A window on Africa, Morocco is a country of dazzling diversity. Here you will find jagged mountain ranges, vast deserts, centuries-old cities, desolate beaches and the warmest hospitality. Extraordinary landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly patterned carpets you covet in the markets, and Moroccan cities are among the most exciting on the African continent, discover in our article the selection of the 16 places you absolutely have to visit in Morocco
Marrakech
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Marrakech knows how to put on a show. Its heady sights and sounds stun and enchant, as they have for centuries. Circuses are no match for the chaos of the halqa (street theatre) of Marrakech’s main square, Jamaa El Fna , which has been awarded by UNESCO. By day, Djemaa draws crowds with snake charmers, acrobats and dentists with jars of pulled teeth. At sunset, 100 restaurant stalls kick off the world’s raucous grilling contest. After dinner, Djemaa’s musical jam sessions kick off. Audience participation is always encouraged, and small change guarantees encores.
Fez
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The medina of Fez is the great maze of mazes. The only way to discover it is to dive in head first. Don’t be afraid to get lost – follow the flow of people that will lead you back to one of the two main arteries, or ask a shopkeeper to point you in the right direction. It’s an adventure into a medieval world of hidden squares, warrens of workshops and colourful markets. Don’t forget to look up to see the intricate plasterwork, carved cedar wood, dazzling mosaic tiles and curly Arabic calligraphy.
The High Atlas Mountains
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The High Atlas Mountains are the highest mountain range in North Africa, a veritable paradise for hikers from spring to autumn. The range crosses Morocco diagonally for almost 1000 km, encircling Marrakech to the south and east, from the Atlantic coast just north of Agadir to Khenifra in the northeast. Its saw-toothed peaks act as a weather barrier between the mild, Mediterranean climate to the north and the Sahara to the south. In its highest peaks, snow falls from September to May, allowing for winter sports in Oukaimeden, while rivers flow all year round towards Marrakech, creating a network of fertile valleys.
Chefchaouen
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Steep and cobbled, the endlessly Instagrammable blue alleys of Chefchaouen’s medina tumble down the mountainside in a shower of red roofs, wrought-iron balconies and bright geraniums. You could spend hours people-watching over mint tea in the café-filled main square, dominated by a grand red kasbah. You could also stroll along the river, shop in the souqs (markets), wander up to the Spanish Mosque on the hill or even venture into the surrounding Talassemtane National Park to explore the Rif Mountains.
Skoura Palm Grove
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Like a carpet of greenery stretching across the Draa Valley, the idyllic palm grove of Skoura is crisscrossed by a network of dirt tracks and a traditional underground drainage and irrigation system called khettara that produces a surprising variety of produce that has been cultivated for generations: tomatoes, pomegranates, mint, dates, apricots, figs, almonds. Dotted with historic Kasbahs made of molded bricks, Ksour (fortified villages) that form a labyrinth and elegant guesthouses with gourmet restaurants, it is the ideal place to discover the tranquil life of the oasis, which has not changed for centuries.
The Draa Valley
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Today, roads allow the last stretches of the ancient caravan routes from Mali to Marrakech to be traversed quickly and safely, but beyond the rocky gorges glimpsed from the journey lies the Draa Valley, the desert traders’ fantasy. The rustling of the date palms and the coolness of the clay-brick castles of Zagora, Tamnougalt, Timidarte or Agdz must once have seemed like mirages after two months in the Sahara. The fortifications that once welcomed the caravans carrying Malian gold are now open to tourists, who wake up to fresh dates, bread baked in earthen ovens and a more peaceful pace of life.
Tafraoute
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Tafraoute is a mix of pink houses and market streets in a stunning setting. The Ameln Valley is dotted with palm trees and villages, and the looming mountains offer a twice-daily light show of ochre and amber, while the Aït Mansour Gorge is a verdant respite in the red rock. It’s a wonderful base for activities like hiking, mountain biking and searching for prehistoric rock carvings. If the granite cliffs and oases aren’t picturesque enough, Belgian artist Jean Vérame has applied his brush to some of the local boulders with surreal results.
