Visiting Morocco: Top 10 must-sees
Morocco fascinates visitors with its cultural diversity, enchanting landscapes and age-old heritage. From the labyrinthine medinas to the golden dunes of the Sahara and the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas mountains, a visit to Morocco is a journey to the crossroads of East and West. Between imperial cities steeped in history, authentic Berber villages and wild Atlantic coasts, the Cherifian kingdom reveals a thousand and one facets that seduce travellers from all over the world. Here is a complete guide to the 10 must-sees and must-dos to make your Moroccan holiday a success and discover the very essence of this fascinating country.
Read also the Marrakech guide :
- 10 little-known palaces and gardens to discover in Marrakech
- Top 9 culinary specialities in Marrakech
- Hammams and Turkish baths in Marrakech: complete guide
- The 6 most beautiful oases to explore near Marrakech
- Marrakech: 15 incredible things to do around the red city
- Visiting the Palmeraie in Marrakech: practical information
- The 10 best riads to stay in Marrakech
1. Marrakech, the pearl of southern Morocco
It’s impossible to visit Morocco without stopping off in Marrakech, the famous “red city” that embodies all the magic of the kingdom. Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids, this imperial city boasts an exceptional architectural heritage of sumptuous palaces, lush gardens and historic monuments.
In the heart of the medina, the Place Jemaa el-Fna (Jamaa el Fna, avenue Mohammed V, 40000 Marrakech, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 63,290 reviews) comes alive day and night in an enchanting atmosphere. Snake charmers, storytellers, Gnaoua musicians and fresh orange juice stalls make up a lively tableau listed as a UNESCO intangible heritage site. The winding alleys of the surrounding souks are full of handcrafted treasures: colourful babouches, carved lanterns, Berber carpets and fragrant spices.
Download the audio tour to discover Marrakech on foot and on your own
For the best way to explore Marrakech, let the Navaway tour guide you through 21 of the imperial city’s major places of interest. This 7-kilometre audio-guided tour will take you to the hidden treasures of the medina, from the famous Jardin Majorelle (Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech, rated 4.3/5 on Google for 96,467 reviews) to sumptuous palaces such as the Palais de la Bahia (5 Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid, Marrakech, rated 4.2/5 on Google for 28,124 reviews), not forgetting the majestic Koutoubia mosque, whose 77-metre minaret dominates the city.
And don’t miss the sumptuous Saadian Tombs (Rue de la Kasbah, Marrakech, rated 4.3/5 on Google out of 9,876 reviews), jewels of Hispano-Moorish architecture only discovered in 1917. For a refreshing break, the Menara gardens offer a haven of peace, with their monumental pool and centuries-old olive groves. Visiting Marrakech with the Navaway audioguide means you won’t miss any of the essentials, while enjoying fascinating anecdotes about each monument.
2. Fez, the spiritual and cultural capital
To visit Morocco without discovering Fez would be to miss out on the authentic soul of the country. The oldest of the imperial cities, Fès is home to the best-preserved medieval medina in the Arab world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded at the end of the 8th century, Fès el-Bali is a fascinating labyrinth of 9,000 narrow streets where time seems to stand still.
The spiritual heart of the city beats to the rhythm of the Al Quaraouiyine mosque-university (Fès el Bali, Fès, rated 4.5/5 on Google for 1,876 reviews), founded in 859 and considered to be the oldest university in the world still in operation. Not far away, the Bou Inania medersa (Rue Talaa Sghira, Fès el Bali, rated 4.4/5 on Google for 4,523 reviews) dazzles visitors with its sumptuous architecture, with finely chiselled stucco, colourful zellige and cedar woodwork.
It’s impossible to visit Fès without exploring the famous Chouara tanneries (Hay Lablida, Fès el Bali, rated 4.1/5 on Google for 8,234 reviews), where craftsmen have been perpetuating ancestral leather-processing techniques for centuries. The sight of the multicoloured basins and the bustle of the workers make for a striking picture, even if the smell can be surprising! The specialised souks in the medina are brimming with marvellous crafts: embossed leather, blue Fès ceramics, Berber embroidery and jewellery bear witness to the legendary skills of Fès craftsmen.
