Must-see places in Morocco.
Marrakech.
Fascinating, Marrakech is usually the gateway to the country for many travelers who come looking for exoticism that this incredible country always promises.
Despite of its fame, we must say that there are some who get exhausted after a short while overwhelmed by the vendors and the atmosphere in the medina which is demanding for some tourists who are unaccustomed to this culture.
However, we always recommend giving the city some time, as we assure after couple of hours, you will get the pulse and start to live and enjoy everything it has to offer.
Although you can see it in 2-3 days, we recommend you to stay 4-5 days if possible, which will allow you to get to know it calmly and even take a trip to the neighboring place ( Essaouira or to the desert).
Here are our top things to do in Marrakech: JEMAA-EL FNA, THE CENTRAL SOUK, MEDERSA BEN YOUSSEF RAHBA KEDIMA SQUARE, THE MELLAH, BAHIA PALACE, SAADIAN TOMBS, and MAJORELLE GARDENS.
Fez.
Fez is considered the first imperial city in Morocco to be built dating back to the 8th century. It is famous for its ancient walled city, which many compare it to Jerusalem. In fact it is particularly known for being the center of art and science, and the cultural capital of Morocco.
Fez is one of the most interesting and attractive destinations in the country, perhaps somewhat overshadowed by the country other major cities, Casablanca, Marrakech and Rabat. Although it has been able to adapt to modern life and retains its traditions, Fes is characterized for being one the few cities to keep its authentic style.
The new city or ville nouvelle of Fez was founded by the French in 1920. This part of the city maintains a European architectural style, being the opposite polar of the medina. It is home to administrative services as well as to westernized hotels. The bank of morocco and the Florence square are also located here. The wide avenues are lined with modern shops and the traffic is hectic and chaotic. Of the attractions to visit in Fez, there are practically none. But if you are interested in staying in westernized hotels, this is the ideal place to do so. As it is the new area of the city, we can walk around to see its modern-style bars, cafeterias and terraces and, incidentally, take the opportunity to have a good mint tea. Here are to places to see in Fez:
El-Attarine Madras Bou Inania, Chaouwara Tanneriesa, Kairaouine Mosque, Batha Museum, Souks and Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts.
Ait Ben Haddou.
Ait Ben Haddou is a spectacular kasbah, like a village of clay and stone with buildings surrounded by large walls. The proximity of Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech make this fortress a common excursion for tourists from the ‘red city’. Hence, it is one of the most beautiful places in the country and a must for those who want to visit the Moroccan desert and the south of the country.
The Kasbah Ait Ben Haddou and the rest of the fortresses of this type are architectural ensembles built of adobe and mud, crowned by towers that serve as defense, in what could be considered the equivalent of medieval castles. These kasbahs were formerly large Berber villages in the Moroccan desert, walled and challenged with the aim of defending the houses, crops and palm groves growing along their banks. These peoples formed large agrarian and mercantile communities with a very particular vision of Islam.
Merzouga.
Merzouga is the pearl of the Sahara desert in Morocco, very popular amongst tourists from all over the world. It is a small village in the southeast of Morocco about 45 km from Erfoud, and about 20 km from the Algerian border. It is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and the immensity of its dunes, where the view is lost. That is why Merzouga is one of the ideal places to admire its sunset, as well as to watch the sunset and contemplate a magnificent starry sky.
Near Merzouga is Erg Chebbi, which stands in Berber ‘The small dune’, despite its name, they are the largest sandsea in Morocco, with 250 meters high. Legend says that these impressive dunes are the result of a divine punishment inflicted upon the inhabitants of the ancient village of Merzouga, who while celebrating a party refused to welcome a woman and her children who arrived exhausted and died when they received no help. A furious sandstorm arose, completely covering the village and its inhabitants. Since then they say that they hear screams at noon coming out of the immense dunes.
