Cities & Destinations
275 questions · page 2 of 8
Is Essaouira worth an overnight or just a day trip?
Worth an overnight if you can. Essaouira’s windswept ramparts, blue-and-white medina, fishing harbour and relaxed, artsy mood are best enjoyed slowly — sunset and early morning are the magic hours you miss on a day trip. A day visit works at a push but feels rushed given the 2.5–3 hour drive each way.
Read the answerIs Essaouira windy all the time?
Pretty much, yes — Essaouira is nicknamed the “Windy City of Africa” for its near-constant Atlantic trade winds, which is exactly why it’s a world-class windsurf and kitesurf hub. Spring and summer afternoons are windiest; it makes the beach breezy and cool but the medina, sheltered by its walls, stays calm.
Read the answerIs Agadir worth visiting, or is it just a beach resort?
Agadir is essentially a modern beach-resort city — rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake, so it lacks the old-medina character of Marrakech or Fes. It’s great for a relaxed beach holiday, sunshine, golf and as a surf-coast base, but it’s the wrong place if you’re chasing historic, atmospheric Morocco.
Read the answerIs Taghazout worth it for non-surfers?
Yes, if you want a laid-back coastal chill-out. Beyond surfing, Taghazout offers yoga retreats, beachfront cafés, sunsets, hammams, argan-oil country and easy trips to Paradise Valley’s palm pools. It’s small and low-key, so it suits relaxing more than sightseeing — perfect for unwinding after busy cities.
Read the answerWhere should I stay in Chefchaouen?
Stay inside the medina, ideally on the upper streets near Plaza Uta el-Hammam or climbing toward the kasbah — that puts the blue lanes on your doorstep at dawn before the day-trippers arrive. Book a small blue-washed riad or guesthouse rather than a hotel in the modern town below.
Read the answerWhat is the best photo spot in Chefchaouen (the Spanish Mosque)?
The Spanish Mosque viewpoint, a 20–30 minute uphill walk east of the medina, is the classic spot — it frames the whole blue town against the Rif mountains and is unbeatable at sunset. Inside the medina, the upper lanes, the staircase by Plaza el-Haouta and the Ras el-Maa waterfall are the other great frames.
Read the answerWhere should I stay in Essaouira?
Stay inside the walled medina for atmosphere — a riad near the port, ramparts or Place Moulay Hassan puts everything on foot. For a beach-and-pool holiday, the seafront and the resorts along the bay toward Diabat suit families and surfers, though they’re a short walk or taxi from the old town.
Read the answerWhat’s the seafood like at Essaouira port?
Outstanding and famously fresh — Essaouira is a working fishing port, so the catch goes from boat to plate the same day. Pick your fish at the harbour grill stalls or a portside restaurant: sardines, sea bream, sole, prawns and calamari, simply grilled. Choose by weight, confirm the price first, and eat it the day it’s landed.
Read the answerWhere should I stay in Tangier?
Stay in or just above the medina and kasbah for old-Tangier character and sea views, or along the bay/seafront for modern hotels and easy beach access. The kasbah quarter at the top of the medina is the atmospheric choice; the Ville Nouvelle and corniche suit travellers wanting comfort and convenience.
Read the answerWhat are the best things to do in Tangier?
Explore the kasbah and medina, sip mint tea at clifftop Cafe Hafa, wander the Petit Socco cafes steeped in literary history, take in the Strait views where two seas meet, and head out to Cap Spartel and the Caves of Hercules. Add the Kasbah Museum, the seafront corniche and the American Legation.
Read the answerIs Asilah worth visiting?
Yes, if you love laid-back charm — Asilah is a pretty, whitewashed Atlantic town with Portuguese ramparts, vivid hand-painted murals and a relaxed seaside feel, about 45 minutes south of Tangier. It’s a calm, hassle-light half-day or overnight, especially lovely around the summer arts festival. Quieter and gentler than the big cities.
Read the answerIs Tetouan worth visiting?
Yes for culture-lovers — Tetouan has a UNESCO-listed medina that’s one of Morocco’s most authentic and least touristy, with strong Andalusian-Spanish heritage. It’s about an hour from Tangier and Chefchaouen, making it an easy, rewarding stop, though it has fewer big sights and less tourist polish than the famous cities.
