The fabulously beautiful African kingdom of Morocco is a country of mysteries and wonders. The names that please the ear – Tangier, Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez – immerse you in the magical world of “A Thousand and One Nights”. Holidays in Morocco are an incomparable immersion in an oriental fairy tale with palaces, parks, gardens and lakes. In this country, everything is imbued with the spirit of history, and the life of Moroccans, like centuries ago, is largely subject to ancient traditions. Besides the mild climate, sandy beaches, golden desert sands, deep gorges and the mighty Atlantic Ocean, the traveler will always find a warm welcome and a variety of activities, from shopping at the local market to water sports and camel rides. The Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, beautiful golden beaches. Four ranges of mountains with waterfalls and snow on the tops, hundred-year-old cedar forests at the foot, vast plains covered with tangerine and orange trees, rivers flowing along the very edge of the desert and through the gorges of the mountains – nature has made Morocco one of the most beautiful countries in the world.
Morocco is a country of smiling people who look at life with joy and hope.Morocco is formally a hereditary constitutional monarchy, where almost all power is in the hands of the king and prevails over parliament – an absolute monarchy. The head of state is King Mohammed VI, whose father Hassan II introduced some elements of democracy – a House of Representatives and a Cabinet of Ministers elected by direct universal elections. Morocco belongs to the group of Maghreb states located near Tunisia, Algeria and partly Libya. Maghreb – translated from Arabic as “west”, which denoted the name of the states of Western Africa during the Middle Ages, when countries pursued a policy of expansion.
Morocco is located in northwest Africa, in the west it is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and in the north by the Mediterranean Sea. The country is separated from the European mainland by the Strait of Gibraltar. In the center of Morocco there is a group of mountains: the Middle Atlas and the High Atlas. The highest point is the snow-capped peak of Jebel Toub Kal (4165 m). The country’s main rivers are the Muluya, which flows into the Mediterranean Sea, and the Cebu, which flows into the Atlantic Ocean. Earthquakes are common in the Atlas foothills. On the northern coast there is the Rif ridge with altitudes of about 1500 m. Almost all rivers dry up in the summer season, except for Cebu and Umm er Rbiya. In the mountains there are freshwater lakes, but on the plains they are all salty and are called sebkhs.
The original population of Morocco are Berbers and three-quarters of all modern Moroccans are of Berber ancestry. Arabs, who make up the majority of residents of large cities, form the second largest ethnic group. The country’s significant number of intermarriages between Arabs, Berbers and black Africans has broken down differences among ethnic groups. Morocco is home to approximately 100,000 Europeans, most of whom are French. The rural population of Morocco in 2000 is 44% of the country’s total population. The capital of Morocco is Rabat. Other main cities are Casablanca, the country’s largest city and main seaport; Marrakesh and Fes, both important trading centers; and Tangier, a seaport in the Strait of Gibraltar. Islam is the established state religion of Morocco. Almost the entire population is Sunni Muslim. The monarch has the highest powers in the country.
Moroccans speak Arabic, the official language of the country, which is the primary language of approximately 75% of Morocco’s population, 25% of people use the Berber language. A large number of Moroccans also use French and Spanish.
The majestic beauty of the imperial cities, with their characteristic towers, excellent Kazbahs, medinas seething with life, as if embodying the tales of “A Thousand and One Nights”, being the hallmark of Morocco. This is a country of natural contrasts, where the beauty of the rocky Anti-Atlas is combined with the gentle elevations of the sandy hills of the Sahara Desert, as well as the rich diversity of flora and fauna of green oases. Here you can see the luxury of the wonderful resorts of Agadir on the Atlantic Ocean. Even if you come to Morocco in winter, you can enjoy an excellent holiday, basking in the gentle sun on well-maintained golden beaches.Rabat is the administrative capital of Morocco, royal palace and foreign embassy. Don’t forget to visit the museums of antiquity and Moroccan art, see the 55-meter 12th century minaret (Hassan Tower) and the remains of the Yacoub el Mansour mosque, also dating from the 12th century. Here are the remains of the ancient city of Sale, founded by the Phoenicians more than a thousand years ago. Back in the 7th-8th centuries, it was known as a nest of corsairs who kept all of Europe in fear.
