What to visit in Morocco?

Stretching over 30% of Africa, the largest hot desert in the world is an imposing sight. It is a pristine ocean of yellow and orange sand with giant barchans and camel caravans. In the Sahara, in Morocco, there are 2 vast sandy areas covered with dunes and barchans called ergs. Ergi translates from Arabic as sandy seas.

The Moroccan Sahara is located in the continental part of the country. It is a rocky desert landscape, which in some places is crossed by dry riverbeds - wadis. The tourist center of this region is Erg Chebbi, located on the southeastern edge of Morocco. Here you can stroll along the sand dunes and admire their crests going to the horizon. Small Berber towns are connected to each other and to the oases by roads designed for automobile traffic. Among them there are old fortified settlements that can be visited. The most interesting of these is Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Ksar Ait Ben Haddou is located in the south of Morocco, 30 km from Ouarzazate, on the left bank of the river of the same name. The caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu has long traveled along this river. Ait Ben Haddou, one of the most impressive examples of traditional architecture in southern Morocco, was founded in 757 for its defense. Xar is a fortress city surrounded by high walls. The reddish-brown mud-brick houses built inside the fortress walls are terraced on the mountainside. The flat-roofed houses are close together, with horizontally arranged streets connected by arches and narrow passageways. Defensive towers were erected at the corners of the city wall, and a mosque was built on top of the hill. Most of the preserved buildings date back to the XVII century. In the city travelers could get rest and lodging, hire experienced guides and buy provisions for traveling through the desert. Today, the Ait Ben Haddou ksar attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique architecture and beautiful views.

Essaouira Fortress is one of the main attractions of the popular Moroccan resort of Essaouira on the Atlantic coast. Its special charm makes this settlement one of the most beautiful places in Morocco. The walls of the fortress visible today were built in 1756. The structure was originally named after the name of the settlement, Essaouveira. In 1912, the French renamed the fortress to Mogador, and in 1956, after independence, it regained its old name - Essaouira. The fortress of Essaouira is surrounded by powerful walls with beveled teeth, the main purpose of which was to protect the local population from attacks of pirates from the sea. Externally, these walls resemble classical European fortifications, but inside they are built in the style of traditional Muslim architecture. Within the walls of the citadel there are several fortress towers, which also served as a defense of the city. Today, the Essaouira Citadel attracts tourists from all over the world with its unique architecture and beautiful views.

Ouzoud Waterfall is one of the most beautiful natural wonders of Africa. It is located in Morocco at an altitude of 1800 meters. The waterfall consists of three main streams cascading downwards. The water here is crystal clear and creates an incredible sight. The place is also a popular recreation center for tourists. Ouzoud Waterfall is included in our list of the 1000 most popular attractions in the world.

The French call this waterfall the "blanket of lovers" for its romantic view. Ouzoud Cascades is one of the most impressive spectacles in Morocco. The name of the waterfall comes from the local word "Ouzoud", which means olive tree - its numerous specimens grow right on the rocks of the waterfall.

From the platforms of the waterfall you can admire the surrounding nature and the rainbow that sometimes appears above the splashing water. On top of the rocks are ancient mills, which are still used by the locals.