A lush expanse of terraced fields, forested hillsides, and cascading waterfalls in the foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the Ourika Valley ((Vallée de l’Ourika) is a natural oasis just an hour from the city of Marrakech.
Formerly the main residence of the sultan, the Royal Palace of Fez (Fes Dar el-Makhzen) is still used by the King of Morocco when he is in the city of Fez. Surrounded by high walls, it spans an area of 195 acres (80 hectares). It is closed to visitors, who can only admire the imposing and ornate main entrance from the outside.
Towering 13,751 feet (4,191 meters) above sea level, Mount Toubkal in the Atlas Mountains is the highest peak in all of northern Africa. The trail up the mountain to the summit is more of a long, very steep stroll than a technical climb (no ropes or special equipment are needed), takes two to three days, and is accessible all year round.
Stretching atop the Jebel Zerhoun plateau in northern Morocco, the Roman ruins of Volubilis are a striking sight, especially in summer when its abloom with wildflower Some of the best-preserved ruins in Northern Africa, this UNESCO World Heritage site offers a glimpse into ancient Morocco—and makes for a nice day trip from Fez or Meknes.
Constructed by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur during the 16th century, the Saadian Tombs (Tombeaux Saadiens) are home to more than 200 crypts belonging to members of the Saadian dynasty. The magnificent mausoleums are renowned for their lavish design, featuring stunning zellige tiles, exquisite woodwork, and gold and marble embellishments.
In the north of the city between the port and the seafront Hassan II Mosque, the Old Medina of Casablanca contains the last vestiges of pre-20th century Casablanca. Though the modern city sprawls in every direction, the historic quarter remains a maze of alleyways and a vast souk, tucked in by the remnants of ancient walls.
Fringing northwest Marrakech, the Palmeraie (Palm Grove is the city’s favorite recreational area and most upscale vacation and residential enclave. A refuge from the bustling Medina and Jemaa el-Fna, the oasis comprises 54 square miles (140 square kilometers edged with prestigious hotels and villas.
For over 500 years, Ben Youssef Madrasa in Marrakech’s buzzing medina has served as a temple to education—and while students no longer memorize the Quran or study Islamic law here, visitors can enjoy the school’s special ambiance and magnificent Andalusian design details.
The majestic Oukaimeden valley, set inside Morocco’s High Atlas Mountains, is a popular day trip from Marrakech. A lush gorge carving its way through a tableau of jagged peaks, the valley is dotted with traditional Berber villages and prehistoric rock art sites, plus it offers year-round outdoor adventures—including wintertime skiing.
Flanked by Casablanca’s most striking architecture, Mohammed V Square forms the central hub of the city’s buzzy new town. Laid out in the early 20th century and named in honor of the former Sultan, the plaza centers around a monumental fountain, dramatically lit up in the evening hours.
Located by the village of Tanaghmeilt in the High Atlas Mountains, the Ouzoud Waterfalls (Cascades d’Ouzoud) are Morocco’s highest falls. They are a magnificent sight, tumbling 361 feet (110 meters) through a dramatic red-rock gorge of El Abid River.
The Erg Chebbi is a majestic sand sea in Morocco’s desert that spans about 17 miles (28 kilometers) and boasts dunes that reach heights of about 525 feet (160 meters). Conveniently near the town of Merzouga, this is the Moroccan Sahara’s most popular desert camping destination.
A Rabat landmark, the 144-foot (44-meter Hassan Tower (Tour Hassan stands tall above the river in the heart of downtown, surrounded by serried ranks of broken columns. After an earthquake in 1755, this is all that remains of an ambitious attempt by 12th-century sultan Yacoub al-Mansour to build the world’s largest mosque.
The Fez Mellah, in the center of Fez, Morocco, was the city’s Jewish quarter from the mid-15th century until after World War II. This walled quarter served as a barrier to protect the Jewish community from attack by other Fez residents. Today, the neighborhood offers explorers an insight into Moroccan history with architecture that stands in contrast to the surrounding old medina.
Whether you spell it Bab Bou Jeloud, Bab Boujeloud, or Bab Boujloud, you’ll most likely pass through the famous “Blue Gate of Fez” on any visit to Fez Medina. Decorated with fine mosaic tiles, blue on the outside, and green on the inside, the triple-arch gate is less historic than you might think. French colonialists built it in 1913.
