Most visitors to Morocco assume that all of the country’s treasures are found in Marrakech; once they fly to the area, they stroll through a maze of streets filled with shops and take pictures of everything, then fly back home without seeing the true beauty of Morocco. The most impressive sights come after you get behind the wheel and start exploring the country by car.
The most unforgettable experience in Morocco is watching the sunset while standing on top of a sand dune near Merzouga. Watching the color of the desert change to orange and hearing total silence would make this a memorable experience for anyone who travels to Morocco.
This moment alone is worth making the trip.
Places that Most Tourists Miss in Morocco
Many visitors think that Morocco is only a desert; this is a misconception.
During a road trip across Morocco, you will travel through: multiple mountain ranges that sometimes have snow; fertile valleys where palm trees grow; towns along the coast that have fishing boats; ancient buildings and cities; all and finally on and on until you reach the Sahara Desert seeing how this “giant” is constantly changing throughout your journey.
The fact that so many things change constantly is what makes it so much fun to drive through Morocco; one day you could be getting lost in the old city of Fez, then the next day be driving on roads that are very different to the crowed and busy cities you were driving in only days before!
When you go to the desert from Fez, many people spend some time exploring the city first.
Fez is known for its historical Medina, which has narrow streets, some traditional workshops, hidden courtyards, and many buildings that are hundreds of years old. As you wander around the Medina, you will not feel like you are visiting a tourist site. You will feel more like you have accidentally entered into a different time.
The best way to experience Fez is not to rush through the city hopping from one landmark to another. Instead, find a place with a rooftop view; listen to daily life happening below you; and intentionally get a little lost. This is how you will remember the city.
As you are getting lost in the Medina, you will find many craftsmen working with leather, metal, wood, and textiles using techniques that have been passed down through generations.
The Transition to a New World
Once you leave the city, the landscape starts to change.
The road starts to head south through the Atlas Mountains; the winding road will provide many cliffside views, deep valleys, and viewpoints that will make great pictures for your road trip album.
As you drive further away from the mountains, you will start to see more of Morocco’s other side; suddenly, there are palm groves.
Great swaths of lush oases rise up out of the arid desert around them. The Ziz Valley is particularly awe-inspiring, with thousands of palms creating a stunning line of emerald through an otherwise inhospitable landscape.
This is often when visitors first discover that Morocco is a much more varied destination than they had anticipated.
A Sunset Experience in Merzouga is one for Every Traveler’s Must-See List
The first view of the massive sandstone dunes after hours on the road seems almost dreamlike.
The desert is not only made up of sand, but rather an ever-changing patchwork of colors. You will see that during late afternoon the entire desert is bathed in golden, orange, and red hues.
No museum, palace, or other cultural institution can hold a candle to the wonder of viewing the sun disappear beyond a defining piece of land based upon its location in the Sahara Desert.
Ouarzazate: Morocco’s Unexpected Film Star
Many trip itineraries continue on from Merzouga to Ouarzazate.
In addition to being the gateway to the desert, Ouarzazate has also been popularly referred to as the Hollywood of Morocco due to its rapid growth in the film industry over the past few decades.
Many film and television productions have been filmed in the surrounding areas because the landscape provides directors with a stunning backdrop to represent everything from ancient kingdoms, to distant planets.
Ait Ben Haddou, which is one of Morocco’s most iconic historical sites, is located a short distance from the city.
The appearance of this fortified village resembles that from a classic fantasy book. It is made from earthy clay, and towers over the surrounding countryside; it has been used in countless productions, including films and television programs.
Arriving at Ait Ben Haddou in the early morning offers more rewarding experiences. Fewer crowds, softer natural light, and a sense of authenticity to the site are all positive aspects of visiting early.
The Long Way is the Better Way
After arriving into Ouarzazate, many travelers find themselves faced with two choices.
The fast route will take you straight to Marrakech.
Alternatively, the slower route travels through southern Morocco, and explores many areas that most visitors do not see.
If time permits, take the longer route.
Road trips should be memorable experiences rather than efficient ways of getting from point A to point B.
Traveling on the southern roads reveals landscapes that are empty; villages that are quiet; coastlines with beautiful scenery; and provide an experience of Morocco that feels entirely different than other tourist destinations.
Essaouira Is An Alternative Version of Morocco
After spending a few days in the desert and mountains, the ocean air in Essaouira feels great!
Because of its location next to the Atlantic Ocean, Essaouira has a very laid-back atmosphere compared to Marrakech and other more energetic Moroccan cities.
There are cats sleeping near seafood stands.
Fishermen are unloading their catches, while seagulls fly overhead. You can find some seafood, walk along the old walls of the city, and relax for one or two days.
Welcome To The Chaos Of Marrakech
Eventually, nearly all road trips through Morocco take you to Marrakech.
There is a lot of noise, color, and people in Marrakech, which can be chaotic but fun at the same time.
In the centre of the Medina is the most famous square, and that square never seems to stop moving. Street entertainers jostle for position. Vendors of food and other products fill the air with wonderful smells. Merchants welcome shoppers to their stores.
Initially, all of the movement can be overwhelming.
However, once you get accustomed to how Marrakech operates, you will want to continue exploring.
Marrakech rewards the curious! As you explore the city, you will find that every alleyway leads you to yet another courtyard, market, garden, or historical building.
The city is a testament to the long history of trade, culture and migration that have shaped Morocco’s cultural heritage from Africa, Europe and the Middle East.
Remember What You Buy
After completing a road trip in Morocco, no doubt you’ll have collected several souvenirs.
Perhaps you buy a hand woven rug.
Perhaps you buy some spices.
Perhaps you purchase a traditional handcrafted piece from one of the souks.
However, you will have much stronger memories of experiences than of any physical items bought.
You will remember the mountain passes you drove through on a clear day.
You will remember enjoying a cup of tea whilst sitting in front of a palm lined oasis.
You will remember wandering through the ancient Medinas without really knowing where you were headed.
And you won’t forget your first sunset in the Sahara either!
One of the fascinating features of Morocco is that there are many surprises waiting to be discovered.
The ever-changing scenery continues to surprise you.
In one instance, a desert transforms into a mountain range, and then the next point of interest is a busy city that has been changed into a quiet fishing village.
Another example is an ancient Medina giving way to endless stretches of highway. That’s what makes driving through Morocco so unique. Your challenge will be to find out how many unique worlds are available to you when you visit Morocco.
