Morocco is a huge country, extending over 2,000km (some 1,250 miles) from Tangier to the southern border with Mauritania. But fortunately for the visitor, the famous best cities to visit in Morocco are concentrated in the northern third, between Tangier and Agadir. It would be impossible to see all that Morocco has to offer on a single trip, so it pays to be selective our list of this article should help.
The top major cities in Morocco for most first time visitors must be Morocco’s four magnificent Imperial Cities Fez, Meknès, Rabat, and Marrakech. It’s here that the splendor and magnificence of past Moroccan empires are concentrated. The independent traveler can easily reach them all by train or bus.
Tangier Morocco is the point of arrival for the majority of package tourists, and who take the ferry from Spain or Gibraltar. This is s where we start our tour of Morocco, too.
Map of the best cities to visit in Morocco
Tangiers (Tanger)
At the northern tip of Morocco and at the meeting point of Africa and Europe. Today is the best city to visit in Morocco, it still keeps an international flavor because of the heavy tourist traffic which crosses the straits and lands here.
At the center of the modern city is Place de France and Boulevard Pasteur, Cafés and restaurants, bookstores and travel agencies are all within a few blocks of the square. Sour AL Meêgazine just out of Place de France has a fine view of the harbor and the Spanish mainland.
The médina, covering a hillside, is a maze of narrow streets, passages, and blind alleys. As it is not all that large, perhaps the best way to explore it is simply to lose yourself.
The kasbah of Tangiers seems impregnable from land or sea. No visit to Tangier is completed without a visit the Caves of Hercules and Cap Spartel.
Chefchaouen blue city of Morocco
This blue city of Morocco comes as a surprise. From its dramatic location with rocky mountain peaks, this little blue town surveys the hills around and the valleys below and bleu houses surround the town itself. A quick look at Chefchaouen reveals its potential as the best cities to visit in Morocco! For here a typical Moroccan médina co-exists with a classic Spanish town plaza complete with topiary arches, grape arbors, and tiled benches around a central fountain. The town hall and church are also here on the Plaza Mohammed V.
Up from Plaza el Makhzen, with its painted arcades and small shops, is a centuries-old kasbah, recently restored are a haven of tranquillity. The main place is Place Outa el-Hammam, where they are the stunning Riad Restaurant and cafés.
Souks and bazaars abound in the médina, offering the products of local carpet factories, and also polished stones gathered from the surrounding hills.
Must Read: The Blue City Of Morocco “Chefchaouen” | Top Guide
Asilah
Along the road to Rabat, 45km (28 miles) south of Tangier, lies the charming town of Asilah. Just off the main road and right on the beach, Asilah is one of the famous best cities to visit in Morocco to relax and unwind. Is a picture-postcard Atlantic fishing port, complete with an impressive kasbah. Each July the town hosts an international festival, one of the highlights of the cultural year.
The main palace built in the 20th century within the Kasbah walls is open during the festival. But remains closed to visitors the rest of the year, The Medina is worth exploring at any time, as colorful painted murals adorn the walls of the houses.
Just outside the town walls, down by the sea, are several small seafood restaurants, with tables on the street and in a garden. The daily catch, fresh from the boats in the nearby harbor. North of the harbor of Asilah, there are the best beaches in Morocco stretche almost halfway to Tangier.
Must Read: Best things to do in Asilah Morocco In 2021 | Ultimate travel guide
Agadir one of the Best city to visit in south-west Morocco
Agadir is Morocco’s outstanding tourist center. But bigger developments are planned to provide 50,000 beds in 5 sites! On the huge bay between Cap Chir in the north and Oued Massa in the south to receive more than 1 million tourists. Due attention is to be given to the preservation of the coast, at least in the plans.
Once you have finished basking in the sun and swimming in the beautiful bay, you can visit what was once the kasbah or the Founti quarter.
The road following the Oued Sous to Taroudant lies through the villages of Inezgane and Oulad Teima; deliciously perfumed in spring from the orange groves which line its path.
Must Read: 11 Best Things to do in Agadir Morocco | Ultimate Full Guide
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
The town of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun occupies two conical hills on the western flank of Jebel Zerhoun and takes its name from the father of Fez’s founder, Moulay Idriss I. who established Morocco’s first dynasty. He lies buried in the mausoleum, whose green-tiled roof you can see on the saddle between the two hills. Every year, usually in September, a pilgrimage is held in his honor in the dusty open space just mentioned. Because the town is still held sacred, modernization has made relatively very few inroads.
Fez the most beautiful cities in morocco
Fez is one of the best imperial cities to visit in Morocco occupies a position of outstanding beauty, surrounded on every side by hills. The oldest part of the medina, Fès el Bali (Old Fez) On the far bank, Fès Jedid (New Fez) was new in 1276, and the third part of Fes is Ville nouvelle (modern city). Fez medina proclaimed a World Heritage Site “UNESCO” in 1980.
