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What to See in Morocco: 13 Essential Places

What To See In Morocco

What to see in Morocco: the 13 places you should not miss, from Marrakech, Fes and Chefchaouen to the Sahara dunes, the Atlas and the Atlantic coast.

What To See In Morocco
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Destinations

The cities, valleys and landscapes we recommend for a first trip to Morocco.

Nov 17, 2022
Updated October 2026
5 min read

Travellers sharing tea on a terrace above a kasbah village

Morocco packs an extraordinary variety into one country: medieval cities, snow-capped mountains, Atlantic beaches and the edge of the Sahara. If this is your first visit, these are the thirteen places we would put on your list, with a note on how to link them.

At a glance

Places on this list13

Ideal first trip10 days

UNESCO World Heritage sites9

Best seasonsSpring and autumn

Getting aroundTrain in the north, private driver in the south

1. The great cities

Morocco's cities are its great set pieces, and no two feel alike. Two of them, Fes and Marrakech, deserve at least two days each; the others can be seen in a day or less.

Marrakech: The 'Red City', with its souks, palaces, gardens and the nightly show of Jemaa el-Fna.
Fes: Morocco's oldest imperial city and its largest medieval medina, famous for its tanneries and madrasas.
Chefchaouen: A mountain town in the Rif painted in every shade of blue.
Rabat: The calm capital, with the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas.
Casablanca: Morocco's modern business city, home to the monumental Hassan II Mosque on the Atlantic.
Meknes: A quieter imperial city of huge gates and royal granaries.

Jemaa el-Fna square and the Koutoubia in Marrakech at dusk

2. History and heritage

Two sites stand apart from the cities and are worth a detour. One is Roman, the other built of earth, and both sit in open countryside.

Volubilis: The best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, with fine mosaics, close to Meknes.
Aït Benhaddou: A fortified earthen village on the old caravan route, listed by UNESCO and seen in countless films.

3. Mountains, gorges and valleys

The Atlas ranges run across the middle of the country like a wall. Crossing them is one of the great drives of North Africa, and the valleys on the southern side are where the landscape turns from green to red.

The High Atlas: Berber villages, walnut valleys and Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa at 4,167 metres.
Todra and Dades gorges: Towering limestone canyons and a valley of red rock and kasbahs.
The Drâa Valley: A hundred kilometres of palm groves between Agdz and Zagora.

4. The desert and the coast

Finally, the two edges of the country: sand in the south-east and ocean in the west. They are a long way apart, but each makes a perfect ending to a trip.

Merzouga and Erg Chebbi: Morocco's highest dunes, and the place for a camel trek and a night under the stars.
Essaouira: A breezy Atlantic port with white ramparts, blue boats and excellent seafood.

Local tip: If you only have a week, choose Marrakech, the desert and Fes. They show three completely different sides of the country.

5. Beyond the classics

If you have been to Morocco before, or have extra days, these places reward the effort.

Skoura: A vast palm grove dotted with kasbahs, quieter than anywhere on the main route.
The Valley of Roses: Fields of pink Damask roses around Kelaat M'Gouna, harvested in spring.
The Ziz Valley: A canyon filled with date palms on the road from Fes to the desert.
Ouzoud: The highest waterfalls in the country, north-east of Marrakech.
Tangier and Asilah: The gateway to Africa and a small whitewashed town on the northern Atlantic.
Ifrane and the cedar forest: Alpine roofs, tall cedars and wild monkeys in the Middle Atlas.

6. How to link them in one trip

The classic route for ten days runs from Casablanca to Rabat and Chefchaouen, down to Fes, across the Middle Atlas to Merzouga, then west through the gorges and Aït Benhaddou to Marrakech. With two weeks you can add Essaouira and the coast.

With less time, a one-way journey between Marrakech and Fes through the desert covers many of the highlights in three to five days.

7. Suggested routes by length

5 days: Marrakech, Aït Benhaddou, the Dades Valley, Merzouga and back, or onward to Fes.
7 days: Casablanca, Rabat, Fes, Merzouga, the gorges and Marrakech.
10 days: Add Chefchaouen and Volubilis, with free days in Fes and Marrakech.
14 days: The full circuit with Essaouira and extra time in the Atlas.

