Shortly after Bab Jdid you cross the Zitoun River, then join the N 6. The road leads up through an olive grove, nearing the ramparts. The abandoned south borj overlooks an olive wood. There is a lovely view over the city from the foot of its surrou..

The north borj , a powerful fortress from the Saadian period, contains an interesting arms collection, showing the evolution of Moroccan weapons throughout the ages. From the terrace there is a magnificent view overlooking Fes.

Medersas, places of worship and religious instruction, are so numerous - and remarkable - that they constitute a theme unto themselves for a tour of the medina. To the north are the Mesbahiya, Attarine , Seffarine and Cherratine Medersas. To the wes..

A zaouia is a holy place - for teachings and also a sanctuary containing the mortal remains of a saint. At the back of the prayer room here lies the tomb of Moulay Idriss, the father of Fez. Pilgrims can leave an offering for the many beggars outsi..

This is a true haven of peace. A superb Andalusian flower garden adorns this palace, first the residence of the grand vizier Sidi Jamai (late 19C), then transformed into a military hospital, and finally into a Museum of Traditional Arts and Crafts ..

After the village of Bab-Bou-Idir and Bab-Taka Pass, you can hike up a trail through a wooded landscape (be careful, certain places are hard to get through) to the summit of Tazzeka at 1 980m. The view of the Rif and Middle Atlas is magnificent from ..

The Kandar massif south of Fez and Sefrou will appeal to nature and sports lovers. They can cool off in the pool fed by Ain-Chifa spring, or the one in the village of Imouzzère-du-Kandar, a mid-altitude resort where an artificial lake was created. Th..

Atlas cedars are justifiably famous. The largest and most beautiful plantings are in the central Middle Atlas, from Ifrane to Zad Pass, covering about 75,000 ha. There were far more of them in the past, but exploitation, aggravated by overgrazing goa..

A room, a bedroom, a staircase, a courtyard, a patio, an antechamber followed by another patio... While the rooms are not organised according to any specific plan, they all share a common point: their superb decoration featuring zellige tiles, sculpt..

Dar Si Said was the brother of vizier Ba Ahmed and this was his (19C) residence. It contains many treasures including a white marble vat dating from 1002-1007, and the wooden doors visible in the corridor. The pieces that make up this display of Moro..

Here you can see Moroccan craftsmanship in all its diversity, organised by profession. Stroll through the crowds under a roof of reeds, passing craftsmen and tradesmen hawking leather goods, fabrics, kettles and pottery. The Dyers’ Souk, perhaps the ..

It was the Almoravid sultan Ali ben Youssef who gave Marrakech its famous surrounding walls in 1132. Enlarged during the reign of the Almohads, then by the Saadians, these 19 km of fortifications enveloping the city are flanked by 202 square towers a..

To reach the Tizerag cliffs dominating the Oukaïmeden resort to the north, take the signposted road; from the pass, where a television relay station was built, a small trail leads up to the summit (2,740 m) of Tizerag. From there the panorama stretch..

Ouzoud Falls are extremely popular, so it’s best to avoid going on a weekend. The site is indeed superb and one never tires of the sight of the Ouzoud River’s waters thundering down from a height of over 100m. There are steps leading down to the bott..

A dam was built on the Bin-el-Ouidane River, forming a 3,755 ha reservoir that brightens up the surrounding mountainous terrain. This impressive piece of engineering, 1,330m tall and 285m long at the top, produces electricity and irrigates the Tadla ..

Jbel Toubkal (4,167m) is the highest summit in North Africa, and thus in the High Atlas where it lies. The bravest - and most experienced - can scale its dark and austere granite slopes starting from Imlil. The hike takes more than 15 hours in all...

Standing at 2,092m, Test Pass offers a unique view of the two regions it connects: the Sous to the south, and the Haouz to the north. You are in the High-Atlas here, in high mountain landscapes crossed by the precipitous Tizi-n-Test road. Drive caref..

Abd el-Moumen had this sanctuary built in 1153 to honour Ibn Toumert, who is buried in Tinmel. Neglected after the decline of the Almohads, Tinmel Mosque eventually fell into ruin, but extensive restoration work was undertaken to give it back its for..

Taourirt kasbah is a magnificent sight, a complex interweaving of walls made of red ochre adobe and crenulated towers that form a fortified sanctuary. The former residence of the pasha of Marrakech, Thami El Glaoui, it has received support from a Une..

Jbel Zagora affords a really interesting panorama. Going northwest to southeast, you can just make out the meandering Draa, nearly always hidden by the greenery of the palm branches and gardens, dotted with ksour . The fine ksar surrounded by du..