Morocco is one of the most visited countries in Africanext to Egypt and South Africa. But what makes it such a special destination? The answer is long! We couldn’t summarize it in a few words. Its culture, its rich mountain landscapes, desert, its medinas and, of course, the cities. Morocco has very interesting cities, especially the four imperial cities. Although a getaway to the desert is essential, we believe that there are some destinations that you cannot miss. We tell you the 10 best cities in Morocco.
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10 BEST CITIES IN MOROCCO
1. Marrakech, the most beautiful city in Morocco
Marrakech is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco. And the most touristy! It has so many treasures that you will have to dedicate more than a day to it… The life of the city revolves around the plaza Jemaa el-Fnaa. You will find everything there! And at night, it turns into a kind of open-air restaurant with lots of street food stalls. Although we do not recommend going to these places but rather looking for a restaurant where to eat well and cheap in Marrakech.
Find the best activities in Spanish in Marrakech
Did you know that the medina of Marrakech is one of the largest in the country? The city has been a key commercial center for many years, and even remains so until now. Get lost in its labyrinthine streets and take the opportunity to buy souvenirs. Of course, don’t forget to haggle, or let yourself be scammed! He is a safety tip for visiting Marrakech which will be very useful to you.
Marrakech is one of the best cities in Morocco. It is located at the foot of the Atlas mountain range and near the Saharaso there is many interesting excursions beyond the World Heritage sites within it. Don’t miss the iconic Mezquita Koutoubia o to Madrasa of Ben Youssef. The list of attractions is long!
Guide to visiting Marrakech:
Very easy trick to save in Morocco
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2. Fez, the cultural capital of Morocco
When talking about the best cities in morocco, we cannot leave Fez aside from the list. This city is key to knowing the history and culture of Morocco. It is a historical gem that you must visit! In fact, Fez is considered the cultural capital of Morocco.
The medina of Fez-el-Bali is the largest and oldest in North Africa. Is awesome! The place has even been listed as the largest pedestrian zone in the world. There you can visit some of the most beautiful madrasas in Morocco such as Bou Inania, Al-Atterine or Cherratine. You are going to fall in love with Fez!
Book a FREE tour in Spanish of Fez
Another of the main attractions of Fez are its tanneries. It’s an amazing place! Be prepared to put up with the bad smell because part of the process involves huge vats filled with cow urine, salt, and pigeon feces. But, although it may sound crazy, it is worth resisting the bad smell because seeing those wells full of colorful dyes is a unique experience. The Chouara tannery It is one of the oldest in the world. Do not miss it! Without a doubt, Fez is one of the best cities in Morocco.
Useful information for visiting Fez:
3. Chefchaouen, one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco
Although Chefchaouen is not as historic as Fez and Marrakech, it is really beautiful. We were delighted with the city. Surely you have seen its blue streets in multitudes of magazines and the truth is that even seeing the city in person seems surreal. So If you plan to visit Morocco, Chefchaouen should not be missing from your itinerary.
It is one of the most picturesque cities in Morocco. Its completely blue labyrinthine streets, full of cats and curious places, will make you use up your camera battery taking photos at every corner. The city has a very interesting architectural mix with a combination of Moroccan and Andalusian influences.
The main handicap is its location because it is somewhat removed from the others. Although going from Fez to Chefchaouen is not complicated. And, above all, it is very worth it!
12 things to see and do in Chefchaouen
4. Meknes, one of the best cities in Morocco
Meknes is another of the imperial cities of Morocco and cannot be missing from the list. It dates back to the 11th century and was the most important city in the country as the imperial capital of Sultan Mulay Ismail. (1672-1727). That was its heyday and thanks to the development of the city today we can be dazzled by many historical buildings and their enormous doors.
In 1996 Meknes was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. And is not for less! One of the most notable elements of the city is that it harmoniously combines elements of Islamic and European design and planning.
Some of the attractions that you should visit in Meknes are the Mausoleum of Mulay IsmaÃl y the puerta Bab Mansour, which is also the largest in the country and in North Africa. It will blow your mind!
16 things to do in Meknes
5. Rabat, the beautiful capital of Morocco
Rabat is not usually one of the most favorite cities in Morocco, but for us it should be on this list and on your route through morocco. Visiting the capitals of each country is always interesting, educational and the Moroccan capital is no exception.. The most amazing area is Kasbah of los Oudayas. Inside the old military fortress, a lot of picturesque streets await you. In addition, from there you will have privileged views of the Atlantic Ocean.