Local tip: Travel one way if you can. Arriving in Casablanca or Fes and leaving from Marrakech saves a full day of backtracking.

8. Morocco's World Heritage sites

Nine places in Morocco are on the UNESCO World Heritage list, and seven of them lie on or near the routes above.

The medina of Fes (1981)
The medina of Marrakech (1985)
The ksar of Aït Benhaddou (1987)
The historic city of Meknes (1996)
The archaeological site of Volubilis (1997)
The medina of Tetouan (1997)
The medina of Essaouira (2001)
The Portuguese city of Mazagan, in El Jadida (2004)
Rabat, modern capital and historic city (2012)

9. When to go

Spring and autumn suit a full circuit best, with comfortable temperatures in both the cities and the desert. In summer, favour the coast and the mountains; in winter, the south is sunny and the Atlas is white with snow.

If your dates are fixed, adapt the route rather than the calendar. A July trip works well if you linger on the coast and in the mountains and keep the desert to a single night with air conditioning. In January, do the opposite: head south for the sunshine and save the north for another visit.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need to see Morocco?

Ten days covers the main highlights at a good pace. A week is enough for two cities and the desert.

What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?

It depends on your taste. Many travellers name the sunrise over the dunes of Erg Chebbi; others the blue lanes of Chefchaouen or the Dades Valley.

Is it easy to travel between these places?

Trains link the main northern cities. For the south, the gorges and the desert, a private driver or a rental car is the practical choice.

Should I start in Marrakech or in Fes?

Either works. Starting in Fes puts the most intense city first and ends on a relaxed note in Marrakech; starting in Marrakech eases you in more gently.

Is one week enough for Morocco?

Yes, for a focused trip: two cities and the desert. You will not see everything, which is a good reason to come back.

See It on One of Our Tours

Written by the Desert Merzouga Tours teamLocal guides and drivers from the Moroccan Sahara. Meet our team or ask us a question.

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What To See In Morocco: Good to Know

Our what to see in morocco is private: only you and your party travel together.
The what to see in morocco departs every day of the year.
A local driver-guide from the Sahara leads the what to see in morocco.
You can adapt the what to see in morocco to your dates and your pace.
Ask us on WhatsApp for a quote for the what to see in morocco.
Hotel or airport pick-up is included in the what to see in morocco.
Families, couples and friends all enjoy the what to see in morocco.
We answer every question about the what to see in morocco within a day.

Things to See Near Marrakech: From the Atlas to the Desert

Things To See Near Marrakech

Things to see near Marrakech: the best day trips to Ourika Valley, Imlil, the Ouzoud waterfalls, the Agafay desert, Essaouira and Aït Benhaddou.

Things To See Near Marrakech
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Destinations

Day trips and short escapes from the city, from mountain villages to waterfalls and kasbahs.

Nov 16, 2022
Updated October 2026
5 min read

A Berber village on a hillside in the High Atlas

Marrakech sits in a remarkable position: an hour from the highest mountains in North Africa, three hours from the Atlantic and a day from the Sahara. When you need a break from the medina, these are the places within reach.

At a glance

Closest escapeAgafay desert and Lalla Takerkoust, 45 minutes

MountainsOurika and Imlil, 1 to 1.5 hours

CoastEssaouira, about 3 hours

Sahara dunesNot a day trip: 2 to 3 days

Start timeLeave by 8:00 or 9:00 am

1. Into the Atlas Mountains

The High Atlas begins almost at the edge of the city. On a clear day you can see the snow from the rooftops of the medina, and within an hour you are among walnut trees and mountain villages.

Ourika Valley (about 1 hour): A green valley of riverside cafés and Berber villages. At Setti Fatma, a short hike leads to a series of waterfalls.
Imlil and Toubkal National Park (1.5 hours): A mountain village at 1,740 metres, the starting point for walks beneath Jbel Toubkal, at 4,167 metres the highest peak in North Africa.
Oukaimeden (1.5 hours): A small ski resort in winter and cool walking country in summer, with prehistoric rock carvings.
Lalla Takerkoust (45 minutes): A lake at the foot of the mountains, good for lunch with a view.

Local tip: In the mountains, a local guide costs little and supports the village. He will also show you paths you would never find alone.

