Best Places for First Time Visitors in Morocco

Morocco is located at the top of the northwest of Africa, with the scenic Atlas Mountains that surround half of the country. Not only that, there is the Sahara desert in the southeast, the fertile plains along the Atlantic coast, and more than a dozen large and small ports along a coastline that stretches for thousands of kilometers. Its long history, beautiful natural scenery, and convenient transportation have gradually developed Morocco into a world-famous tourist destination.

To help you plan your Morocco tour, we have compiled a list of the country's most visited places.

Marrakech

Marrakech is located in the southwest of Morocco and is known as the "Pearl of the South". Founded in 1062 AD, Marrakech is one of the most important ancient capitals in Moroccan history, with its ancient walls made of ochre-red rock. Among the many attractions of Marrakech, one of the most attractive for tourists is the Koutoubia Mosque. The mosque was built in 1195 to commemorate the victory over external enemies. Specially, The minaret of Koutoubia Mosque was erected using approximately 10,000 sacks of expensive spices put into the mud used to join the stones, giving the mosque a powerful aroma that still smells nice now, hence the moniker "Tower of Fragrance." Near the mosque, there is a large square and a bustling bazaar where artists of many nationalities demonstrate their unique abilities and unusual folk crafts, which tourists interested in this should not miss. Marrakech, as the capital of the Moroccan dynasties, is the heart of Islamic culture and learning, with numerous noteworthy buildings such as the Bahiya Palace and the domed tomb of the Saadi Dynasty, among others. Visitors can touch the architectural wonders and great civilizations from thousands of years ago with their own hands and eyes.

Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech

Casablanca

Casablanca, located in the west of Morocco, is the country's largest city and economic capital. When you visit Casablanca, the Old Town of Habs is a must. The architecture of the old town combines European Mediterranean and Moorish styles, and the streets that have survived from a century ago are full of the ancient atmosphere. Not only can you buy a large selection of traditional local clothing and handicrafts, but there are also plenty of beautifully crafted silver, bronze, and ceramics for you to choose from. Another famous attraction in Casablanca is the Mosque Hassan-II. It was built in 1987, and a third of its area was built on the sea to commemorate the ancestors of Morocco's Arabs. The entire mosque can accommodate 100,000 people to pray at the same time, making it the third largest mosque in the world, along with the Great Mosque of Mecca and the Grand Mosque of Medina in Saudi Arabia. The mosque is divided into two parts: the main hall and the open square. The white marble walls are intricately carved, and the jade pillars of the cloister inside and outside the hall are magnificent. Visitors who come here will leave unforgettable memories.

The Mosque Hassan-II, Casablanca

Fez

Fez is located in the north of Morocco and is a famous historical and cultural city. It consists of Bali, Jadid, and Villenouvelle, of which Bali is one of the largest surviving typical medieval-style cities in the world. The Medina of Fez, founded in 808 AD by Idriss II, was Morocco's first royal city and was named a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981 due to its strong religious, traditional, cultural, and philosophical foundations. One of the most distinctive elements of the Medina of Fez is its complicated landscape, which includes around 6,000 lanes and small roads, not all of which are recognized even by residents. Donkeys are the sole mode of transportation here, and the streets are lined with handicraft businesses and eateries of all sizes, and the Arabian-inspired streets and alleys are often fascinating to visitors.

The Medina of Fez

Meknes

Built in the 11th century, the ancient city of Meknes is one of the royal cities of Morocco and was inscribed on the World Heritage List by UNESCO as a cultural heritage site in 1996. The 25-kilometer-long wall is one of the most distinctive features of the city, and it is the longest and most complete ancient wall in Morocco. The spectacular Mansor Gate was erected in a very towering and imposing manner, with two castles on either side of the round arch, a very lovely design. The monarch is claimed to have loved Arabian horses so much that he planned and erected vast stables that were formerly used for royal pleasure but are now a tourist attraction. In Meknes, there are also various religious churches with distinct features, such as Graca Church, Nevis Church, Dokalmo Church, and so on. These churches' interiors are opulent and majestic, and the building has a distinct classical art style that eloquently depicts European Christian art and culture.

