Morocco is quite an amazing country to explore. It is much more than the souks of Marrakech, with plenty of things to do and very different landscapes outside the city itself.
Between the preserved Atlas Mountains, sleeping in the desert of Merzouga, seeing the red arches of Legzira and visiting the blue village of Chefchaouen, you will be spoiled for choice. And if you want to go to Morocco, contact us for more details.
Because there is nothing better than local knowledge to get to know a country, we asked our local expert to tell us about the must-see sites you shouldn't miss in Morocco.
We can't say everything about this beautiful country in just one post. We will come back with another one.
Marrakech, the unmissable Red City
Marrakech needs little introduction. It is probably the most famous city in Morocco, at least internationally. Be sure to explore the markets and souks for some great finds. Admire the magnificent Majorelle Garden, visit the Ben Youssef Medersa and the El Badi Palace, and stroll through the Bahia Palace.
A word of caution about the snake charmers you see in the streets: the snakes are often caught in the wild, and some have their mouths sewn up and their fangs removed.
The Sahara and the kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou
It would be impossible to talk about the essentials of Morocco without mentioning the Sahara. In Morocco it is divided into two distinct areas: Zagora, the driest desert, and Merzouga, known for its impressive dunes, some of which reach 150 metres in height.
Contrary to what you might think, there is a lot to see and do in the Moroccan desert. In the Draa Valley we will meet the Berbers in their kasbahs and small isolated villages. We can also take on the Dades Valley, renowned for its splendid gorges and its houses that blend into the rock. And another favourite I am happy to share: the Todra gorges. Go there in the early morning, when the rising sun makes the ochre rock blush. Nature at its peak.
Essaouira, the Moroccan Saint-Malo
Essaouira takes its nickname from the ramparts that surround the old city. With its face to the Atlantic and its all-white medina listed by UNESCO, it has nothing in common with Marrakech, which is exactly why it is worth visiting both on the same trip. Here, calm and tranquillity reign. The city attracts artists from all over the world who come for the special atmosphere of old Mogador.
I often say that Essaouira embodies the soul of Morocco. You can't miss the historical influences that shaped the city, which passed from the Berbers to the Phoenicians, the Romans and the Portuguese. The white houses with blue shutters may remind you of Greece and the 18th-century ramparts of Brittany, but with its narrow streets lined with riads you won't forget for a second that you are in one of the most typical cities in Morocco.