Marrakech is the heart of the Moroccan East. The center of Marrakech – Medina – history comes to life: the mausoleum of Yusuf ben Tashfin, the Mosque of the Golden Apples, the Bahia Palace and, of course, the famous Djema el Fna square. Oukaimeden ski resort is located 75 km from Marrakech. Mosques, magnificent gardens, fortresses and palaces, narrow streets and the famous bazaar-souk where brides are chosen, the main square where jugglers, acrobats and snake tamers perform in the evenings – all this can be seen in the very heart of the “pink city”. There are many small and inexpensive restaurants and cafes in the Medina. They usually close at 21:00, the average cost of visiting is 5-15 USD. Night bars and discos are located mainly in large hotels. The music there is international, and the cost of drinks is sometimes beyond reasonable. The hotels have golf courses.
Casablanca is the largest city and economic capital of Morocco. A business center with skyscrapers and the giant Hassan II Mosque, which can accommodate 25 thousand people for prayer at the same time. Headquarters of the main banks, more than half of Moroccan companies and representative offices of foreign corporations. Morocco’s largest international airport, Mohammed V International Airport, is also impressive. Its ultra-modern landing strip is a monument of modern architecture. The center of Casablanca’s nightlife is the Corniche area. Here you can leisurely stroll along the sea, sit in open restaurants, visit bars, nightclubs and discos.
Meknes, located among idyllic nature, fascinates with its fabulous beauty. In the 17th century, Sultan Moulay Ismail wanted to turn it into a dream. Palaces, mosques, gardens are living architectural monuments that keep the secrets of past centuries. In Meknes you can visit the king’s castle, which is called the “Moroccan Versailles”, see the Yacoub Al-Mansour XII and Moulay Idriss mosques, the Kazbah fortress in the Medina – the old part of the city – as well as the Toubkal and Tezzeka national parks. It is worth visiting Djema el-Fna Square, which is called the square of music, dance, theater and circus arts. Here you can hear stories from the Arabian Nights, folk legends and tales, learn your future from a fortune teller and watch performances by acrobats, jugglers, see snake charmers, sellers of all kinds of “healing all diseases” potions and elixirs, and wandering poets – troubadours.
Fez is a center of cultural tourism with numerous museums and is the birthplace of the fez, which has spread widely throughout the world. 15 km from Fez is the modern thermal center of the Kingdom of Morocco – Moulay Yacoub.
Essaouira – in the old days – a city of pirates, is located 170 km north of Agadir. The charming, provocative and attractive beauty of the city with its streets and houses in the Moorish style has attracted and continues to attract poets, artists, and scientists who have turned the city into a center of modern Moroccan art. Vacationers and tourists, especially windsurfers, appreciate it for the highest waves on the coast and a light, constant wind.
Camel excursions are very popular, when tourists are invited to admire the Moroccan part of the Sahara Desert, its long sand dunes and flowering oases. You can also see the sand dunes of the Sahara by taking a jeep safari tour. Such tours take on average no more than 10 days with overnight stays in hotels in the cities through which the route passes. The path starts from Marrakech or Agadir, passes through the Sousse Valley, orange and banana plantations, palm groves, includes the Anti-Atlas pass, exploring mountain caves and leads to the sands of the Sahara. You will have to cross the desert along a dry river bed. Along the way you will see numerous oases, local villages and nomadic camps.
It’s worth going on excursions to the mountains. The most popular places in the Atlas Mountains are the picturesque “Lovers’ Blanket” waterfall, 150 km from Marrakech; Toubkal peak, Berber villages of Tafraout and Tiznit, where residents still wear national clothes and observe all customs and traditions.
Agadir, whose 10-kilometre bay ranks among the world’s most beautiful bays, is undoubtedly Morocco’s most famous holiday destination, offering a variety of activities and attractions to suit every taste. More than 300 sunny days a year, a new seaside boulevard, a harbor for yachts and boats, golf courses… – this is a particularly attractive place for everyone who loves sports and celebration. You won’t have time to get bored in Agadir.