Sahara Desert

The Sahara Desert, which formed 2.5 million years ago, encompasses 9.32 million square kilometers and is the world's biggest sandy desert, making it one of Morocco's most popular tourist sites. Visitors can access the Sahara Desert via off-road vehicle or camel, with the desert camel being a highlight of the excursion. Visitors may enjoy the most basic desert atmosphere by riding the oldest mode of transportation. Erg Chebbi is a famous huge sand dune complex in the Sahara Desert, which is located on the western edge of the Sahara Desert, with a height of up to 150 meters, a length of about 22 kilometers from north to south, and a width of 5 kilometers. The Sahara Desert attracts tourists from all over the world with its spectacular desert scenery, a vast sea of sand, exquisite dunes, and charming desert atmosphere.

Sahara Desert

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Rabat

Located in the northwest of Morocco, Rabat is its capital. Rabat consists of the New City of Rabat and the Old City of Saale, and it is worth noting that the Old City has many ancient Arabic buildings and ancient ruins, which is a good place for you to learn about the traditional history and folk culture of Rabat. The Royal Palace of Rabat, located in the center of Rabat, was built in 1785 and is a typical Arab palace building. The two huge wooden doors of the palace are beautifully carved, and the arches are inlaid with circles of blue and green mosaics, making the whole palace very luxurious and richly decorated. In addition to the Rabat Palace, another famous site is the ruins of the Chella. The ruins are faintly visible from the Roman terraces, triumphal arches, senates, forums, courts, public baths, and other architectural complexes. In 2012, Rabat, a Modern City and Historic Town, was approved by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for inscription on the World Heritage List as a cultural heritage site.

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is a small town in southwestern Morocco, between Marrakech and the Sahara Desert, hence the name Desert Gate. Before entering the town center, you will pass through a valley of roses, where you can experience a beautiful landscape in the Sahara desert formed by flowering plants and dense palm forests. The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is a famous attraction in Ouarzazate, a rural fortification built in the Middle Ages that guards an important commercial route through the Sahara desert. The dwellings in the village are entirely distinguished by earthen architecture, which is mostly inherited from Berber culture. The very distinctive architectural style and ornate constructions have made it one of Africa's most notable architectural complexes, and it was listed as a cultural heritage site on the World Heritage List in 1987. The well-known Taourirt Kasbah is located on the outskirts of Ouarzazate. Built in the nineteenth century, this palace boasts approximately 300 rooms and complicated hallways, and from the fortress's top, you can enjoy a beautiful view of Ouarzazate's main streets and the river valley in the distance.

Essaouira

Located in the west of Morocco, the city of Essaouira is close to the Atlantic Ocean and is a paradise for many marine sports enthusiasts, with a wide variety of marine sports such as surfing, hang gliding, diving, and so on. The architecture of Essaouira is typical of ancient Roman architecture, and the ancient Roman colosseum in the city is built by the sea, using a mixture of limestone and marble, and standing on the theater stands, you can look out over the beautiful Mediterranean Sea, which is very distinctive. In 2001, the old Medina of Essaouira was recorded on the World Heritage List by the UNESCO World Heritage Committee as a cultural heritage as representative of North Africa's fortified towns in the late 18th century. Old structures mix with the blue sky and white mists, and the landscape of Essaouira is pretty much as gorgeous as a middle-aged painting, visitors who come here will be intrigued by the rich history and dazzling view of the old city of Essaouira.

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Superior geographical location, good natural environment, long history and culture, and unique folk customs are the reasons why Morocco is full of charm. If you're planning to travel to Morocco and are ready to explore its unique charm, please don't hesitate to contact us, and one of our travel experts will create a tailor-made itinerary for you based on your needs and preferences within 24 hrs.