3. Chefchaouen, the blue pearl of the Rif mountains
Nestling in the Rif mountains in northern Morocco, Chefchaouen is immediately captivating with its unique architecture painted entirely in different shades of blue. This small town, founded in 1471, stands in stark contrast to the ochre and pink of other Moroccan cities. Its narrow cobbled streets, sculpted doors and indigo blue walls create a picture-postcard setting that is a photographer’s delight.
If you want to see Morocco from a different angle, Chefchaouen is a refreshing and soothing place to stay. Place Outa el Hammam (Place Outa el Hammam, Chefchaouen, rated 4.6/5 on Google out of 5,892 reviews) forms the nerve centre of the medina, dominated by the 15th-century kasbah and its mosque with its octagonal minaret. Terrace cafés invite you to contemplate the green peaks of the Rif.
Local handicrafts include hand-woven rugs and blankets, painted pottery and products made from hemp grown in the region. The souk also sells magnificent striped djellabas typical of the region. Beyond the medina, a hike to the Spanish mosque perched on the heights offers spectacular views of the blue city and surrounding mountains. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit Chefchaouen and enjoy pleasant temperatures.
4. The Sahara desert and the Merzouga dunes
Visiting Morocco without experiencing the magic of the desert would be incomplete. The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga offer the most accessible and spectacular Saharan immersion in the country. These sand mountains, up to 150 metres high, take on orange hues at sunrise and sunset, offering an unforgettable natural spectacle.
The classic excursion from Merzouga (Ksar Tanamouste, Merzouga, rated 4.4/5 on Google out of 2,876 reviews) begins with a camel ride at dusk to a nomad camp in the heart of the dunes. The night under the stars in a traditional Berber tent is a suspended moment out of time, where the silence of the desert is disturbed only by the crackling of the campfire and the melodies of the Gnaoua musicians.
There are several options available to travellers wishing to visit the Moroccan Sahara: from simple overnight excursions to multi-day tours combining 4×4, camel trekking and bivouac. Local agencies also offer activities such as sandboarding in the dunes and nomad-watching. The Ziz valley and its oases of date palms, crossed on the road to Merzouga, adds to the change of scenery with its fortified ksour and ochre villages.
5. Aït-Ben-Haddou, a thousand-year-old fortified village
A UNESCO World Heritage site, the ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou embodies the traditional Berber architecture of southern Morocco. This spectacular fortified adobe complex, dating from the 11th century, stands majestically on a hill overlooking the Ounila valley, around 30 kilometres from Ouarzazate.
For a visit to authentic Morocco, Aït-Ben-Haddou (Aït-Ben-Haddou, Province of Ouarzazate, rated 4.5/5 on Google out of 12,456 reviews) offers a fascinating immersion in mud architecture. The crenellated towers, stacked houses and narrow alleyways of the ksar create an oriental fairytale setting that has seduced numerous Hollywood directors. Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many other productions have immortalised this exceptional site.
The ksar can be reached on foot by crossing the wadi (a river that is dry for much of the year) via a bridge or fording stones. The climb to the top, where a few families still live, offers a breathtaking panoramic view of the valley and the Atlas mountains. Desert temperatures mean that morning or late afternoon visits are preferable, particularly in spring and autumn. Small local craft stalls line the route, selling rugs, pottery and Berber jewellery.
6. Casablanca and the Hassan II mosque
Morocco’s economic capital, Casablanca has a surprisingly modern face and Art Deco architecture inherited from the French protectorate. The city is home to the country’s most spectacular monument: the Hassan II mosque (Boulevard Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, Casablanca, rated 4.7/5 on Google for 87,543 reviews), a contemporary masterpiece completed in 1993.
This extraordinary mosque boasts a 210-metre minaret, the highest in the world, and a prayer hall that can accommodate 25,000 worshippers. A rare feature in Morocco, it is open to non-Muslims on guided tours that reveal the splendour of its rooms adorned with mosaics, stucco, cedar and marble. Built partly on the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a unique setting with the sound of the waves echoing under the glass floor of the prayer room.
