مراكش
Marrakech
Marrakesh
Usage
A major tourist city in the south, nicknamed the Red City. The old medina and Jemaa el-Fna square are the heart of it; it has the Menara airport and a train station. Usable as a taxi destination.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + مراكش).
فاس
Fès
Fez
Usage
One of Morocco's oldest imperial cities. Its old medina, Fès el-Bali, is a UNESCO World Heritage site with a maze of narrow lanes.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + فاس). The same spelling also means "axe" in the dictionary, but as a city name it is understood.
الدار البيضا
Casablanca
Casablanca
Usage
Morocco's largest city and economic hub, home to Mohammed V International Airport and the Hassan II Mosque. Locals often shorten it to "Casa".
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل. The name means "the white house" (دار = house, بيضا = white). Darija drops the final hamza, so it is written بيضا, not بيضاء.
طنجة
Tanger
Tangier
Usage
A northern port city on the Strait of Gibraltar. The Tanger Med port runs ferries to Spain, and the Al Boraq high-speed train ends here.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + طنجة). The Darija Wikipedia also writes طانجا, but طنجة, the form on signs and in dictionaries, is used here.
الرباط
Rabat
Rabat
Usage
The capital of Morocco. It has the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah of the Udayas, and a tram links it to neighbouring Salé.
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل.
أڭادير
Agadir
Agadir
Usage
An Atlantic beach resort known for its long beach, rebuilt after the 1960 earthquake. Al Massira airport serves it.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + أڭادير). The /g/ sound is written with ڭ (U+06AD); spelling it with ق or ك would change the pronunciation.
الصويرة
Essaouira
Essaouira
Usage
A windy Atlantic port town. Its blue-and-white walled medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and it hosts the Gnaoua music festival.
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل.
شفشاون
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen
Usage
A mountain town in the Rif, famous for its blue-painted houses.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + شفشاون).
مكناس
Meknès
Meknes
Usage
An imperial city known for the grand gate Bab Mansour. A base for the Roman ruins of Volubilis and for Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + مكناس).
ورزازات
Ouarzazate
Ouarzazate
Usage
The "gateway to the desert" south of the Atlas. It has film studios and is the base for nearby Aït Benhaddou.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + ورزازات). The Darija Wikipedia also spells it وارزازات; the standard ورزازات is used here.
وجدة
Oujda
Oujda
Usage
A large city in the east with a train station, the main hub for travelling in that part of the country.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + وجدة).
تطوان
Tétouan
Tetouan
Usage
A whitewashed northern city whose Andalusian-influenced medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + تطوان).
إفران
Ifrane
Ifrane
Usage
A town on the Middle Atlas plateau with an alpine-resort look; it gets snow in winter.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + إفران). The Darija Wikipedia also spells it إيفران.
الداخلة
Dakhla
Dakhla
Usage
A town on a lagoon far down the Atlantic coast, known for kitesurfing.
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل.
الجديدة
El Jadida
El Jadida
Usage
An Atlantic coast town known for its Portuguese-era fortress and underground cistern; the old town is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + الجديدة). The name is the feminine adjective for "new".
آسفي
Safi
Safi
Usage
An Atlantic port town known for its pottery and sardine fishing.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + آسفي).
زاڭورة
Zagora
Zagora
Usage
A desert gateway town in the Draa valley, famous for its signpost "Timbuktu 52 days".
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + زاڭورة). The /g/ sound is written with ڭ.
أزرو
Azrou
Azrou
Usage
A Middle Atlas town surrounded by cedar forest; Barbary macaques can be seen nearby.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + أزرو).
تارودانت
Taroudant
Taroudant
Usage
A walled town in the Souss region, nicknamed "little Marrakech".
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + تارودانت).
تيزنيت
Tiznit
Tiznit
Usage
A walled town in the south-west known for its silver jewellery.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + تيزنيت).
العرايش
Larache
Larache
Usage
A northern Atlantic coast town, close to the Roman ruins of Lixus.
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل. The Darija Wikipedia writes this as لعرايش (with a bare ل); here the full ال is written.
تافراوت
Tafraout
Tafraout
Usage
A town in the Anti-Atlas among red granite rocks; the almond trees bloom in February.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + تافراوت).
القنيطرة
Kénitra
Kenitra
Usage
A town north of Rabat and a major stop on the railway between Rabat and Tangier.
Grammar Note
A proper noun. The article ال is part of the name; after the preposition ل (to) it contracts to لل.
مرزوڭة
Merzouga
Merzouga
Usage
A village at the foot of the Erg Chebbi dunes and the starting point for camel treks in the desert.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + مرزوڭة). The /g/ sound is written with ڭ (Arabic Wikipedia has مرزوكة).
