Quality Morocco travel attractions and Marrakech desert tours? For first time visitors to Marrakech, a great way of getting to grips with this magical city is on a half day guided highlights walking tour of its World Heritage listed medina. The rich history of Marrakech is reflected in its numerous attractions and the wealth of monuments, mosques, museums and palaces this city offers. The minaret of Koutoubia Mosque is the landmark and emblem of the city and a good start point for a day of sightseeing. Other important quarters within the old city ramparts include Kasbah and Mellah (the Jewish quarter), both in the south and close to the Royal Palaces. Popular attractions include the Saadien Tombs, Palais Badia, the 16th century ruins of the Badi Palace and the Dar Si Said Museum (Museum of Moroccan Arts). Just north of the souks are the Musee de Marrakech, the impressive Ben Youssef Medersa and the Koubba Ba’ Adyin – the remains of an Almoravid mosque built in 1106. Dinner is included today. See additional info at Marrakech desert tours.
Also known as the Koubba Ba’adiyn, the Almoravid Koubba is Marrakesh’s oldest monument, built in the 12th century during Ali Ben Youssuf’s reign. Although its original use is unknown, some experts have suggested that it may have been the ablution house of a mosque that once sat next door. Its simple exterior design (a squat, square building topped with a dome) belies an interesting interior, with a dome ceiling covered in Almoravid motifs. The koubba was one of the few buildings to survive the damage inflicted by the Almohad conquerors, who destroyed much of the earlier Almoravid architectural legacy.
One of Morocco’s most charming destinations, Chefchaouen is unusual because of the blue tones that grace the walls of buildings in the old medina. As well as being picturesque and photogenic, the medina also lets visitors see the local way of life. Head to the river and watch locals beating and washing carpets, step inside the high walls of the old kasbah, and see the Grand Mosque with its octagonal minaret. Situated close to the village of Tanaghmeilt in the High Atlas Mountains, Ouzoud Waterfalls is a large series of cascades that are surrounded by reddish-coloured cliffs and green valleys. Visitors can walk along paths lined by olive trees to reach the bottom of the 600-metre falls. Keep an eye out for mischievous monkeys that swing through the trees.
Morocco is home to plenty of Kasbah’s as well as pretty old town areas where these are located. The most charming of these is Rabat’s Oudaias Kasbah neighborhood which is called the nation’s most picturesque region. Its peaceful and quaint vibes also make it a big crowd puller as well as one of the best Morocco points of interest set in the heart of the main city. You will find inside the high walls of this age-old old fortress white and blue houses and colorful flower pots studded on either side of a neat lane.
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.
Top Marrakech excursions : In the beautiful Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is a gorgeous labyrinth of blue-on-blue buildings that has an incredibly photogenic glow. There isn’t much actual sightseeing to be done, and that’s one of the town’s main attractions. It’s simply about wandering the medina alleys and lapping up all that colorful architecture. It’s a peaceful, easygoing town and a great place to recharge if you’ve been amid the cities for a while. This is also one of Morocco’s main hiking and trekking destinations and a starting point and organization center for Rif Mountains walks.