To visit Casablanca beyond its iconic mosque, stroll along the Ain Diab corniche lined with restaurants and clubs, explore Place Mohammed V with its Art Deco buildings, and lose yourself in the old medina near the port. The Habous district or New Medina, built in the 1930s, harmoniously blends traditional architecture with modern urban planning. Contemporary history buffs will love the Villa des Arts museum, which showcases twentieth-century Moroccan art.
7. Essaouira, the city of the trade winds
A former Portuguese Mogador, Essaouira has a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere that is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Marrakech. This fortified port town on the Atlantic coast offers a perfect balance between historical heritage and seaside atmosphere. Its 18th-century ramparts, designed by a French architect, and its white and blue medina are UNESCO World Heritage sites.
If you want to visit the ocean version of Morocco, Essaouira (Médina d’Essaouira, Essaouira, rated 4.5/5 on Google for 15,234 reviews) is a refreshing stop-off. The fishing port bustles with activity in the mornings when the boats return, offering a colourful spectacle of traditional blue boats and swarms of seagulls. The port’s restaurants serve freshly caught fish and seafood, including Essaouira’s signature grilled sardines.
The medina is packed with workshops for craftsmen who turn cedar wood, an endemic species of the region, into magnificent decorative objects. The contemporary art galleries bear witness to the creative spirit that has animated the town since Jimi Hendrix stayed here in the 1960s. The immense, windy beach is a favourite with kitesurfers and windsurfers, making Essaouira Morocco’s capital of board sports. The Gnaoua world music festival, held every year in June, attracts artists and festival-goers from all over the world in a unique festive atmosphere.
8. The Ouzoud waterfalls, a natural wonder of the Atlas mountains
Located around 150 kilometres north-east of Marrakech in the province of Azilal, the Ouzoud waterfalls are among the highest and most spectacular in North Africa. These 110-metre-high waterfalls spill over several levels into a lush green setting, creating a striking contrast with the surrounding arid landscapes.
A visit to Morocco’s natural wonders includes the Ouzoud waterfalls (Cascades d’Ouzoud, Ouzoud 22576, rated 4.6/5 on Google out of 9,876 reviews). Groomed paths take you down to the foot of the falls, where the cooling mist offers welcome relief in summer. Along the way, you’re sure to come across colonies of maggot monkeys, the endemic Berber macaques that live freely in the region and don’t hesitate to approach visitors.
There are several panoramic viewpoints along the way, offering different perspectives on the waterfalls. The more adventurous can take a boat to get closer to the foot of the falls and feel the power of the water. Small restaurants with terraces overlooking the waterfalls serve tajines and Berber omelettes in an idyllic setting. Spring is the ideal time to visit Ouzoud, when the melting Atlas snow swells the waterfalls and the vegetation is bursting with greenery. Bring good walking shoes and a swimming costume to make the most of this natural oasis.
9. The Todra and Dades gorges, spectacular canyons
In south-east Morocco, between the High Atlas and the Sahara, there are two spectacular canyons that are among the country’s most impressive natural sites. The Todra and Dades gorges offer breathtaking scenery, with vertiginous cliffs sculpted by thousands of years of erosion.
The Todra gorges (Todra River, Tinghir, rated 4.7/5 on Google for 8,234 reviews) form a narrow canyon with limestone walls rising up to 300 metres high, creating a spectacular corridor only a few metres wide in places. The light filtering between the cliffs changes constantly throughout the day, creating fascinating plays of light and shadow. This site attracts climbers from all over the world for its internationally renowned climbing routes.
A few dozen kilometres away, the Dades gorges (Dades Gorges, Boumalne Dades, rated 4.6/5 on Google for 5,678 reviews) offer a more open but equally impressive landscape. The winding road that crosses the canyon over 25 kilometres offers breathtaking views, particularly of the famous “monkey fingers”, bizarre rock formations that seem to spring from the mountain. If you want to visit mountainous Morocco, these gorges are a must, dotted with traditional Berber villages and adobe kasbahs. The green palm groves that line the wadi contrast magnificently with the red rocks of the cliffs.
