Tourism in Morocco: destinations and must-see attractions

Surrounded by 3,500 kilometers of coastline and crisscrossed by a variety of mountain ranges, Morocco has an amazing diversity of people and landscapes. Situated between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea in North Africa, Morocco is separated by various fingers of the Atlas Mountains and the lonely Rif Mountains in the north. These features give Morocco an airy footprint unparalleled in Africa.

Morocco is fast becoming one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world. From Casablanca through Rabat to Tangier at the tip of the continent. From the endless blue labyrinth of Chefchaouen to Fez, further south to the dunes of Erg Chebbi in the Sahara, to Marrakech and the tranquil coastal city of Essaouira, Morocco is rich in significant natural and historical treasures, not to mention a rich and diverse cultural heritage.

What makes Morocco so attractive to travelers Moroccan society has a strong Islamic identity but is tolerant of different types of people, cultures and religions. The Berber and Jewish past helps people stay open-minded, and Morocco is the only country in the Muslim world with a Jewish history museum (as mentioned in the Casablanca guidebook).

Moroccan hospitality is legendary, and the younger generation is more open-minded than ever. They value family, arts, crafts and religion, but are changing their traditional mentality in favor of a more open and western outlook.

It is impossible to talk about Morocco without mentioning several regions that make the country an attractive destination. The following are the main attractions (some of them off the tourist routes) that will remain in the memory of visitors to Morocco. To find these places, consult a map of Morocco.

Merzouga: Merzouga is a small town in the Sahara Desert in southeastern Morocco, 35 km from Rissani and 50 km from Erfoud. Merzouga is famous for its sand dunes in the Erg Chebbi area, the highest in Morocco. It is crowded with tourists wanting to ride camels on the dunes and spend the night in Bedouin-style tents.

Ziz Valley The source of the water flowing into the Ziz Valley is in the Eastern High Atlas. Although the riverbed is intermittent, it was used for trade in this mountainous region. Most travelers simply admire the views from the road, but most would love to enter this lush oasis and learn about the people and sustainable farming methods that have sustained life in this region for thousands of years!

Todra Gorge: 15 km from the center of Tinegir, this area is no longer as attractive as it used to be due to the growing number of tourists and bus tours.

The Dades Valley: this labyrinth-shaped place is an oasis at the head of the Dades Valley, which starts in the river valley from the Middle Atlas Mountains and extends to the outskirts of Ouarzazate.

Ait Ben Haddou: this UNESCO World Heritage Site in Ouarzazate province has been used as a set for famous movies and is a worthy stopover for photography enthusiasts. Even further away is the town of Terje, which rivals Ait Ben Haddou in both beauty and history, but is not often on the tourist itinerary.

Erg Chigaga: slightly more remote than Erg Chebbi, Erg Chigaga is a rustic Sahara desert that is not visited by many tourists. It offers stunning beauty, wildlife and traditional nomads, and due to the extreme weather conditions for part of the year it is a seasonal destination.

Main tourist attractions. According to the Ministry of Tourism, Marrakech tops the list of top tourist destinations in Morocco. It is followed by Agadir, Casablanca, Tangor, Fez, Rabat, Ouarzazate, Meknes and less touristy cities such as Tetouan. Here are some more popular places to visit:

Marrakech.

Marrakech was the capital of Morocco under Youssef Ben Takfin, and the “pearl of the south” remains a major tourist attraction. As if transported back two centuries, you can see hard-working workers such as coppersmiths pounding metal with hammers in the copper souks, Souj Raghzal specializing in wool sales, El Butana specializing in sheepskins, and Souk Zarbia where caftans and carpets are again sold at high prices. Marrakech’s attractions include the Djemaa el Fnaa, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Saadian tombs, the Majorelle Gardens and the Koutoubia Mosque.

Fez.

Located on the trade route between the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, Fez in northern Morocco is an important commercial and industrial (textile mills, refineries, tanneries, soap factories) center, so handicrafts and textiles are an important part of the city’s economy past and present. The Old Town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and is a religious and intellectual center as well as an architectural gem. Here you can admire the beautiful Karawijn Mosque (built in the 9th century), the city walls and the Imperial Palace. Other attractions include the Bu Inania Madrasa, Saadian Tombs, Bab Bu Jeru, Moulay Idris II Mausoleum, Fonduk Nejarin, the Royal Palace and the Jewish Quarter of Mera.

