234 Best Sights in Morocco

The main reason to come to this small, privately owned museum next door to the Ali ben Youssef Medersa is not the exhibitions of regional pottery, ceremonial daggers, and traditional costume, but rather the stunning central atrium, a tiled courtyard containing a huge lampshade that resembles a descending UFO. Set within the restored 19th-century Menebhi Palace, this is a perfect place to relax while enjoying Moroccan architecture and gentle music piped through speakers. There are occasional exhibitions in the courtyard of beautiful artifacts or paintings, but they're poorly displayed and lack English translations. 

The main square, the Méchouar, is the heart of town and was once a military parade ground, though nowadays it has become a car park with a clutch of cheap hotels and cafés around it. Down a side street off the main square (heading in the direction of the ramparts), in a smaller square lined with orange trees, locals buy from the mint, date, and dried-thyme vendors whose carts park between the rows of clothing and housewares. Off the Méchouar are the town's main souks.

The medina isn't so much a sight as the essence of Essaouira, where you are likely to stay, eat, shop, and wander. It was designed by French architect Théodore Cornut in the late 18th century, on the instructions of Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdellah, who wanted to create a new town and port to rival Agadir and demonstrate Morocco's outward focus. Cornut built the kasbah, and the sultan invited prominent Jewish traders to settle here. Mogador (as it was then known) soon thrived.

The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and restoration efforts are underway for some key buildings from Mogador's heyday. All feature the colonnaded ground floor and rooms off internal walkways on the higher levels that are typical of the era. From the kasbah, heading northwest, pass through the Mellah Kdim (old Mellah) before reaching the Mellah proper. It was in this latter area that less affluent Jews settled. Following the end of the French protectorate and the creation of the state of Israel, most of Mogador's Jews left and the area became home to poorer urban families and squatters. Today the area is under redevelopment. Two original synagogues can be visited: Synagogue Slat Lkahal and Haïm Pinto Synagogue. The area is best avoided after dark.  As you approach the Mellah, look for the Star of David carved in stone above doorways.

Tetouan's UNESCO-protected medina—established in the 8th century—is one of Morocco's most compact and interesting. Surrounded by a wall and accessed by seven gates, it includes a Jewish quarter, the Mellah, as well as exceptional 19th-century Spanish architecture from the period of the protectorate. Crafts, secondhand clothing, food, and housewares markets are scattered through the medina in charming little squares, such as the Souk el Hout Al Kadim (the old fish market); there’s even a small tannery near the Bab Mkabar. Tetouan's medina is relatively straightforward, so don't hesitate to deviate from the main path and explore; it's hard to get lost.

Known for its characteristically ornate balconies and forged-iron windows, the Mellah was created in the 15th century when the Jews, forced out of the medina in one of Morocco's recurrent pogroms, were removed from their previous ghetto near Bab Guissa and set up as royal financial consultants and buffers between the Merenid rulers and the people. Fez's Jewish community suffered repressive measures until the beginning of the French protectorate in 1912. Faced with an uncertain future after Morocco gained independence in 1956, nearly all of Fez's Jews migrated to Israel, Europe, Canada, and the United States.

As in other Moroccan cities, the Mellah is the old Jewish quarter, once a small city within the city. Although it used to be home to a thriving community, along with rabbinical schools and scholars, today there are only a few Jewish inhabitants. You can visit the remains of a couple of synagogues with the help of an official guide, or local kids will be happy to point the way in return for a few dirhams. The Lazama Synagogue is open daily and is still used for weddings and bar mitzvahs. It has a pretty, blue-tiled inner courtyard. The Mellah gets its name from the Arabic word for salt, and some say that the Jewish residents who lived here acquired their wealth through the salt trade.

The Mellah district has undergone many renovations in recent years, but visitors might want to avoid walking alone in the more residential areas, past the Lazama Synagogue.

