Major Tourist Attractions In Morocco
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, has a 2500-year history, from the time that the Phoenicians were around. It achieved the height of its glory around the 12th century under the Almohad sultan Yacoub al-Mansou.
During his reign were commissioned and built magnificent structures like the Oudaia Gate, Chellah gate, ar-Rouah gate and the Tour Hassan. Rabat’s fortunes declined in the following eras, but it retains the mark of its long and colourful past. Modern Rabat is an administrative center but with plenty of interesting old monuments to see.
The walled medina (old quarter) is a good place to shop for the famed Moroccan carpets. The Kasbah des Oudaias is worth visiting not just for the very pleasing Andalusian Gardens or for the fact that it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, but for the gigantic Bab Oudaia (the Oudaia Gate mentioned above) built in 1195. The Tour Hassan, the most striking structure in Rabat’s skyline, is an enormous unfinished minaret built by sultan Yacoub al-Mansour in 1195. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V stands close by to the Tour. The remains of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia are located at the end of Ave Yacoub al-Mansour, and are interesting to stroll around in. Do not miss the Archaeology Museum in Rabat – it is the best of its kind in Morocco.
Casablanca – few cities in the world have such an evocative name. Ever since Ingrid Bergman said "play it, Sam" in a movie by that same name, travelers have flocked to this Moroccan city, in search of evenings filled with soft music, romance in bars by tree-lined boulevards.
Hollywood mythology apart, this is really a very pleasant city, but few people are aware that it is also Morocco’s largest city and industrial center. What prevents it from becoming grey and drab is the facelift it received during the French resident-general Lyautey’s stay – he installed wide boulevards, public parks and fountains, and impressive buildings in the Mauresque (blend of French and Moroccan styles) style. The Ville Nouvelle is one of the best examples of this style of architecture; examples of this type of structure are located in the area known as the Place des Nations. There are also some well-preserved examples of 1930s architecture with Art deco detail – watch out for these. The older structures that are worth a visit are in the medina. Casablanca boasts of a liberal, cosmopolitan atmosphere and dining at one of its excellent open-air cafes or taking an evening stroll along its streets is a good way to experience it.
The Dades Gorge, an area of towering ochre-coloured cliffs and bizarre rock formations located in the High Atlas, is one of Morocco’s most spectacular natural sights.
It can be approached from the pleasant town of Boumalne du Dades via a road that passes through some lovely Berber villages and the ruins of kasbahs.
Agadir is a hot favourite with package tourists from Europe – that can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on what you are looking for. The advantage is that there is a wide range of tourist facilities like restaurants and hotels. For those who want a taste of Morocco and the Barbary Coast without the accompanying uncertainties and hassles, Agadir is the best option. The disadvantage of course, is that it can be a little too ‘touristy’. The beaches here are good but they tend to get very crowded during the tourist season. For less populated beaches, try the ones well outside town – these include Aghrod and Cap Rhir. The region’s main bus station is actually in Inezgane, 13 km south of Agadir.
Essaouira was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, but really came into its own only around 1765, when under the orders of Sultan Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah, a French architect redesigned this port town as a modern trading center.
Today, it is chock-a-block with quaint shops and woodcarving workshops, apart from the remains of the Portuguese ramparts and port. Its relaxed, ‘artsy’ atmosphere make it allegedly the most popular Moroccan destination with independent travelers – go and see for yourself if it deserves this reputation! This is also a place for adventure tourism – one can hire windsurfing gear in the beaches around town.
Fes – the city with the shortest name and the longest past (!), is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco by its proud residents. Founded by Idriss I in 789 AD, Fes boasts an impressive history as Morocco’s capital several times over, and an important center of the Arab world. The sights, sounds and smells of Fes will assault your senses, then arrest them and keep them prisoner for a long time to come- this is a promise!
Old Fes is stereotypical exotic Morocco – narrow winding alleys, craft bazaars, food markets, mosques, medersas (theological seminaries), dye-pits and tanneries.
The area of most interest to the traveler is the old walled medina – the walled area. There are two medinas in Fes, but Fes el-Bali is the more interesting one. One can enter it through the Bab Bou Jeloud and walk into the Medersa Bou Inania – this 14th century seminary houses exquisite carved woodwork and offers great views of Fes from its roof. Entry is from 8 am to 5 pm, except on Fridays and at prayer times. The Kairouine Mosque is one of the largest in Morocco and has one of the most impressive collections of books in the Muslim world, but is unfortunately closed to non-Muslims. The Medersa el-Attarine contains some more examples of gorgeous woodwork from the Merenid dynasty. For an exhibition of artifacts and handicrafts native to Fes, visit the Dar Batha in the medina area. To get a panoramic view of the city that is well worth the trouble, take a taxi up to the Borj Nord, a 16th century fortress with an Arms Museum.
