Whether you’re climbing the dunes of the Sahara Desert, trekking the Atlas Mountains, or bartering in the markets of Marrakech, Morocco is a journey into a different world. Landscapes remain untouched and the ancient cities retain centuries-old customs. Read on to find out our top five highlights of Morocco.
1. The Djemaa el Fna of Marrakech
This market has everything you’d expect and more. A must-see when visiting Marrakech; there are stalls at every turn, under powder pink ramparts, acrobats and jugglers rubbing shoulders with storytellers, and the aroma of spicy food stalls fills the air overhead.
Spectators fight for space to take it all in. The central square of Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech is the beating heart and soul of Morocco. Take in all the sights, sounds and smells for yourself on our Highlights of Morocco adventure. After enjoying an incredible camel ride through the Sahara Desert and exploring the imperial cities of Meknes and Fez, you’ll get a guided tour of the magnificent Bahia Palace on day 13 of your trip and end with an evening stroll through the heady Djemaa el Fna square. The final day is free to explore Marrakech, so we’d recommend taking some time to explore the colourful souks and old streets inside this ancient medina. In the evening, your group will enjoy a final traditional Moroccan meal together in Djemaa el Fna.
2. The ancient Medina of Fez
Often regarded as the cultural, spiritual and intellectual heartland of Morocco, Fez’s ancient walls contain a labyrinth of alleyways and tiny craft shops. From the smell of African spices to the distant whiff of the famous tanneries, there’s a surprise around every corner.
On day two of our Treasures of Morocco Premium Adventure, you’ll make your journey to Fez. En route, you’ll visit the striking archaeological site of Volubilis, one of the best-preserved, Roman ruins in the country, before exploring the narrow winding alleys of the holy city of Moulay Idriss. Once you’ve arrived in the imperial city of Fez, you’ll be able to drop your bags off in a traditional Riad and head out for a welcome dinner with the group.
The following day, your expert guide will take you on a tour of the ancient medina in Fez, one of the largest medinas in the world! Guiding you through different sections, you’ll find goods ranging from brass and copper to ceramics and leather. However, no tour of the medina is complete without a visit to the ancient tanneries. Here you can see the vibrant vats of coloured dye and stop at the tanneries to see where local craftsmen create buttery-soft leather goods. Some of these remarkable tanneries have been in operation since the 16th century!
3. The coastal city of Essaouira
Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast is a sleepy Portuguese fishing port complete with blue-shuttered cottages, artisan workshops, seafood delicacies and whitewashed beauty. And you can visit this beautiful city for yourself on day seven of our Cycle Morocco’s Great South trip.
With the present city being constructed around 1760 by Sidi Mohammed ben Abdullah, who allegedly needed a base to suppress a political revolt from Agadir, Essaouira is now known as the “Windy City of Africa”, attracting windsurfers from all across the world. However, it’s also the perfect place for travellers to unwind from the fast-paced labyrinth of Marrakech and soak in the relaxed pace of life where local fishermen wander through the vibrant blue boatyards. It’s so scenic, that Essaouira has become a popular location for filmmakers in recent years, with the city’s ramparts and Sqala du Port, being used in scenes for the hit show, Game of Thrones.
4. The Sahara Desert
No adventure in Morocco is complete without visiting the vast, towering sand dunes of the Sahara Desert. Spanning over 9 million kilometres in length, the Sahara stretches across 11 different countries, making it the largest hot desert in the world. And there’s no better time to experience the golden dunes, lush oases and traditional Amazigh camps than the hours before dusk when the temperature is a bit cooler. Imagine venturing further into the desert where you have a front-row seat to the spectacular pink and orange-hued sunset over the golden sand of the Sahara Desert. Sound ideal? On day three of our Marrakech & the Sahara trip, you can do just that.
After taking an incredible drive along the Draa Valley, past palm trees and ksours (fortified villages), you’ll enjoy a one-and-a-half-hour camel trek towards a traditional-style Bedouin camp. When the sun goes down, your authentic accommodation for the evening gives you ample opportunity to stargaze. If you’re lucky and the visibility is good, you might be able to see the Milky Way, Orion’s Belt and even Cassiopeia moments from your campsite.
5. The Atlas Mountains
The Atlas Mountain Range stretches around 2,500 kilometres across North Africa, spanning into Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. Arguably, Morocco offers some of the most striking Atlas Mountain views, as it’s home to Mount Toubkal, the tallest peak in North Africa, standing at 4,167 metres above sea level. With its well-established hiking routes, welcoming guesthouses and mountain refuges, trekking in this region is a challenging yet rewarding experience for many who are looking to take in the breathtaking views of sweeping gorges, lush valleys and snow-capped mountains. This is why we have a range of Atlas Mountains treks to suit every ability level.
If you’re looking for varied walking in the striking High Atlas Mountains, why not consider our Atlas Panorama trip for your next upcoming adventure? After exploring the labyrinth of souks in Marrakech, you’ll drive towards the High Atlas Mountains and cross Tizi’n’Tichka, the highest road pass in Morocco, before visiting Telouet to see an ancient kasbah. The following day, you’ll enjoy a six-hour circular route through Tizi’n’Ourghsan, passing the Ouarikt River and its terraced fields, where you’ll have a well-earned picnic close to a waterfall. You’ll also get the opportunity to make an ascent to the top of Mt n’Oughlagal (2600m). If you’re looking for a chance to unwind during this trek, there’s no better way than an authentic hammam experience in Tijhza, which you can book on day five.
If this has inspired you to find out more about our Moroccan adventures, click here.
