Last year spending some great holidays in Morocco made me experience some of the best things. And I'm happy that I didn't skip this country from things-to-do-list. Regardless of what I have heard about this country, I thought of exploring it on my own and I wasn't disappointed at all.
There are hard times when one wants to trust a specific situation or a person but cannot while traveling Africa. You want to visit a particular place but damn your budget and job you want and failed in an interview. These are the phases of life, that you cannot avoid them at any cost. All you can do is to take a break. Plan your holidays and spend some quality time either with your family or just a random trip to anywhere peaceful.
Wandering in souks, refreshing orange juice and mint tea, a night at the camp, relaxing at the beach side, candlelight dinner on the rooftop or storytellers at the Jemaa el-Fnaa, it is all a perfect fascination for any tourist. Experience your life at its best, live as this is the last chance to be yourself, make as many memories as you can. These moments are precious, never waste them in anxiety.
1. Marrakesh
Marrakech has the advantage of being located in a very privileged environment. From Marrakech you can make many day trips to incredible places. Here are some of the most popular excursions. Just 1 hour from Marrakech is the green valley of Ourika, one of the most common excursions from Marrakech. In the valley is the imposing Toubkal mountain (4,167 mts) and a beautiful view of the peaks and valleys of the High Atlas.
The whole area is dotted with deep hidden valleys, ancient villages and mighty mountain rivers, where you can observe the local population in their daily lives.
2. Tiznit
This old town media was actually a cluster of forts back in the 19th century and it became a popular trade center for the Berber jewelry and silver goods. The most appreciated jewelry item was the Berber rings with large stones engraved in the middle and surrounded by an intricate pattern of small stones, giving it a traditional look. These huge rings reminded me of Mughal art era how princes were adorned with such ornaments.
Brooches, bangles, necklaces, pendants, and earrings are the next best selling items here. Don't be surprised if you see a simple of a "hand" on some of the jewelry, according to the popular Moroccan belief it wards away the evil eye (like a protection charm).
3. Fes
The city famous as old medina is home to some gorgeous Moroccan roots. A cheap holiday in Morocco will definitely lead you here. This city is thoroughly cultured and you don't want to miss the souks with high-quality carpets (one of the finest I might say) are sold here. Fes el Bali is famous for its hand woven carpets and well all you need is tie up your hair (literally) get handed a cup of mint tea (Kahwah) and so the session begins!
Bargaining your way is a tough hassle but your skills are tested every time you look even at a single new item. But to be honest there’s a vast variety to choose from and Moroccan carpets can add a tad bit of cultural look to your home décor.
4. Essaouira
Round trip excursion in one day through the old Portuguese city of Essaouira. On the way you will cross immense forests of Argan, from where the precious oil of Argan is extracted and you will be able to see its elaboration in some of the cooperatives that exist. This town was an old Portuguese citadel and behind its walls, hide many picturesque places full of history that you can start discovering yourself, just arrive.
5. Aït Benhaddou
Passing through the spectacular road that links Telouet to Ouarzazate, you will discover a wonderful route between the snow-capped peaks, the red earth and the palm groves. Over the ksour and the kasbah, the color contrast is guaranteed! Halfway, you will discover the wonderful fortified village of the Kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou.
6. Ouarzazate
Roundtrip excursion in one day with departure from Marrakech towards Ouarzazate, crossing Tiz'n Tichka to the interior of the Atlas, you will enjoy some incredible landscapes and some beautiful Kasbahs or fortifications that crown the port of Tichka. While in Morocco, immerse yourself in the world of kasbahs and discover the country's highest historical, cultural, and spiritual places!
Along the summits and valleys of the Atlas, along the coast or on the borders of the Great South, visit these ancient castles with grandiose ramparts, they will make you live fascinating experiences in the heart of the most beautiful Moroccan legends. When visiting Morocco, the kasbahs of the prestigious imperial cities are absolutely essential!
Sheltered behind mighty orange ramparts, they are home to all the remains of the kingdom’s history. Whether it is the Kasbah of Rabat facing the ocean, those of Marrakech, Fez or Meknes at the foot of the Atlas, nowhere else are palaces and gardens more beautiful.