Part of Rabat’s UNESCO World Heritage–listed old city, the Kasbah of the Udayas (Casbah des Oudaïas is a 12th-century citadel at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. Besides the fortress, city walls, and gates, the kasbah houses whitewashed streets, the Andalusian Gardens, the Oudaia Museum, and a wealth of authentic eateries.
Habous Quarter in southeastern Casablanca is one of the city’s most atmospheric districts. French colonizers in the 1920s created the area and small tree-lined squares, neat alleyways, elegant arcades, and a curious mix of French colonial buildings and traditional Maghrebi architecture still remain. Throughout, small souks sell handicrafts and leather goods.
Lined with bars, restaurants, and surf shops, Essaouira Beach (Plage d'Essaouira) is a Moroccan hot spot for surfers, windsurfers, and kitesurfers, thanks to its steady, year-round winds. The town has a charming hippie atmosphere, and travelers who are not indulging in water sports enjoy horse, camel, or quad rides along the broad sandy beach.
Also known as Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the little town of Moulay Idriss is Morocco’s spiritual capital and home to the nation’s most important pilgrimage site, the Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss. It’s a traditional place, with whitewashed houses rolling over the hills and a relaxed vibe compared to hectic Fez or Marrakech.
Discover the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in an 18th-century fondouk (a type of travelers inn) in Fez, Morocco. Offering visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in the city’s past, the museum showcases ancient artifacts as well as exhibits displayed in the splendor of the building’s elegant courtyard.
All too often overshadowed by the magnificence of the Hassan II Mosque, the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral is an important center of worship for Morocco’s Roman Catholic population and serves as a striking example of Casablanca’s modern architecture.
Founded in the 11th century, mellow little Meknes is the most intimate of Morocco’s imperial cities. A UNESCO World Heritage Site, its regal remnants pay tribute to Moulay Ismail, sultan from 1672 to 1727, with gorgeous tilework, elegant madrasas, a splendid mausoleum, and perhaps Morocco’s most spectacular gate—the Bab Mansour.
One of the most beautiful Islamic colleges in all of Fez, the 14th-century Al-Attarine Madrasa (Medersa el-Attarine is a tribute to medieval Moroccan craftsmanship. Gorgeous mosaic tiles, filigree plasterwork, and fine carved cedar decorate the courtyard and the prayer hall, while the upstairs rooms show how simply aspiring scholars lived.
A flawless crescent of deep, fine sand, which rolls on for miles to the south of town, Agadir Beach (Plage d’Agadir forms the heart of this seaside resort. A wealth of cafés and restaurants offer food and drink, with loungers for sun worshippers, while water sports run from Jet Ski to boat trips and deep-sea fishing adventures.
Also written Souq al Had, Souk el Had is Agadir’s main market, a cavernous warehouse of around 6,000 stalls selling everything from spices, fruit, and vegetables through to clothes, perfume, carpets, pottery, shisha pipes, and electronics. Tailors around the market can alter garments or make them to your specifications.
Holding the Guinness World Record for the oldest continually operating university in the world, the Kairaouine Mosque (Mosque of al-Qarawiyyin is one of Fez’s most important cultural landmarks. Established in 859 AD, its latticed minaret and series of green-tiled roofs are visible from rooftops across the medina.
On the edge of the Sahara Desert in Ouarzazate, Atlas Film Studios is not only the center of Morocco’s film industry, but the largest film studio in the world. Founded in the early 1980s, the studios boast an impressive pedigree, having hosted iconic film sets such asGladiator andStar Wars, as well as scenes fromGame of Thrones.
Perched around 6,000 feet (1,800 meters above sea level among the rugged peaks of the High Atlas, overlooking Lake Takerkoust’s azure waters, the Kik Plateau (Plateau du Kik is the Morocco that time forgot. Tiny donkeys still plow the fields, while Berber villages offer warm hospitality amid gnarled olive trees.
Near the Hassan Tower (Tour Hassan, the Moroccan king’s grandfather rests alongside two of his sons in the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The building seems simple from the outside, with its restrained mosaic tiles and horseshoe arches. Inside, as you look down on the white onyx tombs from the gallery, it’s a riot of gold leaf and tilework.
Located along the busy shopping street of Mohammed V Boulevard, Marché Central de Casablanca is the city’s main market. Crammed with locals, the daily market is a fascinating place for tourists to get a taste of local culture, while picking up bargains on everything from food to fresh flowers and traditional clothing.
