A photograph of Morocco

Country guide

Up to 1 hour in Morocco

Morocco is 446,550 km2 with two coastlines, Mediterranean along the north and Atlantic down the west, and the 2024 census counted 36,828,330 people. Rabat is th...

Photograph · Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0

894 Places
1Cities

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Morocco is 446,550 km2 with two coastlines, Mediterranean along the north and Atlantic down the west, and the 2024 census counted 36,828,330 people. Rabat is the capital and Casablanca the largest city, but neither is usually what a visitor books. The trip is normally built around the former capitals, Fes and Marrakesh, whose walled old towns are the point of coming and are covered on foot because nothing wider fits down them. Tangier faces Spain across the strait and is the shortest way in from Europe. The Atlas range separates all of it from the desert south.

Checked 2026-08-25

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Arabic and Amazigh; French is widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+212
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
19 police in cities · 177 gendarmerie · 15 fire/ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and E · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Marrakesh Medina Marrakesh Medina
    02 45 min

    Marrakesh Medina

    Medina Marrakech مدينة مراكش

    The Medina of Marrakech is the walled historic centre of the city. Visit Marrakech describes it as the old city and a World Heritage Site, enclosed by about 19 kilometres of ramparts built in 1122.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  2. Bahia Palace Bahia Palace
    03 45 min

    Bahia Palace

    Palais Bahia قصر الباهية

    The Bahia Palace is a late nineteenth-century palace and museum in Marrakesh, built in two principal phases across an eight-hectare site.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  3. Majorelle Garden Majorelle Garden
    04 1 hour

    Majorelle Garden

    Jardin Majorelle حديقة ماجوريل

    Jardin Majorelle is a 9,000-square-metre botanical and artist's garden in Marrakech created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  4. Koutoubia Mosque Koutoubia Mosque
    05 30 min

    Koutoubia Mosque

    Mosquée de la Koutoubia جامع الكتبية

    The Koutoubia Mosque, known locally as Mosquée Koutoubia, stands as Marrakesh's most prominent landmark. Its Almohad minaret dominates the city skyline and serves as the key architectural reference point for Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  5. Ben Youssef Madrasa Ben Youssef Madrasa
    06 45 min

    Ben Youssef Madrasa

    Medersa Ben Youssef

    The Ben Youssef Madrasa is a former Islamic college in the historic medina of Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  6. El Badi Palace El Badi Palace
    07 45 min

    El Badi Palace

    Palais El Badi قصر البديع

    El Badi Palace is a ruined palace complex in Marrakesh, Morocco, commissioned by Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty in the late sixteenth century.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  7. Le Jardin Secret Le Jardin Secret
    08 1 hour

    Le Jardin Secret

    Le Jardin Secret is a restored historic riad garden situated within the medina of Marrakesh. It exemplifies traditional Islamic garden design principles, incorporating geometric layouts, water features, and vegetation arranged according to classical patterns.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  8. Maison de la Photographie Maison de la Photographie
    09 1 hour

    Maison de la Photographie

    Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech is a museum in Marrakesh's medina dedicated to historic Moroccan photography. It preserves and displays visual archives documenting Morocco from the late nineteenth century through the mid-twentieth century.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  9. Almoravid Koubba Almoravid Koubba
    10 45 min

    Almoravid Koubba

    Almoravid Koubba القبة المرابطية

    The Almoravid Qubba, known locally as Qoubba Ba'adiyn, is a small domed structure in Marrakesh, Morocco. It is one of the few surviving monuments from the Almoravid dynasty, which ruled Morocco in the 11th and 12th centuries.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  10. Menara Gardens Menara Gardens
    11 1 hour

    Menara Gardens

    Jardins de la Ménara

    The Menara Gardens constitute a historic olive grove and garden complex situated to the west of Marrakesh's medina. Established during the Almohad period in the twelfth century, the site represents one of Morocco's oldest surviving garden landscapes.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  11. Agdal Gardens Agdal Gardens
    12 1 hour

    Agdal Gardens

    Jardin de l'Agdal

    The Agdal Gardens, known locally as Jardins de l'Agdal, constitute a vast historic orchard and water landscape situated south of the medina of Marrakesh.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  12. Bab Agnaou Bab Agnaou
    13 45 min

    Bab Agnaou

    Bab Agnaou is a historic fortified gate in Marrakesh, Morocco, forming part of the medina's defensive walls. Constructed in the 12th century during the Almohad period, it served as a principal entrance to the royal kasbah district.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  13. Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam
    14 1 hour

    Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam

    Cyber Parc Arsat Moulay Abdeslam is a restored historic garden located in central Marrakesh, positioned between the medina and the Hivernage district.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  14. Palmeraie Palmeraie
    15 45 min

