Top 8 Cities to Visit in Morocco When Vacationing for 7–14 Days

What are the top 8 cities to visit in Morocco when vacationing for 7–14 days? Below are some helpful suggestions for trip planning.

When planning a vacation for 7–14 days, the magical multicultural Morocco should definitely rank top of your list. Culturally, Morocco is a mixture of Arabic, African, and European elements along with the indigenous Berbers. Geographically, it's surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean, Mediterranean Sea, and Western Sahara, and is also home to the roof of North Africa — Toubkal. This makes it possible to include some leisurely beach time, hike along mountain trails, and explore the immense sand kingdom during the same trip.

Below are the top 8 cities to visit in Morocco and 14 days is normally adequate to reach all of them. Yet in one week, you can still find out why Morocco deserves the name of the "Garden of North Africa" by selecting three or four of them, with choices that include Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Chefchaouen, Agadir, Ouarzazate, Merzouga, and Meknes.

Casablanca — the White City

Casablanca, also called the "bride of the Atlantic", is widely liked for its rows of white houses that date back to the 18th century. It always reminds people of the romantic movie that starring Ingrid Bergman and Humphrey Bogart, yet its true identity is the busiest port city and biggest economic center of Morocco as well as a laboratory for modernized art that's full of cosmopolitan arts venues, restaurants, and nightclubs.

The modernized architectural structures there have attracted lots of European architects since the 20th century. The most typical and famous one is the Hassan II Mosque, which is the third biggest mosque in the world. One-third of it is built on the sea to commemorate where the Arabs' ancestors came from. It's also the landmark of the city.

Most people choose Casablanca as the first stop of their trip as it can be easily reached by flight and it's conveniently connected to other key cities, such as Fez, Marrakesh, Rabat, Meknes, and Tangier.

Fez — the Oldest Imperial City

Fez is the most famous ancient imperial city (the other three are Rabat, Marrakesh, and Meknes) in Morocco and is still the religious and cultural center, where the oldest existing university in the world is located. During the golden era, it was attractive to scholars, philosophers, mathematicians, lawyers, astronomers, and theologians, and its influence spread across all Arabic regions.

The medina and the imperial city are UNESCO World Cultural Heritage sites but, interestingly, it is Chouara Tannery that has become an "Internet celebrity" nowadays because of its remarkably medieval style. When standing on one of the surrounding balconies for a bird's-eye view, you can see how laborers stir the dye in the vats with their lower bodies — you can even smell the history there.

Marrakesh — the Red City

Besides the ember city walls and red houses from the Middle Ages that make it special and impressive, Marrakech is also a beautiful city with two faces — the historical relics and ancient customs that have lasted for hundreds of years in the medina are in sharp contrast to the modern districts, such as Guéliz and Hivernage.

Imagine walking around the old Arabic neighborhood and tasting the local food at Jemaa el-Fna Square (which is both a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage Site) while watching the performance of a snake charmer, monkey trainer, or jongleur, and trying not to get lost in the souks (markets) where rugs, leather goods, silverware, and crockery of all shapes and sizes dazzle your eyes.

To mountain hikers, a 1-day excursion for Setti Fatma or 2-day excursion for Toubkal from Marrakech cannot be missed.   

Chefchaouen — the Blue City

The most popular theory about the blue houses in Chefchaouen is that the Jews who escaped from Hitler around 1930 introduced the blue color to keep the heat at bay. Another theory is that the blue coloring keeps mosquitoes away.

No matter what, the blue coloring is the biggest charm to tourists and it makes the medina appear to be a fairy-tale town where you can capture artistic scenes with your camera.

Agadir — All about the Beaches

Top up your tan, go yachting, or try surfing — there are many options to help you enjoy your stay in Agadir. The fine sand along the shoreline makes it the most popular resort in Morocco.

If you don't mind spending more days there, excursions to the lovely seaside town Essaouira (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) and especially Legzira Beach (one of 20 stunning cliffside beaches recognized by CNN) are highly recommended. One of the two arches at Legzira Beach collapsed in late 2016 and the other one is also at risk of collapsing so try to witness this wonder before it's too late.

Ouarzazate — Travel into the Game of Thrones

Do you still remember the scene when the Mother of Dragons, Daenerys Targaryen, frees the slaves in Yunkai? Ait Ben Haddou (a UNESCO World Heritage Site) in Ouarzazate is where this scene took place. The sunrise and sunset at Ait Ben Haddou are spectacular.

Ouarzazate's scenery can also be found in movies like Lawrence of Arabia (1962) and The Mummy (1999). Atlas Film Studios in Morocco is like a small version of Hollywood.

Merzouga — the Gate of Sahara

About 3 kilometers' drive from Merzouga to the edge of the desert, a camel ride awaits you, taking between 45 minutes and an hour before you reach the desert camp. The sunlight plays with the shadows and red sand in the boundless Sahara, and this can be a once-in-a-lifetime experience for people of all ages. A car ride is optional for seniors and children.

Meknes — La Ville Aux Cent Minarets

La ville aux cent minarets, which also means "the city of a hundred minarets", reflects its glorious moments from 1672 to 1727. Numerous palaces, gardens, city gates, and mosques were built during that time. The architectural style is compatible with both the delicate and luxurious Islamic style and the ornate and imperial European style.

It's one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco, named the "Versailles of Morocco" by the French, and one of Morocco's ancient imperial cities, which is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

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