Morocco’s vibrant, lively and busy centers are the exact opposite to the wide area of quiet, mystical desert and the rocky cliffs of the Atlas Mountains. The centers, develop around their amazing marketplaces, have long been accommodating tourists for years. You can find great trade routes, and discover the exoticism of the east, and of course Africa.
You can experience almost everything here, coming from assailing magnificent mountains, to parasailing and you can even learn how to roll cous cous and learn how to haggle for rolls of rugs. But at the end of the day, whatever you do you will need some place to relax, and the best places to stay in Morocco are listed below.
1. MARRAKECH
Marrakech offers romantic ambiance and a touch of exoticism, but no one expects it to be extremely fun place! The old souks, ancient and stunning architectural arts, labyrinth of passages and a whirlwind-like Medina are ultimate experience like no other. This is a must-place for your bucket list. In case you’re simply looking a place to have some winter sun, then it is the best place for you. Whatever you will be doing, after your exciting adventures, getting lost in the colors and smells and crowds and dust, you will be enjoying some time getting pampered in the famous Marrakech’s traditional hammams, otherwise known as Turkish baths.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN MARRAKECH:
LES JARDINS DE LA KOUTOUBIA
SAVOY LE GRAND HOTEL
MARRAKECH RIAD CINNAMON
2. FÈS
Fez, being an ancient capital, will fill your senses with its color, noise and smells. The medieval Medina of Fez, having 90,000 streets and alleyways, is partially covered so you will have some shelter from the sun. You can see the spitting camels, menagerie of animals, and the lively people of marketplaces. Bargaining is a lifestyle here, so perhaps you can use your haggling skills and you will find hidden treasures here. Or you can simply satisfy your apetite from a wonderfully enticing selections of street food. If you need some respite, you can go to madrases. Another great places to visit are the tanneries and dying pits of Fez, and not to mention that this city boasts some of the world’s most treasured Arabic architecture.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN FÈS:
PALAIS FARAJ SUITES & SPA
PALAIS SHÉHÉRAZADE & SPA
ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira is located along a lengthy sandy strip of Morocco’s Atlantic coast. This is definitely Moroccan, but with a European familiarity. This is a perfect place for windsurfers and kitesurfers. This place is an enchanting, laid-back alternative to the frenetic melting-pot of Marrakesh. It’s Medina is protected by 18th-century seafront ramparts called the Skala de la Kasbah. Today, the busy medina is simply as important as a market place as it was before . The port is not only a great witness to a past life, it’s still colorful and vibrant.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN ESSAOUIRA:
REBALI RIADS
PALAIS DES REMPARTS
AÏT BEN HADDOU
If you want to experience Morocco’s Berber culture, then head to the High Atlas. Aït-Benhaddou, featuring its mud brick buildings, is among the best known of the small Berber villages that hold on to these mountains – perhaps due to its World Heritage Status. Another famous town is the Amizmiz. This is probably because it has one of the biggest Berber souks in the area.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN AÏT BEN HADDOU:
RIAD KSAR IGHNDA
RIAD MAKTOUB
OUARZAZATE
Ouarzazate means ‘without confusion’ or ‘without noise’. This is very true: Ouarzazate is a quiet town located at the base of the High Atlas mountains in Saharan. For years, this place becomes a way point for traders between Africa and Europe. This is one of the best place to stay in Morocco considering that it is a wonderful base from which to dive into the desert or the mountains.
THE BEST PLACES TO STAY IN OUARZAZATE:
DAR AHLAM
SAWADI
