While everyone else flocks to the souks of Marrakech, the tanneries of Fes, the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen, and the golden dunes of the Sahara, these five underexplored destinations in Morocco remain blissfully crowd-free. From Middle Atlas mountain towns where love has been celebrated for centuries to forgotten kasbah cities nestled next to rose valleys and trek-friendly gorges, there are entire worlds and ways of life waiting to be discovered off-the-beaten-track in Morocco. Here’s where to find them.
Tafraoute
Tucked within the pink-hued and rugged Anti-Atlas Mountains of Morocco, Tafraoute is a quiet and laid-back Amazigh town, about 3.5 hours southeast of Agadir and a worthwhile detour between the Atlantic Coast and the Sahara. It’s home to several famous rock features, including The Painted Rocks, an otherworldly landscape painted on the boulder-strewn valley floor by Belgian artist Jean Vérame in the 80s, and the Le Chapeau de Napoléon (Napoleon’s Hat Rock), a distinctive rock formation that towers over the town and gets its name from its resemblance to Napoleon Bonaparte’s bicorne hat. An off-the-beaten-path adventurer’s paradise, Tafraoute offers incredible hiking, rock climbing, and cycling opportunities in its beautiful and unique landscape alongside an authentic glimpse into the Amazigh culture and Moroccan hospitality still untouched by mass tourism.
Sidi Ifni
For a quieter alternative to Morocco’s more famous beach destinations, Sidi Ifni stands on the southern Atlantic coast, about two hours south of Tiznit and three and a half from Agadir. This mellow fishing village and off-the-beaten-track surf town is a collection of faded Art Deco buildings, abandoned Spanish Colonial era constructions, like the old consulate, military casbah, and lighthouse, and local cafes and restaurants that dish up some of the freshest fish tagine and seafood plates around. Nearby, there are surf-friendly beaches and the iconic Legzira Beach with its towering, wind-sculpted rock arches. As a former Spanish colony handed back over to Morocco as recently as 1969, Sidi Ifni offers a fascinating glimpse into the still lingering blend of Moroccan and Spanish culture, and without the crowds and bustle of other Spanish enclaves like Tangier, Ceuta, and Melilla.
Talassemtane National Park
Located in northern Morocco’s Rif Mountains near Chefchaouen, Talassemtane National Park is a 146,000-acre expanse of dense cedar and fir forests, dramatic limestone cliffs, hidden waterfalls, and rare plants and wildlife, including the Barbary macaque and golden eagle. Despite being just 45 minutes from Morocco’s overtouristed “Blue City,” the park remains serene and uncrowded, with hiking trails that lace through cedar forests, scenic gorges, and across natural stone bridges, leading to cascading waterfalls, like the Akchour Waterfall, natural rock arches, like God’s Bridge, and 8,000-foot summits like Jbel Tazekka. A true haven for travelers seeking peace away from the crowds, Talassemtane National Park offers a rare opportunity to experience Morocco’s wild side at its most pristine and accessible.
Imilchil
In the Middle Atlas, just a couple hours from the famous Todra Gorge, lies Imilchil, a remote mountain town known for its twin lakes, dark and star-studded night skies, and trove of tribal traditions. Besides the occasional trekkers that pass through on their way to Jbel Tazekka, the highest peak in the region, few travelers ever find their way to this remote and fascinating mountain town. The best time of year to visit is September during Imilchil’s Marriage Festival. Rooted in centuries-old traditions, the festival brings together love-seeking locals from Amazigh tribes across the valley to sing, dance, and seek their match, all in accordance with a legendary local love story. According to the tale, two lovers from rival tribes who were forbidden to marry took their own lives, moving the gods to transform them into the town’s twin lakes—Tislit (the Bride) and Isli (the Groom)—so they could be together forever.
Boumalne Dades
Nestled between the Dades and Todra Gorges and along the famous Route of a Thousand Kasbahs, Boumalne Dades hasn’t lured the floods of Sahara-bound travelers to it just yet. Break up your own journey to the desert with a night or two in this humble and overlooked Moroccan kasbah town. Boumalne Dades serves as an ideal base to explore the best of the Dades Valley, including the Valley of Roses, Todra Gorge, and the dramatic Dades Gorge with its red cliffs and unique rock towers like Monkey Fingers. Discover its ancient kasbahs, including Ait Oudinar and the clifftop Kasbah Tizzarouine, all while beginning and ending your day immersed in the town’s still authentic and thriving Amazigh way of life, inviting family-run guesthouses, and stunning views of its surreal mountain backdrop and picturesque palm groves.
