Best Things to Do in Morocco: UNESCO Sites, Cities and Outdoors
A short list of what visitors do most, built from the details we checked on official and operator sites. Fares and prices were read in October 2026, so check current price before you go.
UNESCO sites
Morocco has nine UNESCO World Heritage Sites, all cultural: the medinas of Fes, Marrakech, Essaouira and Tetouan, Meknes, Volubilis, the ksar of Ait Ben Haddou, Mazagan (El Jadida) and Rabat. We checked these inscription years on the UNESCO site:
- Medina of Fez: 1981
- Medina of Marrakesh: 1985
- Ksar of Ait Ben Haddou: 1987
- Medina of Tetouan: 1997
- Medina of Essaouira: 2001
- Rabat, modern capital and historic city: 2012
The other three are Meknes (1996), Volubilis (1997) and Mazagan, or El Jadida (2004). Jemaa el-Fna is separate: it is listed as intangible heritage (2001).
Marrakech
The medina, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna are the obvious start. For paid sights, the official Jardin Majorelle site lists 170 MAD for the garden alone and 330 MAD for the combined ticket (foreign adult). Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace are 100 MAD each for a foreign adult on the Ministry of Culture portal, and the Merinid Medersa in Sale is 80 MAD. A hammam and a hot air balloon at sunrise are the two common extras. The balloon is the most expensive item, with one secondhand figure of 2,400 MAD for a classic flight, so check the operator.
Roman ruins and Meknes
Volubilis, the Roman site near Meknes, costs 100 MAD for a foreign adult (50 MAD for a child aged 7 to 13) on the Ministry of Culture portal, with hours shown as 9h to 17h. Meknes was inscribed in 1996 and Volubilis in 1997. Meknes is an easy half day from Fes: the train takes 34 to 39 minutes and costs 22 to 35 MAD in 2nd class. We could not confirm ticket prices for Chellah in Rabat or the Meknes monuments on the official portal.
Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque is the reason to stop. Its own website lists the guided visit at 140 MAD for a foreign adult. The train from Casa Voyageurs to Marrakech costs about 120 to 135 MAD in 2nd class and takes just under 3 hours.
Fes
The old medina of Fes is the biggest single reason to cross the country. Trains from Marrakech take about 7 hours, with 14 direct trains each way and a 260 MAD fare in 2nd class. From Casablanca, expect about 59 to 130 MAD.
Chefchaouen
The blue streets and the kasbah. CTM runs four coaches a day from Fes (145 MAD, 4 h 10 to 4 h 50), and five a day from Tangier (85 MAD, 2 h 15 to 2 h 35).
Essaouira and the coast
Essaouira’s medina is on the UNESCO list. Supratours runs six direct coaches a day from Marrakech (100 to 125 MAD, 3 hours). Taghazout is the surf stop, and Agadir is 135 to 170 MAD by coach from Marrakech.
Outdoors and desert
Ouzoud waterfalls and the Ourika Valley for walking, Agafay and Merzouga for the desert. Entry to Ouzoud is free, with small costs for parking, a guide and the boat. A shared 3-day Merzouga tour is listed at roughly 99 to 300 USD on marketplaces, so see the desert guide before you book.
Rabat and Tangier
Rabat is a calm capital with a UNESCO-listed historic centre. The Rabat to Fes train takes about 3 hours for 75 to 105 MAD. Tangier is where most visitors arrive from Spain.
Tickets at a glance
| Site | Foreign adult | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Jardin Majorelle (garden) | 170 MAD | official ticket site |
| Bahia Palace, El Badi, Saadian Tombs | 100 MAD each | Ministry of Culture portal |
| Volubilis | 100 MAD | Ministry of Culture portal |
| Merinid Medersa, Sale | 80 MAD | Ministry of Culture portal |
| Hassan II Mosque, guided visit | 140 MAD | mosque foundation |
| Skala du Port, Essaouira | 60 MAD | Ministry of Culture portal |
| Kasbah museum, Chefchaouen | 80 MAD | Ministry of Culture portal |
Travel times between the main stops
| Leg | Time | Fare (2nd class or coach) |
|---|---|---|
| Casablanca to Marrakech (train) | just under 3 hours | 120 to 135 MAD |
| Marrakech to Fes (train) | about 7 hours, 14 direct trains each way | 260 MAD |
| Marrakech to Essaouira (coach) | about 3 hours | 100 to 125 MAD |
| Fes to Meknes (train) | 34 to 39 minutes | 22 to 35 MAD |
| Fes to Chefchaouen (CTM) | 4 h 10 to 4 h 50 | 145 MAD |
| Tangier to Chefchaouen (CTM) | 2 h 15 to 2 h 35 | 85 MAD |
| Rabat to Fes (train) | about 3 hours | 75 to 105 MAD |
These are the figures from our transport guides, read in October 2026. They show why the main stops are far apart and why fewer bases work better than a long list. See our itinerary to link them.
When to go for what
Official WMO normals show Marrakech at 20.6 to 37.7 C in July, so the south is easier in spring and autumn. Fes is wetter in winter, with about 60 mm of rain over 8 days in January. The coast and the mountains are cooler, see the weather guide for each month.
How to choose
Pick two or three bases and travel between them, rather than ticking off everything. Marrakech, Fes and the coast make a good first trip, see the itinerary.
The downside: Morocco is big, so do not try all of this in one week.
Frequently asked questions
What are the best things to do in Morocco?
The medinas of Marrakech and Fes, Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Essaouira, Ait Ben Haddou and a night in the desert are the common choices.
How many UNESCO sites does Morocco have?
Nine, all cultural. Jemaa el-Fna is listed separately as intangible heritage (2001).
How much are the main tickets?
Jardin Majorelle 170 MAD for the garden alone (330 MAD combined), Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs and El Badi 100 MAD each, Volubilis 100 MAD, Hassan II Mosque 140 MAD (foreign adult).
How far apart are the main cities?
Marrakech to Fes is about 7 hours by train, Casablanca to Marrakech just under 3 hours.
When should I go?
See the best time guide, built on the official WMO averages.
Do I need a tour?
Not for the cities, which trains and coaches cover. For the desert a tour is often easier.
Sources checked
Checked on 27 October 2026.
- UNESCO World Heritage List (inscription years)
- Ministry of Culture ticket portal; Jardin Majorelle and Hassan II Mosque official sites
- ONCF, CTM and Supratours fares and timetables, October 2026
- The travel-time table repeats figures from our own transport guides
