MOROCCO : 11 Not-To-Miss Places in Morocco

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Morocco is situated towards the northern side of the African continent and opens into the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It is a timeless destination to visit if you want to immerse yourself in an extraordinary tour. This is a place that sees an interesting confluence of the Arab and the African cultures making it such an impressive place to visit. If you are looking for impressive artistic handiworks, then the souks of Marrakesh and Fes should be your go-to place. If you are fond of adventurous activities then the Atlas Mountain Range holds a lot of challenges for you. Added to that, adventurers could also spend time in the nearby Sahara Desert and carry some captivating tales back home with them. It is a wonderful place with beautiful people and a lovely intermingling of different cultures, a place whose very essence is going to mesmerize you. So, without beating around the bush much, let's jump into all the wonderful places that you could be visiting in Morocco.

Marrakesh Medina

Marrakesh Medina is a major destination frequented by tourists- the buzz that this place has is unique and sums up the entire tour through Morocco. The medina is the old city of Marrakesh and can be entered through Djemma el-Fna Square. From a bird's eye view, the city might look like a gigantic honeycomb- only instead of hexagonal structures, the city is lined with square structures constituting homes, marketplaces, and so on. The best time to hang out in the old city would be in the evenings and night when the whole place comes to life and is bustling with street vendors, snake charmers, skillful acrobatic performances, and traditional musicians. The overall experience is vibrant as you traverse from shopkeeper to shopkeeper selling all kinds of wares. The city gives you an insight into the tradition and culture of Morocco and thus should be on your itinerary through Morocco.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is set amidst the lofty Rif mountains and is quite an impressive place to visit. It is a picturesque destination sure to take your breath away the first time you set foot in this place. It is very easy to get to Chefchaouen since there are regularly scheduled buses from bigger cities such as Fez and Casablanca. The most unique feature of this labyrinthine hill destination is the blue-on-blue houses that set quiet the photogenic glow to this place.

The main attraction in the town is the town itself as there are not many sightseeing spots to go to. Visitors generally flock to Chefchaouen to enjoy some quiet, relaxing time away from the hustle of everyday life. It is a charming town with fresh air and a clean environment that is surely going to leave a sweet aftertaste. The town is all about walking through meandering alleyways as you take upon the vibrant and brightly colored architectural features. You should put Chefchaouen in the middle part of your travel itinerary through Morocco. The bigger cities of Fez, Marrakesh, and Casablanca are bustling with crowds and Chefchaouen would be a great respite to escape that and recharge yourself. Chefchaouen is also a brilliant starting point for many treks and hikes into the mountains making it a favorite destination amongst adventurers.

Erg Chebbi’s Dunes

The Sahara crosses into Morocco and you can get a grand view of the immense dunes of the desert region. All you need to do is travel towards the eastern side of the nation, pass through the High Atlas spine and keep going farther east till the point where Morocco shares borders with Algeria. It is at this point that you will be welcomed by the terrific dunes of the Sahara. Reaching Erg Chebbi’s Dunes is easy from any of the bigger cities in Morocco such as Fes and Marrakesh since there are regularly scheduled cabs and bus services available to take you there. You could also opt for a package deal to give you the ultimate desert experience from these cities. Erg Chebbi is the most spectacular point to behold the terrific dunes in the region though there are other places too that hold a grand vista of this awesome sight.

While you are in Erg Chebbi there are a lot of sand-related adventure activities that you could partake in. dune surfing, dune bashing on 4-wheel drives, and camel trekking are some of the most interesting activities that you could be doing. While you are amongst the dunes you could also get grand views of the sunset and the sunrise, so be sure not to miss those! There are provisions for you to stay in a tent in desert camps at Erg Chebbi allowing you to enjoy desert life to the fullest. Be sure to stay up late in this region since the open, empty region devoid of light and pollution is a spectacular point for stargazing. With all the stars that you could see in this region, the visit to Erg Chebbi could be really fulfilling.

Fes el Bali  

Just like Marrakesh, Fes is a cultural hotspot in Morocco and is definitely worth your time. Since it is such a big city, it is very easy to get to Fes. You could travel into the city by air, the Fes-Saiss Airport is just 10 miles away from the main city. It is also well connected through railway routes and roadways allowing you to take trains, buses, and even private cars from different cities in Morocco to reach Fes.

The medina in Fes is known as Fes el Bali and this is the main city center of the place. Like other Moroccan cities, Fes el Bali has a labyrinthine structure and it is quite easy to physically lose yourself as you travel through the many alleyways in the city.

You have to walk through the souks in Fes to get a proper view of the lives of the locals here. You will also find many tanneries within the souks. The tanneries are marked by huge vats filled to the brim with colored dyes- this is one of the most iconic sights that you get to behold as you travel through Morocco. The city is also artistically sound and many artisans are displaying their handiwork in the souks. There are also many palatial and monumental buildings spread throughout the city. The best way to explore Fes would be to wander about aimlessly through the city as every corner has something memorable to offer to you.

