Discover the charm of Morocco's coastline with our round-up of the best beaches in Morocco. With their pristine sands, azure waters and scenic surroundings, they are a paradise for both sun seekers and nature lovers.
21.07.2023 - 08:00 / roughguides.com
Few countries boast such impressive natural diversity as Morocco. From its balmy coastline to the remote landscapes of its interior, the country offers visitors everything from relaxed beach breaks through to mountain escapes. Yet trekking in Morocco remains the highlight for many.
Beginners will enjoy gentle forays into the Atlas Mountains in summer, while tacking some of Africa’s toughest terrain in the depths of the snow-ravaged winter presents a serious challenge even to experienced hikers. Morocco rewards every traveller that explores its vast valleys and peaks.
Here, we’ve picked seven of our favourite treks.
North Africa’s highest peak, Jebel Toubkal vaults 4167m into the heavens in the Central High Atlas, dishing up views that more than reward the effort of trawling up there. This quasi-mythical mountain is the most eulogised peak in the country and it well-deserves the praise heaped upon it.
In summer it is an adventure that most reasonably fit people can tackle in two or three days from Imlil – altitude sickness, sunstroke and dehydration permitting – and the Kasbah du Toubkal is an ideal base that lies at the trail start.
In winter, when the trails are thick with snow, Toubkal is an even more serious beast requiring specialist gear and skills. For an exhausting but exhilarating challenge, there is also the Toubkal Circuit, a gruelling trek that takes around a week to complete.
Riad Atlas Chateau — Owned by Driss Lachguer, a popular Berber mountain guide, this family-run guesthouse provides spacious, pristine rooms with private bathrooms (except some cheaper rooms), plus a/c and heating. Solid breakfasts included.
The easiest way to trek Jebel Toubkal is on a guided tour, like this 3-day tour starting and ending in Marrakech.
Imlil village, Atlas mountains, Morocco © Shutterstock
When the snows make the High Atlas tricky, the mountain range of Jebel Saghro offers beautiful wintry landscapes but with fewer challenges. A continuation of the Anti-Atlas, it has slightly milder temperatures and trails that are usually still passable without the same level of difficulty as Toubkal’s snowy wastes.
The highest peak, Amalou n'Mansour, is much lower than the High Atlas peaks, at 2712m, so the risk of altitude sickness is generally less of a problem. The local cave paintings are a bonus.
In Tinerhir: Hotel Tomboctou — A kasbah built for Sheikh Bassou in 1944, tastefully converted by Moroccophile Spaniard Roger Mimó, Tomboctou is one of the country’s memorable small hotels. There’s a range of tasteful and cosy rooms (all cool in summer and heated in winter) and friendly staff on hand to help with exploring the local area. There’s also a pool in the courtyard, a good restaurant and a small bar.
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Discover the charm of Morocco's coastline with our round-up of the best beaches in Morocco. With their pristine sands, azure waters and scenic surroundings, they are a paradise for both sun seekers and nature lovers.
We might not have a Kardashian-level budget, but that doesn’t mean you can’t have an equally luxurious vacation to Morocco. And the “Red City” of Marrakech is the perfect place to start. With over a million people calling it home, and millions more visiting every year, Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most popular cities. The city’s culture is reflected in its architecture, which includes traditional Islamic designs as well as influences from Europe and North Africa. This extends to the city’s luxury hotels. From riads — a traditional property set around a central garden or courtyard — marble clad opulent palaces accommodations, to big-name hotels, there’s an impressive collection of stunning properties scattered across the bohemian city. To help you make an informed decision about your vacation to Morocco, here is a list of some of the best Marrakech hotels.
Morocco is an incredible place to visit for a variety of reasons. The country’s vibrant culture, stunning landscapes, and welcoming people make it the perfect getaway. Morocco offers something for everyone; from picturesque beaches to rugged mountains, there are endless ways to explore the beauty of this diverse nation. These Morocco Airbnbs showcase the best of the country.
In Morocco, the type of accommodations you choose to stay in is almost as important as the destinations you choose to visit. In the medinas of popular cities, riad stays are a must to experience traditional Moroccan dwellings that have been converted into boutique hotels or guesthouses, usually with an interior courtyard that makes them undeniably charming. Morocco’s desert experiences are equally famous, meaning camping—or rather glamping—should be on your list of priorities too. From bustling Marrakech to the nearby Agafay Desert and the port city of Essaouira on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, these three accommodations in Morocco are worth traveling for.
Marrakesh is brimming with culture, history, and beauty. This bustling metropolis is filled with attractions that draw visitors from all over the world. The Ryad Dyor Riad Marrakech offers guests an experience. This traditional Moroccan riad combines modern design with classic comfort for the perfect Moroccan experience.
Riad Alkemia is a beautiful and traditional Moroccan guesthouse in the heart of Marrakech. This charming riad offers a perfect blend of traditional Moroccan architecture and modern amenities, making it a great option for travelers looking for a comfortable and authentic experience in the city.
The Sunrise Palace in Merzouga, Morocco, is a luxurious destination for the discerning traveler. Set among lush gardens and overlooking the stunning desert landscape, this traditional palace has been expertly renovated to reflect its original grandeur of Moroccan culture. From the lobby with its intricate arches and hand-painted tiles to the majestic courtyards and grand salons, this majestic palace is sure to make any guest feel as though they are walking in the footsteps of Moroccan royalty.
A port city on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, Essaouira has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s when it began to attract laid-back bohemian types. In the decades that followed, Essaouria’s popularity continued to grow as more people discovered its stunning beaches, UNESCO-protected medina, fresh seafood, and vibrant arts scene. Ask today’s travelers, and most will tell you that Essaouira is now a Moroccan must. If you plan on visiting, make sure to cross these five experiences off your bucket list.
Metropolises like Marrakech, Fes, and cinematically immortalized Casablanca drive a lot of tourism to Morocco. But the North African nation’s touristic value extends far beyond its big cities, from ports like Essaouira on the Atlantic Coast to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Visitors might be surprised to learn how easy it is to plan a desert getaway from Morocco’s top destinations, especially if they set their sights on the Agafay Desert an hour outside of Marrakech.
Morocco’s tourist track isn’t well-beaten, it’s been thumped flat. Ask anyone who has been and the chances are they’ll have visited some combination of Marrakesh, the Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains and Essaouira – and they’ll probably have a small stuffed camel and a leather purse to prove it.
Marrakesh? Check. The souks of Fez? Been there, bought that. Jebel Toubkal? Climbed it, twice. So what else does Morocco have in store once you’ve ticked off its most popular sights? Plenty, according to Keith Drew, who selects seven places that are far from the madding crowds.
Many visitors return again and again to the same familiar place in Morocco, be it Marrakesh or Essaouira. And with wonderful markets, historic sights and delicious food right on the doorstep, who can blame them? For a very good reason to explore further afield, look to the varied range of music festivals and other events held throughout the country. The fast and modern train network makes getting around Morocco easier than ever before, while regular flights make it a perfect weekend break from almost anywhere in Europe. Here’s our roundup of the top Morocco festivals you shouldn’t miss this year.