The Most Beautiful Places to Visit in Morocco

There is so much to see and experience in Morocco! All the sights, smells, and sounds will intrigue and excite you from the moment you arrive.

It’s a land of diversity with mountains and deserts, blue-colored cities, souks and medinas, fabulous architecture, and thought-provoking ruins. It’s undoubtedly a land of beauty and many places throughout the country will stop you in your tracks.

With that in mind, here is a guide to the most beautiful places to visit in Morocco.

Ait Benhaddou

Located on a hill above a shallow river valley, Ait Benhaddou is a fortified village on the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakesh. It’s one of the most spectacular sights you’ll see in Morocco.

The dark red colored walls of this city are surrounded by swaying palms and terraced gardens while the extravagantly decorated buildings are some of the best preserved in this region. The scenery around Ait Benhaddou is no less breathtaking, and walking is a fabulous way to appreciate the beauty for yourself.

Asilah

One of Morocco’s most charming towns, Asilah has a long, golden sandy beach with the blue waters of the Atlantic crashing onto the shore. It is pleasant to wander in the medina, the towers, and ramparts with their beautiful pastel shades and colorful murals.

You will also see a delightful white mosque and a wide promenade lined with huge palm trees. All these parts of Asilah give the town an air of elegance, perfect for a few days on the coast.

Cascades d’Ouzoud

The Cascades d’Ouzoud has the most spectacular waterfalls in the whole of Morocco, surrounded by lush valleys of oak and pomegranate trees. You’ll be able to feel the cool spray on your face as the water plummets downward in a clamorous race to reach the green pools below.

Whether you go swimming in the pools or take a pleasant walk around the falls to see rainbows forming in the mist, the atmosphere is mellow and very relaxing.

Chefchaouen

If the gorgeous blue buildings and picturesque alleyways decorated with brightly colored and plant-filled pots of Chefchaouen aren’t enough, its impressive Spanish mosque, a stunning medina with balconies, tiled roofs, and courtyards, and stunning hilltop views might just swing it as being Morocco’s most beautiful city.

The Rif Mountains, an ancient kasbah located in lush green gardens, and a waterfall on the outskirts of town are more places that make a visit to Chefchaouen worthwhile.

Erg Chebbi

One of the most jaw-dropping sights in the whole of Morocco must surely be the seemingly endless expanse of the Sahara Desert. And what better place to explore them than from Merzouga, a stone’s throws from some of the largest dunes in the area.

It is here that you and your camel can wander across the Grande Dune de Merzouga, over 150 m high and 7 km across, into the isolation and silence of the desert. Expect a colorful landscape of sand and sky as the day progresses, clear night skies filled with sparkling stars, and a sunrise like you’ll never experience again.

Oualidia

A truly charming Moroccan destination on the Atlantic Coast, Oualidia is a sleepy little village that is big on natural beauty. Its highlights include a picturesque fishing port and a stunning coastal lagoon.

It is popular with surfers and windsurfers who come for the vast Atlantic waves, but for those who are in search of a slower pace, there are ruins and caves to explore. Oualidia is a haven for bird life and there are plenty of species to spot in the lagoon and along the shore.

The Chellah, Rabat

One of the most beautiful ruins in Morocco, The Chellah has a Gothic style gate and the remains of Roman arches, walls, and towers; the architecture of the whole site is stunning.

As you walk through the imposing entrance, passing abandoned pools, and wonderful mosaics, you enter into a place which is both surreal and breathtaking. The resident storks add to the spine-tingling atmosphere with the clicking of their beaks as they watch you from their nests.

Before you depart, take a peek over the walls for some of Rabat’s finest scenery, a magnificent river valley covered with beautiful flowers in the spring.

Toubkal National Park

One need look no further for beauty than Toubkal National Park, a spectacular landscape at every turn and one that changes throughout the year from the snow-covered peaks of Jebel Toubkal to the lush green valleys and terraces peppered with purple irises.

Hikers will rejoice in exploring the streams, rivers, and waterfalls plunging into the pools beneath. There are also mountain villages with houses constructed out of the rocks, craggy slopes, boulder fields, ridge walking, and river crossings that make this area a hiker’s wonderland. Without a shadow of a doubt, you’ll never tire of the stunning views that besiege your eyes.

About the Author: This article was written by Gill Morris, savvy travel blogger at asabbatical.com, a personal travel blog of Adrian Sameli. To connect with Gill, follow her on FaceBook.