Chefchaouen.

Against the backdrop of the Rif Mountains to the northwest, the blue city of Chefchaouen is set against the rolling hills of the white medina, while to the south, the La Ou River fills its banks with green and freshness. Built in the 15th century to resist Spanish and Portuguese invasions, Chefchaouen today is a small town that prides itself on offering visitors a beautiful and sweet life, especially thanks to its blue sea walls, known as the “blue city”.

Tangier.

The beautiful bay of Tangier by the sea is the last remnant of the Strait of Gibraltar before Europe. This port city is a colorful place looking to the future beyond the white walls of the Medina, and Tangier, home to more than a million people, lives in this duality. Yesterday’s intellectuals would not find the atmosphere they were looking for here. The walls still breathe Matisse and Bowles.

Essaouira.

The name Essaouira is derived from Al-Suila, a small walled fortress. Located between Safi in the north and Agadir in the south, the city was once known as Mogador. Its walls protected it from pirates of all stripes, but Essaouira not only stands on the sea, but also clings to the beach. Some of Essaouira’s most famous monuments include the Seaport, built in 1769, and the La Scala du Port tower, built by the Spanish. Today, these archways and open-air museums look appropriate for modern times. Today, youth and freshness blend perfectly with the city’s archaic monuments.

Rabat.

Rabat is the capital of Morocco and a symbol of Moroccan continuity. In the center of the city stands the Tower of Hassan, a remnant of an unfinished mosque. Behind the marble columns is the revered and awe-inspiring mausoleum of King Mohammed V.

Casablanca.

Casablanca is known as an international metropolis, inextricably linked to port activity, and is a center of international business. In addition to being a commercial and industrial city, Casa also has a spiritual dimension in the form of an iconic floating structure, the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques in the world.

Types of tourism in Morocco.

Morocco offers a wide range of options for different types of travelers, including budget, mid-range and high-end. Moroccan luxury involves higher prices as European quality competes with more local accommodation options. Accommodation prices typically range from US$20-100 per person per night at the budget level, to US$150-200 per person per night at the mid-range level and over US$300 per person per night at the luxury level. Hiking and trekking in areas such as the Atlas Mountains with their 4,000-meter peaks. Hiking and trekking in the Atlas Mountains, a 4,000-meter-high mountain range. Dotted with ancient Berber villages, the scenery is dramatic and beautiful, with rivers of melting snow appearing every spring.

Mass tourism in Morocco Today, Morocco is paying the price for its focus on mass tourism in an attempt to emulate countries like Tunisia of a decade ago. Morocco had plenty of opportunities for quality tourism. Mass tourism has had a mixed effect on the country, distorting views, limiting genuine cultural exposure and wasting resources.

Unfortunately, Morocco has yet to realize this lesson, and mass tourism is still a major focus for the future of Moroccan tourism. Projects around Agadir (one example) aim to turn the Moroccan coastline into a “Costa Brava”, with clusters of unattractive buildings along the coastline. Morocco needs a major reorientation, with more sustainable and profitable tourism as the main goal. The attraction should not be casinos and slot machines, but an authentic cultural experience that does not hinder (but empowers) local communities.

The ups and downs of Moroccan tourism

Although Morocco still attracts more tourists than other Arab countries, the effects of the 2008 global financial crisis are still being felt in Europe, the main source of tourist traffic, while swine flu, the volcanic eruption in Iceland, the cancellation of the Dakkar rally in Paris, the 2011 Marrakech incident and other events in recent years have prevented an increase in the number of tourists visiting the Kingdom of Morocco.

As a result of political turmoil in neighboring countries, Morocco has seen a significant increase in the total number of tourists over the past three years. Initially, travelers thought that Morocco might also show signs of instability, but this has not been the case. As travelers learn how safe and stable Morocco is, tourist numbers are increasing.

Given the competitiveness of tourism in the Mediterranean region, Morocco is using aggressive promotional tactics that are expected to pay off in the long run. However, some types of tourism in Morocco, such as rural, cultural and ecological tourism, have not yet gained much traction.

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