2. A day in the mountains: what it is like

A typical day in Imlil starts with the drive across the Haouz plain and up the valley through Asni. From the village, a local guide leads you on a walk of two to three hours along mule tracks, past terraced fields and villages built of stone and earth, with the peaks of Toubkal National Park above.

Lunch is usually a tagine on the terrace of a family house, followed by mint tea. The Ourika Valley is a gentler version: more cafés beside the river, a shorter walk to the waterfalls and, on Mondays, a busy country market at Tnine Ourika.

3. Waterfalls and stone desert

Two very different landscapes lie to the north-east and the south-west of the city. One is all water and greenery, the other bare rock and silence.

Ouzoud waterfalls (2.5 hours): The highest falls in Morocco, dropping about 110 metres into a gorge. Walk to the bottom, take a raft towards the spray and watch for wild Barbary macaques.
Agafay desert (45 minutes): A landscape of pale, rolling stone hills, with camps for lunch, sunset dinners, camel rides and quad biking. There are no sand dunes, but the views of the Atlas are superb.

The Ouzoud waterfalls, the highest in Morocco

4. Kasbahs and the coast

These three are the longest day trips. They are possible, but each involves six hours or more in a vehicle, so consider staying the night.

Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate (3.5 hours): Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the most famous kasbah village in the country and the film studios beyond. A long day, and better as part of a desert tour.
Essaouira (3 hours): A white Atlantic port with ramparts, a busy fishing harbour and fresh seafood.
Telouet (3 hours): The crumbling palace of the Glaoui pashas, high in the Atlas.

The earthen ksar of Aït Benhaddou

5. More ideas close to the city

Ouirgane: A quiet valley of red earth and pine forest on the road to the Tizi n'Test, good for gentle walks and long lunches.
Anima Garden: A modern garden of sculpture and exotic plants on the Ourika road, about 40 minutes from town.
Asni: A small mountain town with a large Saturday market.
A hot-air balloon flight: At sunrise over the plain north of the city, with the Atlas on the horizon.

6. Is a day trip to the Sahara possible?

No. The nearest real dunes are at Zagora, about seven hours away, and the great dunes of Merzouga are further still. To sleep in the desert you need two days for Zagora or three for Merzouga. If you only have a day, the Agafay desert gives a taste of the atmosphere.

7. If you have two or three days

With two days, you can cross the Atlas, follow the palm groves of the Drâa Valley to Zagora and spend a night in a camp among small dunes. It is a long way for a short stay, but the scenery on the road is superb.

With three days, you can reach Merzouga and the high dunes of Erg Chebbi, sleeping the first night in the Dades Valley. This is the trip most travellers have in mind when they picture the Sahara, and it can finish in Fes rather than returning to Marrakech.

8. How to choose

With only one free day, pick the trip that contrasts most with what you have already seen.

For cool air and an easy walk: Ourika or Imlil.
For families: Ouzoud, for the monkeys and the boat ride.
For a sunset dinner: Agafay.
For a change of scene: Essaouira.
For history and landscapes: Aït Benhaddou.

9. Tips for a smooth day trip

Leave early: Mountain roads are slow, and popular spots are busiest from late morning.
Private or shared: Group excursions are cheaper; a private driver lets you choose where and how long to stop.
Bring cash for lunch, guides and entrance fees.
Wear shoes with grip, especially for Ouzoud and the Ourika waterfalls.
Pack a layer: The mountains are several degrees cooler than the city.
If you are prone to car sickness, sit in the front for the Tichka pass.

10. The High Atlas after the 2023 earthquake

In September 2023 a strong earthquake struck the High Atlas south of Marrakech and caused great loss in mountain villages. The valleys around Imlil, Ourika and Ouirgane are open to visitors, and tourism is an important part of their recovery. Hiring a village guide, eating in a family guesthouse and buying from local cooperatives all help directly.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from Marrakech?

For most visitors, the Atlas Mountains around Imlil or the Ourika Valley, because they are close and completely different from the city.

Can I visit the Ouzoud waterfalls and return the same day?

Yes. Leave by 8:00 am and you will be back in Marrakech in the early evening.

Is the Agafay desert worth it?

Yes, for a half-day or an evening. Just know that it is a stone desert, not sand dunes.