The Menara's vast water bassin (pool) and pavilion are ensconced in an immense olive grove, where pruners and pickers putter and local women fetch water from the nearby stream, said to give baraka (good luck). The elegant pavilion—or minzah, meaning "beautiful view"—was created in the early 19th century by Sultan Abd er Rahman, but it's believed to occupy the site of a 16th-century Saadian structure. In winter and spring snowcapped Atlas peaks in the background appear closer than they are; you might see green or black olives gathered from the trees from October through January. Moroccan families swarm here during the holidays and weekends to picnic. Come prepared as there's little shade in the main walking areas.

Next to the Grand Socco and flanked by a row of colonial-era buildings, this large, grassy park draws families and young couples, especially on weekends. On a peak of the central hill, surrounded by historic cannons, an engraved stone monument displays the speech King Mohammed V gave to the French asking for Moroccan independence in 1947. 

Moulay Bousselham sits at the head of the Merja Zerga National Park, a vast lagoon stretching over 17,000 acres. This region is one of the most important wetland reserves in North Africa and is a major stopover for countless birds migrating from Europe to Africa: the birds fly south at the end of summer and winter at Merja Zerga before continuing on to western Africa and even southern Africa. They stop off again on their way back to Europe in spring, so spring and fall are the times for bird-watching. It's home to between 50,000 and 100,000 waders at any one time, including shelduck, marbled teal, coot, pied avocet, and slender-billed curlew. The pink greater flamingos on their way to and from Mauritania are particularly spectacular.

A highlight of this historic district close to the Royal Palace is the vertically green-striped mosque and mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Abdellah, who ruled in the 18th century. The neighborhood was designed by the Merenids as a government seat and a stronghold against their subjects, but the area lost its purpose when Rabat became the Moroccan capital under the French protectorate in 1912. Subsequently filled with brothels and dance halls, the quarter was closed to foreigners for years.

At the foot of the village, near the sea, you'll find the tomb of Moulay Bousselham, which attracts hundreds of pilgrims every summer. Like Sidi Abdel Jalil's somewhat smaller one, it is a white building capped with a dome.

An outstanding historic site from the Merenids, the Moulay Idriss Medersa was built in the 14th century by sultan Abou el Hassan. The medersa, hidden in the town's steep and twisting streets, has a striking cylindrical minaret constructed in 1939 that is the only one of its kind in Morocco, standing as testimony to Turkish and Arab influences. Originally built with materials from Volubilis, the minaret is decorated with green ceramic tiles bearing inscriptions of the 114 surahs (chapters) of the Koran. Only Muslims can enter the medersa. 

This outcropping is one of the most prominent natural features in Agdz. The name itself means "glasses" in Arabic, referring to the shape of Moroccan tea glasses. There are paths that can be walked to the summit. The real show comes at sunset when the face of the mountain changes with shades of yellow, orange, purple, and pink.

This magnificent medina mansion has played an important role in the city's history. Dating back to the Portuguese era, from 1816 it was the base of the French Consulate before becoming the office of the Naib, the Sultan’s head of foreign affairs, in the mid-1840s. Fresh from a sensitive renovation, this architectural gem now houses a small museum set around a courtyard filled with orange trees, with an overview of Tangier's history and an exhibition of paintings upstairs.

Formerly known as the Musée Archéologique, this museum originally opened in 1931 and displays prehistoric, Roman, and Islamic-period artifacts discovered throughout the country. Roman pieces include many inscribed tablets; the Chellah and Volubilis sites are particularly well represented, and there's an ample collection of Roman bronze items from archaeological sites such as Volubilis. Also noteworthy is the plaster cast of the early human remains found at the Dar Es-Soltane caves, on the coast south of the city.

The country’s first national photography museum is set in the repurposed 19th-century Borj El Kebir (aka Fort Rottembourg) in the L’Ocean district. The small but superbly curated museum showcases well-known, up-and-coming, and young Moroccan photographers with a roster of temporary exhibitions.

