234 Best Sights in Morocco

One of the most important houses in the Roman ruins is the House of Orpheus, the largest house in the residential quarter. Three remarkable mosaics depict Orpheus charming animals with his lyre, nine dolphins symbolizing good luck, and Amphitrite in her sea horse–drawn chariot. Head north from here to explore the public Baths of Gallienus and freestanding Corinthian pillars of the Capitol.

Named for its superb floor mosaics portraying a bevy of frolicking nymphs in a surprisingly contemporary, all but animated, artistic fashion, the House of the Bathing Nymphs is on the main street's right side. The penultimate house has a marble bas-relief medallion of Bacchus. As you move back south along the next street below and parallel to the Decumanus Maximus, a smaller, shorter row of six houses is worth exploring.

The ancient town's greatest mansions and mosaics, including the famous House of the Ephebus, line the Decumanus Maximus from the town brothel north to the Tangier Gate, which leads out of the enclosure on the uphill end. The house, just west of the Arch of Caracalla, is named for the nude, ivy-crowned bronze sculpture discovered here (now on display in Rabat). The cenacula, or banquet hall, has colorful mosaics with Bacchic themes. Opposite the House of the Ephebus is the House of the Dog, where a bronze canine statue was discovered in 1916 in one of the rooms off the triclinium, a large dining room.

Set in a beautiful kasbah building, this small but fascinating museum honors Ibn Battouta, an Islamic scholar and legendary explorer. Born in Tangier in the 14th century, he dedicated his life to discovering the known world. Interactive displays, artifacts, maps, and manuscripts bring to life his extraordinary journeys, from North Africa to Europe and Asia.

Up a 6-km (4-mile) piste above Demnate is the natural stone bridge Imi-n-Ifri, where the diminutive River Mahseur has carved out a tunnel inhabited by hundreds of crows. A path twists down through the boulders and under the "bridge," where stalactites and sculpted hollows dramatize the natural rock formations. Women come to bathe in the stream because it is said to bring them good luck, but the crows are considered harbingers of doom. The legend associated with these birds—a St. George and the Dragon–type saga in which a lovely maiden is saved from an evil genie who, when destroyed by the brave hero, dematerializes into crows—is told in several variations by imaginative guides.

About 59.5 km (37 miles) from Taghazout, this is the area to visit if you want to tackle some of Morocco's best surfing, though you probably won't be alone. In summer the beach is crammed with Moroccan families, as well as surfers hailing from all over the world. Catering to their needs is a range of cafés, hostels, and rental apartments. While Imsouane still feels like a rough-and-ready surfers' frontier town, you can find signs that it's on the brink of change. The O Experience is a well-designed hotel that's particularly popular with female surfers and its café focuses on fresh juices, smoothie bowls, and avocado toast. Even the most no-frills local seafood joints have English menus and clearly marked prices. Head to Chez Jolo like the locals and enjoy grilled fish by the water. Just be ready to receive intense stares and unwavering attention from the town's well-fed cats.

The most frequented beach in Dar Bouazza is a great place for swimming and surfing in the summer. On the far side, there’s a tidal pool area and, when tides are low, the long stretches of soft sand are ideal for strolling and exploring the coast. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking. Best for: surfing; swimming; walking.

El Jadida was once home to a very large Jewish population—traces of which are still visible in the city's Mellah, the Jewish quarter of the old medina. If you walk around the walls to the other side of the fortress, you get clear views over the Jewish cemetery.

Built in AD 857 by Fatima, the daughter of a wealthy Kairaouine refugee, this is considered  one of the most important mosques in the Western Muslim world, and one look through the main doorway will give you an idea of its immensity. With about 10,760 square feet, the Kairaouine was Morocco's largest mosque until Casablanca's Hassan II Mosque came along in the early 1990s. It became home to the world's first university and the world's foremost center of learning at the beginning of the second millennium. Stand at the entrance door's left side for a peek through the dozen horseshoe arches into the mihrab (marked by a hanging light). An east-facing alcove or niche used for leading prayer, the mihrab is rounded and covered with an arch designed to project sound back through the building. Lean in and look up to the brightly painted and intricately carved wood ceiling. If you get there just before prayer times, the two huge wooden doors by the entrance will be open, providing a privileged view of the vast interior. For a good view of the courtyard, head to the rooftop of the Attarine Medersa.  Note that entry is restricted to Muslims. 

