Moroccan cities
Moroccan cities. Morocco has captivated and enticed travelers for thousands of years, from the shimmering seas of the Mediterranean to the sandy plains of the Sahara.
Morocco’s strength derives from its strategic position for trade with the rest of Africa; as a result, the country has seen many influences interlaced with its own Berber culture. Moroccan cities, whether modern metropolises or ancient medieval towns, are waiting for you to discover. Here is our selection of the greatest cities in Morocco to help you plan your next holiday.
Top 10 Moroccan cities
MARRAKECH
Marrakech is an unusual destination. You will surely bring a bit of Marrakech with you as an unforgettable dream because it is a land full of surprises! You’ll be surprised by its countless markets, gardens, palaces, and mosques. Marrakech, commonly known as the Red City, is the Kingdom’s fourth largest city after Casablanca, Fez, and Tangiers, with over a million residents, and it is the country’s tourist capital. Marrakech is more than a city; it is a pearl polished by history that has always welcomed travelers with open arms.
ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira has great tourist potential, thanks to its natural, historical, and cultural aspects, and has thus become a famous tourist destination. Its medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the islet of Mogador, its 18th-century seaport, and beaches that allow water sports make the province a quality tourist destination. Essaouira is a fishing port located on the Atlantic coast with a population of roughly 78,000 people. The city is located 173 kilometers north of Agadir, 174 kilometers west of Marrakech, and 316 kilometers south of El Jadida.
A busy beach resort overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, it is a beautiful treat of old-style architecture while remaining modern, with hotels situated in traditional Moroccan Riads within the old town, which is growing increasingly English-speaking.
CASABLANCA
Casablanca has expanded from a minor town to one of the largest in Morocco as a result of new sorts of modern architectural development, and it has become a prominent industrial and commercial hub more responsive to the Western way of life than other Moroccan towns. Casablanca, Morocco’s economic capital and largest city, is located on the Atlantic coast and is surrounded by stunning beaches, making it a popular seaside getaway. It is located roughly 80 kilometers south of Rabat and 100 kilometers south of El Jadida along the motorway. It has a population of about 4 million people, making it the most populous city in the Maghreb.
Agadir
The ocean offers vast beaches that span roughly 10 kilometers. The softness here is that of fine sand and the sun’s caress. It is a year-round paradise, only three hours from the major European capitals. Agadir is a city in southwest Morocco on the Atlantic coast in the Souss region, 508 kilometers south of Casablanca, 173 kilometers from Essaouira, and 235 kilometers west of Marrakech. It is in a wonderful position and has an exquisite temperature that will make you forget about your troubles. It is bordered by palm-fringed boulevards and waterfront bars. Because of its sophistication and the enormous number of visiting people, Agadir, Morocco’s main coastal resort, has a distinctively Western air.
FES
This regal Moroccan city’s historic cultural capital. Its exquisite madrassas, a cradle of knowledge, are its vivid icon. This fortified city, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, will take you to the Middle Ages. The access to the Bab Bou-Jeloud district is through its large 1913 gate, which is adorned with blue and green tiles, the city’s colors. Fez is separated into two sections: the old city and the new city.
TANGIER
Tangier has long been an unofficial cultural hub for a range of writers and artists from all over the world, and it also attracts property developers, particularly from the Rif and elsewhere. It is located on the Strait of Gibraltar, which joins Africa and Europe, about 15 kilometers from the Spanish shore, on the edge of the Rif mountain range, and affords a spectacular view of the opposite side. Tangiers has long functioned as a critical strategic location. With a history of two thousand five hundred years, it today has a population of one million people and is one of the oldest cities in North Africa. Its medina, Kasbah, bazaars, and souks are among the most active in the country, and its beaches are stunning, stretching for about 7 kilometers. Tangiers became a famous destination for the international jet set in the last century. Tangier, is a major seaside resort, with a diverse hotel and tourist infrastructure, as well as a medina that draws a huge number of people and where Spanish is more widely spoken than French.
RABAT
It is a coastal town with a nearly 60-kilometer-long coastline with a succession of rocky creeks or beautiful sandy beaches, and its hinterland offers significant ecological diversity for hiking. Rabat, Morocco’s administrative capital, is located on the Atlantic coast, on the left (or south) bank of the Bouregreg River, opposite the city of Salé. These two cities are for this reason nicknamed “twin cities”. It has a population of little more than a million people. Rabat is a first-class tourist attraction because of its pleasant climate all year, superb location on the Atlantic’s shore, and tremendously rich history. It has a particular historical heritage that represents the different civilizations that have shaped the Two Banks of the Bouregreg over the millennia. Rabat is one of the few cities in Morocco that has managed to keep its historical and cultural past. A series of sites in Rabat have been included on the UNESCO World Heritage List as cultural value since June 2012. There are ministries and the governmental administration, as well as the Royal Palace.
