There is a range of tourist attractions to sample in Morocco including grand ruins from the Roman Empire and some stunning mud-brick architecture.
While the country is well-known for the medinas of Fes and Marrakech, there are also adventures to be had.
That could be from hiking and trekking up mountain ranges, or visiting unforgettable Berber villages, and seaside towns.
Wherever you decide to visit in the country, make sure you create a list of the many tourist attractions you could visit while you are there.
In this post, we will detail some of the best Morocco tourist attractions. This will include the natural sites, relics from the past, and some truly stunning architecture.
- Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech
- Fez el Bail, Fes
- High Atlas Mountains
- The Sand Dunes Of Erg Chebbi
- The Blue Buildings In Chefchaouen
- The Adobe Ksar At Ait Ben-Haddou
- Fortified Walls Of Essaouira
- The Roman Ruins Of Volubilis
- Dades Valley
- Bab al-Mansour Gate, Meknes
- The Seaside Town Of Asilah
- The Berber Village Of Telouet Kasbah
- Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Hassan II Mosque
- Rif Mountains
- Draa Valley
- Oudaias Kasbah, Rabat
1. Djemaa El-Fna, Marrakech
The main square in Marrakech is worth spending a few hours in as it provides a traditional sense of Morocco.
With the sedate and resplendent Atlas Mountains lying behind the city, there is a welcome vibrancy and a sense of excitement to the medina that seemingly never stops.
There is not a time during the day when the plaza does not seem exceptionally busy so try not to be overwhelmed with the multitude of stall vendors, snake charmers, acrobats, and traditional musicians.
If you need a break, head indoors to a bar for a peppermint tea to people-watch or go up to a rooftop bar.
2. Fes El Bali, Fes
Of course, there are more medinas to visit in Morocco and one of them is in the imperial city that lies to the south of Marrakech.
Fes el Bali is another myriad of back alleyways where you can get gloriously lost amidst tanneries and handicrafts.
This is the ideal spot to learn about the culture of Fes, including its artisan heritage and the many monuments and palaces that lie in the lanes.
If you need to take some mementos back home then this is the place to get them.
3. High Atlas Mountains
It may seem strange yet Morocco has some truly impressive mountain ranges, the most impressive of which is the High Atlas Mountains.
This is a great place to go trekking and remains the highest mountain range in North Africa, gifting the name ‘the mountain of mountains’ to the locals.
Get there between spring and autumn for some great routes diagonally across the country for around 1,000km.
The area is even known for its own climate as the saw-toothed peaks that date back to the Jurassic age are known to act as a weather barrier.
4. The Sand Dunes Of Erg Chebbi
One of the most telling features of Moroccan landscapes includes the sand dunes and one of the best places to see them is at Erg Chebbi.
That’s east of the High Atlas Mountains, close to the border with Algeria.
Once you see them, it can seem like you have been transported to another time all together as you will largely get around on the back of a camel.
Then again, you could go dune-surfing and dune-bashing on a four-wheel drive.
To make the most of your trip to see the sand dunes, take an overnight stay while in the dune field. This is where you can truly live like the locals, under a starry-filled night in a tented desert camp.
You can usually book a desert experience package with return transport or get to Merzouga and sort out your activities from there.
5. The Blue Buildings In Chefchaouen
The tourist attractions in Chefchaouen are simply the buildings themselves as they look gloriously with the backdrop of the Rif Mountains.
The town itself features many blue-on-blue buildings that are well worth snapping on your camera due to their glorious glow.
Take your time to wander through the alleyways of the medina and take in the colors of the architecture.
Above all, this is a great town to relax, especially if you have been to the busy cities of Marrakech and Fes.
6. The Adobe Ksar At Ait Ben-Haddou
As soon as you see the gold stones of the fortified village at Ait Ben-Haddou it can seem like you have déjà vu.
That’s likely because you have already seen it before as its other-worldly appearance has been used in films as it simply looks so surreally beautiful.
How the curve of the lanes amidst those orange-hued turrets make it ideal for a few hours of exploring.
