Morocco Top Ten

A mere stone’s throw from Europe, lies a country of starry Northern nights, belly dancers and cous-cous - a land that Mark Twain described as “a foreign place if ever there was one”. 

From the pulsating heart of Marrakech to the charming fishing port of Essaouira, from dramatic mountain scenery to ancient city walls we countdown our top ten places to see in Morocco. 

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1.Fire-eat in the Djemaa el-Fna, Marrakech

Address: Marrakech, Morocco
This enormous space has been the pulsating heart of Marrakech since the 12th-century. They say it is never empty - there’s always something going on. In the good old days there was more going on than many would like - this is where people had their heads chopped off! Don’t worry it doesn’t happen today! Whatever time of day or night the place is packed with many more Moroccans than tourists. By day it’s mainly a market but by early evening it starts to fill up with fire-eaters, sword-swallowers, story-tellers, food vendors, veiled women offering henna tattoos, acrobats and always the constant drumming from small groups of musicians.

2.Shop in the Medina, Marrakech or Agadir

Address: Marrakech, Agadir or Essaouira
You’ll find a Medina in most major Moroccan cities including Fes, Marrakech, Agadir or Essaouira. There’s an atmosphere of vitality and animation in the long narrow lanes - the heart of the city and place where trade is done. It has fascinating souks, selling almost anything you care to name. There’s an atmosphere of vitality and animation in the long narrow lanes – it is the heart of any Moroccan city and place where trade is done. You’ll usually find souks selling pottery, Berber jewellery, traditional kaftans, soft leather slippers, spices, herbal remedies for anything that might ail you, perfumes, sweet Moroccan cakes and, of course, rugs and carpets.

3.Drive through the Ourika Valley, Marrakech

Address:Marrakech, Morocco
A valley bordered by eucalyptus trees and scrubby desert, dotted with olive groves and small herds of sheep. The valley has views of the towering Atlas mountains and makes a dramatically beautiful drive. Small Berber villages blend into the mountainside - the same colour as the rocks on which they stand.

4.Laze on the beach in Agadir

Address:  Agadir, Morocco
Wide palm fringed boulevards, golden beaches, orderly traffic, laid-back atmosphere, sleek white buildings with bougainvillea-draped walls, elegant boutiques and restaurants - this is Agadir - the heart of tourist land in Morocco. All this was the outcome of the 1960 earthquake which flattened the town, killed 15,000 people and left another 50,000 homeless. What arose from the ashes is a town built for tourists.

5.Go fishing in Essaouira

Address: Essaouira, Morocco
A pretty port with characteristic white buildings and blue shutters.  Known for its waterside fish stalls where the freshly caught catch is cooked for you as you wait.  The long sandy beach is a big draw for windsurfers.

6.Walk along the ramparts in Taroudant

Address: Taroudant, Morocco
This 13th century town is enclosed by ramparts of red-ochre walls and boasts lively souks filled with everything you could imagine to buy! You can walk around Taroudant’s ramparts where you’ll find many unique limestone carvings. Another sight peculiar to Taroudant is the ‘blue women’ - who wear flowing indigo blue veils. The story goes that the colour is associated with the “blue men” of the desert, whose skin is stained by the indigo dye of their robes.

7.Marvel at the Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca

Address: Casablanca, Morocco
Reported to be the world’s third largest religious monument this French inspired Mosque has taken 10,000 craftsmen five years to build. There’s room for 25,000 worshippers - a further 80,000 can be accommodated in the Mosque’s courtyard.

8.Explore the Valley of the Birds, Agadir

Address: Agadir, Morocco
If you have children with you they might enjoy this little zoo situated on a narrow strip of parkland in Agadir. There’s a children’s playground, lush vegetation, and aviaries full of birds from around the world. The entry charge is as little as 40 pence!

9.Get your desert gear in Fez

Address: Fez, Morocco
Here you can discover one of the most beautifully preserved medieval medina’s in Morocco. Be sure to head out of the city to the Sahara Desert and the stunning sand dunes at Merzouga.

10.Visit the film set of Aït Benhaddou

Address: Near Marrakech, Morocco
Located on the route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech you’ll find one of the best-preserved Kasbahs in Morocco’s Atlas region. A UNESCO World Heritage site, it has been used as a location for over 20 films including Lawrence of Arabia, The Jewel of the Nile and Gladiator.

Photographs courtesy of Moroccan Tourist Board