High up on the hill to the northwest that looks over Agadir are the few ruins of the old kasbah, the main site of Agadir until an earthquake razed the city in 1960. The devastating earthquake created the opportunity for the development of modern Agadir, which stands today to the south. Although there is little to see here of the former city, the panoramas are breathtaking, especially at sunset. The most pleasant way to get here is by taking a cable car, which offers 360-degree views of the sky, the sea, and the city. A one-way ride up costs 80 DH and a round-trip is 120 DH. Otherwise, you can take a bus with ALSA, the public transportation company, from the parking lot at the foot of the mountain. The bus leaves every 20 minutes from 8 am to 9:30 pm (8:30 pm on Saturday) and costs about 4 DH each way. 

Emblazoned on the side of the hill below the kasbah are three Arabic words that keep guard over Agadir at all times. Their meaning? God, country, and the king. By day they're a patchwork of huge white stones against the green grass. At night they're lighted up powerfully against the dark. The huge hill is really a burial mound, covering the old medina and the impromptu graves of those who died in the earthquake.

In the northeast side of the city, you'll find the kasbah, or the former king's quarter. It was built by Alouite leader Moulay Ismail in the 17th century. On Avenue Moulay Rachid, with the main gate (Bab el Kasbah) behind you, you'll see a smaller gate (Bab Sedra) on the right, which is the old entrance into the kasbah quarter. Inside the walls is a typical medina residential area with little left of any original structures apart from the gates. The area in front is now a public park and a great place for watching the evening promenade.

The largest kasbah in Skoura, this 17th century fortress appeared in the 1962 film Lawrence of Arabia and used to be featured on the Moroccan 50 dirham note. Kasbah Amridil still functions as a family home, but a portion of it is open to the public as a museum showcasing traditional architecture and tools such as a bread oven and an olive press. 

Once a Glaoui palace, the Kasbah Taourirt is the oldest and finest building in Ouarzazate. This rambling edifice was built of pisé (a sun-dried mixture of mud and clay) in the late 19th century by the so-called Lords of the Atlas.

It is worth hiring a guide at the entrance to take you around for about 100 DH. Be sure to negotiate the rate beforehand.

A formerly luxurious testament to the wealth of the Glaoui family, Kasbah Telouet is now in ruins but is still a wonderful place to explore. About five minutes south of Tizi-n-Tichka is the turnoff for the Glaoui Kasbah at Telouet. The road is paved but narrow, and winds from juniper-studded slopes down through a landscape of low eroding hills and the Assif-n-Tissent (Salt River). In spring, barley fields soften the effect, but for much of the year the scene is rather bleak.

Inside, walking through dusty courtyards that rise to towering mud walls, you'll pass through a series of gates and big doors, many threatening to fall from their hinges. Different parts are open at different times, perhaps according to the whims of the guard. Most of the kasbah looks ravished, as most of the useful or interesting bits had been carried off when the Glaoui reign came to its abrupt end in 1956. This sense of decay is interrupted when you get upstairs: here, from painted wood shutters and delicately carved plaster arabesques to exquisitely set tile and broad marble floors, you get a taste of the sumptuousness the Glaoui once enjoyed. Because it was built in the 20th century, ancient motifs are combined with kitschy contemporary elements, such as traditionally carved plaster shades for the electric lights. The roof has expansive views.

During the town's famous Cherry Festival, a procession ventures across the Aggai River to the Kef el-Moumen cave containing the prophet Daniel's tomb, a pilgrimage venerated by Jews and Muslims alike. According to legend, seven followers of Daniel slept here for centuries before miraculously resuscitating.

Just off the beach about 28 km (17 miles) south of Oualidia, the koubba of an unnamed saint is built on a rock in such a way that it's only accessible at low tide and some of the cliffs here are truly magnificent.

Deep within the evocative alleys of the Ksar Tissergate—a 17th-century fortified village—this fascinating museum displays local costumes, agricultural implements, domestic utensils, jewelry, and other artifacts. Unlike most museums in southern Morocco, exhibits here have explanations in English. You access it through the Kasbah Ziwana and they can supply you with a guide for a small tip.

