23 major attractions in Morocco
Morocco is the country that opens the gateway to the Arab world. And as you enter it, you sense the richness of culture, the smell of spices, the silhouettes of sun-burned holy mosques and luxurious palaces. But this is only one side of Morocco.
The country has a rich and diverse nature. The proof is the man-made beauties. Among them are the Majorelle Garden, Menard Gardens and the Arab League Park. But nature itself has not spared the country. The picturesque waterfall of Uzud in the Atlas Mountains attracts thousands of tourists. Todra Gorge captivates with its grandeur and beauty. Erg Shebby Desert has a life of its own, allowing those who wish to observe its magical metamorphosis. And this is not all the variety of landscapes.
Meknes
The former capital of Morocco, an imperial city. It has preserved a royal attitude to life: a serene and unhurried. The Bab Mansour Gate protects the entrance to the old town. It is considered the most beautiful in Morocco. The old city has lush gardens. Fortune-tellers, jugglers and snake charmers come out on El Gedim Square. All the hustle and bustle of the Medina doesn’t reach only to the magical Agdal Pond.
Archaeological sites of Volubilis
Volubilis is the capital of Mauritania and an outpost of the Roman Empire. It was founded in the III century BC. Its population reached 20,000. The city was decorated with a triumphal arch and pedestals. Its buildings were exquisite and beautiful and had all the necessities of life. An aqueduct was also built in Volubilis. The ruins of the city are considered the most beautiful in Morocco.
It is the tallest religious building in the world. It is situated on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean. Its height is 200 meters. That’s 30 meters higher than the pyramid of Cheops. It was built by 2,500 builders and 10,000 artists and craftsmen who decorated the mosque. From the outside it looks like a real palace. Here the golden marble floors are heated, and the roof with bright emerald tiles can extend.
Fez
The city is regarded as the center of Moroccan culture.. It is divided into two parts. In one is the palace, the gardens and the cemetery. Beyond the main gate is the second – there are 6,000 streets that stretch for 73 kilometers and 200 mosques, scattered over 40 quarters. Every little house here breathes history. Decorated with carvings buildings, fountains, mosques, as if frozen in the past. They look as they did many years ago.
Menard Gardens
Marrakech’s most famous park. The gardens are located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. They were made at the start of the XII century.. Their area is 100 hectares. There grow palm trees, planted olive groves, made a swimming pool with fishes. Also there are planted fruit trees. The age of some of them is 300 years. For the rest built a gazebo. It is not strange that it is one of the most photographed places in Morocco.
Erg-Shebbi
Erg-Shebbi is a desert, its dunes change shape every day under the influence of the wind and can reach 150 meters in height. The desert is as if it were alive. It is especially beautiful during sunset. Excursions to the desert are organized on camels. You may currently consume native food while living in tents..
Hercules Grottoes
The Grottoes of Hercules are near the city of Tangier and have long been its symbol. These are two rocks with a depression between them. According to the legend, it was Hercules, resting before his exploits, who pierced the rock. One part of it belongs to Europe, and the other to Africa. African continent shape can be seen in the passage’s very shape.. In the cave they fry fish and sell souvenirs. Wealthy Europeans once had picnics here.
Majorelle Garden
A cozy and picturesque corner between the old and new city of Marrakech. Jacques Majorelle created it in 1924. He embodied Moroccan life and culture in the garden, using the colors of nature. The next owner of the garden was Yves Saint Laurent. He renovated the garden and the Majorelle house. Bridges, paths, a fountain, a bamboo alley – it is now a paradise in hot Morocco, where it is quiet and peaceful, but very colorful.
Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge is part of a canyon made by the Todra and Dades rivers. In some places, the distance between the rocks is 10 meters and their height is 160 meters. This is one of the favorite places of climbers. There are paths laid out for hikers. The scenery of the canyon, cut in half by the river, resembles a view of another planet. At the base of the canyon flows a stream. It was once a full-flowing river of ice.
Essaouira
A port city that served as a fortress in the past. That’s why it is walled and has cannons on it. The view of the city from the fortress is amazing. It was here where they filmed the movie “Othello”. In the city there are snow-white houses with blue windows, museums and the ruins of palaces. The length of the city beach is 6 kilometers. This is a favorite place for windsurfers. And everyone can get fresh fish here, and even for a ridiculous price.
Draa Valley
1,150 kilometers long, the Draa is the longest river in Morocco. But it does not always reach the ocean. Often its waters are consumed along the way. Only in spring does it flow with full force. Oases and villages have formed near it. In one of them, the first Sultan of Morocco was born. Also the valley of the river marked the beginning of the world culture. The oldest statue of a woman was found here.
