Northern Morocco attractions

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.

The whole valley in northern Morocco looks like a secret garden, with high mountains and lush vegetation along the banks of the river that feeds Akchour Falls. The falls consist of a high waterfall up in the valley, a series of small cascades, and a more modest waterfall below, all accessed by hiking trails.

One of Fez’s best-known and most beautiful madrasas (islamic schools), Bou Inania Medersa (Madrasa Bou Inania) pierces the medina skyline with its green-tiled mosque minaret. The interior is a feast of tilework, stucco, horseshoe arches, and filigreed latticework screens, with an original 14th-century fountain that worshippers still use today.

Among a sea of blue houses in the medina of Chefchaouen, the city’s Kasbah stands out with its high clay walls. Inside those walls, you’ll find a lush garden, fountains, and towers with prime city views, as well as an ethnographic museum that details the customs and interests of Chefchaouen’s people through items such as costumes, instruments, and weapons.

Peppered with panels of colorful tile mosaics, Tangier Kasbah is a historic fortress and former royal palace that offers coastal views from the tallest point in the city. The palace, Dar el Makhzen, dates back to the 17th century and is now home to a museum with a peaceful garden, which showcases a range of Moroccan art.

Take a break from the busy buzz of Fez, especially the medina, with a stroll in the Jnan Sbil Garden. It’s a welcome breath of fresh air, with plenty of lush greenery different from the surrounding sand-colored desert. The gardens are over 100 years old and have been recently spruced up. There are over 3,000 species of plants to wander around.

A rare open space within the Chefchaoeun Medina, Place Outa el Hammam can feel much larger than it is when compared with the city’s many narrow streets and alleys. Tall trees provide shade around this main square, while local landmarks frequently lead visitors to stop by, such as the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen and Kasbah Museum.

With its octagonal minaret stretching free of the surrounding rooftops, and staircases leading up to its entrance from Place Outa el Hammam, the Grand Mosque of Chefchaouen is a landmark that’s hard to overlook. Unlike the rest of the city, this 15th-century mosque is not coated in blue paint, but rather a more modest combination of white and earthen brown.

Photogenic spots among the wall-to-wall azure streets of Chefchaouen Medina aren’t hard to find, and yet Callejon El Asri remains one of the city’s most popular. Vibrant flower pots of every color—but blue—adorn this narrow stairway to create a vivid scene that’s only enhanced by the further layers of the dense medina visible up the hill.