Ifrane (Ifran), Morocco

Capital City

With a population of just 13,964, Ifrane is a small mountain town that bills itself as "Little Switzerland." But the reality is far from the idyllic vision. The harsh winter climate, with temperatures plunging to nearly -24°C, is a persistent headache, and the bureaucratic red tape can be a slog. While the town's colonial-era "garden city" architecture may charm some, Ifrane is best suited for those seeking an isolated, alpine retreat - not a bustling urban center.