Morocco is a North African country with long beaches, fortified fishing ports, lush oases, and the High Atlas Mountains and rich heritage of Roman and Islamic architecture. For this reason, Tourism is the second largest foreign exchange earner in Morocco.
Visit the imperial cities of Fez, Marrakesh, Meknes with their superb examples of early Islamic architecture, and you’ll understand you don’t waste a single penny. Here, we enlisted some of those great Morocco destinations for 2019. You can consider these the best places to visit in Morocco this year.
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Tourist Attractions in Morocco:
10. Meknes
Meknes was the capital of Morocco in the time of Sultan Moulay Ismail. It was Sultan Moulay Islam who turned it into Spanish-Moorish style city and flourished it in its peak. And today it is one of the most visited tourist destinations in Morocco for the Sultan.
Dar El Makhzen palace, Bab Mansour gate, Lahboul garden, Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, Néjjarine Mosque, The Grand Mosque are the most historical places to visit in Meknes.
Major attractions:
- Bab al-Mansour
- Moulay Idriss
- Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail
- Museum of Moroccan Art
9. Volubilis
Volubilis was an important city in the Roman period. It was the administrative center of the province Mauretania Tingitana. It was famous for producing Grain and olive oil. These commodities were exported to Rome, contributing to the province’s prosperity and wealth.
It also remained the capital of the region when the Muslims conquered Morocco. The city is not completely excavated. It is enlisted as a World Heritage site in 1997.
8. Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen or Chaouen is a fascinating mountain city in northeastern Morocco. The quaint medina, positioned on the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, is covered with white-washed homes with unique, powder-blue accents. It is no wonder why so many visitors gather here.
It is a popular shopping place offering many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere, quite a show of wool garments and woven blankets. Chefchaouen is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. Infamous drug Hashish is subsequently sold all over town.
Things to do:
- Hike in the Rif Mountains
- Visit the Kasbah Museum
- Grand Mosque
- Eat at Aladdin Restaurant
- Cascades d’Akchour
7. Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge is a narrow gorge located on the remote east side of the High Atlas Mountains with a very high splendid cliff and a river running through it. The most spectacular of the Todra Gorge is the final 600 meters where the canyon narrows to a flat stony track as little as 33 ft wide in places with sheer and smooth rock walls up to 160 meters 525 ft high on each side. It is popular among rock climber for its strong but uneven surfaces.
Major attractions:
- Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Dades Valley
- Ourika Valley
6. Essaouira
Essaouira is a city known for its exceptional fortified walls and relaxed fishing port. Protected by a natural bay, the city was formerly known as Mogador by the 16th century Portuguese. However, the present city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century to increase trade exchanges with the Europeans. It is called “The wind city of Africa”.
Nowadays kitesurfing and windsurfing are very popular among the young tourists in the powerful constant coastal wind. Essaouira shows its original image in winter when mighty wind and colossal waves almost smash the city. But tourists mostly choose summertime.
Things to see:
- Essaouira Beach
- Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah Museum
- Fish Auction
- Medina of Essaouira
- Galerie la Kasbah
5. Draa Valley
The stunning Draa Valley is on the south of the High Atlas Mountains. A car drive, through the Draa valley, is undoubtedly one of the most scenic journeys in Morocco. The Valley is divided by the Draa River which starts in the High Atlas and ends in the Atlantic Ocean. The Upper Draa River valley is about 200 kilometers long. It consists of six stretches of oases.
Major attractions:
- Ethnographic Museum
- Zawiya Nassiriyya
- Erg Ezahar
- Jebel Zagora
4. Erg Chebbi
One of Morocco’s two Saharan ergs, the Erg Chebbi dunes were formed by wind-blown sand. The impressive dunes more than 150 meters tall and one certainly feels helpless in their shadows.
Beautiful unique orange-colored sand in Erg Chebbi’s most special feature. Merzouga is a local tourist center. Excursions to the dunes normally start from here. Camel trekking is the most popular here. A number of companies offer camel trips.
Things to do:
- Camel Trekking
- Merzouga dune Tours
- Stay at a remote Berber camp
- Sand skiing, sandboarding
- Quad biking
3. Fes
Fes-al-Bali, home to the world’s oldest library was established in the 9th century. It was originally founded as the capital of the Idrisid dynasty. It is the largest car-free urban area in the world by population. Donkeys, carriages, and motorbikes are the main mode of Transports.
The entire city is surrounded by high walls with a number of historic city gates. The views of the city are particularly spectacular during the sunset. UNESCO listed it as a world heritage site.
Major attractions:
- Fes el Bali
- Borj Nord and the Merenid Tombs
- Qaraouiyine Mosque
- Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Crafts
- Medersa el-Attarine
2. Ait Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou is a Ksar (fortified city) located between the Sahara and Marrakech. There are 6 kasbahs and a small number of homes inside the high mud walls. A few families still live within the city walls holding their ancestors’ traditions while most of the town’s inhabitants now live in a more modern village on the other side of the river. It was the location of several famous films like Lawrence of Arabia, Gladiator, and Prince of Persia.
Major attractions:
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou
- Centre Dar Equestre
- Ounila Valley
1. Djemaa el Fna
Djemaa El-Fna is the most famous tourist place to visit in Morocco. You will get a Middle Eastern medieval aristocratic flavor from the city. The square at the heart of the medina is largely filled with snake charmers and people with monkeys during the day.
As the day progresses on, the patterns of entertainment changes with it. The story-tellers, magicians, and peddlers of traditional medicines are taken place instead. You will feel like roaming in the city of the Arabian Nights.
Major attractions:
- Koutoubia Mosque
- Medersa Ben Youssef
- Saadian Tombs
- Marrakesh MuseumMajorelle Gardens
- Toubkal National Park