5 Places to Visit in Morocco (besides Marrakesh)
Morocco is one of the most beautiful countries in the sub-Saharan region of Africa. One of its cities Marrakesh is known as a great tourist site. However, the greatness of this city has eclipsed some other beautiful gems in the country. This article unearths 5 other Moroccan cities where you can see the beauty that the sub-Saharan has to offer.
Draa Valley
Amid the Moroccan desert stretches out the Draa Valley. What was once the highlight of all the traveling around that area is now a tourist attraction. Here you are welcome to lodge in the well-fortified castles of Zagora, Tamnougalt, Timidarte, and Agdz where you can feed on the delicious date fruit that’s native to the area and also eat freshly baked bread from earthen ovens.
What’s more, you are right on the best place to feast your eyes on the final stretches of the ancient caravan routes that come from Mali to Marrakesh.
Skoura
Skoura is an ancient place with a unique flavor of its own. This city is a beautiful green valley covered with palm groves crisscrossed by a network of old tracks. What’s most fascinating about this city is its old khettara (drainage system) that has kept generations alive providing for them their means of sustenance.
Some of the many agricultural products you’ll find here include, tomatoes, mint, pomegranates, apricots, dates, figs, alfalfa, and almonds. One amazing thing about this place is how you can experience the same legendary ‘oasis of life’ the place was known for in ancient times. Much hasn’t changed. You could all but experience the life of the ages past at Skoura.
Chefchaouen
If you love beautiful pictures that are great for Instagram, then Chefchaouen is the place you should be. Its blue artsy wall is proof this village was always intended to be a wonder. Perched into a beautiful mountain side, the Chefchaouen is a blue washed village that is just beautiful to behold. A top view of the village should fill any artist with goosebumps. The red roofs clashing into the blue walls and streets is a delight to behold.
Asides sitting to a cup of tea while watching this beautiful scenery, you can do some sight seeing. You could visit the national park in the area or go to the beautiful mosque there. There are markets to shop in too. You could never get enough of this blue city.
High Atlas Mountains
If you are wondering where the tallest point in northern Africa is, its Morocco. Not only do you get to stand on the high atlas mountains, you enjoy the journey of walking all the way to the top from where you can see Marrakesh to the south east, and other beautiful parts of Morocco.
It’s also the meeting point of a lot of nature’s wonders. Because of the sharp edged peaks, the mountain serves as a kind of barrier between mild Mediterranean climate to the north and the Sahara to the south. In the highest of its reaches, snow falls from September to May, creating an avenue for winter sports. All year long, rivers flow towards Marrakesh creating a network of fertile valleys.
Fez
Have you ever wondered what it would feel like to be lost in a maze? Well, here is your opportunity to get a first hand feel of the experience. The Fez media is a gigantic maze. Now, don’t let what you’ve seen in the movies scare you. This maze is a friendly one. Just follow the crowd and you will definitely get back to one of the main thorough fares.
In case you get lost in the maze, you would not need to panic. There are tons of friendly shop keepers to point you in the way that you must go. Within the maze you would find a lot of attractions, one being colorful markets. While going through the maze, don’t be in a hurry to get out that you fail to pay attention to the beauty within it. Here is one maze where its perfectly fine to get lost.
Conclusion
Marrakesh is beautiful no doubt. But there are other cities in Morocco that would open up new experiences for. These places are known for their beauty, legacy, and rich history. So, the next time you’re in Morocco, don’t forget to check out some of these places. You’ll be glad you did!