Read the answerIs Casablanca worth a stop, and how long should I stay?
Casablanca is worth one day, not three. It is Morocco's modern business capital, not a fairy-tale medina. See the Hassan II Mosque, the Art Deco downtown and the Corniche in a day, then move on to Marrakech, Fes or the desert.
Read the answerCan you visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, and how?
Yes. The Hassan II Mosque is the only mosque in Casablanca — and one of very few in Morocco — open to non-Muslims, but only on guided tours that run several times daily (typically morning and early afternoon, fewer on Fridays). Buy a ticket, join a timed group, dress modestly.
Read the answerWhere should I stay in Casablanca?
For a short stop, stay around the city centre near Place Mohammed V (walkable to the Art Deco quarter and train stations) or along the Corniche in Ain Diab (ocean views, restaurants, near the Hassan II Mosque). Skip the old medina for sleep.
Read the answerIs Rabat, the capital, actually worth visiting?
Yes — and it is underrated. Rabat is Morocco's elegant, relaxed capital: a UNESCO-listed medina, the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower, Chellah ruins and ocean breezes, all with a fraction of Marrakech's hassle. Ideal for one or two unhurried days.
Read the answerWhat are the best things to do in Rabat?
The essentials: the blue-and-white Kasbah of the Udayas and its Andalusian garden, the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V, the atmospheric Chellah ruins, a wander through the UNESCO medina, and a stroll along the river and Atlantic promenade.
Read the answerIs Agadir good for a beach holiday?
Yes, if you want sun, a long sandy bay and resort comfort rather than old-Morocco character. Agadir has Morocco's best-developed beach: a wide six-kilometre crescent, reliable sunshine, calm swimming, promenades and resort hotels. It is modern and laid-back, not historic.
Read the answerWhat is there to do in Agadir besides the beach?
Plenty: the hilltop Kasbah ruins and "Agadir Oufella" viewpoint, the lively Souk El Had market, the Marina, valley and crocodile parks, and day trips to Paradise Valley, the Souss-Massa flamingos, Taroudant or the surf at Taghazout. The beach is the start, not the whole story.
Read the answerIs Ouarzazate worth visiting?
Yes — as a gateway, not a city break. Ouarzazate is the "door of the desert," base for Morocco's film studios, the UNESCO kasbah of Aït Benhaddou about 30km away, Taourirt Kasbah in town, and routes into the Draa Valley and dunes. Most travellers pass through, and that is exactly right.
Read the answerAre the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate worth visiting?
Worth it if you love film, mildly interesting if not. Atlas Studios near Ouarzazate is among the world's largest, with standing sets from blockbusters shot here. Guided tours show Egyptian temples, Roman and biblical sets and props. Fun for movie fans; a bit dusty and quiet otherwise.
Read the answerIs Aït Benhaddou worth the stop?
Absolutely — it is one of Morocco's must-sees. Aït Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage ksar of stacked earthen kasbahs, about 30km from Ouarzazate, used in Gladiator, Game of Thrones and many films. Cross the river, climb to the top for sweeping views, and explore the honey-coloured lanes.
Read the answerWhat is there to do around Ouarzazate?
A lot, mostly nearby: Aït Benhaddou (UNESCO, ~30km), Taourirt Kasbah in town, Atlas Film Studios, the palm-lined Draa Valley toward Zagora, the Skoura oasis and Kasbah Amridil, the Dades and Todra gorges, and the cinematic Tizi n'Tichka pass back to Marrakech.
Read the answerWhat are the best photo spots in Marrakech?
In Marrakech, shoot Jemaa el-Fna from a rooftop café at dusk, the Jardin Majorelle and Ben Youssef Madrasa at opening time, the Bahia Palace tilework, the tanneries and spice markets in the souks, the Koutoubia minaret, and Le Jardin Secret. Mornings beat the crowds; rooftops catch the best light.
Read the answerWhat are the best photo spots in Chefchaouen?
