Morocco is best known as an adventure and exotic location as portrayed in Hollywood movies filmed here at its authentic souks (markets), deserts, oases, mountains, beaches, and elaborate kasbahs. Many of Morocco’s highlights can be found between the High Atlas Mountains in the east, and the beaches along the Atlantic Coast in the west. Come with us as we explore the High Atlas, souks of Marrakech, kasbahs, Islamic architecture, and the coastline.
My Morocco story is presented in four different posts:
- Post 1: Marrakech to Fint Oasis
- Post 2: The Gorges south of the High Atlas Mountains
- Post 3: Atlantic Coast: Essaouira to El Jadida
- Post 4: 9 great travel experiences in Morocco
In this overview post, I talk about some of the highlights of Morocco which I’ll cover in detail in Posts 1 to 3 (Marrakech down to Ouarzazate and Fint Oasis, then east to the gorges with a loop through the High Atlas Mountains, and then up along the Atlantic coast from Essaouira to El Jadida). In future posts, I will cover other Moroccan destination such as Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Rabat, Tangier, Tétouan, and more. But, let us start by asking “Why travel to Morocco”?
Morocco has enough adventure to keep most visitors busy for many weeks!
Why travel to Morocco?
- The low-down: Morocco is different, very different. It is part African, part Arabian, part unknown. Around every corner is a surprise and on your way do grab a tajine and a mint tea.
- The brightest highlight: Just too many highlights to mention. I did not enjoy the classic highlights such as the very touristy souks of Marrakech and Fes with all its tourist scammers! Go far off the beaten track to experience the real Morocco with its welcoming people.
- Intrepid destination: Absolutely, as long as you get away from the classic popular tourist joints such as Marrakech.
- Globerovers score (10 is highest): I have spent a month in Morocco and saw a lot. I drove around about half the time while taking buses and trains the rest of the way. There is so much to see and experience in Morroco but sadly it has become very touristy with the accompanying tourist rip-offs and scammers. In places such as Chefchaouen (the blue city), don’t even point a camera in the general direction of many people (sure some are ok) or they will yell at you and even approach you to start a fight. I should have visited 50 years ago! I’ll score Morocco 7/10.
Table of Contents
What adventures are waiting in Morocco
1. Morocco’s Kasbahs
A kasbah is a place of living for the more affluent and famous residents, mainly of North Africa, and is reminiscent of a citadel, fortress and a medina. It is typically walled and often surrounded by maze-like streets. Normally with no, or only small windows, the inhabitants are fairly safe against any unwelcome guests.
While kasbahs can be found all over North Africa and are not uniquely Moroccan, it is as synonymous with Morocco as rugs, olives, leather tanneries, and souks (markets) stocked with incredible arts and crafts!
While the many kasbahs spread out around Morocco date back from the 18th and 19th centuries, new ones are constantly being built to serve as exotic accommodation to tourists. One of the most famous kasbahs is located at Aït Benhaddou, in Ouarzazate province, along a former caravan route between the Sahara and the city of Marrakech. The oldest parts of this kasbah date back to the 17th century!
As you are driving along rural roads, you just may come across a sign showing: “Come stay overnight at our relaxing kasbah”. Don’t hesitate. Drive in, have a sumptuous Moroccan dinner, and enjoy the incredible architecture, and hospitality which often comes with a hammam (steam room) and massage!
2. The Berber People
The Berber people proudly refer to themselves as the amazigh (male), tamazight (female) or imazighen (plural) which mean ‘free’ or ‘noble people’. They live in communities across North Africa, including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Egypt, Mali, Niger, and Mauretania. While related to the ancient Egyptians, they belong to the Afro-Asiatic group and speak various Amazigh languages.
Today’s Berber people in Morocco live mainly around the mountains, while Morocco’s Arabs and Moors are generally fonder of the larger towns and cities.
Known for their superior craftsmanship and their knowledge of the rugged lands, the Berber people also have a rich history of which they are very proud. A history that is believed to date back over 4,000 years during which they, the Amazigh “proud raiders” people, fought against the French, Arabs, and Romans to prevent colonisation. The Berber language, which is hard to find these days, dates back about 2,500 years.
Different groups of Berbers nowadays live in different regions across Morocco. The Drawa Berbers can be found in the Draa Valley while the Dades Berbers live in the northeast. The Mesgita, Seddrat and the Zeri tribes are living in the northwest. The mountainous Rif region of northern Morocco is home to the Ghomara tribe.
The Berber people are known for their hospitality and outreach to travellers, a custom they developed through generations of being nomadic traders.
3. Rugged Mountains
The most prominent natural landscape in Morocco is the Atlas Mountains, roughly divided into the “High Atlas Mountains”, “Middle Atlas Mountains” and “Little Atlas Mountains”. The “High Atlas Mountains” have more than 400 summits approaching 3,000 m in elevation. Some peaks are over 4,000 m high such as Toubkal (4,165 m), Ouanoukrim (4,089 m) and M’Goun (4,071 m). The “Middle Atlas Mountains” lie north of the High Atlas range and south of the Rif Mountains, while the “Little Atlas Mountains” stretch down into southern Morocco, close to the Atlantic Coast and bordering the Sahara Desert.
The Rif Mountain range runs along the Mediterranean Coast in the northernmost part of Morocco. Its highest peak, Tidirhine is 2,456 m.
Hiking or driving around Morocco’s mountains you are bound to spend time with the friendly Berber people who are used to enduring hot summers and snowy winters.
4. Old Fortified Cities
Dictated by a violent history, most of Morocco’s cities have an “old fortified city”. As most of the historical threats approached by sea, cities and towns along the Atlantic Coast are known for their fortifications erected by the Portuguese between 1415 and 1515. While Morocco has well over two dozen fortified cities, some of the most interesting fortifications along the coast can be seen at El Jadida, Essaouira, Safi, Rabat, and Tangier.
Essaouira, located along the Atlantic Coast, a few hours’ drive from Marrakech, has white walls and buildings with blueish trimmings. This is in stark contrast to the more brownish coloured themes of other Moroccan fortified cities.
El Jadida, north along the coast from Essaouira, has a citadel built in 1514 by the Portuguese and is arguably the most authentic fortification along this coast. Its massive city walls are, on average, 8 m high. The patrolling peripheral walkway is 2 m wide and a great way to walk around the city to view the populous down below. The entrance gate closes around 6pm so make sure to arrive early enough to explore.
5. Endless Beaches
While Morocco isn’t famous for the most exotic and unspoiled beaches in the world, it has no shortage of long and wide beaches with its fair share of fans who flock in during the cold European months.
Some of the most notable beaches are Saidia, Essaouira, Legzira Plage, Asilah, Sidi Kaouki and Tamara Plage, although there are many more. Accommodation and food are generally good and very affordable!
6. Medieval Souks
Think Morocco, think souks (markets). Its ancient Berber markets sell anything and everything. In Marrakech, look out for the Carpet Souk, Slipper Souk, Jewish Quarter Souk, Metalworking Souk and the Spice Souk. Move on to the city of Fes for another ancient souk most noted for its colourful and smelly leather tanneries and adjacent leather shop. Souks abound across Morocco.
7. Moroccan Cuisines
Food in Morocco is a pleasant discovery, as long as you are open-minded to try everything. Every traveller to Morocco – whether you are a renounced foodie or not, have their own story about Moroccan cuisines.
Sara Gauchat at the realsimple.com blog describes her food experience in Morocco as follows: “You don’t need to be Bogart or Bergman to find something magical in Morocco. It’s a country primed to amaze the senses—each sight, smell, sound, and taste you encounter is more awe-inspiring than the last. But if a trip to the northern tip of Africa is still sitting on your proverbial bucket list, no need to fret. Let your taste buds start the exploring by cooking and sampling the utterly unique cuisine of Morocco”.
Sara quoted author Paula Wolfert as saying “Moroccan food is an adventure on your table. It’s a different way of eating with different flavor combinations, including sweet and savory spices. It’s so different than any other food you’ll experience [in the Mediterranean]”. And I wholeheartedly agree with her!
Sara explains why Moroccan food tastes so good: “Morocco was well-situated along ancient spice routes, which is why its cuisine is so spice-centric today. There are 10 go-to spices for Moroccan chefs—cinnamon, cumin, saffron, turmeric, ground ginger, black and/or white pepper, hot red peppers, sweet paprika, aniseed, and sesame seed—but there are many more spices that come into play. And there is an art to using them”
Just walk around the spice markets and see the variety of fresh spices. then sit down in a local authentic restaurant for a glass of mint tea, with a tagine, or one of their home specialities. you will love it!
Short List of Must Visit Places in Morocco
1. Gorges du Todgha and Gorges du Dadès
With the High Atlas Mountains to the north and the Little Atlas Mountains to the south, the stunning scenery along the rugged wadi (valley) gorges and canyons of Todgha and Dadès is nothing less than spectacular!
2. Tamtattouchte
Just 20 km north of Gorges Todgha, along rugged and desolate terrain, lies the friendly Berber village of Tamtattouchte with its brown, mud-brick houses dotted along the sides of the small main road. A great place to take a rest before taking on the road north over the High Atlas Mountains.
3. The High Atlas Mountains
A rough road leads northwards from Tamtattouchte via Ait Hani to the remote Agoudal village. Make a hairpin turn southwards down to the picturesque winding mountain road at Gorges du Dadès. The mountain scenery is breath-taking and so is the small and dangerous road which should not be attempted in the rainy or snowy seasons.
4. Fint Oasis
Located just 10 km south of Ouarzazate, is the Fint Oasis. Surrounded by a dry semi-desert on the fringe of the Little Atlas Mountains, is the small but lush oasis village with its verdant palm grove. This is a great place to meet the locals over a glass of mint tea and attend a local primary school to the amazement of the kids.
5. Aït Benhaddou
Located along the former caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech city, Aït Benhaddou is known for its ksar (castle) with half a dozen of kasbahs. It has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987 and served as the filming location for several movies including “The Mummy” and “Gladiator”.
6. Marrakech
The fourth-largest city in the country, after Casablanca, Fez and Tangier, Marrakech has no shortage of action, in particular its souks and the Jemaa el-Fnaa square which showcases entertainers in medieval dress, snake charmers, acrobats, magicians, mystics, musicians, monkey trainers, herb sellers, story-tellers, pickpockets, and the local mafia who ensures that all viewers hand over their tips!
7. Atlantic Coast – Essaouira and El Jadida
Spend a few days in the sun along the Moroccan Atlantic Coast. Most notable are the whitewashed Essaouira, the quaint Safi, and the coastline up to the authentic fortified city of El Jadida.
8. And many other places
This is certainly not a comprehensive list of all the amazing places to visit in Morocco. This is merely a shortlist which I discuss in the referenced posts (See links below). Soon I will write about other amazing destinations in Moroccan such as Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Meknes, Moulay Idriss, Rabat, Tangier, Tétouan, and more.
☛ Read more: Marrakech to Fint Oasis
☛ Read more: Gorges south of High Atlas Mountains
☛ Read more: Atlantic Coast: Essaouira to El Jadida
☛ Read more: 9 Great Travel Experiences in Morocco
Further reading
- Coming soon
Blog post and photos by Peter who has been travelling almost full-time since 2005 and has been to over 122 countries. He visited several countries, such as Japan, more than 20 times. Peter is Editor-in-Chief and Publisher of GlobeRovers Magazine, an independent travel magazine focused on intrepid destinations.