Fez is known by the first university in the world al Quaraouiyine “al-Karaouine”; Apart from religious studies, which have always been of primary importance! The courses offered included mathematics, astronomy, law, philosophy, music, and medicine.
The town, perhaps inevitably, became the focal point for the fine craftsmanship of every sort! In pottery, metalwork, jewelry, leatherwork, and textiles. Its products are equal or superior to any in Morocco.
Must Read: Best 15 Things to do in Fez (Fes) Morocco for 2021| Full Guide
Meknes
The contrast between Fez and Meknès is striking. Though set in rich farmlands, the latter has not really developed or prospered greatly since independence-its new town was one of the chief centers of French colonization. Seen from a distance, the medina, separated from the modern suburbs by the deep gorge of the Oued Boufekrane; seems pleasant enough with its many minarets and tiled roofs, but without much real identity. Within the old town, there is a rather tumbledown and dingy atmosphere. But what one notices above all are the walls, enormous and decayed, stretching for more than 15 miles and dwarfing the adjacent medina. It is within these walls that the uniqueness of Meknès lies the Dar al Kabir, the great imperial “city-within-a-city” of Moulay Ismail.
Must Read: Best Things to See and Do In Meknes, Morocco
Rabat the capital city of Morocco
Rabat is the last best Imperial city to visit in Morocco and is the first modern city.
Rabat was an important town under the Almohads, who called it Ribat el Fath (Ribat of Victory). Walls were raised, the Oudaïa kasbah provided for defense, and the Hassan tower was the beginning of a grand mosque.
As the capital city of modern Morocco, Rabat has many attractive public buildings and is characterized by an easy-going, pleasant atmosphere “Avenue Mohammed V”. No visit to the Moroccan capital is completed without a visit to the mausoleum of Mohammed V. This tomb was next to the ruins of the Hassan mosque, the minaret called the Hassan Tower.
The old town of Rabat “the Médina” is one of the more sedate ones, less exotic than the medina of other cities.
Must Read: Best Amazing Things To Do & See in Rabat Morocco In 2021
Casablanca economic capital of Morocco
Morocco’s biggest city enfolds the small seaside Medina, close to the port, as much a historical relic as a living part of the town. It appears as Anfa for the first time in the 12th century, but this name now applies to the elegant western suburb on a hill overlooking the sea. Casablanca is one of the best major cities to visit in morocco is known by The Hassan II Mosque the largest one in Africa.
The city centers on the huge Place des Nations Unies, whose lovely garden sets off a fountain throwing multi-colored jets high in the air. Around are a number of fine buildings in pleasing neo-Moroccan style: the head-office of the Banque du Maroc, the Town Hall, whose 50-meter (165-foot) high tower affords a fine view over the whole vast agglomeration the Law Courts and Central Post Office. The Law Courts are particularly interesting for their elaborate and colorful traditional-style decorations.
Ifran and Azrou Into the Middle Atlas
Azrou
In the cedar forests of the Middle Atlas are several towns worthy of exploration. Azrou 67 kilometres from Meknès, is the perfect place to get away from city throngs. Built on a hillside in the forest, it is famous city in Morocco not only for its peace and quiet, but also for its carpet weaving cooperative. The Berber people called Beni M’Guild set up their looms in a central handicrafts market, and you can watch berber Moroccan rugs being made as you shop for the finished product.
Ifrane
Ifrane, is the most beautiful city in morocco, called “Switzerland of Morocco” 71 kilometres from Meknès and 11 from Azrou. Is a more active place than Azrou because of its winter-sports facilities, but you needn’t visit it only in winter. The many good hotels do a booming business on summer weekends as well (best to reserve in advance) as city folk escape to the cool. fragrant breezes in the mountains.
Must Read: 10 Best Places To Visit in Morocco in 2021
Marrakesh (Marrakech) the most beautiful cities to visit in Morocco
In Marrakesh the snow capped peaks of the High Atlas float above a band of cloud. is the south’s commercial centre, a modern city with wide, straight boulevards carrying an easy flow of traffic. Cars, buses, motorbikes and fiacres “carriage” all move together along Avenue Mohammed V. Café-sitters along the avenue regard tourists with mild curiosity.
Near the eastern end of Avenue Mohammed V stands Marrakesh’s famed symbol, the Koutoubia minaret. It is the finest of the 12th-century Almohad minarets.
Marrakech Is one of the best cities to visit in Morocco, is known by Jemaa el Fna is the heart of traditional Marrakesh and is now merely a tourist domain. There are lots of tourists both Moroccan and foreign, In the course of a single afternoon and evening, you can buy a dress, have a meal, listen to the preacher, watch snake charmer…
In the legendary Palmeraie or in the medina there are the best luxury hotels in Marrakech Morocco.
