Oujda
The blockish central bank just south of Place 16 Août was built during the French protectorate in the 1920s. It's constructed in the Franco-Moorish style.
Must-see attractions in Morocco
Northern Atlantic Coast
Textiles, basketwork and jewellery are crafted and sold in this souq. Also on sale are the woven grass mats used in mosques, for which Salé is famous.
Grande Mosquée de Rabat Medina
Rabat
This mosque, a 14th-century Merinid original much rebuilt in the intervening years, is located just off the Souq As Sebbat. It is closed to non-Muslims.
Melilla
The main entrance to the Melilla la Vieja fortress is Puerta de la Marina, a gate which once had a drawbridge system with chains and a moat.
Ijoukak
The small Wednesday souq is a reliable place to fill up on fresh vegetables and packaged goods before leaving on a long hike.
Chefchaouen
A traditional bakery; locals still bring their bread dough and bastilla (savoury-sweet pies) to bake here.
Co-opérative Bouharche de Tissage
Ain Leuh
Women at this cooperative produce hanbels (flat-weave rugs), Berber tents, djellabas and carpets.
Asilah
The southern gate into the medina, Bab Homar is topped by a much-eroded Portuguese royal coat of arms.
Imlil
Two small waterfalls just south of the Kasbah du Toubkal make a pleasant afternoon walk from Imlil.
High Atlas Mountains
Locals from across Zaouait Ahansal gather at the the bottom of the valley for this small market.
Ouarzazate
This large lake east of Ouarzazate is popular with birdwatchers (and birds).
Anti Atlas Mountains
The village comes to life during the Monday souq, near Auberge Le Safran.
High Atlas Mountains
Higher than Tizi n’Test to the west but an easier drive along the N9, the Tizi n’Tichka (2260m) connects Marrakesh with the southern oases. It was built…
High Atlas Mountains
Blasted through the mountains by the French in the late 1920s, the awe-inspiring road over the Tizi n'Test pass (2100m) was the first modern route linking…
Northern Atlantic Coast
This freshwater lake, part of the Lac Sidi Boughaba Parc National, is located in Mehdia, on the outskirts of industrial Kenitra. As a refuelling stop for…
Anti Atlas Mountains
The village of Tirnmatmat is the furthest from Tafraoute of the Ameln Valley's 26 villages, and features interesting rock engravings of various animals…
Tangier
This modest tomb is purported to be the last resting place of Ibn Battuta, who was born in Tangier in 1304 and became the greatest traveller of the period…
Middle Atlas
The ruins of this Benedictine monastery on the edge of the forest is a little eerie. The monks left in 1980; only the church and a troop of monkeys…
Meknes
Known as Cheikh El Kamel for his perfection in learning, Sidi Ben Aïssa (1465–1526) inspired the Aïssawa Sufi brotherhood, widely followed in North Africa…
St Francis of Assisi Cathedral
Western Sahara
Notable for its mid-century Spanish architectural style, this cathedral was designed by the architect Diego Méndez, famous for having worked on the Valle…
Safi
The ruins of Safi's once-impressive castle are located next to the crashing waves of the Atlantic. Built to enforce Portuguese authority, house the town…
Middle Atlas
Not far from Bab Er Rih, and visible over the top of the houses, is the Grande Mosquée, which the Almohads began building in 1135 before they conquered…
Taroudant
The old kasbah quarter, originally a fortress built by Moulay Ismail, is today a poor but safe residential area, where winding lanes and low archways lead…
Rabat
Still under construction at the time of research, but set to open in 2021, this space-age structure by the Bou Regreg River was designed by the late,…
Southern Morocco & Western Sahara
Unless you're in the market for tupperware or a camel, you probably won't find anything of use at Goulimime's Saturday souq. But, as the biggest market in…
Safi
Opposite the entrance to the Great Mosque and clearly signed from Rue du Souq, this ruined cathedral dates from 1519 and was built in the Manueline …
Agadir
This leafy city-centre retreat in the dry riverbed running down from Blvd Hassan II to Blvd du 20 Août is a handy – and more scenic – way to walk to the…
Larache
A wonderful example of Hispano-Moorish architecture, the town's crenellated music conservatory features ornately decorated balconies, zellige (colourful…
Sefrou
Just south of Bab Merba, this former Jewish school with its own synagogue is now closed, but you can still peak through the doors – it's pretty rundown…
Sidi Ifni
Essential for Sidi Ifni's marine commerce when the heavy fog inevitably rolls in from the Atlantic, this Spanish-era lighthouse has an interesting mosaic…
Sidi Ifni
Looking out over the beach, this cliff-top building shaped like the bow of a ship was originally the Spanish Naval Secretariat. It's not open to the…
Southern Morocco & Western Sahara
At the north end of the beach, a monument honours Saint-Exupéry’s memory: a dinky green Bréguet 14 biplane, the sort he used to fly. This will be of…
Larache
French literature buffs mays want to head to the old Spanish cemetery, the final resting place of Jean Genet (1910–86). If the gate is locked, ring the…
Rabat
Located at the end of the mechouar (a large parade ground), this palace dates from 1864 and is a principal residence of the royal family. It is off-limits…
Sidi Ifni
Interesting art-deco building that was a cinema during Spanish days and is now occasionally used for concerts and art installations. The font of the…
Sidi Ifni
A poignant sign is the only evidence that this nightclub was once the place to be. There's nothing to see here these days, except images in your mind's…
Sidi Ifni
This Spanish-era church displays a few Moorish design influences and is now used as law courts. It's closed to the public, but the curious might be able…
Midelt
The lands around Midelt are apple-growing country, hence this oversized statue of an apple perched atop Midelt's main roundabout in the centre of town. It…
Fez
After a large restoration, this tower, built in 1550, was awaiting official reopening in 2019. The view from the ramparts helps put Fez El Jdid in…
Tazekka National Park
This place is filled with Moroccan holiday-makers in July and August, but is deserted the rest of the year. A couple of walks into the park start here.