7. Agdz
From Ouarzazate, head south towards Zagora and M’Hamid. Over the oases of the valley, you will enter the fabulous universe of Draa Kasbahs. From Agdz, go for a walk in the orange gardens of the Kaid Ali Kaid. From the roofs you will discover a superb view of the surrounding oases and kasbahs. Among the most spectacular do not miss those of Tagourine and Tansikht.
8. Meknes
Finally head to Tinghir to the Dades Valley. You will first cross the Skoura palm grove, which is home to many relatively well-preserved kasbahs. Taking the road to the kasbahs, then go to Tamtetoucht and M’Semrir, to the Tafilalet gorges.
9. Beni-Mellal
You will enjoy a day under the beautiful waterfalls, where you will find uneven water up to 60 meters high. If you are close to Marrakech and you like nature, you should not miss this opportunity to visit this wonder of nature considered as the largest and most impressive waterfalls in North Africa.
10. Asni
Depart in the morning towards the great Atlas. Get off tourist trails and cross the M’Goun mountains from North to South. The unaltered charm of the small Berber villages as well as the splendor of these large mountain spaces will leave you with memories full of colors and emotions!
When traveling along the Toubkal ksour, stop at Asni, at the foot of the famous Tamadot Kasbah, a must-see curiosity in Morocco! Owned by Sir Richard Branson, this kasbah located on the steep hills of the High Atlas has become an extraordinary hotel.
From the foot of the Toubkal, the highest mountain in Morocco and North Africa (more than 4500 meters), arrive at the small village of Tahanaout that gathers twice a week (Tuesday and Saturday) the farmers of the region for the great souk. After the visit of the Gorges of Ghaghia Wadi, arrive in Asni, the country of the amethyst (macrocrystalline) and the green valley of Ouirgane which is also called the valley of happiness.
The Barbary lion, once existing throughout Northern Africa, was a regionally-named lion of the Panthera leo leo subspecies. It is now totally extinct from that vast area. The last known photo of this beautiful beast in that region was taken from an airplane over the Atlas Mountains.
11. Merzouga
It is safe for women and all silently holding on to the storms. There is something worth knowing about the desert travel in Morocco. Among the Morocco desert activities you can go for camel trek, night camping, guided quad biking and buggy ride. Merzouga is an ideal place to experience camel rides among golden sand dunes, overnight in a desert camp, enjoying drum music around fire, explore the desert in 4x4, visit Berber nomads, gnawa music.
Apart from the bustling cities, you can enjoy a peaceful journey in the desert and if you are lucky you can enjoy the ice on the dunes of Sahara. Sooner or later, one is supposed to sort their life out. Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are the most fascinating sand dunes to visit. Mountain sand dunes are not easy to climb but an amazing experience.
One can enjoy a buggy ride, camel trek while watching the sunset or sunrise. Let your camera capture the moments to cherish them whole your life. Erg Chebbi dunes are the most spectacular dunes in Morocco. The dunes are located in Merzouga area and they are one of the best travel destination in Morocco. While in you are in desert, you can choose between hotels/riads or Desert camping.
Night camping, with dinner and some music, makes your tour more happening and exciting. Capture the moment, staring at the immense emptiness of stars. Sometimes hollowness tells us greater stories than a shining star. That emptiness has been through more miseries and has great lessons to tell rather than a spotlight.
12. Agadir
Want to go on an active holiday with the family, but while getting hot? Travel to the mysterious Morocco, where hours of sunshine as well as the experiences are many. Agadir is famous for its sandy beaches and is a perfect place to try surfing.
13. Tangier
While visiting Tangier, climb to the top of the kasbah and let yourself dream in front of the spectacle of the sky and the sea. The view of the Strait of Gibraltar and the Spanish coast is breathtaking! Who says to visit Tangier, says to visit its center. The Grand Socco is undoubtedly one of the most lively parts of Tangier.
