Marrakech

Marrakech is the third largest city in Morocco and the old walled city offers no end of fascination.   Djmaâ El Fnaâ Square is jammed with acrobats, fire eaters, snake charmers, sword swallowers and assorted other performers.  The Mellah (Jewish Quarter), and the Palaces of El Badii and El Bahia are all of interest.  The14th-century Ben Youssef Medersa is one of the most beautiful buildings in Marrakech.  The Saadian Tombs of the Saadi Dynasty were built between 1578 and 1603.   The city also has a number of beautiful gardens to visit.

Fes

The spiritual centre of Morocco, there is always something to see in this lively and colourful city that is full of contrast.  Fez el Bali is old part of the city, with its donkeys, taxis, traffic jams, smells, etc . Here, there is a mini neighbourhood for every craft, but the most interesting and colourful is the Tanners Souk.  Bab Bonjeloud is a beautiful gate that offers the best entrance into the medina.  Bou Inania Medeza is a14th century monument contains a religious school that is separated from a prayer room by a stream of water channeled in to the marble paving of the courtyard.  Dar Batha is a palace which these days functions as a museum of Moroccan art.  Karaouine Mosque is the biggest religious structure in Morocco, it was founded in the 9th century in the heart of the medina.

Casablanca

Casablanca offers an intriguing mix of modern urban life punctuated by rich cultural traditions. The following sites are popular attractions. The Hassan II Mosque is the world’s second largest; La Corniche, a winding beachfront area in Ain Diab; Place Mohammad V, the city’s town square; The Palais Royal;  Quartier Maarif – Boutique Shopping and the Twin Center.

Rabat

Rabat is the capital and third largest city of the Kingdom of Morocco.  The main sites include Mausoleum of Mohammed V, Hassan Tower, Chellah necropolis, Kasbah of the Udayas and Rabat Archaeological Museum

Meknes

Meknes is a vibrant, modern city bustling with nightlife, restaurants and an impressive royal palace.  The main sites include: Bab Mansour the largest and most striking of Meknes' many gates; Medersa Bou Inania, Qur'anic school. Dar Jamai museum and gardens exqusite gardens on the outside; the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail and  Al masjid AlAdam, Meknes’ largest and oldest standing mosque.

Volubilis and Idris Moulay

Volubilis is the best preserved Roman site in Morocco. It is on the same winding road as Moulay Idriss, the birthplace of Moulay Idriss, the creator of the first Arab dynasty.  The ruins remaining are buildings from the second and third AD. They are impressively maintained and excavated.

Atlas Mountains

Anti Atlas:  The Anti-Atlas Mountains lay in southern Morocco.  The range extends in a north-easterly direction from the Atlantic coast south of Tiznit towards Ouarzazate and are bounded on their eastern side by the Draa River.  The higher mountain peaks are around 2,500 to 2,700 meters.

High Atlas:   The mountain range begins on the Atlantic coast near Agadir, extends in a north-easterly direction between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, continuing past Midelt toward Algeria.  The road from Marrakech to Ouarzazate and the Sahara Desert travels through the Tichka pass at 2260 meters.

Middle Atlas:   The Middle Atlas lay in a north-easterly direction from near Beni Mellal, passing to the east of  Meknes and Fes.  The Middle Atlas Mountains have extensive cedar forests, home to the Barbary macaque (monkeys). The cedar forests are said to be the largest southern Mediterranean forest and a remnant of an ancient forest ecosystem.

Ait Ben Haddou

This Kasbah is one of the most impressive and well-preserved fortress cities in Morocco and is listed as a world heritage site with UNESCO.  Ait Ben Haddou has been the scene for many movie makers such as the Gladiator or Lawrence of Arabia.

Erg Chebbi

Erg Chebbi dunes, the tallest sand dunes in Morocco. This impressive dune rises up out of the desert plain to about 150 meters high.  The constantly changing shades of yellows, reds, oranges, and golden hues play across the sands during the changing times of the day making this a favourite and memorable place to visit for many people who journey to Morocco.. A night under the marvellous night sky of the Sahara desert is an unforgettable experience.

Merzouga

Merzouga is a small desert town, is on the edge of the vast Sahara desert near the Algerian border.  Merzouga is the main town closet to the Erg Chebbi desert dunes and many of the hotels are based in Merzouga and the surrounding small villages.

Rissani

Rissani was once the capital of the kingdom in the 8th century. Today Rissani is an busy rural centre with many historical features including the Mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif ancestor of Moulay Rachid the founder of the Alouite dynasty. The lively market, held 3 times a week, provides a fascinating look into the lifestyle of rural Morocco.

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is a well developed modern town about 200 km from Marrakech.  Kasbah Taourirt is one of the best preserved old-world Kasbahs and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Ouarzazate is known for cinema industry “Hollywood of Morocco”. Movies that were shot on location in and around Ouarzazate include Lawrence of Arabia,, Gladiator, Alexander the Great, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel.  See our Morocco Movie Locations page for more information about Morocco movie location tours.

Dades Gorge

The landscape of the Dades Gorge is incredible,  surreal red rock formations line either side of the steep Gorge which is divided by the Dades River.   The road to Dades Gorge from Boumalne Dades passes by Berber ksars (fortified villages) and almond and fig groves, before entering the base of the Gorge then winds up the steep mountain side through a series of tight s-bends.  There are stunning views of the Gorge from the viewing area along the top of the Gorge as well as from the road on the way up.

Todra Gorge

The reddish orange stone face of the 300m high cliffs of Todra Gorge are carved out of the mountains of the High Atlas.  At its narrowest point the Gorge is only 10 meters wide.  The road from Tingerhir follows the clear Todra River waters which cut through the Gorge along a paved road that extends a few hundred metres into the Gorge.  It is possible to continue beyond the paved road by four-wheel drive or on foot.

Draa Valley

The Draa Valley carved by the ancient Draa River, the longest river in Morocco, is famous for its many Kasbahs, oases of dates, figs and henna that grow there. The beautiful date palm groves of the Draa Valley are like a green sea in the middle of the desert.  During August and September, the thousands of date palms are laden with dates and the air heavy with the fragrant scent of henna flowers.

Chefchaouen also known as Chaouen, is a must see in Morocco. Not only does this mountain village boast a picturesque medina, it's set in striking surrounds. White-wash alternates with blue. Narrow lanes twist and turn. Twin summits, Meggou and Tisouka, tower above. What makes Chefchaouen an exceptional travel destination are its small size, relative safety, plentiful shopping and great hiking trails. The medina is easy to navigate and the weekly market and plentiful shops are an unpestered place to souvenir hunt.

The Kingdom of Morocco is filled with cultural experiences and natural landscapes that will not disappoint even the most adventurous traveler. Morocco, between the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic Ocean and divided by the Atlas Mountains provides a magnificent background where the colours are vivid, the contrasts are intense, and views are picturesque.