When it comes to exploring cities in Morocco, every place has its own unique vibe — from golden beaches to ancient medinas. So far, I’ve had the chance to explore six of the country´s most fascinating destinations — Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech and Rabat. In this travel recap, I’ll share the highlights of each including the best things to do, what to eat or where to stay. And if you’re already planning your adventure, stick around until the end for a handy map and a few more Moroccan cities that are still on my travel wishlist.

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Throughout my trips to Morocco, I used these couple of travel guidebooks by Lonely Planet to plan our stay and make the most out of it. I hope you’ll find them helpful too!

📸 Best things to do in these six cities in Morocco

Morocco is a country of contrasts, where modern skylines meet ancient medinas, and bustling souks fade into golden beaches; as you can imagine, every city has its own unique vibe.

So far, I´ve been fortunate enough to visit Morocco twice. The first time was on a road trip with my Dad over Christmas, back in December 2014, when we flew from Barcelona to visit Fez, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech in just five days. The most recent trip was with a friend from Vitoria in April 2025, when we took a week to explore Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira at a lower pace. I actually enjoyed the country so much this last time around, that I´m already planning my next escape, hopefully next year! 🙂

All the destinations I´ve visited so far in Morocco are listed below in alphabetical order. Under each section, you will find the main attractions to see in every Moroccan city, as well as a link to the relevant blog post and a summary with my personal experience there.

For further details about useful words in Arabic, as well as recommendations on cultural norms, haggling or safety, head to my Morocco destination page.

Browse my Morocco resources for further inspiration!

My ultimate Essaouira travel guide

Things to do in Agadir: my travel guide + map

Things to do in Casablanca: a complete travel guide & map

Things to do in Marrakech: travel guide + map

Things to do in Rabat: map & travel guide to the capital of Morocco

What to do in Fez: my complete travel guide & map

Feel free to explore these destinations throughout Africa and the Middle East as well.

☀ Agadir: the most popular holiday destination in Morocco

Agadir is Morocco’s chilled-out beach city and most popular holiday destination— perfect for ocean breezes, surf sessions, souk strolls, and scenic day trips. Even though the city was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960, Agadir has transformed into the country´s most exclusive coastal resort, featuring modern architecture, large hotels, golf courses, all kinds of water activities and a long bay with a sandy beach.

By the way, I don’t know about you, but when spending the day at the beach, I enjoy feeling comfortable. Below are some of the beach essentials that I typically use. Feel free to check out my Decathlon affiliate profile in order to browse additional items.

In my view, these are the best things to do in Agadir:

• 🌊 Walk the beach promenade and chill by the Atlantic Ocean
• ⚓ Explore Agadir’s port and fishing harbor
• 🏙 Discover Nouveau Talborjt (New Downtown)
• 🛍 Shop at Souk El Had
• 🕌 Get lost in Medina Polizzi (Agadir Medina)
• 🇲🇦 Visit the Old Kasbah (Agadir Oufella)
• 🧖‍♀️ Experience a traditional Moroccan hammam

My impression: even if Agadir doesn´t have the traditional medina charm of Marrakech or the artsy vibe of Essaouira, it’s got its own rhythm — one that’s all about beach life, wellness, and modern Moroccan experiences.

Check out this travel guide listing the things to do in Agadir, including the main attractions, best restaurants and hotels or day trips.

🤍 Casablanca: the economic hub of Morocco

Casablanca (often simply abbreviated as Casa), Morocco’s largest city home to over 3 million people, is a fascinating mix of tradition and modernity. Known for its striking Art Deco architecture, bustling markets, and vibrant cultural life, it’s also the country’s economic powerhouse and a gateway for many international visitors. While often seen as just a stopover on the way to Marrakech or Fez, this destination has its own unique charm—where the Atlantic Ocean meets grand mosques, lively boulevards, and a cosmopolitan food scene.

If you’re planning a trip to Morocco and wondering what to see in Casablanca, here’s a list to help you make the most of your visit while covering the best things to do in Casablanca:

• ☪ Visit religious landmarks, such as the imposing Hassan II Mosque, the Sacred Heart Cathedral or the Ettedgui Synagogue.
• 🖼 Explore vibrant cultural centers and museums, including the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation Museum, Mahkama of Pacha, the Jewish Museum of Casablanca or Villa des Arts.
• 🌸 Admire the Art Deco architecture and wander Casablanca´s parks and squares (Arab League Park, Mohammed V Square, Place des Nations Unies or the port of the Corniche).
• 🛍 Go shopping at the Central Market, Habous Quarter or the Morocco Mall.
  

