Out of the Beaten Tracks places to visit in Morocco

Beyond the Imperial Cities: A Journey to Morocco’s Soul

The allure of Marrakech’s bustling souks, Fes’s ancient medina, and the cinematic landscapes of Aït Benhaddou is undeniable. These are the icons of Morocco, destinations that have captivated travelers for centuries. Yet, beyond these celebrated hubs lies a different Morocco—a country of quiet oases, rugged coastlines, and mountain valleys where the rhythms of life have remained unchanged for generations. To journey beyond the well-trodden tourist circuit is to seek the very soul of the nation.

Why Venture Off the Beaten Path?

Choosing the road less traveled in Morocco isn’t just about escaping the crowds; it’s about a more profound and rewarding way of experiencing the country. It offers a chance to connect with the land and its people on a more intimate level.

• Authentic Cultural Encounters: Away from the curated experiences of the big cities, interactions become more genuine. It’s the difference between watching a performance and being invited into a home for mint tea; between buying a carpet in a showroom and watching a weaver work the loom in her village cooperative. Learning about local crafts can offer a similar connection to culture.
• Avoiding Over-tourism and Crowds: Imagine watching the sunset over the Atlantic from a deserted beach, hiking through a mountain valley with only the sound of goat bells for company, or exploring a kasbah without a single tour group in sight. This is the peace that awaits away from the main tourist trail.
• Discovering Untouched Landscapes: Morocco’s diversity is its greatest treasure. Venturing out reveals surreal rock formations in the Anti-Atlas, serene lagoons teeming with birdlife, and vast, silent stretches of the Sahara that feel truly infinite. These are landscapes that inspire awe and introspection. The geography of Morocco is incredibly varied.
• Supporting Local, Rural Economies: When you stay in a family-run guesthouse, eat at a small local café, or hire a guide from a remote village, your travel spending has a direct and meaningful impact, supporting communities and helping to preserve a traditional way of life.

A Note on “Hidden Gems”

Let’s set a realistic expectation for the term “hidden gem.” The places featured here are not undiscovered secrets; they are known and cherished by Moroccans and a small number of discerning travelers. They are “hidden” only in the sense that they lie outside the mainstream international tourist itinerary. They have not yet been reshaped by mass tourism, and their charm lies in their authenticity and local character.

This journey, therefore, requires a particular mindset. It’s an invitation to be a traveler, not just a tourist. A tourist arrives with a checklist, seeking convenience and familiar comforts. A traveler arrives with curiosity, patience, and an open mind. The reward for embracing a bumpy road, a shared taxi ride, or a conversation navigated with hand gestures and a smile is a connection that is far more memorable than any postcard view. The adventure is not just in the destination, but in the spirit with which you approach the journey itself.

The Wild Atlantic: Coastal Escapes Without the Crowds

While Essaouira has long captured the hearts of travelers with its windswept charm, Morocco’s vast Atlantic coastline holds quieter, equally compelling destinations. These towns offer a different rhythm—one dictated by the tides, the seasons, and local life rather than the tourist calendar. Here, you’ll find wild beauty, authentic culture, and the space to truly connect with the sea.

Mirleft: A Surfer’s Haven with a Bohemian Vibe

Located south of Agadir, where the Anti-Atlas mountains begin to meet the ocean, Mirleft is a small town with a big spirit. Its rugged cliffs drop dramatically into the Atlantic, creating a series of sheltered beaches and coves that have become a magnet for surfers and independent travelers. The atmosphere is refreshingly unpolished and laid-back, attracting a community of artists, yogis, and ocean lovers who prefer raw nature over refined resorts.

• What to Experience: The area offers a variety of surf breaks suitable for all levels, with local schools ready to get you on a board. For a different perspective, paragliding from the clifftops provides an unforgettable view of the coastline. A short drive away is the famous Legzira Beach, known for its colossal sea arches. While one of the two main arches collapsed in 2016, the remaining one is still a spectacular sight, especially at sunset.
• The Vibe: Expect a blend of Berber culture and bohemian surf culture. It’s a place to slow down, watch the waves, and enjoy the simple, powerful beauty of the coast.

Oualidia: The Serene Lagoon of Oysters and Flamingos

Nestled between Casablanca and Essaouira, Oualidia (pronounced wa-lid-ee-ah) is a graceful crescent of calm. The town is built around a protected natural lagoon, a serene body of saltwater separated from the wild Atlantic by a sandstone barrier. This unique geography makes it a haven for both wildlife and those seeking tranquility. It has long been a favored weekend escape for Moroccans from Marrakech and Casablanca, lending it an air of understated chic.

