The Dreamland: Morocco

Written and photographed by Rida Farah.

Morocco is a country of beauty and with its unique landscape. Taking advantage of its northern position on the African continent and its accessibility to the Mediterranean region – in addition to being a part of the Arab world – Morocco has become a host country for Arab and foreign tourists alike.

The best months for tourism in Morocco extend from March to May, as this period is characterized by moderate and beautiful weather with occasional light rainfall. Here are some cities worth visiting on your future trip.

Rabat

Rabat is the Moroccan capital and second largest city in the country. It is located on a large plain near the Atlantic Ocean, and in the middle of it flows the Abi Raqraq River. Most of Morocco’s tourist attractions are concentrated in Rabat’s city center, the most important being Hassan II, the Kasbah des Oudayas, and the historic city of Challah.

Challah, or Shallah, is a small, ancient town located along the Abi Raqraq River dating from the sixth century B.C. It is one of the most important archaeological sites and famous tourist areas in Rabat. Challah’s main archaeological site includes a large courtyard and ancient baths in addition to the main temple. You will also notice many birds here, including the stork.

The Hassan Tower is one of the most famous historical monuments located in the heart of Rabat, with a history spanning nine centuries. The site is surrounded by a large number of symbolic mausoleums, such as those of King Mohammed V and King Hassan II.

The Mausoleum of Mohammed V is located next to the famous Hassan Tower in Rabat and includes tombs of the Moroccan monarch and his two sons, King Hassan II and Prince Abdallah. The building is a wonderful masterpiece of modern architecture, characterized by its green tiled roof and white walls. Mohammed V’s tomb was built in 1971 and is considered one of the most important features of the Moroccan capital.

Marrakech

Jamaa El-Fna Square dates back to the founding of Marrakech, where it was built during the time of the Almoravid state in the 15th century. Yet, its importance only increased after the construction of the Koutoubia Mosque nearly a century later, with this square as the hub of shopping at that time. Kings used it as a large courtyard to show off their armies and learn about their forces’ preparations before launching battles. Now, it is considered one of the most important tourist spots in Marrakech and a symbol of the city, which prides itself on its vitality and appeal to Arab and foreign tourists.

You can see interesting snake-charming shows and stroll through the courtyard for a folk tour, as it is considered the meeting point between the city, the warehouse, and El-Mellah. You can also see performances by storytellers and musicians, including those that feature a rich and unique heritage. There are acrobats, dancers, animal exhibitors, and henna placards, as well as memorabilia from various distinctive heritage industries. Do not miss this square with its romantic and fun nightlife.

The Majorelle Garden is located in the Medina of Marrakech. It is named after its builder, the French painter Jacques Majorelle, who began its foundation in 1924. The park has today become one of the most important tourist attractions in Marrakech. There is an Islamic Museum located in the park, which contains famous artefacts dating back thousands of years. You can also see many types of beautiful plants and colorful trees, such as white flowers and flowering trees, which the garden is famous for.

The Koutoubia Mosque is located in the center of Marrakech, near Jamaa El-Fna Square, and is one of the most important tourist attractions in Morocco. The name of the mosque comes from the name of the nearby library. The mosque was built in 1147 A.D. You can see the artistry of the mosque on its outside, as it is made up of 17 wings and 11 domes decorated with reliefs and its ornate minaret. The sultans announced through it many of their decisions, and the mosque witnessed many great events in history.

Meknes

Meknes, one of the most important tourist cities in Morocco, built by Moulay Ismail and located in the north, it is characterized by the diversity of its landscape, which includes plains, valleys, and mountains. Many tourists from all over the world visit Meknes to see its ancient places such as Lahdim Square, Bab Al-Mansour, and the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail. The city of Meknes has a long history that tells of its ramparts, towers, and historic places, preserved in the city’s splendor and monuments. It is truly regarded as a city representative of Islamic Arab civilization and brilliant history.

Bab Mansour Laalaj is considered one of the most important monuments for tourism in Meknes. It is a huge gate that overlooks Lahdim Square to the east of the old town of Meknes. It is also the largest gate in the Kasbah. It was founded by Moulay Ismail and was completed after him by his son, Moulay Abd-Allah in 1732 A.D. What distinguishes this gate is the magnitude of its detail, its eight-meter-high opening, and its decorations engraved into the mosaic, which also includes colorful porcelain.

One of the most important tourist sites in Meknes is Volubilis, an ancient city dating from the 3rd century B.C. and located 30 kilometers west of the city of Meknes. The city has two structures: the main building and the Roman temple. It also has many archaeological mosaics. The city of Volubilis is characterized by its many natural features such as fertile land, water resources, and natural resources, all of which encouraged the Romans to take special care of it. In 1997, the city of Volubilis was designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization as one of the most important monuments of world heritage.

Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl

The charming town of Chefchaouen is a small town with an area of 4,350 square kilometers in the northeast of Morocco and close to the Mediterranean, which makes it a picturesque town in terms of its nature and beauty. The city contains several old neighborhoods, such as the Kasbah, Suwaiqa, Andalus, and Sabanin. Chefchaouen is also famous for its fountain and its water head. Chefchaouen is also a popular shopping destination, as it offers many local handicrafts that are not available anywhere else in Morocco, such as leather and natural silk.

Visiting Akchour Waterfall tops the list as the most amazing leisure activity in Chefchaouen Akchour, with a waterfall characterized by the beauty of the landscape, the purity of the water, and the splendor of swimming near the falls, whose water comes from the high mountains and pour into Lake Akchour.

These cities are considered both the most visited cities by foreigners and by locals alike, given the magnificent characteristics that they possess, and the historical civilizations that they reflect.

The Author

Farah Rida, a Moroccan student at Chonnam National University, is doing his PhD in English language education. Rida is passionate and hardworking, he loves traveling and playing video games.