Do I need a guide to hike in Imlil?

For village and valley walks a guide is recommended rather than required. For the ascent of Jbel Toubkal, a licensed mountain guide is compulsory.

Can I swim at the Ouzoud waterfalls?

People paddle and swim in the pools downstream in summer. The water is cold and the rocks are slippery, so take care and follow local advice.

See It on One of Our Tours

Written by the Desert Merzouga Tours teamLocal guides and drivers from the Moroccan Sahara. Meet our team or ask us a question.

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Tell us your dates and we will suggest a private route across Morocco, with a clear price.

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Things To See Near Marrakech: Good to Know

Our things to see near marrakech is private: only you and your party travel together.
The things to see near marrakech departs every day of the year.
A local driver-guide from the Sahara leads the things to see near marrakech.
You can adapt the things to see near marrakech to your dates and your pace.
Ask us on WhatsApp for a quote for the things to see near marrakech.
Hotel or airport pick-up is included in the things to see near marrakech.
Families, couples and friends all enjoy the things to see near marrakech.
We answer every question about the things to see near marrakech within a day.
Our things to see near marrakech is private: only you and your party travel together.

Dinner Shows in Marrakech: Music, Dance and Moroccan Nights

Belly Dance Show

Where to see a belly dance show in Marrakech: dinner shows, live music and fantasia evenings, what to expect, how to choose and local alternatives.

Belly Dance Show
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Culture

What to expect from an evening of traditional music and dance in the Red City.

Nov 16, 2022
Updated October 2026
4 min read

Jemaa el-Fna and the Koutoubia at sunset in Marrakech

An evening of music and dance over a Moroccan dinner is one of the classic ways to spend a night in Marrakech. Some shows are refined, some are pure spectacle, and it helps to know which is which before you book.

At a glance

Typical startAround 8:00 pm

FormatSet-menu dinner with short performances

Best forGroups, couples and families

BookAt least a day ahead, more at weekends

Local alternativeGnawa music or an evening on Jemaa el-Fna

1. Is belly dancing Moroccan?

Not originally. Belly dance, or raqs sharqi, comes from Egypt and the eastern Mediterranean. It arrived in Moroccan restaurants and cabarets during the 20th century and has been part of Marrakech nightlife ever since.

Morocco's own performing traditions are different and just as worth seeing: the trance rhythms of Gnawa music, the line dances of the Atlas such as ahidous and ahwach, and the women's shikhat singers who perform at weddings.

2. Morocco's own music and dance

If you would like to hear what Moroccans themselves listen to at weddings and festivals, these are the names to look for.

Gnawa: Hypnotic songs played on a three-stringed bass lute and iron castanets, rooted in sub-Saharan Africa. Essaouira and Khamlia are its heartlands.
Ahidous: A dance of the Middle Atlas in which men and women stand shoulder to shoulder in a line or circle, moving to frame drums and sung poetry.
Ahwach: The village dance of the High Atlas and the Souss, performed by large groups on special occasions.
Guedra: A dance of the Saharan south, performed kneeling, to the beat of a drum made from a cooking pot.
Andalusian music: The classical orchestral tradition of Fes, Tetouan and Rabat, brought from Muslim Spain.
Chaabi: The popular music of weddings and celebrations, guaranteed to get a room dancing.

3. The types of evening on offer

Dinner and entertainment in Marrakech comes in four broad styles. They differ in size, mood and how much of the evening is about the food.

Restaurant dinner shows: A traditional meal in a riad or palace restaurant, with belly dancers, musicians and sometimes a dancer balancing a tray of candles.
Fantasia evenings: Large venues outside the city where dinner in tents is followed by horsemen charging and firing muskets, in the style of the traditional tbourida, along with acrobats and folk troupes.
Lounge restaurants: Modern venues with DJs, dancers and a late-night atmosphere.
Jemaa el-Fna: The free, nightly show of musicians and storytellers in the main square.

4. What to expect

Evenings usually start around 8:00 pm and run late. Dinner is a set menu: salads, a pastilla or tagine, couscous and fruit or pastries. The performances come in short sets between courses, and dancers often invite guests to join in. It is light-hearted and popular with groups and families.