My impression: we didn´t see much except for the port area and the imposing Hassan II mosque, but I can´t wait to come back some day to keep exploring Casablanca, particularly its Art Deco heritage.

Browse my travel guide detailing the things to do in Casablanca for more information.

🏄‍♂️ Essaouira: my favorite city in Morocco

Welcome to Essaouira, formerly known as Mogador by the Portuguese and now nicknamed ´the white city´ or ´the windy city of Africa´. This Moroccan destination housing around 80.000 inhabitants is a charming, windy port town on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean; it´s without a doubt one of the top places to visit in the country, and it actually ranks as my favorite now.

Think whitewashed medina walls, vibrant blue shutters, fresh seafood sizzling on open grills, and the constant soundtrack of seagulls and crashing waves. In my opinion, Essaouira was a mix of the fortified city of Tarifa in southern Spain and the wild beaches in Les Landes (France) drizzled with Middle Eastern decadence. An absolute dream to photograph! 😍

What makes Essaouira special isn’t just its coastal beauty, but its perfect mix of culture, history, and ocean breeze. Here´s my list of the best things to do in town based on my ultimate Essaouira travel guide:

• 📸 Wander the medina
• 🏰 Explore the ramparts, Skala de la Ville and Sqala du Port
• 🐟 Watch the fishing boats at the port
• 🎨 Visit local art galleries and shops
• 🧖‍♀️ Relax at a traditional Moroccan hammam
• ✝ Visit Église Notre-Dame de l’Assomption
• 🌊 Hit the Essaouira beach

My impression: without a doubt, Essaouira is now my favorite city in Morocco thanks to its colorful port, its prime location by the Atlantic, its artsy vibes and the walkable medina. I can´t wait to come back soon!

Read my ultimate Essaouira travel guide to learn more about this fascinating destination.

🕌 Fez: a historical Moroccan gem

Visiting the Moroccan city of Fez is like stepping into another world — chaotic, colorful, and endlessly fascinating. When I first arrived here with my father during a road trip, I honestly felt overwhelmed by the noise, the smells, and the labyrinthine alleys of the medina. But after a couple of days wandering, the spiritual capital of Morocco grew on me in ways I’ll never forget.

If you’re planning your own adventure, here’s my travel guide to the best things to do in Fez:

• ✨ Get lost in the medina (Fes el-Bali) in order to sightsee its landmarks, madrasas, the smelly tanneries or the souks.
• 👑 Explore Fez el-Jadid and Ville Nouvelle.
• 📍 Where to eat and stay, travel tips, how to move around, and some day trip ideas (+ a map).

My impression: Fez is not always easy, but it´s a city that stays with you. If you’re looking for authenticity and cultural immersion in Morocco, Fez is definitely the place to start.

Check out my travel guide to discover what to do in Fez.

✨ Marrakech: the most visited city in Morocco

Located in the western part of the country, Marrakech is one of the top destinations to visit in Morocco and probably the most touristy. Known as the Red City for its ochre-coloured walls, it attracts flocks of tourists every year thanks to its pleasant climate and intricate Moorish architecture.

Getting lost and haggling in the bustling souks, wondering the mazelike alleys of the ancient medina or savoring Moroccan street food are all part of the Marrakesh experience!

In case you´re considering Marrakech as part of your itinerary, here are some of the essentials you should visit:

• 🔵 Bahia Palace
• ☪ Ben Youssef Madrasa
• 🌵 Jardin Majorelle
• 🕌 Koutoubia Mosque
• 🌴 La Palmeraie
• ⛲ Menara
• 🧡 Place Jemaa El Fna
• 🪦 Saadian tombs
• 🛍 The Marrakech souks

My impression: after the second visit to Marrakech, I finally fell in love with the city because of its vibrant energy, bustling streets and imposing monuments. That being said, this destination can be exhausting and would be best combined with another ´quieter´ Moroccan town such as Essaouira or Rabat.

Read this post to learn more about the best things to do in Marrakech, including where to eat and stay as well as some day trip ideas (+ a map).

🇲🇦 Rabat: the capital of Morocco

When people think of Morocco, cities like Marrakech or Fez often steal the spotlight. But let me tell you a secret: Rabat was my favorite stop when I first visited the country with my Dad in 2014.

