There is certainly no shortage of great attractions in Morocco. The country enjoys a strong sense of culture and a long and ancient history. The cool blue water flowing over the sand of the beaches is a direct contrast with the hot white sands of the desert, while the greens of fertile valleys contrast with the browns and whites of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. The country is romantic and mysterious and there is little wonder that Morocco is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa.
There is a never-ending list of Moroccan attractions for the average visitor to enjoy and you will really need to do your homework to ensure that you make the most of your travels in this vast and varied country. The main starting points are the more popular cities such as Marrakech, Tangier, Fes and Casablanca. At each of these places, you will find the usual hodgepodge mixture of medinas, bazaars and riads. You will also find superb beaches and classy hotels where a hubbly-bubbly pipe may be arranged with relative ease. All these things are an essential part of the Moroccan experience and should not be missed. There are also a number of excellent attractions in Morocco that a visitor should definitely make the effort to see.
Asilah:
Believed to have initially been constructed by the Phoenicians as a trade post around 1500 B.C., and serving as home to a procession of conquerors thereafter, even being a haven to pirates at one time in its history, the seaside resort of Asilah (or Arzila) boasts well preserved gates and ramparts as a reminder of its colorful past. All development at this popular tourist destination has been carried out in such a way as to blend-in with, and complement, its ancient structures and visitors are assured of a warm welcome by the friendly locals.
Bab Rouah:
As one of five gates that once served as entrances to the city of Rabat, Bab Rouah was built in 1197 and is a key historical attraction. Although being immense in size, Bab Rouah is superbly decorated in intricate designs. Once through the gates, visitors will have the opportunity to explore the rooms, including the Bab Rouah gallery which focuses on displaying the works of Moroccan artists.
Boulaouane Kasbah:
Located just south of the city of Casablanca this majestic Kasbah was built as a fortress overlooking the Wadi Oum er-Rbia River in 1710. Visitors who take the long winding stairway to the top of the Kasbah’s ten meter high tower will be rewarded with an awe-inspiring view of the surrounding area. The interior of the Kasbah is a treasure trove of beautifully detailed mosaic designs and other decorations.
Citadel of Chellah Gardens:
Located in Morocco’s capital city, Rabat, the Chellah Gardens are expertly landscaped to display hundreds of flowers which come into bloom in Morocco’s spring season creating a richly colored palette. The entrance to the gardens is through a skilfully crafted door inscribed with Arabesque calligraphy and within the grounds of the gardens visitors will come across Roman ruins and elaborate tombstones.
El Bahia Palace:
Located in Marrakech, this richly adorned building is a superb example of 19th century Eastern Architecture. Believed to have been built as a home for Ahmed Ibn Moussa’s concubines, the palace features 160 different rooms including lavishly decorated private quarters, reception rooms and courtyards with fountains and gardens.
Mohamed V Mausoleum:
This architectural and historical masterpiece is the final resting place of three significant members of Morocco’s royal family, including King Mohamed V. Visitors will appreciate the skilful workmanship in the construction and decoration of this mausoleum in Rabat which took a workforce of about four hundred men around nine years to complete.
Saadian Tombs:
Dating back to the 16th century, the Saadian Tombs situated just outside Marrakech are the burial ground for around 200 members of the Saadian dynasty, including Sultan Ahmed el Mansour who was buried there in 1603. The tombs were sealed by a subsequent ruler and remained sealed until being discovered by General Hubert Lyautey in 1917 who set about restoring and preserving them as an important part of Morocco’s history.
Mamora Forest:
Located in the vicinity of Rabat, the Mamora Forest includes vast numbers of cork trees, along with pine groves, wild pear trees and eucalyptus trees. The forest is a haven for a wide variety of bird and animal life and is a popular hiking spot for nature lovers.
Friouato Caves:
As the largest known cave system in Northern Africa, the Friouato Caves near the town of Taza attract visitors from far and wide. Guided tours take visitors down a hundred meter shaft in order to gain access to several large chambers with breath-taking rock formations, stalactites and stalagmites.
Menara Gardens:
Located in Marrakech the Menara Gardens is like an oasis in the busy city. Originally built in the 12th century, the gardens feature orchards of palm trees, fruit trees and olive trees, as well as irrigation canals and an artificial lake. The pavilion overlooking the lake offers a beautiful view of the gardens and the snowcapped Atlas Mountains in the distance.
Other attractions, such as the Dakar Rally, are world-famous for their dangerous appeal. Still other attractions feature incredibly old relics from the past that leave much to the imagination. Of course there is also a wide selection of mosques and churches, where visitors can find people still engaged in daily worship, and a range of palaces and historical markets that are just a wonder to see. Clearly there is no shortage of attractions in Morocco, so why not browse through our list of attractions and read up a little more about each one before finalizing your travel arrangements? You may discover many great and worthwhile attractions!
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