Ait Ben Haddou

Ait Ben Haddou is an idyllic destination within Morocco that you have to see to believe. Reaching Ait Ben Haddou is fairly easy as there is a local airport allowing regularly scheduled flights from Marrakesh. It is also well-connected to Marrakesh through roads but you’d have to drive through the Atlas Mountains which might take very long. The fight will take only 40 minutes and it is even available at minimal rates of just US $29!

Ait Ben Haddou is a ksar or fortified village with buildings constructed using golden-hued stones. The surrounding area is scenic giving this village a majestic feel, one that you have to experience while you are traveling through Morocco. This destination has the kind of appeal as if taken straight out of a fairy tale. In fact, the surreal beauty of this fortified village has made it the center of filming many Hollywood films. For the entire packaged experience, you should sleep within the ksar and that is indeed possible. Away from the rest of the world and without the comfort of electricity, a night within the ksar is surely going down memory lane in full armor!
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Essaouira

We have talked enough about the many desert cities within Morocco that you have to visit. Let us now go to the seaside- Essaouira is one of the most fantastic seaside destinations in all of Morocco.  The medina is fortified but that does nothing to take the wonder away from the city. It is a culturally rich city with a terrific art scene going on. In fact, during the hippie upheaval in the 1970s, this city was a central point among the hippies, and shadows of that time still lingers around the corners.

The seafront medina is the main attraction that draws so many visitors into the city. Many twisty lanes are cutting through the city and opening into beautiful art galleries and boutiques. There are also many contemporary cafes throughout the city and the restaurant scene is very vibrant. You could also experience traditional souks in the region which completes the grand experience. Surfing is a common activity on the beaches of Essaouira while you could also enjoy long, soothing walks into the nearby villages along the beaches!

Volubilis

Morocco has something to offer to anybody who comes here and Volubilis is the most stunning site for history buffs to visit. This is a ruin from the Roman era and is one of the most famous historic destinations within Morocco. There are so many tumbling columns and runic temples to look out for as you go to Volubilis. The most important among the attractions has to be the intricately designed mosaic floor which has been left intact where it was unearthed for the convenience of visitors to imagine the significant gory of age-old times. Added to that, the ruins are situated atop a hill overlooking the countryside which adds to the romantic flavor of this terrific destination. You should walk your way up to the Capitol and Forum which will grant you beautiful panoramas of the entire ruins along with the countryside underneath. The destination could be easily done as a day trip from Fes.

Dades Valley

Now that we have looked into the places for adventurers, history buffs, and general travel enthusiasts, it is time to look into a place for nature lovers. Dades Valley in Morocco is a great location within the High Atlas region filled to the brim with the eccentricities of nature. This is a wonderful spot for any nature lover and offers plenty of options for hikers and trekkers as well.

It is also a comfortable destination and features a quiet rural lifestyle away from the crowds of Marrakesh and Fes. You could get a grand view of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains at a distance while enjoying some peaceful time in the valley region. There are many trails in and around the region that will take you on peaceful walks. If you are a bird watcher, it's all the better for you since many different species of exotic birds flock to this region. The region has many orchards and farming is also quite common in the area. Thus, spring is the best time to get the most out of this picturesque location- this is the time when the trees blossom and you are surrounded with vibrantly colored flowers at such a picturesque location.

Rif Mountains

While most of the mountainous areas in Moro coo are rugged and arid, the Rif Mountains set a different tone with their lush green slopes. This is an ideal destination for trekking and hiking activities. One may also go on long walks in the region or get a bike for some mountain biking activities. You could start your exploration onto the Rif Mountains either from Chefchaouen or from Tetouan. While in the region, you should try hiking through the Talassemtane National Park, a region covered in cedar and fir forest, amazing gorges, and views into picturesque valleys.

Rabat’s Oudaias Kasbah

Rabat is the city of Morocco and is definitely worth a visit. Being the capital city, it is very easy to reach this spot through air, railways, or the road. While you are in Rabat be sure to visit the old Oudaias Kasbah area in the city. This could be regarded as one of the most photogenic and splendid locations within the city. The peace and serenity of this region make it appear to be so far away from the rest of the city though it is right at the center of the city. Within the walls, you will find an old city with white-and-blue houses just existing through the vagaries of time. This region is not frequented by many tourists which adds to the enigmatic appeal that the place holds.

Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca

​Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco making it a stand-out among the places you have to visit while you are in Morocco. The most stellar destination to look forward to while visiting Casablanca has to be the Hasan II Mosque. This mosque, which was completed in 1993, is a remarkable representation of not only the city but the entire nation. It took a huge workforce of 10,000 artisans to complete through all the intricate details of the mosque spread over an area of 2 hectares! This is also the only mosque open to non-Muslims in Morocco making it all the more impressive among visitors.