The blue medina itself is the star — shoot the painted staircases, keyhole doors and flower-pot walls early, before crowds arrive mid-morning. Climb to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint for sunset over the whole blue town, and don't miss Plaza Uta el-Hammam, the kasbah and the cascading lanes above Ras el-Maa spring.
Read the answerWhat are the best photo spots in Fes?
Shoot the Chouara tanneries from a leather shop's terrace, the dazzling Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas, the blue Bab Bou Jeloud gate, the medina's tunnel-like lanes at midday light, and the whole city from the Marinid Tombs or the south Borj viewpoint at golden hour. Fes is dim and labyrinthine — a guide and patience help.
Read the answerWhat are the best rooftop and sunset views in Marrakech?
For sunset, the rooftop cafés over Jemaa el-Fna — Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier is the classic — give the iconic square-at-dusk view. Many riads have their own terraces with Koutoubia or Atlas vistas, and spots in the Medina and Gueliz catch golden light. Arrive early, order a mint tea, and stay for blue hour.
Read the answerHow do I photograph the blue streets of Chefchaouen without crowds?
Stay overnight in the medina and shoot at first light, before the day-trip buses from Tangier and Fes arrive around mid-morning. Head uphill to the older, quieter lanes, explore the edges away from the famous staircase, and use the empty early streets. Sunrise gives you soft light and near-empty blue alleys to yourself.
Read the answerIs the Bahia Palace in Marrakech worth it?
Yes, if you go early. The Bahia is a sumptuous 19th-century palace of painted cedar ceilings, zellij courtyards and orange-tree gardens — a masterclass in Moroccan craft. It gets very crowded by late morning, so arrive at opening. Allow 45–60 minutes; it is one of Marrakech's most rewarding monuments.
Read the answerAre the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech worth visiting?
Worth it but brief. The Saadian Tombs are a small, exquisite 16th-century royal mausoleum, sealed and forgotten until rediscovered in 1917. The Chamber of the Twelve Columns is stunning. But it is tiny, queues bottleneck at the famous room, and you will likely spend more time waiting than viewing. Go early.
Read the answerIs the Ben Youssef Madrasa worth visiting?
Absolutely — for me it is the single most beautiful interior in Marrakech. This 14th–16th-century Quranic college reopened in 2022 after a long restoration. The central courtyard, with its reflecting pool, carved cedar, stucco and zellij, is breathtaking. Go early; it is now firmly on the tourist trail.
Read the answerIs the Majorelle Garden and YSL Museum worth it?
The Majorelle Garden is lovely but small, busy and pricey, and it sits in the new city away from the medina. If you love gardens, design or Yves Saint Laurent, yes. If your time is tight, it is the most skippable of Marrakech's big-name sights. Pre-book timed tickets; queues are real.
Read the answerWhat is the Koutoubia Mosque in Marrakech?
The Koutoubia is Marrakech's great 12th-century mosque and its defining landmark — a 77-metre minaret visible across the city. Non-Muslims cannot enter, but the gardens around it are free, lovely at sunset, and a perfect orientation point. It is the architectural blueprint for Seville's Giralda and Rabat's Hassan Tower.
Read the answerAre the Volubilis Roman ruins worth visiting?
Yes, if you like history and have a half-day from Fes or Meknes. Volubilis was the Roman capital of Mauretania and has some of North Africa's finest in-situ mosaics, set in beautiful rolling countryside. It is exposed and lightly signed, so go with a guide and avoid midday heat.
Read the answerIs the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca worth a tour?
Yes — it is one of the very few mosques in Morocco non-Muslims can enter, and it is jaw-dropping. The Hassan II Mosque is among the largest in the world, with a 210-metre minaret, partly built over the Atlantic. Take the official guided tour; it is the best reason to stop in Casablanca.
Read the answerWhat is the Kasbah of the Udayas in Rabat?
The Kasbah of the Udayas is Rabat's old fortified citadel above the river mouth — a serene quarter of whitewashed, blue-painted lanes, a 12th-century Almohad gate, a tranquil Andalusian garden and café, and sweeping ocean views. It is small, peaceful and free to wander; one of the most charming corners of the capital.
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