20 Cities In Morocco

When I first visited Morocco, I planned to stay only for a few weeks but those weeks quickly turned into months, as I couldn’t get enough of the blend of African, Middle-Eastern, and European cultures reflected in the food, art, religion, architecture, and languages. I found myself continually in awe as I explored the country.

In the cities in Morocco, I looked forward to haggling in souks and getting lost in the alleys of the kasbahs. And discovered many delightful experiences like watching artists at work create pottery and leather goods, drinking mint tea and eating local sweets or indulging in couscous and tagine. Even ordinary experiences seem exotic in Morocco, like the sight of fishermen hauling in their fresh catch while you relax on the beaches, riding a camel into the desert and sleeping under the stars.

Situated on the northwestern edge of Africa and just a short ferry trip from Europe, Morocco is an out-of-this-world place to visit. Whether you’ve got one week off work or are planning a more extended vacation, you can’t go wrong with a trip to Morocco. Although it’s difficult to choose my favourite places, here are the top cities in Morocco to plan your trip around.

20 Towns And Cities In Morocco

Cities in Morocco

1- Marrakech

Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most iconic cities, and it’s truly a feast for all senses.

You won’t be bored here as there’s lots to explore, from the old town’s winding alleyways to the souks. 

This area has been inhabited for over 4,000 years, with Berber farmers settling there in the Neolithic period.

While you won’t see buildings from that period as you explore the city, there’s still much to see and do here.

The jewel in the centre of Marrakech is Jeema el-Fnaa, a square at the centre of the Marrakech Medina, a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site.

Visiting Jeema el-Fnaa will take you back in time as you wander past snake charmers, dancers, and storytellers.

It’s full of food stalls and is a fantastic place to grab dinner and soak in the atmosphere.

Other cultural highlights of Marrakech include the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque, and the Jardin Majorelle.

Recommended tours:

• Marrakesh: Full-Day Desert and Mountain Tour with Camel Ride
• Marrakech Quad Bike Experience: Desert and Palmeraie
• From Marrakech: Merzouga 3-Day Desert Safari with Food

2- Fez

Fez is Morocco’s second-largest city and home to over one million people.

It’s inland and located centrally between Tangier, Casablanca, and Marrakech.

This city in Morocco sits in a basin surrounded by hills, and the Fez River runs through the centre of Fez.

Almost all Moroccan cities have a Medina, but perhaps none are as impressive as the Fez Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Take a map with you as you explore it, as with thousands of alleys and hidden doors, it’s easy to get lost here.

Fez is also a hub of handiwork and the best place to find leather and ceramic goods.

A visit to the Chouara Tannery is a fascinating experience, and while it’s got a smell like no other, it’s one of the most popular tourist attractions in Fez.

Recommended tours:

• From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen
• From Fes: Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip
• Fez Medina Guided Tour

2- Tangier

If you’re travelling to Morocco from Europe, likely, you’ll first set foot in Tangier.

This wonderful seaside city is northwest of Morocco and has good ferry connections with Spain, France and Italy.

Although it’s a popular entry point, it’s a city in Morocco worth spending time in.

Tangier showcases a mix of European and African cultures and is often bright, warm and sunny.

Spend a day wandering the Medina (old town) and exploring the Kasbah (fortress) on the top of the hill.

The Hercules Cave is a must-see, along with a visit to Cap Spartel to marvel at where the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean meet.

There are many quaint cafes and quirky bars in Tangier too, and if you’re lucky, you might stumble into one that Jack Kerouac or Truman Capote once frequented.

Recommended tour: Tangier Hop-On Hop-Off Sightseeing Bus

2- Essaouira

Essaouira is a seaside fortress and fishing village on the western coast of Morocco, with bright whitewashed buildings and winding stone alleyways.

Game of Thrones Fans will love this city, as many of the scenes set in mythical Slavers’ Bay and Astaop were filmed here.

Like many Moroccan cities, a trip to its Medina is the best place to start here, and Essaouira’s is built on the edge of the Atlantic Ocean.

Wander the seaside city walls to admire the crashing waves and watch fishermen reeling in their catch.

The market is a great place to snap up traditional Berber artwork or a handmade tagine.

And for a meal out, take advantage of seafood in Essaouira, as it’s hard to get fresher than you will find in this city.

Recommended tours: Essaouira Sand Dunes: Half Day Quad Bike Tour

3- Meknes

The inland city of Meknes is bursting with Moroccan history.

There’s much to learn about here, from the Berber tribes that first settled the area to the Roman empire’s expansion into the nearby Volubilis region.