Rabat is not the largest city in Morocco, despite being the capital. Actually, it is the second because the first place goes to Casablanca. So you can imagine that the Kasbah is not the only attraction. Don’t miss the impressive Mausoleum of Mohammed V or the precious Royal Palace of Dar-al-Mahkzen.
Useful information for visiting Rabat:
6. Casablanca and its incredible mosque
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and one of the largest on the African continent. A surprising fact! Casablanca is also the commercial capital of the country, in part, thanks to its important port. Like any big African city, has a reputation for being dangerous, but you can explore its most interesting points calmly if you go with caution. During our visit we did not feel unsafe, but we did not trust it either.
What you cannot miss on your tour is a visit to the incredible Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. It is the largest mosque in Africa and the third largest in the world, only behind those of Mecca and Medina, both in Saudi Arabia. It is an amazing building! Without a doubt is one of the best cities in Morocco.
Guide to visiting Casablanca:
7. Ouarzazate, a movie city
Ouarzazate is so beautiful that it has become highly sought after in the world of cinema. There are the Atlas Studios, which are the largest film studios in Morocco, and in the world! You can recognize her in some movies. For example, several scenes of Gladiator y The Mummy They were filmed in Ouarzazate and surrounding areas. So the nickname, movie city, fits perfectly. And never better said!
It is also Considered the gateway to the Sahara Desert and hides the spectacular Kasbah de Taourirt, a fortified palace from the 19th century. Is incredible!
In the surroundings of Ouarzazate there are other attractions of the city. The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou, is even more impressive than Taourirt and cannot be missed on your tour either. Like the Valle del Dades, he Rose Valley o las Todra Gorges. There are many things to do in Ouarzazate!
8. Essaouira and its French past
Essaouira is one of the best cities in Morocco. The main tourist attractions are its walls and the port, precisely because it is located on the shores of the Atlantic. It will steal your heart with its charm!
As a curiosity, The city has a very marked French past. In fact, Essaouira was under French protectorate and, during that time, an interesting fusion of cultures and architectural styles occurred. You will see it when you get lost in its little streets. Even Its walls were inspired by those of Saint-Malo, in France. Essaouira is a different city!
For us this is a very picturesque destination. We would spend hours and hours in its port contemplating the little fishing boats with the walls in the background. But the atmosphere there invites you to explore its interior. Where a vibrant medina awaits you, full of ancient streets to get lost and fall in love with this Moroccan treasure.
When is the best time to travel to Morocco?
9. Agadir, for beach lovers
Are you looking for a beach destination in Morocco? Agadir is an excellent option among the best cities in Morocco. It is clear that the beach is not the star that the country offers, but it is always good to get to know the cities on the Atlantic coast. In Agadir you can visit Taghazout beach, one of the best in the African country.
But you should know that Agadir was destroyed by an earthquake in 1960. So does not retain the charm of the ancient cities of Morocco such as Asilah or Essaouira. In fact, much of Agadir had to be rebuilt. That’s why it looks more modern! Almost only its Kasbah, which is located on a hill, was able to resist. We recommend visiting it during sunset to enjoy its views.
Agadir’s seafront is one of its main attractions. And being in the city, you can’t miss a trip to the Souss-Massa National Park to fall in love with its landscapes.
10. Asilah, a place to fall in love
We close our list of best cities in morocco and we couldn’t forget to mention Asilah. It may not appear on the most common tourist itinerary, but if you have about two weeks in the country, you cannot miss it.
It is a small city located on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. It’s super quaint and charming! It still preserves walls that date back to 1471 and were built by Portuguese settlers. Its interior is vibrant, a beautiful place where the cultures of Spain and Morocco.
White is the predominant color of the houses in the old city. But what you can’t miss are his beautiful murals. Asilah is a very important artistic center where you can breathe art in every corner. And how can you not be inspired by the landscape of the walls and the Atlantic Ocean in the background. It’s a beautiful city!
WHERE ARE THE BEST CITIES IN MOROCCO
On this map you will find the location of the most beautiful cities in Morocco that we have mentioned in this post.
Source: https://lostraveleros.com/mejores-ciudades-de-marruecos/