However, you can stay there for a bit longer and spend the night there but do remember that there is no electricity available so it is worth it for a rustic night that you will not forget.
7. Fortified Walls Of Essaouira
While you should be tempted to go kitesurfing in Essaouira, the main tourist attraction is its fortified walls.
The walls encase the seafront medina which has many meandering lanes for small art galleries, souq shopping, boutiques, restaurants, and cafés.
You could even use the fortified walls for some great sightseeing, surfing on the beach, and walking along the sand to some more villages.
Essaouira was a major town for hippies back in the Seventies and it has a similar Bohemian vibe these days too with an exciting art scene.
For fans of the TV show Game of Thrones, the city should look familiar. It was a filming location, specifically for season three.
Adding to that link is the fact that the city was a glamorous hangout for the likes of Bob Marley and Jimi Hendrix back in the Sixties.
Even if you fail to bump into a filming crew or a celebrity, you can still enjoy horse riding, kite surfing, and windsurfing.
8. The Roman Ruins Of Volubilis
If any of your party are history buffs, a trip to Morocco is not complete without a trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Take yourself back in time with tumbled columns and the remnants of what was once an incredible temple but fell just as the empire did.
Step inside and see the mosaic floor in all its glorious detail which has been incredibly well-preserved.
Then take in the view over the countryside and the panorama of the surrounding landscape.
9. Dades Valley
Morocco is a great place to go hiking or trekking and one of the most impressive places to do it is the Dades Valley.
This is where the High Atlas Mountain region is at its visually impressive best as they sit in the background.
You can see the snow-capped tops yet at ground level, you can enjoy the rustic way of life that the locals embark on every day.
There are countless small villages you can visit between the huge cliffs, including farming fields and orchards.
If you are planning a visit, do your research and plan it for spring when the fruit trees come into blossom which is a stunning sight to behold.
For the rest of your time there, you can embark on hikes and go nature-watching.
10. Bab al-Mansour Gate, Meknes
Once you decide to visit Meknes, you simply cannot miss the gateway that is Bab al-Mansour.
The entrance effectively acts as a guard to the imperial city district and is known for its gorgeous, intricate decoration.
The gate has been kept as a substantial reminder of the might of the sultan and stands as a great relic from when Meknes was the capital of the country.
Time your visit for late afternoon as you can get some glorious photos of the gate as it stands majestically in the soft light.
The gateway is one thing but the medina of Meknes is worth visiting too as it should be more casual than the ones in Marrakech and Fes.
While you may well enjoy the medina in Fes, heading to Meknes is well worth it for a day trip, especially if you intend to remain in northern Morocco.
11. The Seaside Town Of Asilah
For a quintessential slice of life by the sea in Morocco, visit Asilah on the Atlantic coast which is a great place to be during summer.
Sample the sandy beaches but make sure you take some photos of the vivid murals that mark the town out as a tourist attraction.
The city has a sizable Spanish influence and it lies on the northern tip of the country so you can expect white-washed buildings, Spanish restaurants, and fortified seaside walls.
During August, the town becomes alive with the annual Arts Festival which attracts tourists from all over the country and the city becomes a mecca for teenagers and those young at heart.
For the rest of the year, head to Aplanos which is the city’s renowned art gallery.
There is also the Grand Mosque which has a glorious white facade that works well with the other white-painted buildings in the city.
12. The Berber Village Of Telouet Kasbah
Should you head to Marrakech and want to see a more traditional side of Morocco on the way to the Sahara Desert then make a stop at Telouet Kasbah.
The tiny Berber village was built during the 18th and 19th centuries for the El Glaoui family when they were at the peak of their powers.
At the time, El Glaoui made their money from saffron, salt, and olives from the kasbah yet struggled once Morocco strove for independence.
The village was abandoned yet the ruins still look impressive today with red stucco and gorgeous mosaics.
While the Berber village is a shadow of its former self, it remains an important location for those on the caravan trail.
