1 Tafraoute And Ameln Valley
This high-altitude town offers some of the most spectacular views; imagine cloud-topped mountain peaks and endless valleys dotted with traditional villages. Atlas travel is something that every Morocco traveller will recommend, and if you have an adventurous bone in your body, make the High Atlas your next hiking adventure. Not only will Tafroute and the Almeln Valley offer breathtaking mountain-top views, but the region is also renowned for its most authentic tagines and couscous dishes. You can live, eat and sleep like a local here – a great way to integrate yourself into Moroccan culture.
2 Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate City is the “Door of the Desert”, and that’s precisely what it is: a window into the Moroccan Sahara. And on arrival, if you feel like you’re on the set of some exotic movie, that’s probably because you are! The desert landscapes and rammed-earth kasbahs of this stunning city have provided the perfect backdrop for many Hollywood movies over the decades. Since the 1960s, Hollywood directors have flocked to Ouarzazate, and you may recognise the location from films such as Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Kingdom of Heaven, or more recently, Game of Thrones.
3 Jemaa El Fna At Night
It’s easy to make the mistake of only visiting Marrakech’s main square during the day if you’re only in Marrakech for a fleeting stopover. But for those in the know, the real party doesn’t get started until the sun goes down. Jemaa el Fna transforms into a huge communal feast during twilight; lights dot every inch of the square, steam fills the air from soup and snail stalls, and locals come flooding in to meet their friends and neighbours for a catch-up. It’s the perfect place to people watch; make sure you get a good spot from one of the surrounding rooftop cafes.
4 Chefchaouen Old City
Chefchaouen Old City was founded back in the 1400s, so it’s a miracle that it still exists today. But what’s even more miraculous to the first-time visitor is the never-ending blue hues which fill the city’s streets. Situated in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is known as Morocco’s “Blue City”, and buildings are painted blue to make it more distinctive than any other commune in the country. Chefchaouen is a photographer’s dream, and it’s also a great place for eating out and shopping.
5 Medina In Fes
The Fes medina stretches over 2.4 square miles, and this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world. It’s so large and complex that getting lost goes hand in hand with a Fes adventure, so be prepared to lose yourself in the old city’s many hidden streets and side alleys. And whatever you do, don’t miss the leather tannery where you’ll be met with a visual overload of colours.
