Updated August 2025
If you have been dreaming of a break from the mundane, how does relaxing along the sunlit shores of the Atlantic sound? Join us as we plan a sweet summer escape to the coastal haven of Morocco.
Greet the ocean breeze like an old friend, bask in golden sunlight, feast on freshly grilled seafood, and find your rhythm. Let Morocco’s kaleidoscope of colours help you script your own adventure in strokes of Majorelle blues and shimmering golds.
Marrakesh: Discover timeless charm in the heartland
Marrakesh has become synonymous with Morocco for the quintessential experiences it offers.
Heart of the Medina
Start your holiday with a journey through the red city. Promenade through the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Jemaa El-Fna square. You will be charmed by the colors and fragrance of the herbs and spice souks nearby. Visit the olive market and sample an essential part of Moroccan meals before purchasing edible souvenirs.
Immerse yourself in Marrakesh’s rich garden legacy with a visit to the serene Menara Gardens. It is one of the oldest gardens in North Africa, where centuries-old olive trees and calm waters provide a peaceful retreat.
Then, celebrate a century-old artistry at the Majorelle Garden or Les Jardin Majorelle, where bold lapis lazuli walls, vibrant mosaics, and lush pathways unfold around the art deco villa.
This place once inspired artists such as Jacques Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent. Together, these gardens present a juxtaposition of eternal repose and creative brilliance.
A taste of the city
Embark on a food tour to experience the culinary joy ride just like a local in Marrakesh. One must try is Tanjia, a flavourful dish of tender meat slow-cooked in a terracotta pot. Pair it with freshly baked khobz (Moroccan bread) for a deeply satisfying culinary experience.
Agadir: Embrace endless summer by the sea
Now, let’s make our way to Agadir, a family favourite on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, where life feels like an endless summer holiday.
Adventures on the Atlantic
As Morocco’s first seaside resort, Agadir is packed with adventures that your whole family can enjoy. Paraglide over the coast of Souss-Massa at hotspots such as Tifnit, Douira, Tamellalt, or Imsouane. Let the sea breeze lift you as you experience a bird’s-eye view of the cliffs and the beaches below. Whether you soar by day or just before sunset, the thrill is bound to be one for the books for you and your family.
Agadir and Taghazout are home to some of the most iconic surf spots on Morocco’s coast. Seasoned surfers can chase the perfect break at Anchor Point, Boilers, or Dracula Point, while beginners can catch their first wave at gentler spots, including Banana Point, Desert Point, Crocodile, or Devil’s Rock. This stretch of shoreline has something for everyone.
Saddle up for a horseback ride along the beaches of Aourir, Imourane, or Taghazout, where the salty breeze brushes your skin and the sunset bathes the sand and sea in rose-gold light.
If you prefer a slower rhythm, stretch out on Agadir’s sandy beach with your latest beach read and take a refreshing dip in the waves. You can also sail across the shimmering blue waters on a leisurely boat cruise from the port to the Agadir Marina. Admire the city from the sea, feel the wind on your skin, try your hand at fishing with tips from seasoned locals, and end the outing with a lunch of freshly grilled seafood.
Enjoying the ocean’s bounty
Agadir’s beachfront is lined with cafés and restaurants that give a lovely introduction to Morocco’s culinary legacy.
Before you leave, be sure to sample some of the region’s most beloved dishes. Start with traditional tajine—a slow-cooked stew of fish or chicken with vegetables, nuts, dried fruits (plums and apricots), and a medley of aromatic spices that bring every bite to life. Don’t forget to try the couscous, a classic Amazigh staple made with semolina grains and topped with a flavorful mix of meat, vegetables, or sweet garnishes, all paired with a rich vegetable broth called “marqa” to soak in every layer of flavor.
Amazigh rhythm featuring global beats
Every July, Agadir transforms into the stage for the Timitar–Signs and Culture Festival. It is a vibrant celebration of local Amazigh music alongside global sounds. Over the course of four days, the festival welcomes more than 400 artists from Morocco and around the world, drawing over a million people. Each evening, traditional Amazigh troupes—guardians of ancestral musical legacy—open the festivities in honour of the spirit of cross-cultural celebration.
While official 2025 dates are yet to be announced, the celebration is expected to light up the city in early July, as it has for years.
Essaouira: Rendezvous with the Bride of the Atlantic
The Medina of Essaouira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is lovingly called the “Bride of the Atlantic.” The name is perhaps inspired by its white-and-blue facades, its multicultural charm, and the way ocean winds weave through its crenelated walls, like a delicate veil.
Adventures on the Atlantic coast
One of the most charming aspects of the old seaside town of Essaouira is how naturally it invites exploration on foot.
With the cool Atlantic breeze at your back and sunlight glinting off whitewashed walls, you’re free to set your own pace through the medina. Let the alleyways guide your steps, as the ramparts rise beside you like quiet sentinels.
As you wander the parapet walk of what was once the Castelo Real of Mogador, look up to see falcons and seagulls gliding overhead, and out toward the misty silhouette of the Purpuraires Islands on the horizon.
Continue your stroll through the medina until you reach the Port of Essaouira, a bustling fishing port where fishermen haul in the morning catch. Stop by the fish market for a taste of fresh seafood, served with a touch of local flavor.