Marrakech – the name promises excitement and intrigue, and the city doesn’t disappoint. This tourist magnet is second only to Fes as a cultural center, and is an equally interesting place to visit. The main square in Marrakech is the Place Djemaa el-Fna, a sprawling site in the old city that is marvelous to hang out in, especially in the late afternoons and evenings when live performances by sundry street showmen and mouth-watering food stalls compete for your senses.
The Koutoubia, a well-preserved minaret from the 12th century, the Saadian Tombs and the Palais el-Badi, Palais de la Bahia and Palais Dar Si Said are the other buildings worth visiting in Morocco. Marrakech is also perhaps the best place in Morocco to practise your haggling skills – its open-air souks are among the best in this part of the world.
Chefchaouen (also called Chaouen, Chechaouen or Xauen, and pronounced shefsharwen!) is a beautiful town in the heart of the Rif Mountains, with a distinctively Spanish look of blue-washed houses and tiled roofs that was given by the Andalusians who arrived here in the 15th century. The medina is small and uncrowded, which makes it a delightful place to stroll around in. One can visit the kasbah in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam. The hills surrounding Chefchaouen are a favourite with hikers.
The town of Meknes is a convenient base to explore the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco situated in Volubilis.
Meknes is an attractive town with some very interesting buildings, and is off the beaten track compared to Fes or Marrakesh. Its attractions include the Dar Jamai Folk Museum, the beautiful Medersa Bou Inania and the impressive Heri es-Souani granaries and stables, among others.
Asilah is a pretty port town with an impressive and long history, starting from the time when the Carthaginians settled it. The highlight of the town is the Palais de Raissouli, a beautifully preserved three storey building with a gory past – from the terrace that overlooks the sea, convicted prisoners were forced by the autocratic brigand Raissouli to jump to their death on the rocks 30m below. Ouch! The other attractions are the remains of the 15th century Portuguese fortress that allow great views over the sea, and some decent beaches north of town.
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, has a 2500-year history, from the time that the Phoenicians were around. It achieved the height of its glory around the 12th century under the Almohad sultan Yacoub al-Mansou.During his reign were commissioned and built magnificent structures like the Oudaia Gate, Chellah gate, ar-Rouah gate and the Tour Hassan. Rabat’s fortunes declined in the following eras, but it retains the mark of its long and colourful past. Modern Rabat is an administrative center but with plenty of interesting old monuments to see.
The walled medina (old quarter) is a good place to shop for the famed Moroccan carpets. The Kasbah des Oudaias is worth visiting not just for the very pleasing Andalusian Gardens or for the fact that it overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, but for the gigantic Bab Oudaia (the Oudaia Gate mentioned above) built in 1195. The Tour Hassan, the most striking structure in Rabat’s skyline, is an enormous unfinished minaret built by sultan Yacoub al-Mansour in 1195. The Mausoleum of Mohammed V stands close by to the Tour. The remains of the ancient Roman city of Sala Colonia are located at the end of Ave Yacoub al-Mansour, and are interesting to stroll around in. Do not miss the Archaeology Museum in Rabat – it is the best of its kind in Morocco.
Casablanca – few cities in the world have such an evocative name. Ever since Ingrid Bergman said "play it, Sam" in a movie by that same name, travelers have flocked to this Moroccan city, in search of evenings filled with soft music, romance in bars by tree-lined boulevards.
Hollywood mythology apart, this is really a very pleasant city, but few people are aware that it is also Morocco’s largest city and industrial center. What prevents it from becoming grey and drab is the facelift it received during the French resident-general Lyautey’s stay – he installed wide boulevards, public parks and fountains, and impressive buildings in the Mauresque (blend of French and Moroccan styles) style. The Ville Nouvelle is one of the best examples of this style of architecture; examples of this type of structure are located in the area known as the Place des Nations. There are also some well-preserved examples of 1930s architecture with Art deco detail – watch out for these. The older structures that are worth a visit are in the medina. Casablanca boasts of a liberal, cosmopolitan atmosphere and dining at one of its excellent open-air cafes or taking an evening stroll along its streets is a good way to experience it.
The Dades Gorge, an area of towering ochre-coloured cliffs and bizarre rock formations located in the High Atlas, is one of Morocco’s most spectacular natural sights.
