Morocco is a culturally diverse and deeply fascinating country. The entire country is about the size of California, so it’s fairly easy to travel around, see many incredible sites, and enjoy memorable experiences in a short amount of time.
There is nothing like a Sahara Desert Tour or taking steam in a hammam with the locals or exploring the country’s wild terrain and remote, ancient ruins. From quad biking adventures to luxury in Morocco, you are sure to find endless adventure opportunities that will keep you coming back for more.
Camel Tour in the Sahara Desert
Take a Sahara Desert trek and explore the desert wilderness for a truly magical and unforgettable experience. The Sahara will likely change your life with its otherworldly, even spiritual beauty. There are several camel tours and treks available throughout Morocco that offer many different options from day trips to overnight excursions or extended camp trips depending on what you’re looking for.
You can experience the dramatic scenery of the desert in Morocco, camp overnight, watch the sunset over the dunes and watch the stars light up the night sky. Fun for the whole family, couples and solo travelers. You will definitely find peace and adventure on a Sahara Desert trip.
Visit a Hammam
A hammam is a public bath and an important social ritual in Moroccan culture. Take a break from your travels and head to a hammam for full body detox and a better understanding of the culture. This is a great opportunity for you to mingle with the locals while you relax and reenergize.
Traditional hammams have separate days and times for men and women, but in the big cities, like Casablanca or Marrakech, there are more modern options available and many cater to couples. From public to private luxury hammams, they all provide excellent health benefits.
Stay in a Riad
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house with an inner courtyard or garden filled with beautiful and exotic plants, flowers, and trees. They are private, intimate spaces with beautifully decorated interiors of mosaic tiles, hand-carved woodwork with a fountain or a pool, or both. Most riads are located in the old medina of Marrakech and provide a peaceful atmosphere away from the bustling city life.
They range in price from budget to luxury and all have their own kitchen or restaurant so you can dine in and enjoy authentic Moroccan cuisine. It’s like staying in your own personal oasis after a long day spent out exploring the city.
Venture around the Atlas Mountains
After wandering around Morocco’s big cities, head to the Atlas Mountains for a nature break to experience what lies beyond the souks and medinas. Explore fertile valleys, ruins of ancient kasbahs and remote Amazigh/Berber villages where you can plan an overnight stay. From hiking to trekking there are many tour options available so you can easily find peace in the valleys. This is also a great way to learn more about the culture of morocco from a rural perspective.
Discover Chefchaouen a.k.a ‘’The Blue Pearl’’
This charming city at the foot of the Rif Mountains has become famous for its striking shades of blue painted homes and buildings. Roam its winding streets and enjoy it’s laid back atmosphere. Exotic, colorful, and inspiring, Chefchaouen is just a day trip away from Tangier and Fez. You can shop around the medina hassle-free and find original, hand-made artworks to take home as a souvenir. Just before sunset, wander up one of the many mountain paths for incredible city views.
Be Entertained at Djemaa el Fna
Located in the main square of Marrakech, Djemaa el Fna is an astounding, circus-like atmosphere where locals and tourists mingle together to be entertained by street performers, local musicians, snake charmers, storytellers, acrobats, and more. Experience the creative side of the culture of Morocco. There are also plenty of street food vendors, cafes, and restaurants around the square so you can feast on Moroccan delights while taking in a show.
Roam around Jardin Majorelle
This exquisite botanical garden in Marrakech is best known for its stunning, intense shade of cobalt blue known as Majorelle Blue. The house once belonged to the French orientalist painter, Jacques Majorelle and was later restored by fashion designer, Yves Saint Laurent. Spend the afternoon strolling around the grounds and admire all the magnificent natural wonders including an impressive cacti collection.
Surrounded by pools, streams, and fountains, you are sure to experience peace and serenity. There is also the Amazigh/Berber Museum and Islamic Art Museum on-site to learn more facts about Moroccan culture. A collection of Majorelle’s paintings and sculptures are also on view. Relax in the café or browse the boutique for a souvenir. This is an afternoon well spent and you will likely leave feeling inspired and refreshed.
Visit a Desert Oasis
Every desert in Morocco has a hidden oasis. Head to the southeast where you will find the Zagora Desert to live out your desert oasis fantasy. You can bask in the beauty of the desert under the shade of palm groves as soft, cool breezes help you to escape from the intense, desert heat. You can even take a swim in a natural pool. Aside from being a savior from the sun, an oasis is a thriving, agricultural marvel teeming with plant life and the livelihood of the locals.
Not far from the Zagora Desert you can travel to Skoura Oasis to explore the stunning, 17th-century ruins of Kasbah Amerhidil.
Journey to Ait Ben Haddou
On your way to the Sahara Desert, stop to explore Ait Ben Haddou, an ancient, adobe city near the base of the Atlas Mountains that is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. An easy day trip from Marrakech, exploring this ancient site is sure to spark your imagination and you might even recognize the landscape from blockbuster films.
Located in the province of Quarzazate, this pre-Saharan cluster of clay buildings was once part of the ancient, caravan trade route between Sudan and Marrakech. This historic city has appeared in several films and most recently Game of Thrones. It is also close to the Atlas Films Studio where legendary films like Lawrence of Arabia, The Mummy, and Babel were filmed.
A sensory experience at the Chouara Tannery, Fez
Fez is a famed medieval and spiritual city that boasts several tanneries, but none are as impressive as the Chouara Tannery.
This historical site is the largest tannery in Fez and the oldest in the world. Watch the leather making process in action as workers carry out the same old-world techniques and methods used centuries ago. Vats of natural dyes form a lovely, multi-colored patchwork. The aroma of the natural mixtures used in production is intense, so be sure to pack a sprig of fresh mint in your bag to help keep the smells at bay.
The tannery is surrounded by many shops selling handmade leather products so you can buy authentic items made on site. Keep in mind that you will have to pay a tip to view the famous dyeing vat area, so make sure to barter a fair price and agree upon it before entering.
These are just a few of the countless, cultural treasures of Morocco. You are sure to discover many more along your travels around Morocco.
Pack your bags and get ready for your journey!
