Morocco has become an increasingly popular destination in recent years and for good reason. The fusion of cultures, amazing variety of scenery and friendly welcoming locals make it a top choice for your next holiday.
There are very few countries where you can experience awe-inspiring desert vistas, soaring mountain ranges and beautiful beaches within the space of a day! Not to mention the spectacular cities of Morocco with their exotic market squares, beautiful Moorish architecture and delicious cuisine.
There are so many beautiful places to visit in Morocco it’s hard to see them all! That’s why we’ve sourced the opinions and tips from a range of seasoned travellers so you can plan the perfect trip to suit you.
No matter if you’re seeking an adventure, a unique cultural experience, chasing the surf or just relaxing in a riad; you’ll find something to suit in this epic list of the 18 best places to visit in Morocco!
Table of Contents
The Best Places to Visit in Morocco – 18 Exotic and Beautiful Destinations For Your Morocco Bucket List!
Watching the sunrise at Ait-Ben-Haddou
Spectacular Cities
Fes
-Rick from The Road Is Life
The ancient Chouara Tannery of Fes
The second largest city and cultural heart of Morocco, Fes is full of amazing sites and history but is often overlooked in favour of Marrakesh. The huge and ancient medina (Fes-El-Bali) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the largest pedestrian only areas in the world. Fes is also a great place to base yourself on a trip to Morocco as it offers easy access to a number of surrounding destinations on this list.
You can walk the cobbled alleys for hours checking out the beautiful artisan shops and the rich history of Fes without the fear of being run over by noisy motorcycles! Make sure to pick up some of the handcrafted and really affordable leather work available here, just don’t buy too close to the tannery or you’ll pay a premium!
While many people have seen pictures of the visually engaging Chouara Tannery, dating from the 11th century and one of the oldest in the world, this isn’t where the attractions end. Fes also houses the oldest continuously operating university in the world and many beautiful Moorish palaces, gates and mosques from its time as capital of the Marinid sultanate.
The medina is divided into two areas called Fes-el-Bali and Fes-el-Jdid. The larger of the two is Fes-el-Bali which is where most people stay. There are many beautiful riads to choose from for your stay and this is something you must experience whilst travelling in Morocco.
The Royal Palace of Fes
Top Tips for Fes
Stay in a Beautiful Riad – Ryad Alya This is everything you want a riad to be; beautiful Moorish architecture and design mixed with super comfortable and modern furnishing. You can relax on the terrace with beautiful views of the medina or make use of the onsite hammam. I’ve always felt that beautiful accommodations like this are actually worthy tourist sites themselves!
Grab a Drink – In Fes you can find one of the few places in Morocco to grab a cold beer or glass of wine. Mezzanine is located alongside a beautiful garden and just outside the ancient city walls; making it a great place to catch some sunset views from their rooftop terrace.
Don’t Miss – Don’t be put off by having to make your way through a maze of leather shops and fend off a few touts; getting a great view of Chouara Tannery from a leather shop roof is a must. Locate shop 10 or shop 64 for the best views, the numbers are on signs above the doors. You aren’t obligated to buy anything but you really can get some good stuff at reasonable prices. If you don’t buy something after visiting then just tip a small amount at the end.
Casablanca
The impressive Hassan II Mosque of Casablanca
Casablana, or “Casa” as the locals call it, is Morocco’s largest city. The name was given by the Spanish, who set up trading basis here, but the city has been controlled by many different global powers over the centuries, including the French, the Portuguese, the ancient Romans and the Phoenicians.
The centre of life in Casablanca is the modern ville nouvelle (new city), rather than the old medina, which is quite small compared with the medinas of Fez or Marrakesh. For this reason, many tourists skip over Casablanca entirely. But if you’re looking for good nightlife, or you want to experience what real life in a big Moroccan city is like for the locals, Casablanca is definitely worth a stop.
Attitudes here are much more liberal and progressive than elsewhere in the country. And the city feels quite cosmopolitan, with an interesting mix of immigrants from all over Africa.
Hassan II Mosque, photo by the Nomadic Vegan
Top Tips for Casablanca
Marrakech
-Ann from The Road is Life
Jemaa el-Fnaa market at sunset
The fourth largest city and one of the most popular places to visit in Morocco is the bustling city of Marrakech. Walking through the souks of the ancient medina is like an attack on all senses. It’s hot, dusty, loud, chaotic and in your face. Motorcycles fly past as you weave your way through the narrow streets while vendors call out at you from every angle. Although it may be a crazy place, there are plenty of fascinating things to see and do in Marrakech that shouldn’t be missed out on during your time in Morocco.
Jemaa el-Fnaa square has been the lively centre of Marrakech since the 11th century. Every evening the square comes to life with snake charmers, musicians, a large food market, and plenty of little shop stalls to browse. Immersing yourself in the hustle and bustle of this busy market is an experience everyone must have while visiting Marrakech. As interesting as this place is, it’s especially important to be fully alert and aware of pickpockets and con artists while you’re browsing the market.
Not too far from the square you’ll see the Koutoubia Mosque, a 12th century mosque which is the largest in the city. Tourists are not permitted to enter the mosque, but the beautiful gardens that surround it provide a nice contrast from the streets of the medina.
