Discover the 5+1 best places to visit in Morocco, handpicked by us
Welcome to this new post about the best places to visit in Morocco. Here, you’ll find what we believe are the 5 (+1 bonus) places worth visiting in this beautiful country.
We’ve chosen these places because each one has something unique to offer to travelers. You might love them all or just a few; either way, we hope this information will be useful for your next trip.
Let’s discover the best places to visit in Morocco!
Pick your Language but sorry if in this case, the translation is not perfect!
This post may contain affiliate links. We earn a small commission if you purchase something through the affiliate link at no cost to you!!
AÏT BENHADDOU– best places to visit in Morocco
We start this post with something you absolutely should not miss on your trip to Morocco, and which definitely should be on your list of places to see on your next visit there. Aït Benhaddou is an ancient fortified city (ksar) that will transport you to another era. This impressive ksar is located on the banks of the Ounila River and, although it is now visited by thousands of tourists due to its spectacular nature, it was already a bustling city in the past because it lies on an ancient trade route.
Although its initial use was as housing for the local people, today, within the walls of Aït Benhaddou, it seems no one lives there. In fact, the locals and those who work in tourism live in the newer part of the village, across the river.
In addition to being declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987, many scenes from movies have been filmed within its walls and surroundings, such as Gladiator in 2000. In fact, during our visit, they were filming a commercial right around the area. And with this last bit of information, we move on to the next place you must visit in Morocco if you’re a film enthusiast.
Points of Interest in Aït Benhaddou:
Kasbah of Aït Benhaddou – The fortress within the ksar.
Ksar of Aït Benhaddou – Overall, the village is very beautiful to visit inside.
Viewpoint – Panoramic views of the valley and the Atlas Mountains.
OUARZAZATE– best places to visit in Morocco
30 km from the ksar of Aït Benhaddou and 200 km Southeast of Marrakech lies the city of Ouarzazate, also known as the gateway to the desert or the Hollywood of the desert.
We added this city to our list of best places to visit in Morocco because it is optimally positioned for any tourist if you want to go to the desert (or, as I’ll explain later, the two deserts), the southern part of the country, or if you’re simply a film and cinematography enthusiast.
In the city, there are several things to do, such as visiting some of the film studios present, like the famous Atlas Studios, or the beautiful and picturesque kasbah and its surroundings, where you can see how some of the local people’s dwellings were (and still are) constructed.
In addition to these attractions, if you’re interested in renewable energy, you shouldn’t miss a visit (even if only from the outside, if you’re not a professional in the field) to the Noor Ouarzazate Solar Plant. Surely, on your trip there, the main tower of this solar plant won’t go unnoticed, as it is visible from many kilometers away, thanks to the beam of light it emits.
Points of Interest in Ouarzazate:
- Kasbah Taourirt: An ancient fortress with traditional adobe architecture.
- Atlas Film Studio: One of the largest film studios in Africa.
- Draa Valley: Oasis and palm groves in an impressive desert landscape that begins just after the city.
Our Tip: Wise is a great card when you are travelling to a country with a different currency than yours like Morocco. We use this online bank during our trips and we never had problems, even in remote places around the world.
SAHARA DESERT
As mentioned earlier, the city of Ouarzazate is called the gateway to the desert. While it’s true that after this city, you’ll start to see arid and uninhabited areas (apart from the oases and some valleys like Todra or Draa), if you want to visit the sand dunes, you’ll need to drive a bit further.
Morocco offers not one, but two sand deserts (called Ergs), and although both are part of the Sahara Desert, they are quite distant from each other and offer very different landscapes and experiences. I’m talking about Erg Chebbi (to the east) and Erg Chigaga (to the southwest). Here I’ll explain separately what each of these deserts offers and why we are both on our list of best places to visit in Morocco.
ERG CHEBBI
Location: Near Merzouga, in southeastern Morocco.
Distance from Marrakech: Approximately 560 km (348 miles).
Approx. travel time: 9-10 hours by car (can be visited by local bus).
Distance from Fez: Approximately 470 km (292 miles).
Travel time: 7-8 hours by car.
