Travel tales from Tangier
Tangier the archway to Morocco’s mystique…
The Todgha Gorge is one of the most spectacular natural landscapes in southern Morocco. Carved by the Todgha River over thousands of years, the gorge features towering limestone cliffs that rise to about 300 meters, while in some places the canyon narrows to only a few meters wide.
Located near the town of Tinghir at the edge of the Atlas Mountains, it is a dramatic gateway between the mountains and the desert.
The gorge is famous for its striking contrast between red rock walls, green palm groves, and small Berber villages nearby. It is a popular destination for hikers, rock climbers, and travellers exploring Morocco’s south.
Many travellers visit Todgha Gorge when travelling between the Sahara Desert and historic cities such as Marrakech. It can be very busy during peak times.
The oasis town of Tinghir in southern Morocco is located between the Sahara Desert and the High Atlas Mountains.
It’s striking landscape moves between arid desert plains, rivers and oasis, and the snowy capped mountains.
Skoura is an oasis town located along the ancient caravan route in southern Morocco and known as the gateway to the Sahara Desert.
Nestled along the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Skoura is famous for its lush palm groves and historic kasbahs, offering a glimpse into traditional oasis life in the Moroccan desert.
Skoura has been an important agricultural oasis for centuries. Its fertile land is irrigated by an ancient system of underground channels known as khettaras, which bring water from the mountains to the palm groves. As a result, the area is filled with date palms, olive trees, almond trees, and small family farms.
One of the most striking features of Skoura is its collection of old kasbahs. The most famous is the beautifully preserved Kasbah Amridil. Built in the 17th century, this kasbah is a classic example of southern Moroccan architecture, with tall mud-brick towers and intricate geometric decorations.
Unlike Morocco’s busy cities such as Marrakech or Fes, Skoura is quiet and rural. Life moves slowly here: farmers tend their fields, children play in shaded pathways, and travellers come to explore the oasis on foot or by bicycle.
Ait Benhaddou is a historic fortified village (known as a ksar) located along the former caravan route between the Sahara Desert and the city of Marrakech in Morocco.
Mostly constructed from earthen clay and straw, featuring towering kasbahs, high defensive walls, and narrow alleyways that blend with the surrounding desert landscape.
The site dates to at least the 17th century or older, where it served as an important trading post for merchants travelling across North Africa, who stopped to rest and exchange goods such as salt, gold, and spices.
The architecture reflects traditional southern Moroccan building techniques, with thick adobe walls that help keep interiors cool in the intense desert heat.
Ait Benhaddou was designated a UNESCO heritage site in 1987, with its outstanding example of pre-Saharan architecture. Today, only a few families still live inside the ancient ksar, with most people residing in the village across the river.
Ait Benhaddou has become famous as a filming location for several major movies and TV series, including Gladiator, The Mummy, and the television series Game of Thrones.
Nicole x
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