In reality, it is the main access to the medina and the fresh fruit and vegetable market. Bordered by palm trees, this large square is very popular among locals who easily come to rest near the fountain. You can see the Rif Cinema, emblematic building of the city. It houses the Cinémathèque de Tanger (CDT), an association promoting the democratization of cinema in Tangier.
It is unthinkable to visit Tangier without going to Cap Spartel. This is the western tip of the peninsula on which Tangier is located. You will discover a lighthouse, which seems to monitor the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. It is said that it is at its feet that the two meet.
This lighthouse, inaugurated in 1864, was the first in Morocco. And for good reason, it is one of the icons of the city of Tangier. The Cap Spartel is located about fifteen kilometers from the city.
Who has never dreamed of entering a medina and being guided by its alleys until losing its north? It's a great way to visit Tangier: explore it and get to know it. The narrow, but inhabited alleys, will show you all the colors: blue, pink, yellow, green. The medina has its own architecture and style. The locals love plants and it shows. Some push their decoration to the maximum, for our greatest pleasure. But the medina is not only housing, there are also many shops, for tourists and food.
With a little luck, you will be able to meet a person, often a man, who will offer you a guided tour of the medina. Be careful, however, because at the end of the “tour”, he will ask you for money. This is where you will need to apply your negotiation skills.
For a gourmet and typical break, we can only recommend Moroccan pastries. In chocolate, honey, cinnamon or orange blossom, they take different forms. As delicious as they are famous, Moroccan pastries are a real institution in Tangier, there are shops everywhere! Discover a new world of deliciousness with zlabia, chebakia, ghribia or gazelle horn! And to accompany this delicacy, opt for the lightness of a fresh orange juice.
But also, you can buy some local specialties from a street vendor. For example, batbout which is flatbread made from wheat semolina. Otherwise, discover the baghrir, known as a “thousand hole pancake”, very flexible and light.
On the road that leads to Cap Spartel from Tangier, there is a parenthesis of greenery: the Perdicaris Park. Facing the strait, this park covers 67 hectares. Marked routes will allow you to quietly discover this preserved space. It is a real botanical garden, rich in varied flora and fauna. The park's forest is home to many species of trees, such as acacias, laurels, and local pines.
Besides, migratory birds use this forest as a dormitory during their great expeditions. It is a place that you are recommended to visit if you want to spend some time close to nature.
Obviously, there is no Morocco without the iconic mint tea! And that, the people of Tangier know it. Tea is a real institution there, as in most of the Arab countries. And this, for our greatest happiness.
Indeed, savoring a cup of hot tea on the terrace of a Tangier café is like stepping into culture once again. The city center of Tangier has some well-known historic cafes, like the impending Cafe El-Hafa (photo), open since 1921. Guests of famous names stopped there, like the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.
14. Chefchaouen
Not far from there, the Chefchaouen Kasbah is a true haven of nature and freshness in the heart of the city. Housing a bewitching medina, its ramparts offer a spectacular view of the golden line of the horizon, a few flaps from the sea. There are several theories as to why the walls were painted blue.
The blue is said to symbolize the sky and heaven, and serve as a reminder to lead a spiritual life. Ah, well, whatever is the reason, it looks beautiful.
15. Casablanca
Casablanca may be the most famous city among the Moroccan cities, and is home to a huge number of wonderful tourist attractions such as the Hassan II Mosque which is the largest mosque in Africa.
16. Kalaat M'Gouna
Who doesn't love flowers? And rose on top of that? This souk offers a range of flower extractions! And it's all organic too! the beautiful roses are brought from the local farmers and the raw material is then used to extract the goodness out of it. Creams and soap products are most common while rose-scented deodorants are made here too.
It's a heaven for flower lovers and the pure scents just act as aftershave meth of air crystals feeling the air. People find it particularly attractive because of the smell. And the little items are just amazing to use and easy to carry too because of their small size.
Feeling all petted up yet? Yeah, that's how I felt when I came here and visited these souks in a matter of a week. And you can find it all yourself too once you get to visit the wonderful land. So don’t wait or you will miss it out!
