Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Morocco

A photograph of Morocco
Photograph · Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0

Morocco is 446,550 km2 with two coastlines, Mediterranean along the north and Atlantic down the west, and the 2024 census counted 36,828,330 people. Rabat is the capital and Casablanca the largest city, but neither is usually what a visitor books. The trip is normally built around the former capitals, Fes and Marrakesh, whose walled old towns are the point of coming and are covered on foot because nothing wider fits down them. Tangier faces Spain across the strait and is the shortest way in from Europe. The Atlas range separates all of it from the desert south.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Arabic and Amazigh; French is widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+212
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
19 police in cities · 177 gendarmerie · 15 fire/ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and E · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Marrakesh Medina Marrakesh Medina
    02 45 min

    Marrakesh Medina

    Medina Marrakech مدينة مراكش

    The Medina of Marrakech is the walled historic centre of the city. Visit Marrakech describes it as the old city and a World Heritage Site, enclosed by about 19 kilometres of ramparts built in 1122.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  2. Bahia Palace Bahia Palace
    03 45 min

    Bahia Palace

    Palais Bahia قصر الباهية

    The Bahia Palace is a late nineteenth-century palace and museum in Marrakesh, built in two principal phases across an eight-hectare site.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  3. Majorelle Garden Majorelle Garden
    04 1 hour

    Majorelle Garden

    Jardin Majorelle حديقة ماجوريل

    Jardin Majorelle is a 9,000-square-metre botanical and artist's garden in Marrakech created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  4. Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Mosque
    05 30 min

    Koutoubia Mosque

    Mosquée de la Koutoubia جامع الكتبية

    The Koutoubia Mosque, known locally as Mosquée Koutoubia, stands as Marrakesh's most prominent landmark. Its Almohad minaret dominates the city skyline and serves as the key architectural reference point for Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  5. Ben Youssef Madrasa Ben Youssef Madrasa
    06 45 min

    Ben Youssef Madrasa

    Medersa Ben Youssef

    The Ben Youssef Madrasa is a former Islamic college in the historic medina of Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  6. El Badi Palace El Badi Palace
    07 45 min

    El Badi Palace

    Palais El Badi قصر البديع

    El Badi Palace is a ruined palace complex in Marrakesh, Morocco, commissioned by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty in the late sixteenth century.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  7. Le Jardin Secret Le Jardin Secret
    08 1 hour

    Le Jardin Secret

    Le Jardin Secret is a restored historic riad garden situated within the medina of Marrakesh. It exemplifies traditional Islamic garden design principles, incorporating geometric layouts, water features, and vegetation arranged according to classical patterns.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  8. Maison de la Photographie Maison de la Photographie
    09 1 hour

    Maison de la Photographie

    Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech is a museum in Marrakesh's medina dedicated to historic Moroccan photography. It preserves and displays visual archives documenting Morocco from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  9. Almoravid Koubba Almoravid Koubba
    10 45 min

    Almoravid Koubba

    Almoravid Koubba القبة المرابطية

    The Almoravid Qubba, known locally as Qoubba Ba'adiyn, is a small domed structure in Marrakesh, Morocco. It is one of the few surviving monuments from the Almoravid dynasty, which ruled Morocco in the 11th and 12th centuries.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  10. Jardins de la Ménara Jardins de la Ménara
    11 1 hour

    Jardins de la Ménara

    The Menara Gardens constitute a historic olive grove and garden complex situated to the west of Marrakesh's medina. Established during the Almohad period in the twelfth century, the site represents one of Morocco's oldest surviving garden landscapes.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  11. Agdal Gardens Agdal Gardens
    12 1 hour

    Agdal Gardens

    Jardin de l'Agdal

    The Agdal Gardens, known locally as Jardins de l'Agdal, constitute a vast historic orchard and water landscape situated south of the medina of Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  12. Bab Agnaou Bab Agnaou
    13 45 min

    Bab Agnaou

    Bab Agnaou is a historic fortified gate in Marrakesh, Morocco, forming part of the medina's defensive walls. Constructed in the 12th century during the Almohad period, it served as a principal entrance to the royal kasbah district.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  13. Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam
    14 1 hour

    Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam

    Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam is a restored historic garden located in central Marrakesh, positioned between the medina and the Hivernage district.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  14. Palmeraie Palmeraie
    15 45 min

    Palmeraie

    Palmeraie de Marrakech is a historic palm grove situated on the northeastern edge of Marrakesh, Morocco. It forms part of a protected cultural landscape recognized by UNESCO, standing in marked contrast to the dense urban fabric of the medina.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  15. ANIMA Jardin ANIMA Jardin
    16 1 hour