The Roman ruins are impressive and exploring them is a delight. 

You’ll find some impressive buildings in Meknes city, including the massive Grand Mosque and the Madrasa Bou Inania, a university that opened in the mid-1300s.

Recommended tours: From Fes: Meknes and Volubilis Day Trip

4- Mohammedia

Mohammedia is 25km (15 miles) north of Casablanca, on the west coast of Morocco.

It’s home to a harbour teeming with sailors and merchants since the 14th century, and now it’s also a beachside city to relax and get a tan.

In Mohammedia, you’ll find a good mix of the old and the new.

You can visit the historic Kasbah and the old port and enjoy time in a resort, tennis court, or golf course.

There are several different coves and beaches that you can visit too, and perhaps try surfing.

5- Casablanca

The Moroccan city of Casablanca inspired the famous 1940s Humphrey Bogart Film title.

Casablanca is Morocco’s largest and most populous city.

Located in the country’s northwest, it’s a hub of economic and business activity.

Strong colonial French influences meld with Arabic and Islamic culture to create a unique atmosphere in one of the most recognised cities in Morocco.

A tour through the Hassan II Mosque is a must-do as this incredible building, with its towering 210m (690ft) high minaret, is the largest currently used mosque in Africa and one of the largest in the world.

Other highlights in Casablanca include the Medina and the Notre Dame de Lourdes.

Recommended tours: Casablanca City Tour

For more things to do in Africa, read:

6- Tetouan

Tetouan is a city in northern Morocco, about 60km (37 miles) east of Tangier.

Like Tangier, Tetouan is a major port, with ferries regularly arriving from Gibraltar and Spain.

This city is known for culture, food, art and craft, with Berber, Jewish, Spanish and Andalusian influences all melting together here.

The Archaeological Museum, the Ethnographic Museum and the Modern Art Center are wonderful places to while away your time in Tetouan.

You can also explore the UNESCO World Heritage Medina here and enjoy serene views of hundreds of white houses.

7- Agadir

Agadir is another seaside city, further south along the coast than Essaouira.

Although it’s only a bus ride from Marrakech, it has a different feel.

Fill your lungs with fresh sea air while walking along the seafront promenade and don’t miss a trip to the Souk El Had d’Agadir, the local market.

This vibrant area is full of stalls selling locally grown produce and handmade crafts, and if you learn to haggle, you’ll definitely pick up a great bargain.

For a more unusual experience, visit Agadir’s Crocoparc, a wildlife park home to more than 300 crocodiles.

Recommended tours: Paradise Valley & Atlas Mountain Swimming Experience

9- Asilah

Just 46km (28.5 miles) south of Tangier, Asilah is another Moroccan seaside city.

Humans have called Asilah home for more than 2,500 years, including a notable occupation by the Portuguese in the 1400s.

Swim in the Atlantic Ocean or ride a camel along Paradise Beach, where vendors sell food and drinks.

If you’re visiting in August, enjoy the International Culture Festival, where new murals are painted onto the walls of the Medina each year.

10- Rabat

The capital city of Morocco, Rabat, is a hub of activity and life about one-hour from Casablanca on the train.

Here you’ll find a traditional Medina and the souk in the middle is a hive of activity, full of locals and tourists alike.

You can also visit art and history museums; the Mausoleum of Mohammed V is an impressive sight.

Morocco is famous for its delicious mint tea and many local delicacies, but you must try Dwaz Atay in Rabat (literally meaning ‘cookies with tea’).

Moroccan cookies come in many different shapes, sizes, and flavours, so you might have to try a few before you find your favourite.

Recommended tours: Rabat Private Half-Day City Tour

11- Tinghir

Tinghir (or Tinerhir) is between the High and Little Atlas Mountains in the country’s centre.

It’s an oasis of green palm trees near Todra Gorge, and while nature is a highlight, it’s also full of cultural surprises.

Explore the Medina, visit the Jewish Quarter and discover the French Fort.

It’s easy to walk around this city, and you’re likely to pick up a few bargains from the stalls in the Medina if you’re in the mood for shopping.

13- Larache

In Morocco’s northwest, Larache is home to more than 125,000 people and is a great city to visit no matter what you’re looking for: Larache offers food, culture, history and beaches.

Larache has been influenced by Berber, Roman, Greek, Portuguese, and even Spanish, contributing to its thriving culture and culinary scene.

From Larache, visit the ancient ruins of Lixus, a Roman settlement where, according to legend, Hercules stole golden apples from the Garden of Hesperides.

