’The Times’ Spills Morocco’s Must-See 11 Spots

It’s high time the magazine reveals new must-visit destinations in Morocco, showcasing the country’s flourishing tourism scene.

Marrakech – “I fell for Morocco when I sipped my first glass of sweet mint tea poured from a great height in a dilapidated Tangier café,” The Times writer Sarah Gilbert confessed in a recent piece.

And with that, her love story with Morocco began, paving the way for her to spill the tea (pun intended) on the 11 must-visit spots in the North African country.

Marrakech

As Gilbert puts it, the legendary Red City of Marrakesh has long captivated everyone from Silk Road traders to rock legends like the Rolling Stones.

Today, its luxurious hotels, high-end boutiques, and gourmet restaurants perfectly complement its enchanting medina, where snake charmers and storytellers still weave magic in the lively Djemaa el-Fna square.

Fez

Prepare to “lose yourself,” Gilbert mentioned when speaking of the sensory overload that is Fez el Bali, the world’s largest medieval medina.

With over 9,000 winding alleyways, this labyrinth of souks, mosques, and workshops is a feast for the senses.

Fez also serves as a perfect starting point for exploring the Middle Atlas, from the imperial city of Meknes to wine tasting at Villa Volubilia, the sacred town of Moulay Idriss, and the awe-inspiring Roman ruins of Volubilis.

The Sahara Desert

As Gilbert describes it, a night in the desert is an experience to be savored, and Morocco offers plenty of shifting sand seas to explore, whether by camel or on foot.

From basic to lavish, the camps provide the perfect setting to climb a towering dune and witness a breathtaking desert sunset before unwinding with some stargazing around a campfire.

For those seeking a more accessible (yet still authentic) option, Erg Chebbi, with its equally striking beauty, offers camps just 15 minutes by car or a few hours on camel from Merzouga.

The High Atlas

“The High Atlas mountains offer a dramatic mix of snow-dusted peaks, arid plains, and velvety green valleys,” Gilbert highlighted.

With ancient trails that wind through earthen Amazigh villages, this region is perfect for everything from leisurely walks to challenging multi-day hikes.

For a quick escape from the heat of Marrakesh, the Ourika and Ouirgane valleys provide a cool, forested refuge.

Meanwhile, the secluded Ait Bouguemez valley remains largely untouched, preserving a way of life that its inhabitants are in no rush to change.

Essaouira

“Easy, breezy Essaouira,” as Gilbert described it, is the perfect seaside escape, located just a three-hour drive west of Marrakech.

Encircled by honey-hued ramparts, the 18th-century medina offers a postcard-worthy harbor and stretches of golden sand.

Popular with artists and musicians, the town hosts the Gnaoua and World Music Festival every June, and its ever-present winds have made it a mecca for windsurfers and kite surfers.

Just south of town, Diabat and Sidi Kaouki beckon with opportunities to ride a horse or camel along the beach or hike through the picturesque argan tree-covered hills.

Casablanca

What Morocco’s largest metropolis lacks in ancient sights, it makes up for in striking architecture and sea views.

From its rocky outcrop overlooking the Atlantic, the towering minaret of the monumental Hassan II Mosque dominates the skyline, and everyone is welcome to marvel at its dazzling zellige tilework, hand-carved cedarwood, and acres of marble on a guided tour.

The bustling Place Mohammed V is surrounded by grand buildings, from the Moorish-inspired Palais de Justice to the contemporary Grand Théâtre de Casablanca.

And then, as the night falls, relive the art deco romance of the city’s namesake film over candlelit cocktails; Casablanca’s timeless appeal, much like its cinematic namesake, is a love story of its own.

The Dades Valley

A series of rugged gorges have been carved out of the landscape, where you can hike among otherworldly rock formations and navigate the hair-raising hairpin bends of the Dades Gorge.

Follow the ancient trans-Saharan caravan routes on your way to or from the desert, and drop in on ancient ksour (maze-like, often fortified mud-brick villages), fortified kasbahs, and community-run museums.

To the east are the red limestone cliffs of the Todra Gorge; to the west, the Valley of the Roses, where there’s a lively festival in celebration of the rose harvest in spring, the palm-fringed oasis town of Skoura, and the fairytale ksar of Ait Benhaddou, star of Game of Thrones.

Chefchaouen

Clinging to a hillside high in the Rif Mountains, charming Chefchaouen’s blue-hued medina is so endlessly Instagrammable that you might have to queue to get the perfect shot along its cobbled alleyways.

When the day-trippers have left, watch the world go by over a mint tea in the lively main square, overlooked by a 15th-century, terracotta-walled kasbah, and head uphill to the Spanish Mosque at sunset for panoramic city views.

The wild and wonderful Talassemtane National Park is on the doorstep, where you can trek to the waterfalls of Akchour and the natural stone arch of God’s Bridge.

Rabat

Founded in the 12th century on a rocky promontory overlooking the Atlantic, laid-back Rabat is a city where history meets modernity.

Skinny alleyways lead to ocean views in the Kasbah des Oudaias, the original citadel, where you’ll find the pulse of Rabat’s rich past.

Another unmissable landmark is the unfinished Hassan Tower, standing tall against the sky.

Modernity isn’t left behind either; the Mohammed VI Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art proudly sits alongside the cutting-edge Zaha Hadid-designed theatre, reflecting the city’s forward-thinking vibe.

Tamuda Bay

Known as the “Moroccan Riviera”, this stretch of Mediterranean coastline is home to some seriously luxe hotels, making it the perfect getaway if your priorities are sunning on the beach or beside a palm-fringed pool, with pampering spa sessions in between.

Watery pursuits are a given here, from jet-skiing to windsurfing, kayaking, and exploring unspoiled coves by boat, you can embrace the full ocean experience.

Historic Tetouan, renowned for its UNESCO-listed medina, skilled artisans, and Spanish colonial-era architecture, is just a 30-minute drive to the south.

Tangier

This port city has reinvented itself as a creative and cosmopolitan hub, all while preserving its original bohemian charm.

Meander through the medina, starting at the kasbah, and stroll past quirky museums tucked into historic buildings, eventually landing on the terrace of a café in the Petit Socco; an ideal spot for people-watching.

As the sun sets, grab a drink at a rooftop bar or take a leisurely walk along the corniche, soaking in the sea views.

To the south, a string of beaches awaits, along with the Caves of Hercules and the vibrant, arty seaside town of Asilah, making Tangier a perfect blend of cultural exploration and seaside relaxation.

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