Morocco was Africa’s most-visited country in 2024 — 17.4 million international arrivals, running at 135% of 2019 levels, per UN Tourism — and heads into 2026 with fresh infrastructure from hosting the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations across several of the cities below.
Imperial cities
- Marrakech — “The Red City,” built around the Djemaa el-Fna square and its historic medina; the near-default starting point for a Morocco trip.
- Fes — An imperial city home to centuries-old tanneries still using traditional dyeing methods, and one of the best-preserved medieval medinas in the country.
- Rabat — The capital: a modern district of wide boulevards alongside an old medina behind fortified walls.
- Chefchaouen — The “Blue City,” a UNESCO-recognized medina known for its blue-washed streets, souks, and traditional riads.
- Casablanca — Morocco’s modern commercial hub, generally treated as an entry point rather than a multi-day stop.
Desert & natural landscapes
- Merzouga & the Erg Chebbi dunes — The most accessible starting point for Sahara dunes, roughly a full day’s drive from Marrakech or Fes via the Dades or Ziz valleys; overnight desert camps are the standard way to experience it.
- Ouarzazate & Aït Benhaddou — Known as the “Hollywood of Africa” for its film studios and desert backdrops, used in productions including Game of Thrones, Gladiator, and The Mummy.
- Draa Valley — Palm groves and river-valley scenery running from Ouarzazate toward the desert.
- Essaouira — A coastal trading town turned relaxed beach destination, with a long history as an export point between the Sahara and the Atlas Mountains.
- Atlas Mountains — Snow-capped peaks a short distance from the Sahara’s dunes — the range that makes Morocco’s climate contrast possible within a single route.
Planning note
Morocco’s best-known route (Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara) covers real distance by road, and travel guides consistently recommend 10-12 days as the practical minimum to do it without spending most of the trip in transit. Spring (April-May) and fall (September-October) are the standard shoulder-season windows, avoiding summer heat in the desert and winter cold in the mountains.
Sources
- Nomadasaurus — The 15 Best Places to Visit in Morocco
- Happy Morocco Travel — The 10 Best Places to Visit in Morocco
- UN Tourism World Tourism Barometer, January 2025
Read the Top 10 Countries to Visit in 2026 roundup for how Morocco compares globally.