If you’re planning a trip, here’s my travel guide to the best things to do in Rabat, including key attractions, where to eat and stay, how to get around, suggested day trips and a map:

• 🏰 Explore the Kasbah of the Udayas and the Andalusian gardens
• 🌸 Rabat’s gardens and parks
• 🕌 Visit Hassan Tower & the Mausoleum of Mohammed V
• 🐪 Wander the medina and Rue des Consuls
• 🎨 Discover Rabat’s museums
• 🌊 Relax by the Bouregreg River & Rabat beach
• 🏛 Explore the Chellah Necropolis & Sala Colonia
  

My impression: Rabat was my personal favorite during my first trip to Morocco in 2014 thanks to its calm yet fascinating mix of history, ocean breeze, Andalusian charm, and a lot fewer tourists; definitely an underrated gem you shouldn’t miss!

Check out my travel guide to discover the top things to do in Rabat, including a map detailing where to eat and stay, how to get around and some day trip ideas.

For extra peace of mind when traveling to any of these cities in Morocco, you can calculate how much you would pay for your health insurance with the SafetyWing widget below.

🍽 Where to eat in these Moroccan cities

Although some dishes of Moroccan cuisine have their origins in the Berber indigenous people, Moroccan food in general owes much to the influence of neighboring territories. Some traditional Moroccan dishes include couscous, harira or tagine. Check out my section on Moroccan food for more details.

Read the following sections to find the best restaurants throughout Morocco, sorted by city!

🍴 What and where to eat in Agadir, Morocco

🍴What and where to eat in Essaouira: from street food to seaside dining

🍴 Where to eat in Casablanca

🍴 Where to eat in Fez

🍽 Where to eat in Marrakech: best places to savor Moroccan food

🍴 Where to eat in Rabat

🛏 Where to stay in Morocco´s cities

Ever since traveling to Morocco for the first time, I fell in love with the riads. These traditional Moroccan houses or palaces are built around a patio and often feature an indoor garden, offering a tranquil retreat. Bonus point if they also have a swimming pool :). In my view, it´s way more authentic and charming to stay in a riad than in a standard hotel when you´re visiting the country. It certainly adds to the travel experience!

However, whichever city in Morocco you are staying in, chances are you might sleep near a mosque, so be ready for the call to prayer echoing across the city even at night. I still remember waking up at dawn to that sound during my couple of visits to the country! 

That being said, as a premier destination, cities in Morocco offer a wide range of places to stay, whether you’re after a beachfront resort in a coastal city, a budget-friendly hotel, or something more boutique.

Find your next accommodation in any of these Moroccan cities!

• Agadir: we stayed at Appart-Hôtel Tagadirt, a 3-star hotel conveniently located near the Agadir beach but I wouldn´t come back because of its obsolete facilities. Check out this section on where to stay in Agadir for further inspiration.
• Casablanca: we only visited this Moroccan city on our way from Rabat to Marrakech, so we didn´t get to sleep here. However, feel free to look at accommodation in Casablanca in this section.
• Essaouira: we loved sleeping at Riad Borj El Baroud. If you´re wondering where to stay in Essaouira, browse those options.
• Fez: we had initially booked one night at Dar Othmane, but after a reservation mishap we ended up at Hôtel Jardin Public, which was cozy, welcoming and included a delicious, traditional Moroccan breakfast. Wondering where to stay in Fez? Check out that section to find the best riads and hotels in this Moroccan city.
• Marrakech: every time I´ve visited the city, I´ve stayed in a lovely riad (namely Riad Amani, Riad Sassa Finda and Riad Tililaila). For further ideas, you can browse this section on ´Where to stay: best Marrakech hotels´.
• Rabat: we spent one night at Riad Senso and we loved it (warm welcome, a beautiful riad and a delicious breakfast). Check out this selection of the best Rabat hotels sorted by budget if you’re wondering where to stay in the capital of Morocco.

For more accommodation options in Morocco, feel free to check out Airbnb, Booking or Hostelworld, my go-to platforms wherever I travel.

🚗 How to get around Morocco

During our first expedition to the country, my Dad and I rented a car to road trip across Fez, Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech. To be honest, the driving experience was WILD to say the least. Accidents in Morocco are pretty common because local drivers tend to be on the rather aggressive side. It actually reminded me of Sicily, so please be cautious!

However, in my second visit to Morocco with a friend from Vitoria, we tried a different approach, meaning we traveled by bus between Marrakech, Agadir and Essaouira. Out of the various bus companies operating in the country, we chose CTM and Supratours. All the trips were a breeze: the buses departed on time, they were comfortable, the tickets were very affordable and I found it was a much more authentic way to explore the country. Note that each company may have its own bus station though. I know it sounds confusing, but that´s just the way it works! 