آيت بن حدو
Aït Benhaddou
Aït Benhaddou
Usage
A fortified village (ksar) of mud brick, a UNESCO World Heritage site used in many films. It is near Ouarzazate.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + آيت بن حدو). A name written as three words (آيت + بن + حدو).
أرفود
Erfoud
Erfoud
Usage
A south-eastern town known for dates and fossils, and one of the gateways to Erg Chebbi.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + أرفود).
تغازوت
Taghazout
Taghazout
Usage
A surfing village north of Agadir.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + تغازوت).
إمليل
Imlil
Imlil
Usage
A High Atlas village that is the starting point for climbing Jebel Toubkal, reached by car from Marrakech.
Grammar Note
A proper noun used without the article; the preposition ل (to) attaches directly (for example ل + إمليل).
جامع لفنا
Jemaa el-Fna
Jemaa el-Fna square
Usage
The main square of the Marrakech medina. By day it has fruit and fresh orange juice stalls; by night, food stalls and street performers.
Grammar Note
A fixed name, spelled as in the Darija Wikipedia. Signs write it Jemaa el-Fna.
جامع الكتبية
Koutoubia
Koutoubia Mosque
Usage
The largest mosque in Marrakech; its tall minaret is a landmark from all over the city. Non-Muslims cannot enter.
Grammar Note
Jamiʿ (mosque) followed by the proper name. In Darija a main mosque is called جامع.
قصر الباهية
Palais de la Bahia
Bahia Palace
Usage
A 19th-century palace in Marrakech, known for its decorated tiles, painted ceilings and courtyards.
Grammar Note
Qaṣr (palace) followed by the proper name.
قصر البديع
Palais El Badi
El Badi Palace
Usage
The ruins of a late-16th-century Saadian palace in Marrakech; today a large open ruin where storks nest.
Grammar Note
Qaṣr (palace) plus the proper name.
ضريح السعديين
Tombeaux Saadiens
Saadian Tombs
Usage
The burial place of Saadian royalty in Marrakech, with richly decorated mausoleums in a small garden.
Grammar Note
Ḍarīḥ (mausoleum) plus the dynasty name, following the title of the Arabic Wikipedia article.
حديقة ماجوريل
Jardin Majorelle
Majorelle Garden
Usage
A botanical garden in Marrakech known for its vivid cobalt-blue buildings; it is popular and often crowded.
Grammar Note
Ḥadīqa (garden) plus the proper name.
جامع الحسن التاني
Mosquée Hassan II
Hassan II Mosque
Usage
The largest mosque in Morocco, on the Atlantic shore in Casablanca. Non-Muslims can visit on a guided tour.
Grammar Note
"The second" is written التاني in Darija, with ت instead of the standard ث.
صومعة حسان
Tour Hassan
Hassan Tower
Usage
An unfinished late-12th-century minaret in Rabat, next to the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.
Grammar Note
Ṣawmaʿa means "minaret".
ضريح محمد الخامس
Mausolée Mohammed V
Mausoleum of Mohammed V
Usage
The royal mausoleum opposite the Hassan Tower in Rabat. Guards stand at the entrance; visitors should be quiet and respectful.
Grammar Note
Ḍarīḥ (mausoleum) plus a personal name.
قصبة الأوداية
Kasbah des Oudaïas
Kasbah of the Udayas
Usage
A fortified quarter on the headland at the Rabat river mouth, with blue-and-white lanes and an Andalusian garden.
Grammar Note
Qaṣba means "fortress".
شالة
Chellah
Chellah
Usage
Roman and medieval ruins in Rabat, with many stork nests.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
وليلي
Volubilis
Volubilis
Usage
Roman city ruins near Meknès, known for its mosaic floors. A UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
باب بوجلود
Bab Boujloud
Bab Bou Jeloud
Usage
The blue gate that is the main western entrance to the Fès medina; most visitors enter the lanes here.
Grammar Note
Bāb means "gate".
جامع القرويين
Université Al Quaraouiyine
Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque
Usage
A 9th-century mosque in Fès with an attached university often called one of the oldest in the world. Non-Muslims see it from outside.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
دار شوارة للدبغ
Tannerie Chouara
Chouara Tannery
Usage
A traditional leather tannery in the Fès medina with rows of stone dye vats. The smell is strong; visitors look down from the rooftops of nearby shops.
Grammar Note
Dār (house/place) plus للدبغ (for tanning).
مولاي إدريس زرهون
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun
Usage
A holy hill town near Meknès that holds the tomb of Idris I, founder of Morocco's first Muslim dynasty.
Grammar Note
Mulāy is an honorific for saints and royalty ("my lord").
مغارة هرقل
Grottes d'Hercule
Caves of Hercules
Usage
A sea cave near Tangier whose opening onto the sea looks like the shape of Africa.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
رأس سبارطيل
Cap Spartel
Cap Spartel
Usage
A cape west of Tangier, where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean are said to meet.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
شلالات أوزود
Cascades d'Ouzoud
Ouzoud Falls
Usage
A waterfall about 100 metres high in the Azilal region, reachable as a day trip from Marrakech.
