Morocco's must-see cities

Casablanca, or "Casa" for those who know it well, is simply the economic capital of the country. If you go there with a purely cultural aim, apart from the Hassan II mosque which alone is worth the detour, you may be disappointed. Casablanca attracts rather by its modernism and its social diversity. With its 4 million inhabitants, 65% of whom belong to the working class, it is a dynamic city in full expansion which sees its tourist infrastructures developing at great speed!

Marrakech, known as the Pearl of the South, is the fourth largest city in Morocco. Tourist capital, Marrakech is an oasis in the middle of the desert, a concentrate of artisanal knowledge with unique architecture. Once the capital of the country, it reflects all the splendor of Morocco, whose name it even inspired. Admire its bright colors, smell the spicy odors of its souks, enjoy a mint tea are all reasons to visit this cosmopolitan city, where the sense of welcome of the locals prevails over everything else. And to help you plan your stay, discover here the 15 must-see things to do in Marrakech!

The most Breton of Moroccan cities! Indeed, for the record, the architect ofEssaouira also participated in the reconstruction of the French city of Saint-Malo. A former fishing port converted into a seaside resort, Essaouira offers a mild oceanic climate, far from the stifling heat of its cousins from more arid regions. The long walk all along the medina, plunges us into a calm and relaxing atmosphere, especially at sunset in this charming city out of time.

Renowned for its great mosque built in 969, Chefchaouen has a large number of religious buildings and boasts a craft industry specialized in textiles. Built at an altitude of 600 meters and lost in the heart of the Moroccan rift, the city is now since 2010, registered on the list of intangible cultural heritage of humanity of UNESCO. Today Chefchaouen has become a very popular destination for hikers, offering a maze of paths to the mountains Kelaa and Meggou.

Capital and residence of the king, Rabat is under the spotlight. However, despite its status as the second largest city in Morocco, it has managed to remain a pleasant and quiet city where life is good. A true imperial city, with a multitude of green spaces planted with trees, the atmosphere in Rabat is endowed with an endearing simplicity. In June 2012, the city was classified by Unesco as a World Heritage Site for its efforts and willingness to make its urbanization respectful of its architectural treasures such as the Kasbah des Oudayas, or the necropolis of Chellah.

Luxury hotels, the sea, the sun, Agadir has all the characteristics of a Mediterranean seaside resort. And it is easy to understand why, with its 300 days of sunshine per year, all the conditions are there to spend a relaxing vacation. If mass tourism has developed here, it is partly because of the earthquake of 1960, which destroyed almost the entire city. Since then, the reconstruction plan is clear and oriented towards the tourist attraction, which has unfortunately affected the authenticity of the place and the relationship with the locals which has become somewhat distorted.

Fez the thousand-year-old is a combination of sumptuousness, refinement, and change of scenery. Once the religious capital of the country, Fez became a city of learning due to the influence of the Karaouiyine University in the ^9th century, then a commercial crossroads of Africa when families of merchants settled there. That is to say all the history that has crossed its walls. But Fez is also an artistic jewel when you start to stroll through the streets of the oldest medina of the country. The spirit of craftsmanship and trade still reigns here, with the famous blue pottery as a backdrop.

One of the few must-sees in southeastern Morocco located at the gateway to the Sahara, the interest of Mergouza lies in its sand dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. And what a spectacle in this rocky desert that leads to the Algerian borders! Real lunar land, Merzouga would be an ancient caravan camp, and it is the ancient date pits left by the nomads that would have created the palm grove. If in the past the tracks to survey the region were impassable, today the dust has mostly been replaced by tar.

Perched at more than 1,700 meters and built by the French, Ifrane lives in a world apart. A wealthy city with a gentrified appearance, it spreads out in a checkerboard pattern through a succession of houses made of stone and wood resembling alpine chalets. Very clean, because very maintained, Ifrane has the air of a Swiss mountain resort. In spite of the suffocating summer heat, the practice of winter sports has been made possible! One comes here especially to enjoy the setting, with its magnificent cedar forest criss-crossed by multiple sumptuous hiking trails.

Tangier and its heart, the Grand Socco square, invite you to stroll around. Its souks, its seaside promenade, its gardens and its atypical cafés make this city of nearly one million inhabitants an exotic and growing tourist destination! Indeed, major modernization plans have been put in place in recent years to improve access to the city, such as the train that connects Casa to Tangier in two hours. But Tangier is also a city that exudes culture and the exchange of ideas. Many writers and painters have found here a setting and atmosphere worthy of their talents.