The Morocco Travel Guide

Marrakesh, Morocco: This former imperial capital features great shopping and a festive party atmosphere in the evening and a constant sensory overload that can be both pleasant and irritating all at once. Famous for its extremely tall Koutoubia Minaret, which is visible for miles outside the city. Truly one of the gems of the African continent right now.

• Djemaa el Fna Street, Marrakesh: Hopping morning to night. Street theater with astrologers, snake charmers, acrobats. At sunset food stalls appear and after dinner the music & drinking begins.
• Majorelle Garden, Marrakesh
• Koutoubia Minaret, Marrakesh
• Saadian Tombs, Marrakesh

 

Taghazout, Morocco: Pleasant fishing village and surfing mecca on the Atlantic coast. Many inexpensive hotel and hostel options cater to the surf crowd as do the bars, cafes and surf shops that line the main drag. This is the kind of town you plan to spend two days and end up staying two weeks. Still sleepy, but that won’t last much longer as more development creeps in and mass tourism take hold.

 

Oujda, Morocco: Named 2018 Arab Capital of Culture, this town sits on the extreme NE part of country near the Algerian border. Known for its 13th century Mosque and thriving souks and shops. Far off the main tourist route these days despite its rich cultural and history that dates back a thousand years.

 

Casablanca, Morocco: The countries largest city is a commercial hub with an very active port, and is nowhere near as romantic as the movie by the same name made the city out to be. Still the city has a nice blend of French colonial, Moorish and art deco architecture. More of a travel hub than a true destination, despite its size and reputation.

• Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca

 

Sidi Ifni, Morocco: Medium sized fishing village surrounded by picturesque Atlantic beaches. Not oriented towards tourism yet despite its natural scenic draws. Inexpensive and plentiful seafood and an almost complete lack of tourists made Morocco’s southern coast a great place to get away from it all. Merleft, another hidden city on the southern coast is a great option as well.

 

Rabat, Morocco: Capital of the country and 2003 Arab Capital of Culture is a berber-era royal fort surrounded by formal french design gardens. City is known for it’s 12th century minaret, the Hassan Tower, Roman ruins and scenic gardens.

 

Ancient City of Volubilis, Roman Ruins, Morocco: The city was built in the 3rd century BC, and grew rapidly from the 1st century AD until local tribes defeated the city in 285 AD. Because of its remoteness, Rome never retook the city. UNESCO heritage site.

 

Essaouira, Morocco: Resort and fishing town with a good sized port. The Medina is fortified with European engineered seafront ramparts from the 18th century. Very nice crescent beach popular with surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers.

 

Tangier (aka Tangiers), Morocco: Sitting on the Strait of Gibraltar this is the first town most arrive at when taking a boat from Europe. For years this town has been popular with bargain tourists, backpackers and artists seeking a more raw adventure than can found on across the Mediterranean.

 

Fes (aka Fez), Morocco: The country’s cultural capital, with a lively walled medina, El Bali, with medieval Marinid architecture, vibrant souks and an lovely old-world atmosphere. Fes is also Morocco oldest imperial city and pulls you into it’s spell. It is one the most underrated cities in the world.

 

Meknes, Morocco: Another former imperial city, this one quite bit more off the tourist trail. It’s UNESCO protected medina is as nice as any other in Morocco, yet you can have the place nearly to yourself as you explore the old cities intricate gates and mausoleums; and Meknes’s underrated museums.

 

Erg Chebbi Shifting Dunes, Sahara Desert, Morocco: Picture-perfect dunes, with a paved road leading to its base providing easy access. Best visited for sunrise or sunset.

 

Chefchaouen, Morocco: This is it! The blue town sitting in the Rif Mountains made famous on Instagram. And rightfuly so, it’s a perfect combo of romantic and magical, and Chefchaouen’s Old Town is a dream to explore on foot with it’s cobbled streets, blue-washed buildings and a vibrant artisan culture.

 

Taroudannt, Morocco: Known as the “Grandmother of Marrakesh” because it looks like a smaller Marrakesh with its surrounding ramparts. But it’s much more that that, as hidden behind it’s red mud brick walls, are souqs and squares that lull you into the town’s unique charm. It doesn’t hurt that Taroudannt sits overlooking the High Atlas mountains with the Sahara a short drive away.

 

Tafraoute, Anti-Atlas, Morocco: Well off the tourist trail, this fortified city is an oasis of culture and relaxation after the trip to get here. A great area to explore as the surrounding area is rich in rock formations. A underrated destination with surprisingly good cafes and accommodation options for budget travelers.

 

Ait Benhaddou ruins, Morocco Like something directly out of the bible, this collection of walled fortresses was a central point on the ancient trade route from between the Sahara and Marrakesh. UNESCO listed, and home to a handful of families who still call the ancient city home.

 

Toubkal National Park, Morocco: National Park in the Atlas Mountains perfect for trekking.

Zaouiat Ahansal, Morocco: Incredibility remote, this High Atlas mountains town has been sheltering travelers since it was a major center on the trade roue between the Atlas and Marrakesh. Today, it’s a destination for backpackers on the lightly traveled High Atlas tourist trail.