My Top 5 Favourite Places to Explore in Morocco
I’ll be honest – Morocco had me at the first sip of mint tea. There’s just something about the place that gets under your skin in the best way. It’s a whirlwind of colours, spices, voices, music, and moments of total stillness. And if you’ve only got a week or two, how on earth do you choose where to go? Well, I’ve got you. Here are my absolute top five places to explore in Morocco. Whether you’re in it for the hammams or the hiking, the markets or the mountains – this list should make things a little easier to pin down.
1. Marrakech: The Mayhem, The Magic, The Medina
The first time I stepped into the medina, it was like being dropped into a real-life film set. The souks go on forever – I got lost twice in the first half hour and didn’t even mind.
There’s no better introduction to Morocco than Marrakech. It’s chaotic, yes, but thrilling. I’m talking snake charmers, rooftop restaurants, lantern-lit riads, and streets that smell like cinnamon and orange blossom.
My tip? Book a guide for your first morning. Then head straight to the Jardin Majorelle to catch your breath. The electric blue walls, the peaceful paths, the Yves Saint Laurent Museum – it’s the perfect contrast to the buzz of the souks.
2. Chefchaouen: The Blue One
Every alley, doorframe, and staircase in Chefchaouen is washed in shades of powder blue. You won’t be able to stop taking photos – it’s just so ridiculously pretty.
Tucked into the Rif Mountains, it’s much calmer than the big cities. People stroll slowly here. Cats nap on doorsteps. And the sunsets? Oh my god. Sit up at the Spanish Mosque with a blanket and just watch the sky do its thing.
Chefchaouen is also a great place to pause. Stay in a guesthouse with a terrace, sip tea for hours, and just be. No rushing, no fuss.
3. The Sahara: Endless Sand and Silent Nights
You haven’t really seen the desert until you’ve ridden a camel into it at golden hour. Stay in a luxury camp near Erg Chebbi and it will be nothing short of surreal. The tents are like hotel rooms – proper beds, private bathrooms, even WiFi.
Dinner under a blanket of stars. Music by the fire. Waking up to the quietest morning -It’s a bucket list moment.
4. Fes: The City That Doesn’t Try to Impress You (But Still Does)
Fes isn’t as polished as Marrakech, but that’s its charm. It feels more lived-in, more real. The medina is medieval – no cars, just donkeys, carts, and tiny alleys that twist and turn like a maze.
I love the old-world energy here. The tanneries (yes, they smell, but they’re fascinating), the ancient madrassas, the artisans still hand-stitching leather or hammering out brass trays.
Fes is the place to dig a little deeper. To learn about Morocco’s history, to see tradition in motion, to eat the best pastilla of your life.
5. The Atlas Mountains: Nature’s Masterpiece
After all the cities and souks, heading into the Atlas Mountains feels like an exhale.
Stay in a kasbah overlooking the valley near Imlil – snow-capped peaks in the distance, goats clattering past on the trails, and air so fresh it will make you feel sleepy.
Do a gentle hike to a Berber village and be welcomed with warm bread, olives, and sweet mint tea. It felt like stepping into another rhythm – slower, softer, simpler.
This is where I’d come back to if I needed a proper break. Just peace and mountains and long, delicious dinners by the fire.
Honestly, narrowing Morocco down to just five spots was painful. I haven’t even mentioned Essaouira (surf town with charm for days), or the Todra Gorge (those cliffs!), or Ouarzazate (where you’ll recognise every second film set).
But these five? These are the ones I’d go back to in a heartbeat.
So, have you been to Morocco? Or are you just starting to plan it? Let me know – I’d love to help you shape your route!
