Marrakech, Morocco’s Red City, took the top spot as the best destination in Africa and the Middle East (MENA) for 2024, out of a list of ten places, according to the American magazine specializing in the tourism industry, “Travel + Leisure,” which released its annual list this week.
This year’s title marks Marrakech’s second consecutive year at number one, cementing the red city’s status as a leading global tourist destination.
The ranking is based on a comprehensive survey of the magazine’s 186,000 readers. The survey asked participants to cast their votes for their top destinations worldwide, with over 700,000 votes received across more than 8,700 cities. The results were analyzed based on criteria, including sights and landmarks, culture, food, friendliness, shopping, and value.
For the Marrakech voters, the “enchanting” city stood out among the competition with its scenic location in “the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and its blend of old and new.”
One reader described Marrakech as “a hidden pear” and noted: “Every place is an explosion of senses. . . All these secret places, unexpected discoveries, glamorous on one side but modest on the other.”
One of the voter’s favorite aspects of the city was its souks, “Voters especially love the souk, with one of them writing, ‘Souks and spices. Camels and donkeys. At the main souk, if you can’t find what you’re looking for, it’s not made,” Travel+Leisure quoted.
The magazine also identified recent developments that have contributed to Marrakech’s appeal, particularly noting the city’s status as a destination for art and design enthusiasts, thanks to “new boutique hotels like Riad Dar Dada and Izza, and a vibrant selection of museums and galleries.”
In addition to Marrakech, other Moroccan cities also made the list, further enhancing the country’s reputation as a highly sought-after destination.
Fez secured the sixth position in the ranking, largely due to its reputation as a rich cultural and historical destination, as highlighted by one of the respondents. “A treasure trove of culture and history! A must-see if you are in Morocco.”
The Atlantic port city of Essaouira similarly merits inclusion on this year’s list in seventh place. Essaouira is situated in southwestern Morocco.
The complete list of Travel+ Leisure Readers’ favorite cities in Africa and the Middle East:
-Marrakech, Morocco
– Cape Town, South Africa
– Jerusalem, Israel
– Dubai, United Arab Emirates
– Kigali, Rwanda
– Fez, Morocco
– Essaouira, Morocco
– Tel Aviv, Israel
– Luxor, Egypt
– Cairo, Egypt