Grammar Note
Shallālāt is the plural of shallāl (waterfall).
عرق الشبي
Erg Chebbi
Erg Chebbi
Usage
The large sand dunes near Merzouga. Sunrise, sunset and overnight camel tours are popular.
Grammar Note
ʿIrq means a sea of dunes (written Erg in place names).
مضايق تودغى
Gorges du Todgha
Todgha Gorges
Usage
A gorge with sheer rock walls on the south side of the High Atlas near Tinghir, good for climbing and walking.
Grammar Note
Maḍāyiq is the plural of "narrow gorge".
جبل توبقال
Jebel Toubkal
Mount Toubkal
Usage
The highest peak in North Africa (4,167 m), in the High Atlas; most climbs start from Imlil.
Grammar Note
Jbal means "mountain"; signs write it Jebel.
أوكايمدن
Oukaïmeden
Oukaïmeden
Usage
A High Atlas ski resort south of Marrakech, with snow only for some weeks in winter.
Grammar Note
A proper noun; the same name appears on signs and is understood in Darija.
فاس البالي
Fès el-Bali
Fès el-Bali
Usage
The old medina of Fès. Markets and workshops line narrow lanes closed to cars, and it is a UNESCO World Heritage site.
Grammar Note
Bālī means "old".
صحرا
Sahara
The Sahara
Usage
The great desert of North Africa. In southern Morocco, dune camps and camel tours are popular.
Grammar Note
Darija drops the final hamza: صحرا, not صحراء (with the article: الصحرا).
مطار محمد الخامس
Aéroport Mohammed V
Mohammed V International Airport
Usage
Morocco's biggest airport, at Casablanca. A train from the airport station goes to the city and to Rabat.
Grammar Note
Maṭār means "airport"; signs use the standard-Arabic form.
مطار مراكش المنارة
Aéroport Marrakech-Ménara
Marrakesh Menara Airport
Usage
The airport of Marrakech, about 6 km from the city centre. Usable as a taxi destination.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
مطار طنجة ابن بطوطة
Aéroport Tanger Ibn Battouta
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport
Usage
The airport of Tangier, named after the 14th-century traveller Ibn Battuta.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
مطار فاس سايس
Aéroport Fès-Saïss
Fès–Saïss Airport
Usage
The airport of Fès, about 15 km from the city.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
مطار أڭادير المسيرة
Aéroport Agadir Al Massira
Agadir Al Massira Airport
Usage
The airport of Agadir, gateway to the beach resorts, about 25 km from the city.
Grammar Note
ڭ stands for /g/. Signs may use the standard-Arabic spelling أكادير.
مطار الرباط سلا
Aéroport Rabat-Salé
Rabat–Salé Airport
Usage
The capital's airport, between Rabat and Salé.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
محطة الدار البيضا المسافرين
Casa-Voyageurs
Casa-Voyageurs station
Usage
The main railway station of Casablanca, with trains to Rabat, Tangier and Marrakech.
Grammar Note
Ends with المسافرين ("the travellers"); this is the form on signs.
محطة الرباط المدينة
Rabat-Ville
Rabat-Ville station
Usage
The railway station in central Rabat.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
محطة مراكش
Gare de Marrakech
Marrakech station
Usage
The railway station of Marrakech. Trains from Casablanca arrive here; the old town is a taxi ride away.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
محطة طنجة المدينة
Tanger-Ville
Tanger-Ville station
Usage
The railway station in Tangier; the Al Boraq arrives here.
Grammar Note
The form used on signs (standard Arabic).
البراق
Al Boraq
Al Boraq
Usage
The high-speed train between Tangier and Casablanca, stopping at Kénitra and Rabat; it is much faster than ordinary trains.
Grammar Note
Al + Boraq, named after the mount in the Prophet's night journey.
المكتب الوطني للسكك الحديدية
ONCF
ONCF (national railways)
Usage
The official name of the national railway. Stations and tickets show the French abbreviation ONCF.
Grammar Note
The official name in standard Arabic.
ميناء طنجة المتوسط
Tanger Med
Tanger Med port
Usage
A large port about 45 km from Tangier. Ferries to Spain leave from here.
Grammar Note
Mīnāʾ means "port".
كازا طرامواي
Casa Tramway
Casa Tramway
Usage
The tram that runs across Casablanca. It is for getting around the city, not for reaching the airport.
Grammar Note
Kāzā is the nickname of Casablanca; ṭrāmwāy comes from French "tramway".
طرامواي الرباط سلا
Tramway Rabat-Salé
Rabat–Salé Tramway
Usage
The tram that links Rabat with Salé across the river.
Grammar Note
Ṭrāmwāy comes from French "tramway".
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