Taking in the beauty of the Jardin Majorelle
Top Tips for Marrakech
Tea With a View – Enjoy a mint tea from one of the rooftop restaurants that overlook the Jemaa el-Fnaa square. This is a great place to let your guard down and watch the busy atmosphere of the square from a much more relaxed setting!
Stay in a Beautiful Riad – If you feel like splurging on a beautiful riad at any point on your Morocco itinerary, there is really no better place to do it than in Marrakech! Traditional riads provide a peaceful oasis from the chaos of the streets. Marrakech has an infinite number of beautiful riads to pick from, but it all comes down to your budget.
Here are a few popular and centrally located options to choose from:
Escape the Bustle – A short taxi ride from the medina will take you to the Jardin Majorelle, a tranquil garden full of cacti, fountains and ponds. This is said to be one of the most visited tourist attractions of Marrakech so make sure that you get there early in the morning to avoid standing in a long queue.
Rabat
-Jenny From TraveLynn Family
The beautiful seaside city of Rabat, Morocco
Morocco’s capital, Rabat, is often overlooked in favour of its more famous neighbor Casablanca. However, we urge you to stop here at least for a day or two. It’s also much quieter than Marrakech, so you can enjoy the medina without the tourist crowds you may experience elsewhere. Plus this city is situated on the Atlantic Coast, with some lovely beaches and epic sunsets. Getting around is very easy using the city’s modern tram network.
Start your day by wandering the labyrinth of Rabat’s medina, before heading to the main street of Avenue Mohammed V for a spot of lunch. Afterwards, make your way to Kasbah Les Oudaias, near the edge of the medina. This historic fortress has watched over Rabat for centuries and now makes for a relaxing stroll through white-washed streets. It’s fairly traffic-free but keep an eye (and ear) out for the occasional moped. The walk up to the top of the fortress is relatively easy and you’re rewarded with the perfect view over the city and beyond.
Across the river, Sale is the sister-city to Rabat and has recently experienced a development boom. Perhaps the best part is the short ferry ride across the waterway, which affords lovely views of both cities. The Grand Mosque is very impressive.
Top Tips for Rabat
Getting to Rabat – There are train and bus connections from Marrakech, Cassablanca and Fes. It’s also a very easy drive from Marrakech along mostly freeways.
Where to Stay – It’s a little cheaper to stay outside of the main city. We recommend booking accommodation in Temara as it’s right on the beach, and on the tram line direct to the medina.
Meknes
Meknes, photo by Digital Travel Couple
Meknes is located in northern central Morocco and has an interesting history. The Spanish-Moorish style of the city is a blend of Islamic and European styles of the 17th century. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and absolutely worth a visit! The other three imperial cities are Marrakech, Fes and Rabat. Meknes is the smallest and most relaxed one of the four to visit. So don’t miss it during your Morocco trip!
Known for its impressive ancient architecture, beautiful Souk, high medieval walls and detailed gates, Meknes is a perfect stop for 1 or 2 days. You can easily combine a visit to Meknes if you travel from Fes to Rabat or North to Chefchouen for example.
The highlights of Meknes are the beautiful Souk, Royal Stables, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and the UNESCO World Heritage Site of Volubilis, 35 kilometres north of Meknes. In the city centre you will find a lot of beautiful detailed door gates such as the Bab Mansour, small picturesque streets and beautiful mosques. The relaxing atmosphere around the Norias Bassin (known as Sahrij Swani by locals), close to the Royal Stables is the perfect resting spot after exploring the city.
Meknes, photo by Digital Travel Couple
Top Tips for Meknes
Magical Deserts and Berber Culture
Todra Gorge
-Rick from The Road Is Life
The spectacular Todra Gorge
Located far out into the desert north-east of Ouarzazate, the monumental walls of stone forming this remarkable natural wonder are an unexpected treat. Huge canyons are not exactly what comes to mind when you picture the deserts of Morocco, but this is one place you don’t want to miss as it definitely earns it’s spot on the list of best places to visit in Morocco.
The drive down the Todra River valley is also fairly spectacular, with views of pine plantations and towns clinging to the sides of cliffs. Eventually the valley begins to narrow and you pass through a vertical slit between two sheer rock faces that admits you into this almost separate world within the desert.
There are a few multi story buildings in one part of the canyon that are made to look like a small model against their backdrop of soaring orange cliffs. Vendors sell their handicrafts along the road while daring climbers can be seen ascending the walls throughout the day.
Top Tips for Todra Gorge
Avoid the Crowds! – While it is quite remote, the gorge has not escaped the notice of tour companies and there are a procession of large buses throughout the day. It feels truly magical to stand in the middle of the gorge in the silence of the morning before anyone has shown up.
Where to Stay – Luckily there are some brilliant accommodation options right nearby where you can base yourself for a couple of nights to take advantage of the stunning sunrise and sunset hours.
Auberge Camping Atlas This is the place where we stayed on our Morocco trip and can definitely recommend it. They have a beautiful pool which is great to relax in after a day of hiking. There are also camping facilities if you have a camper or equipment. The rooms and food were both very decent.
Auberge Le Festival Todra Gorge This is a really unique find out in the desert and well worth at least a one