Morocco: 5 Experiences You Must Try
Morocco is a feast for your senses.
South Morocco offers travellers a unique insight into the country’s culture with dramatic landscapes, tempting dishes, and rich heritage.
These are the top things to do in Morocco that you can’t miss.
Ignite your senses at the Djemaa el-Fnaa Night Market
Djemaa el-Fnaa is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a must-see when visiting Marrakech. By night the square comes alive with a flurry of sights, sounds and smells as vendors and street entertainers try to catch your eye. Start your evening by grabbing a drink at one of the many surrounding roof-top bars to orientate yourself before diving into the melting pot of culture below. If you’re not ready to go solo there are several tours available, from free walking tours to in-depth food tours.
Be wary that there will be practices not commonly seen in the Western world at the market, such as snake charmers and vendors with Barbary macaques on chains. Avoid anything that makes you suspicious of animal cruelty.
2. Lose yourself wandering the ancient souks
Marrakech’s souks are famous worldwide and are the largest in Morocco. Stroll through a meandering maze of streets lined with merchants selling everything from spices to jewellery, pottery to multicoloured carpets. Haggling – bargaining over an item’s cost – is part of Moroccan culture, so always be prepared to go back and forth on the price. Experiencing the souks of Marrakech is a highlight of every trip to Morocco and is at the heart of the Red City with thousands of vendors to traverse.
3. Hike the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains in Morocco are one of North Africa’s marvels. A paradise for lovers of the great outdoors and hiking enthusiasts, it contrasts the chaos of Marrakech. Imlil, a popular travel hub in the High Atlas Mountains that sits at the base of Mount Toubkal – the highest peak in North Africa – is only a couple of hours' drive from Marrakech. Why not stay with a local family in a traditional homestay for a truly authentic experience?
4. Venture back in time at Äit Ben Haddou
Experience a real-life movie set and a UNESCO World Heritage Site at the Ksar of Äit Ben Haddou. This beautiful fortress close to the town of Ouarzazate is a popular day trip from Marrakech and was the backdrop to Game of Thrones, Indiana Jones, and Gladiator – to name just a few the blockbusters filmed here. Believed to have been first built in the 11th century the kasbah was perfectly positioned along the trans-Saharan trade route and would have been buzzing with life. Today only a handful of families inhabit its sand-coloured walls.
5. Explore the Sahara in a 4x4 Adventure
The Sahara Desert is like nowhere else on this planet. Undulating sand dunes that extend for as far as the eye can see under the searing Sahara sun is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Join a 4x4 experience with a difference that gives back to the local community in a 3-day round-trip visit from Marrakech to the desert town of Merzouga on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Meet Saharan nomads who live in one of the most hostile environments on the planet, learn about the once-thriving Khol mine industry and hear from local musicians before journeying back around the dunes.
Your Moroccan Adventure Awaits.
Join G Adventures on their 7-day Moroccan Desert Adventure to experience all of the above and more. Travelling with G Adventures puts people and the planet first, minimising environmental impact and making a positive difference to the local communities.