Authors:
John and Rachel @childrenofwanderlust and childrenofwanderlust.com.
Marrakech is a great city to visit, full of colour and vibrancy. Sadly, for a lot of visitors, the city is all of Morocco that they’ll ever see. This is a real shame, as there is so much more to be explored in this welcoming, varied and constantly surprising country.
Having recently returned from a tour of Morocco in our vintage camper, where we travelled to all corners, here are our top 5 must-see locations in Morocco:
1. Essaouira
Located on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, a short hop, and easily reached from Marrakech, sits the beautiful city of Essaouira. An important fishing port for centuries, the city’s visual appeal has seen it regularly used as a backdrop for the big screen. Sunshine and Atlantic trade winds have acted as a magnet for water sports enthusiasts, with art galleries and beach bars completing the bohemian vibe. It’s Morocco in a nutshell, and a great place to hang out for a few days.
Pros:
Morocco’s only pre-planned old town medina (market): spacious and hassle-free to explore. The medina nonetheless retains the expected range of shops and atmospheric souks.
UNESCO World Heritage listed Kasbah: the impressive fortified coastal defences surrounding the old town.
Sandy beach: good for chilling or taking a camel or horse ride.
Kite surfing: centre of expertise with lessons and kit hire readily available. There’s an inland lagoon for beginners not yet ready to take on the waves.
Lively evening atmosphere: with rooftop and beachfront licensed bars, some with live music.
Cons:
Persistent winds: means the beach is not always the best for relaxing on.
Expensive alcohol prices: compared to Southern Europe.
For more on our trip to Essaouira click here.
2. Merzouga
At the centre of Morocco’s desert tourism industry, Merzouga sits at the base of the mountainous red sand dunes of the Sahara. It has a range of traditionally constructed, yet also luxurious, hotels and desert camps. The abundance of camels, the desert backdrop and night skies filled with endless stars, make this a place to visit like no other.
Pros:
Sand dunes: easy access to the dunes of the Sahara – fun to explore by day and with brilliant stars above on a clear night.
Ride camels: into the desert to camp overnight – this includes luxury desert camps, with tents complete with high-end furniture and ensuite bathrooms.
Cons:
Ongoing construction: and the rapid expansion of hotels risks tarnishing the special atmosphere.
Accommodation is very spread out: making it hard to explore the town without independent transport.
Don’t Miss…
A short drive from Merzouga, you can visit the ‘Pigeons du Sable’ (or Pigeons of the Desert); a musical group based in a Gnaoua community descended from South-Sudanese slaves. They play their ceremonial, traditional (and loud!) music to visitors.
For more on Merzouga click here.
3. Tafraoute
Think mountains in Morocco and most people think of the High-Atlas. While these are beautiful and worth a visit, if you really want to escape Marrakech day-trippers, head south to the Anti-Atlas Mountains. In a valley at the centre of the Anti-Atlas is Tafraoute, surrounded by dramatic red granite landscapes and other-worldly scenery. It makes the perfect base for those looking for outdoor adventure.
Pros:
Endless mountain scenery and trails: perfect for hiking, mountain biking and climbing.
Surprisingly smart town: considering its position in the middle of nowhere.
Unforgettable drives and viewpoints: on the roads in and out of town.
Cons:
Not much to do: beyond outdoor or mountain pursuits.
Difficult to reach: it’s a time consuming journey by road.
Don’t Miss…
The ‘Painted Rocks’ – a short drive or bike ride outside Tafraoute. Originally created by Belgian artist Jean Vérame, an enormous area of wilderness granite boulders have been painted in bright colours – predominantly blue, with bright shades of red, yellow and orange. Love it or hate it as an idea, it is unlike anything else you’ll ever see.
4. Taghazout
Morocco’s surf capital, now a big player on the international surf scene. The previously blossoming surf and yoga industry has now engulfed this former fishing village on the southern coast. Taghazout has a beautiful, long, sandy bay and a good selection of accommodation and restaurants. Whether expert, beginner (or only a beach towel spectator), if you’re interested in surfing in Morocco, this is definitely the place to come.
Pros:
International surf and yoga scene: lessons, hire and complete packages all readily available.
Consistent waves: and year-round sunshine.
Suits all abilities: with a range of surf spots and conditions around the town.
Varied restaurant options: with good vegan and health food options.
Don’t miss:
The World Surf League comes to town yearly with the hosting of the Pro Taghazout Bay event. Expect pro-surfers, an atmosphere of excitement and impromptu parties in the guesthouses and surf lodges around town.
For more on Taghazout click here.
5. Chefchaouen
A backpacker favourite, Chefchaouen in Morocco’s northern Rif Mountains, is famous for being at the epicentre of Morocco’s cannabis production industry (and rumoured to produce half of the world’s hashish in the farms around the town). Whether or not you view that as positive, it shouldn’t put you off visiting. Chefchaouen is also undoubtedly Morocco’s prettiest town – with narrow, winding streets and alleyways, lined with buildings all painted in blue. It’s a picture-perfect, friendly and laid back place to visit, and feels far removed from the stresses of everyday life.
Pros:
Picturesque streets: wind their way up the hillside, presenting photo opportunities around every corner.
Lively central square: with evening street entertainers.
Centre for handicrafts: especially woven goods and brightly coloured carpets, all at reasonable prices when compared to the larger cities (but, like anywhere in Morocco, still always expect to haggle hard).
Excellent mountain walking opportunities: to viewpoints in the surrounding hills.
Cons:
Hillside setting: with winding streets and stairways, it may not be suitable for people with mobility issues (or who don’t like walking up hills!).
Difficult to reach: getting to Chefchaouen is time consuming involving winding mountain roads.
Local touts: frequently attempt to sell you their cannabis hashish. This a minor annoyance only, never feeling threatening or dangerous in our experience.
Don’t Miss…
The ‘Spanish Mosque’ – never actually used as a mosque, this building is located high up on the hillside on the other side of the valley from the town, with an easy walking trail leading up to it. It’s great to visit at sunset for unforgettable views back across the striking blue town below.
John and Rachel:
We are a couple from the UK, currently travelling full time in our beloved Classic Hymer camper, ‘Hazel’, with our 3 young children, Savannah (5), Aurora (3) and Easton (1). Having travelled globally before having children, we are keen to continue this way of life with our kids, introducing them to as many exciting and memorable new experiences as we can.
We are always looking for ways to further develop an online community of like minded people; all able to learn and gain ideas from the experience of others. After all, there’s still a whole lot more world out there waiting for us to explore!
For more from us, check out @childrenofwanderlust or childrenofwanderlust.com
For more from our Moroccan adventure, see the round-up of our 1 month in Morocco