Other options to get around Morocco include the following:

• 🛥️ By boat: given the strategic location of Morocco on the Atlantic Ocean, there are a number of cruises that include visits to coastal cities like Casablanca or Tangier. The latter Moroccan city is a main hub for ferries departing to the Spanish peninsula or to the Canary Islands.
• ✈️ By plane: flying across the country is of course possible and the main cities in Morocco such as Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, or Rabat have airports that are well connected. Given the popularity of Moroccan destinations, you will find many flights from Europe or other areas.
• 🚕 By taxi: there are different kinds of taxis in Morocco, including the ´petits taxis´ (cheap, safe and metered, best for short trips around a given city), ´grands taxis´ (shared or private that you could hire to travel from one city to another), private taxis (price depending on negotiation) or shared taxis (cheaper, but they only leave when full and often stop along the way). While Uber doesn’t operate in Morocco, local apps like Careem are available.
• 🚂 By train: various Moroccan cities including Casablanca, Marrakech or Rabat are well connected by train, making it yet another way of exploring the country.

Feeling adventurous? Check out these outdoor activities with Manawa in Morocco.

Camel ride at sunset in the Agafay desert, near Marrakech

Kitesurfing courses in Essaouira Bay

Surf course near Agadir, Morocco

📍 Itineraries & map of the Moroccan cities I´ve visited

After a couple of visits to Morocco in 2014 and 2025, I´ve explored six Moroccan cities, namely Agadir, Casablanca, Essaouira, Fez, Marrakech (twice) and Rabat.

In my opinion, seven to ten days would be the suggested length in case you´re planning to travel to Morocco. Of course, this is unless you can spend more time there, which would be ideal.

To give you an idea in case you´re thinking of traveling to Morocco soon, these are the itineraries of my couple of trips to the country.

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🗓 First trip to Morocco in 2014 (5 days):

• ✈ Day 1: Fez
• 🚗 Day 2: Fez + Rabat
• 🚗 Day 3: Rabat + Casablanca + Marrakech
• 📸 Day 4: Marrakech
• ✈ Day 5 : Marrakech

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🗓 Second trip to Morocco in 2025 (7 days):

• ✈ Day 1: Marrakech
• 🚌Day 2: Marrakech + Agadir
• 🌊 Day 3: Agadir
• 😺 Day 4: Agadir + Essaouira
• 💙 Day 5: Essaouira
• 🪔 Day 6: Essaouira + Marrakech
• ✈ Day 7 : Marrakech

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For your ease of reference, below you will find a map with all the cities in Morocco mentioned throughout this blog post, including the ones on my wish list. Use it to plan your next trip!

🗾 Other Moroccan destinations on my travel bucket list

Beyond its vibrant cities, the country’s southern regions offer a completely different experience, particularly the Sahara Desert. Travelers interested in adding a desert experience to their itinerary may consider joining a guided desert tour with local operators such as To Morocco Travel, which organize multi-day routes often departing from Marrakech or Fes.

Despite having visited Morocco twice, there are still a few destinations on my bucket list that I hope to explore soon, including the following.

• 🐫 Agafay Desert (or Merzouga): known for dreamy sunrises in a hot air balloon, camel rides at sunset, and starlit dinners in a desert haima. Merzouga is another option for a full Sahara experience!
• 🏰 Ait Ben Haddou: a UNESCO World Heritage palace (ksar) famous for being the filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
• 🎨 Asilah: charming whitewashed town by the Atlantic Ocean, known for its street art, murals, and summer cultural festivals. I imagine something along the lines of the bohemian vibes of Essaouira!
• 💙 Chefchaouen: the iconic blue city in the Rif Mountains — a paradise for photographers and slow travelers.
• 👑 Meknes and Volubilis: quieter imperial city, with monumental gates and mausoleums. Perfectly combined with Volubilis, featuring Roman ruins with mosaics that whisper stories of the past.
• 🌴 Ouarzazate: known as “the gateway to the desert,” it is home to Atlas Studios and landscapes that appear in countless movies.
• ⚓ Tangier: cosmopolitan port city, where Africa meets Europe. Ferries to Spain, lively cafés, and literary history.
• 🌿 Tetouan: Andalusian-influenced medina, UNESCO-listed and less crowded than the big tourist spots.

Have you visited any of these cities in Morocco? Which one was your favorite? Feel free to leave your questions and comments below, or show your support by loving this article.

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✈️ Curious to know where I’ll be traveling next? ✈️

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In the meantime, safe travels around the world!

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