The setting is often half the pleasure: candlelit courtyards, carved plaster, low sofas and rose petals on the table. Musicians usually open the evening with Andalusian or popular Moroccan songs, and the dancers appear once the main course is served. The whole evening lasts two to three hours.

A dancer performing with a silk veil during a dinner show

Local tip: Ask for a table with a clear view of the floor when you book, and arrive on time: the best seats are given out early.

5. How to choose

There is no single best show, only the one that suits your group. A simple way to decide is to ask what you want to remember afterwards.

For atmosphere and good food: a restaurant in a restored riad in the medina.
For spectacle and children: a fantasia evening.
For authenticity: seek out a Gnawa performance or simply spend the evening on Jemaa el-Fna.

6. Questions to ask before you book

A two-minute check avoids most disappointments.

What exactly is included in the price, and are drinks extra?
What time do the performances start, and how long do they last?
Is there a vegetarian menu or a children's option?
Is transport to and from your riad included?
Can you reserve a table close to the floor?

7. Practical points

Prices vary widely with the venue and menu, and drinks are usually extra, so check what is included. Most restaurants serve alcohol. Smart-casual dress is appropriate, and a taxi or a transfer arranged by your riad is the easiest way to get home late at night.

8. Etiquette and tipping

Photographs and short videos are generally fine, though it is polite to keep the flash off. If a dancer invites you onto the floor, you are free to join in or to decline with a smile; nobody minds either way.

Tipping the performers is optional. Some guests offer a small note at the end of a set, and a tip for the waiting staff is appreciated as in any Moroccan restaurant.

9. Music in the desert

If you travel south, you will find a simpler and, many say, more moving kind of evening. In the desert camps of Merzouga, the staff play drums and sing around a campfire, and in the nearby village of Khamlia, Gnawa musicians perform the songs their ancestors brought across the Sahara.

There is no stage and no ticket. You sit on a rug by the fire, somebody hands you a drum, and before long guests and staff are playing together. For many travellers it becomes the musical memory of the trip.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dinner shows in Marrakech suitable for children?

Yes, especially the fantasia evenings with horses and acrobats. Late finishing times are the only drawback.

Do I need to book in advance?

For well-known restaurants and weekends, yes. Your riad can usually reserve for you.

Is there a dress code?

Smart-casual is fine. Shoulders covered is appreciated in traditional venues.

Can vegetarians eat at a dinner show?

Yes. Most venues offer a vegetable couscous or tagine in place of the meat dishes if you ask when you book.

Are there dinner shows outside Marrakech?

Fes and Agadir have a few similar restaurants, but Marrakech has by far the widest choice.

See It on One of Our Tours

Written by the Desert Merzouga Tours teamLocal guides and drivers from the Moroccan Sahara. Meet our team or ask us a question.

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Nov 18, 2022

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Planning a Trip?

Tell us your dates and we will suggest a private route across Morocco, with a clear price.

Plan Your Trip
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Belly Dance Show: Good to Know

Our belly dance show is private: only you and your party travel together.
The belly dance show departs every day of the year.
A local driver-guide from the Sahara leads the belly dance show.
You can adapt the belly dance show to your dates and your pace.
Ask us on WhatsApp for a quote for the belly dance show.
Hotel or airport pick-up is included in the belly dance show.

Moroccan Food: The Dishes You Have to Try

Moroccan Food

A guide to Moroccan food: 12 traditional dishes to try, from tagine and couscous to pastilla, plus mint tea, street food and how Moroccans eat.

Moroccan Food
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Food & Drink

Tagine, couscous, pastilla, harira and mint tea: a guide to the flavours of Morocco.

Nov 12, 2022
Updated October 2026
5 min read

A Moroccan table with harira soup, pancakes and pastries

Moroccan cooking is slow, generous and full of contrast: sweet with savoury, spice without much heat, and bread with everything. Food is how Moroccans welcome a guest, and tasting your way through the country is one of the best parts of any trip.

At a glance

Signature dishesTagine, couscous and pastilla

National drinkMint tea

Couscous dayFriday

Main mealLunch

Heat levelAromatic rather than spicy

1. The flavours of Morocco

The kitchen draws on Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian and Jewish traditions. Its signature is the careful use of spices: cumin, ginger, turmeric, paprika, cinnamon and saffron, often combined in ras el hanout, a blend whose name means 'head of the shop'. Preserved lemons, olives, almonds, dates and argan oil add depth.