These ruins are free to visit and far quieter than nearby Volubilis.

If you’re lucky, you might have the whole area to yourself.

14- Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is a city in the centre of Morocco, often called the “Gateway to the Desert”.

Bordering the Sahara Desert, Ouarzazate is where you will find one of the largest movie studios in the world, Atlas Studios.

As you wander the streets of Ouarzazate, it may start to look familiar.

That’s because it’s provided the backdrop for scenes from hit TV shows Game of Thrones, Prison Break, and The Amazing Race, as well as movies such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia.

Recommended tours: From Marrakech: Day Trip to Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou

15- El Jadida

South of Casablanca, El Jadida is home to more than 170,000 residents and is worth the trip for its rich Portuguese history.

The 16th-century Portuguese Fortified City is now a UNESCO World Heritage site.

In addition to historic sites, El Jadida has universities and is the home base of one of Morocco’s top football teams.

If you want to relax, book into El Jadida’s Mazagan Beach Resort, a popular holiday destination for families with pools, a kid’s club, a golf course and a casino.

16- Al Hoceima

Al Hoceima is a small city in northeastern Morocco by the Mediterranean Sea.

It’s one of the cleanest and safest cities in Morocco.

Quemado Beach or Plage Cala Bonita, are known for their calm, crystal-clear waters and golden sand.

You can swim, sunbathe at these beaches or even rent kayaks and fishing equipment.

Al Hoceima National Park, just outside of the town, is an excellent spot for hiking and mountain biking, and you’ll get some stunning views of the sea from some of the high points.

17- Oujda

The city of Oujda is located in northeastern Morocco, near Algeria’s border.

Founded 1,000 years ago, it’s now a city of around 558,000 people.

Despite being so close to Algeria, you can’t travel there from Oujda over land, as the border has been shut for almost 30 years.

Enjoy wandering the Medina and shopping at Le Souk de Oujda, the city’s central marketplace in Oujda, where you can buy Moroccan art, crafts and culinary delights, including fresh dates and olives.

Or, if you’re travelling with children, consider a trip to Le Complexe Tropical, the local water park, and enjoy a dip in the pool.

Oujda isn’t as well-known as other Moroccan cities on this list, but for an authentic experience, it’s still worth visiting.

Towns in Morocco

18- Ifrane

While Morocco is known for beaches, deserts, and fortified cities, visiting Ifrane will show you a different side of the country.

Ifrane is located high up in the Atlas Mountains, and most of the city you see today was developed by the French around 100 years ago.

It was created to provide a retreat for Europeans from the stifling Moroccan sun, and you’ll find a lot of European influence, including plants and gardens here.

A winter trip to Ifrane will allow you to ski at Michlifen Ski Station just outside the city.

The mountain is popular for hiking and horse riding in summer.

You’ll likely see the endangered Barbary Macaque monkeys in this area, who often come into town to scavenge for food.

If you’re looking for animals, keep your eyes open for golden jackals too. 

19- Chefchaouen

Of course, no list of Moroccan cities would be complete without Chefchaouen.

If you haven’t heard of this place, you may have seen pictures of it on Instagram because Chefchaouen is Morocco’s charming blue city.

Almost every building in this hillside paradise is painted in an eye-catching shade of blue.

You’ll find blue houses, restaurants, shops, and completely blue alleyways and stairs.

Chefchaouen is one of Morocco’s most photogenic cities, and every scene looks like a postcard.

The city has been blue for over 500 years, although there are many different stories about why.

Once you’ve finished exploring the streets, soak in the Chefchaouen vista from above by climbing uphill to the Spanish Mosque.

It’s a 30-minute walk and you’ll get a bird’s-eye view of the blue buildings that’s incredibly stunning at dusk when the pink sun sets behind the blue city. 

Recommended tours: From Fez: Day Tour to the Blue Town of Chefchaouen

20- Merzouga

Merzouga is perhaps more of a village than a city, but that doesn’t mean you should skip it.

Located in southeastern Morocco, Merzouga is very close to the border with Algeria and nestled among giant dunes. 

Next to Merzouga is Erg Chebbi, one of the largest sand dunes in Morocco and an incredible sight.

This dune is more than 25km (15.5 miles) long and can be up to 150m high in places.

A visit to Merzouga will allow you to ride a camel, camp out under the stars and the chance to build your own sandcastle.

Recommended tours: From Merzouga: Overnight Camel Trek over Erg Chebbi Dunes