Things to Do in Central Morocco

Get a very visual understanding of Morocco by visiting this small, photo-dense museum tucked away on a tiny street in Marrakech’s medina, or old quarter. Housed in a former fondouk—a building to lodge merchants and travelers—the museum’s collection of images highlight life in Morocco over the course of roughly 100 years, from the 1870s to the 1950s.

Not just photos are on display either: you’ll also find glass photographic plates, postcards, and documentaries, including the first color film taken in the High Atlas Mountains. The collective images – of which the museum has thousands --provide a thought-provoking and visually intriguing overview of the country’s culture and history, especially as it relates to its Berber people. 

A relatively small venue, the Photography Museum spans several floors, on top of which sits a rooftop terrace. It is there that visitors are rewarded with sweeping views of Marrakech and even the Atlas Mountains beyond. The rooftop is also home to a café, so to take full advantage of your visit, plan to stop for a snack or even light lunch at this delightful and scenic spot.

With its deep blue waters set against a backdrop of sweeping desert plains and the distant Atlas Mountains, it’s easy to understand the appeal of Takerkoust Lake and it’s a world away from the chaotic souks and busy medinas of nearby Marrakech. A manmade dam built by the French in the late 1920s to provide water and electricity for Marrakech, Takerkoust is now an important recreational area, drawing a stream of both locals and tourists during the summer months. 

Swimming is not permitted at the lake (although many locals still do), but water sports like jet skiing, wake-boarding and kayaking have become popular pastimes, and many visitors bring a picnic to enjoy along the lakefront. The real highlight is the dramatic view over the surrounding desert and mountains, and the lakeside offers an ideal backdrop to walking, cycling or quad biking tours, as well as horseback or camel riding excursions. 

Constructed by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur during the 16th century, the Saadian Tombs are home to more than 200 crypts belonging to members of the Saadian dynasty. The magnificent mausoleums are renowned for their lavish design, featuring stunning zellige tiles, exquisite woodwork, and gold and marble embellishments.

 

With a prime location, just a short stroll from El Badi Palace, the Saadian Tombs make a popular stop on Marrakech city tours, as well as day trips to Marrakech from cities such as Essaouira or Casablanca. Visitors can explore the two mausoleums—including the Hall of Twelve Columns, which houses the tomb of Ahmad el-Mansur—and stroll the beautiful gardens, where the centerpiece is the grand tomb of Sultan Ahmad el-Mansur’s mother. 

 

 

The Saadian Tombs are located at the southern end of Marrakech’s medina, close to the Mellah Jewish Quarter and El Badi Palace. The site can be reached on foot from Jemaa el-Fna (15 minutes), by taxi, or by horse-drawn carriage (calèche). The entrance is on the south side of the Moulay El Yazid Mosque.

The tombs are open daily. It’s best to visit early to avoid the crowds. Tour groups begin arriving at 10am,  and there is often a line for tickets. The tombs also close daily from 12pm until 2:30pm.

 

The Saadian Tombs are part of Marrakech’s UNESCO World Heritage-listed medina, the walled old town at the heart of the city, and medina tours often include a visit to the tombs. Additional highlights of the medina include the ruins of El Badi Palace, another of Sultan Ahmad el-Mansur’s masterpieces; the opulent Bahia Palace; Ben Youssef Madrasa; and Koutoubia Mosque.

Few places on earth compare to the Sahara Desert, a natural wonder of vast plains and sun-baked dunes that dominates the south and east of Morocco. The world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara stretches a staggering 5.6 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) over several countries. Hemmed in by the Atlas mountain range, the Saharan sands are one of Morocco’s many highlights.  

Popular Sahara experiences include trekking along ancient trade routes on a camel, sleeping out under the desert stars, and rising at the break of dawn to watch the sunrise over a sea of orange dunes. Most tours visit one of the two most accessible areas: the dunes of Erg Chebbi, close to the town of Merzouga, or Erg Chigaga, near the town of Zagora. 

Although day tours are possible from Merzouga, most travelers opt for an overnight camping excursion, trekking out into the desert by camel or 4x4, then spending a night at a traditional Bedouin encampment. From Marrakech or Fez, a 3-day tour often includes a visit to the desert town of Ouarzazate, the Draa Valley, or the Kasbah of Ait-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site famously used as a filming location for Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Star Wars. 

 

The easiest way to experience the Sahara Desert is on a guided tour from Marrakech, Fez, or Merzouga, with round-trip transportation included. Merzouga and Zagora are the gateway towns to the desert dunes. Both routes travel mountain and desert roads and take at least a full day. Buses run to Zagora and Merzouga from Marrakech, but you will still need to take a tour to explore the desert on arrival. 

The most popular time for a trip into the Sahara Desert is May through October, but the summer months of June to August can get extremely hot during the day. Visiting in winter (December to February) means that daytime temperatures will be much more pleasant, but it can drop below freezing at night and sandstorms are more frequent. 

Spending a night in the Sahara Desert is a cultural experience in itself. As well as watching the stunning desert sunset and sunrise, visitors stay at a traditional Bedouin camp and learn about Berber culture. Most campsites are accessible only by camel or on foot. Upon arrival, guests are treated to traditional Moroccan specialties such as tagine and sweet mint tea, with entertainment including traditional Berber music and dance. Additional activities may include sand boarding and quad-biking excursions.

Housed in a beautifully restored riad (a structure built around a courtyard), tucked between the Bahia and Dar Si Said palaces, the Tiskiwin Museum (Maison Tiskiwin) fascinates visitors. Crammed with North African art, handicrafts, and artifacts, the Tiskiwin collection immerses visitors in the region’s vibrant cultural history.

 

The museum’s permanent exhibits are the personal collection of Dutch anthropologist Bert Flint. Displays are organized geographically, with each room marking a destination along the ancient Saharan trade route from Marrakech to Timbuktu. The colorful objects on display include hand-woven carpets and textiles, traditional Berber clothing and jewelry, intricate basketwork, and tribal handicrafts. Among the highlights are a re-creation of a Berber encampment, examples of Saharan headwear, and an impressive collection of Moroccan artworks.

 

 

The museum is located at the south end of the medina, close to the Bahia Palace. From Jemaa el-Fna square, it’s about 10 minutes’ walk: Head south along Zitoun Jdid and look out for the signs. If you’re taking a taxi, it’s easiest to ask for the Bahia Palace.

 

The museum is open daily, year-round, but it is closed for lunch from 12:30pm to 2:30pm.

 

Most of Marrakech’s museums can be found in the medina and are within walking distance of the Tiskiwin Museum. The Museum of Marrakech houses Moroccan art and artifacts, while the Photography Museum displays impressive photos of historic Marrakech, and the Museum of the Palmery combines beautiful gardens with traditional art. Outside the medina, the Berber Museum in the Majorelle Garden is also worth a visit.