My Favorite Destinations in Morocco
If there’s a country that I feel I’ve gotten to know quite well, it’s Morocco. With so many destinations in Morocco to cover in one trip, it would be impossible to see everything in just one visit (unless you happen to have several months to spare).
I’ve visited the country five times already, with no plans to stop exploring it any time soon. I have a shop where I sell crafts from artisans around the world. Morocco just happens to be a huge part of our repertoire, giving me a great excuse to book flights there every few months to some of the best cities in Morocco.
I’ve compiled a list of my favorite destinations in Morocco to help you plan your perfect trip (or perhaps confuse you even more!).
These are the coolest destinations in Morocco:
I arranged them in order in case you want to visit them all, this is the perfect route, starting in Marrakech and finishing up north. You can easily fit all these destinations in a one-week Morocco itinerary!
Marrakech – The Red City of Morocco
Marrakech is both weird and wonderful.
The pink hues splattered all over the walls, the labyrinth-like medina, the wonderful riads in Marrakech, the sumptuous carpets to be found in every corner, the endless array of extravagant souvenirs, the performers that pulse up the city’s main square. It all adds up to a destination full of character.
If you’re into shopping, Marrakech will make you happy – there are so many souks here that having to even pick what to buy can feel overwhelming!
Even after having visited Marrakech seven times, I still keep finding new shops and alleys filled with pretty things. Moreover, there are plenty of amazing day trips from Marrakech you can take to explore Morocco further.
How long to stay in Marrakech: 2 days
Essaouira – Morocco’s Wind City
Sea-side chillness was the norm during my time in Essaouira. Dubbed ‘The Wind City of Africa’ due to the coastal wind that hits the city year-round, this relaxed surfing town boasts an array of vibrant streets and an incredibly quaint fortified medina.
I found Essaouira to be the perfect escape from the bustle and hustle of Marrakech and the ideal destination in Morocco for those who enjoy a more chillaxed vibe. I never got harassed here, and shopping was a breeze compared to more popular destinations like Fez. I loved Essaouira so much that I extended my stay here to a week even though the original plan was only two days.
How long to stay in Essaouira: 2 days
Read more on Essaouira: Shopping in Essaouira
Oasis Du Fint – Morocco’s rural paradise
Oasis du Fint was my first taste of rural Morocco and my second favorite destination in Morocco overall.
If nature, village life, and off-the-beaten paths places are your jam, then Fint Oasis is the place for you. Tucked in the middle of the desert of the Anti-Atlas Mountains, this little Oasis is the breathing lung of four small Berber villages.
It doesn’t really get more rural than here. Women washed their clothes by the oasis, mothers collected reeds from the water to rebuild their rooftops, men walked side-by-side with their donkeys, and the villagers gossiped in front of their mud houses.
I loved getting lost in the desert, walking bare-footed through the sand-covered ground, climbing massive rocks, greeting the local passers-by, and forgetting that a world outside existed at all. We stayed in a gorgeous kasbah called La Terrace des Delices, which was perfectly located for those who love nature and less-traveled locations.
How long to stay in Oasis du Fint: 1 or 2 days
Fez
It was a tough debate whether Fez should make it to the list or not.
I find Morocco easy to travel, but I’ll be honest and admit that I definitely struggled in Fez. The medinas felt hard to thread through with every single seller inviting my boyfriend and me to visit their shop. The people here felt more aggressive and as a woman, the harassment and stares became difficult to stand even when walking with my boyfriend. There was an instance when I finally lost my composure and shouted “Fuck you!” at a group of guys who found it entertaining to cat-call me. Lol, seriously.
Still, travel isn’t meant to be easy and as far as cultural destinations in Morocco go, Fez is extremely enthralling. The puzzles of aromas, the ever-iconic tanneries, the imposing forts, and the bustling food markets were fascinating to delve into. Still, though, um… two days is the most I’d stay here, cause getting cat called ain’t fun.
How long to stay in Fez: 1 day
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Chefchouen – The Blue City of Morocco
If I had to choose my ultimate favorite place in Morocco, it would definitely be Chefchouen. No, scratch that, it’s probably one of my favorite places in the world. Like, if I ever were to write a book, I’d rent myself a cozy apartment here and spend my days writing away while sitting on a window sill.
I mean, have you ever wondered what it would be like to jump into an acrylic painting hung on a wall? Walking amid the blue-washed walls of Chefchouen feels exactly like that.
I’ve had the chance to visit Chefchouen pre and post-Instagram fame and while the difference was obvious, it still holds the authentic tiny-town-in-the-mountains vibe that made me fall hard for it in the first place.
How long to stay in Marrakech: 1 day or two days if you like hiking (there are so many cool trails around Chefchouen!)
Read next: Pictures to inspire you to visit Chefchouen
Tips for Traveling Morocco
→ Keep in mind that Morocco is a majorly-Muslim country. Westernized fashion is totally okay to wear in major tourist hubs, but try to make an effort to respect their customs. For packing tips for Morocco, check out my Morocco packing guide for women. In Oasis Du Fint, make an extra effort to cover your legs/shoulders as this is a more reserved destination in Morocco.
→ Tap water in Morocco isn’t safe to drink, so I recommend getting yourself The GRAYL. It’s a water bottle that filters bacteria and chemicals in seconds. I’ve used it all over the world and it works like a charm! Not only will it save you money in the long run, but it will also help make your trip to Morocco more environmentally friendly 🙂
→ Don’t forget travel insurance! I always recommend Safety Wing. It covers any accidents that could happen while in visiting any of these destinations in Morocco, as well as things like stolen electronics and delayed flights. You can easily book it, extend it, and make claims online. Check them out here.
How To Get Around Morocco
Getting around Morocco is generally very easy, with lots of options to choose from depending on your time and budget.
Flying: Getting from city to city is best done by flying if you don’t have much time. Fez to Marrakech, for instance – you can catch a flight for $25-$50 with AirArabia that will have you there in one hour. Use Skyscanner to find the cheapest flights.
Land: If you do have more time, though, then a train ride is a more environmentally-friendly way to get there. Plus, it’s cheap and an experience in itself! Another great option to get around if you have the time is by bus – the two biggest bust companies are CTM and Supratours, both of which are comfortable and inexpensive.
For moving between smaller towns with no airport, like Chefchouen, your best bet are buses. Again, CTM and Supratours are both great options, although there are also smaller local buses running as well.
These are often overcrowded, though. I do recommend taking CTM instead – even though it’s cheaper, local buses don’t always leave you where you want to be left at. For instance, I once took a local bus from Fez to Chefchouen.
It turned out, though, that the bus wasn’t actually going to Chefchouen, just sort of *kinda* close. We were dropped off in the middle of a road and had to take a taxi for thirty minutes. In the end, it turned out to be more expensive and time-consuming (local buses make dozens of stops along the way to drop and pick passengers off).
