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MOROCCO TRAVEL GUIDE
MOROCCO - An Overview
Offering everything from relaxing beach resorts to historic old cities, Morocco is a well-established tourist destination that appeals to party-going holidaymakers and culture-seeking travellers alike. Indisputably African in terms of its geographical location, yet with just a short stretch of the Mediterranean separating it from Spain and the rest of Europe, Morocco’s cultural mix is exceptionally diverse and vibrant.
Agadir and Casablanca offer sand, sea and sightseeing, while Marrakech is a shopper’s paradise and a haven for lovers of fine architecture and cultural heritage. For something different, head to the Atlas Mountains for a spot of trekking.
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WEATHER - When To Go
Morocco’s a hotspot weather-wise, and summers can see temperatures hitting the 30s (°C), which can be uncomfortable unless you are staying near the coast and are getting the benefit of Mediterranean winds. September and October see cooler weather, but it’s still hot enough for sunbathing so this - or Springtime - is perhaps the best time of year to visit if you aren’t well acclimatised to excessive heat.
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MOROCCO HIGHLIGHTS
You can see the best of Morocco’s sights in a two-week holiday if you organise your itinerary carefully, but three weeks will probably make for a more relaxed affair, especially if you want to get some beach time in on top of sightseeing.
- Spend a few days in Marrakech enjoying the souks and visiting its many attractions
- Give Fez two to three days, as its large selection of medieval buildings are best appreciated at a leisurely pace.
- Head for Agadir, Casablanca or one of the quieter beach destinations such as Tetouanm or Essaouira for anything from four days to a week.
- Head for the Atlas Mountains for several days of trekking.
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PLACES TO VISIT in Morocco
Marrakech: if you’re a market lover, then this is the city to be in, as it is here you’ll find one of the largest souks in the country. Sightseeing opportunities abound, with the likes of Ben Youssef Madrasa, Bandia Palace, Koutoubiya Mosque, Place Jamaa El Fna and the Saadian Tombs comprising the most famous sites on offer. The Djemma El Fna in the heart of the Medina is the place to be come evening time, when it’s awash with dancers, musicians and various other live performers. Provided you have thick skin, shopping in this city can be a fascinating and entertaining experience. The country’s vibrant souks offer many locally made goods, and getting into the whole haggling ritual can be fun as well as fiscally provident. [ Note: Marrakech is sometimes spelt Marrakesh ].
Fez: head here if you have an eye for medieval architecture, as this is a city rich in ancient beauty. The Medina is the focal point of the city’s historical treasures and has a history of being the country’s centre of culture and religion from the 10th century until 1912, when the era of French control began. The city has a large collection of eye-catching mosques which non-Muslims can appreciate from the outside. However, sights such as the 14th-century religious college Bou Inania Madersa and the Merenid Tombs are open to all. The city is also an ideal place to visit a hamman; Morocco’s answer to the Turkish bath will wash the city dust from between your toes and whatever other crevices it’s managed to find its way in.
Agadir: among the country’s most established holiday centres, Agadir enjoys a scenic coastal location and is blessed with excellent tourist amenities including a plethora of restaurants, bars and nightclubs, plus some excellent accommodation options. The Old Medina, the historic part of the city, offers plenty in the way of interesting sights, including the remains of an old fort and city walls that date back to the times of Portuguese occupation. The beach, while not as attractive as Casablanca’s, is large, rarely crowded and offers a wide variety of sea-based water sports activities.
Atlas Mountains: Morocco’s Atlas Mountains are the perfect place to enjoy challenging and visually rewarding trekking experiences. The Bougmez Valley is one of the best trekking destinations here, while the Jebel Sargho between the Draa and Dades valleys in the Sahara is also considered an excellent spot. Many organised adventure tours are available for trekking the Atlas Mountains.
Casablanca: will forever owe a certain degree of its fame to the movie of the same name; however, without its lively entertainment scene and gorgeous beach it probably wouldn’t draw as many visitors as it does. An old town in the north of the city offers traditional architectural sights, but it’s the modern district with sights such as the King Hassan II Mosque and the Square of Mohammed V and locations such as the bustling Marche Central day market that offer the greatest visual thrills. Casablanca is also home to one of the country’s best evening entertainment scenes, with local musicians and dancing filling lively hotel discos and nightclubs
Rabat: Spend a few days in the capital city of Rabat, which though not as popular as the country’s major visitors destinations, still has attractions such as the Hassan Towers, Kings Palace, Archaeological Museum, Chellah Necropolis and Mohamed V Mausoleum.
Tangier: with easy access via ferry from both Spain and Gibraltar, Tangier is one of the busiest gateways to the country and a destination that sees huge numbers of day-trippers as well as holidaymakers. Attractions including the Kasbah, which houses the 17th century Sultan’s palace, otherwise known as the Dar el Makhze. From the Kasbah’s unique vantage point it’s possible to see Spain and Gibraltar as well as enjoy some good views across Tangiers itself. The city’s winding streets are busy places, offering lively markets, snake-charming locals and abundant cafés. Having said that, there are many better places to spend your time in Morocco.
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HOSPITALITY
Food and eating out: eating out in Morocco is never a boring experience, and finding good dining establishments in the popular tourist destinations is never difficult. The best selection of eateries can be found in cities like Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech, with popular favourite dishes including couscous served with vegetable stew and pastilla, sweet and savoury chicken pie.
Entertainment and nightlife: nightlife is centred in the beach resorts of Agadir and Casablanca, where dozens of bars come to life after-dark. If you want something more upbeat than a bar, there are a number of discos in these cities as well as bars with dance performances. As a Muslim country, drinking alcohol is not popular, but alcoholic drinks are widely available in tourist centres.
Accommodation: options are plentiful in the popular tourist areas, with everything from backpacker-friendly establishments to high-class hotels. Service is usually of a high standard, but is (of course) proportional to the cost of the accommodation.
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MOROCCO - GETTING THERE FROM THE UK
Both Easyjet and Ryanair operate flights to Morocco from London. Otherwise try one of the package holiday tour operators such as Thomas Cook or Going Places, or the big online flight-booking websites such as Expedia.co.uk.
It is also possible to catch a ferry to Morocco from Spain, a route favoured by backpackers using an Inter-rail train pass.
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