Best Destinations in Morocco

Salé is a town in Morocco located on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, on the right bank (north) of the mouth of Bouregreg, in front of the national capital Rabat. Founded in the eleventh century by the Ifrenides, Salé experienced considerable development during the Almohades (twelfth century) and the Merinids (fourteenth century), because of its strategic position on the land route that connects Fez to Marrakech and thanks to its Port, a center for exchanges between Europe and Morocco. In the seventeenth century, the arrival of the Muslim refugees from Spain gave a new breath to the city. The Moroccan Andalusians, embark on a race war and constitute a powerful political entity known as the Republic of Bouregreg. They have engaged in piracy activities in very remote areas such as Iceland and Terre-Neuve.

Ouarzazate is a city located in the Draâ Tafilalet region, at 1,150 meters above sea level, at the confluence of the Dades and Imini wadi forming the Drâa. It is the main urban center of the valley of this river and is nicknamed "the Gate of the desert" The occupation of the city of Ouarzazate dates from the dawn of time. Indeed, several cave engravings and types of tumulus testifying to the prehistoric times were found in the city and its surroundings, although the city remains an enigma in the eyes of archaeologists. The Berbers were the first inhabitants of this region, followed by Jews and Sub-Saharans, composed mainly of slaves. The Ouarzazate region is the starting point of the oasis route and has been a place of trade and cultural encounters between different peoples of the North and South of the African continent. The city of Ouarzazate is experiencing a boom in tourism and cinematography. Indeed, it is one of the Moroccan sites most appreciated by the directors from all over the world. Besides the landscapes, one of the cinematographic assets of this place is the quality of the light, with a brilliant sun on average 300 days a year. The Noor solar power project has created a new economic dynamic for the city by draining important investments by 2020.

Meknes is a city in northern Morocco founded in 711 by the Amazigh tribe of the Meknassas, which gave it its name. It is the former capital of the administrative region of Meknes-Tafilalet and currently one of the two urban poles of the Fes-Meknes region in the north of the country. It is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco and the sixth largest city in the kingdom according to the census of 2014. It was the capital of Morocco during the reign of Ismail ben Cherif (1672-1727). The historic city of Meknes (Medina) has been under the protection of UNESCO since 1996 and has since undergone various operations to restore sites (walls, gates, alleys, public squares ...). It is now worthy of the biggest Mediterranean and Arab cities, due to its cultural diversity. In 2007, the famous Lahdim Square had two restoration and renovation operations. In the 17th century, the Alawite sultan Moulay Ismail decided to make Meknes one of the most beautiful and powerful imperial cities in Morocco. Today, protected by forty kilometers of walls, it has preserved imposing monuments, including many mosques which earned it the nickname of "city with a hundred minarets". Among them, the Great Mosque, probably founded in the twelfth century, is remarkable for its doors with beautiful carved awnings.

Zagora is a town in the Draa River valley in the Drâa-Tafilalet region of southeastern Morocco. It is flanked by the mountain Zagora from which the town got its name. On the top of the Zagora mountain the remains of an Almoravid fortress can still be seen. Languages spoken in the city include Moroccan Arabic, Tachelhit and Tamazight. A well-known sign at the town border states "Tombouctou 52 days", the supposed time it takes to get to Timbuktu, Mali on foot or camel.

M'Hamid El Rhozlane, formerly Taragalte, is a town located in the province of Zagora in the Drâa-Tafilalet region. Its name would mean "the plain of gazelles" and would be linked to the presence, formerly, of gazelles. It was once an important step in the trans-Saharan trade. It is a starting point for excursions in the desert, especially towards the dunes of the erg Chegaga. Since 2003, the International Festival of Nomads takes place there in March.