234 Best Sights in Morocco

In the city itself, the municipal market (also referred to as the Amazigh souk) sells spices, dried fruits, and other household essentials. In an open-air area to the east, you'll find men upcycling plastics and tires into saddles, water troughs, and panniers for donkeys. The older, so-called Arab market is the better one for souvenirs, and here you can pick up local terra-cotta, brass, and copper items, along with leather sandals, rugs, and jewelry. You can access the souks from Place Assareg.

Set around the Mosquée du Marché, or Market Mosque, Taza's untouristy souks and the covered stalls of the kissaria are worth exploring. Look out for the shaggy cream-wool rugs with black geometric markings made by the Beni Ourain tribe.

This sprawling, 338-square-km (131-square-mile) national park on the coast south of Agadir is a breeding ground for a number of indigenous and migratory bird species, including the bald ibis. There are also captive-breeding programs for four threatened North African antelope and gazelle species, as well as for ostriches, which were previously extinct in Morocco since 1945. Tours are available within the park, which also contains a number of guesthouses and other accommodation options. Many of these support sustainable tourism and offer bird- and animal-watching excursions. One entry point for the park is 15 km (9 miles) south of Agadir at Rokein information center; the other is 60 km (37 miles) south of Agadir at the Sidi Binzarne eco-guide kiosk.

Also known as the Bastion Bab Marrakech, the South Bastion is a carefully restored element of the original fortified medina walls. Managed by the local Delegation of the Culture Ministry, it is open to the public when exhibitions and events take place, like the annual Gnaoua and World Music Festival. The flat roof offers a view over the rooftops to the beach and is often the backdrop to concerts and other performances. The area in front of the bastion (now a parking lot) was the site of the town's original Muslim cemetery.

Rabat's largest and most important mosque was originally erected in the 18th century. Since then it's undergone various rebuildings but has nonetheless been sheltered from architectural anarchy, retaining its beauty and dignity to this day. The French had wanted to extend Avenue Mohammed V through the site; however, Moroccans resisted. Thanks to the martyrs of that confrontation, the mosque still stands on its sacred ground. Non-Muslims may not enter.

Built in the 17th century, this is the one of the oldest synagogues in the region and one of the few that remain in the Mellah. It is rarely used as a synagogue today, but its rich cedarwood benches and beams, tiled floors, and brass chandeliers have been maintained. The guardian can show you its most important features, including the original gazelle-skin Torah scrolls and the subterranean mikvah (ritual bath).

After lying abandoned for 60 years, the historic Assayag Synagogue has been restored to its former glory with the addition of a small museum dedicated to preserving the region’s long Jewish history. Discover the community’s origins, traditions, and reasons for leaving Morocco through video, photographs, and displays. Entry is free but you can leave a tip in the tzedakah (charity) boxes. See La CIT's website for other Jewish sites and synagogues to visit.

Midway between Erfoud and Rissani, this private museum is hard to miss—just look for the giant replica dinosaurs standing outside. Take a peek inside at the interesting, well-presented collection curated by Moroccan paleontologist Brahim Tahari; it includes fossils, bones, minerals, flints, crystals, and assorted oddities.

There’s a shop attached if you want to purchase your own bit of prehistory.

Established in 2004, the 145,000-acre Talassemtane National Park is a beautiful 45-minute drive from Chefchaouen. Its Mediterranean ecosystem hosts a unique variety of Moroccan pine as well as more than 239 plant species, many of which are endangered, such as the black pine and the Atlas cedar. The numerous trails include the popular hike to the Akchour Waterfall and God's Bridge.  It's recommended to use a guide on longer hikes.

Smaller, less developed, and with much more of a local vibe, Tamraght is the laid-back little sibling of Taghazout. It spills down the side of a mountain toward the national coastal road and has a beautiful, spacious beach. New hotel and upscale vacation villa developments have begun to spring up, but there's still a natural feel to the coastline, where a new foot and bike path of about 5 km (3 miles) leads directly into Taghazout. You can stay in surf houses, private apartments, and small boutique hotels, enjoying the quiet nights and the sound of the rushing ocean. The area is 15 km (9 miles) north of Agadir. Amenities: food and drink; parking (fee); showers; toilets. Best for: sunset; surfing; swimming.

Morocco’s first urban marina sits at the western end of the golden sweep of city beach and Corniche, with space for superyachts, stylish cafés, and trendy bar-restaurants such as Chiringuito and Nommos, where you an sip on a cocktail overlooking the water. It's perfect for a leisurely promenade, and on a clear day, you can see Tarifa in Spain.

For a whiff of Marrakesh life the old way, the tanneries are a real eye-waterer, not least because of the smell of acrid pigeon excrement, which provides the ammonia that is vital to the tanning process. Six hundred skins sit in a vat at any one time, resting there for up to two months amid constant soaping, scrubbing, and polishing to get the leather strong, supple, clean, and ready for use. Once the hides have been stripped of fur, washed, and made supple through this six-week process, the final stage involves soaking and rubbing in a mix of ground mimosa bark and water, which eventually turns the grayish-green hides into the natural reddish-brown or "tan" shade that we always expect in our natural leather goods. The tanned skins are dried in the sun and then sold direct to the artisans near Ben Youssef Mosque. Additional color dyeing takes place after the skins have been purchased by the artisans in another part of the souk.

