10 Essential sights To See in Morocco
Morocco is a fascinating country of exciting sights, sounds, tastes and smells and the kind of destination where you can have a real adventure. Whether you’re looking for the sunbathing and surfing of the coast, or the shopping opportunities and taste sensations of the bigger cities, there’s a little bit of everything in this exotic country. For anyone planning a visit, here are 10 essential sights to see in Morocco.
1. The blue wash in Chefchaouen
High up in the Rif Mountains in the northwest of the country, the town of Chefchaouen is a key spot on the Moroccan tourist trail. With a name that derives from the Berber word for ‘horns’ (the mountains behind the town are shaped like two horns), the buildings here are coloured a distinctive blue and this in itself makes Chefchaouen worth a visit. In addition, the town is well known for its handicrafts and is a great place to pick up some souvenirs.
2. The view from the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains lie in southwest Morocco, separating the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The best way to explore this dramatic mountain range is by signing up for an organized trek. There are a number of different choices, from a day’s trekking to an expedition of several weeks, as well as the option of bus tours for those who are keen to appreciate the views without too much exertion. If you want a real challenge try orgaising a trip to climb Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.
3. The faded glamour of Tangier
If you’re arriving in Morocco by ferry from Gibraltar then Tangier is like the first taste you’ll get of the country. This bustling port has certainly seen better days but still retains a whiff of its old faded glamour. Visit the town’s Kasbah, an old sultan’s palace that sits at the very highest point of the city, or enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes on Place de France and luxuriate in the 1930s glamour.
4. The surfing at Essaouira
Essaouira is located in western Morocco and is a mine of history, having been occupied since prehistoric times. The coastal town is built around a bay that is sheltered by the island of Mogador, which makes it a great, safe spot for riding some waves and means it attracts thousands of keen surfers every year. There are a number of surf schools here – such as the Blue Kite - and international surf competitions are held here annually.
5. The arts and crafts of Fes
Fes is one of Morocco’s largest municipalities and this imperial city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fes tanneries are one of the most interesting sites in the city, where leather is treated and prepared in the same way as it has been since the 16th century. The Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts is also worth a visit. It is located in Da Batha, a 19th century palace and has a fabulous collection of Moroccan crafts, from pottery to carpets.
6. Casablanca’s architecture
Whilst it was made famous by the 1942 film of the same name, there’s a lot more to Casablanca than that ‘play it again Sam’ moment. The city is one of Morocco’s busiest centres, is highly industrialised and at the centre of the country’s development. However, it also has a large amount of fabulous architecture, which ranges from art deco to French colonial design. Visit the Quartier Habous to see the interesting combination of some of the finest examples of traditional Moroccan architecture, combined with some of the best modern facilities in the city.
7. Djemaa El Fna square Marrakech
Of course a trip to Morocco would not be complete without a visit to Djemaa El Fna Square. This bustling spot is busy at any time of day but really comes alive at night when the twinkling lights and delicious smells from the food stalls attract hungry diners. Snake charmers, storytellers, magicians, dancers and medicine men provide plenty of entertainment and there is shopping galore at stalls selling everything from metal lanterns to leather bags.
8. Jardin Majorelle Marrakech
The Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech is home to the abode of famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Whilst you can’t look inside the house because the designer still uses it, the gardens are really stunning and worth a visit on their own. Both the house and all the structures in the garden are painted a vivid sky blue, which gives the gardens a wonderful, otherworldly feel. Majorelle is a real haven in the middle of this hectic city, where you can sit for hours listening to the birdsong under the swaying palms.
9. Camel trekking in the Sahara
50km south of the town of Erfound lie the dunes of Erg Chebbi, part of the Sahara Desert and an unmissable sight for visitors to Morocco. You can book a jeep trek, go quadbiking, or just sit and watch a stunning sunrise or sunset out in the dunes. Perhaps one of the best ways to see this breathtaking sight is on the back of a camel, in true Berber style. Organised tours will take you out to see the desert for day trips and you can trek for anything from a day to several weeks.
10. Shopping – just about everywhere!
Morocco is a haven for shoppers as there is an opportunity to buy beautiful things around every corner. Most major towns – like Marrakech and Fes - will have at least one souk where you can bargain for spices, leather goods, shoes and the kinds of interior furnishings you would pay a fortune for back home. The secret to getting a good deal is to start relatively low, work your way up to your top price if necessary and then go no further. If you want to win on your last offer then walk away like you mean it!
