Morocco: 20 places to see from Erg Chebbi to Essaouira

Explore Morocco's 20 key destinations spanning the Sahara Desert, Atlas Mountains, and coastal cities. The route connects iconic sites including Erg Chebbi's dunes, Marrakech's medina, Chefchaouen's blue streets, the imperial city of Meknes, and historic Fez el-Bali, offering a comprehensive overview of the country's diverse geography and cultural landmarks.

Distance
4548.4 km
Mode
Places
Start
Erg Chebbi
End
Ifrane – Little Switzerland
Stops
20
Video author
travmap
Updated

Stops on this route

  1. Erg Chebbi — Spectacular Sahara dunes rising 150m high near Merzouga, a top sunrise photography destination.
  2. Merzouga — Gateway town to the Sahara desert, base for camel rides and overnight desert camps.
  3. Toubkal Peak — North Africa's highest point at 4,167m in the High Atlas Mountains.
  4. Aït Benhaddou — UNESCO-protected fortified ksar used as a filming location for Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
  5. Ifrane — A French-built alpine town in the Middle Atlas known as 'Little Switzerland'.
  6. Essaouira — Atlantic coastal city known for its Portuguese fortifications, wind, and surfing culture.
  7. Agadir — Morocco's main beach resort city, rebuilt after a devastating 1960 earthquake.
  8. Hassan II Mosque — World's tallest minaret at 210m, partly built over the Atlantic Ocean.
  9. Tangier — Africa's northern tip city, just 14km from Spain, a historic crossroads of civilizations.
  10. Fez el-Bali — World's largest car-free urban zone with 9,000 alleys and medieval architecture.
  11. Marrakech — The Red City, founded in 1062, famous for Jemaa el-Fna square and vibrant souks.
  12. Majorelle Garden — Iconic cobalt-blue desert garden created by French painter Jacques Majorelle, later owned by Yves Saint Laurent.
  13. Meknes — Imperial city built by Sultan Moulay Ismail to rival Versailles, home to the grand Bab Mansour gate.
  14. Rabat — Morocco's planned capital since 1912, home to the Hassan Tower and Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
  15. Volubilis — Rome's southwesternmost city, a vast 40-hectare ruin with intact mosaic floors rivaling Pompeii.
  16. Chefchaouen — The Blue City in the Rif Mountains, every wall painted in shades of blue, founded in 1471.
  17. Casablanca — Morocco's largest city of 5 million, economic engine and home to the Hassan II Mosque.
  18. Morocco – Beyond Anything You've Seen
  19. Erg Chebbi – Sahara Dunes
  20. Ifrane – Little Switzerland

Useful for your trip

Timing
Visit Erg Chebbi dunes at sunrise when photographers capture the best light. Temperature can reach 50°C in summer and drop to freezing at night.
Tip
Stay overnight in desert camps near Merzouga. Ride camels at sunset, sleep under stars, and wake to profound silence.
Timing
Toubkal Peak climb takes two days. Winter brings serious snow; year-round climbing possible but winter is more challenging.
Transport
Ifrane is 2 hours drive from the Middle Atlas. It features Alpine architecture and ski resorts, offering a complete contrast to desert landscapes.
Food
Visit Essaouira's fishing port by 9:00 a.m. to see the morning catch. Fresh sardines, seabream, sole, and prawns are distributed by that time.
Tip
Fez el-Bali has 9,000 twisting alleys and is the world's largest car-free urban zone. The tanneries use 11th-century methods.
Food
In Marrakech's Jemaa el-Fna Square, food stalls operate at sunset. Grilled meat, lamb chops, and snails in spicy broth available.
Tip
Chefchaouen is 2 hours south of Tangier in the Riff Mountains. Every wall and door is painted blue. Sunset at Plaza Uta Elam is ideal for visiting.
Tip
Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (completed 1993) is one of few mosques non-Muslims can tour. Minaret stands 210m, laser-pointed toward Mecca.
Food
Moroccan mint tea is ceremony: three cups minimum. First is gentle, second strong, third bitter. Refusing tea refuses hospitality.
Food
Harira soup breaks the fast during Ramadan. Street food vendors sell Amlou flatbread and Mechoui whole roasted lamb by weight.
Timing
Ramadan transforms Morocco: streets empty before iftar (sunset), then explode with feasting. Plan activities around this spiritual period.

Video on this route

Why Everyone Is Talking About Morocco 🇲🇦 – Beyond Anything You’ve Seen | 4K

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