Thirteen tanneries are still in operation in the Bab Debbagh area in the northeast of the medina. Simply turn up Rue de Bab Debbagh and look for the tannery signs above several open doorways to both the right and left of the street. To visit one of them, just pop in and the local manager will offer you mint leaves to cover the smell, explain the process, and guide you around the vats of dyes. In return he'll hope for a healthy tip to share with his workers; this is a dying art in a poor area, so the more you can tip, the better.

Finding the tanneries can be frustrating. It's best to arrive via taxi and ask for Bab Debbagh (the tanneries are straight ahead through the gate) or the Place el Mokf (Avenue Bab Debbagh is at the top on the left). Alternatively, task an official guide to include the visit as part of a city walking tour, but beware of false guides who are plentiful and forceful in this area.

Just outside Bab Targhount, gifted artisans work at Taroudant's tanneries, and you can see them working the leather firsthand (not always a pleasant olfactory experience). Many places around town sell the locally made leather goods, such as bags, poufs, sandals, and decorations, for which Taroudant is famous.

This small beach with wonderful sand can be empty during colder months, but it's very much the opposite in summer. It's a short walk from the train station. Amenities: food and drink; lifeguards (in summer); parking. Best for: sunset; swimming; walking.

The north's most prominent showcase of contemporary Moroccan art, this museum is set inside a beautiful, castle-like former train station. The dazzlingly white minimalist interiors display paintings by the likes of Mohammed Drissi, Mohammed Hamri (of the Jajouka musicians and Rolling Stones fame), and Hassan Echair, as well as sculpture, photography, and temporary exhibitions.

Look for the turnoff to the Cascades du Drâa (known in English as the Tizui Waterfall) on the left, 30 km (19 miles) south of Ouarzazate and 10 km (6 miles) before Agdz. Over thousands of years, the water has carved out natural pools that are ideal for a refreshing dip. The waterfalls are not huge—not on the scale of Ouzoud—but if you want to see palm trees, figs, and oleander flowers springing from the rocks, and dip your toes (or all of you) in cold water, they are still worth a detour.

The Tizi-n-Test pass climbs up to a staggering 6,889 feet and provides extraordinary views to the north toward the mountain peaks and south toward the Souss valleys. It's a hair-raising road trip calling for low gears and snail-like speeds, but the views are worth every second.

This large, fenced park has several wide, well-packed dirt trails that pass through wooded areas, perfect for a run or a walk. There are always gardeners around to keep it tidy and plenty of other people taking the opportunity for some exercise close to the city center. Access is next to the Sofitel Jardin des Roses. 

This small art gallery, set in a stunning, 1930s Art Deco villa, holds interesting temporary exhibitions by contemporary Moroccan artists, and works to promote art and culture, especially to young people; it has an equally striking sister gallery in Rabat.

This beautifully restored, dazzlingly white 1920s Art Deco villa is home to contemporary art exhibitions which put the focus on Moroccan artists, culture, and heritage, alongside cultural events; the large garden is the perfect spot for a sightseeing break. It has a sister gallery in Casablanca. 

Set in a palm tree--filled park in Malabata, the former home of British journalist and socialite Walter Harris, has been turned into a fascinating art museum. The beautiful Moorish Revival--style villa houses a collection of paintings of Morocco by major European artists from the early 20th century, including Jacques Majorelle, Claudio Bravo, and Edy Legrand, alongside modern Moroccan artists such as Ben Ali R’bati (dubbed the father of Moroccan painting), Farid Belkahia, and Mohamed Hamri.

This important shrine and mausoleum of the Idrissid dynasty's patriarch, Moulay Idriss I, who died in 791, is marked by a wooden bar so that people bow their head on entering. Entry is restricted to Muslims, but for a good view over the green-tiled minaret and rooftop of this landmark building, climb to a vantage point overlooking the religious sanctuary. The hike through the town's surrounding alleys up one of the many hills is invigorating and a symbolic bow to Morocco's secular and spiritual history. 

Originally built by the Idriss dynasty in the 9th century in honor of the city's founder—who was just 33 at the time of his death—this zaouia (sanctuary) was restored by the Merenid dynasty in the 13th century and has became one of the medina's holiest shrines. Particularly known for his baraka (divine protection), Moulay Idriss II had an especially strong cult among women seeking fertility and pilgrims hoping for good luck. The wooden beam at the entrance, about six feet from the ground, was originally placed there to keep Jews, Christians, and donkeys out of the horm, the sacred area surrounding the shrine itself. Inside the horm, Moroccans have historically enjoyed official sanctuary—they cannot be arrested if sought by the law. You may be able to catch a glimpse of the saint's tomb at the far right corner through the doorway; look for the fervently faithful burning candles and incense, and the tomb's silk-brocade covering. Note the rough wooden doors themselves, worn smooth with hundreds of years of kissing and caressing the wood for baraka (blessing). Note that entry is restricted to Muslims. 

Slightly inland from Mehdiya is the lovely freshwater Lake Sidi Bourhaba, internationally famous for the number and variety of birds that pass through on their way to the south side of the Sahara desert. Ornithologists flock here nearly as eagerly as the itinerant birds themselves, looking especially for the rare marbled teal along with another 200 species.