Bahia Palace
Built in 1880, the Bahia Palace means “palace of the beautiful”. It was constructed for one of Sidi Moussa’s four wives.. It has an area of eight hectares. From the outside it is not glittering with gold. In accordance with Arabic philosophy the most intimate things must not be shown. Inside the palace is beautifully painted, its interior is not ordinary, but original and lively. The rooms create a real magical labyrinth.
Ait-Ben Haddou
The city was built to guard the caravan routes. It is a typical representative of Moroccan architecture made of clay. The homes are all painted in the hot sun’s color and are essentially identical.. Many films have been shot in the town. Ait Ben-Haddou is a UNESCO heritage site. Its streets are lined with museums, souvenir shops and a mosque. Among the monotonous houses one can discern works of art on almost every corner.
Jemaa al-Fna
Jemaa al-Fna Square is a place that gathers all the color and mood of Marrakech. There is a zoo, a circus, an orchestra pit. Merchants offer to buy medicinal herbs, spices, spices. You will be fed seafood at a low price, animal trainers will offer photos with animals, magicians and acrobats will catch your eye, and snake charmer mesmerizing. It’s all like a page out of an Arabian fairy tale.
El-Badi Palace
El-Badi Palace is a symbol of victory. It was built in 1603. The palace was called the golden palace because of its stunningly rich decoration. There was crystal, gold, marble, and rare woods. But in time the ruler decided to move the palace to another city. Thus began a long work of disassembly. Everything of value was taken out. Now El Badi is a ruin of luxury.
Talassemtane National Park
To protect Morocco’s remaining spruce forest, a park was established.. Thalassemtane is a great place for hiking or horseback riding. From many points of the park offers beautiful natural scenery. Hostels are prepared for tourists, where they are welcomed with all hospitality.
Agadir’s Kasbah
The Kasbah is the city’s fortress on a hill. It was built in Agadir in 1540. It was rearmed and rebuilt in 1752. It was home to 300 people. After an earthquake in 1960 almost nothing remained of the Casbah. Survived the high wall and the main gate. But tourists still like to climb it. It is a great place to take pictures, admire the view, and feel the cool breeze.
Mahcama du Pacha Palace
Mahkama du Pasha is a palace that was written in the 1800s and One Nights. It has 600 halls and each one is fighting for the right to be called the most beautiful. It was built in 1952. A forging, mosaic, stone, and wood carving can be found throughout the palace.. Now in its premises is the city municipality. On its territory luxurious gardens with rose bushes and fountains. The style of the palace combines Arabian captivation and French sophistication.
Arab League Park
This is the largest park in the city. It was created by French designers in 1920-1930. At the edge of the park stands the Sacre-Coeur Cathedral. It’s a mix of Oriental luxury and European sophistication. Visitors walk the alleys, relax under palm trees, enjoy neatly trimmed lawns and bushes. There are decorative ponds, sometimes bright spots of flowerbeds can be seen on the green canvas.
Kutubiya Mosque.
This is the main shrine of Marrakech. It was built in 1190. The minaret is 69 meters high. It is decorated with stucco and mosaics. But above all, it is veiled in myths.. One of them is that the balls on top of the mosque are made of pure gold. This tale has been the cause of many attacks on the shrine. The second is that the saintly Sidi Abu el-Abbas el-Sabti climbs up to the mosque every evening and only comes down when all the inhabitants have food and shelter.
Shawen (Shefshawen)
Chavin is the blue city of sunny Morocco. The sky and water seem to have painted it entirely overnight. It was founded in 1471. Fog often envelops it, but even in such weather, the city is bright. It has many workshops where the inhabitants are engaged in crafts. The city is famous for its fabrics and carpets. For a long time there were no foreigners here. The city is becoming among the most popular in Morocco..
The Kasbah of Oudaya.
Rabat’s biggest fortress and a landmark of Moorish architecture. There are cannons from the 12th century preserved on it. Inside the citadel are houses with blank walls. Tourists often come to the northern part of the citadel. There is an observation deck on the sea. With it opens up a gorgeous view. There is also a museum of Moorish culture.
Uzud waterfall
Mountain waterfall height – 110 meters. In three cascades it flows noisily down the slopes of the Atlas Mountains. On its way it sprays the mountains overgrown with olive trees and attracts monkeys. Visitors may encounter them as they tour the falls. Ouzoud is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. It can be approached from below. It is an indescribable experience. Also here is a well-developed tourist infrastructure.
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