The truth is that these dunes captivate visitors by their immensity and the orange color of the sand. Some of these beautiful formations reach over 200 meters high and change color depending on the time of day. It is an unforgettable experience to contemplate the beautiful sunrise or sunset over the dunes, as well as the incredible blanket of stars thanks to the fact that Merzouga is located in the heart of the Sahara desert and from the urban and light pollution to which we are accustomed.
Todra Gorges.
Located on the eastern side of the High Atlas Mountains, the Todra Gorges are recognized worldwide as one of the most spectacular rocky canyons. These gorges are located only about fifthen kilometers north of the city of Tinghir, the road leading to the gorges offers beautiful scenery.
The cliffs of the gorge each year attract many climbers who come to enjoy their passion. The Todra Gorge is a place that enjoys a great reputation among climbers, especially European (Spanish and French mostly), but today it has become a huge school. Many tourists also come here to refresh themselves and enjoy the beautiful scenery of the area.
Some places the gorges are only 20 meters wide, but have cliffs over 300 meters high on each side of the river. The river has never dried up, leaving only the imagination to picture the powerful forces of nature that once carved this region.
The gorges, although located in a remote area of Morocco, is a very popular tourist destination and has grown a lot in recent years, equipped with hiking trails and a dirt road in good condition that visitors can walk, although they have to share it with mules and other pack animals.
Dades Gorges.
Dades Valley or ‘Road of a thousand kasbahs’ runs from Quarzazate to the east of Tineghir and the Todra Gorges. The route by car is spectacular, with hundreds of kasbahs that the Berbers erected to defend themselves from invaders and are dotted all along the route, winding through stunning landscapes of the Sahara desert, villages, forests and palm groves…
Once again, the Dades Valley owes its name to the river that meanders between the mountains along the route, surrounded by red cliffs. Visitors can enjoy beautiful Kasbahs, fortified mansions, mountains crisscrossed by streams and canyons and variety of landscapes that are really worth visiting. Continuing the way you will appreciate one of the most beautiful rose gardens of the valley.
The Dades Valley has a wild landscape, with snow on one side and a semi-desert on the other. Its wild grandeur and unearthly silence are matched only by the Grand Canyon. The river forms the valley along a winding road filled with fruit, nuts, and wheat, birch and almond trees, giving us a scene of spectacular rock formations.
Essaouira.
Are you coming to discover why Essaouira was baptized as “the pearl of Morocco”? Perhaps because of the magic of watching the golden sunset illuminating the white houses of the city with the sea in the background. Or maybe because of the thousand colors of spices, tapestries and veils that dye its souks or labyrinthine mercantile streets. Or maybe it is for having some of the best beaches in Morocco to walk, ride a horse or came.
Traveling to Essaouira is to fall in love with every corner, it is to walk along the wall while it gives you the best views of this small fortified city with the Atlantic Ocean on the horizon, and it is to escape the noise of Marrakech enjoying the silence that reigns in the Medina and the beach.
Chefchouen.
As if it had come out of a fairy tale, Chefchaouen rises among the Rif Mountains with its white and blue houses as a true little paradise destination to go on vacation. Get ready to wear out your shoes walking over and over through its narrow streets because the magic of this city will make you never get tired of its wooden doors and cobblestone walls. And not only that, traveling to Chefchaouen is like visiting an art gallery: thousands of stalls with handicrafts, carpets, paintings and typical Moroccan decorations await you around every corner so that you will never want to leave the most charming place in the whole country.
Because the blue city of Morocco came out of a Smurf tale to give you not only the most beautiful streets, but the perfect places to get into the purest Moroccan culture: from eating a good typical dish in the Uta-el-Hammam Square to participate in the life of the locals in the old washhouse of Ras-el-Ma and visit the kasbah or citadel of the city, where you can learn about the origins its museum and enjoy panoramic views from its tower. And to get the best views of the city, take the opportunity to go trekking on the hills and reach one of the viewpoints of the city, where the blue of the buildings contrasts with the green and brown of the mountain