Things to Do in Atlantic Coast

A masterpiece of Islamic architecture, surrounded by picturesque orange groves and elaborate water features, the Royal Palace of Casablanca is a suitably grand royal abode. Located in the Habous district of the city’s New Medina, this is the King’s principal Casablancan residence and host to a number of important events and royal receptions.

The palace grounds, as with most Moroccan royal residences, are closed to the public, but that doesn’t stop it from being a popular attraction on city tours. If you’re lucky enough to peek through the ornate gates, you might catch a glimpse of the spectacular façade, flanked by a team of uniformed royal guards.

A winding strip of blacktop known by locals as the “Road of a Thousand Kasbahs” leads to the famous Dadès Gorge in the beautiful countryside of Morocco. This scenic drive is lined with hundreds of Islamic cities, fortresses, palm trees and desert sands, which make it one of the most epic roads in the country, but traveler say it’s the rolling red hills of the Dadès Gorge that are truly worth the trip. 

After navigating switchbacks by car, visitors can wander the quiet trails of this scenic destination on foot and enjoy a steaming cup of Moroccan mint tea at the top of the gorge. Breathtaking vistas and uninterrupted views of rolling read rocks make for a memorable resting place and quiet escape before embarking on a return trip to the city.

Rising above the northeastern corner of Rabat, Hassan Tower stands as a visual promise of what the city’s historic residents hoped it to be: a grand city, even a capital city (which it now is). Also called Le Tour Hassan, its construction began in 1195 during the Almohad Dynasty, and it was built as part of a larger mosque, which was meant to be the largest in the world. 

But alas, when the sultan passed away, work on the project came to an end, leaving the mosque unfinished, and its minaret – the tower – standing only 44 meters high (some say half as high as it would have been). Then, come an earthquake in 1755, the incomplete mosque was further destroyed. Today, though, you can still see the surviving, sandstone Hassan Tower, along with the mosque’s remains, such as the columns and walls. Other highlights while here include impressive city and sea views, as well as a visit to the nearby, free-to-enter Mausoleum of Mohammed V.

Along with the neighboring United Nations Square to the north, the Mohammed V Square forms the central hub of Casablanca’s new town and is home to some of the city’s most striking architecture. Laid out in the early 20th century and named in honor of the former Sultan, the large square centers around a monumental fountain, dramatically lit up in the evening hours, and is buzzing with activity day and night.

Many of Casablanca’s most important administrative buildings can be found on Mohammed V square, reflecting the Mauresque and Art Deco style architecture popularized during the French colonial period. Architect Henri Prost is the brains behind many of the most outstanding buildings, with highlights including the French Consulate, the Bank of Morocco, the Court of Justice, and the Post Office.

All too often overshadowed by the magnificence of the Hassan II Mosque, the Notre Dame de Lourdes Cathedral is an important center of worship for Morocco’s Roman Catholic population and serves as a striking example of Casablanca’s modern architecture.

Built in 1954 by architect Achille Dangleterre, the cathedral’s imposing white concrete façade looks more like a warehouse than a church and a simple white cross is the only hint to its purpose. Step inside however, and the cathedral’s popularity becomes obvious – a dazzling kaleidoscope of floor-to-ceiling stained glass windows. Painstakingly crafted by French glassmaker Gabriel Loire, the masterpiece includes an incredible 800 square meters of glass and many visitors to the church come solely to admire its artistry.

With its scenic promenade bordering the western seafront of Casablanca and a cluster of stylish hotels and beach resorts, the Ain Diab Corniche is one of the city’s most fashionable districts. The coastal suburb is traversed by the 3km-long Corniche Boulevard, which stretches from the magnificent Hassan II mosque in the east to the landmark El-Hank Lighthouse in the west, offering expansive views along the Atlantic. At the western tip of the Corniche, the mausoleum and shrine of Sidi Aberrahman is one of the area’s principal attractions, an important place of Muslim pilgrimage, perched on a cliff-top and only accessible at low tide.

On summer days, locals flock to the beaches of the Ain Diab Resort, which is lined with beach clubs and swimming pools, but the real draw comes after dark, when the nightclubs and restaurants open up along the boardwalk and the Corniche becomes a central hub of Casablanca’s nightlife.

