More than 11 million people from all over the world vacation in Morocco every year. People come here not only for mountain walks, surfing, golf and beaches. Many tourists are puzzled by the question - what to see in Morocco? And they should be advised to pay attention to the sights of the imperial cities - Meknes, Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat.
Holiday season in Morocco
The most favorable time for a vacation in Morocco is considered the spring and autumn months, suitable for sightseeing tours (if we talk about specific parts of the country, the central part is attractive for sightseeing holidays in October-April).
Is your goal a beach holiday? Go to the Maghreb in August-September (in late May-early October, vacationers are expected on the beaches of Casablanca, Agadir, Essaouira and Tangier), and if you like the conquest of the Atlas Mountains, then purchase tours to Morocco in January-February.
In addition, Morocco will delight lovers of event tourism - in the high season they will be able to attend harvest and folk arts festivals, folklore ceremonies and processions in national costumes.
Top 15 places of interest in Morocco
Koutoubia Mosque
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech on Mohammed V Avenue can accommodate approximately 20,000 people. Moroccan and Andalusian motives can be traced in its architecture: there are both bright mosaics and colored stucco moldings. Koutoubia is equipped with 5 domes, 17 white-walled side-chapels (they are decorated with arches in the form of horseshoes), a 77-meter minaret, and a courtyard for namaz (traditional prayers).
Tourists are not allowed to go inside the mosque, but there is a garden with walking paths for them, along which they prefer to walk in the evenings.
Bahia palace
Bahia Palace (1880) in Marrakech is a reflection of the Moorish style. It was built by order of Bu Ahmed Sidi Mussoy, for one of his wives. The rooms of the palace resemble a labyrinth (without a clear layout), the doors are made of cedar, the ceilings are painted, the interior has mosaics, stone and wood carvings. The interior courtyards are decorated with shady alleys, hedges, and an elegant ornament. There is a fountain and a garden with oranges growing in it.
Tourists can inspect only the 1st floor of the palace and walk through its courtyard for only $ 1, 10 (08: 00-11: 45; 14: 30-16: 30).
Hassan II Mosque
Hassan II Mosque
The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca has a 210-meter minaret, crystal chandeliers weighing 50 tons each, a main dome lined with bright green tiles, and also boasts ultra-modern "bells and whistles" in the form of a heated floor, a sliding roof and a laser spotlight, a beam which "hits" in the direction of Mecca. Part of the ensemble "hovers" over the Atlantic Ocean (the platform on which it is located is supported by pylons). When the tide comes into its own, it seems that the Hassan II Mosque is floating on the waves.
You can get inside the Hassan II mosque only with a guide for $ 12, 30 (a children's ticket will cost $ 3, 10).
El Badi Palace
The beautiful El Badi Palace in Marrakech was erected by order of Sultan Ahmad al Mansour. The palace was decorated with materials and stones in the form of Indian onyx, gold, Irish granite, crystal, Italian marble, turquoise, precious woods. The palace had rooms (360) and a courtyard with a flower garden and a swimming pool. It was also equipped with central heating, and then it was the 16th century! Today, the ancient arches of the palace and fragments of the baths are subject to inspection. And the towers rise to the observation deck to see the ancient houses of Medina and the entire territory of the palace.
For visiting the palace is open daily from 9 am to 6:30 pm (ticket price - $ 1, 06).
Sahara Desert
Those who decide to explore the Moroccan Sahara Desert will see red dunes, exotic fortresses, the Draa Valley with oases and Berber settlements. Excursions across the Moroccan Sahara start in M'Hamid: from there, tourists will set off on a 40 km journey. It will end in the erg of Shigaga. If you wish, you can use another route, which starts in Merzouga and ends in the Chebbi erg (the dunes there are orange).
Ait Ben Haddou
Ait Ben Haddou
The fortress-ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou is located 29 km from Ouarzazate. In the 90s, Ksar was in a state of ruins, and only 10 families lived in it. Today it is being restored, and here you can see dwellings (flat roofs), which were built using brown-red clay - they are located in terraces on the hillside.
Ait Ben Haddou can be accessed through any of 4 entrances: 2 of them are free (on the far right and left), and 2 are paid (pass through dwellings; they are owned by 2 families). Those who wish can stay here with an overnight stay (10 hotels are at their service) and get copies of the fortress, wooden masks and other gizmos in souvenir shops.
Kasbah of Agadir
At one time, the Kasbah of Agadir was a powerful fortification with bastions. At the entrance to the fortress, the inscription has survived to this day: "Fear God and honor the king." From here you can see the whole of Agadir and its ports, and against the background of the Kasbah - take photographs, including riding a camel (they are kept here by the locals).