• What to Experience: The lagoon is the center of life here. It’s one of Morocco’s premier birdwatching sites, particularly for the flocks of pink flamingos that wade in its shallows. Oualidia is also the country’s oyster capital; you can enjoy incredibly fresh seafood plucked straight from the local farms. Gentle activities like kayaking, paddleboarding, or taking a traditional fishing boat across the calm waters are the perfect way to spend an afternoon.
• The Vibe: Peaceful and elegant. It’s a destination for relaxation, gourmet pleasures, and quiet appreciation of nature’s subtle beauty.

Asilah: The Artsy White-Walled Port Town

Just a short journey south of Tangier, Asilah feels like a world apart from Morocco’s bustling imperial cities. This fortified port town is known for its immaculately clean, white-washed medina, where the brilliant blue of doors and shutters pops against the stark white walls. The medina’s walls are a living gallery, adorned with vibrant murals painted by international artists during the annual International Cultural Festival.

• What to Experience: The primary joy of Asilah is simply to wander its peaceful, narrow streets, discovering new artwork around every corner. A walk along the 15th-century Portuguese ramparts offers stunning views of the Atlantic, especially as the sun goes down. If your visit coincides with the summer festival (usually in July/August), you’ll find the town alive with art exhibitions, concerts, and cultural events.
• The Vibe: Creative, coastal, and refreshingly calm. It offers a dose of artistic inspiration without the overwhelming crowds of larger tourist centers.

The Untamed Atlas: Mountain Valleys and Berber Hospitality

Far from the clamor of the imperial cities, the Atlas Mountains hold Morocco’s heart. This is a realm of dramatic peaks, fertile valleys, and the unwavering hospitality of the Amazigh (Berber) people. To journey here is to witness a life deeply connected to the land, where traditions are not just preserved but lived daily. Each valley has its own character, a distinct personality shaped by its unique geography and history.

Tafraoute and the Ameln Valley

Deep in the Anti-Atlas Mountains, the town of Tafraoute is nestled within a landscape that feels almost lunar. It is surrounded by immense, weathered granite formations, shaped by millennia of wind and sun into smooth, abstract sculptures. This already surreal environment was famously used as a canvas by Belgian artist Jean Verame in 1984, who painted entire rock formations in vibrant shades of blue, pink, and purple. The result is a stunning, open-air art installation that continues to provoke wonder.

Beyond this artistic landmark, Tafraoute serves as a gateway to the serene Ameln Valley and the heart of traditional Berber culture. In late winter, typically February, the valley transforms as thousands of almond trees burst into a delicate sea of white and pink blossoms. It’s a region best explored slowly, allowing for spontaneous connections and a deeper appreciation of the quiet rhythms of village life.

• What to do: Embark on hikes through the palm-lined Ameln Valley, test your skills rock climbing on the granite boulders, or take a scenic drive through the dramatic mountain passes.

Aït Bouguemez Valley (The “Happy Valley”)

Tucked away in the Central High Atlas, Aït Bouguemez has earned its moniker, the “Happy Valley,” for good reason. Its relative isolation has preserved a pastoral way of life against a backdrop of astonishingly lush scenery. Unlike the arid landscapes further south, this valley is a vibrant tapestry of green fields, apple orchards, and poplar trees, all irrigated by ancient water channels and set against the backdrop of high peaks, including the M’Goun Massif.

The valley is dotted with traditional adobe villages, where life unfolds at the rhythm of the seasons. Here, the journey is not about ticking off sights but about immersion. Staying in a family-run gîte d’étape (a simple guesthouse) offers an unparalleled opportunity to experience authentic Berber hospitality, share a mint tea, and gain insight into local farming and building practices that have sustained communities for centuries.

• What to do: Enjoy gentle treks suitable for all fitness levels, stay with a local family in a guesthouse, and observe the intricate, sustainable farming methods that make the valley so fertile.

The M’Goun Valley (Valley of Roses)

As you approach Kalaat M’Gouna, the gateway to the M’Goun Valley, a subtle fragrance begins to fill the air. This region is the center of Morocco’s Damascus rose cultivation. For a few short weeks each spring (typically late April to mid-May), the valley is a profusion of fragrant pink roses, grown not for their beauty alone but for their precious oil, a key ingredient in perfumes and cosmetics.

The harvest culminates in the annual Rose Festival, a vibrant celebration of Berber culture with music, dancing, and a parade. But even outside of festival time, the valley offers a unique sensory experience. You can walk along the M’Goun River, where the rose hedges line the fields, and visit small, family-run distilleries to see how rosewater and essential oils are traditionally made. It’s a journey that connects you to the land through one of its most delicate and aromatic products.

• What to do: Plan a multi-day trek along the river, visit a cooperative to learn about rosewater distillation, and if your timing is right, experience the lively atmosphere of the annual Rose Festival.

Desert Whispers: Oases and Dunes Beyond the Main Circuit

The Moroccan desert is more than just a singular destination; it’s a varied landscape of stark beauty, resilient life, and profound silence. While many tours follow a well-trodden path, venturing just a little further reveals oases and dune fields that offer a deeper, more personal connection to the Sahara.