    ANIMA Jardin

    Anima Garden is a botanical garden and cultural space located outside Marrakesh, created by Austrian artist André Heller. The garden combines extensive plantings with integrated artworks and sculptures by international artists.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  16. Dar Cherifa Dar Cherifa
    17 1 hour

    Dar Cherifa

    Dar Cherifa is a restored sixteenth-century riad in Marrakesh's medina, now operating as a cultural and literary venue. The building exemplifies traditional Moroccan domestic architecture, with particular significance attached to its courtyard design.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  17. Koutoubia Gardens Koutoubia Gardens
    18 1 hour

    Koutoubia Gardens

    Koutoubia Gardens, locally known as Jardins de la Koutoubia, is an open garden situated at the base of the iconic Koutoubia Mosque minaret in Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  18. Bab Doukkala Mosque Bab Doukkala Mosque
    19 30 min

    Bab Doukkala Mosque

    Bab Doukkala Mosque is a major sixteenth-century mosque located in the northwestern quarter of Marrakesh's medina. It stands as a significant religious and architectural landmark, giving its name to the surrounding Bab Doukkala neighbourhood and market quarter.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  19. Bab el Khemis Bab el Khemis
    20 45 min

    Bab el Khemis

    Bab el Khemis is one of the historic gates punctuating the ramparts of Marrakesh's ancient medina. Its name derives from the Thursday market, or souk el khemis, that historically convened in its vicinity.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  20. Bab Debbagh Bab Debbagh
    21 45 min

    Bab Debbagh

    Bab Debbagh is one of the historic gates of Marrakesh, located on the eastern side of the old medina wall circuit. The gate serves as a principal passage toward the traditional tannery district, where leather production has historically concentrated.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  21. Royal Theatre Royal Theatre
    22 1 hour

    Royal Theatre

    Théâtre Royal

    The Royal Theatre, known locally as Théâtre Royal de Marrakech, stands as a prominent modern theatre in Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  22. Ben Youssef Mosque Ben Youssef Mosque
    23 30 min

    Ben Youssef Mosque

    Ben Youssef Mosquée مسجد ابن يوسف

    Ben Youssef Mosque is a major Almoravid-era religious landmark in Marrakesh's medina. It stands beside the famous Ben Youssef Madrasa, forming an important historical and spiritual complex in the old city.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  23. Place du 16 Novembre Place du 16 Novembre
    24 1 hour

    Place du 16 Novembre

    Place du 16 Novembre is a central civic square in Gueliz, Marrakesh's modern new town. It functions as a key urban landmark and gathering point where the planned colonial-era grid meets contemporary city life.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  24. Bab Aylan Bab Aylan
    25 45 min

    Bab Aylan

    Bab Aylan is an eastern historic gate of Marrakesh, Morocco. It stands as one of the traditional entry points into the old medina, the walled historic core of the city.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  25. Miaara Jewish Cemetery
    26 30 min

    Miaara Jewish Cemetery

    Cimetière Juif Miaara

    The Miaara Jewish Cemetery is the principal Jewish burial ground serving Marrakesh's historic Mellah quarter.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  26. Bab Ksiba Bab Ksiba
    27 45 min

    Bab Ksiba

    Bab Ksiba is a surviving gate of the Marrakesh medina, the historic walled old city that forms the core of visitor interest in this major Moroccan destination.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  27. Bab Ahmer Bab Ahmer
    28 45 min

    Bab Ahmer

    Bab Hmar

    Bab Hmar is a historic city gate in Marrakesh, Morocco. The name translates to Red Gate, reflecting the distinctive ochre-colored architecture typical of the city.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  28. Eglise des Saints Martyrs Eglise des Saints Martyrs
    29 30 min

    Eglise des Saints Martyrs

    The Church of the Holy Martyrs, known locally as Eglise des Saints Martyrs, stands as a central twentieth-century church in Marrakesh's Gueliz district.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  29. Arset El Bilk عرصة البيلك
    30 1 hour

    Arset El Bilk عرصة البيلك

    Arset El Bilk is a public garden located in the historic core of Marrakesh, Morocco. Positioned immediately beside the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square, this green space serves as an urban refuge amid the dense medina environment.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  30. Jardin de Bab el Khemis
    31 1 hour

    Jardin de Bab el Khemis

    Bab el Khemis Garden, known locally as Jardin de Bab el Khemis, is a public green space situated adjacent to the historic Bab el Khemis gate in the northern reaches of Marrakesh's ancient medina.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  31. Buraima Mosque Buraima Mosque
    32 30 min

