When I visited Morocco for the first time way back in 2014, I was completely overcome. ‘Sensory overload’ is a bit of a cliche – but I can’t think of a better way to describe my experience.
This nation in North Africa captures so much of what I love about travel. Morocco has a rich history and varied cultures that permeate other countries all around the globe, making it both innately familiar and totally exotic.
I only managed to scratch the surface, but this is definitely a place I’m longing to return to one day.
In the meantime, I’ve invited a special guest to share her top picks. Stephanie from The Unknown Enthusiast has travelled extensively around Morocco and has unearthed some incredible hidden gems.
Her list of the 15 most beautiful places in Morocco has something for everyone – from shimmering imperial cities to hidden oases, ancient kasbahs to vibrant fishing ports, high mountains to never-ending deserts.
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15 of the most beautiful places in Morocco
If you love beautiful architecture, engaging historical sites and jaw-dropping landscapes, Morocco is definitely a country you should visit.
There are so many amazing places to visit in Morocco – the only problem is trying to narrow down your list! Here are my top 15 picks for your Morocco itinerary.
1. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
The Hassan II Mosque or Grand Mosque is located in Casablanca and is the biggest and most beautiful mosque in Morocco. It’s also the only mosque in the country that non-Muslims can visit, and it’s definitely worth a stop in Casablanca – even if you’re just going to go on a tour of the building.
This mosque is extremely large and intricately built, with soaring ceilings and hand-carved stucco and cedar on the arches and ceilings. There’s a water feature in the centre of the main prayer hall with incredible views over the sea.
The largest working mosque in Africa and the 7th biggest mosque in the world, it welcomes more than 100,000 visitors during the month of Ramadan.
Visits to the mosque are available by guided tour only, and times are generally at 9am, 10am, 11am, and 3pm (though I would definitely recommend checking the current schedule before you go). The cost is 130 dirhams (around $13), and the tour takes just under an hour.
While it is appropriate to wear modest clothing to the mosque, no particular dress code or head scarves are required for visitors.
2. The Sahara Desert
Ah, the Sahara. Most people can only dream of visiting this wild and vast desert of sand dunes and experiencing Berber culture – but if you come to Morocco, you have a rare chance to explore this natural wonder.
The Sahara Desert starts in the city of Merzouga, very close to the Algerian border. The wind-blown sand dunes here, known locally as Erg Chebbi, are the perfect setting for glamping in a luxury desert camp.
When you arrive in Merzouga, you will meet your Berber guide, mount your camel, and ride away into the sand dunes. You’ll reach your luxury desert camp in about 1.5 hours to walk the sand at sunset and enjoy a delicious dinner before listening to your Berber guides play the drums and sing music around the fire.
Finally, go stargazing before retiring to your beautiful, cosy tent, with a real bed, electricity, WIFI, running water, and a full bathroom.
The whole experience is one that feels right out of a dream – the amber sand dunes standing tall and glowing in the evening light; the camels being led by men in turbans; and the sound of nomads singing in the night. It’s an experience you will never forget.
Although a tour out to the Sahara desert involves 8-10 hours of driving from either Fes or Marrakech, this bucket-list experience is definitely worth the long journey.
3. Chefchaouen – the most beautiful city in Morocco
Chefchaouen (Chaouen) is one of the most striking little cities you will ever meet – mostly thanks to its very unique old medina, where every wall, door and stairway is painted blue.
Also known as the ‘Blue City’ or the ‘Blue Pearl of Morocco’, Chefchaouen is located in northern Morocco, between Fes and Tangier. The main thing to do here is wander the medina and marvel at her beauty. The turquoise and cobalt colourscheme gives the city a special ambiance.
As you explore, you’ll discover streets decorated with colourful baskets and flower pots, fragrant spice markets, flowering trees, hanging carpets, and other novelties that coordinate beautifully with the blue walls.
The other main thing to do in Chefchaouen is hike up to the Spanish Mosque that sits on a hill overlooking the city and the valley. The panoramic views of the blue facades and rooftops are just incredible. For the best views and nicest light, walk up in the late afternoon.
If you’re up for more adventures further afield, escape to the nearby Rif mountains where you can walk amongst the olive groves.
4. Marrakech
The city of Marrakech (Marrakesh) is what I consider to be the most classic and recognisable version of Morocco – all the exotic charm you’d expect, plus a frenetic pace and all the noises and smells of a vibrant metropolis.