On your visit to Rabat’s medina, take a few steps farther north to explore the 12th-century Kasbah of the Udayas, the city’s oldest quarter, which was built during the Almohad dynasty. Also called Kasbah les Oudaias, the tightly packed neighborhood has evolved through the centuries, with many of its signature, whitewashed and blue-based houses built by Moroccan refugees from Spain during the 16th century. 

Today, there are many highlights to behold during a visit to Rabat’s wall- and tower-surrounded Kasbah. Entrance through the grand 12th-century Almohad gate of Bab Oudaia hints at the discoveries to come, including a walk down the neighborhood’s main street Rua Jamaa and past the city’s oldest mosque, El Atiqa; a visit to the palace-located Museum of Oudayas; and especially the unparalleled views of the river and sea (and inviting shoreline), best taken in from the various terraces.

The historic heart of Marrakech and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the medina is the first port of call for most visitors to the city. Known for its famous Jemaa el-Fna square, a dizzying maze of souks, and a magnificent array of mosques and palaces, this is Marrakech’s most atmospheric district.

 

No visit to Marrakech is complete without a visit to the medina, and a guided walking tour is the best way to navigate the labyrinth of lanes and sprawling souks. Tours take in highlights such as the Royal, Badi, and Bahia palaces, the last of which is open to the public; the Koutoubia Mosque, with its towering minaret visible from all around the medina; Ben Youssef Madrasa; and the 16th-century Saadian Tombs.

 

Also popular are guided tours of the souks, where myriad stalls sell everything from spices to exquisite handicrafts. Tours often include a visit to the tanneries and a chance to watch carpentry, carpet-weaving, or leather-work demonstrations. Some tours include a Moroccan cooking class.

 

 

The medina is surrounded by ancient walls with a number of gates; the most popular are Bab er-Robb and Bab el Jedid, both of which offer easy access to Jemaa el-Fna. Taxis run into the medina, stopping close to Jemaa el-Fna, where you can walk or take a caleche (horse-drawn carriage) to the main sights.

 

Head to popular attractions like Bahia Palace in the early morning to avoid the crowds, then spend the afternoon exploring the souks. Many of the stalls stay open late, but it’s not advisable to explore after dark without a guide. Jemaa el-Fna comes alive in the evening hours and makes a popular spot for dinner or post-sightseeing drinks.

 

The central square of Jemaa el-Fna is the cultural heart of the medina, and the starting point for most walking tours. A visit is very much about the atmosphere, with the fragrant aromas of street foods filling the air, musicians playing a traditional soundtrack, and street performers, snake charmers, and henna-tattoo artists appearing everywhere you turn. Many bars and restaurants around the square offer rooftop terraces, where you can watch the action from above.

Agadir Beach, for all its fame, doesn’t really feel like Morocco. Depending on what you’re looking for this can either be good or bad, and if it’s a break from Moroccan food and tea the Western influence is welcome. If, on the other hand, you’re lusting for authentic experiences and rich doses of culture— you might want to just give Agadir a pass or accept it for what it is. As Morocco’s largest and most popular beach resort, Agadir caters to pre-packaged tourists much more than the independent traveler. Resorts and restaurants line the sand that stretches for nearly six miles, and cabanas, cocktails, and crashing surf round out the coastal scene.

The temperature here is surprisingly mild during every month of the year, where the sun continues to shine through winter but stays relatively cool through summer. Though Agadir was rocked in 1960 by a hugely destructive earthquake, the old Casbah on the hill above town has walls dating back to the 1500s and inscriptions in Arabic and Dutch. More importantly, the view looking out over Agadir Bay is arguably the best in the city, with a Casbah sunset offering a view you’re sure to never forget. 

Across from Rabat’s sky-reaching and unfinished Hassan Tower, sits an equally visit-worthy structure, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V. The building was constructed between 1962 and 1971 on the order of the late King Hassan II for his father, Mohammed V. Now it is the resting place of not only its namesake but also his sons, including the one who commissioned it. 

