Anne E.Tyner
Top irresistible cities in Morocco
When you travel to Morocco, you can expect to see a lot of color, literally. The flamboyant ochres of the walls, the dazzling whites of the whitewashed walls and the sparkling green of the tiles, all magnified by the light, leave no one indifferent. To help you discover this composite country, here's a selection of must-see cities. During your Morocco tours
Tangier
bridgehead to the East or the West's entryway, A thousand-year-old city that still operates on a daily basis is Tangier. To soak up its atmosphere, you need to stroll through its squares and alleyways. Its status as an international city, established in the 1920s, has allowed for every kind of eccentricity. Princes, artists and billionaires have flocked to the magnificent Moroccan bay... Many people do this 8 days Morocco tours
Fez
Fès is a bustling city: behind the ageless gates of its medina lie sublime palaces, while trendy bars emerge from the shadows of the minarets. Lovers of old stones will marvel at the royal and religious buildings erected in the Merinid period (13th-15th centuries). The Merinid tombs, where the sultans are buried, offer an exceptional panorama of the city.
Rabat
Formerly a fortress, Rabat* experienced a variety of destinies before becoming the capital in 1912. The Kasbah des Oudaïas, built on a military camp, offers a maze of whitewashed alleyways, overgrown with bougainvillea; its gateway bears witness to the virtuosity of Almohad architects. The Moorish Café, with its view over the waters, is the citadel's must-see place to quench your thirst.
Meknes
This "Versailles of Morocco", locked by three walls, was intended to be impregnable. A favorite site of Sultan Moulay Ismaïl, a megalomaniac tyrant and contemporary of Louis XIV, the city boasts a medina on a human scale and a souk much less hectic than that of Fez. The famous Bab Mansour gate is well worth a visit, with its elaborate ornamentation and interlacing.
Marrakech
The very mention of its name conjures up a host of images: the bustling Place Jemaâ-el-Fna, the permanent hustle and bustle of the souks, and the barrier of the Atlas Mountains in the distance. Its multitude of palaces and medersas has earned it the title of UNESCO World Heritage Site. The most cosmopolitan of Morocco's imperial cities, the city that makes and breaks fashion, is a favorite destination for tourists and jet-setters alike. It is highly recommended to do 3 days desert tour from Marrakech
Chefchaouen
All shades of blue can be found in this city that exudes the sweetness of life. A pleasant way to discover Chefchaouen is to follow the springs, lavoirs, fountains and mills. And to recuperate, there's nothing like a meal on Place Uta-el-Hammam to watch the sun set the ochre walls of the Kasbah ablaze.
Tetouan
The "daughter of Granada" has retained a strong imprint of the Hispanic colonization that lasted until 1956. At its heart, the medina has retained a touch of authenticity, with its small trades, shady squares and fountains. And for total immersion, the Ethnographic Museum invites you to experience a Tetouan day, with all its customs and habits.
El Jedida
Keeping with the Iberian ambience, El Jedida is a former Portuguese trading post. In the old town, shaped like a four-pointed star, Jews, Christians and Muslims have long lived side by side, as evidenced by the old synagogue and two churches. The Gothic-style Portuguese cistern, enhanced by its lighting, is an incomparable sight.
Essaouira
It's no coincidence that Orson Wells chose Essaouira as the setting for his film Othello. Nestling on a rocky peninsula, the city-museum charms with its luminous buildings and distinctive blue boats. After a stroll along the skala (ramparts), from which you can enjoy a 360° view of the town, it's a pleasure to enjoy grilled meats in the lively fishing port.
Casablanca
The city of Art Deco bears witness to the succession of inventive architects who shaped the new face of the "White City" during the Roaring Twenties. For a more oriental feel, a stroll around the Hassan-II mosque is a must: built above the waves and adorned with the world's tallest minaret, the edifice bills itself as the "new beacon of Islam".
Tafraout
In the valley of the Ammeln, a Berber tribe in the Anti-Atlas, lies Tafraout. Nestled in the middle of a cirque of pink granite rocks, the village offers a fantastic view. A panorama of natural beauty, between rocky sanctuary and plant Eden. Palm, argan, olive and almond trees grow here. The village reaches its splendid peak in February, when the almond blossoms are in full bloom. Mountain bike expeditions and trekking tours from Tafraout take you to explore this hard-to-reach region, where wilderness has to be earned. It was here that visual artist Jean Vérame created a multi-dimensional work of art: the Blue Rocks. Back in the village, relax in the hammam, stroll through the market (Wednesdays) or taste amlou, a popular spread made from argan nuts.
Mirleft
Perched on the heights of the gigantic Anti-Atlas, Mirleft is one of Morocco's most picturesque towns. Where the desert meets the Atlantic Ocean, this small Berber village enjoys ideal sunshine and temperatures all year round. Mirflet is home to five naturally unspoilt beaches. Laze on the sand, go diving, try your hand at surfing or stroll along the traditional arcades, but one thing's for sure: don't forget to take home the local produce: argan oil, Moroccan pottery and babouches! And when the sun sets the horizon ablaze, head up the hill to explore the old Spanish fort, Tidli. It offers magnificent ocean views. From Marrakech, a public bus takes you to this seaside paradise every hour.
Taghazout
Welcome to Taghazout, surfing country. Just 20 minutes from Agadir, between ocean and arid land, lies a fishing village. A must-see on the Moroccan coast, it attracts hundreds of surfers every summer. Alongside the villagers and the usual cafés, you'll come across wriggling wave tamers and a myriad of surf stores. An ultra-preserved Eldorado (for how much longer?) with traditional white and ochre houses, miles of immaculate beaches and wonderfully photogenic ruins. A resolutely charming destination.
Imlil
Located at the foot of Mount Toubkal, the highest peak in Morocco and North Africa (4,167 m), Imlil is the ideal starting point for an assault on the surrounding mountains. Perched at an altitude of 1,740 metres, the village of Imlil offers dazzling panoramic views. A small haven of tranquillity, nestled in the heart of the Atlas mountain range, just a few kilometers from the ochre town. It's the last village a car can reach before beginning the ascent of the mountain. Magical vision, invigorating greenery and nitescent beauty - that's how to sum up the Imlil landscape.
Oukaïmeden
Forget the equation Morocco = desert! The kingdom is home to the many mountain ranges that make up the sumptuous Atlas Mountains. In winter, the mountains offer a wealth of snow-covered slopes; in summer, pleasant hiking trails are revealed. Oukaïmeden, the highest ski resort in Africa, is one of the most popular in Morocco. Rising to 3,200 m, its peaks are cloaked in a blanket of snow for much of the year. The resort boasts five slopes to satisfy the needs of snow sports enthusiasts and tobogganers alike. Just 1 hour's drive from Marrakech, this village is the perfect place to combine snow and sunshine during your Moroccan holiday.
by Anne E.Tyner on 2023-09-16 06:00:03
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