No visit to the Red city is completed without visit Menara garden, Jardin Majorelle, Bahia palace, Saadian tombs …
Must Read: Marrakech, Morocco | Important Things To Know Before You Go
Essaouira “Mogadore”
Essaouira (175 km. from Marrakesh) is a living memory of pirate days when Spain, Portugal and England vied with Moroccan swashbucklers for control of the coasts. An attractive beach on the south side is served by several good hotels and restaurants. At the west town end of the beach is the fishing harbour and the skala (battery) left from pirate times. A main street runs straight through town from the customs house near the fishing harbour to the Bâb Doukkala. Once you’ve walked past all the shops, through the gates and under the arches along the thoroughfare, you’ve experienced a good deal of Essaouira’s daily life.
The best time to visit Morocco and Essaouira is in June when the Gnaoua World Music Festival in Morocco be there, and receive more than 500,000 visitors.
In Essaouira there are several stunning windy beaches, which make it the number 1 surfers destination.
Must Read: Things to do in Essaouira, Morocco.
Ouarzazate, Hollywood of Africa.
As you descend on the far side of the pass you feel the hot breath of the desert. Down in the valley the first ksour appear, fortified villages with pink mud walls, now crumbling in picturesque ruin. Finally, 204km (128 miles) out of Marrakech, you reach Ouarzazate one of the best desert cities to visit in Morocco. A new city, Ouarzazate, Morocco was built in 1928 as a garrison post on the threshold of the Sahara. Today it is best known as a desert resort and movie location; the films Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky were shot nearby at Aït Benhaddou. The way east leads along the Dadès Valley to the spectacular Dadès and Todra gorges, while to the south lies the beautiful Drâa Valley, Zagora and, ultimately, the sands of the Sahara Desert.
Must Read: Berbers of Morocco | Origin, history, culture, lifestyle..
Dakhla one of the best cities to visit in south of Morocco
Dakhla is a stunning town in the Atlantic Coast south of Morocco, located 532 km south of Laâyoune. It is a place where its beautiful beaches and sand dunes form a magnificent picture. Dakhla like Essaouira is one of the best cities to visit in Morocco to relax and practice water sports, for Professional and amateur kite surfers windsurfers and surfers. this pearl of Sahara is ranked world’s top place for wave and wind sports, the principal spots are La Sarga, Point d’Or, Arish and Foumbouir.
In Dakhla there are authentic bungalows and traditional comp tent next to the famous lagoon; And you can experience Moroccan Hammams, Spa, and massage by organic products (soap, Argan oil).
Tetouan the white dove of Morocco
Tetouan is Located in the north of Morocco, and situated 64 Km (40 miles) South of Tangier.
The main attraction for tourist s is the charming Medina, with crowded souks and tiny, vine trellised squares in stark contrast to the Spanish new town, built on a formal grid of streets. The Medina also harbors an arts museum and an archaeological museum.
Must Read: Things to know about Morocco country
FAQ for Top Cities to Visit in Morocco
The top cities to visit in Morocco offer a rich tapestry of cultural experiences. Explore the vibrant streets of Marrakech, wander through the historic medina of Fes, discover the coastal charm of Essaouira, immerse yourself in the blue-hued beauty of Chefchaouen, and marvel at the ancient architecture in Casablanca.
Marrakech is a must-visit city in Morocco due to its enchanting blend of tradition and modernity. Dive into the bustling souks of the Medina, visit the iconic Jardin Majorelle, experience the lively atmosphere of Jemaa el-Fnaa square, and indulge in the city’s diverse culinary scene. The vibrant colors, historical sites, and warm hospitality make Marrakech an unforgettable destination.
To explore the historic medina in Fes, consider hiring a local guide. The labyrinthine streets can be overwhelming, but a knowledgeable guide will lead you through the hidden gems, including the renowned tanneries, the University of Al Quaraouiyine, and the exquisite Bou Inania Madrasa. Wear comfortable shoes, embrace the sensory experience, and get lost in the medieval charm of Fes.
Essaouira, with its coastal allure, offers unique experiences for visitors seeking a different side of Morocco. Enjoy windsurfing or kite surfing on the Atlantic waves, explore the well-preserved medina and its Portuguese fortifications, and savor freshly caught seafood at the bustling fish market. The laid-back atmosphere and artistic vibe make Essaouira a haven for those looking to unwind by the sea.
While exploring Chefchaouen in a day is possible, it’s recommended to spend more time to fully appreciate its beauty. If you have only a day, prioritize wandering through the iconic blue-washed streets, visiting the historic Kasbah, and hiking to the Spanish Mosque for panoramic views. Don’t forget to shop for unique handicrafts and local specialties in the charming medina.
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