Pros of visiting Erg Chebbi:
- More accessible for the average tourist who has only a few days and wants to see the desert dunes.
- Very high and compact dunes (though I’m not sure if they’re the highest).
- Wide variety of tour and accommodation options
- More economical to visit.
Cons of visiting Erg Chebbi:
- Lots of mass tourism, with little tranquility, despite being a desert.
- Due to human negligence, you may see litter in the dunes.
Points of Interest near Erg Chebbi:
- The Erg Chebbi Dunes themselves.
- Merzouga Lake: Seasonal (was dry when we visited).
- Khamlia.
- Rissani
ERG CHIGAGA
Location: In southern Morocco, near M’Hamid, in the Draa Valley region.
Distance from Fez: Approximately 700 km (435 miles).
Approx. travel time: 10-12 hours by car (almost impossible in a single day).
Distance from Marrakech: Approximately 350 km (217 miles).
Approx. travel time: 6-7 hours by car, although it usually takes longer because the last 60 km are across a stony desert.
Pros of visiting Erg Chigaga:
- Less accessible than Erg Chebbi, although it may not seem so based on the distance in km.
- The inaccessibility makes it a more adventurous option for travelers and a quieter, more isolated place.
- The dunes are more extensive, and the environment is much wilder.
Cons of visiting Erg Chigaga:
- You need more days to organize a trip there.
- If you don’t have a 4×4 and a good GPS, an organized tour or guide from M’Hamid or Zagora is essential.
- Tours are generally much more expensive than a tour to visit Erg Chebbi.
Main Points of Interest:
- The Erg Chigaga Dunes.
- M’Hamid Oasis.
- Zagora.
- Draa Valley
AGADIR – best places to visit in Morocco
Do you want to enjoy a few days on the beach along Morocco’s Atlantic coast? Agadir is the ideal place for this type of experience and that is the reason why we added this city to our list of best places to visit in Morocco.
Agadir offers the most organized leisure and beachfront accommodations in the country. In fact, it is the city with the most resorts and hotels from the world’s most famous chains, catering to international tourists looking to enjoy the relaxation and tranquility that this city offers.
Unlike other cities you might visit in Morocco, Agadir is probably the most modern and new, due not only to its international tourist offerings but also to an earthquake in 1960 that completely destroyed the entire city, forcing the population and the government to rebuild it from scratch.
In addition to all the sports and activities you can enjoy on the beach, there are a few more things you should do once there. Among others strolls through the marina or the colorful city center, you can visit the new and renovated Kasbah (the visit requires an entrance fee) or, if you want an authentic experience, I recommend visiting the city’s largest market, Souk El Had. There, you can find any type of traditional craft, spices, fruits, or vegetables at more than reasonable prices, or at least better prices than in similar markets in more crowded cities like Marrakech or Fez.
Points of Interest in Agadir:
- Souk El Had: A local market ideal for buying crafts and spices.
- Agadir Beach: A long golden beach, perfect for various activities.
- Agadir Kasbah: Ruins with panoramic views of the city.
- Agadir Marina: A modern marina with shops and restaurants.
- Paradise Valley: A natural oasis with pools and hiking trails.
TAMRAGHT – best places to visit in Morocco
If Agadir offers perfect resorts and hotels for mid-range tourists wanting to enjoy the sunny days that a country like Morocco can provide, Tamraght, a village just a few kilometers from this city, is a place to visit in Morocco if you’re into surfing and experiencing the sea in a more youthful, calm, and relaxed environment.
While the most famous surf destination on this coast is the small Berber village of Taghazout, Tamraght proves to be more attractive in terms of tranquility, as the neighboring village, mentioned earlier, is filled with locals and bars that host many parties.
In any case, this entire stretch of the Atlantic coast is a perfect spot to visit in Morocco if you love the sea, want to surf, or simply wish to learn the sport, as there are many surf schools that organize camps at very reasonable prices.
Although the government has plans (they are already underway) to build luxury resorts and high-end attractions to attract different types of tourists to this coast, for now, these villages, especially Tamraght, still exude a sense of tranquility. At present, it’s filled with charming hostels where you can relax, take some yoga classes or Moroccan cooking lessons, eat, chat, or, while you’re there, surf with your travel companions or friends you’ve met along the way.
