Morocco attractions

Translating from Arabic as Field of Dunes, the rolling landscapes of Erg Chigaga are some of the Moroccan Sahara’s most beautiful. The camps nestled between the dunes feel particularly secluded, making Erg Chigaga a great place to enjoy the space and silence of the desert.

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.

Built in 1541 and restored a couple of centuries later, the Agadir Kasbah Ruins (Agadir Oufella stand on a hill a little way out of town. Designed as a fortress, the kasbah once housed hundreds, although all that remains of the structure after the 1960 earthquake is the outer wall. Most travelers visit for the sweeping ocean views.

ANIMA Garden, a fantasy landscape of exotic plants and quirky installations framed by the Atlas Mountains, is the brainchild of Austrian multimedia artist André Heller. Besides over 250 different plant species, works by the likes of Keith Haring and Pablo Picasso deck the 5-acre (2-hectare) grounds. There’s also a museum and a café.

Just southeast of Agadir, Crocoparc is one of Morocco’s most unusual and popular attractions—a botanical park that’s home to more than 300 Nile crocodiles. After entering the park through a huge, artificial crocodile mouth, visitors roam the five thematic gardens to see the crocodiles in pools and admire the park’s flora.

The city’s most fashionable suburb, Ain Diab Corniche is a popular destination for tourists and locals alike. The district is bisected by Corniche Boulevard, from the Hassan II Mosque in the east to the El-Hank Lighthouse in the west, but the main attraction is the scenic promenade along the Casablanca seafront where everyone comes for at least a stroll.

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.

Small but perfectly formed, cobbled Nejjarine Square (Place Nejjarine is one of Fez’s most atmospheric little squares. It’s known for the 18th-century Nejjarine Fountain, with its gorgeous zellige mosaics, and the Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts, housed in the Fondouk Nejjarine, a historic trading inn.

Built in the 16th century by King Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadi dynasty, the lavish el-Badi Palace (Palais el-Badi) was designed to be one of the grandest in the world: "el-Badi” means “The Incomparable.” Today, this architectural masterpiece lies in ruins, but it’s still among the most visited monuments of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina.

Established in 1980, the dinner show at Chez Ali restaurant is a Marrakech institution. Dine on Moroccan signature dishes as musicians and dancers perform folk songs and dances from around the country. Then transfer to the arena for a traditional show that includes a cavalry charge and horseback riders, as well as belly dancers, acrobats, fireworks, and more.

Once a sleepy fishing village, Taghazout sits not far north of Agadir on Morocco’s west coast. Its Atlantic swells draw surfers of all skill levels, with Anchor Point often considered to be Africa’s best surf spot. But you don’t have to hang ten to enjoy all that Taghazout has to offer: Landlubbers will find plenty to do under the summer sun.

Few places on earth compare to the Sahara Desert, a natural wonder of sun-baked dunes that dominates the south and east of Morocco. The world’s largest hot desert, the Sahara stretches a staggering 3.6 million square miles (9 million square kilometers) over several countries, with its Moroccan edges some of the most accessible for tourists. The Saharan sands are one of Morocco’s highlights, despite the effort required to see them.

Housed inside a former royal palace in Fez’s old medina, Dar Batha Museum is a worthwhile addition to any sightseeing trip—especially if you’re interested in traditional Moroccan craftsmanship. The vast permanent collection includes antique Berber carpets, hand-painted ceramics, and other intricate works dating from the 14th century to today. The venue is equally impressive: a beautiful Hispano-Moorish palace built by Moulay el Hassan in the 19th century, featuring a tranquil garden and café.

A mid-range massage center in the heart of downtown Agadir, Morocco, Argan Palace is known for massages and hammam steam baths. The décor features warm colors and traditional Berber elements, while spa packages lead with Berber or Middle Eastern themes.

For those seeking an authentic kasbah experience, look no further than Amridil. This 17th-century destination is a well-preserved and expertly restored structure that provides beautiful vistas of the surrounding landscape, including the magnificent Skoura palm groves. It's a rare opportunity to step back in time and immerse oneself in a centuries-old way of life.

Dar el Bacha Museum of Confluences (Dar el Bacha Musée des Confluences) was built in the Marrakech medina by Pasha Thami el Glaoui in 1910. Visit to see the lovely gardens and zellige mosaic tilework of this opulent palace, and to enjoy exhibitions focused on Moroccan culture.

