10 MUST-Do Activities In Morocco 🇲🇦
(First-time Traveler Tips)
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Planning a trip to Morocco? This North African gem is bursting with color, history, and unforgettable experiences. From riding camels in the Sahara to exploring centuries-old medinas, Morocco offers something for every traveler.
In this post, I’m sharing 10 activities you absolutely can’t miss in Morocco — based on my own trip. If you’d prefer a video version of this list, check out the YouTube video below. Let’s get into it!
1. Ride a Camel in the Sahara Desert
Riding a camel in the Sahara Desert was honestly 90% of the reason I wanted to go to Morocco. It’s one of those epic travel bucket list items that feels like stepping into a movie.
A popular spot for camel rides is Merzouga, a desert village near the Algerian border. I went with a G Adventures tour, and they handled everything — including the 6-hour bus transfer from Ouarzazate. It is a bit out of the way if you’re staying in Marrakesh, Fez, or Casablanca, but totally worth it.
While you’re in the dunes, don’t miss out on:
🏂 Sandboarding
🌌 Stargazing under the desert sky
⚠️ Pro tip: Pack warm clothes — desert nights can be surprisingly cold.
2. Spend Time with a Nomadic Family
One of the most unique cultural experiences in Morocco is visiting a Berber nomad family in the desert. Through my G Adventures tour group, we were welcomed into a camp where we shared tea, cookies, and conversation.
The family was warm, open, and happy to answer questions about their lifestyle. Playing with the children and learning about how they live was unforgettable.
💡 This is one of those experiences that’s hard to arrange on your own, so joining a guided tour really helps.
3. Take a Hot Air Balloon Ride Over Marrakesh
Watching the sunrise over the mountains from a hot air balloon was magical. About an hour outside of Marrakesh, we floated peacefully above the landscape while the world slowly woke up.
Our balloon, the Juliette, is actually the largest in Morocco. The pilot shared so many fun insights while we drifted over the countryside.
Yes, you’ll have to wake up painfully early — but it’s 100% worth it.
4. Get Lost in the Medinas of Marrakesh or Fez
Morocco’s medinas (old walled cities) are like stepping back in time. Expect narrow alleys, cobblestone streets, souks (markets), donkeys carrying goods, and the constant buzz of life.
Highlights:
🛍️ Shopping for spices, textiles, and handmade crafts
🍊 Freshly squeezed orange juice from street vendors
đź•Ś Centuries-old mosques and hidden gems around every corner
While Marrakesh’s medina is world-famous, the medina of Fez is actually the largest and oldest in the world, dating back to the 9th century. Wandering through it feels like walking through history.
⚠️ Be alert: watch your step on uneven streets, keep an eye out for motorcycles weaving through the crowds, and keep your belongings secure.
5. Visit Ouarzazate & AĂŻt Benhaddou
Ouarzazate is often called the “Hollywood of Morocco.” You’ve probably seen it on screen without realizing — Gladiator, Game of Thrones, and The Hills Have Eyes all filmed here.
Don’t miss:
🎬 Atlas Film Studios (a treat for movie lovers)
🏰 Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site with clay and adobe buildings dating back to the 17th century
Walking through AĂŻt Benhaddou felt like I had stepped straight into biblical times. The architecture is mind-blowing.
6. Explore the Bahia Palace in Marrakesh
Built in the late 1800s, the Bahia Palace is a maze of rooms, courtyards, and intricate Moroccan design. Think:
Arabic inscriptions
Colorful geometric tilework
Hand-carved stucco ceilings
It only takes 1–2 hours to explore, but go early or during off-peak hours — it gets crowded.
7. Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa
The Ben Youssef Madrasa, once an Islamic college, is now one of Marrakesh’s most photogenic historic sites.
I actually preferred it over Bahia Palace. The dorm rooms where students once lived are still intact, and the craftsmanship in the courtyards is jaw-dropping.
📸 Instagram tip: The symmetry and mosaics make for stunning photos.
8. Wander the Majorelle Garden & Yves Saint Laurent Museum
The Majorelle Garden is a tranquil escape in Marrakesh, famous for its cobalt blue walls, exotic plants, and peaceful atmosphere.
Right next door is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, which showcases the fashion house’s history. Together, they make a perfect half-day outing.
9. Take Photos in the Blue Streets of Chefchaouen
If you’ve seen dreamy blue streets on Instagram — that’s Chefchaouen. Located in northern Morocco, this town is painted in striking shades of blue.
The reason why? Well, that depends on who you ask:
Some say it represents Judaism (the town once had a large Jewish population)
Others say it keeps mosquitos away
Or maybe it was just to attract tourists
Either way, it’s one of the most photogenic places in the country.
10. Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Finally, if you’re in Casablanca, don’t miss the Hassan II Mosque — the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims.
It’s one of the largest mosques in the world and sits dramatically on the Atlantic coast. Sadly, I didn’t make it there on my trip, but from the photos (and friends’ experiences), it’s absolutely breathtaking.
Final Thoughts
Morocco is a country that awakens all the senses — from the taste of tagine, to the call to prayer echoing at sunrise, to the vivid colors of the medinas.
These 10 must-do activities in Morocco will give you an amazing mix of history, culture, and adventure. Whether you’re riding camels in the Sahara, wandering Chefchaouen’s blue streets, or getting lost in a centuries-old medina, Morocco will be a destination to remember.
