Top 10 Most Popular Cities to Visit In Morocco

So you’re picturing Morocco in 2025 — spices, deserts, history and that famous turquoise Mediterranean coast. You’ve likely heard of Marrakech and Casablanca, but in truth, the country is filled with hidden gems waiting to be uncovered.

In this guide you’ll follow the crowd to the 10 most visited Moroccan cities that all deliver things to do that are specific to the region, from centuries-old kasbahs and imperial medinas to surf beaches and the Atlas Mountains.

And maybe, mid-way, you’ll realize how easy it is to lose yourself in a city’s souks or a quiet riad courtyard... but not get too lost.

1. Marrakech

Explore the city: Marrakech 

Start with the obvious — Marrakech and Jemaa el Fna square. Crowds whirl; snake charmers, storytellers, food stalls and musicians compete for attention. It’s colorful in a way that isn’t scripted — colors, chaos, excitement. You will wander the narrow alleys of the medina, shop for leather goods and tajine pots, and find rooftop cafes for mint tea at sunset.

Some personal moments: One evening I was sitting on a rooftop terrace, looking out over Koutoubia Mosque, the call to prayer receding, the air scented with orange blossom … and thought, “Ah, this is why people travel here.” It’s a lot though — really, take your time and perhaps only focus on one quarter each day.

Pro tip

2. Fes (Fez)

If Marrakech feels flashy, Fes is the studious cousin, dusty but dignified. It’s one of the most popular Cities to Visit in Morocco for people who dig medieval architecture. The maze-like medina, goats in the walls, tanneries that smell intense—sometimes I held my breath, but later I thought maybe that’s part of authenticity. And the Al Quaraouiyine University courtyard—walking through it, you feel centuries echoing around you.

Pro Tip: Planning a self-drive itinerary from Fes to Chefchaouen? Skip the airport rental lines. Services like Localrent connect you with local agencies that often offer better rates, more flexible pick-up times, and even English-speaking support.

3. Casablanca

Here’s a mild surprise: Casablanca isn’t just film nostalgia. It’s modern Morocco’s beating heart. The Hassan II Mosque, perched on the Atlantic, has a minaret that pierces the sky. I wandered the boulevards and thought, “this is Casablanca’s vibe.” Not as touristy, more city life—art deco buildings, chic cafes. You might skip it, but I wouldn’t. And yes, even Frank Sinatra once walked here—makes you smile.

4. Rabat

capital life with coastal calm, Rabat oddly blends history and modernity. Ruins of Chellah whisper about ancient civilizations. The kasbah of the Udayas, overlooking the ocean, invites slow strolls. It’s not always on lists, but when I first arrived I thought, “quiet and cool.” palaces and parks intersect with laid-back locals and street vendors. It’s a side of Morocco I didn’t expect.

5. Chefchaouen

Blue city... you’ve seen the pictures. But walking those azure streets early in the morning? Magical. It ranks among the most popular Cities to Visit in Morocco because it’s photogenic, yes—but also peaceful. I got lost in Alleys that looped back on themselves. Maybe you’ll wonder if you're in a dream. Some people say it’s overhyped—yet I think the calm outweighs the crowds. Try local goat cheese too.

6. Essaouira

A windy seaside town with whitewashed walls and musician energy. Essaouira feels cooler than the rest—literally, breezes from the Atlantic. Its medina is calmer, the port active with fishermen. And there’s that rampart walk—great for photos, sea views, and a breath of salt air. It’s one of the popular Cities to Visit in Morocco for folks craving beach-town simplicity with a creative edge.

7. Ouarzazate

popular Cities to Visit in Morocco also include gateway towns. Ouarzazate—named 'Hollywood of Morocco'—is a film-set wonder. Atlas Studios, Aït Benhaddou nearby, have seen epics like Lawrence of Arabia. Wandering through kasbahs here, I half expected a director to yell “action.” It’s quieter but cinematic. Good for photographers or movie buffs who want to feel the desert’s drama.

8. Merzouga (near Erg Chebbi)

Not a city exactly—it’s a village by massive sand dunes. But I count it because you come for the Sahara sunrise that’s unreal. If you thought popular Cities to Visit in Morocco didn’t include desert, you’d be wrong. Riding camels, sleeping in a tent under the Milky Way, maybe worrying “is it too touristy?” But then the dunes glow orange, and suddenly every worry melts. You might stay longer than planned.

9. Agadir

Beach resort meets modern Moroccan city. Agadir is less historic but full of sun, sea, surf. Popular with families and European travelers. It’s the beach holiday answer for Morocco, clean and well-developed. I tried surfing there once—fell off repeatedly, but locals cheered. It wasn’t always graceful, but it felt fun. And the promenade at sunset has that warm, inclusive buzz. Yacht-lite, but very enjoyable.

10. Tangier

At Morocco’s tip, Tangier is a gateway with an international soul. Once a bohemian haven for writers like Burroughs. Its streets feel layered—European bits, North African bits, and everything in between. The Kasbah Museum overlooks crossing lines and histories. I remember a misty morning cafe, sipping coffee and watching ferries to Spain. That liminal vibe—Tangier isn’t fully Moroccan nor European. It’s both, and that’s refreshing.

Pro Tip Section

A Few Reflections

I think the real charm of these ten spots lies less in must-see bucket lists and more in the little moments—tea with an old man in Chefchaouen, watching a sunset in Essauoira, getting turned around in Fes's medina and ending up in a garden you didn’t know existed. The popular Cities to Visit in Morocco each bring their own thread to the tapestry.

Some are historic, others beachy; some are bustling, others reflective. Maybe you’ll hive off from Marrakech to Ouarzazate for a desert trek—and find yourself changed by sand and silence. Or maybe Casablanca surprises you with its modern Moroccan rhythm. And yes, you might catch yourself missing the chaotic buzz of Jemaa el-Fnaa when you’re in quiet Tangier.

There’s a mild contradiction in saying both “visit them all” and “take your time with a few.” I guess that’s real. Travel’s not a race. I stayed in Rabat two nights and thought, “if I stay longer, I’ll love it more.” And I did.

From the vibrant medinas of Marrakech and Fes to coastal calm in Essaouira and Agadir, Morocco’s most popular Cities to Visit offer a delicious mix: history, culture, nature, and modern life. 

Maybe you’ll start in Marrakech, loop up to Chefchaouen, cross through Tangier, then head east to the dunes. Or maybe a shorter loop resonates more. It’s less about completing the list and more about how each place feels on your skin, says in your memory.

So here’s the thing: map them, yes, but leave space in the map for detours. Morocco doesn’t love being confined. And if you want to use this as a starting point, I think you’ll find each city’s personality reaches out—sometimes in whispers, sometimes in roars. Let them.

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