With its deep-blue waters set against a backdrop of sweeping desert plains fronting the Atlas Mountains, Takerkoust Lake (Lac Lalla Takerkoust) is a world away from the heat and bustling atmosphere of Marrakech. The French made the lake in the 1920s to provide the city with water and electricity; today it’s a recreational area popular with both locals and visitors.

Located at the gateway between the historic Old Medina and the new Casablanca built during the 20th-century French rule, United Nations Place is the city’s busiest public squares. The futuristic steel lattice cupola, designed by jean Francois Zevaco, marks the pedestrian underpass, where the city’s principal boulevards intersect.

A masterpiece of Islamic architecture, surrounded by picturesque orange groves and elaborate water features, the Royal Palace of Casablanca is a suitably grand abode for the King of Morocco when he’s in town. Located in the Habous Quarter of the city’s New Medina, this is the King’s principal Casablancan residence and throughout the year hosts royal receptions.

A limestone canyon in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains, Paradise Valley Agadir is a lush oasis sprinkled with rock pools. When water levels are high, it’s known for waterfalls, cliff jumping, and natural waterslides. Besides the signature hike up the valley, some fascinating side trails lead through woodlands rich in juniper, argan, and acacia.

The Photography Museum of Marrakesh (Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech) is devoted to historical Moroccan photographs—with some images dating back to 1870. The three-story space showcases prints from the owners’ impressive archive of plates, slides, and negatives, most of which are for sale. There are also special exhibitions.

For a day of family-friendly fun, head straight to Morocco’s biggest water park, at Oasiria Marrakech. You’ll find attractions for all ages, from river rapids and corkscrew slides to pools and restaurants nestled in 25 acres (10 hectares of palm-shaded gardens.

Housed in the 19th-century Dar Mnebhi Palace, at the heart of the medina, is the Marrakesh Museum (Musée de Marrakech). Founded by Moroccan journalist and activist Omar Benjelloun in 1997, the museum houses a small but impressive collection of Moroccan art and artifacts.

Delve into the rich traditions of the Amazigh people and Moroccan history at the Museum of Amazigh Culture in Agadire (Musée Municipal du Patrimoine Amazighe d’Agadir). This indigenous ethnic group, commonly known as Berbers, holds deep roots in North Africa and has a complex past in Morocco. The Museum, located a stone's throw from the coastline, offers fascinating insights into their heritage.

The covered markets of Marrakech form a dense network of alleyways pierced by intermittent shafts of sunlight. Each souk has a specialty, such as rugs, leather goods, ceramics, spices, metalwork, and clothing. When you make a purchase, haggling—ideally over a cup of hot mint tea—is an important part of the transaction.

The Mohammed VI Museum of Water Civilization in Marrakech explores Morocco’s management of one of the world’s most vital resources—water. Sitting in palm-dotted gardens, the cutting-edge museum charts everything from the country’s history of water usage and hydraulics to the legends and mysteries of this vital, life-giving substance.

Flowing out from under a building above the medina of Chefchaouen, the Ras el-Maa Waterfall is a series of drops and rapids fed by a local spring. While downstream you might spot locals washing clothes, up at the fall the water rushes over and between large rocks and manmade edges, all within view of several local cafés.

Awash with blue paint, the Chefchaouen Medina is the maze-like historical heart of this Moroccan city beneath the Rif Mountains. Alleyways, staircases, and small squares allow visitors to get lost in the beautiful, distinctive neighborhood, while also serving as vivid photo backdrops thanks to their unique aesthetic. The extravagant appearance of the medina can make it hard to remember that this remains a residential area.

In a city famous for its indulgent hammam baths, Les Bains d’Orient stands apart. This luxurious spa is located at the entrance to Marrakech’s bustling medina but seems worlds away with its quiet steam rooms, calming massage treatments, and indoor and outdoor relaxation areas. Take a break from the chaos of the city’s sprawling souk in this spa’s serene confines.

Located in the heart of the medina of Marrakech, Dar el-Bacha is one of the city’s most beautiful palaces. Inside this former home of Pacha Thami El Glaoui, who ruled Marrakech from 1912 to 1956, are audaciously luxurious and elaborate tilework, wall paintings, and woodwork.