Morocco for First Timers

Every place below is pinned on the interactive map with its exact location. You can browse it for free, and copy the whole map into your own Ikuzo account to adapt it to your trip.

Marrakech

Jemaa el-Fnaa

The legendary main square, calm by day and a huge open air food and show carnival by night. Agree on a price before photographing performers or monkeys, and keep your bag in front of you in the crowd.

Koutoubia Mosque

The 77 meter minaret that anchors the whole city skyline. Non Muslims cannot enter, so admire it from the gardens, especially beautiful at sunset.

Bahia Palace

A 19th century palace of painted ceilings, zellige tiles and quiet courtyards. Go right at opening to beat the tour groups, an hour is enough.

Jardin Majorelle

The cobalt blue garden restored by Yves Saint Laurent, the most photographed spot in Marrakech. Book a timed ticket online in advance, walk ins often face long lines.

Ben Youssef Madrasa

A stunning 16th century Quranic school with some of the finest carved stucco and cedar in Morocco. The student cells upstairs give great views over the central courtyard.

Saadian Tombs

Lavish royal tombs hidden for centuries and rediscovered in 1917. The star is the Hall of Twelve Columns, expect a short queue to see it up close.

Souk Semmarine

The main artery of the souks, leading north from Jemaa el-Fnaa into a maze of spices, leather and lamps. Haggling is expected, start around a third of the first price and keep it friendly.

El Badi Palace

The atmospheric ruins of a once glorious sultan's palace, now home to storks nesting on the walls. Climb the ramparts for one of the best views over the medina.

Le Jardin Secret

A restored riad garden right in the middle of the souks, perfect for a quiet break from the crowds. The tower ticket adds a nice rooftop view of the medina.

Atlas & Desert Route

Aït Benhaddou

A UNESCO listed mud brick ksar seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Cross the river and climb to the granary at the top for sunrise or late afternoon light with far fewer people.

Atlas Studios

One of the largest film studios in the world, with leftover sets from Gladiator, Kingdom of Heaven and many more. Visits are by guided tour included in the ticket, a fun one hour stop in Ouarzazate.

Todra Gorge

A dramatic canyon with 300 meter walls squeezing a small river, walkable on a flat road in an easy hour. Go early morning or late afternoon to avoid tour buses and midday heat.

Dades Gorges

A valley of red rock formations and the famous switchback road, best seen from the cafe viewpoint above the hairpins. Ideal overnight stop between Marrakech and the Sahara.

Erg Chebbi Dunes

The classic Sahara experience, 150 meter orange dunes reached by camel or 4x4 from Merzouga. Book a night in a desert camp for sunset, stars and sunrise, and bring warm layers, nights get cold.

Imlil

A Berber mountain village at 1740 meters and the trailhead for Mount Toubkal, an easy day trip from Marrakech. Local guides are mandatory for the Toubkal summit, but village and waterfall walks are free to do on your own.

Ouzoud Waterfalls

Morocco's tallest waterfalls at 110 meters, with wild macaques along the path and boat rides at the base. Popular day trip from Marrakech, wear shoes with grip, the trail gets slippery from spray.

Agafay Desert

A moonscape of stone desert only an hour from Marrakech, the easy alternative if you have no time for the Sahara. Come for a sunset dinner or a night in a luxury camp with Atlas views, but do not expect sand dunes.

Fes & Meknes

Fes el-Bali Medina (Bab Boujloud)

Enter the world's largest car free medina through the famous Blue Gate. Getting lost is part of the fun, but a licensed guide for the first half day helps a lot, and politely ignore anyone insisting the way ahead is closed.

Chouara Tannery

The medieval leather tannery with its iconic honeycomb of dye pits, viewed from the terraces of the leather shops around it. The mint sprig they hand you against the smell is real, a small tip or purchase is the polite exchange for the view.

Al Attarine Madrasa

A small 14th century madrasa near the spice souk, considered the jewel of Marinid craftsmanship. Quieter than the big sights, ten minutes of pure tile and cedar detail.

Bou Inania Madrasa

The grandest madrasa in Fes and one of the few religious buildings non Muslims can enter. Just inside the medina from Bab Boujloud, so do it first on your way in.

Volubilis

The best preserved Roman ruins in Morocco, famous for mosaics still lying in place in the open air. Combine with Meknes as a day trip from Fes, bring a hat, there is zero shade.

Bab Mansour

The monumental gate of Meknes, considered the most beautiful in Morocco, facing lively Place el Hedim. Best photographed in late afternoon light, the square and its food stalls wake up in the evening.

Royal Palace of Fes (Dar el-Makhzen)

The palace itself is closed to visitors, but everyone comes for the seven golden brass doors on Place des Alaouites. A quick photo stop, pair it with a stroll through the adjacent Jewish quarter, the Mellah.

North

Chefchaouen Medina

The famous blue city of the Rif mountains, small enough to wander in a relaxed day. Locals are used to photographers but always ask before shooting people or their doorsteps, and climb to the Spanish Mosque for the sunset view.

Akchour Waterfalls

Turquoise pools, waterfalls and the God's Bridge rock arch, 45 minutes from Chefchaouen. The riverside trail to the big waterfall takes about two hours each way, with cafes serving tagines along the route.

Tangier Kasbah

The old fortress quarter at the top of the medina, whitewashed lanes with views across the Strait to Spain. The Kasbah Museum in the former sultan's palace is a good short visit.

Cap Spartel

The lighthouse point where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, at the northwestern tip of Africa. An easy taxi loop from Tangier combined with the Caves of Hercules, sunset is the moment.

Caves of Hercules

A sea cave whose opening famously matches the shape of the African continent. Quick and cheap to visit, come at low tide and pair it with Cap Spartel.

Coast

Essaouira Medina & Port (Sqala du Port)

A laid back UNESCO fishing town of blue boats, seagulls and ramparts, the mellow antidote to Marrakech. Watch the catch come in at the port, then eat grilled sardines at the fish stalls between port and medina.

Essaouira Beach

A long crescent of sand famous for its steady trade winds, one of the best kitesurfing and windsurfing spots in Africa. Great for walking and camel rides, but the wind makes sunbathing a sandy affair, especially in summer.

Hassan II Mosque

One of the largest mosques in the world, built right over the Atlantic with a 210 meter minaret. One of the only mosques in Morocco non Muslims can enter, on guided tours only, so check tour times and dress modestly.

Kasbah of the Udayas

A blue and white walled citadel above the river mouth in Rabat, with an Andalusian garden and an ocean view cafe. Entry is free, ignore anyone claiming you need a guide or that it is closed.

Hassan Tower

The 12th century minaret of a mosque that was never finished, standing over a field of columns. The ornate Mausoleum of Mohammed V next door is free to enter and guarded by ceremonial royal guards.

Asilah Medina

A whitewashed seaside medina covered in murals that are repainted every year during the summer arts festival. An easy half day by train or taxi from Tangier, stroll the Portuguese ramparts at sunset.

South

Agadir Oufella Kasbah Viewpoint

The hilltop ruins of the old kasbah, the only piece of Agadir that survived the 1960 earthquake. Take the cable car up for the sweeping view over the bay, best in the hour before sunset.

Legzira Beach

A wild red sandstone beach famous for its giant natural arch, one of the most dramatic on the Atlantic coast. Visit at low tide to walk to the arch, and time it for the sunset glow on the rock.

Taghazout

Morocco's surf capital, a former fishing village with world class point breaks like Anchor Point. Surf schools and board rental are everywhere, best waves from autumn to spring, with a very relaxed cafe scene year round.