Set aside a day or two to explore the southern stretch from Essaouira to Sidi Kaouki, one of UN Tourism’s Best Tourism Villages, known for its valleys, forests, coastline, sea caves, and argan-rich landscapes.
Channel your adventurous side by joining the surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers who dance to their own rhythm along the shoreline, a scene you may have admired from the old ramparts of Essaouira. If you prefer a slower pace, wander barefoot along the beach with your family as the soft waves lap at your feet, or mount the back of a camel to enjoy a ride across the sands.
Sidi Kaouki is also part of the Argan Biosphere Reserve, a vast plain stretching between the High Atlas and Anti-Atlas mountains and flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. A visit to this bucolic region would not be complete without indulging in locally made argan products. You can find oils and cosmetics, soaps, shampoos, and creams, crafted by cooperatives like the Sidi Kaouki Cooperative and the Sidi Kaouki Argan Women’s Association.
Portside grills & kitchen secrets
When in Essaouira, take a stroll through the lively main square of Place Moulay Hassan for a taste of the local cuisine. Here, street food stalls and casual cafés serve dishes that capture the essence of the city’s coastal charm.
Some must-try dishes include freshly made crêpes from popular street stalls, perfect for on-the-go enjoyment. You’ll also find a variety of seafood specialties, such as grilled fish served with warm bread and vegetables, aromatic fish tagines, or marinated sardines bursting with coastal flavor. For dessert, try beghrir, light and fluffy Moroccan pancakes served with honey and melted butter, or chebakia, spiced pastries glazed in honey, typically enjoyed with a cup of mint tea.
Enjoy a hot cup of tea or coffee on one of the many charming terraces scattered throughout Essaouira, each offering its unique view and ambiance. It’s also the perfect opportunity to book a traditional Moroccan cooking class and uncover the secrets of local cuisine, from spice blends to time-honored techniques passed down through generations.
Follow the beat of Essaouira’s spirit festival
If you are visiting Morocco in early summer, follow the beat of the drum to the Festival d’Essaouira Gnaoua, a borderless celebration of Gnaoua music and culture. During this festival, the Bride of the Atlantic slips into a trance, resonating with the spiritual rhythms of ancestral art that is seamlessly fused with global tunes. This hypnotic festival honors the deep-rooted traditions of Gnaoua while embracing jazz, blues, reggae, and contemporary fusion from around the world.
Chefchaouen: Expedition through the azure haze
Chefchaouen is adorned with blue-washed houses that inspire you to don your brightest outfits and pose for the camera. As you and your family walk down its winding roads, the city feels wrapped in an azure glow, evoking a dreamlike atmosphere.
Hike into the blue
The pristine beaches of this Moroccan journey are beautifully balanced by the rugged natural beauty of the surrounding mountains in Chefchaouen.
Head to Bouhachem Natural Park, tucked away in the heart of the Western Rif Mountains. It is an ideal hiking spot for families, with trails winding through lush zénaie, tauzaie, cedar, and pine forests, all framing sweeping views of the city and the surrounding landscape.
Embark on a mini-hike from the heart of Chefchaouen to Ras El Maa, a natural spring offering a cool respite to hikers. For a quiet hike, follow the path upwards to reach the Toughoubit Cave, a haven nestled at the edge of the Rif.
If you and your family are comfortable with sleeping bags and navigating high altitudes, Chefchaouen has a variety of rewarding trails to explore in and around Talassemtane National Park.
Trekking routes like Tissouka Mountain, Akchour, and Azilane each promise something unique. Akchour, for example, serves as the gateway to the Cherafat Waterfalls and a Mosque.
Flavours of the Rif Mountains
From the winding alleys of the medina to lively local markets, Chefchaouen’s street food scene is a celebration of flavours. Join a food tour and indulge in fresh mint tea with sweets, freshly squeezed orange juice, creamy bissara, handmade cookies, artisanal yogurt and cheese, along with classic staples like tajine, couscous, and Moroccan salad.
Casablanca: Explore the amaranthine glamour
In the white city of Casablanca, cosmopolitan glamour meets timeless charm to create a bubbling metropolis. Here, you can go from revelling in the Arab-Muslim heritage and Art Deco architecture to relaxing on the beach or feeling the adrenaline rush as you dive and jet ski.
Amble through the medina to the marina
Start your day with a stroll through the Habbous District, where old-world charm mingles with modern-day hum.
Wander past colourful stalls selling everything from traditional handicrafts to intricately moulded copper trays and teapots, all bearing that distinctive “Made in Casablanca” flair with Arabesque elegance.
Next, pick up the pace with a visit to the largest mall in Africa, Morocco Mall, where adults can indulge in haute couture retail shopping from big names such as Christian Dior, Off-White, Bottega Veneta, Givenchy, etc.
Take a break from shopping and dive into the Plongée Aquadream, a magical underwater experience inside the mall’s iconic cylindrical aquarium. You can also treat your children to one of Casablanca’s most exciting attractions, Adventureland Morocco, where thrilling rides, arcade games, and play zones promise a day of fun and delight.
As evening approaches, find your way to Aïn Diab Corniche for one last lounge on the beach. Watch as the setting sun casts a warm, rose-gold glow over the city, bidding a gentle farewell.