It can be approached from the pleasant town of Boumalne du Dades via a road that passes through some lovely Berber villages and the ruins of kasbahs.
Agadir is a hot favourite with package tourists from Europe – that can be an advantage or a disadvantage, depending on what you are looking for. The advantage is that there is a wide range of tourist facilities like restaurants and hotels. For those who want a taste of Morocco and the Barbary Coast without the accompanying uncertainties and hassles, Agadir is the best option. The disadvantage of course, is that it can be a little too ‘touristy’. The beaches here are good but they tend to get very crowded during the tourist season. For less populated beaches, try the ones well outside town – these include Aghrod and Cap Rhir. The region’s main bus station is actually in Inezgane, 13 km south of Agadir.
Essaouira was founded in the 16th century by the Portuguese, but really came into its own only around 1765, when under the orders of Sultan Sidi Mohammed bin Abdallah, a French architect redesigned this port town as a modern trading center.
Today, it is chock-a-block with quaint shops and woodcarving workshops, apart from the remains of the Portuguese ramparts and port. Its relaxed, ‘artsy’ atmosphere make it allegedly the most popular Moroccan destination with independent travelers – go and see for yourself if it deserves this reputation! This is also a place for adventure tourism – one can hire windsurfing gear in the beaches around town.
Fes – the city with the shortest name and the longest past (!), is considered the spiritual and cultural capital of Morocco by its proud residents. Founded by Idriss I in 789 AD, Fes boasts an impressive history as Morocco’s capital several times over, and an important center of the Arab world. The sights, sounds and smells of Fes will assault your senses, then arrest them and keep them prisoner for a long time to come- this is a promise!
Old Fes is stereotypical exotic Morocco – narrow winding alleys, craft bazaars, food markets, mosques, medersas (theological seminaries), dye-pits and tanneries.
The area of most interest to the traveler is the old walled medina – the walled area. There are two medinas in Fes, but Fes el-Bali is the more interesting one. One can enter it through the Bab Bou Jeloud and walk into the Medersa Bou Inania – this 14th century seminary houses exquisite carved woodwork and offers great views of Fes from its roof. Entry is from 8 am to 5 pm, except on Fridays and at prayer times. The Kairouine Mosque is one of the largest in Morocco and has one of the most impressive collections of books in the Muslim world, but is unfortunately closed to non-Muslims. The Medersa el-Attarine contains some more examples of gorgeous woodwork from the Merenid dynasty. For an exhibition of artifacts and handicrafts native to Fes, visit the Dar Batha in the medina area. To get a panoramic view of the city that is well worth the trouble, take a taxi up to the Borj Nord, a 16th century fortress with an Arms Museum.
Marrakech – the name promises excitement and intrigue, and the city doesn’t disappoint. This tourist magnet is second only to Fes as a cultural center, and is an equally interesting place to visit. The main square in Marrakech is the Place Djemaa el-Fna, a sprawling site in the old city that is marvelous to hang out in, especially in the late afternoons and evenings when live performances by sundry street showmen and mouth-watering food stalls compete for your senses.
The Koutoubia, a well-preserved minaret from the 12th century, the Saadian Tombs and the Palais el-Badi, Palais de la Bahia and Palais Dar Si Said are the other buildings worth visiting in Morocco. Marrakech is also perhaps the best place in Morocco to practise your haggling skills – its open-air souks are among the best in this part of the world.
Chefchaouen (also called Chaouen, Chechaouen or Xauen, and pronounced shefsharwen!) is a beautiful town in the heart of the Rif Mountains, with a distinctively Spanish look of blue-washed houses and tiled roofs that was given by the Andalusians who arrived here in the 15th century. The medina is small and uncrowded, which makes it a delightful place to stroll around in. One can visit the kasbah in the Plaza Uta el-Hammam. The hills surrounding Chefchaouen are a favourite with hikers.
The town of Meknes is a convenient base to explore the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco situated in Volubilis.
Meknes is an attractive town with some very interesting buildings, and is off the beaten track compared to Fes or Marrakesh. Its attractions include the Dar Jamai Folk Museum, the beautiful Medersa Bou Inania and the impressive Heri es-Souani granaries and stables, among others.
Asilah is a pretty port town with an impressive and long history, starting from the time when the Carthaginians settled it. The highlight of the town is the Palais de Raissouli, a beautifully preserved three storey building with a gory past – from the terrace that overlooks the sea, convicted prisoners were forced by the autocratic brigand Raissouli to jump to their death on the rocks 30m below. Ouch! The other attractions are the remains of the 15th century Portuguese fortress that allow great views over the sea, and some decent beaches north of town.
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