    Buraima Mosque

    Mosquee Berrima مسجد بريمة

    The Berrima Mosque, known locally as Mosquee Berrima مسجد بريمة, stands as a historic mosque in the southern medina visitor area of Marrakesh. It represents traditional Moroccan Islamic architecture within the dense urban fabric of the old city.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  32. Bab Laksour
    33 45 min

    Bab Laksour

    Bab Laksour is a historic gate puncturing the rose-hued ramparts of Marrakesh's ancient medina.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  33. Al-Mansour Mosque Al-Mansour Mosque
    34 30 min

    Al-Mansour Mosque

    Mosquée Moulay El Yazid مسجد القصبة

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  34. Bab el Aghdar
    35 45 min

    Bab el Aghdar

    Bab el Aghdar is a surviving gate within the historic city walls of Marrakesh, Morocco. As one of the fortified entrances to the ancient medina, it represents the defensive architecture that once protected this major imperial city.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  35. Dar el Bacha
    36 45 min

    Dar el Bacha

    Dar El Bacha دار الباشا

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  36. Koubba of Fatima Zohra Koubba of Fatima Zohra
    37 45 min

    Koubba of Fatima Zohra

    Lalla Zahra Bin Alkouch

    Lalla Zahra Bin Alkouch is a documented historic site situated within the central visitor area of Marrakesh, Morocco. The site bears a local name that reflects its cultural and historical significance in the urban fabric of the old city.

    • Must see
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  37. aziz
    41 45 min

    aziz

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  38. Bab Agnaou Bab Agnaou
    42 45 min

    Bab Agnaou

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  39. Bab Doukkala
    43 45 min

    Bab Doukkala

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  40. Bab Ghemat
    44 45 min

    Bab Ghemat

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  41. Bab Ghemat
    45 45 min

    Bab Ghemat

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  42. Bab Nkob Bab Nkob
    46 45 min

    Bab Nkob

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  43. Bab Nkob
    47 45 min

    Bab Nkob

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  44. Bab Rob
    48 45 min

    Bab Rob

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  45. carpet souq
    49 45 min

    carpet souq

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  46. Casa Isidora
    50 45 min

    Casa Isidora

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  47. Chez Ali
    52 45 min

    Chez Ali

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  48. Medina
    61 45 min

    Medina

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  49. Parcha
    64 45 min

    Parcha

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  50. Sidi 'Amâra
    71 45 min

    Sidi 'Amâra

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  51. Sidi Jabr
    75 45 min

    Sidi Jabr

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  52. Sidi Sfej
    76 45 min

    Sidi Sfej

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  53. Tannery
    80 45 min

    Tannery

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  54. Yves Saint Laurent Memorial
    88 45 min

    Yves Saint Laurent Memorial

    Mémorial Yves Saint Laurent نصب تذكاري إيف سانت لورينت

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  55. الجمال
    89 45 min

    الجمال

    عزيز

    • High
    • Historic monument
    • Marrakesh
  56. Concerie
    92 20 min

    Concerie

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Marrakesh
  57. Tannery
    97 20 min

    Tannery

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Marrakesh
  58. Tower Tower
    98 20 min

    Tower

    • Notable
    • Viewpoint
    • Marrakesh

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Morocco be?

Eight to twelve days can join Marrakesh with one Atlantic, imperial-city or Atlas route. A desert extension needs dedicated road time and should replace, not simply be added to, another distant region.

What entry documents are needed for Morocco?

Morocco’s Accès Maroc service is the government channel for electronic visa and travel-authorisation checks. Eligibility is passport-specific; verify the required route through that portal before committing to transport.

What is the best way to travel around Morocco?

Casablanca and Marrakesh are the largest air gateways. ONCF trains serve the main northern and Atlantic cities, whereas mountain, desert and smaller-town journeys depend on coaches, cars or organised transfers.

When is a practical time to visit Morocco?

March to May and September to November avoid the strongest heat on many city and inland routes. Atlas conditions, Atlantic weather and desert temperature swings require separate checks for the planned circuit.

What money and payment basics apply in Morocco?

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) are the local currency. This record does not state nationwide card coverage or exchange costs; agree the amount and method before a taxi, market or remote accommodation transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Morocco?

Morocco distinguishes 19 for city police, 177 for the gendarmerie and 15 for fire or ambulance. Power is 220 V through Type C and E sockets, while tap-water guidance is Not recorded.