I was recently asked by Travel Mindset to write a post about a travel destination I’ve been wanting to visit for ages: Morocco!

From the stunning photos I’ve seen on Instagram to stories from friends who have visited Morocco, to me it’s a no-brainer why Morocco is on my bucket list.

Here are 10 reasons why I hope to visit Morocco:

Architecture

Believe it or not, Moroccan architecture dates back to 110BCE! (Source).

Like its food, the architecture has been influenced by a variety of cultures.

Predominantly you’ll find Islamic designs with gorgeous geometric patterns and archways.

Abdunance of Color

Something you’ll find in the architecture as well in the souks and markets is color galore.

Woven into textiles and tiled on the walls, Morocco is a colorful country with vibrancy embedded into its character.

Food

From couscous and Moroccan chicken Bastilla to Kefta meatball Tagine and Rfissa, there are many dishes that are specifically Moroccan fare.

Let me tell you- I’d try it all in a heartbeat!

In a culture where spices are abundant and the food is fresh, you can expect a sweet and savory blend of perfection in Moroccan dishes.

With influences from its European neighbors mixed with flavors from surrounding regions in Africa, Morocco presents a delightfully unique mixing pot of cuisines.

Notable Places to Visit

Morocco is full of must-see destinations.

Notably, I’m looking forward to visiting colorful cities, lush gardens, extravagant palaces, and natural beauty like waterfalls and the pristine desert.

Here are just a few specific places to visit:

• Chefchaouen, Morocco’s “Blue City” (pictured above)
• Jardin Majorelle (a 2.5 acres botanical garden)
• Bahia Palace (a late 19th century palace in Marrakech)
• Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca (pictured below)
• Ouzoud Falls (yup, there are waterfalls in Morocco!)
• Erg Chebbi (I can’t wait to spend a night in a desert camp!)

Accessibility

Have you realized just how close this African country is to Europe?

Of note, you can reach Spain via an hour-long ferry! Portugal is just an hour and a half away by plane.

Or you can travel to its neighbor Algeria if you want to explore more of Africa.

This means if you want to add some other countries to your itinerary, you can easily do so!

Mediterranean Climate

Morocco is generally a sunny place, regardless of season.

It does have four distinct seasons, even though most people think (including myself until recently!) that it is perpetually summertime.

January through June is generally in the 70’s or higher; the rest of the year is in the 50’s or 60’s.

In the summertime (June-August) the desert gets extremely hot (I’m talking in the hundreds), but keep in mind it still gets cold at night.

PS. Did you know that there is also snow in Morocco? You can actually go skiing if you want in the winter when it’s cold enough for there to be snow in the mountains!

Culture

The culture is another can’t miss thing about Morocco. The country has a rich heritage that stems from its long history.

As you walk through the souks where you can buy handmade local goods and shop for spices, you’ll get a real sense for the culture.

Did you know that Morocco has some of the best human rights across Africa and the Middle East? (Source).

It also is considerably safe- crime is relatively low and limited to pick-pocketing and scams for tourists. Travel savvy (even as just a woman) and you should be just fine!

Landscape

Morocco is on my bucket list for yet another reason: the desert landscape.

I’ll make sure a trip to the Sahara is on my itinerary when I visit because it is an iconic desert that I’d love to see for myself!

Stunning Riads

Traditional homes and palaces in Morocco are known as riads.

Riads are often built with an inner courtyard surrounded by balconies, archways, and elaborate tiling.

Many riads have been converted into hotels and restaurants in Marrakech, so often times you’ll find the inner courtyard design in your lodging.

Instagrammability

If Morocco isn’t instagrammable, I don’t know what is!

Since Instagram plays a huge role in my job, I can shamelessly say that one of the biggest reasons I’d love to travel to Morocco is for the plethora of photo-worthy spots!

I have a countless list of photo spots that I have in mind… from the stunning archways and elaborate geometric tiles to the endless desert and pristine riad hotels.

So how about you? Have you ever been to Morocco? If you have, comment your favorite places or things about this country below!

Safe travels,

Jasmine

PS. If you found this post helpful, please share it to Pinterest! You can use any of these images for easy pinning!