There’s so much to see and do in Morocco that you will easily be able to fill every day of your trip with palaces, souks, Berber traditions and fabulous shopping opportunities. These 10 essential sights to see in Morocco will give you a good flavour of what the country is really about and get your tastebuds tingling for more. Return flights to Morocco from the UK start from around £150.
1. The blue wash in Chefchaouen
High up in the Rif Mountains in the northwest of the country, the town of Chefchaouen is a key spot on the Moroccan tourist trail. With a name that derives from the Berber word for ‘horns’ (the mountains behind the town are shaped like two horns), the buildings here are coloured a distinctive blue and this in itself makes Chefchaouen worth a visit. In addition, the town is well known for its handicrafts and is a great place to pick up some souvenirs.
2. The view from the Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountains lie in southwest Morocco, separating the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. The best way to explore this dramatic mountain range is by signing up for an organized trek. There are a number of different choices, from a day’s trekking to an expedition of several weeks, as well as the option of bus tours for those who are keen to appreciate the views without too much exertion. If you want a real challenge try orgaising a trip to climb Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.
3. The faded glamour of Tangier
If you’re arriving in Morocco by ferry from Gibraltar then Tangier is like the first taste you’ll get of the country. This bustling port has certainly seen better days but still retains a whiff of its old faded glamour. Visit the town’s Kasbah, an old sultan’s palace that sits at the very highest point of the city, or enjoy a coffee at one of the cafes on Place de France and luxuriate in the 1930s glamour.
4. The surfing at Essaouira
Essaouira is located in western Morocco and is a mine of history, having been occupied since prehistoric times. The coastal town is built around a bay that is sheltered by the island of Mogador, which makes it a great, safe spot for riding some waves and means it attracts thousands of keen surfers every year. There are a number of surf schools here – such as the Blue Kite - and international surf competitions are held here annually.
5. The arts and crafts of Fes
Fes is one of Morocco’s largest municipalities and this imperial city is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Fes tanneries are one of the most interesting sites in the city, where leather is treated and prepared in the same way as it has been since the 16th century. The Museum of Moroccan Arts and Crafts is also worth a visit. It is located in Da Batha, a 19th century palace and has a fabulous collection of Moroccan crafts, from pottery to carpets.
6. Casablanca’s architecture
Whilst it was made famous by the 1942 film of the same name, there’s a lot more to Casablanca than that ‘play it again Sam’ moment. The city is one of Morocco’s busiest centres, is highly industrialised and at the centre of the country’s development. However, it also has a large amount of fabulous architecture, which ranges from art deco to French colonial design. Visit the Quartier Habous to see the interesting combination of some of the finest examples of traditional Moroccan architecture, combined with some of the best modern facilities in the city.
7. Djemaa El Fna square Marrakech
Of course a trip to Morocco would not be complete without a visit to Djemaa El Fna Square. This bustling spot is busy at any time of day but really comes alive at night when the twinkling lights and delicious smells from the food stalls attract hungry diners. Snake charmers, storytellers, magicians, dancers and medicine men provide plenty of entertainment and there is shopping galore at stalls selling everything from metal lanterns to leather bags.
8. Jardin Majorelle Marrakech
The Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech is home to the abode of famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Whilst you can’t look inside the house because the designer still uses it, the gardens are really stunning and worth a visit on their own. Both the house and all the structures in the garden are painted a vivid sky blue, which gives the gardens a wonderful, otherworldly feel. Majorelle is a real haven in the middle of this hectic city, where you can sit for hours listening to the birdsong under the swaying palms.
9. Camel trekking in the Sahara
50km south of the town of Erfound lie the dunes of Erg Chebbi, part of the Sahara Desert and an unmissable sight for visitors to Morocco. You can book a jeep trek, go quadbiking, or just sit and watch a stunning sunrise or sunset out in the dunes. Perhaps one of the best ways to see this breathtaking sight is on the back of a camel, in true Berber style. Organised tours will take you out to see the desert for day trips and you can trek for anything from a day to several weeks.
10. Shopping – just about everywhere!
Morocco is a haven for shoppers as there is an opportunity to buy beautiful things around every corner. Most major towns – like Marrakech and Fes - will have at least one souk where you can bargain for spices, leather goods, shoes and the kinds of interior furnishings you would pay a fortune for back home. The secret to getting a good deal is to start relatively low, work your way up to your top price if necessary and then go no further. If you want to win on your last offer then walk away like you mean it!
There’s so much to see and do in Morocco that you will easily be able to fill every day of your trip with palaces, souks, Berber traditions and fabulous shopping opportunities. These 10 essential sights to see in Morocco will give you a good flavour of what the country is really about and get your tastebuds tingling for more. Return flights to Morocco from the UK start from around £150.
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