Our picks in Morocco

Where to stay
Casablanca’s Le Royal Mansour Meridien, the most luxurious hotel in the country’s largest city, showcases classic Moroccan architecture while also boasting the absolute latest technology. From ultra-comfortable furnishings to an innovative Mediterranean restaurant to an outstanding fitness centre, this hotel is dedicated to complete pampering.

The Sofitel Palais Jamai Fes is a century-old Moorish-style palace that once housed the Grand Vizir of Jamai. The hotel, a Conde Nast award winner, offers discerning travellers a superior garden setting; stunning architecture; a spa with hammam; and three restaurants serving French, Moroccan, and international fare.

Ksar Char-Bagh is a private palace in Marrakech that caters to a privileged few guests—no more than 26 at a time. The architecture is inspired by the 14th century Moorish style, complete with courtyard, carved plasters, marble, and a medieval kitchen garden. The amenities are fully modern, however, with a gourmet restaurant, spa, and on-site yoga lessons.

For more hotels, visit our Marrakech Hotels page »

Where to eat
Andalusian style and cuisine is popular throughout Morocco, and El Cenador in Casablanca is among the hottest Iberian eateries. The light, airy interior is exceptionally elegant and offers deligthful views of the sea. The superb food—including lobster, beef filet, and scrumptuous desserts—comes at a hefty price tag, but every bite is well worth the expense.

La Brasserie inside the Hôtel Le Diwan Rabat has a heart-of-the-city location and the good fortune to be helmed by Chef Stéphane Landais. This incredibly talented young chef has injected complex flavour combinations into his wholly original French dishes, while ensuring that the service is among the best diners have ever experienced.

Dar el Ghalia in Fes is located inside a dreamy 18th century palace that surrounds diners in breathtaking architecture and exquisite Moroccan art. Choose from traditional cuisine such as confit of lamb with raisins and vegetable tajine with apples, wild artichokes, and quince—all of which you can enjoy on the gorgeous patio or in one of the private dining rooms.

Visit the Dining page for more ideas and advice on the best restaurants in Marrakech »

Where to go
Ouirgane, a village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, is about an hour and a half from Marrakech in a resort area where both winters and summers are more moderate. In addition to the ideal temperatures, mountain streams provide plenty of water to accommodate the area’s magnificent natural beauty, including an abundance of rose gardens, hectacres of fruit trees, fields of wild flowers, and untamed forests.

The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is an absolute must on any Moroccan itinerary. It’s the largest mosque in the country—the third largest in the world—and it’s the only mosque in the city that non-Muslims may tour. The incredible Moorish architecture is similar to Spain’s Alhambra, though half of this building was constructed over the water and it boasts the tallest minaret in the world.

The entire city of Fes is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it’s smart to plan several days to explore this destination, which is actually three cities in one. The two ancient walled sections (there’s also a newer, French-inspired village) are where the majority of the sights are, including three awe-inspiring medersas near the centre of the maze-like old city. The medina is also a prime spot to observe artisans and craftspeople such as coppersmiths and tanners as they demonstrate their stunning skills.

For a comprehensive guide to 'must-see' places in Marrakech, visit our Explore page »

Where to shop
Fes may well indeed be the shopping capital of Morocco, with entire streets dedicated to a distinct art or craft. Here you’ll find many high-end carpets and rugs for sale; among the best examples can be found at Aux Merveilles du Tapis, while Chez Alibaba is a good choice for cotton and silk rugs.

The Medina in Tiznit Medina is a dream come true for jewelry lovers. The Souk des Bijoutiers (Jeweler’s Souk) boasts 100 intimate shops ready to feed your interest in silver pieces, with Berber jewelry being a specialty.

The Medina of the picturesque seaside resort village of Essaouira is a brimming with arts and crafts that you’ll be hard-pressed to find elsewhere. The woodcrafts made from the local Thuya trees (which smell heavenly) are especially collectible, while the argan bath and body products created from the oil of trees that grow only in Morocco are another find. Skilled village artisans also sell leather goods and jewelry, while art galleries abound.

Our Shopping page has lots more advice on the best places to shop in Marrakech »

What to do
Marrakech can move pretty quickly, and one way to slow down and enjoy all of the bright colours and exotic sounds is to catch one of the hundreds of horse-drawn carriages (caleches) for hire around the city. The park at the end of the Jemaa el-Fna is a great place to flag down a caleche for a romantic trip.

Adventure seekers and lovers of natural wonders won’t want to miss the Ouzoud Waterfalls, about 150 miles northeast of Marrakech. It’s a bit of a trek to get there, but the payoff is worth it: an olive tree-lined pathway leads to the water’s edge, where visitors can enjoy a repast while viewing waters cascading down from 110 metres, near-constant rainbows, and the antics of desert monkeys. Just six kilometres away are the Ouzoud Springs, where the cool, refreshing waters tempt some to bathe.

See where many moments of Hollywood magic have been created with a trip to Ait ben Haddou, just 15 minutes from Ouarzazate. You’ll feel like you’ve stepped back in time in this little village, where scenes from Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia have been filmed. So charming, it’s been designated a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Check out the Events page for what's coming up over the next couple of months »