Erg Chigaga: The Wilder, Quieter Dunes

While the dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are magnificent, their accessibility has made them a popular stop. For a more untamed desert experience, turn your sights to Erg Chigaga. Reaching these remote dunes is an adventure in itself, requiring a multi-hour 4×4 journey from M’Hamid or Foum Zguid. The trip takes you across the vast, flat expanse of a dry lakebed, through stony desert plains dotted with solitary acacia trees, and along desiccated riverbeds. This journey isn’t just a transfer; it’s a gradual immersion into true isolation.

The reward is a sea of sand that feels utterly untouched. The dunes of Chigaga are lower but spread over a much larger, wilder area, creating a sense of immense scale and solitude. Here, the silence is absolute, broken only by the wind. As night falls, far from the light pollution of any town, the sky transforms into an unparalleled display of stars, so clear and bright they seem within arm’s reach.

The Draa Valley: A Ribbon of Green in the Desert

Stretching for over 100 kilometers from Ouarzazate towards the desert’s edge at M’Hamid, the Draa Valley is a lifeline of vibrant green cutting through an arid, ochre landscape. This is one of Morocco’s largest oases, a dense river of millions of date palms that has sustained life for centuries. Following the river, you’ll discover a world of ancient mud-brick villages and formidable fortified homes known as kasbahs.

One of the most remarkable is the Kasbah Tamnougalt, a partially restored and still-inhabited citadel that offers a tangible link to the region’s past as a stop on the trans-Saharan caravan routes. The true pleasure of the Draa, however, lies in its unhurried pace. Instead of driving its entire length in a day, consider focusing on a small section. Stay in a traditional guesthouse, walk or cycle beneath the cool canopy of the palm groves, and observe the rhythms of daily life in this enduring oasis.

Figuig: The Oasis on the Algerian Border

For the traveler truly seeking to leave the map behind, there is Figuig. Tucked away in the far eastern corner of Morocco against the Algerian border, this ancient oasis is a world apart. Its isolation has preserved a unique way of life and a stunning architectural heritage. Figuig is not a single entity but a collection of seven fortified villages, or ksours, each with its own character, nestled within a vast and beautiful palm grove.

The oasis is sustained by an ingenious and ancient system of irrigation channels that carry water from a local spring. The best way to experience Figuig is on foot. Wander through the shaded, maze-like alleyways of the ksours, admire the earthen architecture, and follow the paths through the lush palm groves. Visiting Figuig is less about ticking off sights and more about experiencing a profound sense of peace and discovering a corner of Morocco that remains almost entirely untouched by international tourism.

Cities with Soul, Not Swarms

While the imperial cities command attention, Morocco is home to smaller urban centers that offer a profound sense of place without the overwhelming crowds. These are cities where the rhythm of daily life is more audible, where history feels less like a performance and more like a lived reality. They provide a different kind of urban experience—one of quiet discovery and genuine connection.

Tetouan: The Andalusian “White Dove”

Nestled at the foot of the Rif Mountains, Tetouan offers a compelling alternative to the popular blue streets of Chefchaouen or the intricate maze of Fes. Its UNESCO-listed medina is a startlingly beautiful composition of white-washed walls and green-tiled roofs, a direct legacy of the Andalusian refugees who shaped its character. The Spanish-Moorish influence is palpable, setting it apart from other Moroccan cities and resulting in an atmosphere that is both refined and authentic, with noticeably fewer international visitors navigating its alleyways.

Exploring Tetouan is a reward in itself. Key highlights include:

• The pristine medina, a labyrinth of clean, bright lanes where artisans practice their crafts in centuries-old workshops.
• The artisan school, Dar Sanaa, where you can observe masters teaching traditional skills like zellij tilework, leatherwork, and intricate plaster carving to the next generation.
• The historic Mellah (Jewish quarter), which offers a glimpse into the city’s multicultural past with its distinct architecture and storied history.

Taroudant: “The Grandmother of Marrakech”

Often referred to as “The Grandmother of Marrakech,” Taroudant presents all the quintessential elements of a southern Moroccan city—magnificent ramparts, bustling souks, and a backdrop of the Atlas Mountains—but on a more intimate and approachable scale. Encircled by impressive red-mud walls, the city functions as a vital market town for the Souss Valley. This gives it a grounded, unhurried energy, a world away from the intensity of Marrakech.

The experience here is less about ticking off sights and more about soaking in the atmosphere. You can spend your time cycling the full 7.5-kilometer circuit of the city ramparts for wonderful views of the palm groves and mountains. The souks, divided into an Arab souk and a Berber souk, are fantastic for finding high-quality local crafts, particularly Berber silver jewelry and leather goods, without the high-pressure sales tactics found elsewhere.

