What are the top tourist destinations in Morocco?

Due to its delightfully warm climate, breathtaking natural scenery, fantastic food, and picturesque towns, and bustling culture, Morocco continues to be a major destination for travelers worldwide. The top tourist destinations in Morocco are plentiful for a variety of reasons, including their breathtaking scenery, rich culture, pleasant weather, and thriving tourism industry.

In this blog, you can learn about the top tourist destinations in Morocco while getting to know the cultural significance of Moroccan cities, must-see tourist attractions, and recommendations for things to do in cities such as Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, and Chefchaouen.

The top tourist destinations in Morocco: A cultural discovery

Many could agree that perhaps the main motivation for visiting Morocco is its distinctive and genuine culture. Traces of history can be seen in imperial cities such as Fes and Marrakech. In there, you will also see how the natives live their lives on a daily basis as well as have glimpses of how life used to be centuries ago.

Marrakech

We know that most of your time spent in Marrakech -the Red City- will be over its old side. Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs, and Koutoubia mosque reflect the rich history of the city. Likewise, the souks of Marrakech’s ancient center, where a labyrinth of marketplaces winds through various passageways, are one of the city’s main attractions. With the aroma of spices filling the air and artisanal wares like shoes made of leather and vibrant lamps spilling out of shops, it’s a sensory overload.

It is important to see Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa Square, which is situated in the walled medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As dusk falls, performers on stage, tellers of tales, and food vendors appear to entertain onlookers in the plaza, which gives you the impression that you’ve traveled back in time. Not only that, but you could also have taste of traditional Moroccan meals in the food stalls of the plaza for very affordable prices.

A vivid explosion worth witnessing is the evening market. There are a variety of performers you may witness, including Henna tattoo artists, acrobats, clairvoyants, and Berber performers. You could even come across a few snake charmers who use a flute to entice their reptiles. Although there are fewer vendors in the plaza throughout the day, you may still find small food trucks selling goodies, freshly squeezed fruit juice or hot mint tea.

Fes

One of Morocco’s most well-known tourist sites is Fes, an imperial city that is widely regarded as an iconic spot in North Africa. Visitors to Fes would have the opportunity to understand why the city is regarded as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual center. From UNESCO World Heritage Sites to a medieval old Medina, Fes is certainly one of the top tourist destinations in Morocco and a must-see for tourists of all religions who wish to learn about Islamic history.

Allow yourself to become lost in the ancient Medina. As the biggest urban region without automobiles on the earth, it is regarded as one of the best preserved old cities in the Arab world. You may find spectacular mosques, modest madrasas, charming fountains, and historical hostels by wandering the medina’s narrow streets. Because it is Fes’ oldest walled quarter, the area is rich in sights and monuments. Stops at Fes Jdid are advised since it is not to be missed due of its gates, walls, and other outstanding structures.

In the midst of the vibes of the Medina, you will come across Al-Quarawiyyine University. Known to be the oldest university in the world, the Al-Qarawiyyine is a mosque, library, and educational facility. Before being incorporated into Morocco’s university system in 1963, it began as a mosque in 859 and then became a madrasa. Non-Muslims are not permitted inside since it is a functional mosque, but they can admire its magnificent exteriors.

The top tourist destinations in Morocco: A treat for the eye

Morocco offers a variety of excellent locations where you can enjoy the beaches along both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean as well as the spots in between. Essaouira and Chefchaouen are one of the top tourist destinations in Morocco, so have your cameras ready to capture all of their colorful alleyways!

Essaouira

Essaouira is a port and resort city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast. Its medina (old town) is fortified by European-designed 18th-century walls known as the Skala de la Kasbah. The walls, which are dotted with antique copper cannons, provide a glimpse of the ocean. The city’s beaches are suitable for surfing, windsurfing, and kitesurfing due to the city’s strong trade winds. The beach also provides an opportunity for people to go camel riding or quad biking.

A walking tour is one of the finest ways to view the highlights in Essaouira. The Jewish Quarter, the walls, the fishing port, and both beaches are all included in a tour through the medina. As a relatively small town, it invites visitors to take a morning or evening stroll down its long boardwalk that borders the golden shore and through its traffic-free medina. If you don’t prefer walking, you could take taxis for very small fees to go from one place to another.

The Medina is one of Essaouira’s best places to see. Originally known as Mogador, the Medina was created in the late 18th century and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a fantastic area to stroll and get lost because cars and scooters are not allowed within; the occasional motorbike rumbling through is an exception. You won’t have any trouble locating your way out again because it’s not too vast and is laid out in a grid pattern, and locals are always willing to assist you.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen, often known as Chaouen, is a city in northern Morocco’s Rif Mountains. It is famed for its old town’s beautiful structures in various colors of fading blue. Its steep cobblestone passageways are lined with leather and weaving workshops. Among the city’s features is the red-walled Kasbah, a 15th-century stronghold with ethnographic and art exhibitions, located in the shaded central plaza of Outa el Hammam. Not far away, the Great Mosque’s octagonal minaret rises.

At 600 meters above sea level and in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen, a town of slightly over 45,000 people, is situated in northern Morocco. In the summer, the city enjoys a hot and dry Mediterranean climate. Chefchaouen has an average temperature of 20°C and 650 mm of rainfall per year. It is best visited in May, June, July, August, September, and October. The blue city may, however, be visited throughout the remainder of the year, with an extremely chilly environment during the winter.

Chefchaouen intrigues visitors because it offers the feeling of being surreal. The façade of its residences make the entire city appear drenched in azure and are ideal for photographing. Chefchaouen is also a walking paradise because of its position. The routes in the neighboring mountains provide wonderful hiking options. Going through them is like discovering another, more isolated Morocco, which is tucked away in the Rif chain.

Honorable mentions of the top tourist destinations in Morocco include the Moroccan Sahara desert, Casablanca, and the Roman ruins of Volubilis. The list goes on and on because Morocco is truly a melting pot of exquisite sceneries. Let us know in the comments section below your favorite destination in Morocco and contact us if you have any questions.