7 unmissable places to visit in Morocco

Glamp under the stars in the middle of the desert in Merzouga, haggle for argan oil in the souks of Fes and take in the unique, coastal beauty of the “blue city" in Chefchaouen…

Morocco dazzles every one of the senses. The scent of spices and roasting meat on the streets to steaming Moroccan mint tea. The unique design, bold colours and elaborate architecture on full display from mosques to riads. The bustling souks, filled with the clamour of bargaining. The smooth touch of handmade leather bags and woven trinkets in the marketplace to the mouthwatering delights of the local cuisine.

Every destination in the country possesses some degree of that unnamable Moroccan mystique and allure. But don’t be tempted to just visit a big city like Marrakech and call it a day. Like any diamond, Morocco is best admired when observed in all its shimmering facets. Here are the destinations you need to add to your itinerary.

1. Marrakech

Go for: the big Moroccan personality

It shouldn’t be the only destination on your list but no trip to Morocco is complete without it. Nearly every Moroccan city has a central marketplace called the souks – but Marrakech rivals them all. You could wander the maze-like alleys lined with baskets of spices, woven bags and decorative lanterns for days. Get ready to bargain: the first price you’re given is always just the starting point for negotiation.

Overlooking the souks of Marrakech. Photo: Edwina Hart. — The souks of Marrakech are some of the best in Morocco. (Image: Edwina Hart)

Once you finally emerge from the souks, walk a little way to see the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the oldest mosque in the city, and be sure to book a tour to fully appreciate the beautiful architecture of the place. From the iconic keyhole arches to the colourful tile mosaics, this mosque showcases all of Moroccan architecture’s best features.

Another Insta-worthy spot saturated with bright colours and interesting design is the Jardin Majorelle botanical garden. Make sure to book your ticket at least 24 hours in advance to avoid missing the exotic vegetation and cobalt blue architecture.

2. Merzouga

Go for: a true Sahara Desert experience

There are numerous tours that will take you outside the big cities for a camel ride in the “desert," but the small village of Merzouga puts you right in the middle of the true Sahara Desert. The 11-hour drive through windy mountain roads is not for the faint-hearted, but the scenery is beautiful and the destination is worth it. If you’re driving yourself from Marrakech, make a stop halfway in Ouarzazate.

For an even more immersive desert experience, book a glamping experience outside of Merzouga. Guests are transported out to a luxurious campsite in the desert complete with running water, meals and entertainment – including camel rides, sand surging and traditional performances.

3. Chefchaouen

Go for: a picture in the iconic “blue city"

No one is really sure why Chefchaouen is painted blue. Some say the Jews painted it when they took shelter there during World War II. Others say it was to deter mosquitos or to combat the heat. No matter the reason, there’s no question that it has made Chefchaouen one of the most unique places to visit in Morocco.

Alleyway in Chefchaouen, Morocco — Visiting this unique city is a must.

The city lies in the shadow of the Rif Mountains, making the view beyond the blue walls just as beautiful as it is within. There are plenty of great hiking trails to explore. Start by venturing up to the old, abandoned Spanish mosque overlooking the city – it might just be the best vantage point for a photo of the town in all of its azure glory. Make your way to the waterfalls of Ras El Maa, just outside the far northeastern gate of the Chefchaouen medina, for another facet of the city’s natural beauty before you call it a day.

Chefchaouen is known as the ‘blue city’.

4. Asilah

Go for: a taste of the charming, coastal Moroccan life

This white-walled city on the edge of the sea incorporates all of the beautiful architecture and culture we have come to expect in Morocco, but with an aura of tranquillity rather than sensory overload. The small beach town has a rich history, beginning as a Phoenician port that was later ruled by the Portuguese, you can still feel the echoes of these eras gone by in the ancient fortified walls, storied alleys and cobblestone streets of the medina.

Standing in stark contrast to the brutally hot conditions of most North African cities, Asilah’s seaside location comes with the added bonus of moderate temperatures – making it a great place to visit during the summer!