The exterior is simple yet stunning, with a green-tiled roof; the building’s entrance protected by handsomely dressed royal guards. The interior, on the other hand, exudes nothing but royalty, featuring marble floors, and walls of elaborate mosaics, and gilt and carved wood. The tombs, which are situated on the lower level, are the centerpiece, and can be viewed from the balcony above. There’s more than just the mausoleum to see here too; visitors should plan to explore the entire grounds of Yacoub Al Mansour Square, which is home to not only Hassan Tower, but also the remains of an ancient, never-completed grand mosque.

In the southeastern part of the city, Casablanca’s New Medina or Habous Quarter (Quartier Habous) was laid out in the 1920s by the French and remains one of the most atmospheric districts. Characterized by its small tree-lined squares, neat alleyways and elegant arcades, strolling around the Habous unveils a curious mix of French colonial buildings and traditional Maghrebi architecture, dotted with small souks selling Moroccan handicrafts and leather goods.

A key destination for those undertaking a walking tour of the city, the Habous Quarter is bordered by the Boulevard Victor Hugo and includes highlights like the elaborate Royal Palace of Casablanca and the Mahakma of the Pasha (the courthouse of the Pasha), which dates back to the 1950s and is renowned for its Hispano-Moorish design. Other noteworthy buildings include the Mohammed V Mosque and Moulay Youssef Mosque.

With around 6,000 shops and stalls crammed into a walled compound in the old medina, Agadir’s rambling market is one of the biggest in all of northern Africa. Visiting Souk El Had is an experience in itself, with a maze of colorful goods on sale, from Moroccan lamps to handcarved bowls.

Join the crowds of locals and tourists to haggle over handicrafts and authentic souvenirs; watch local craftsmen at work; or browse the rows of bargain clothing, cosmetics and household goods. The market is also the best place to shop for fresh foods, with huge piles of vegetables, flowers and exotic fruits, plus a rainbow of pungent spices, dried fruits and candies. Don’t forget to sample the argan oil!

Found in the north of the city between the port and the majestic seafront Hassan II Mosque, the Old Medina of Casablanca contains the last vestige of pre-20th century Casablanca. Up until the French took over in 1907, the coastal city was defined by this small area, encircled by defense walls and presided over by the Portuguese-built Borj Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah fort. Today, the modern city has grown out in all directions but the historic quarter remains, still surrounded by the remnants of its city walls and 18th century fort.

Today, the maze of narrow alleyways that trace the Old Medina are home to a sprawling souk,  selling everything from linens, brass-work and leather goods to traditional handicrafts, jewelry, food and spices. In stark contrast to the elegant squares and grandiose architecture of the modern town, strolling around the Old Medina is like stepping back in time, where you can rummage for goods among the ramshackle stalls and haggle for bargains while sipping sweet mint tea with the friendly merchants.

With its regal cliff-top perch overlooking the ocean and a soaring 210-meter high minaret (the world’s highest) that shines a beam toward Mecca during the evening hours, everything about the Hassan II Mosque is grandiose. The magnificent mosque is among the largest in the world, with space for up to 100,000 worshippers.

 

No visit to Casablanca is complete without a stop at the Hassan II Mosque. It’s also a popular part of sightseeing tours and shore excursions, often alongside other Casablanca attractions such as the Royal Palace, Central Market, and Ain Diab Corniche. Many full-day tours from Casablanca or Marrakech combine a city tour with a visit to the Moroccan capital of Rabat. The mosque grounds and prayer halls are open to non-Muslims by guided tour only.

 

 

The Hassan II Mosque is located along the seafront Sidi Mohammed ben Abdallah Boulevard, about 10 minutes via taxi from the city center. 

 

The mosque’s seafront location makes it a stunning photo opportunity, and the best light can be found at sunrise and sunset. A nighttime visit is equally impressive, when the mosque is dramatically floodlit. It’s best to avoid visiting during prayer times, when the mosque can be crowded with worshippers, but multiple tours are held daily, with fewer tours available on Friday.