Points of Interest in Tamraght:
- Tamraght Beach: A quiet beach ideal for relaxing, surfing, or both.
- Yoga Retreats: Yoga retreats with outdoor sessions, often with sea views, organized by many hostels.
- Devil’s Mountain: A famous hill with excellent views and hiking routes.
- Surf Camps: Centers offering surf lessons and equipment rentals at very good prices.
- Paradise Valley: An oasis with natural pools and waterfalls, perfect for excursions (accessible by car or scooter).
CHEFCHAOUEN– best places to visit in Morocco
And here is our personal tip about the best places to see in Morocco. If you’ve read our post before, you’ll see that Chefchaouen is also on the list of the best cities to visit in Morocco (if you’re interested in that post, you can click here). Nonetheless, we couldn’t miss recommending this picturesque city, as it’s definitely worth the trip.
Located in the Rif Mountains, this city has gained worldwide fame because its houses and streets are painted blue. It’s needless to say that it’s a perfect spot for mountain and tranquility photo enthusiasts because, although it’s true that it’s filled with tourists, the locals and its position and colors offer a calm and authentic atmosphere that makes the trip worthwhile.
It’s worth mentioning that the best times to visit are spring and autumn, as it gets very hot in summer and quite cold in winter. Trust me, it really is cold in winter, as the houses usually lack heating and you’ll need more than one blanket at night. Nonetheless, January was a good time to visit Chefchaouen because the tourist crowd was low, allowing us to enjoy this incredible blue city and take plenty of photos in peace.
Points of Interest in Chefchaouen:
- The Blue Medina: A maze of cobblestone streets and blue-painted houses, perfect for photographic strolls.
- Uta el-Hammam Square: The central square of the medina, filled with charming cafes and restaurants.
- Chefchaouen Kasbah: An ancient fortress with gardens.
- Grand Mosque: The most famous religious building with an octagonal minaret, unique in Morocco.
- Ras El Maa Waterfall: A popular meeting spot for locals and now tourists as well, featuring a natural spring.
- Rif Mountains Hikes: The city is a strategic location to take advantage of the hiking routes around.
MAP WITH ALL LOCATIONS
Our tip: When we travel we always make sure to have travel insurance. Our personal recommendation is Truetraveller as they have great support and health coverage around the world. And don’t worry if you forget about it, you can purchase the insurance during your trip!
Conclusions – best places to visit in Morocco
We have reached the end of our post about the best places to visit in Morocco. With my words, you’ve explored (for now, only virtually) some of the most magical and unforgettable places this fascinating country has to offer. From vibrant cities full of history and incredible leisure and sea options to breathtaking natural landscapes like the desert.
Every corner of Morocco described here invites you to plan your next trip as soon as possible and lose yourself in its charm, discovering the soul of this country with its history, culture, and an extremely welcoming local population.
Morocco is a country that holds countless treasures waiting to be explored, and we will surely mention more in other posts on our blog (stay tuned).
So, tell me:
Do you need more information about Morocco?
What are you waiting for to plan your next adventure?
Do you want to add any places you think are worth visiting?
Write to us; we’d be happy to connect with you and talk about what we love most: travel and food. Cheers, friend, and see you soon on other pages of our blog or anywhere in the world.
Do you like our blog?
If you want to help this blog stay afloat and move forward, you can use our links to buy something, either at our e-shop www.funfoodtravelgear.com, or with our affiliate partners.
We guarantee that with affiliates you will have the same price as buying normally, and directly on their website, only using our links the companies give us a small commission (it will never be your money).
Thanks for reaching the end of this article, if you are interested in more travel and food tips around the world, every month (more or less) we come out with a new post in Spanish and one in English.
A hug for you, friends, travelers and foodies of Fun Food Travelling.
Don’t forget to SUBSCRIBE and Travel with us!
Continue to read our most RELATED posts:
Other languages to read our blog
We apologize again if this automatic translation does not always translate perfectly, please love us anyway, a big hug 🙂