5. Fes

Go for: a taste of Moroccan architecture and culture at its finest

Even after its 400-year stint as the nation’s political capital city came to an end in 1912, Fes is still regarded as the country’s “cultural capital".

The Fes El Bali medina’s status as a UNESCO World Heritage site results in an exceptionally well-preserved look at an old Arab city. Walk through the soaring keyhole arch leading into the medina, and get lost exploring the hundreds of winding, narrow alleyways. So narrow, in fact, that car transportation is impossible, making the medina one of the world’s largest car-free urban areas in the world.

Fes was once the capital city of Morocco.

Fes’s tanneries are another notable point of interest in the city. You can take tours and learn about the practice, but be warned – it stinks. Literally, not metaphorically. For those who wish to avoid the odour, you can always just enjoy the fruits of the tanneries with the purchase of a genuine leather bag or sandals in the souks.

The famous tanneries of Fes are worth a visit if you can stand the odour.

Fes is well known for its intricately detailed architecture and you will instantly admire it on a walk throughout the city, but the Al-Attarine Madrasa is arguably the most notable of the historic sites and attractions.

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6. Essaouira

Go for: a relaxed, coastal escape popular with celebrities

Essaouira is another Moroccan city on the Atlantic coast that has remained a relatively hidden gem – except, that is, to the celebrity elite, such as Jimi Hendrix and Bob Marley.

The coastal town is easily reached by plane from Marrakech, making it a great itinerary addition for those looking to escape the big city for a few nights at a slightly slower pace.

Game of Thrones fans will recognise Essaouira, as much of season three was shot within the seaside town’s ancient ramparts.

Wander the city and take time to slow down and enjoy the beaches. Lounge on the sand if you’re feeling relaxed or go wind-surfing if you’re feeling adventurous.

7. Ouarzazate

Go for: glimpses of several iconic movie scenes

Affectionately nicknamed Ouallywood, decades of iconic movies have utilised Ouarzazate’s stunning desert backdrop in films such as Gladiator, Cleopatra and Lawrence of Arabia. You can tour the film sets and even stay in a movie-themed boutique hotel with each room thoroughly styled to represent a movie that was shot in the town.

Ouarzazate Sahara Desert — The of Ait-Ben-Haddou is one of the most impressive kasbahs in Morocco.

Beyond its Hollywood ties, Ouarzazate is also known for its impressively constructed kasbahs or defensive citadels. The Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou is one of the most impressive and you can book tours to learn the history of the ancient Berber people.

Ouarzazate is also approximately halfway between Marrakech and Merzouga, making it the perfect place to stop for those on a road trip to the great Sahara Desert.

Wellbeing means different things to different travellers. Here’s how to pick a hotel that gets it right for you.

The best wellness holidays aren’t necessarily spent wrapped in a spa robe. Sometimes they’re found around a dinner table in Cambodia, on a hiking trail in New Zealand or after finally beating jet lag on the other side of the world. The hotel you choose is what makes them happen.

1. Easy access to good food

meals from Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20 — Taste delicious meals at Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20.

One of the quickest ways to derail healthy habits on holiday is to spend half of it working out where to eat instead of digging into the culture around you. Thankfully, Novotel has done much of the hard work already, with chefs building menus that lean into the flavours, ingredients and traditions of each destination.

In Sihanoukville, Cambodia, Korkor soup – often dubbed ‘Cambodian ratatouille’ – sits alongside raw blue crab dressed with lime and chilli, best enjoyed with views across the Gulf of Thailand.

In the lovingly chaotic city of Bangkok, the presence of food cranks up the sociability. At Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvit 20, you can settle in with mango sticky rice and stranger-turned-friends beside the pool at Sky on 20 rooftop bar, or bring them along to tackle river prawns and stir-fried crab with holy basil at the buzzing Crab Paradise Dinner Buffet.

Then Novotel Dubai Al Barsha welcomes you with a laidback twist on the level of indulgence the Middle Eastern city is best known for up on Deck Se7en. Looking towards Burj Al Arab, the rooftop lounge has everything from Mediterranean-style dishes like seabass ceviche to Italian prosecco sundowners.

