21 Photos to Inspire Your First Morocco Trip

The idea of visiting Morocco can have a strange allure to it. There’s something romantically foreign about this North African nation that draws people in. Whether it’s the food, the promise of staying in a riad or visiting one of the safest countries in the entire region, Morocco has a way of getting under your skin. When I first planned to come to Europe, I knew for sure to include my first Morocco trip as well.

It seems even just a few Morocco photos have the power to stoke some real wanderlust into travellers. With so much to see and do, people are sure to find at least one aspect of Morocco that appeals to them. Whether you’re still on the fence or actively planning your first Morocco trip, maybe the following photos will help with your visit.

Cities, Both Big and Small

A natural place to start planning your first Morocco trip is with the country’s cities since that is often what people first learn about. Morocco’s cities are some of the most famous in Africa and people can be familiar with them for any number of reasons. Perhaps they’ve heard of the film Casablanca and hope to see what the city is actually like. Or they’ve seen photos of the market square and souks of popular destinations like Marrakesh and Fes.

But beyond these more well-known urban destinations, Morocco is simply overflowing with possibilities. For starters, there’s the underrated capital Rabat, with its cheerful medina and colonial vibe. Smaller cities like Meknes and especially Chefchaouen easily win visitors over with their visual flair and eye-catching scenery. Even the port city of Tangier which embodied some of my least favourite city traits had its moments.

Quiet cobblestone streets in the Rabat Kasbah

Glowing Sunset over the El Hafa Park in Tangiers

Tram tracks running up a street in the heart of Casablanca

The sheer density of homes inside the ancient Fes medina

Blue painted streets and alleys inside the Chefchaouen medina

Walk through Engrossing History

Sitting at a crossroads, the country of Morroco has seen many influences throughout history. What’s more, somehow reminders of all of this history have managed to survive the test of time. For history geeks like myself, Morocco is a treasure trove, even if you aren’t entirely familiar with its past at first. Certainly, some of the best places to visit in Morocco are just that because of how they keep their past alive.

If Roman history interests you, then you’ll want to seek out the remains of Volubilis and its preserved mosaics. Nearby is another important historical site, the ancient holy town of Moulay Idriss, which Muslims would make pilgrimages to instead of Mecca.

Then there’s the city of Fes, where among its labyrinthine medina you can find houses that haven’t changed in centuries. Lastly, scattered across the landscapes are centuries-old kasbahs and ksar fortresses, like the one at Ait Benhaddou.

The fortified Ksar of Ait Benhaddou by a dry riverbed

Ancient Roman ruins of the city of Volubilis

Cityscape of the pilgrimage village of Moulay Idriss

Historic coastal walls of the port city of Essaouira

Life in Morocco

Somewhere like Morocco, it’s impossible to separate a place from its way of life. Steeped in tradition, Morocco and its people may act differently from how you’re used to, but that’s one of the joys of travel. The country is modernising in some regards, but mostly people stick to the old ways which can certainly have you re-evaluating how you live. However, this does mean you can also expect hosts to be quite hospitable and welcoming.

I have to say, in Morocco’s cities, it can sometimes feel like you can’t escape people everywhere. That’s where escaping into the countryside comes in handy. Animals too are always around it seems when visiting Morocco. It could be the unstoppable donkeys charging down the narrow streets of Fes.

Or the camels you cling to as you venture deeper into the Merzouga dunes of the Sahara desert. Or even the cheeky Barbary macaques that you need to keep an eye on in the forests of the Atlas Mountains. You’re never far from animals in Morocco, even if you aren’t directly seeking them out.

A guard stands watch outside the Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Camels resting after walking into the Sahara

Seagulls flock while fisherman work in Essaouira

Local woman with her goats outside the walls of Chefchaouen

Incredible Tiles and Details

One of the easiest ways to fall for Morocco is to see the country up close. Take a look at the mosaics on a building, the rugs in a store or the talented metalwork in a city’s souk like the one in Marrakesh. You’re sure to find yourself marvelling at the eye for detail. And there are any number of places and attractions you can go to appreciate these details, from kasbahs to even the riads that you might stay or dine at.

Intricate mosaics and carvings at the Meknes Madrasa

Ornate golden lanterns in the Marrakesh Souk

Golden gates on the Royal Palace in Meknes

Dramatic and Diverse Landscapes

The side of Morocco that I was least prepared for on my first trip was just how diverse it could be. Think of Morocco, you probably picture it being dry and made up of deserts, but you’d be far off. Sure, the country does lie on the edge of the Sahara Desert, but that’s just a small fraction of Morocco. Elsewhere you’ll find nearly any landscape imaginable. I for one was stunned by just how different this North African country could be from one stop to the next.

Morocco enjoys both a lot of coastline and beaches, as well as long, stretching mountain ranges with the Rif and Atlas Mountains. Within the mountains, you can find lush forests below snow-capped peaks, and fertile oasis valleys below that bring a spark of life to arid plains. Where you go in the country greatly affects which side of Morocco you’ll see, coaxing you to travel further around to see it all.

Clouds blanketing Imlil in a valley of the Atlas Mountains

Sunset sky over a camp in the Sahara dunes of Merzouga

At the bottom of Barrem Gorge outside Midelt

Hiking across barren hilltops above Todra Gorge

Red-clay houses and bright green oasis at Tinghir

Planning your First Morocco Trip

• Accommodation: Here you can find hotels, apartments and guesthouses for across Morocco.
• Tours: There are countless day trips and sightseeing tours available in Morocco, not to mention longer tours to help you see as much of Morocco as possible.
• Car Hire: If you want to travel more independently, consider renting a car to drive yourself about.
• Guide Books: Lastly, if you’re after a physical guide to take with you then you can’t beat a Lonely Planet Guide.

What side of Morocco or place would you choose to start your first Morocco trip? If you have already visited Morocco, what do you hope to see next visit? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.