Pyramids of spices in a Moroccan market

2. The dishes you should try

You could eat a different dish every day for two weeks and not repeat yourself. These twelve are the ones we would not want you to miss.

Tagine: A slow-cooked stew named after its conical clay pot. Classics are chicken with preserved lemon and olives, lamb with prunes, and kefta (meatballs) with egg.
Couscous: Steamed semolina with vegetables and meat, traditionally eaten on Friday after midday prayers.
Pastilla: A crisp pie of pigeon or chicken, almonds and cinnamon, dusted with sugar. A speciality of Fes.
Harira: A hearty soup of tomato, lentils and chickpeas, eaten every evening in Ramadan.
Tangia: Meat sealed in a clay jar and cooked for hours in the ashes of a hammam furnace. The dish of Marrakech.
Mechoui: Whole lamb roasted slowly until it falls apart.
Rfissa: Chicken and lentils over shredded flatbread, scented with fenugreek.
Zaalouk: A smoky salad of aubergine and tomato.
Medfouna: The 'Berber pizza' of the desert, a stuffed bread baked in hot sand or a clay oven.
Msemen and baghrir: Flaky pancakes and spongy semolina crumpets for breakfast.
Chebakia: Sesame and honey pastries.
Briouats: Small fried parcels with savoury or sweet fillings.

A chicken tagine with olives beside its clay pot

Local tip: If you pass through Rissani or Khamlia near Merzouga, order a medfouna. It is made fresh and takes about forty minutes.

3. Regional specialities

Morocco's cooking changes as you travel, and part of the fun is ordering what the region does best.

Fes: Pastilla and refined, slightly sweet dishes from the old court kitchens.
Marrakech: Tangia, and the grilled meats and soups of Jemaa el-Fna.
The Atlantic coast: Grilled sardines, fish tagine and chermoula, a marinade of herbs, garlic, cumin and lemon.
The Sahara and the Tafilalet: Medfouna, and the finest dates in the country.
The High Atlas and the Souss: Simple vegetable tagines, bread from clay ovens and amlou, a spread of almonds, honey and argan oil.
The north: Fresh goat's cheese and bissara, a thick broad-bean soup served with olive oil and cumin.

4. Mint tea

Green tea with fresh mint and plenty of sugar is served everywhere, at any hour. It is poured from a height to make a light foam, and offering it is a gesture of hospitality. In the south you may be poured three glasses in a row; it is polite to accept.

Tea is made with Chinese gunpowder green tea, a handful of spearmint and a block of sugar, and in winter people add wormwood or other herbs. Refusing a glass can seem cold; if you do not want sugar, say so before the pot is filled.

5. Bread, the centre of every meal

Bread, or khobz, is on the table three times a day: a round, flat loaf with a firm crust, made from wheat, barley or semolina. In the medinas, many families still knead their dough at home and send it on a tray to the neighbourhood oven, where the baker knows each family's loaves by sight. Bread is treated with respect and never thrown away.

6. How Moroccans eat

Meals are shared from a single dish in the centre of the table. Bread takes the place of cutlery, and people eat with the right hand from the section in front of them. Guests are served first and urged to eat more. In restaurants you will be given cutlery, but trying the traditional way is welcomed.

7. The meal through the day

Breakfast is bread with olive oil, honey, jam and soft cheese, often with msemen pancakes, eggs and fresh orange juice. Lunch is the main meal, eaten at home between one and two o'clock, and on Fridays it is almost always couscous.

Late afternoon brings tea and something sweet. Dinner is lighter and later, often soup, leftovers or a simple tagine. On a tour you will usually have breakfast and dinner where you stay, and stop for lunch at a local restaurant on the road.

8. Street food and where to eat

Some of the best food is the simplest: grilled sardines by the sea, bowls of harira in the medina, fried doughnuts called sfenj, and the food stalls of Jemaa el-Fna in Marrakech. Choose busy places with a quick turnover.

For a proper meal, riads often cook the most authentic food, to order, with a few hours' notice.