13. Ouzoud Waterfalls
Cascades d’Ouzoud, to give it its local name, is one of the most awe-inspiring natural sites you can see in North Africa.
The cascading waterfalls remain a must-see and can be found close to the Moyen Atlas village as they fall into the El-Abid River Gorge.
Sample the views from the top and the bottom as both are worth taking a photo from.
It may be easier to go to the top and work your way down with the many stopping points and lookouts on the journey.
For a well-earned break, head into one of the cafés or restaurants at the bottom which all have their impressive view of the waterfalls.
14. Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque is not just the most impressive mosque in Morocco, it’s the biggest in the continent of Africa.
A sheer masterpiece of architectural design, the mosque is somewhat perched on a seawall to offer a great view of the Atlantic Ocean.
As a blend of the traditional in its Moorish and Islamic architecture, there is a juxtaposition with modern design too.
Look a little closer and you should see materials taken from other buildings including the Dome of the Rock, Koutoubia Mosque, as well as the Great Mosque of Damascus.
You do not have to examine the mosque to see its most impressive feature.
A minaret that stands at an awe-inspiring 690 feet featuring so many green, chrome, and blue tiles which have been given a modern twist.
A laser beam has been retrofitted on to shine directly towards Mecca.
15. Rif Mountains
Should you visit the labyrinthine town of Chefchaouen, then you should be tempted to go just a little bit further.
At that point, the Rif Mountains look ragged and peaked with snow but further on in a trek you could encounter soft, lush greens which make quite the contrast.
There are advanced trails for experienced trekkers and easy ones for those who prefer a stroll.
For fir and cedar forests on the slopes, check out the trails from Talassemtane National Park which features some exceptional gorges.
16. Draa Valley
For another filming location, certain spots in the Draa Valley have been featured in some Hollywood epics.
Little surprise either with the combination of desert and High Atlas Mountains.
Palm tree oases and gorgeous kasbahs lead the way to Zagora where you can take your time exploring the mud brick ksour.
The Draa Valley is ideal for a road trip as you can take your time with various stops along the way including Timindarte village for the ksar buildings and Kasbah des Caids in the town of Tamnougalt.
17. Oudaias Kasbah, Rabat
If picturesque and preserved old towns are more of your vibe then head to the neighborhood of Oudaias Kasbah in Rabat.
Though the city can be quite chaotic, the neighborhood can be a respite even though it is right in the middle of Rabat.
Make sure you take some photos of the beautiful blue and white houses which are fully lived in by the locals for a quintessential sense of the country.
As a tourist attraction, the neighborhood is largely left alone by tourists which makes you feel like you are stepping back in time in a sedate spot of the city.
Final Thoughts
Morocco is a country of contrasts and while most people relate it to the mud brick architecture and camel rides across the sand dunes, there is more to see.
The architecture stretches to Roman relics and buildings that seem to be built into the side of mountains.
When you visit the country, you can have some unforgettable experiences like sleeping in the Sahara Desert under a starry-filled sky or sitting on a rooftop watching the medina into the night.
This is also a country to enjoy a few hikes and treks into the mountain ranges and to visit waterfalls which have to be seen to be believed.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why Should You Visit Morocco?
There are several reasons why you should visit Morocco and one of the primary ones should be how friendly and welcoming the locals are.
There is a range of richly preserved relics that give a sense of the history of the country and its deep past.
That blend of cultures means that the food varies from place to place and there are many accommodation options.
Morocco also has a modern side to it with plenty of excellent modern restaurants and some great nightlife compared with the traditional medinas.
What Are The Best Places To Visit In Morocco?
For a varied city all on its own merits, you should fit in a trip to Marrakech where new meets old.
Some of the most beautiful places in the country require a trip out of the city including the High Atlas Mountains, the Berber villages, and a camel ride into the Sahara Desert at Erg Chebbi.
Try to make sure that you visit some natural sites like the Ouzoud Waterfalls and the Dades Valley.
You could easily spend a few hours getting yourself gloriously lost in one of the medinas in either Marrakech or Fes.
