Morocco

The Agdal Gardens in Marrakech date back to the 12th century and are a must-see attraction in the city. Here you can stroll along serene olive-lined paths to admire the ingenuity of the ancient Almoravids, who channeled water to the orchard gardens from the Ourika Valley by means of an underground network of channels and ditches. The gardens you can explore today consist of several inter-linked walled squares of orchards, olive groves, and plantations surrounding a pool called the Sahraj el-Hana or “Tank of Health.” The gardens (which cover over 400 hectares) form part of the royal palace and are only open to the public twice a week (Fridays and Sundays) when the king is not in residence.

Address: Agdal Gardens, Marrakech, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +212 771-297688

The lovely Bahia Palace is a highlight of any Marrakech tour and is one of the most-visited attractions in Morocco. Art and architecture enthusiasts can study the unique fusion of Islamic and Moroccan architectural styles as they stroll through the impressive palace, which was built around 1859 and is sumptuously decorated from floor to ceiling with mosaics, stuccos, gilded finishes, and inlaid wooden ceilings. Highlights of the palace include the grand marble-paved courtyard, idyllic walled gardens (riads) fragrant with the scent of oranges and jasmine, and the beautiful painted and tiled interiors. Today the palace is used to entertain visiting dignitaries and part of it is home to the Moroccan Ministry of Cultural Affairs.

Address: Bahia Palace, 5 Rue Zitoun el Jdid, Marrakech 40000, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +21-25-24-38-95-11

Marrakech’s extensive Menara Gardens date back to the 12th century, when the gardens were established to allow city dwellers to grow crops. Today the gardens offer locals and visitors a serene respite from the heat and bustle of the city amongst groves of olives, palms, and fruit trees. At the heart of the orchards you will find a large artificial lake overlooked by an elegant Saadian pavilion, from which you can sometimes see the snow-capped Atlas Mountains. What really makes these gardens special is that underground channels were built to bring water to the site from the Atlas Mountains over 30km away. The gardens can be easily accessed on foot or by taxi and are open daily – entrance is free.

Address: Menara Gardens, Marrakesh 40160, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +21-26-15-53-72-66

Surrounded by predominantly Muslim architecture, the Cathédrale Sacré Coeur strikes a somewhat discordant note in the architectural landscape of Casablanca. Now sadly neglected and disused, the once elegant and impressive church dates back to 1930, when Morocco was still under the rule of Catholic France. After Morocco gained independence in 1956, the church was used as a school and later as a cultural center. However, the neo-Gothic style architecture, with clear art deco and Moroccan Muslim influences, is noteworthy and anyone interested in architecture should make a point to visit. You can walk up to the top of the two towers (which bear a marked resemblance to Muslim minarets) to enjoy sweeping views of the city and to get a closer look at the unusual external square buttresses.

Address: Casablanca Cathedral Casablanca 21250, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +21-26-61-36-59-54

Attractions for Couples

Visitors to Morocco who would like to delve a little deeper into the history and culture of the country will find the small city of Chefchaouen, located in the northern hills of the country, a fascinating add-on to their Morocco itinerary. The town remains largely unchanged since the Middle Ages and offers you the chance to really step back in time and observe and admire traditional Moroccan culture. In the medina you can walk through winding passages surrounded by vibrant blue walls that are testimony to the town’s Spanish and Jewish origins. The town has modern accommodation options, where you can spend the night and take time to sample traditional foods, shop for unique arts and crafts, or simply relax by the pool or take a walk in the mountains.

The Chellah (aka Sala or Chella) is a fascinating walled archaeological site incorporating Roman ruins and an Islamic burial mausoleum located just outside the city of Rabat. Although it is now mostly in ruins, the site was once home to a prosperous ancient Roman settlement overlooking a fertile plain close to the Moroccan coastline. As you walk through the serene site you will see a sturdy Roman road, a triumphal arch, a forum, and several assorted buildings in various stages of ruin. There are also remnants of ancient Roman subterranean plumbing, columns, and marble statues. The Islamic ruins, which date from the 14th century, are far better preserved and are these days curiously home to dozens of nesting storks. You can stroll around on your own or hire a guide at the entrance.

Rabat, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +21-26-42-46-00-78

El Badi Palace was constructed over a period of 25 years for the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur during the Saadi dynasty; when it was completed in 1593, it was indeed “incomparable” (which is the translation of el badi). Although large portions of the palace have essentially been reduced to ruins (subsequent dynasties stripped the palace of its former grandeur and used the plundered materials to build their own palaces), the site is still remarkably impressive and is a must-see for all visitors to Marrakesh. The original building is thought to have included over 350 sumptuously decorated rooms, a grand hall, and a central pool that was almost twice Olympic size. Today you can explore subterranean passages and sunken gardens as well as several pavilions/summer houses, stables, and dungeons.

Ksibat Nhass, Marrakesh, Kingdom of Morocco, Phone: +21-25-24-37-81-63

For Photographers

Dominating the skyline of Rabat, the unfinished Hassan Tower (aka Tour Hassan) bears witness to the larger-than-life ambitions of Sultan Yacoub al Mansour who originally intended the tower to be double its current height. Although much of the Hassan Tower site is in ruins, you should not miss the chance to visit the site and stand in awe of the skill of the artisans who constructed this amazing structure back in 1195. Sultan al Mansour intended the tower to be the minaret of an enormous mosque that would accommodate over 20,000 worshippers, but when he died in 1199 the project was abandoned. Today you can see the unfinished 44m tower and some of the 200 columns, which indicate the impressive scale of the planned mosque.

Boulevard Mohamed Lyazidi, Rabat, Morocco, Phone: +21-26-43-41-93-76

Ifrane National Park is not exactly what one expects to find in bustling Morocco, and is definitely worth a visit for anyone interested in nature observation, hiking, camping, or fishing. The park is situated in the Middle Atlas Mountains south of Fez and protects and showcases one of the largest cedar forests in the world as well as a wide variety of over 200 species of birds, reptiles, sheep, and the endangered Barbary macaque. The monkeys have become very tame and you can buy nuts to feed them. There is a network of hiking trails that will lead you past waterfalls, a volcanic plateau, lakes, forests, and mountains. Berber villages inside the park offer camping and dormitory-style accommodation and there is a hotel in the town of Ifrane.

Middle Atlas Mountains, El Hajeb, Morocco, Phone: +21-26-77-25-43-81