Best Morocco travel attractions and Marrakech desert tours? From Marrakech medina it takes just under an hour to reach the Agafay Desert and Nkhila Lodge. As we leave the bright lights of the city behind and enter the rural province of Al Haouz, the landscape changes from olives groves to the rolling barren hills of the Agafay Desert. Eventually we leave the asphalt behind and follow desert tracks to reach Douar Nkhila village on the eastern edge of Agafay. Our final approach is spectacular: we twist around arid hillsides until reaching Nkhila Lodge, perched on stilts, with the High Atlas mountains looming in the distance. On arrival at camp we will be greeted with a refreshing glass of mint tea and briefed by our host. In the early evening there’s time for a camel ride to enjoy the setting sun over western Agafay. If camel riding is not your thing, there are several short scenic walks to enjoy. Tonight dinner will be served in your choice of location – either in the privacy of your tent, on the balcony, in the dining tent, or under an outside canopy-covered dining spot. Lunch and dinner is included today. Read extra details at Marrakech desert tours.
The charming mountain village of Imlil, 57 kilometers south of Marrakesh, is the starting point for excursions into Toubkal National Park. It’s a chilled-out kind of place that provides respite if you’ve been amid the Marrakesh hustle for a while and are seeking some peace and quiet. The village is also home to a rather impressively restored kasbah (fortress), which is a great place to come for a coffee or tea and take in the rural mountain scenery. The structure is now one of the town’s best hotels and played a starring role in the Martin Scorsese film Kundun.
Erg Chebbi, near to Merzouga, is a dramatic 50-kilometre-long series of sand dunes. Reaching up to 150 metres’ height in places and with a width of five kilometres, the large dunes offer a spectacular experience in the Moroccan Sahara. Camel treks through the dunes and to local Berber villages are popular. A historic citadel, the majestic Ait Benhaddou is located close to Ouarzazate. On the edges of the desert, the picturesque UNESCO-listed village has been used as a shooting location for a number of films. Although many previous occupants now live elsewhere, a walk through the maze-like citadel shows how people used to live in the past. The multi-level dwellings, with the lower levels reserved for livestock, and merchants’ homes are all built from mud.
Essaouira is one of the top Morocco tourist attractions. And not just because it’s a great city to get away from the heat and monotony of the big city’s lifestyle, but also because it’s the place where season three of Game of Thrones was shot! What makes it more popular is that back in the 60’s, this seaside town was a popular beach hangout for celebrities like Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley. You never know, you might just end up meeting your favourite celeb on your visit to Essaouira! If not, do not miss the Gnaoua, one of the most vivid beach festivals in the world.
Chefchaouen (or Chaouen) is a gorgeous mountain city in northeastern Morocco. The picturesque medina, set against the dramatic backdrop of the Rif Mountains, is filled with white-washed homes with distinctive, powder-blue accents. It is a popular shopping destination offering many native handicrafts that are not available elsewhere in Morocco, such as wool garments and woven blankets. The goat cheese native to the area is also popular with tourists. The region around Chefchaouen is one of the main producers of cannabis in Morocco. Hashish is subsequently sold all over town, but is mostly the domain of native Chaouenis.
Excellent Marrakech excursions : Kasbahs in the Draa Valley: This valley, which connects the southeastern end of the High Atlas with the desert beyond, is prime territory for architecture and history fans. All the way to the town of Zagora, the road is rimmed by palm tree oases and scattered with beautifully preserved kasbahs made from mudbrick, which are fascinating to explore. It’s a great place for a road trip, stopping off at villages along the way to admire the view and delve into the shady, dimly lit passages of the kasbahs. In particular check out Kasbah des Caids in Tamnougalt, which has been used as a location in plenty of Hollywood films, and Timidarte village, where the village’s kasbah architecture has been finely restored.