The 7 Best Cities in Morocco for First-Time Visitors

Planning your first trip to Morocco? It’s a country that dazzles the senses, but with so many incredible cities, it’s hard to know where to start. For a first-time visitor, some cities offer a gentler introduction, while others throw you right into the magical chaos.

We’ve selected the 7 best cities to visit in Morocco for a first trip, balancing iconic sights with ease of travel. These are the places that give you the perfect “Welcome to Morocco” experience.

(Looking for the master list? Check out our complete guide to the 10 best places to visit in Morocco for even more ideas.)

Once you’ve picked your cities, the next step is when to go. Check our complete guide on the best time to visit Morocco to make sure you have the best weather for your trip.

1. Marrakech (The Red City)

Best for: The essential first-timer experience.

If you only visit one city in Morocco, it should be Marrakech. Yes, it’s intense, but it’s also the country’s vibrant, beating heart. It’s the best city to visit in Morocco for your first time because it has everything: a vast, historic medina, world-class food, beautiful riads, and that iconic “snake charmer” energy in its main square, Djemaa el-Fna.

It’s a sensory overload in the best possible way. The city is also a perfect hub, with an international airport and easy connections to the desert, mountains, and coast. It’s the ultimate introduction.

Don’t Miss:

• Djemaa el-Fna: The main square, which transforms into a massive open-air food market at night.
• Jardin Majorelle: A stunning blue botanical garden.
• Bahia Palace: A breathtaking example of Moroccan architecture.
• Souk Semmarine: The main artery of the souks, perfect for your first dive into the markets.

2. Fes (The Cultural Capital)

Best for: An authentic dive into Moroccan history.

Fes is the historic and spiritual soul of Morocco. Its main draw, the Fes el-Bali medina, is a UNESCO WorldHeritage site and one of the largest car-free urban zones in the world. It’s a labyrinth of over 9,000 alleys that feels completely frozen in time.

While Marrakech is a performance, Fes is just… life. You’ll see donkeys hauling goods, coppersmiths hammering metal, and the famous, pungent Chouara Tanneries. It can be more challenging to navigate than Marrakech, but the reward is a feeling of deep, unfiltered authenticity.

Don’t Miss:

• Chouara Tanneries: The iconic leather-dyeing pits (go early and get some mint to hold to your nose).
• Bou Inania Madrasa: An ancient Islamic school with stunningly intricate tilework.
• The Blue Gate (Bab Bou Jeloud): The grand, ornate entrance to the old medina.

3. Chefchaouen (The Blue Pearl)

Best for: Photography and a relaxed mountain atmosphere.

You’ve seen the photos, and they’re real. Tucked away in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its medina, where nearly every building, street, and stairway is painted a brilliant shade of blue.

It’s one of the best cities in Morocco to visit to decompress after the intensity of Fes or Marrakech. The vibe is incredibly relaxed, the mountain air is fresh, and the main activity is simply wandering with your camera. It’s a visual dream and a highlight of any first trip.

Don’t Miss:

• The Blue Medina: Get lost in the photogenic streets.
• The Spanish Mosque: A 30-minute hike up a nearby hill, offering the best panoramic sunset view of the city.
• Ras El Ma: The small waterfall where locals gather.

4. Essaouira (The Windy City)

Best for: A laid-back coastal escape.

After a few days in the hot, dusty inland cities, Essaouira is a literal breath of fresh air. This fortified port city on the Atlantic coast has a completely different feel. It’s breezy, bohemian, and relaxed.

The medina is easy to navigate and filled with art galleries and craft shops. The defining features are its 18th-century stone ramparts (a Game of Thrones filming location) and the bustling fishing port, where you can see the iconic blue boats and eat fresh-grilled seafood right on the dock.

Don’t Miss:

• The Ramparts (Skala de la Ville): Walk the old sea walls and see the medieval cannons.
• The Fishing Port: A vibrant, photogenic scene of daily activity.
• The Beach: Too windy for sunbathing, but perfect for a long walk or watching the kitesurfers.

5. Merzouga (Gateway to the Sahara)

Best for: The bucket-list desert adventure.

While technically a small town, not a city, Merzouga is the essential gateway for any first-timer’s desert dream. It sits on the edge of Erg Chebbi, a massive sea of towering, golden sand dunes.

This is where you come for the quintessential Sahara experience: riding a camel into the dunes, watching the sunset from a high peak, and spending the night in a Berber desert camp under a spectacular sky full of stars. It’s a long drive to get here, but it’s an experience you will never forget.

Don’t Miss:

• Overnight Camel Trek: A non-negotiable for a first trip.
• Stargazing: The clearest night sky you will ever see.
• Sunrise over the Dunes: Waking up in the silent desert is pure magic.

6. Rabat (The Relaxed Capital)

Best for: A clean, calm introduction to Moroccan history.

Rabat is one of the most underrated Moroccan cities to visit. As the country’s capital, it’s clean, modern, organized, and remarkably free of the tourist crowds and hassle you’ll find elsewhere.

It’s a perfect city to start your trip if you want a gentler landing. The city has a fantastic tram system, a modern new town, and two unmissable historical gems: the Kasbah of the Udayas, a stunning 12th-century fortress neighborhood, and the ancient Hassan Tower.

Don’t Miss:

• Kasbah of the Udayas: A beautiful, quiet “city within a city” with blue-and-white streets overlooking the ocean.
• Hassan Tower & Mausoleum of Mohammed V: The capital’s most important historic landmarks.
• The Chellah: A peaceful ancient Roman ruin covered in gardens.

7. Casablanca (The Modern Metropolis)

Best for: Modern Morocco and stunning architecture.

Many international flights from the US land in Casablanca, and while it’s a sprawling, modern business hub, it’s home to one of the single most magnificent sites to visit in Morocco: the Hassan II Mosque.

This is one of the largest mosques in the world and one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslims (via a guided tour). It’s a breathtaking masterpiece of modern craftsmanship, built partially over the Atlantic Ocean. While the city itself can be skipped if you’re short on time, this one building makes it a worthy stop for a day.

Don’t Miss:

• Hassan II Mosque: Take the official guided tour to see the stunning interior.
• Rick’s Café: A beautifully crafted re-creation of the famous café from the movie Casablanca.
• The Corniche: The city’s modern waterfront.

How to Choose Your First Cities?

You can’t see all of these in one week. For a classic first trip, try combining the “big three”: Marrakech, Fes, and the Sahara (Merzouga). If you have more time, add the mountains (Chefchaouen) or the coast (Essaouira) to round out your adventure.