13 Life-Changing Experiences You Can Only Have in Morocco

Jemaa el-Fna is the most famous square in Morocco, a heady mix of snake charmers, monkeys, henna tattooists, food stalls, hundreds of people, live music and the entrance to the souk with its traditional shops. You really have to experience it for yourself to feel the buzz of this place!

Essaouira is one of the most popular fishing villages in Morocco, but lately, it has also become the Kingdom’s hottest surfing spot, with wave riders coming here from all over the world. The best time to go is in winter, when the Atlantic swell is at its heaviest and when you can meet people from across the globe here to surf.

This incredible fortified city is located between Marrakesh and the Sahara Desert and is entirely made of earthen clay, making it look like it has risen from the ground. Most locals moved away to more modern nearby villages, but there are still four families living inside the ancient city. Surely a sight you’ll remember forever.

An unforgettable and life-changing experience, climbing the highest peak in North Africa is best done during spring. Start from Imlil, a beautiful small mountain village providing stunning views.

Take a car to Merzouga, where the Sahara dunes begin, before starting a camel trek into the sands. Find peace in the middle of the desert riding a camel while the sun sets and the warm sandy air brushes your skin.

Fez is the imperial city of Morocco, which means there is a whole lot of history in this small city. The tanneries are located inside the old medina and look much the same as they did hundreds of years ago. A unique sight to behold.

Visiting Morocco is the perfect opportunity to go to a traditional hammam, a steam bath where you can relax and get a traditional skin exfoliation. Moroccans go to hammams on a regular basis, where they enjoy all types of skin treatments like covering the body in a clay mask, or moisturizing with Argan oil. This is a pampering experience you should definitely add to your bucket list.

Chefchaouen is a village in the north of Morocco that is one of the most magical places in the entire Kingdom. With different shades of blue decorating the walls, windows and doors of the houses, there is an abundance of plants scattered throughout the narrow streets. Discovering and exploring Chefchaouen has been a highlight for many travelers visiting Morocco.

Take the train to witness the unique, diverse landscapes of Morocco. Some trains pass the Atlas Mountains whilst if you travel close to the Algerian border by train, you’ll see some of the most impressive views in the country.

Located outside Meknes, Volubilis is a series of Roman ruins dating back to the 3rd century BCE and abandoned in the 11th century. It is an unforgettable experience, wandering the ancient streets, bathhouses, columns and more.

Marrakesh is beautiful whether you’re seeing it on foot, by camel, horse or from high up in the air. There are many agencies offering hot-air ballooning across Marrakesh which you can see below. Some even offer a private 4X4 ride that will take you to the hot-air balloon before you are taken on a one-hour jaunt over the outskirts of Marrakesh and the surrounding mountains. After the flight, you’ll get a special passenger certificate and most offer an amazing Berber breakfast cooked from the nearby village.

Eating Moroccan food is a life-changing experience for many visitors thanks to the local spices and traditional cooking methods used. Tagines, for example, change the way the food tastes due to the way the earthenware clay reacts with the fire. Learn how to cook like the Moroccans and your life will definitely change for the better.

This impressive valley looks like it was plucked from the Moroccan southwest of old, with its palm trees, clay houses and ancient mosques surrounded by mountains. With some of the most beautiful views in the country, this area is home to much of Morocco’s Centifolia rose production, with the flowers used in both cooking and cosmetic products.