EL JADIDA
The fortifications of the Portuguese city, with their bastions and ramparts, are an early example of Portuguese military architecture of the Renaissance and are listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The Portuguese cistern, the castle of Mazagan, and the Manueline-style Church of the Assumption are the only existing Portuguese constructions. It is one of the rising cities in the tourist area, attracting more and more local and foreign visitors. It is located 96 kilometers from Casablanca and has a growing population of 300,000 people, the majority of whom speak French as a second language. Retirees flock to the area because of its coastal setting, pleasant microclimate, good quality of life, and inexpensive cost of living. El Jadida is a city of the future, with the “new” city of El Jadida being created on the way to Azemmour and guaranteed to be carbon neutral.
MERZOUGA
The dunes around Merzouga hamlet are situated in the Moroccan desert cities. Merzouga is known for its huge dunes in the province of Errachidia’s Draa-Tafilalet area. There are several activities offered, like camel riding, quad biking on the dunes, sandboarding, nights under the stars, and wandering in the desert to experience the beauty and changing color of the dunes. Merzouga is the best setting for an adventure.
OUARZAZATE
The film industry has called it The Hollywood of Morocco or Holly-Ouarzazate. It is a caramel-colored oasis heightened by the dazzling blue of the North African sky, with its many adobe Kasbahs, dry mountains and plains, lush green valleys and oases, palm groves, and villages of red or ochre soil that contribute to the region’s appeal and tourist draw. The Kasbah of Taourirt, which belonged to the Glaoui and was built in the middle of the 18th century, is the city’s icon. It is represented on the new 50-dirham notes and is located near the medina. This Moroccan town is the nerve center of a wide region in southern Morocco, lying at the confluence of the valleys of the Ouarzazate and Dades rivers (from the High Atlas), which generate the Draa River downstream of their junction. Ideal for peaceful vacations in a beautiful setting.
Asilah
Asilah is a vibrant little city with brilliantly colored murals on the walls. The historic walled coastal city is a lively and exciting site where the cultures of Spain and Morocco collide.
Explore the old city and enjoy the artistry and tradition that radiates from every street. The beachside promenade is great for leisurely cycling among the lovely cafés and ocean panoramas.
Larache
This laid-back vacation city is popular with domestic tourists throughout the summer months. The River Loukas flows softly through Larache, and the beautiful ruins of Lixus, where the famed Gardens of the Hesperides are supposed to have been located, are close.
This city’s Spanish section is still very much alive; don’t be surprised if you come across tapas bars and Spanish churches.
Tinghir
Tinghir, located in the Todra Valley, is tucked between the High Atlas Mountains and the magnificent dunes of the Sahara. Tinghir is a medieval French village that has grown into a bustling metropolis filled with blooming flower gardens, stunning Kasbahs, and charming tiny alleyways.
Hike up to the peak for panoramic views of the surrounding area, which is dominated by the ruins of the 18th-century Glaoui Palace.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most picturesque cities, with its unique blue-washed houses and red-tiled roofs. Surrounded by stunning mountains, the city’s small labyrinth of streets conceal plazas and old kasbahs.
With Moroccan cities and Andalusian roots, this town is a creative and progressive hotspot. It’s also a terrific spot to spend a few days eating good food, conversing with people, and exploring the local hills.
Tetouan
Tetouan, which translates as “the water springs,” is a small city in northern Algeria situated at the foot of the Rif Mountains. The city is an important port on the Mediterranean Sea and was once the capital of Spanish Morocco.
Its streets are lined with square, white-washed, Spanish-style buildings and large boulevards; tour the city’s magnificent medina and feel transported back in time.
Meknes
Meknes, which dates back to the 11th century, was formerly the imperial capital of Morocco. The Sultan at the time built tall walls and large doors to secure the city, as well as costly and lavish Moorish-Spanish-style buildings.
The city’s many monuments represent the city’s historic blend of European and Islamic culture. Both the mosaic-tiled Bab Mansour Leleuj and the Bab Mansour Leleuj are breathtaking. The mausoleum of Sultan Moulay Ismael, who made Meknes his city, is a stunning display of grandeur, complete with fountains and attractive gardens.
Note: We organize tours to discover Moroccan cities, for example:
