The imperial towns of Marrakech, Fes, Meknes and Rabat in Morocco have had a lot of history and beautiful buildings that have drawn tourists there for a long time. However, this North African gem’s real magic is in its secret gems. At Perfectly Morocco Tours, we take you on a journey that goes beyond the typical tourist routes to show you parts of Morocco that many tourists haven’t seen. Discover Morocco hidden gems travel guide, and be prepared to be blown away!
Morocco’s scenery is beautiful and varied, with azure-painted towns tucked into mountain ranges and golden dunes stretching for miles. This article will take you to some of Morocco’s most beautiful and mysterious secret gems, giving you a taste of the real Moroccan experience beyond the beaten road.
Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl of the Rif Mountains
Chefchaouen is a dreamy blue place hidden in the Rif Mountains. The blue-washed houses in this beautiful town make it stand out from the rest of Morocco. Walking through the medina’s twisting streets, every corner shows you a different shade of blue, from soft blues to bright indigos.
The town’s unique color scheme comes from the 1400s when Jews fled the Spanish Inquisition and moved here. In Judaism, the color blue stands for God, so they painted the town blue. This practice is still strong today, creating a strange and relaxing environment that draws people in.
Chefchaouen is a beautiful city and a great place to start visiting the nearby Rif Mountains. For people who like to hike, there are many paths that lead to rivers and vistas with a wide view. Talassemtane National Park is nearby and has pure woods with a wide range of plants and animals. It is a nature lover’s dream.
Perfectly Morocco Tours offers walks of Chefchaouen that let you learn a lot about the town’s history and culture. Our local guides will show you places not visited by many tourists, like real, local markets and artist workshops where you can see how traditional Moroccan crafts are made.
Essaouira: A Coastal Escape with Bohemian Charm
Essaouira is on Morocco’s Atlantic coast, which differs significantly from the country’s deserts. With its windswept beaches and guarded medina, this laid-back seaside town has long been a haven for artists, singers and free spirits.
The UNESCO World Heritage site of Essaouira’s medina is a maze of small streets with blue-shuttered houses painted white. While Marrakech’s souks can be stressful, Essaouira’s markets are more laid-back places to shop. You won’t feel rushed as you look around for traditional Moroccan goods like intricately carved woodwork and brightly colored fabrics.
Because of the strong trade winds in the area, the crescent-shaped beach in the town is a great place to windsurf and kitesurf. The beach is great for long walks or bike rides along the shore, even if you’re not into water sports.
If you want to do something different, Perfectly Morocco Tours can arrange a trip to the nearby Argan oil farms. You will learn about how this liquid gold is made and how important it is to the local economy. Our tours also include a trip to the port, where you can watch the fishermen bring in their catch of the day and eat some of Morocco’s best seafood.
The Sahara Desert: Venturing into the Golden Dunes
Your trip to Morocco isn’t complete until you see the beautiful Sahara Desert. Although the desert covers a large part of the country, the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are the easiest for tourists to get to and the most beautiful.
The scenery changes dramatically as you approach Merzouga. Out of nowhere, huge golden dunes rise from the flat desert floor, creating a stunning sea of sand. Nomads have been traveling this strange land on camels for hundreds of years because it is the best way to see it.
Perfectly Morocco Tours has trips of the desert that last several days and let you experience the Sahara. As part of our tours, you’ll ride camels deep into the dunes and spend the night in traditional Berber camps. When the sun goes down, it turns the desert orange and pink. At night, you’ll eat conventional Moroccan food under the stars.
Since there is no manmade light in the desert at night, it is the perfect place to look at the stars. Our guides know a lot about astronomy and can show us constellations and tell us stories from Berber culture about the stars.
While in the desert, you will have the chance to meet Berber tribes and learn about their way of life. These meetings will give you a lot of information about how strong and culturally diverse the people who live there are.
Atlas Mountains: Trekking Through Berber Villages
Morocco’s Atlas Mountains, stretching across the country like a spine, show a different side. In this area, snow-covered hills give way to lush plains with traditional Berber towns spread out among them.
The Atlas Mountains are a great place to go trekking because they offer beautiful views and real Berber culture. Guided treks from Perfectly Morocco Tours range from day walks to multi-day trips. The Toubkal National Park is home to Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. This is our most common path.
On your way through the mountains, you will pass Berber towns that are far away and haven’t changed much over the years. Our guides, often from these towns, give us a unique look into Berber culture and customs from their point of view.
Staying in traditional Berber houses is one of the best parts of an Atlas Mountains trip. During these homestays, you can share meals with local families and learn about their daily lives, which is one of the best ways to learn about other cultures.
Aït Benhaddou: A Journey Through Time
Aït Benhaddou looks like it came straight out of a fairy tale. It is on a hill along the old trade path between the Sahara and Marrakech. This old fortified town, or ksar, is one of the most striking examples of buildings from the south of Morocco.
In the morning sun, the clay houses at Aït Benhaddou, some of which are from the 11th century, shine a warm red. After walking through the small streets and climbing to the top of the hill, you’ll see a wide view of the area.
Filmmakers have noticed how beautiful the ksar is in movies. Many Hollywood movies and TV shows have used it as a background, like “Gladiator” and “Game of Thrones.” Perfectly Morocco Tours has walks that take you through the ksar and tell you interesting stories about its past and the movies that have been shot here.
Even though Aït Benhaddou is on the UNESCO World Heritage list, it is still not very busy, so you can enjoy exploring this amazing piece of architecture. A lot of the time, our walks include a stop at sunset, when the whole ksar is bathed in golden light and feels genuinely magical.
Tafraoute: The Hidden Gem of the Anti-Atlas
Not many people go to Tafraoute because it is hidden in the Anti-Atlas Mountains. It is one of Morocco’s best-kept secrets. Away from the crowds, this small Berber town in the middle of red granite mountains gives you a look into traditional Moroccan life.
The most famous of Tafraoute’s strange rock shapes are the “Painted Rocks.” In 1984, Belgian artist Jean Verame painted these huge rocks in bright colors, making a strange landscape stand out against the natural surroundings.
Perfectly Morocco Tours leads walks of Tafraoute and the areas around it, including stops at nearby Berber towns. On these trips, you can see how traditional carpets are made and learn how argan oil, which is important to the local economy, is made.
People who love rock climbing and scrambling will love the area around Tafraoute. For people who would rather do something less complex, the location is great for shooting, especially in February when the almond blossoms bloom.
Moroccan Oases: Old Kasbahs and Palm Groves
In the southern parts of Morocco, green deserts stand out against the dry landscapes around them. With their tall palm trees and old mud-brick kasbahs, these green havens glimpse Morocco’s rich farming history.
Skoura is one of the most beautiful oasis. It is sometimes called the “Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs.” A huge palm grove is home to many protected mud-brick houses, some of which date from the 17th century. Perfectly Morocco Tours offers guided walks through the palm groves, Where you can learn about traditional oasis farming while exploring these old buildings.
In the south, the Draa Valley has another beautiful green scenery. This lush valley goes from the Anti-Atlas Mountains to the edge of the Sahara. It is lined with palm trees, mud-brick towns and old kasbahs. On our walks of the Draa Valley, we stop by local pottery studios and give you the chance to eat dates right off the trees.
The Mediterranean Coast: Beaches and Roman Ruins
Morocco’s Atlantic coast is well known, but tourists have yet to explore its Mediterranean side. This area has a unique mix of beautiful beaches, rough rocks and important historical places.
For people who love wildlife, Al Hoceima National Park on the Mediterranean coast is a peaceful haven. The park has lovely beaches, clear water and many plants and animals. Perfectly Morocco Tours leads hikes through the park to see rare bird species and beautiful coast views.
The old Roman city of Lixus is close to Larache. The ruins at this historical site, which look out over the Loukkos River, are in good shape. They include a large amphitheater and detailed mosaics. Our tours of Lixus with a guide are a great way to learn about Morocco’s Roman history and the significance of this old port city.
Conclusion
There is a lot more to do in Morocco than just visiting its busy souks and grand castles. Check out some of its secret gems. From the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen to the golden dunes of the Sahara and from the high peaks of the Atlas Mountains to the lush valleys of the south, Morocco has many different landscapes and cultures to discover.
We love taking our clients to these secret gems at Perfectly Morocco Tours. Our carefully planned tours will take you off the beaten path to see the real Morocco beyond the main tourist paths. Morocco’s secret gems are waiting for you to find them, whether you’re looking for adventure, a chance to learn about another culture or just a chance to be amazed by nature’s beauty.
Come with us on a journey through this magical land, where every turn shows a new wonder and every encounter leaves an effect that lasts. Perfectly Morocco Tours can show you the secret gems of Morocco and help you have experiences that will last a lifetime.