At the other end of the scale, in the hills that surround the Novotel Bali Ubud Resort, calm comes from nature. At Siralada restaurant, Balinese traditions shape the menu while thunder rumbles over the surrounding jungle – proving the setting is as nourishing as the food itself.

While at Novotel Nha Trang, chef Kieu Thi My Hanh and her team showcase Vietnam’s knack for balancing freshness, texture and fragrant herbs. Pho remains a favourite, while seafood salad with pomelo and mango brings those flavours together in one bright dish.

It’s all an approach backed by partnerships with expert food creators such as Alfie Steiner, whose plant-forward recipes prove healthy food should never taste plain.

2. Better sleep options

Novotel Bali Ubud Resort room — Sleep deeply with Novotel.

There are few travel experiences more disappointing than arriving in a new country, determined to seize the day, only to fall asleep fully clothed by 3pm.

For Australian travellers, jet lag is often an unavoidable part of the journey. That’s one reason Novotel runs sleep-focused initiatives that help guests adjust quickly without compromising on health. We’re talking partnerships with Sydney-based sleep specialist Olivia Arezzolo, known for her advice on everything from better sleep habits to beating jet lag, alongside features like pillow menus, in-room yoga content and tailored sleep guidance.

The sooner you’re operating on local time, the sooner you can get back to more pressing matters – like deciding which spa treatment to book.

3. More ways to move

woman hiking around queenstown new zealand — Stay at Novotel Queenstown Lakeside and explore local hiking trails. (Credit: GettyI mages/ naruedom)

Every place in the world has its own way of getting you moving: whether that’s hiking up ice-bitten mountains before a sauna or gentle stretching by the pool before a facial. From fitness centres to spas, Novotel recognises that wellbeing rarely looks the same.

At Novotel Queenstown Lakeside, activity is inescapable. Here, hiking trails, ski fields, bungee jumps, and white-water rafting have made the region famous. The hotel’s location on the shores of Lake Wakatipu means less time spent organising yourself and more time out there experiencing them. To top it all off, you can book a private hot tub for the evening before heading back into the wilderness tomorrow.

Bali, of course, takes a softer approach. At Novotel Bali Ubud Resort or Novotel Bali Nusa Dua, movement is less about conquering a mountain and more about a dance class between the tropical gardens and lagoon pools. Afterwards, the spa takes over, with traditional treatments like a Lulur body scrub: a combination of rice, turmeric, sandalwood, ginger and jasmine that’ll soothe muscles already relaxed by the Balinese heat.

4. Better connections

Kids will love a stay at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh.

One of the best things about travel is that it gives your family stories you’ll be telling for years. Novotel helps create them with activities that bring everyone together, whether that’s trying something new, learning a local skill, or simply spending more time together.

Go for a distinctly Thai twist at Novotel Phuket Vintage Park, where many of the family activities draw on local culture. Kids can try everything from beginner Thai boxing and language lessons to umbrella painting and – a pastime beloved by children the world over – pool foam parties. Everyone is welcome to join in, whether that’s getting splashed, covered in paint, or simply watching their children discover a new side of Thailand during the dedicated Family & Kids Day.

A different adventure awaits at Novotel Sharm El Sheikh. Kids could be perfectly content with discos, drawing classes and new holiday friends, but the Red Sea has other ideas. Sitting on the edge of Naama Bay, days here might involve snorkelling colourful reefs, taking a boat trip to Ras Mohammed National Park or heading into the desert by quad bike or camel for a Bedouin-style dinner beneath the stars.

5. Location is everything

Surin Beach, Choeng Thale, Thalang District, Phuket, Thaiföld — Explore Phuket’s gorgeous beaches. (Credit: Bence Biczo)

Everyone’s idea of wellness looks a little different. With more than 600 hotels across 65 countries, Novotel gives guests the freedom to choose the destination that suits them best. Whether that’s a beachside escape in Phuket, an alpine expedition in Queenstown or a city break in Bangkok, there’s a good chance a Novotel isn’t far away.

All that’s left? Choosing your version of wellbeing.

Discover stays to inspire your everyday at novotel.accor.com.