Activities to Do in Morocco:
Adventure, Culture & the Desert
From quad and buggy rides in the Marrakech Palmeraie to the Sahara dunes and the Atlas Mountains, here are the best activities to do in Morocco to plan your trip around.
See the ActivitiesLooking for the best activities to do in Morocco? The country fits a surprising amount into one trip: ancient medinas, the High Atlas Mountains, Atlantic surf towns and the dunes of the Sahara. This guide walks through the activities that are genuinely worth your time, and goes into the most detail on the ones we know first-hand: adventure outings in the Palmeraie of Marrakech, including quad biking, buggy rides, camel rides, horse riding and a balloon flight.
We are a local team based in the Palmeraie, so we only run activities around Marrakech. For the rest of Morocco we simply tell you what is worth doing and how to fit it into your route. Whichever activities to do in Morocco you choose, book the active ones early in your stay.
Adventure Activities to Do in Marrakech
The palm grove about 30 minutes from the medina, where desert tracks meet palm trees. These are the activities to do in Morocco that keep you close to the city.
Here is every ride and experience we run, each with its current price card. Tea is included with our rides, and you can book on WhatsApp.
Quad Auto: an easy, family-friendly quad ride
The automatic quad is the easiest way to start. It is simple to drive, so it suits families and friends, and a local guide leads the ride through the Palmeraie with a tea break included. It is one of the most popular activities to do in Morocco for first-timers. Read our full guide to quad biking in the Marrakech Palmeraie or compare quad prices in Marrakech.
CFORCE 520: a comfortable quad for the panoramas
If you want a comfortable ride with time to enjoy the view, the CFORCE 520 is built for it. It is a relaxed way to take in the wide desert panoramas around the palm grove.
Yamaha Raptor 700: the sporty quad
The Yamaha Raptor 700 is the powerful option for riders who want more speed and dune-style thrills. It is a good match if you are comfortable on a quad and want something sportier than the automatic model.
Motocross: strong sensations for experienced riders
Motocross is our offer for experienced riders who want strong sensations on the rocky desert tracks of the Palmeraie. It is not for beginners, and it is the most extreme of the activities to do in Morocco that we run.
Buggy Can-Am for two: our best seller
If you would rather sit in a buggy with a seat belt and a steering wheel, the Can-Am for two is the answer, and it is our best seller. It is powerful and agile, made for a duo who want adrenaline. See the buggy Marrakech page for details.
Buggy Can-Am with 4 seats: for families and groups
The 4-seat Can-Am buggy lets a family or a small group share the same ride, which makes it one of the easiest activities to do in Morocco with children or friends. Cannot decide between a quad and a buggy? See our quad and buggy page.
Camel ride: a calm, traditional experience
Among the activities to do in Morocco, a camel ride is slower, quieter and very photogenic. It is a traditional, authentic ride through the dunes, and a good pair with a quad or buggy outing.
Quad + camel + tajine: the best Marrakech combo
If you want a bit of everything, this combo brings together a quad ride, a camel ride and a tajine meal, with transport included. It is a good value way to see more in one outing.
Horse riding in the Palmeraie
Our newer horse ride follows nature trails through the Palmeraie for one hour with a local guide and a tea break. It is one of the calmer activities to do in Morocco, a good pick if you prefer a quiet pace to an engine.
New1 hourHot-air balloon flight: the Triple Adventure
Hot-air balloons are among the most memorable activities to do in Morocco, with views over the palm groves and the Atlas Mountains on a clear day. We offer a balloon semi-flight inside our Triple Adventure pack, together with a one-hour quad ride on the dunes and a 30-minute camel ride, with transport included.
Triple AdventurePrices are “from” prices shown on our site at the time of writing and can change, so confirm the current price when you book.
Which Activity Fits You?
Pick by group and by how much adrenaline you want. Use this table to shortlist the activities to do in Morocco that suit your group.
| Activity | Best for | From |
|---|---|---|
| Automatic quad | Beginners, families, friends | 249 DH |
| CFORCE 520 quad | Comfortable panoramic rides | 600 DH |
| Yamaha Raptor 700 | Sporty, confident riders | 1,000 DH |
| Motocross | Experienced riders, strong sensations | 999 DH |
| Can-Am buggy (2 seats) | Couples and thrill seekers | 1,499 DH |
| Can-Am buggy (4 seats) | Families and groups | 2,099 DH |
| Quad + camel + tajine | A bit of everything, transport included | 400 DH |
| Camel ride | A traditional, calm experience | 100 DH |
| Horse ride (1 hour) | Nature trails, quiet pace | 300 DH / person |
| Triple Adventure pack | Quad, balloon semi-flight and camel in one outing | 1,400 DH / person |
Other Activities to Do in Morocco
Worth planning around if you have more than a few days. These activities to do in Morocco take you well beyond the city.
Sahara dunes and a night in the desert
The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are the picture most people have of the Sahara. A camel trek at sunset and a night in a desert camp are the highlights, and you can reach them with a multi-day trip from Marrakech. Our 3-day Marrakech to Merzouga itinerary shows how the route works, and MoroccoTimeTravel organises longer desert tours.
Atlas Mountains, Imlil and Ouzoud
The High Atlas is close to Marrakech. Imlil is the usual starting point for hikes towards Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa, and the Ouzoud waterfalls, roughly 150 km from the city, make a popular day trip.
Essaouira and the Atlantic coast
Essaouira is around three hours from Marrakech by road. Its walled medina, fish grills and windy beaches make it a favourite for kitesurfing and windsurfing, and a cooler break from the inland heat.
Fes and Chefchaouen
Fes has the best-preserved medieval medina in the country, including the tanneries, while Chefchaouen is the blue town in the Rif Mountains. Both sit far to the north, so treat them as part of a northern loop rather than a day trip from Marrakech.
Hammam, souks and cooking classes
Not everything has to be active. A traditional hammam, an afternoon in the souks and a tagine cooking class are easy to add on a rest day between rides and excursions.
A quick note on location: the Agafay Desert is a different, rockier area south-west of Marrakech. Our rides take place in the Palmeraie, so make sure you know which one you are booking.
Best Time and a Simple 3-Day Plan
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable seasons for outdoor activities. Summer in Marrakech is very hot, so ride early in the morning or late afternoon, and winter days are mild but the evenings are cold, with snow on the Atlas peaks.
- Day 1: the medina, the souks and a quiet evening on Jemaa el-Fna.
- Day 2: a Palmeraie adventure: quad or buggy, a camel ride and tea.
- Day 3: a balloon flight, or a day trip to the Atlas Mountains or Ouzoud.
The best activities to do in Morocco depend on the season, your group and how much time you have, so start with one or two and add more as your plans firm up. If you are unsure, message us on WhatsApp and we will help you choose.
Frequently Asked Questions
Quick answers before you plan your activities in Morocco.
More Palmeraie Guides
Go deeper on the activities above.
Ready to Try the Palmeraie?
Book a quad, buggy, camel or horse ride in the Palmeraie of Marrakech and add one of the best activities to do in Morocco to your trip.
Book Your Quad or Buggy Ride Explore More Morocco Tours with MoroccoTimeTravel →