Morocco is best visited by deciding if you are more interested in visiting the cities to learn about the country's vast history, or to visit more off-the-beaten locales, such as the High Atlas Mountains, Asilah, and perhaps Essaouira. For those who want a little of both, an eclectic mix can be devised if you plan your trip carefully. Visiting ancient sites and the friendly Berbers of Morocco is only a little bit of research away.
On the Atlantic Coast: Our first stop for best places to sightsee in Morocco is in the Atlantic Coast region. The Atlantic Coast is made up of many popular cities including Casablanca, Rabat, Asilah, and Tangier. The Atlantic Coast has been an important aspect of Morocco's economy due to the trade routes, fishing exports, along with textile and industrial goods (such as phosphate), which is exported out of the country.
Between Rabat and Asilah, Moulay Bousselham is a great stopover on your way north or south; the beach is worth at least one day. The Blue Lagoon, a top site for bird watchers to see the numerous species in Morocco, is well known for having species that cannot be found anywhere else. The national park is actually accessible by boat and is made up of a total of 7300 hectares. Each year waterfowl, wildfowl, waders, and flamingos visit the little island park. The lagoon is 50cm to 4 meters deep depending on where you are. Much of the water that fills the lagoon is sea water, while part of it comes from the Oued Dredr. December through January (and even into February) is the best time to visit the national park for bird watching.
In the laid-back beach town of Asilah, with all its Spanish influence, you'll find a Kasbah with art gallery right on the edge of the water, kilometers of sandy beach, and a hidden spot called Paradise Beach. This place is best visited in the off-beach season and photos at sundown are the stuff of dreams.
The Mediterranean Coast:
The Mediterranean Coast encompasses everything north of the Rif Mountains. The Rif Mountains are not as high in altitude for hiking as the High Atlas Mountains in lower Morocco, but they do provide quite a bit of leisurely walkabouts for visitors. The Rif Mountains are also home to Chefchaouen, the city of blue that was once a Jewish settlement.
Grottes de Hercules:
Beyond Tangier's shady border crossing off the ferry are some spectacular beaches that are absolutely overflowing in the months of July and August. Outside the city, two worthwhile sightseeing venues are the Grottes de Hercules (a cave of mythical value) and Cap Spartel (where the Mediterranean and Atlantic Ocean meet) are the best places to visit at Morocco's northernmost point.
The Imperial Cities and High Atlas:
The Imperial Cities of Morocco are those that once held (and still hold) royal valor. These cities were once the seats of kings and dynasties which once ruled over the Kingdom. Those cities are Rabat, Meknes, Fez, and Marrakesh. Fez and Marrakesh are most arguably the best Imperial Cities to visit if you have to manage your time in Morocco. In Fez, be sure to take a tour of the medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site that is made up of over 9,000 alleys, streets, and dead-ends. The city is quite safe for even solo travelers; although some shady characters can come about at night. It is best to be back to your hotel or riad (converted guesthouse) before too late, usually around 8 to 10 P.M.
Marrakesh, the Red City, is Morocco's hottest (temperature and places to visit) and most crowded venues in the entire country. Its worth two days and one or two nights, at most. Most tourists flock here on budget flights to Morocco from Europe to spend the weekend. The lively Djem Al Fna (the main square) comes to life with fortune tellers, acrobats, food stalls, and other vendors from dusk until dawn 360 days per year. Cafes align the square and several restaurants serve good food for cheap.
Outside of Marrakesh is one of Morocco's most alluring spots, the High Atlas Mountains. Visiting the Berber villages that align the lush valleys makes you feel as far away as Tibet. The Ourika Valley is probably the most famous, although trekkers going up to the top of Mount Toubkal usually start in Imlil and farther along in Armed. Several companies run treks up Toubkal, so it is best to find a Morocco tour operator who has experience and is willing to offer you several options to see the most hidden parts of the High Atlas.
Jbel (Mount) Toubkal is the highest mountain peak in Morocco. The summit is at 4167-meters (over 13,000 feet) high. Each year thousands of tourists come to Marrakech to go on the two to ten day High Atlas Trek in order to reach the summit of Toubkal. Most have to acclimate to the high altitude by spending the night in the Neltner Basecamp before they are able to trek all the way to the summit.
Essaouira, which is not an Imperial City, is an artist's haven for music, perfect light, and photo opportunities. It is also a great place for water-sport enthusiasts who want to windsurf or kitesurf during this small city's most windy months. Essaouira, North Africa's wind capital, brings in all types of tourists who want to truly lay back, enjoy the sunshine, and experience a wonderful medina full of souks (areas of merchandise) selling anything from leather products, to argan oil, to the country's prized (and somewhat protected) thuya wood products.
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