All Other Destinations and Attractions in Morocco

The Valley of the Ziz from the High Atlas into southern Morocco.

In the Ammeln region, Tafraoute is hidden by the pink granite mountains that surround it. It is a beautiful spot to watch the sunset and see the wonderful fig trees.

Essaouira is a coastal resort town with excellent beaches. The town is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is, as UNESCO states "an example of a late 18th century European fortified seaport town". The narrow streets, arched doorways with blue doors, intricate carved detail on the buildings, all contribute to the old town atmosphere of Essaouira.

Safi lies on Morocco's central Atlantic coast and has been an important port since Roman times. Then it was known as Asfi, and its people were among the first Moroccans to embrace Islam. The Almohades surrounded the city with ramparts and made the city an intellectual and spiritual center. In 1508 the Portuguese occupied the city, built a citadel and renovated the kasbah area before withdrawing under the Saadian onslaught in 1541. Under the Saadians, Safi's trading was developed and the city's Jamaa Masjid, or Grand Mosque, was built. Their Alawite successors restored the old city and opened Safi to foreign traders.Under French control, the port facilities were developed for the export of phosphates mined in Youssoufia. After independence Safi's importance as a port city continued to grow. In 1964 the Moroccan government constructed new facilities for the processing of phosphate rock into fertilizer and expanded its export capacity. Fish canning is another major industry. Safi is also Morocco's most famous ceramic center, featuring an ancient potter's quarter and artisans of international reputation.

Located in the northeast of the country, near Morocco's border with Algeria, Oujda was founded by Berbers of the Zenata tribe in A.D. 944. The history and character of the city has been formed by its proximity to Algeria. The city was claimed for centuries by both the rulers of Fez and Tlemcen in Algeria. Oujda was taken by the Almohade sultan Youse ben Tachfine in 1206 and later taken by the Ottoman regent of Algiers. Under Sultan Moulay Ismail, Oujda returned to Moroccan control in 1687. The French occupied Oujda in 1844 and again in 1859 and, after an insurrection led by Bou Hamra, took the city again and retained it as part of the French protectorate until independence in 1956.Today Oujda remains a trading center for traffic between Algeria and Morocco. Citrus fruit, grapes, wheat, barley, vegetables, tobacco, sheep and wool are traded from the city. Lead, coal, and manganese are mined nearby.

Layounne is an artificial oasis town built in 1938 by the Spanish government as an administrative center for the Spanish Sahara. The town remained under Spanish control until Moroccan troops invaded and occupied the area on December 11, 1975, forcing Spanish troops to withdraw nine days later. To reinforce its claim to the area, the Moroccan government initiated a large-scale development program and resettled thousands of Moroccan citizens in the town. Phosphate deposits have been discovered to the south, providing the town with some revenue.

Nador is a town (pop. 62,040) south of Melilla in the sheep-herding region. Nador is not a recommended tourist stop.

Kenitra lies on the Sebour River near the Atlantic Ocean on the route between Rabat and Tangier. It was established in 1912 by Marshal Louis Hubert Gonzalve Lyauteyin, Morocco's first French resident general, as a military fort to replace Larache which had been incorporated into the Spanish zone.The French built a new town and an artificial harbor. In 1933 the town was renamed Port-Lyautey, after the Marshal. After independence in 1956 the port was renamed Kenitra.Today the city is still an important naval base and major port exporting grains, citrus fruits and vegetables as well as zinc from the Midelt and cork from the Mamora forests. The city is also has textile milling, fish and tobacco processing, and fertilizer industries.

The Camel Festival in Guelmim is held in July. It features hoards of camels, Touareg nomads and guedra dancing.

Figuig is a beautiful old Berber village and the last Moroccan town before you get out the Algerian border. There are thousands of palm trees set to a back drop of baked clay walls in which grow fig trees and pomegrantes.

Located at Azemmour is the El Jadid Portuguese reservoir where the water casts a wonderful reflection of the gothic architecture. This setting was used in Orson Welles film "Othello". A walk around the ramparts gives splendid views over the surrounding country.

The Boulemane souk is held on Wednesday.

Al Hoceima is a modern town located on the Mediterranean coast between Tetouan and Melilla. It offers many beaches and a exciting nightlife.

Inezgane is a small town about 13km south of Agadir.