Discover Morocco: Medinas, the Atlas and the Sahara

Morocco offers something for a range of travel interests: historic medinas and handicrafts, archaeological sites, mountain and desert landscapes, and activities on the water. The High Atlas range stretches for more than 750 kilometres and divides the country into an Atlantic, Mediterranean and Saharan part. If you are looking for a hotel for your stay, a good first step is to consider whether you want to focus primarily on urban history, nature, hiking or water sports.

Medinas, Handicrafts and Architectural History

Fès has retained its status as Morocco’s cultural and spiritual centre. The Medina of Fès is considered Morocco’s oldest and largest city. Tanneries, weavers, coppersmiths and potters are all represented there. Handicrafts are therefore as much a part of the medina’s character as its cultural and spiritual significance.

Marrakesh brings together various forms of cultural heritage. Its medina includes the Koutoubia Mosque, with its 77-metre-high minaret, the kasbah, city walls, monumental gates and gardens. Jamaâ El Fna Square is an open-air theatre and is inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The lanes of the Semmarine Souk showcase traditional crafts as well as Amazigh and Arab handicrafts.

The medina of Essaouira, formerly Mogador, is a fortified city dating from the mid-18th century. It is surrounded by a wall inspired by the Vauban model. For centuries, Essaouira was also an international trading port linking Morocco and sub-Saharan Africa with Europe and the rest of the world. Its fortifications and role as a port shed light on different aspects of the city’s history.

Rabat lies on Morocco’s north-west Atlantic coast. At the Chellah necropolis, historical periods intersect: it was built on the ruins of the ancient Roman city of Sala-Colonia. Volubilis also offers an archaeological window into the past. The site has yielded numerous mosaics, marble and bronze statues, and hundreds of inscriptions. After the city was abandoned for centuries, its ruins remained in an excellent state of preservation.

The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou offers another example of historic architecture. It is a traditional pre-Sahelian settlement made up of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls. The oldest structures appear to date no earlier than the 17th century. This cautious dating is part of the architectural complex’s story, alongside its distinctive combination of earthen buildings and high walls.

Mountains, Desert and Outdoor Activities

The route up Mount Toubkal starts in the village of Imlil. Before reaching the summit, hikers spend the night in mountain refuges. In Talassemtane National Park, walks and excursions combine hiking, trekking and adventure. These destinations appeal to travellers who want to spend time outdoors, while each route and excursion has its own distinct character.

The Erg Chebbi area near Merzouga includes dunes, palm groves, tracks and hiking trails. The dunes of Merzouga offer an impressive landscape where visitors can take a sand bath. Both the area’s varied landscape and this specific activity offer ways to experience the desert.

Dakhla lies in southern Morocco, between the waters of the Atlantic and the sands of the Sahara. The bay and lagoon at the entrance to Rio de Oro are home to migratory birds, pink flamingos, turtles, monk seals, rays and humpback dolphins. The two beaches mentioned also differ in their location and activities: PK25 Beach on the lagoon side is used for kitesurfing; Foum El Bouir on the seaward side is a surf spot where surfers gather.

You can weigh up your travel interests in practical terms: culture and architectural history, archaeological remains, walking tours, desert landscapes or water sports. The places described offer different areas of focus without requiring you to travel in any one particular way.

Discover more destinations: Grand Casablanca, Guelmim-Es Semara, Chaouia-Ouardigha, Tanger-Tétouan, Laayoune-Boujdour-Sakia El Hamra, Fès-Boulemane, Gharb-Chrarda-Beni Hssen, Oriental, Rabat-Sale-Zemmour-Zaer, Doukkala-Abda, Taza-Al Hoceima-Taounate, Marrakesh, Meknès-Tafilalet, Tadla-Azilal, Souss-Massa-Draa

For the broader travel overview: Africa.