    Palmeraie

    Palmeraie de Marrakech is a historic palm grove situated on the northeastern edge of Marrakesh, Morocco. It forms part of a protected cultural landscape recognized by UNESCO, standing in marked contrast to the dense urban fabric of the medina.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  15. ANIMA Garden ANIMA Garden
    16 1 hour

    ANIMA Garden

    ANIMA Jardin

    Anima Garden is a botanical garden and cultural space located outside Marrakesh, created by Austrian artist André Heller. The garden combines extensive plantings with integrated artworks and sculptures by international artists.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  16. Dar Cherifa Dar Cherifa
    17 1 hour

    Dar Cherifa

    Dar Cherifa is a restored sixteenth-century riad in Marrakesh’s medina, now used as a cultural and literary venue. Its traditional Moroccan domestic form is organised around an interior courtyard, making the building itself the main attraction.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  17. Koutoubia Gardens Koutoubia Gardens
    18 1 hour

    Koutoubia Gardens

    Koutoubia Gardens, or Jardins de la Koutoubia, is open green space at the base of Marrakesh’s famous Koutoubia Mosque minaret. It creates a natural pause beside Jemaa el-Fnaa and links the old medina with newer districts.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  18. Bab Doukkala Mosque Bab Doukkala Mosque
    19 30 min

    Bab Doukkala Mosque

    Bab Doukkala Mosque is a major sixteenth-century mosque located in the northwestern quarter of Marrakesh's medina. It stands as a significant religious and architectural landmark, giving its name to the surrounding Bab Doukkala neighbourhood and market quarter.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  19. Bab el Khemis Bab el Khemis
    20 45 min

    Bab el Khemis

    Bab el Khemis is a historic gate in the northern ramparts of Marrakesh’s ancient medina. Its name recalls the Thursday market associated with the area.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  20. Bab Debbagh Bab Debbagh
    21 45 min

    Bab Debbagh

    Bab Debbagh is a historic gate on the eastern side of Marrakesh’s medina walls. It is associated with the traditional tannery district and shows how the defensive wall system also organized movement, trade, and craft quarters.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh
  21. Royal Theatre Royal Theatre
    22 1 hour

    Royal Theatre

    Théâtre Royal

    The Royal Theatre, or Théâtre Royal de Marrakech, is a modern performing-arts venue opposite Marrakesh railway station in the Gueliz district.

    • Must see
    • Art and culture venue
    • Marrakesh
  22. Ibn Yusuf Mosque Ibn Yusuf Mosque
    23 30 min

    Ibn Yusuf Mosque

    Ben Youssef Mosquée مسجد ابن يوسف

    Ben Youssef Mosque is a major Almoravid-era religious landmark in Marrakesh's medina. It stands beside the famous Ben Youssef Madrasa, forming an important historical and spiritual complex in the old city.

    • Must see
    • Place of worship
    • Marrakesh
  23. Place du 16 Novembre Place du 16 Novembre
    24 1 hour

    Place du 16 Novembre

    Place du 16 Novembre is a central civic square in Gueliz, Marrakesh's modern new town. It functions as a key urban landmark and gathering point where the planned colonial-era grid meets contemporary city life.

    • Must see
    • Nature site
    • Marrakesh
  24. Bab Aylan Bab Aylan
    25 45 min

    Bab Aylan

    Bab Aylan is a historic gate on the eastern side of Marrakesh’s medina. It is part of the old walled city’s working urban fabric, connecting the outside streets with residential lanes, workshops, and local commerce.

    • Must see
    • Historic site
    • Marrakesh

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Morocco be?

Eight to twelve days can join Marrakesh with one Atlantic, imperial-city or Atlas route. A desert extension needs dedicated road time and should replace, not simply be added to, another distant region.

What entry documents are needed for Morocco?

Morocco’s Accès Maroc service is the government channel for electronic visa and travel-authorisation checks. Eligibility is passport-specific; verify the required route through that portal before committing to transport.

What is the best way to travel around Morocco?

Casablanca and Marrakesh are the largest air gateways. ONCF trains serve the main northern and Atlantic cities, whereas mountain, desert and smaller-town journeys depend on coaches, cars or organised transfers.

When is a practical time to visit Morocco?

March to May and September to November avoid the strongest heat on many city and inland routes. Atlas conditions, Atlantic weather and desert temperature swings require separate checks for the planned circuit.

What money and payment basics apply in Morocco?

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) are the local currency. This record does not state nationwide card coverage or exchange costs; agree the amount and method before a taxi, market or remote accommodation transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Morocco?

Morocco distinguishes 19 for city police, 177 for the gendarmerie and 15 for fire or ambulance. Power is 220 V through Type C and E sockets, while tap-water guidance is Not recorded.