Located in north-west Africa, Morocco is a multi-ethnic country rich in culture and colorful places like Casablanca, Marrakesh and Chefchaouen.
Morocco is one of the most famous countries in Africa, along with South Africa, Egypt, Algeria… Moroccans are multi-ethnic, from the ancient Romans to the Arabs, the French and the Berbers of North Africa. There are many cities that represent a mixture of cultures from all over the world and with many colors.
As well as the capital, Rabat, and the country’s largest city, Casablanca, visitors arriving in Morocco can explore the local markets of Marrakech and Fes, discover ancient crafts such as hand-painted pottery, and visit the ancient village of Aït Ben Haddou, which is the site of many Hollywood Classics, dine with the Amazigh family in a small oasis village… These are the highlights of Morocco.
The capital Rabat
The capital Rabat has the seventh area and is the administrative center as well as the commercial and tourist center of Morocco. Rabat is famous for its attractions such as the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Medina’s Ancient Market, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Rabat’s cuisine is varied, ranging from vegetables, fruits and rare spices from the Mediterranean combined with local dishes. Some delicious dishes in Rabat like Chicken Pastilla, Lamb Tagine, Wheat Couscous, Pancakes, French Pastries and Spanish Tapas..
Casablanca
Famous for the Oscar-winning film of the same name, Casablanca is a must-see when visiting Morocco. In contrast to the typical African heat, Casablanca is cool with sea air, lots of trees and Islamic architecture, and the landscape is both historic and modern.
Casablanca is famous for its many beautiful beaches, services like restaurants, cafes and fun rock bars inspired by movie themes. Popular check-in points include the town square, the Moroccan Museum and the Portuguese Fort… The seaside Hassan II Mosque is a must-see landmark in the city.
The Red City of Marrakech
Marrakech is a melting pot of Amazigh (west of the Nile), West African, Mediterranean and Arab cultures. A city with rows of houses, walls or streets painted red or pink. In Marrakech, visitors can easily catch the dance and magic shows put on by street vendors. Typical dishes are harira, a traditional Moroccan soup, or tangia, a meat stew.
In Marrakech, visitors should stroll through the main square of Djemaa el-Fna, admire the ruins of the madrassa – the more than 500-year-old Medersa Ali Ben Youssef with motifs carved in marble, or the palaces of Bahia, the 16th-century Saadian tombs , Burial place of Ahmed al-Mansour, ruler of the Saadian dynasty, and his family.
Blue City Chefchaouen
If Marrakech is known for its warm tones, Chefchaouen is the opposite of cold blue. In every corner, from the city walls to the churches to the walls of the houses and the streets… they are all navy blue. In the Jewish concept, blue represents heaven, the image of God and the highest beings.
The city is heavily influenced by Spanish culture with its Moorish architecture, cuisine and customs. Chefchaouen also has the “specialties” of the sunset and sunrise over the Mediterranean Sea, the Uta Hammam Mosque. Traditional local dishes include tajine soup, salted lamb, fresh bread with goat cheese, black olive oil…
The clay-colored town of Ben Haddou
Nestled beneath the Atlas Mountains, Ben Haddou is on UNESCO’s Ben Haddou List. It was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List in 1987, but it is only a small town that is hardly mentioned and sparsely populated. Many villages here are built of mud, preserving the original characteristics of the Saharan nomads.
Visitors can admire the landscapes along the ancient pilgrimage route from the Sahara to Marrakech or visit scenes from famous series such as Game of Thrones and Lawrence of Arabia. A desert dinner under the stars, cozy gatherings by the fire and listening to music at Ben Haddou is worth trying.
The nostalgic city of Fes (Fes, Fas)
Fez, once the capital of Morocco, has a long history dating back to the Middle Ages and is known as the Athens of Africa. Built in the 9th century, after more than 1For 300 years, present-day Fez has preserved and survived numerous architectural works and historical sites. UNESCO has recognized it as a World Heritage Site, including the archaeological site of Volubilis, the medieval city of Meknes, the old town of Medina with more than 9,000 streets and alleys, including Al Quaraouiyine as a university, the oldest in the world (since 1088). ). .
Once in Fez, visitors can also visit other famous attractions such as Medersa el-Attarine, Qaraouiyine Mosque, Borj Nord Fortress, Tomb of the Merenids, Tazzeka and Taza National Parks. Plus, take a donkey ride, taste the flavors of the street, or watch and learn about the traditional activities of tanners and dyers…
Visitors can reach Morocco via two major international airports: Mohammed V, 30 km south-east of Casablanca, or Rabat-Salé, 8 km north-east of Rabat. From the airport, there is an option to travel inland by ONCF train or other road transport. The ideal travel time for Morocco is from April to November every year, when the climate is mild and dry.