A 14th-century, three-story Nejjarine fondouk, the Inn of the Carpenters is now home to a fascinating museum that displays Morocco's various native woods, 18th- and 19th-century woodworking tools, and a series of antique wooden doors and pieces of furniture. Enjoy a mint tea on the rooftop terrace with panoramic views over the medina. Don't miss the former jail cell on the ground floor or the large set of weighing scales, a reminder of the building's original functions—commerce on the ground floor and lodging on the levels above.  Check out the palatial, cedar-ceiling public bathrooms, certainly the finest of their kind in Fez.

Set in a lovely villa in the suburb of Oasis, this museum has a permanent exhibition of traditional ceremonial objects, clothing, lamps, and furniture from various synagogues around Morocco. There's also a temporary exhibition space that often shows photographs and art. Phone ahead to make sure it's open.

This small but ambitious community-oriented spot is well worth a stop if you're driving east from Tinerhir toward Merzouga. Housed in the 19th-century ksar of El Khorbat, it contains old maps, photos, antiques, and exhibits that document the traditional lifestyle of the southern oasis, with proceeds going to development and educational projects in the village. You can also buy locally made items at the craft workshop, and then enjoy a meal or spend a night in the atmospheric El Khorbat guesthouse—both are part of the same tourism initiative.

Signposted on the Route de Fes as you head out to the Palmery, this enchanting walled garden with a contemporary art gallery is the creation of Marrakesh-born Abderrazzak Benchaabane—an ethnobotanist, perfume maker, garden designer, and local legend. The garden adjoins his home and exhibits his collection of contemporary Moroccan art, paintings, and sculptures. Benchaabane was responsible for the restoration of the Jardin Majorelle at the request of Yves Saint Laurent in 1998, and the garden designs here clearly reflect his passion for creating beautiful natural spaces. The indoor gallery and arcades open out to a water garden with pergolas and pavilions, rose beds, and cactus gardens.

The absolute pièce de résistance of any visit to the Ourika Valley is a trip to Nectarome, the region's first aromatic garden. It produces essential oils for massages, spas, and hammams in the classiest of hotels and riads back in Marrakesh. Started by two Moroccan brothers (one a biochemist, the other a pharmacist), it grows 50 species of aromatic and medicinal plants, all in 2.5 acres of beautifully maintained and colorful gardens. They pick the plants on-site, then extract, process, and bottle the oil in the top-secret perfume workshop. Whatever you do, don't miss the seven-plant tea infusion, taken in a garden gazebo or Berber tent, or the boutique, where you can buy the goods.

Don't munch on the leaves of the oleander rose; they're pretty on the outside but poisonous on the inside. Two leaves are enough to kill a man.

The distinctive outlines of the medina skala (a fortified bastion) and its citadel, known as the North Bastion, frame the waves dramatically at sunset. The bastion once held emergency supplies of fresh water, and the large circle of stones in the center marks what was known as a call-point, or alarm system, to warn of approaching invaders. Guards would warn of danger by stomping on the resonant circle.  If you stand in the middle of the circle and stomp your foot or yell, you'll hear the echo ring far.

The main medina gate sits next to the minaret-like Clock Tower, a city landmark on the perpetually busy Place des Nations Unies, with its famous Zevaco-designed dome. European consuls lived here in the 19th century and its simple whitewashed houses, particularly those closest to the port, form a marked contrast to Morocco's economic and commercial nerve center just a few hundred yards away. On its north side, you’ll see the last remains of the city’s 18th-century fortifications, known as the sqala. Today it boils over with busy Moroccan shoppers and vendors and  there’s a conglomeration of stalls and shops selling watches, leather goods, crafted wood, and clothes. It's best avoided at night unless you're accompanied by a local you know well. 

A slightly bizarre tourist attraction, the Painted Rocks outside Tafraoute (follow signs) is most dramatically experienced in late afternoon, when the hillsides stacked with massive round boulders turn a rich mustard hue before sunset. Belgian artist Jean Veran painted a cluster of these natural curiosities in varying shades of blue in 1984, and they have been retouched ever since. Checking out amateur copies is as much fun as looking at the originals. On quieter days, it's also a great place to spot local geckos, lizards, and squirrels. The route to the rocks is now paved, making access easier than ever.

