Morocco in Five Cities

Most North American clients start Morocco with Marrakech, and many never go further. The Moroccan National Tourist Office (MNTO) is now promoting five other cities, and the timing is good. The country received 19.8 million visitors in 2025, up 14%, and about 9.4 million in the first half of 2026, up 6%, according to TradeArabia. Nonstop flights from North America keep expanding, too: Royal Air Maroc launched Los Angeles–Casablanca on 7 June 2026, three times a week on a Boeing 787-8. Here are the five cities, and how to fit them into a trip.

1. Fez: the medina, in depth

The Medina of Fez has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981. The MNTO calls it the world’s oldest medieval medina. It is a dense, car-free maze of souks, madrasas and workshops, where artisans still dye leather, beat copper and weave by hand. Fez rewards a slower pace than Marrakech. Plan two full days with a licensed guide, and stay in a restored riad inside the walls. Luxury clients get the most from it with private artisan visits, a cooking class in a family home and an evening on a rooftop terrace.

Best for: history and craft lovers, repeat Morocco visitors.

2. Ouarzazate: film sets and the road south

Ouarzazate is known as the “Hollywood of Africa” for the film studios on its outskirts and the earthen kasbahs that keep showing up on screen. Nearby is the Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a fortified village of mud-brick buildings and another UNESCO site. The city is also the usual staging point for the Draa Valley and the desert camps further south. Most clients come in by road from Marrakech over the High Atlas. It’s a long, scenic drive, best with a private driver and stops along the way.

Best for: adventure travellers, film fans, clients heading to a desert camp.

3. Casablanca: arrival city, worth a night

Royal Air Maroc’s North American flights land at Casablanca, so many clients arrive there whether they plan to or not. Give it a night instead of a quick transfer. The MNTO points to the city’s mix of French-protectorate and Islamic architecture, its ocean views and its street food. The Hassan II Mosque, on the waterfront, is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can visit, on guided tours. Casablanca is also a good place to recover from jet lag before going on to Fez or Marrakech by train or road.

Best for: first and last nights, architecture, food.

4. Agadir: the beach chapter

The MNTO markets Agadir as the “Pearl of the Atlantic.” It has a long, wide beach, steady sunshine and the hotels to go with it. It gives a city-heavy itinerary a few days of rest. The surrounding Souss region is argan country, so it’s a natural place to learn how argan oil is made, which the MNTO highlights. Canadians have a direct route here: Air Transat flies Montreal–Agadir once a week, according to the MNTO’s flight list.

Best for: winter sun, families, the last days of a longer trip.

5. Chefchaouen: the Blue City

Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains, and its blue-washed lanes make it one of the most photographed places in Morocco. It’s small, relaxed and best seen early in the morning or late in the afternoon, before the day-trippers arrive and after they leave. Stay overnight rather than visiting on a day trip from Fez or Tangier, and add a guided hike in the hills around the town.

Best for: photographers, slower travellers, a mountain break between cities.

Plan it

• Getting there: The MNTO lists nonstops from Montreal (Air Canada and Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca; Air Transat to Marrakech and Agadir), Toronto, New York, Washington, Miami and Los Angeles (Royal Air Maroc to Casablanca), plus Delta from Atlanta and United from the New York area to Marrakech. Confirm frequencies with the carriers for your travel dates.
• Routing: For a good 10 to 12 nights: Casablanca (1), Fez (3), Chefchaouen (2), then fly or drive south to Marrakech, Ouarzazate and a desert camp (4), and finish in Agadir (2).
• When: Spring and autumn are the most comfortable for the cities and the south. Inland summers are very hot. Winter is good for Agadir and fine for the cities, but desert nights are cold.
• Ramadan: In 2027 it is expected to start around 8 February. Restaurants and opening hours change, so confirm dates and adjust plans.
• Entry: Canadian and US passport holders don’t need a visa for short tourist stays. Check current requirements before booking.
• Guides: Use licensed guides in the Fez and Chefchaouen medinas. In Fez especially, a good guide makes the visit.
• More: visitmorocco.com

Sources

• Jesson + Company for the Moroccan National Tourist Office, ‘Morocco at the Crossroads of Continents: Five Cities, Countless Discoveries’, 6 Oct 2026
• Visit Morocco, MNTO
• TradeArabia via Zawya, H1 2026 arrivals
• Afrviator, RAM Los Angeles
• Travelweek, Air Transat Montreal–Marrakech
• Aerotelegraph, Air Transat Montreal–Agadir
• One Mile at a Time, Delta Atlanta–Marrakech
• Morocco World News, United
• UNESCO, Medina of Fez
• UNESCO, Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou