What to do in Morocco

The Kingdom of Morocco المملكة المغربية

What to do in Morocco? On the other side of the Strait of Gibraltar there is a collection of Medina’s turned into authentic labyrinths, of sumptuous palaces that seem to be taken from a storybook, as well as landscapes that are lost beyond the Atlas Mountains to become palm groves, cozy oases and vast deserts with perfect dunes on which to contemplate the sunset. A country is full of squares that never go out, villages with white houses that smell of fish and charcoal and postcard beaches that embrace the best light in Africa. Morocco’s aromas of spices and the streets are filled with surprising sounds, colors and flavors, shaping a magical country.

Marrakech  مراكش

One of the top things to do in Morocco is to visit Marrakech, where you can witness the convergence of tradition and modernity. Explore the vibrant Jemaa el-Fna Square, which transforms into a stunning spectacle, and glimpse the impressive Koutoubia Mosque.

If you let yourself go through any of the alleys that lead off the square, you will arrive at the souk, where you will find a multitude of spices, clothes, dyes, olives of all kinds, nuts, leather goods, wicker products, food and a long etcetera. which will give many gift ideas.

The Saadian tombs are another place that is worth a visit. Although they are four centuries old, they remain intact. The mausoleum in the Hall of Twelve Columns is the most beautiful room, with twelve white marble columns supporting a handcrafted cedar wood dome. Near this point is the Badí Palace, built after winning the battle against the Portuguese, constituting a symbol of victory.

The Majorelle Gardens will surprise you with its plant species from all over the world, its fountains, lakes and blue buildings that make the whole thing beautiful and photogenic. These botanical gardens, acquired by fashion guru Yves Saint Laurent in 1980, are the perfect place to unwind and take refuge from the heat sitting under the shade of the trees.

Sahara Desert Adventure

We also recommend visiting the surroundings of Marrakech. You can make an excursion to the Merzouga desert visiting the Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou and the Dades and Todra Gorges. Merzouga is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and the immensity of its dunes, where you lose sight of it, making it one of the ideal spaces to admire the sunset and contemplate a magnificent starry sky or carry out adventure experiences in 4 × 4. You can also choose to visit a coastal area such as Essaouira, which stands out as an exceptional spa place for its natural reserve on Mogador Island and its Medina, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.

To the south is Ouarzazate, known as “the Door of the Desert”, since it separates Marrakech from the Sahara desert, and “The Hollywood of Africa”, because in this area films such as The Jewel of the Nile, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra and The Ten Commandments, among others.

In Ouarzazate, you cannot miss the Kasbah, a building built in adobe with crenelated towers, considered one of the best preserved in Morocco and the location of major film productions such as Gladiator and The Mummy. There are countless things to do in Morocco.

Fes  فاس

Fes is the oldest city in Morocco and displays a tapestry of souks and monuments sealed by walls that hold a thousand and one secrets. With just one foot, you will be transported to the past. It is divided into three different areas: Fes el-Jdid, the Jewish quarter; the New City, where the Parisian cafes born in the days of colonization are widespread; and the Medina Fez-el Bali, the oldest part, surrounded by walls that reach up to 15 kilometers in length. This last part is the most important and attractive for tourists, so you can’t miss it!

World Heritage Site by UNESCO

Declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, given its status as the most extensive pedestrian space in the world, the Medina of Fez forms an urban latticework of 9,000 alleys where a paradise of commerce and bargaining is forged. You must cross Bab Bou Jeloud or Blue Gate, the iconic gateway, to access it. Arco Iris Street is one of the best-kept secrets of the Medina, a multicolored cobblestone path that connects its main streets.

Monuments and Medrasas

Apart from the Medina, the Moroccan city is home to other important monuments such as the great Bou Inania Madrasas, the epicenter of Koranic study; the Karaouiyyine Mosque, endowed with more than 320,000 works and considered the largest in the country until the opening of the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca; or the Nejjarine fountain, the oldest, which will surprise you with its mosaics.

Meknes

Fes is the main asset of a fascinating tour of the north of Morocco. Get closer to Meknes and discover the Bou Inania Madrasa, an authentic marvel of Islamic architecture that stands out for its perfectly preserved and decorated columns and doors. From Meknes, it is worth visiting Volúbilis, an ancient Roman city where Morocco’s best-preserved archaeological remains are found. The mosaics will attract your attention the most, where the Trials of Hercules, the Bath of the Nymphs, the Acrobat, Bacchus and Ariadne or the Bath of Diana are represented.

Tangier  طنجة

Finally, Tangier, known as the city of spies at the beginning of the 20th century, is another of the star destinations of Morocco since it preserves all the magic of its past. Among its attractions are the Dar El Mandoub museum, the old Kasbah that served as the palace of the Sultan of Tangier and its white Medina.

From here, you can make excursions to Tetouan, called the white city, with its crenelated walls, terraces and gardens that make up a beautiful landscape. In it, you will be able to know the houses of the Arab aristocrats, magnificent, with exquisitely carved ceilings, painted with Hispano-Moorish designs and tiles on all floors and columns; the Medina, which has seven access doors and inside it houses several mosques and the Museum of Moroccan Art; or Moulay Mehdi Square.

Chefchaouen  شفشاون‎

One of the top things to do in Morocco is to visit the charming town of Chefchaouen, known for its white and blue buildings. From the vantage point of Ras El Ma, you can appreciate the town’s blue-dominated color scheme.

For nature lovers, Akchour is the perfect place. This small town is part of the great Talassemtane National Park, where it is advisable to follow some of the routes that are signposted so as not to miss anything of the enormous geographical wealth it houses.

And, of course, how could it be otherwise? Morocco will make you fall in love with its gastronomy, which offers the most exquisite traditional dishes: couscous and tajine. Couscous is a delicious meal traditionally served on Fridays, made with steamed semolina, vegetables, and meat. Depending on the area, you can taste all kinds of couscous in each region. It is prepared in one way or another. The tajine, meanwhile, is equipped with meat, chicken or fish ragout and stewed legumes. Both are delicious!

Ready to discover Morocco and want to return again and again? Is waiting for you!