10. The High Atlas and the ascent of Toubkal
The backbone of Morocco, the High Atlas range culminates at 4,167 metres at djebel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. Just 70 kilometres south of Marrakech, these majestic mountains offer a complete change of scenery and are a paradise for hikers of all abilities.
The Toubkal national park (Parc National du Toubkal, Province d’Al Haouz, rated 4.8/5 on Google for 3,456 reviews), created in 1942, protects a remarkable biodiversity including the cuffed mouflon, the golden eagle and numerous endemic plant species. To visit mountainous Morocco, the village of Imlil (Imlil, Province of Al Haouz, rated 4.3/5 on Google for 1,234 reviews) is the ideal starting point, perched at an altitude of 1,740 metres.
The classic ascent of Toubkal takes two days, with an overnight stay at the Mouflons refuge at 3,207 metres. The trail passes through a variety of landscapes: lush green valleys, Berber villages clinging to the mountainside, rocky passes and finally the stony slopes leading to the summit. From the summit, the 360-degree panorama embraces a sea of peaks stretching as far as the desert to the south and the ocean to the north on a clear day. The climb does not present any major technical difficulties in summer, but requires a good level of fitness. Spring and autumn offer the most pleasant conditions, avoiding the summer heat and winter snows. There are many other ways to discover the Atlas without climbing Toubkal, from family walks in the Aït Bouguemez valley to multi-day trekking tours.
Frequently asked questions about visiting Morocco
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the ideal times to visit Morocco. Temperatures are pleasant throughout the country, neither too hot in the south and the desert, nor too cool in the mountains. Winter (December to February) is well suited to visiting the imperial cities and the south, but can be cold in the mountains. Summer (June to August) is very hot in the desert regions and in Marrakech, but pleasant on the Atlantic coast and in the Atlas mountains.
How many days does it take to visit Morocco?
To discover Morocco’s main must-sees, plan a minimum of 10 to 15 days. A one-week stay allows you to concentrate on one region (Marrakech and surrounding area, for example, or the north with Fez, Chefchaouen and Tangiers). For a complete tour including imperial cities, desert and coast, you should plan on 2 to 3 weeks. The distances are considerable, and it’s better to take the time to enjoy each stage rather than rush from one place to the next.
What documents do I need to visit Morocco?
French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals can visit Morocco simply with a passport valid for at least 6 months after the date of return. No visa is required for a tourist stay of less than 3 months. On arrival, you will be given a police form, which you should keep carefully as it will be requested on departure. You should also check that your travel insurance covers Morocco.
How do you get around Morocco?
There are several options for visiting Morocco. Car hire with a driver offers flexibility and comfort, ideal for a first trip. CTM or Supratours buses provide good connections between the main cities. The ONCF train serves the Tangier-Casablanca-Marrakech route comfortably and economically. For greater autonomy, car hire allows you to explore at your own pace, although driving can be sporty in the cities. Shared taxis (large taxis) are an economical alternative between nearby towns.
Can families with children visit Morocco?
Morocco lends itself very well to family trips. Moroccans love children, who are always made very welcome. Choose family riads with swimming pools, adapt the pace of your visits, and alternate cultural discoveries with fun activities such as camel rides in the desert, surfing in Essaouira or excursions in the Atlas mountains. In terms of health, there are no compulsory vaccinations, but be careful with water (only drink bottled water) and street food. In summer, be sure to protect children from the particularly intense sun.
In conclusion, a visit to Morocco is an enchanting journey to the crossroads of cultures, where each region reveals its unique treasures. From thousand-year-old medinas to desert landscapes, from the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas mountains to the beaches of the Atlantic, the Cherifian kingdom captivates visitors with its incredible diversity. The 10 must-sees presented in this guide guarantee you a complete overview of Morocco’s wealth, but don’t forget that there are many other wonders to discover. Don’t hesitate to let yourself be guided in your exploration with the Navaway tours, which will enrich your discovery experience. Whether you opt for a short break or a trip lasting several weeks, Morocco will impress you with its legendary hospitality, its vibrant colours and its unique way of life. So, are you ready to set off and discover this fascinating country?
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