People have been writing about and photographing Morocco for years, and once you’re here you’ll find that it all lives up to the hype. The food really is that good, the people really are that nice, the desert really is that big, and getting lost in the medinas really is that fun. Each city and town has its own unique history and way of life, adding to the rich tapestry that is Morocco.

Rabat. Morocco’s capital city is an ancient, imperial city that is constantly changing and modernizing. You’ll get a sense of life in modern Morocco, without the crowds of tourists in other big cities. Locals are eager to engage with you and exchange ideas and views of the world. Adventure travelers to Rabat will find it the perfect home base to kick off adventures in the Sahara. In between hefty servings of tagine and mint tea, you can trade in traditional Moroccan adventures to volunteer in some of the city’s poorer neighborhoods, teach English, or study French/Arabic. Adventures of the mind— and the heart!

Marrakech. Get ready to channel your inner Indy (fedora and bullwhip not included). In Marrakech’s medina (old city) you’ll find a maze of alleyways, where traditional souks sell textiles, pottery, jewelry, spices, and more. Getting lost here is an adventure in and of itself. The main square, Djemaa el-Fna comes alive at night with food vendors, storytellers, and musicians. It’s a wonderful city to learn the importance of Islam in modern Moroccan culture. The morning before you head out on a Saharan adventure or on a trek through the Atlas mountains, wake up to the call to prayer permeating the warm desert air.

Casablanca. Of all the cities in all the countries in the world, you walk into this one. This is the beginning of a beautiful adventure. Casablanca is the picture of modern Morocco. The Instagram worthy melding of French colonial architecture and traditional Moroccan design is best discovered in the Quartier Habous, where you can shop, taste, and drink in all that this city has to offer. If it’s not quite a pirate’s life for you in this port city, and you prefer to keep your land legs, take a caravan through the Sahara and follow old trade routes between Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez.

Each location has a unique mezze of opportunities for Morocco tours. Each city has a character of its own, sharing a slightly different picture of Morocco, both old and new.