The ruins of the ksar Ksebt el-Allouj, dating from the Saadian dynasty, lie across the Drâa riverbed on the other side from the village from M'hamid, about 2 km (1 mile) from the town center. The ksar is uninhabited and is interesting to explore.

Get a feel for Casa's Atlantic Ocean setting with a stroll along the lovely landscaped waterfront walkway between the Hassan II Mosque and the historic El Hank Lighthouse. It’s a favorite with couples and families enjoying the breeze, sun, and sunset. On weekends, the area heaves with people settling in to the line of cafés and restaurants, basking in the beach resorts, and promenading up and down the wide pavement. In the evenings, along the stretch from the lighthouse to the Tahiti Beach Club, nightclubs and bars open their doors for all kinds of partygoers. 

When you need a break from the city bustle, this environmentally friendly farm makes a very pleasant getaway for both adults and children. On-site you can discover organic plants and herbs, as well as visit and look after animals. Food and drinks are available if hunger hits.

The casino at La Mamounia has a large room for roulette, poker, and blackjack; a slot-machine hall; and is open until 6 am, but you'll need to dress up to gain entrance to this exclusive establishment.

Close to one of the Barbary macaques favorite hangouts, this ecomuseum is dedicated to the majestic cedar, with a towering example as its centerpiece. Interactive exhibits will entertain all ages, while demonstrating the vital role the cedar forests play in the region’s ecology and culture, as well as the flora and fauna that call it home. 

A row of cannons pointed in the direction of Spain lines the so-called Idler's Terrace, known for its sweeping views; some say this is meant to stop Spanish invaders, or perhaps the French, the British, or the Portuguese. The terrace is a popular stop for locals, and on a clear day it's possible to see the outline of Spain on the horizon.

West of Sefrou is the ancient fountain of Lalla Rekia, believed to contain miraculous holy water to cure mental illness. Some visitors still bring jugs to the spring to carry away alleged healing benefits from the fount's source. The area is best accessed by rental car or taxi, as public transportation in the area is limited.

Built in the 1980s by King Hassan II in honor of his granddaughter, this mosque is proof that the tradition of Moorish architecture that produced the Court of Lions in Granada's Alhambra is alive and well. Notice the exquisite sandstone work on the walkways surrounding the mosque, and look up at the colorfully painted geometric designs on the ceilings. The mosque is surrounded by immaculately kept gardens. Non-Muslims may not enter, but there's plenty to admire from outside.

This reservoir is around 80 years old and a very established feature of the region, built by the French during the protectorate period. The water level fluctuates depending on rainfall and snowmelt, as it is fed from the mountains above. There are a few Jet Skis and paddleboards available to rent and take on the lake, which is not illegal but still questionable, given that this is a working reservoir. Swimming is prohibited since there is no lifeguard, but it's not uncommon to see people taking a dip, especially in the hotter months when temperatures rise. The most popular activity here is simply walking around the lake, which affords lovely views of the region as well as the local birdlife.

Near the Grand Mosquée, the Lalla Zninia Spring (also known as the Source Bleue) is touted as Tiznit's main sight. Looks-wise, these days, it's a somewhat underwhelming pool of not-so-blue water. Regardless, in the evenings, the area is lit up, while locals take in the night air in the adjacent square. The spring honors the saint after whom Tiznit is named. Of the several legends relating to this woman, one has it that she was a shepherd girl who brought her flocks to this spot and smelled the then-undiscovered spring below; her sheep dug (if you can imagine sheep digging) until they found the water, and the town was born. Another story talks of a repentant prostitute who later became a saint. In any case, to catch a glimpse of her tomb on afternoons when devotees visit, follow the prison wall and turn left on the first narrow neighborhood street; the tomb is behind a green-painted door on your left.

One of the few remaining synagogues still in operation, the Lazama synagogue was established in 1492 and renovated several times since, with the latest being at the turn of the 20th century. Visitors are permitted inside to learn about Morocco's Jewish history and see the blending of traditions and cultures. 

Seeing a Berber nucleus, the French established the Collège Berbère here in an attempt to train an elite Berber opposition to the urban Arab ruling class; both Arabic and Islam were prohibited. After independence, the movement faded. The Berber college became an Arabic school and was renamed the Lycée Tarik Ibn Ziad. It now teaches a progressive curriculum and hosts international exchange students.