Chilean artist Claudio Bravo came to Morocco in 1972 and built this palatial home-turned-museum with stunning gardens and stables 10 km (6 miles) outside Taroudant. Following his death in 2011, the estate became a museum showcasing his art and collections, including works by friends like Picasso. The palace is divided into several pavilions connected by inner courtyards and covered walkways, while inside the guest rooms, salons, and Bravo’s private rooms and studios are paintings, sculptures, and artifacts, including Roman and North African ceramics. Wander through the gardens full of exotic plants to the large water basin, and rest in the shade of a pavilion with a cup of tea and views of the Atlas Mountains. A full guided tour takes two to three hours, but it’s possible to do an unguided visit of the gardens. You must reserve in advance to visit. You can also reserve for lunch or dinner (expect to pay 400 DH–500 DH per person).

The palm groves of the Aït Mansour Gorge southeast of Tafraoute deserve a day's excursion, although you could just take the road as a scenic (and longer) route to Tiznit. About 2 km (1 mile) south out of town, you'll see the so-called Napoleon's Hat of massive boulders on your right. Occasionally, you'll see climbers here. Continue past the pretty village of Aguerd Oudad. When the road forks, go left; the right branch goes to the Painted Rocks. A winding, paved road takes you higher into the Anti-Atlas Mountains. The views are spectacular as the road rises and then descends, crossing a riverbed, which—even when dry—betrays the presence of underground water by the cactus and oleander growing there. Twenty kilometers (12 miles) out of Tafraoute, turn right toward Aït Mansour.

After another 14 km (9 miles) of descent, you reach the palm groves. Water, shade, and greenery are abundant, and you may find a shop serving sweet mint tea or soda. The goatherds of the peaks are replaced here by shrouded women, either transporting palm-frond baskets of dates or walking to Timguilcht to visit its saint's shrine. Continue on the piste to Souk Had Issi, whose market is held on Sunday. From there, the piste loops back to Tafraoute, or you can take a lower road to connect to Tiznit over the dramatic Col de Kerdous.

A charming saffron farm located between Marrakesh and Ourika, Paradis du Safran is well worth a visit. The saffron itself is harvested in late October / early November depending on the weather and visitors to Morocco in this time should make a visit a must. You can also enjoy their barefoot sensory trail and relaxing garden space. Saffron tea is served to guests and if you contact in advance breakfast or lunch are also possible. 

Downtown Casablanca's historic green lung has been revived and is now home to a skate park and playground, palm tree-lined promenades, exotic plants and water features. The dazzlingly white Art Deco edifice at the park’s northwestern corner is L’Église du Sacré-Coeur, built in the 1930s by a French architect. The now-deconsecrated church has been restored, although it is only open to the public for special events.

Halfway to Cap Spartel, Rmilet is a park popular with local families on weekends. It has shady pine, mimosa, and eucalyptus groves, as well as camel-riding and humble kebab huts at the end of the path in a parking lot with incredible views. Here you can also see the restored house of Ion Perdicarus and imagine his kidnapping by the Rifi bandit El Raissouni, with whom he later became friends. It's a great stop-off or day-trip for a few hours with the family. The stylish café across from the main entrance offers yet another stunning and unusual view of Tangier.

A 15-minute taxi ride from the center of Tangier and around halfway to Cap Spartel, this sprawling coastal park (also known as Rmilat Park) makes a great break from the city. Its shady pine, mimosa, and eucalyptus groves, sweeping views over the Strait of Gibraltar, signposted trails, and picnic spots make it popular with local families, especially on weekends. The 19th-century chateau built by Ion Perdicarus (the son of an American ambassador to Greece, born in 1840, who was kidnapped by the Riffian bandit El Raissouni, with whom he later became friends) has been restored and is now home to a small museum.