Embark on a journey through Morocco, a land of captivating contrasts where ancient traditions meet modern vibrancy. From bustling medinas to serene deserts, Morocco offers a wealth of experiences for every traveler. This guide highlights the top destinations that will leave you spellbound by the country's diverse beauty and rich culture.
1. Marrakech: A City of Exotic Images
Exotic images probably come to mind when you think of Marrakesh. The city is arguably the most well-known and popular one on the list of best cities to visit in Morocco. Marrakesh is partially that, but it’s also noisy and polluted. It's a shock to the senses if you’ve been traveling around the rest of Morocco before you make it here. While the rest of the country is mostly chill, Marrakech is LOUD and pretty in-your-face. Some love it (like me) and others can’t get out of here fast enough.
Despite its chaotic nature, Marrakech is one of the most beautiful and fun cities in Morocco. It's definitely one of the best cities to visit in Morocco for its energy, its abundant sightseeing potential, and its food. Explore the bustling medina and haggle for so many souvenirs that you’ll have to also haggle for an extra suitcase to bring them home in.
Things to do in Marrakech:
- Explore the Djemma El Fna marketplace
- Visit the beautiful Bahia Palace
- Stroll through Jardin Majorelle
Accommodation in Marrakech
There are tons of gorgeous hotels and riads in Marrakech and on my next visit I’ll stay somewhere more along the lines of Riad Kheirredine or Riad Idra.
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2. Sahara Desert: A Mesmerizing Experience
A true highlight of any trip to Morocco is a night or two in the Sahara Desert. The Sahara will mesmerize you with its otherworldly beauty and the infinite sand patterns in the dunes. It may surprise you with its lushness after a winter rain.
Highlights of the Sahara Desert:
- Camel trips are optional at most places you stay in. If that sounds exotic to you, then do it.
- There are two main desert camps in the Sahara. One has a quieter atmosphere - and one a party atmosphere.
- If you’ve been to the dunes at Erg Chigaga, then you’re very close to dry Lake Iriki.
The real location is the Erg Chebbi Desert, an area of about 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) near the city of Merzouga. It’s also an incredible place to go camel trekking across the vast dunes, some of which are 450+ feet tall.
After you set out with a guide leading your camels, you’ll stop an hour or so out, and dismount to watch the (spectacular) sunset. Your camp is close by, and you’ll soon realize that glamping Bedouin style is the only way to experience the desert (the “tent” I was in was huge).
Accommodation: While visiting the area I stayed at the Golden Camp Sahara. This is a “luxury” Sahara camp and, though I have nothing else to compare it too, I would certainly agree. Even though these are technically “tents,” they still have showers with hot water, a sink, an actual flushing toilet, lighting, heating, comfy beds, and tons of space to chill out in.
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3. Chefchaouen: The Blue Diamond
Built on a mountainside, Chefchaouen is a city with a special vibes. It unique charm gives an impression of unreality. With its blue-rinsed houses, the whole city seems to be bathed in azure. You walk around as if you were in a dream.
Chefchaouen is known as Morocco’s blue city and you’ve certainly seen a few [gazillion] photos of it, I’m sure. First and foremost, you should visit Chefchaouen simply just to see it. The entire city really is blue. Not just one street for tourism purposes… but the whole town. It’s bizarre, but you’ve gotta see it.
Things to do in Chefchaouen:
- Wander the blue streets of the medina
- Hike in the nearby Rif Mountains
- Visit the Akchour Waterfalls
Accommodation: In Chefchaouen I stayed at the Riad Hicham and I loved it! The entire property is so beautiful and unique and the staff is incredibly courteous. The hotel restaurant is so good I ate here every night I spent in Chefchaouen.
EXPLORING THE BLUE CITY OF CHEFCHAOUEN - The Blue Pearl of Morocco | Morocco Travel Vlog S2E4
4. Fez: A City at a Glance
Fez has a special atmosphere. This 13th-century city is an imperial city of long-lasting multicultural history, that reserves unexpected surprises for its visitors. The Fez medina is one of the largest pedestrian-only zones in the world and is said to be made up of 10,000 streets… without any sort of organization at all. It’s just a mess. A loud, disorienting mess.
Read also: Traveling in Morocco: What to Know
Highlights of Fez:
- Cross the walls of the famous medina of Fez, recognized by UNESCO as an outstanding universal value.
- Stroll through the streets of the Fez-El-Bali district. The Bab Boujloud is the easiest way to enter.
- Visit the 1200-year-old Chouara Tannery.
- Explore the University of al-Qarawiyyin, the world’s oldest university.
Accommodation: In Fez I stayed at the Riad Palais Houyam and I absolutely loved it. It has a fantastic rooftop patio and delicious restaurant. The staff went out of their way for me and I was even able to get my laundry done here.