Built to commemorate the 60th birthday of Moroccan King Hassan II, the mosque was designed by French architect Michel Pinseau and was completed in 1993. Hand-carved ceilings, elaborate tilework, marble floors, and Venetian stained-glass windows are complemented by high-tech conveniences like heated floors and a retractable roof. Inspired by a Quranic verse about God's throne being built upon water, the seafront mosque features a glass-floored terrace that reveals the sea washing over rocks below.

Learning more about the Amazighe people and their past is a key part of understanding Morocco and its culture. Often called Berbers, the ethnic group is native to North Africa and has a diverse history in Morocco that can be explored at Agadir’s Amazighe Heritage Museum, which sits just steps away from the city’s sandy coastline.

Although it’s not a very large space, the museum displays a wide range of Amazighe items from the 18th and 19th centuries. While there, explore exhibits featuring everything from pottery to carpets, art, traditional costumes, and cooking utensils. The highlight for many are the collections of jewelry, which include exquisite pieces worn during wedding ceremonies.

Though today’s Agadir is concentrated along its long beach dotted byumbrellas, ancient Agadir once used to be an altogether different place — and located in a different place, too. Situated on a hilltop, above giant, hard-to-miss Arabic lettering (which translates as "God, Country, King"), sits that former town - the Agadir Kasbah - or, at least, what remains of it. 

Also called Agadir Oufella, this historic area was constructed in the 1500s, but much of it was ultimately destroyed during the region’s great earthquake in 1960. What now exists is its still-intact and very visible-from-afar wall, which once protected the old town and its some 300 residents, and that now surrounds unmaintained ruins and rubble. What most people come for, though? Unparalleled views that stretch along the entire city and coastline, making the journey an impressive one whether you’re keen to see a historic site or to simply gape at the Moroccan landscape before you.

These massive dunes formed by golden wind-blown sand offer visitors an iconic taste of the Sahara’s constantly changing landscape. Spanning more than 50 kilometers near the border of Algeria, these towering shape shifters prove a destination for locals and tourists alike. While nearby Merzouga is considered the tourist center of this area, it’s the overnight journeys—either by foot, camel or 4x4—into the desert that provide visitors to Erg Chebbi with the quintessential Moroccan escape.

The star attraction of Morocco’s hippie haven has to be its eponymous beach, and the windswept coast and sandy shores certainly live up to the hype. Lined with bars, restaurants and surf shops, the beach is best known as a hotspot for surfers, windsurfers and kitesurfers, thanks to its steady, year-round winds. The shores near Diabat may be the quietest areas for a bit of relaxation.

With few wind-free days, Essaouira beach is better suited for water sports than swimming and sunbathing, but there are still sunbeds and umbrellas available for rental during the summer months. In addition to kitesurfing and windsurfing lessons, Berber horse and Arabian camel rides are possible and popular along the beach. You’ll likely also see travelers enjoying quad buggy rides along the coast and local children playing soccer in the sand.

The last vestige of medieval Agadir looms above the modern city on a hillside emblazoned with Arabic script - an inscription that translates to ‘God, Fatherland, King’. Perched on the hilltop above, the ruins of the old Kasbah or ‘Oufella’ are now dotted throughout a quiet residential area, crowned by the remains of Moulay Abdallah al-Ghalib’s 16th-century fortress.

The Oufella Ruins make a popular spot from which to watch the sunset, with magnificent views over the harbor and coast, as well as providing an atmospheric backdrop to the city at night, with the fortress and hillside inscription dramatically illuminated against the night sky.

With a prime location on Morocco’s windswept Atlantic coast, just north of Agadir, Taghazout beach has made a name for itself as one of the country’s top surfing destinations. Running for just under four miles (six kilometers), the sandy beach south of Taghazout town is lined with hotels, restaurants, bars and surf shops, with ample opportunities to rent boards, learn to surf or join a beachside yoga class. Numerous surfing outfitters dot the sand, teaching visitors a thing or two about hanging ten.

The best time to catch a wave is between October and April, but surfing and windsurfing are possible all year-round. There are surf spots for all levels, including gentle waves for beginners and some more challenging breaks for seasoned surfers; Hash Point, Panorama, Anchor Point and Killer Point are among the most popular. When you’re ready to spend some time on land, head into the fishing village for a bite at a makeshift cafe on a warm summer night.