Morocco offers an incredible diversity of landscapes, cultures, and cities, giving travelers a constantly changing tapestry of experiences in a single trip. Whether you are drawn to ancient imperial cities, relaxed coastal towns, or quieter local hubs, Morocco has a destination with its own distinct atmosphere waiting to be explored.
Why Visit Morocco?
From UNESCO‑listed medinas and Atlas Mountain passes to Atlantic beaches and Sahara dunes, Morocco packs a remarkable variety into manageable travel distances. The country’s mix of Arab, Amazigh (Berber), Andalusian, and French influences creates rich architecture, food, and traditions that reward curious travelers who like to go beyond “just Marrakech.” With custom private Morocco tours designed by Gateway2Morocco, you can link imperial cities, desert camps, and coastal towns into one seamless itinerary tailored to your interests
Morocco’s Grand Imperial Cities: Fes and Meknes
Fes: Living Medieval Medina
Fes is one of Morocco’s great imperial capitals, home to a vast medina often described as one of the world’s largest living medieval Islamic cities, with thousands of narrow, winding streets dating back to around the 9th century. Walking through Fes el‑Bali can feel like stepping back in time, from the iconic Blue Gate with its blue and green tiles to the traditional tanneries that still use centuries‑old leather‑processing methods.
The city is historically divided into the old medina, a later “mid‑city” dating to the 14th–15th centuries, and the more modern Ville Nouvelle built under French influence. Visitors can easily spend several days exploring spiritual sites, madrasas, artisan workshops, and panoramic viewpoints over the sea of rooftops.
Meknes: Grandeur Under Restoration
Just a short drive from Fes, Meknes is another imperial city whose full grandeur is gradually re‑emerging as major restoration work continues. The city is known for its monumental gates, such as Bab el‑Khemis, and the immense former royal complex of Dar el‑Makhzen, expanded by Sultan Moulay Ismail in the 17th–18th centuries.
Many of Meknes’ key sites, including parts of the main square Place el‑Hedim, have been under heavy renovation, but the city remains a fascinating, less crowded alternative to Fes with a more relaxed local feel. It pairs well in an itinerary with nearby Roman Volubilis and the holy town of Moulay Idriss.
Morocco’s Unique Coastal Cities
Casablanca: Modern Hub and Iconic Mosque
Casablanca feels more modern and European than many other Moroccan cities, with wide boulevards and French‑influenced architecture around Mohammed V Square contrasting sharply with the older medina. Its standout landmark is the Hassan II Mosque, one of the world’s largest mosques, built partly over the Atlantic and notable for its towering minaret and rare access for non‑Muslim visitors on guided tours.
The city also has an important modern history as a strategic Atlantic port and WWII staging point, but for most travelers it works best as an arrival or departure gateway paired with 1–2 nights to see the mosque and sample the city’s food scene.
Essaouira: Relaxed “Windy City”
Further south, Essaouira offers a calm, small‑scale coastal escape sometimes called the “windy city of Africa” thanks to the Atlantic breeze that makes it popular with kite‑ and wind‑surfers. Its compact blue‑and‑white medina, largely traffic‑free, is easy to navigate and much more laid‑back than Marrakech, with art galleries, craft shops, and rooftop terraces.
The fishing port and nearby seafood grills are a highlight, where you can choose freshly caught fish or oysters and have them cooked to order, making Essaouira ideal for slow days of wandering, eating, and watching the waves.
Agadir: Modern Beach and Amazigh Capital
Agadir is Morocco’s modern Atlantic resort, rebuilt after a devastating 1960 earthquake, with a long sandy beach, palm‑lined promenade, and a concentration of hotels, cafes, and restaurants. It is also a key center of Amazigh (Berber) culture, where Tachelhit and Tamazight are widely spoken and local traditions are visible in music, crafts, and cuisine.
Above the city, the restored 16th‑century Kasbah hill offers sweeping views over the bay, while the huge Souk El Had inland provides a more local shopping experience far from the seafront hotels. Agadir works well for travelers who want a classic beach base combined with day trips into the Anti‑Atlas or along the coast.
Hidden Gems and Distinct‑Vibe Cities
Chefchaouen: The Blue Mountain Town
Chefchaouen, set in the Rif Mountains, is famous for its dreamlike blue‑painted streets and alleys, blending Moroccan and Andalusian influences in its architecture. Its compact medina is a maze of steps, arches, and doorways that many travelers describe as almost like walking through a fantasy film set.
Historically a quiet mountain town, Chefchaouen also developed a reputation among backpackers due to cannabis cultivation in the surrounding hills, but today it is just as well known for photography, handicrafts, and relaxed rooftop cafes. It is an excellent stop for travelers seeking slower pace, mountain air, and atmospheric evenings.
Tetouan: Spanish Influence and Local Life
Tetouan, once the capital of the Spanish protectorate until 1956, shows strong Iberian influence in its mid‑city avenues and buildings near the Royal Palace. Its UNESCO‑listed medina is less touristic than Fes and has a clever “tile code”: three tiles down the center mark main streets, two indicate secondary streets, and one often leads into quieter residential dead ends.
With smaller, less commercial tanneries and minimal tourist hassle, Tetouan gives visitors a more everyday, local Moroccan experience while still offering easy access to the Mediterranean coast. It pairs particularly well with Chefchaouen and Tangier in a northern loop.
Rabat: Quiet Capital with Royal Heritage
Rabat, Morocco’s political capital, is a surprisingly calm and orderly city with excellent public transport, including modern tram lines and fast high‑speed trains linking it to Casablanca and beyond. Key landmarks include the unfinished Hassan Tower, planned as the world’s largest mosque in the 12th century, and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, where the former king and his sons rest.
The Kasbah of the Udayas, overlooking the ocean, has narrow lanes of blue‑and‑white houses and peaceful viewpoints, giving the city a softer, more residential feel than Casablanca while still serving as a convenient base for exploring the Atlantic coast.
Asilah: Artistic Seaside Escape
Asilah is a small walled coastal town south of Tangier, known for its whitewashed medina walls decorated with colorful murals from annual art festivals. Its compact old town, originally fortified by the Portuguese in the 15th century, feels serene and walkable, with sea views, cafes, and simple guesthouses.
The town is perfect for travelers wanting a slower seaside stop, often combined with Tangier or northern itineraries, and can be reached easily by train for a relaxed overnight or two.
Tangier: Gateway Between Continents
Tangier sits at the meeting point of the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe, and has long attracted writers, artists, exiles, and spies. Its medina offers lively souks in the southern areas around the Grand Socco and Petit Socco, while the northern sections are quieter and more residential, with sea‑view terraces.
Historic cafes such as Café Hafa and Café Baba still evoke Tangier’s bohemian past, with Café Baba in particular maintaining a low‑key, local atmosphere where the tradition of smoking hashish remains part of the scene. Today, Tangier is also a modern port city with high‑speed trains, making it a practical and atmospheric gateway into Morocco.