Anti-Atlas Mountains
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A range of sun-baked granite leading into the Sahara, the Anti-Atlas Mountains remain relatively unexplored. The main attraction for hikers is the quartz massif of Jebel El Kest, the "amethyst mountain", which can be reached on foot via the Ameln Valley. Farming villages and ruined kasbahs are found around Jebel Aklim, another of the excellent trekking opportunities in this region of Amazigh shepherds. The landscape is varied enough, from palm-filled gorges to the dark, volcanic Jebel Siroua, to justify several treks.
Tangier
For the first half of the 20th century, Tangier was one of the Mediterranean’s most cosmopolitan resorts, legendary for its hedonistic excesses, but when it was handed back to Morocco in 1956, it began to slide into a seemingly inexorable decline. Now the story is changing, and investment is pouring in: there’s a swanky new marina, hotels and apartment blocks are springing up around the bay, and streets are being redeveloped. But Tangier hasn’t lost its laid-back air so beloved of the Beat Generation.
Essaouira
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Essaouira is Morocco at its most laid-back. It has long been a cultural melting pot, and today visitors are drawn to its honey-coloured ramparts, picture-postcard harbour and huge stretches of golden sand, where the ever-present gusts of wind – locally known as the alizée – create the perfect conditions for windsurfing and kitesurfing. Stylish, timeless riads, fresh seafood cuisine and a fascinating arts scene complete the picture. As any local will tell you, Jimi Hendrix was a fan, and you’re bound to be too.
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Named after Morocco’s most revered saint, the small holy town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun contains the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss and is one of the country’s most important pilgrimage sites. In fact, it wasn’t until 2005 that non-Muslims were allowed to spend the night there. The town straddles two hills, and no matter which side of the city you’re on, the view over green-tiled rooftops and the rolling countryside beyond, where olive groves produce fragrant oil, is undeniably pretty, especially in the evening light. Look out for Morocco’s only cylindrical minaret.
Volubilis
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The Amazigh king Juba II, whose wife was the daughter of Antony and Cleopatra, was settled in Volubilis by the Romans. The town became a thriving farming community producing olive oil, wheat and wine for the ancient Roman army. Today, you can still stand on the steps of the basilica, looking out over the same fertile fields and surveying his kingdom. A museum has been opened and you can wander around this UNESCO World Heritage Site quite freely, stopping to admire the dazzling mosaics.
Taroudant
Taroudant, a market town in the Souss Valley—with views of the High and Anti-Atlas Mountains—has been dubbed a “mini-Marrakech” for its red-brick ramparts that change color in the light, but its compact medina and laid-back souks are a far cry from the big city’s hassle. Explore the city walls by horse-drawn carriage and delve into ancient kasbahs, stopping at the Palais Salam, a former pasha’s palace turned dilapidated hotel, where you can wander tiled salons and Moorish gardens for the price of a mint tea.
The dunes of Chegaga
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Leave the crowds behind and trek across the desert on camelback, savoring the silence, the breathtaking views, and the gentle sway of the camel’s gait. Even if your camel encounter leaves you feeling groggy, you’ll still manage to climb a dune at sunset and watch the desert turn gold, pink, and purple. The stars have never looked so bright, and for good reason: at Erg Chigaga, you’re not only off the grid, but also several hours by camel from the nearest street light.
Casablanca
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If anyone tells you there’s nothing to see in Casablanca except the Hassan II Mosque, they haven’t looked closely enough. A unique fusion of neo-Moorish and art deco architecture dating back to the early 20th century, when Casablanca was the jewel of the French colonies, fills the centre with pleasing symmetry, sensual curves and striking tiling, alongside post-independence modernist and brutalist buildings. Some have been restored to their former glory while others lie sadly neglected. Take a guided walking tour to discover this wonderful heritage.
Mirleft
You can surf all along Morocco’s Atlantic coast, but one of the best places to catch a wave is Mirleft, a sleepy beach town where the mountains meet the Atlantic Ocean. With a string of pristine – and often deserted outside of Moroccan holidays – beaches and cheap guesthouses, it’s a low-key, less windy alternative to Essaouira. Affordable company Spot-M welcomes experienced and novice surfers for group and individual lessons, and also runs week-long surf camps with yoga.