Marrakech is beautiful: Full of red city walls, arched openings and gates, intricate doors, interesting cultural and historic sites, and beautiful tiles and mosaics on almost every building.
There are numerous architectural wonders to take in, including the Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, Jardin Secret, Koutoubia Mosque, and the Jardin Majorelle.
On top of that, there are ample experiences you can have in the desert just outside Marrakech. If you travel for food, you will find many sumptuous delicacies to sample in the city, with everything from five-star restaurants to street food stalls on the menu.
It is also the best place in Morocco for shopping, with heaving souks filled with authentic souvenirs at every turn. All these things make Marrakech a must-visit place in Morocco.
5. Bahia Palace
One of the most beautiful landmarks in Morocco, Marrakech’s Bahia Palace is so impressive, it deserves its own mention on this list.
Dating back to the 19th century, the Bahia Palace is fairly young by Moroccan standards. The large complex is full of luxurious courtyards, beautiful gardens, and private riads.
The grand courtyard is one of the most-photographed spots in Marrakech. Mosaics, stained glass, arabesques, muqarnas, and expertly carved timber panels adorn the entire complex. It’s a must-see attraction during your stay in Marrakech.
6. Meknes
The city of Meknes is one that isn’t as well-known as some of the other locations on this list, but definitely has its own charm and beauty.
Only an hour from Fes, this Imperial City (one of four, along with Marrakech, Rabat and Fes) boasts gorgeous gates, a beautiful old school, a cute medina, and a main square (el-Hedim Square) that is filled with street vendors and entertainers.
Meknes is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, yet it sees fewer visitors than other destinations in Morocco. You’ll enjoy getting away from the crowds and off the beaten path in Meknes as you discover the dozens of mosques, madrasas, and storied Imperial Palaces.
7. Volubilis
Situated just outside Meknes, Volubilis is an ancient Berber-Roman city that dates back to at least the 3rd century BC. The partially excavated ruins are very well-preserved and protected by UNESCO, making Volubilis a popular destination for history buffs.
Volubilis was a bustling and wealthy city during Roman times, but between the fall of the Roman Empire and several earthquakes, it was emptied and destroyed.
Today, some of the structures have been unearthed and reconstructed amongst the area’s farmland fields. View the impressive basilica and Capitoline Temple as well as a Triumphal Arch, and intricate Roman mosaics that carpet the floor of two houses.
8. Essaouira
Essaouira is a laid-back town on western Morocco’s Atlantic Coast that is known for its charming medina, its fishing port, and its sandy beaches. The beaches here are perfect for surfing and windsurfing, particularly during April and November.
Wandering the old ramparts overlooking the ocean and visiting the fishing port are some of the most popular things to do in Essaouira. The harbour is perpetually filled with the iconic blue fishing boats and always bustling with eager fishermen bringing in their catch. Wander the docks in the early morning for the most lively scenes.
The rest of the small city is charming and relaxed, with many buildings painted white and blue. This is the kind of spot where you can happily spend a few hours or several days wandering, admiring the artisan shops, and taking it easy.
9. Agadir
Like Essaouira, Agadir is a coastal city in Morocco, popular for its beautiful beaches and water activities. Yet Agadir has a very different feel – it’s much bigger and, because most of the city was destroyed in an earthquake in the 1960s and had to be rebuilt, it’s also much more modern.
Thanks to its prime coastal location, this area is very popular for surfing. Agadir itself is white-washed – and it’s one of the few cities in Morocco where you’ll find a vibrant nightlife scene.
10. Ouzoud Falls – one of the most beautiful places in Morocco for untamed nature
You might not expect to find a waterfall in the middle of the Moroccan desert, but Ouzoud Falls is just that. It delivers some of the region’s most beautiful scenery – and even better, it’s just over two hours from Marrakech.
At Ouzoud Falls, several streams fall over cliffs of red rock, with green vegetation popping against the red desert background. You can swim in the pool at the bottom of the waterfall, or take a little boat tour to see the base of the falls up close.
The Ouzoud Waterfalls and El-Abid River are a favourite place for locals, especially during the hot summer months.
11. Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou (Ait Benhaddou) feels like something you’d see in a fantasy novel, or something right off the set of an Arabian Nights-style film. Ait Ben Haddou is a fortified town or ksar, and the whole city is built up on the side of the hill.
