As Morocco is set to join ECOWAS, it has brought much excitement to travel junkies in the sub-region as it represents a potential loss of strict national borders because of the free movement of people enjoyed by ECOWAS citizens.

The agreement was made at a meeting of regional leaders in the Liberian capital, Monrovia.

So, now that Morocco is joining the community, here is why you need to grab your passport as quickly as possible.

Chefchaouen

Blue staircase and wall decorated with colourful flowerpots, Chefchaouen medina in Morocco.play(huxflux – Fotolia)

Sometimes called the Blue City, this town in northern Morocco is picturesque. As you may have guessed, every building in the town is painted blue which gives it a monotone but stunning monochromatic feel.

View of Chefchaouen, Moroccoplay(Mikhail Markovskiy – Fotolia)

The Jews who settled there at some point believed that heaven was blue and began covering everything in blue. Although, most of them have left to live in Israel, the culture they left is still present, making it a major attraction for visitors to Morocco.

Essaouira

Essaouira.jpgplay

This city is home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with the local Medina at the centre of tourism. The coastal town is also home to pristine, warm and sandy beaches which lie along the Atlantic Coast. This makes it a prime area for travellers interested in engaging in water sports such as kite surfing.

Fez

Medina of city Fes, Moroccoplay(silver-john – Fotolia)

This is an ancient city in Morocco and is the country’s second largest city. It is home to University of Al Quaraouiyine, which is believed to be the oldest university in the world. The city boasts two medinas, where goods and people are moved from one point to another by donkeys and handcarts. This makes it the largest urban area in the world which is free from cars. Many of the buildings in Fez are centuries old and is a great place if you are a history junkie or an old soul.

Casablanca

Royal Palace of Casablanca by Keith Clark.jpgplay(Keith Clark)

You certainly have not visited Morocco if you have not experienced Casablanca. The country’s largest city is also considered its commercial capital. Hit the streets consume the breath-taking architecture that brings the city alive or the coast for some water sports. It is especially great if you are a lover of architecture and enjoy landscape photography.

Marrakesh

Jamaa el Fna, Marrakesh, Morocco.play(kasto – Fotolia)

Marrakesh is among the biggest attractions for Morocco for many of its travellers. The medina in Marrakesh is always buzzing with tourists and locals bringing to it the fame cacophony of languages and faces. Its souks (markets) are well famed for being the go-to place for all sorts of items from handwoven carpets to television sets. Just like many other Moroccan cities, it has been the set of many notable films.

Rabat

hassan tower.jpgplay

Rabat’s medina has been declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO and is one of Morocco’s four Imperial cities. Being the capital of the country, it is most likely going to be the first stop for many travellers to the country. Some of Rabat’s main sites include Bab El-Had Gate, Hassan Tower, Bab Oudaïa Gate and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V.