9. Sweets, fruit and dates

Dessert at a Moroccan table is usually fruit: oranges sliced with cinnamon, melon, pomegranates or whatever is in season. Pastries are kept for tea and celebrations. Look for gazelle horns filled with almond paste, crumbly ghriba biscuits and, in the south, dates. The large, soft Mejhoul variety from the oases around Erfoud is prized around the world.

10. Vegetarians and special diets

Vegetarians eat well in Morocco: vegetable tagine and couscous are on every menu, along with salads, lentils, beans and eggs. Do mention that you do not eat meat broth. Vegans and those avoiding gluten need a little more planning, as bread and semolina are everywhere, but a guide or riad host can usually arrange it.

11. Alcohol and other drinks

Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, restaurants and many riads, and Morocco produces good wine around Meknes. Most local cafés and small restaurants do not serve it. Everywhere you will find fresh orange juice, avocado and almond milkshakes, and strong coffee, either black or as a 'nous-nous', half coffee and half milk.

12. Cooking classes

A cooking class is one of the most enjoyable half-days you can spend. Most begin with a walk through the market to buy vegetables, herbs and spices, then move to a riad kitchen where you prepare a salad, a tagine and bread before eating what you have made. Classes are easy to arrange in Marrakech and Fes, and you leave with recipes that work at home.

In Morocco a meal is never just food. It is an invitation.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Moroccan food spicy?

It is aromatic rather than hot. Chilli is usually served on the side as harissa.

Is it safe to eat street food in Morocco?

Generally yes, if you choose busy stalls and food cooked in front of you. Drink bottled or filtered water.

What is the national dish of Morocco?

Couscous is usually given that title, with tagine a close second.

Can I drink the tap water?

Tap water in the cities is treated, but most visitors stick to bottled or filtered water to avoid an upset stomach.

What time do Moroccans eat?

Lunch is around 1:00 to 2:00 pm and dinner from about 8:00 pm, later in summer and during Ramadan. Restaurants in tourist areas serve throughout the day.

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Written by the Desert Merzouga Tours teamLocal guides and drivers from the Moroccan Sahara. Meet our team or ask us a question.

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Tell us your dates and we will suggest a private route across Morocco, with a clear price.

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Moroccan Food: Good to Know

Our moroccan food is private: only you and your party travel together.
The moroccan food departs every day of the year.
A local driver-guide from the Sahara leads the moroccan food.
You can adapt the moroccan food to your dates and your pace.
Ask us on WhatsApp for a quote for the moroccan food.
Hotel or airport pick-up is included in the moroccan food.
Families, couples and friends all enjoy the moroccan food.
We answer every question about the moroccan food within a day.
Our moroccan food is private: only you and your party travel together.

What To See In Morocco

Table of Contents

1. The great cities

2. History and heritage

3. Mountains, gorges and valleys

4. The desert and the coast

5. Beyond the classics

6. How to link them in one trip

7. Suggested routes by length

8. Morocco's World Heritage sites

9. When to go

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do I need to see Morocco?

What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?

Is it easy to travel between these places?

Should I start in Marrakech or in Fes?

Is one week enough for Morocco?

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What To See In Morocco: Good to Know

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Things To See Near Marrakech

Table of Contents

1. Into the Atlas Mountains

2. A day in the mountains: what it is like

3. Waterfalls and stone desert

4. Kasbahs and the coast

5. More ideas close to the city

6. Is a day trip to the Sahara possible?

7. If you have two or three days

8. How to choose

9. Tips for a smooth day trip

10. The High Atlas after the 2023 earthquake

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best day trip from Marrakech?

Can I visit the Ouzoud waterfalls and return the same day?

Is the Agafay desert worth it?

Do I need a guide to hike in Imlil?

Can I swim at the Ouzoud waterfalls?

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Belly Dance Show

Table of Contents

1. Is belly dancing Moroccan?

2. Morocco's own music and dance

3. The types of evening on offer

4. What to expect

5. How to choose

6. Questions to ask before you book

7. Practical points

8. Etiquette and tipping

9. Music in the desert

Frequently Asked Questions

Are dinner shows in Marrakech suitable for children?

Do I need to book in advance?

Is there a dress code?

Can vegetarians eat at a dinner show?

Are there dinner shows outside Marrakech?

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