This city was established in the 11th century and for a long time was an important stop on the salt and gold trade routes to Timbuktu. Because this road and the caravans that traveled it were a magnet for thieves and bandits, the city needed to be shored up and protected.
While more than 100 families lived in Ait Ben Haddou during its prime, today only a handful of residents remain in the old city (although many people now live in the new city, just across the river).
Wander the town, admiring the narrow streets and staircases, visit the granary and the synagogue, and drink in the views over the valley, its olive trees and date groves. You might even encounter men making bricks out of mud and straw for the buildings around town – a traditional building technique from long ago that continues today.
Ait Ben Haddou has been a filming location for many big-name movies and TV shows, including Ben Hur, Gladiator, Game of Thrones, Prince of Persia, and The Mummy. This incredibly unique city is one of the top tourist attractions in Morocco and definitely not one to miss.
If you’re short on time, the best way to experience Ait Ben Haddou is on a day trip from Marrakech.
12. Dades Valley
The Dades Valley is a small area in the central part of Morocco, between Ait Ben Haddou and Merzouga in the high Atlas Mountains. The Dadès River cuts through the valley, bringing some green relief to the pink-and-red rocky landscape.
Embarking on a road trip along the serpentine Zik-Zak Road is considered one of the best experiences in Morocco. The 15-plus kilometre drive takes you through the most beautiful part of the canyon, past viewpoints and historic villages.
If you prefer to explore on two feet, the Dades Valley is a starting point for some incredible treks, including the Monkey Fingers Hike. This trail takes you through a narrow slot canyon then up into the iconic rock formations that resemble fingers or knuckles in certain spots.
Best car hire in Morocco: Compare prices on Discover Cars.
13. Todra Gorge
The Todra Valley (Todgha Gorges) is around an hour east of the Dades Valley and is one of most popular places in the country for hiking. This gorge features tall, sheer canyon walls bisected by a river and framed by lush palm trees.
Most people choose to walk the paved section along the river at the mouth of the gorge, but you can hike deeper in, cutting up out of the gorge and into the mountains. Rock climbing is also available.
The more advanced trails will take you to remote areas of the Todra Gorge where incredible mountain and valley views, small Berber villages and the fabulous Tinghir oasis await.
14. Fes
Established in the 9th century, Fes (Fez) is Morocco’s second largest city after Casablanca. It is home to the Dar el Makhzen, the Royal Palace of Fes, and the continent’s oldest university, the University of al-Qarawiyyin.
First founded in 859 AD as a madrasa, some scholars argue it is the oldest continuously operating educational institution in the world – predating even Europe’s oldest universities.
Fes has a unique feel to it. While many places in Morocco feature beautiful gates and doors, the ones in Fes are next level. The French colonial Bab Bou Jeloud or blue gate in Fès el-Bali is a highlight. Plus, just regular old shops have intricate mosaic walls, ceilings and floors.
The riads (traditional guesthouses) in Fes are like mini-palaces, with many featuring water fountains, intricately carved stucco arches, columns, stained glass, and stained cedarwood, and mosaics that look like they belong in a museum. All this and they will still only set you back $40-50 a night.
Fes hosts the largest tannery in Morocco, the Chouara Tannery, making Fes’s souks the perfect place to buy high-quality leather goods such as bags and jackets.
15. Ifrane
Also known as ‘the Switzerland of Morocco’, Ifrane is a town nestled in the Middle Atlas Mountains. This nickname is in part due to the high peaks that surround the settlements and the chalet aesthetic of the houses in town – but also because Ifrane is one of the few places in Morocco (and in Africa) that gets snow.
Ifrane generally sees between 10-15 cm (4-6 inches) of snow every winter. If you want to try skiing in Morocco, the best time to visit Ifrane is during January. The small but nice picturesque resort, Michlifen Ski Station, is the perfect place to test your mettle on the slopes.
Besides skiing, you can also visit Ifrane National Park. Here, you can explore the mountains and admire the views, walk through the cedar forests, and see the popular macaque monkeys who never shy away from interacting with guests.
Beautiful places to visit in Morocco: The wrap
As you can see, there really is no end to the spectacular cities, villages, historical sights, and nature destinations to visit in Morocco.
Stay in a traditional guesthouse, drink some mint tea, and experience the vibrant cities and the immense beauty of Morocco!
About the author: Stephanie is the author of the travel blog The Unknown Enthusiast, where she writes about exciting travel destinations around the globe.
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