen, the Merzouga dunes (Erg Chebbi), Ait Benhaddou, the Dades and Todra gorges, the High Atlas around Imlil and Toubkal, Essaouira, Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque, Rabat, Meknes and Volubilis, the Ourika Valley, the Ouzoud Waterfalls, Agadir and Tangier.
Morocco packs extraordinary variety into a country you can cross in a day's drive: imperial cities, the Sahara, the highest peaks of North Africa and two coastlines. These are the 15 places our guides recommend most.
Imperial cities and medinas
1. Marrakech. The Red City: Jemaa el-Fna, the souks, palaces and gardens, and the best base for excursions. Start with things to do in Marrakech.
2. Fes. The spiritual and cultural capital, with the vast medieval medina of Fes el-Bali, its tanneries and madrasas. Read the Fes travel guide.
3. Meknes & Volubilis. Sultan Moulay Ismail's monumental gates, and nearby the best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, listed by UNESCO.
4. Rabat. The calm, green capital with the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower and a lovely Atlantic setting.
The Sahara and the south
5. Merzouga & Erg Chebbi. High orange dunes, camel treks and nights in desert camps — the Morocco of dreams. Our 3-day Sahara tour is the classic way to go.
6. Ait Benhaddou. A fortified earthen village on an old caravan route and a favourite film location.
7. Dades & Todra gorges. Twisting roads and towering limestone canyons between the Atlas and the desert.
8. Zagora & the Draa valley. Morocco's longest palm grove and the closest dunes to Marrakech.
Mountains and nature
9. Imlil & Toubkal. Berber villages under North Africa's highest peak (4,167 m). See the Imlil travel guide.
10. Ourika Valley. Green terraces and the waterfalls of Setti Fatma, one hour from Marrakech.
11. Ouzoud Waterfalls. About 110 m of cascades with boats and Barbary macaques.
12. Chefchaouen. The blue town of the Rif Mountains. Read the Chefchaouen guide.
The coast
13. Essaouira. A windswept port with a UNESCO medina, fresh fish and a laid-back mood.
14. Agadir & Taghazout. Long beaches, surf and year-round sunshine.
15. Tangier. The gateway to Africa from Spain, with a kasbah overlooking the Strait of Gibraltar.
How long to spend in each place
| Place | Minimum | Ideal |
|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | 2 days | 3–4 days with day trips |
| Fes | 1 day | 2 days |
| Merzouga (Sahara) | 1 night | 2 nights |
| Chefchaouen | half day | 1 night |
| Essaouira | 1 day | 2 nights |
| Imlil / Atlas | 1 day | 1–2 nights |
| Rabat, Meknes, Casablanca | half day each | 1 day each |
If you must choose, prioritise Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes: together they show the three faces of Morocco — the imperial city, the desert and the medieval medina.
How to combine them
- 7 days: Marrakech, the Sahara and Fes — see our 7-day Morocco tour from Marrakech.
- 10 days: add Chefchaouen, Rabat and Essaouira — see the 10-day grand tour.
- Short break: Marrakech plus one or two day trips.
Plan the timing with the best time to visit Morocco.
FAQ
What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?
Many travellers name the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga at sunset, the blue medina of Chefchaouen and the High Atlas valleys. It depends whether you prefer desert, cities or mountains.
Which city should I visit first in Morocco?
Marrakech is the easiest first stop: good flight connections, many sights and day trips to the Atlas and Agafay desert.
Can I see Marrakech, Fes and the Sahara in one week?
Yes, with a one-way route from Marrakech to Fes via the desert in 3 days plus city days. See our 7-day itinerary.
Which places in Morocco are best for families?
Marrakech, the Ourika Valley, Essaouira, Agadir's beaches and a Zagora or Agafay desert experience suit families well.
Morocco Travels Team
Written by the Morocco Travels team in Marrakech — local guides and drivers who run these routes every week. We update our guides each season with current prices, opening hours and road conditions.
