The 10 Best Things to Do in Morocco and the Western Sahara 

Throughout ancient medinas, snow-capped Atlas peaks, vast golden dunes, and hidden oasis pools, you’ll find incredible things to do in Morocco throughout the whole year. Along the Atlantic coast as the Sahara sands meet the sea, windswept lagoons create some of the world’s most spectacular kitesurfing conditions and cinematic landscapes. From Tangier to Dakhla, your journey will unfold through desert silence, coastal adventure, and unforgettable moments beneath star-filled skies. 

Why Morocco and the Western Sahara Belong on Every Serious Traveller’s List 

The best places to visit in Morocco are those that invite you to slow down and explore with curiosity. As you visit each memorable medina, each desert settlement, and each ancient landmark, you’ll get to know local traditions and meet people from all walks of life. While the likes of Marrakesh and Casablanca have universal fame, and are certainly worth a visit while you’re in the area, this list encourages active travel and discovery across the length and breadth of Morocco and the Dakhla coastal region. 

Stargazing in the Sahara 

Sahara desert stargazing offers one of the most profound experiences on earth. Far from any light pollution, you’ll admire the Milky Way in extraordinary clarity. See firsthand how this dense band of stars stretches across the clear night’s sky, making the universe feel vast yet comfortingly intimate. You’ll sleep in a traditional desert camp, where Berber guides share stories around the fire whilst shooting stars trace silent paths overhead. This is ‘noctourism’ in its purest form, and the experience will stay with you long after you brush the last grain of sand off your sandals. 

Sandboarding on the Saharan Dunes 

The great Erg Chebbi dunes around Merzouga provide the setting for one of Morocco’s most exhilarating activities. Sandboarding feels much like snowboarding, but across golden sands shaped by Saharan winds into formations of extraordinary beauty. The experience suits a wide range of fitness levels and brings a sense of adventure to the desert landscape. Expect to embrace sweeping views and steep descents, and to take incredible photographs that you’ll be showing your friends and family for years to come. 

Camel Trek at Sunrise or Sunset 

Amongst the best things to do in Morocco, camel treks through the dunes at sunrise or sunset deliver experiences that are so distinctive of the Sahara. You’ll travel through golden landscapes as long shadows stretch across the sand. The slow rhythm of the camel creates a pace that complements the majestic vastness of the desert. For many travellers, these are the images and sensations that define Morocco—and once you’ve experienced this all for yourself, you won’t be able to stop thinking about it. 

4×4 Desert Drives Through Ancient Landscapes 

Climb into a 4×4 and venture deep into the desert to reveal a side of Morocco and the Western Sahara that feels untouched, remote and deeply connected to the land. Dry riverbeds, rocky plateaus, and fossil fields create a landscape brimming with geological drama. In some areas, you’ll even find marine fossils that date back to a time when the Sahara lay beneath an ancient sea. Brilliant local guides will expertly bring nomadic traditions and desert ecology to life, transforming your journey into one of the most culturally rich activities to do in Morocco. 

Hiking the Atlas Mountains 

When you’re planning what to see and do in Morocco, exploring the Atlas Mountains should be high on your list. No matter where you’re staying, you’ll find accessible day hikes and multi-day treks winding through Berber villages where traditional mountain life retains generations-old practices. The snow-capped peaks create dramatic backdrops in winter, whilst the spring months fill the valleys with vivid displays of colour from the native wildflowers. Along the way, you’ll experience the famously warm Berber hospitality: think fresh mint tea, bread baked in Ferrane clay ovens, and welcoming conversations that make these mountain encounters feel every bit as culturally rich as a medina visit. 

Oasis Swimming in Palm Valleys 

Hidden water pools surrounded by date palms create moments of extraordinary contrast across Morocco’s southern regions. Slip into cool oasis waters beneath swaying palms to discover a quieter side of the desert landscape, where the combination of dappled shade, gentle birdsong, and the soft movement of palm fronds creates a deep sense of tranquillity. Among the many places to see in Morocco, these peaceful green pockets are among the experiences that many travellers remember most fondly, as they can be wonderfully intimate. 

Getting Lost in a Medina 

The medinas of Fez, Marrakech, and Essaouira invite a particular kind of exploration. We recommend wandering without a fixed destination and letting the maze-like streets guide you through sight and sound. You’ll come across medieval tanneries, hidden artisan courtyards, and beautifully restored riad palaces tucked behind unassuming doorways. These ancient city centres reward curiosity at every turn. Often, the most memorable discoveries take place from personal recommendations: make sure to chat to people in shops and tea spots to ask for their own personal tips and favourites. 

Traditional Hammam Ritual 

Amongst the most culturally immersive activities to do in Morocco, a traditional hammam ritual is not to be missed. Offering a centuries-old experience centred around relaxation and renewal, the experience will see you moving through steam rooms scented with fragrant black soap before moving on to traditional exfoliation performed by a skilled kessala scrubber. Warm marble surfaces, argan oil treatments, and the calming rhythm of the ritual all come together to create a deep sense of physical and mental lightness. For a more authentic glimpse into everyday Moroccan life, we recommend checking out a local neighbourhood hammam. During your stay at Dakhla South Bay, head into Dakhla town to check out Hammam Nahda. 

Night Markets and Evening Souks 

Morocco’s souks transform completely after dark. Following a full market day of trading, many souks continue into the evening with food stalls glowing beneath hanging lanterns and musicians gathering in crowded squares. Wander without a plan and let the atmosphere guide you from one discovery to the next. Follow the scent of grilled kefta and fresh bread to enjoy a sundown snack or evening meal. Among the many things to do in Dakhla and across Morocco, you’ll find embracing the energy of the evening souks to be a memorable post-sunset experience and an opportunity to see how locals unwind. 

Kitesurfing and Windsports in Dakhla 

Among the most exhilarating things to do in Western Sahara region, kitesurfing across Dakhla’s extraordinary lagoon delivers a thrilling sense of adventure. Flat water, consistent winds, and the dramatic spectacle of desert-meeting-ocean come together to create conditions that attract kitesurfers from around the world. Whether you’re an experienced rider or stepping onto a board for the first time, you’ll find an atmosphere that feels energising and immersive in equal measure. 

Dakhla South Bay offers a comfortable and inviting base just moments from the lagoon, making it easy to spend hours on end around the water. With 30 spacious rooms and suites, this luxury desert escape exudes peace and quiet. Offering incredible desert views and uninterrupted stretches of coastline, it’s a fantastic option for your upcoming trip to Morocco and the Western Sahara region. 

Your Moroccan Adventure Awaits 

From the silence of the Sahara at night to the magnificent chaos of a medina evening market, these ten experiences across Morocco and the Sahara capture why this part of the world is able to tap into a special place in your heart.