5. Essaouira: Bride of the Atlantic
Crenellated walls, special wind, houses with white and blue facades, Essaouira, the ancient Mogador is the "Bride of the Atlantic". It is one of those coastal cities where the unique atmosphere and water activities seamlessly blend.
Roaming through Essaouira’s medina was taking a leap back in time. The cobbled streets, peeling white paint of the houses, and wooden carts clip-clopping their way through the medina, Essaouira brought a strange sense of nostalgia. Life is simple here.
Things to do in Essaouira:
- Walk quietly in the shade of its ramparts.
- Try out surfing or kitesurfing.
- Explore the medina.
Accommodation: Essaouira has loads of great accommodation choices. We stayed in the lovely Riad Perle d’Eau with windows that opened to beautiful views of the sea. And at high tide, the waves pounded the building which was actually really cool but a little scary too.
6. Atlas Mountains: A Hiker's Paradise
The Atlas Mountains, the highest mountain range in North Africa, stretch for almost 1,000 kilometres from the Atlantic Coast northeast to northern Algeria. The road is good and if you’re heading to the Sahara Desert, rest assured you’ll get a taste of the Atlas Mountains.
Highlights of the Atlas Mountains:
- The Toubkal area of the High Atlas is the most visited area - and is accessible by public transit from Marrakesh.
- The drive up the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the Atlas Mountains is one of the most scenic in the country.
- Village-to-village hiking in the Aït Bouguemez valley is a fantastic way to experience rural Moroccan life.
7. Aït Benhaddou: A UNESCO World Heritage Site
Aït Benhaddou won UNESCO status because it exemplifies “traditional earthen habitat representing the culture of southern Morocco”. The community was on a trading route between Marrakesh and ancient Sudan. As such it had to protect itself which it did by building dwellings onto the side of a hill.
The Ksar of Aït Benhaddou is a centuries-old fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site. Tons of movies and TV shows have been filmed here like The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones.
Accommodation: After my visit in Aït Benhaddou I stayed at the Kasbah Cigogne which was totally unique. Besides being greeted with a truly unforgettable sunset (followed by a sky filled with stars), the staff here is so, so nice. My room was pretty simple but I don’t require much so it was fine.
8. Casablanca: A Bustling Metropolis
Beautiful palm trees lining its paths, with the Atlantic ocean over the horizon, and large business buildings in every corner : Casablanca is the economic lung of Morocco ; a bustling metropolis. Casablanca isn’t always on the top of visitors’ must-see lists when they come to Morocco, but I certainly believe it’s worth a visit.
Highlights of Casablanca:
- Visit the stunning and shockingly large Hassan II Mosque.
- Stop by Rick’s Café for dinner and drinks.
Accommodation: In Casablanca I stayed at the Gray Boutique Hotel and it was fabulous. My room (suite actually) was enormous and had a wraparound balcony. The breakfast is great and the staff is super nice.
9. Other Notable Destinations
In addition to the major destinations, Morocco offers a plethora of other interesting places to visit:
- Rabat: The country’s current capital, offering a blend of history and modernity.
- Meknes: A former capital with impressive gates and a more local feel.
- Volubilis: The best-preserved archaeological site in Morocco, showcasing Roman ruins.
- Ouarzazate: Known as the "door of the desert," a popular stop on the way to the Sahara.
- Ifrane: Known for its skiing and lodges, its forests and waterfalls, and its alpine-style architecture.
Two Week Morocco Trip Itinerary
Over a two week vacation we discovered a lot of interesting places to visit in Morocco, starting and ending in Casablanca. Here’s a look at our two week Morocco trip - in chronological order - and 14 interesting places to visit in Morocco covering the southwestern part of the country.
Itinerary:
- Marrakesh
- Atlas Mountains
- Kasbah Telouet
- Ait Ben-Haddou
- Ouarzazate
- Sahara Desert
- Anti-Atlas trek
- Taroudant
- Souss-Massa National Park
- Essaouira
- Oualidia
- El Jadida
- Casablanca
Accommodation Recommendations
Here are some recommended places to stay throughout Morocco:
| City/Region | Accommodation |
|---|---|
| Marrakesh | Riad La Parathese |
| Tamdaght | Kasbah Ellouze |
| Icht | Borj Biramane |
| Amtoudi | Amtoudi Adventure |
| Tafraoute | Elmalara |
| Taroudant | Dar Zahia |
| Essaouira | Riad Perle d’Eau |
Morocco is an enticing blend of quiet traditional life and frenetic tourist haunts; a place where atmospheric souks and sublime scenery converge to create enthralling travel experiences. Whether you're exploring ancient medinas, hiking in the Atlas Mountains, or riding camels in the Sahara, Morocco promises an unforgettable adventure.
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