Culture and historic cities
Listed medinas, crafts and living heritage
© Nichika Sakurai / Unsplash
Morocco has nine cultural sites on the UNESCO World Heritage list, including the medinas or historic towns of Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Rabat, Tetouan, Essaouira and El Jadida. Each has its own character: Fes for crafts, Meknes for imperial monuments, Tetouan for Andalusian heritage and Essaouira for its harbour atmosphere.
Tip
For a first medina visit, half a day with an official guide helps you understand how the quarters work and find the workshops.
Destinations
Marrakech
Medina, riads and food, an hour from the High Atlas
Fes
The world's largest car-free medina, and Morocco's craft capital
Rabat
A relaxed capital: the Kasbah of the Udayas, museums and seafront
Tangier
Morocco's gateway between the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, 14 km from Europe
Chefchaouen
The small blue town of the Rif, a good base for hiking
Essaouira
A walled medina, a fishing port and Atlantic wind
Tetouan
A UNESCO-listed Andalusian medina between the Rif and the Mediterranean
El Jadida
A UNESCO-listed Portuguese fortress town and Atlantic beaches
Meknes
Moulay Ismail's imperial city, next to Volubilis
Plans on this theme
Morocco in 7 Days
Marrakech, the road of kasbahs, a night in the Sahara and the Fes medina: the great classic.
- Marrakech
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Fes
The Mediterranean coast
From Tangier to Saïdia: Andalusian medinas, Rif coves and the Marchica lagoon.
- Tangier
- Tetouan
- Al Hoceima
- Nador
- Saïdia
Morocco in 3 Days
Three cities, three faces of Morocco: the metropolis, the capital and the red city, linked by train.
- Casablanca
- Rabat
- Marrakech
Northern Morocco
Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen and the Akchour falls: Andalusian towns and the Rif mountains.
- Tangier
- Tetouan
- Chefchaouen
- Akchour
Morocco Desert Adventure
Five days round trip from Marrakech: kasbahs, gorges and two Sahara nights.
- Aït Ben Haddou
- Merzouga
- Erg Chebbi
- Dades Gorges
- Marrakech
Imperial Cities
Rabat, Meknes, Fes and Marrakech: the four historic capitals, by train.
- Rabat
- Meknes
- Fes
- Marrakech