With long beaches, fortified fishing ports, lush oases and the High
Atlas Mountains, Morocco’s coasts and countryside offer plenty to
interest travelers. Throw in the imperial cities of Fes, Meknes and
Marrakesh with their superb examples of early Islamic architecture, and
you’ll understand why Morocco is a great travel destination.
Meknes
Meknes is one of the four Imperial cities of Morocco and its name and
fame are closely linked to that of Sultan Moulay Ismail. The sultan
turned Meknes into a impressive city in Spanish-Moorish style,
surrounded by high walls with great gates. While Meknes is an imperial
city with a lot of historical monuments and natural sites it is also the
nearest city to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
Volubilis
In antiquity, Volubilis was an important Roman town situated near the
westernmost border of Roman conquests in present day Morocco. It was
the administrative center of the province Mauretania Tingitana. The
fertile lands of the province produced many commodities such as grain
and olive oil, which were exported to Rome, contributing to the
province’s wealth and prosperity. The Romans evacuated most of Morocco
at the end of the 3rd century AD but people continued to live in
Volubilis for many centuries.
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen (or Chaouen) is a gorgeous mountain city in northeastern
Morocco. The picturesque medina, set against the dramatic backdrop of
the Rif Mountains, is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive,
powder-blue accents. It is a popular shopping destination offering many
native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as
wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is
also popular with tourists. The region around Chefchaouen is one of the
main producers of cannabis in Morocco. Hashish is subsequently sold all
over town, but is mostly the domain of native Chaouenis.
Todra Gorge
Todra Gorge is situated on the remote east side of the High Atlas
Mountains. Both the Todra and neighboring Dades Rivers have carved out
cliff-sided canyons through the mountains. The final 600 meters of the
Todra Gorge are the most spectacular as the canyon narrows to a flat
stony track as little as 10 meters (33 ft) wide in places with sheer and
smooth rock walls up to 160 meters (525 ft) high on each side.
Essaouira
Essaouira is a relaxed fishing port, protected by a natural bay. It was
formerly known, by the 16th century Portuguese as Mogador. The present
city of Essaouira was only built during the 18th century to increase
trade exchanges with the European powers. Nowadays, Essaouira is
renowned for its kitesurfing and windsurfing, with the powerful trade
wind blowing almost constantly onto the protected bay. Parasols tend to
be used on the beach as a protection against the wind and the blowing
sand. The medina of Essaouira is home to many small arts and crafts
businesses, notably cabinet making and wood-carving.
Draa Valley
Located south of the High Atlas mountains, the stunning Draa Valley,
lined with old Kasbahs, Berber villages and palm groves, spreads from
Ouarzazate in the west to Zagora in the east. A drive through the valley
is undoubtedly one of the most scenic journeys in Morocco. The Draa
Valley is intersected by the Draa River which starts in the High Atlas
and ends in the Atlantic Ocean, though in reality the river normally
dries out before reaching the ocean.
Erg Chebbi
The Erg Chebbi dunes are located in the Sahara Desert. The awe-inspiring
dunes are as high as 150 meters tall, and one certainly feels small in
their shadows. Erg Chebbi special feature is its beautiful unique orange
colored sand. Excursions to the dunes normally start from the village
of Merzouga which is located on the edge of the erg. Camel trekking is
the most popular option although it isn’t the most comfortable way of
traveling.
Fes
Fes-al-Bali, the larger of the two medinas of Fes, is a nearly intact
medieval city. With a population of about 150,000 inhabitants, it is the
largest carfree urban area in the world by population. Transports of
goods is provided by donkeys, carriages, and motorbikes. The entire
medina is surrounded by high walls with a number of historic city gates.
Several shops and restaurants have a rooftop terrace which is a great
way to escape the bustling streets. The views are particularly
spectacular during sunset and after dark.
Aït Benhaddou is one of Ouarzazate’s fortified cities along the former
caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Inside the high mud
walls are 6 kasbahs and a small number of homes. Most of the town’s
inhabitants now live in a more modern village at the other side of the
river although a few families still live within the city walls. Aït
Benhaddou has appeared in several movies, including Lawrence of Arabia
and Gladiator.
Jemaa el Fna
Jemaa El-Fna
is the highlight of any visit to Marrakech and one of the top tourist
attractions in Morocco. By day this square at the heart of the medina is
largely filled with snake charmers and people with monkeys, as well as
some of the more common stalls. As the day progresses the entertainments
on offer change: the snake charmers depart, and in the afternoon and
evening the square becomes more crowded, with story-tellers, magicians,
and peddlers of traditional medicines. As dark descends Jemaa El-Fna
fills with dozens of food-stalls, and the crowds are at their height.
Really informative, great thanks for sharing top 10 tourist attractions of Morocco. It is really a beautiful place for visiting and enjoying. Keep sharing!
RépondreSupprimerMorocco travel