5 top attractions in Morocco and the incredible sweeping desert
Morocco attractions? The Erg Chebbi dunes are located in the Sahara Desert. The awe-inspiring dunes are as high as 150 meters tall, and one certainly feels small in their shadows. Erg Chebbi special feature is its beautiful unique orange colored sand. Excursions to the dunes normally start from the village of Merzouga which is located on the edge of the erg. Camel trekking is the most popular option although it isn’t the most comfortable way of traveling.
This golden-stoned adobe kasbah (fortress) thrusts dramatically out of the earth amid scenery that wows all who visit. It’s a fairy-tale place, and unsurprisingly the orange-hued turrets and curvy lanes inside have become a favorite film location for Hollywood due to the surreal beauty of the place. You can even sleep within the kasbah if you want the full Ait Ben Haddou experience, though those who like their creature comforts should be aware that there’s no electricity within the fortress itself. If you’re heading out into Morocco’s inland regions, it should definitely be on your must-visit list. Try to come in the early morning or later in the afternoon, as the tour bus crowds descend from around 10am to 2pm.
Tucked between the High Atlas Mountains and the gorgeous Sahara Desert, Tinghir is Morocco’s crown jewel that sits snugly in the center of the Todra Valley and is probably the best place in Morocco for couples. Unlike other places in this country, Tinghir happens to be an old French town which has now turned into a sprawling city entertaining tourists with splendid flower gardens, Kasbahs, and rustic narrow streets. It’s also every hiker’s favorite city in Morocco since it provides amazing views of the entire city and surrounding hills after a hike up to the 18th Century Glaoui Palace ruins sitting at a considerable elevation. Explore a few extra details at Day Trip From Marrakech To Ouarzazate.
A beautiful stretch of beach along Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast, the rocky Legzira Beach is known for its red cliffs and natural stone arch. Although one magnificent stone archway unfortunately collapsed, there is still another remaining beautiful arch to admire. The rugged coastline is scenic and the windy conditions attract keen surfers and paragliding enthusiasts. The UNESCO-listed Volubilis is a large ancient Roman site close to Meknes. Thought to be the old capital of Mauritania, the ruins include soaring columns, foundations, well-preserved mosaics, tall archways, steps, and stone blocks. See where grand buildings once stood and imagine the area’s splendour in its heyday.
Also known as the Koubba Ba’adiyn, the Almoravid Koubba is Marrakesh’s oldest monument, built in the 12th century during Ali Ben Youssuf’s reign. Although its original use is unknown, some experts have suggested that it may have been the ablution house of a mosque that once sat next door. Its simple exterior design (a squat, square building topped with a dome) belies an interesting interior, with a dome ceiling covered in Almoravid motifs. The koubba was one of the few buildings to survive the damage inflicted by the Almohad conquerors, who destroyed much of the earlier Almoravid architectural legacy. See more details at here.