Moulay Idriss Zerhoun: Morocco’s Holiest Town

Perched on two hills overlooking the fertile plains and the nearby Roman ruins of Volubilis, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun holds a unique place in the nation’s heart. As the burial site of Moulay Idriss I, the founder of Morocco’s first dynasty, it is a deeply significant pilgrimage destination. For centuries, the town was closed to non-Muslims, a history that has helped preserve its sacred and tranquil character. Today, while welcoming to visitors, it retains a profound sense of peace.

The town’s charm lies in its spiritual ambiance and stunning location. The main highlights are not grand monuments but subtle experiences. From the Grand Terraces, you can enjoy panoramic views across the green and white rooftops and the rolling landscape beyond. While non-Muslims cannot enter the shrine of Moulay Idriss I, its exterior can be respectfully observed from the medina’s main square. Simply wandering its quiet, sloping streets is the best way to connect with the town’s serene and deeply spiritual atmosphere.

Practical Guide for the Intrepid Traveler

Venturing off the main tourist circuits in Morocco is immensely rewarding, but it requires a bit of planning. With the right approach, navigating the country’s diverse landscapes becomes part of the adventure itself. Here are some practical tips to help you journey with confidence and respect.

Navigating Morocco’s Backroads

The freedom to stop at a roadside market, follow a scenic detour, or spend an extra hour admiring a view is what makes independent travel so special. Morocco offers several ways to achieve this, each with its own character.

• Renting a Car: This provides the ultimate flexibility for exploring at your own pace. A standard compact car is sufficient for most paved roads. However, if your itinerary includes the high mountain passes of the Atlas or the remote tracks leading to Erg Chigaga, a 4×4 is highly recommended. It offers peace of mind and access to truly untouched areas.
• Grand Taxis: A quintessential Moroccan experience, these shared, often vintage Mercedes sedans, ply fixed routes between towns. They depart when all six seats are filled. It’s an economical and effective way to travel between smaller destinations not served by major bus lines, and a fantastic opportunity to travel alongside locals.
• Buses (CTM vs. Local): For longer distances between major points, the CTM bus network is reliable, comfortable, and air-conditioned, with assigned seating and a straightforward booking process. For shorter, more rural hops, local buses are a true adventure. They are cheaper and stop frequently, offering a vivid slice of daily life, though with significantly less comfort and predictability.

Accommodation and Packing Essentials

Choosing where you stay and what you bring can profoundly shape your experience, connecting you more deeply with the places you visit.

Where to Stay

Beyond standard hotels, Morocco’s traditional lodgings are destinations in themselves. Opt for a riad in a city medina to experience a serene, inward-facing courtyard home. In the south and the mountains, stay in a restored kasbah, a fortified mud-brick dwelling that tells a story of history and heritage. For trekking in places like the Aït Bouguemez Valley, a simple but welcoming gîte d’étape (local guesthouse) offers authentic Berber hospitality and home-cooked meals.

What to Pack

• Layers of Clothing: Temperatures can vary dramatically between day and night, especially in the desert and mountains. Pack lightweight layers you can add or remove, including a warm fleece or jacket.
• Sturdy Footwear: Comfortable, broken-in walking shoes are essential for navigating uneven medina cobblestones, hiking in the Atlas, or exploring ancient kasbahs.
• Reusable Water Bottle: Staying hydrated is crucial. A reusable bottle is environmentally friendly and can be refilled from large bottles of water purchased along the way.
• Cash: While ATMs are available in cities, they become scarce in remote villages and mountain towns. Always carry enough cash to cover expenses like meals, small purchases, and guesthouse stays.
• Conservative Clothing: To show respect for local customs, especially in rural areas, pack loose-fitting clothing that covers your shoulders and knees. This includes long skirts, trousers, and light long-sleeved shirts.

Cultural Etiquette for Respectful Travel

Traveling with cultural awareness enriches your interactions and ensures your presence is a positive one. Moroccan hospitality is legendary, and a few small gestures of respect will be warmly received.

• Ask Before Photographing People: Always ask for permission before taking a photo of someone, particularly in markets and rural areas. A simple smile and gesture with your camera is often enough. If someone declines, respect their wishes. Photography is a sensitive issue, and treating it with courtesy is paramount.
• Dress Modestly: In villages and more conservative areas, dressing modestly is a sign of respect. Covering shoulders and knees is a good guideline for all genders. This is especially important when visiting or passing by religious sites.
• Learn a Few Words: A small effort to speak the local language goes a long way. Learning a few words of Darija (Moroccan Arabic) will be greatly appreciated. Start with “As-salamu alaykum” (a formal hello, meaning “peace be upon you”) and “Shukran” (thank you). These simple phrases can open doors and turn a simple transaction into a friendly exchange.