It will take about 60 minutes to climb the hill (the route is 7 km long), and those who used the services of the grand taxi will spend 10 minutes on the road.
Machama du Pasha
The Macham-du-Pasha palace in Casablanca is famous for 600 rooms, the decoration of which is a beautiful mosaic, masterly stone carving, delicate wooden decor, figured forging … the fortress is led by red gates, which are decorated with wrought-iron inlay) and walk along the courtyards (rose bushes and ornamental plants grow there, as well as fountains).
Today the Machama du Pasha Palace is the seat of the municipality. It is allowed to visit it on Monday-Saturday from 8 am to noon and from 2 pm to 6 pm (admission is free, but only with a guide).
Menara Gardens
Menara Gardens
The Menara Gardens in Marrakech were founded in 1130. The Menara Gardens is a park (100 hectares) with fruits, olives and palms growing there. The area at the entrance to the park is occupied by a swimming pool, and behind it is a pavilion from the 16th century. It works as an exhibition hall, and its balcony acts as an observation deck, from where you can see the Atlas peaks, the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque, Amir Moulay Rashid Avenue for only $ 1.06.
All guests of Marrakech love to relax in the Menara Gardens every day from 8 am to 7 pm (admission is free).
Arab League Park
The Arab League Park in Casablanca is equipped with:
- alleys (covered with gravel of different shades), emerald lawn (ideal for picnics) and flower beds;
- cafes and restaurants;
- the Yasmina amusement park (there are not very many slides, swings, trains, carousels; children can have fun here from 10 am to 7 pm for $ 15.45);
- the Sacre Coeur cathedral (it is a reflection of Arab and Moorish architectural elements with features of European Gothic);
- decorative ponds (their decoration is tiles in the Arabian style).
The park is round-the-clock and admission is free.
Hercules caves
The Herculean Caves are located at Cape Spartel, in the Tangier-Tetouan region (from the city of Tangier - 14 km). The caves have 2 exits - from the sea and from the land. If you wish, you can stay at a hotel (a high-quality auto-road leads to it), which is located next to the Herculean Caves (at the entrance you can get souvenirs or buy fresh fish, thereby making money for the locals), spend time in a cafe or on a well-equipped beach …
The entrance to the caves will cost travelers only $ 0.51.
Todra gorge
The main part of the Todra gorge (its total length is 40 km) stretches for 1 km (this part is 15 km away from Tingir), and climbing paths and routes are punched on both sides of the steep cliffs. Walking along the gorge on foot, you can meet grazing donkeys and camels, as well as stumble upon a source that the Berbers honor (they say that if a barren woman enters it, mentally pronouncing the name of Allah, she will soon be able to give birth).
If you decide to stay for the night, pay attention to La Vallee ($ 16 / room) or Yasmina ($ 33 / for two) hotels. The road to the Todra gorge from Marrakech by regular bus will take 8 hours, and from Meknes - 10 hours.
Berber Museum
The Berber Museum in Agadir is a repository of about 1000 interesting items, but the permanent exhibition consists of 200 artifacts, housed in 3 rooms. Guests will be able to admire traditional carpets, ceramics, brooches, necklaces, photographs of Berbers dressed in traditional outfits, Berber talismans, a Massa pendant (disk with a spiral) …), and there is also a library there (do not use flipping through books on local culture).
The museum has one day off - Sunday. The museum is open from 09:30 to 17:30. Adults cost $ 2.05, and kids' tickets cost $ 0.11.
El Jadida cisterns
El Jadida cisterns
Cisterns in El Jadida trace their history back to 1741, when the territory belonged to the Portuguese. When they needed fresh water during a long siege of the fortress, they placed a reservoir (cisterns) in the hall to store fresh water there. The cisterns are a square-shaped hall with 3 halls and 4 towers. It is worth noting that the roof of the tanks is supported by columns (25). Today, a certain level of water is maintained at the bottom of the cistern, so that in the light everyone can see the play of light reflection in the water.
The entrance ticket will cost tourists $ 2, 05.
Xanadu
Paradise Valley is 30 km away from Agadir. The valley has orchards and palm groves, cacti and almond trees. In addition, a river flows through the valley, which originates high in the mountains. Honey is produced in Paradise Valley, so everyone there will be able to feast on and acquire cactus, orange and lavender honey. Descending down the valley, you will be able to see waterfalls, which create backwaters and shallow bodies of water when they fall from a height. Hikers will delight in the trekking paths and picnic areas available here.