Not far from Agadir is the Souss-Massa National Park. Here you can watch the leisurely life of Egyptian mongooses and oryxes, jackals and wild cats, gazelles and red foxes, bald ibises, flamingos and red-necked ostriches. Here you will find all types of entertainment: try sea fishing or ride camels; the city has a great variety of bars, restaurants, nightclubs and discos.
The main attraction of Agadir from a tourist point of view is its beach, which stretches along the entire city. These are several kilometers of golden sand, on which the sparkling waves of the Atlantic crash, a real paradise for both swimmers and surfers. There are excellent conditions for water sports. Water skiing and surfing tournaments are held in May. The most famous nightclubs are Atlas Club at the Sheraton 5* hotel, Papagayo at the Tikida Beach 4* hotel, Biblos at the Dunes D’Or hotel, Jimmy’s at the LTI Al Medina Palace 5* hotel, Paradesco at the Argana hotel, the popular Flamingo disco at the Agadir hotel Beach Club 4*+.
In the north of Morocco is the second most popular resort – Tangier. Here you will find first-class service, clean beaches and plenty of entertainment. A favorite place for tourists to shop is the Gran Zocco (Grand Bazaar). All trade in the city is concentrated here. Endless rows of benches and shops, cozy cafes and restaurants, as well as fakirs, trained monkeys and magicians. They entertain and delight tourists almost around the clock.
Saidia Beach, with fine sand, nicknamed the Blue Pearl, stretches 14 km along the bay on the Mediterranean coast. Here you are guaranteed a relaxing holiday, combined with exploring local attractions. Saidia is interesting for the originality of its port and the untouched nature along the coast. In the local coastal clubs, which have all the amenities, some will choose idleness, while others will prefer water sports, golf or tennis. In Saidia you will find a completely unique holiday experience on the Mediterranean Sea.The country is located in the subtropical climate zone. The continental climate increases from northwest to southeast, that is, in this direction the amount of precipitation decreases and the daily temperature range increases. In general, the region experiences dry, hot summers and cool, wet winters.
The northern and western coasts are influenced by Atlantic air masses. The hottest month is August: daytime temperatures reach +30 degrees, while at night the temperature reaches about 20 degrees. It is coldest in January, when daytime temperatures do not exceed +18 degrees, and at night the temperature drops to +8..+10 degrees. The winter months also experience the highest amount of precipitation, with up to 90 mm falling in December. On the western coast of Morocco south of Casablanca, thanks to the cold Canary Current, there is no sweltering heat. During the day, relatively cool weather with fog is most often observed. The Atlas Mountains, stretching from southwest to northeast, are a natural obstacle to the penetration of moist sea air masses inland. Therefore, the most precipitation is observed in the foothills and mountains – over 1700 mm per year. In winter, snow falls at altitudes of more than 1500 m; above 2000 m, stable snow cover lasts for more than 2 months and its thickness sometimes reaches 6 m.In the central regions of the country beyond the Atlas Mountains in the summer months, daytime air temperatures often reach +40 degrees; in winter, during the same hours, the air warms up to +20 degrees. There is little precipitation here – about 200 mm per year.
On the coast there are good conditions for recreation throughout the year; in the center of the country it is best to relax from October to April, when it is not so hot. The ski season lasts from December to March.According to geologists, only in the vicinity of the western region of the Anti-Atlas does the real Africa begin. The climate here is hotter and drier. The bright orange slopes reach an altitude of 2000 m above sea level, where cacti, prickly pears, thorny bushes and endemic iron argan trees grow, favored by goats. In search of young shoots, these artiodactyls can even climb to the top of the argan tree, and even in a whole herd. Emerald oases lie in the floodplains of the rivers. The Massa River is a natural reserve with numerous bird species. If you come to the river early in the morning (around 7:00), you can see a huge number of pink flamingos. Later, as the river ebbs, they fly away. In ancient times, animals were exported from Morocco for Roman circuses; giraffes, elephants, and Berber lions were found here. Nowadays, antelopes, gazelles and fennec foxes, as well as other rich species of flora and fauna, have been preserved.
Only a few kilometers separate African Morocco from European Spain, but despite some similarities in culinary traditions, the contrast between the cuisines of the two continents is still unusually great. In turn, Moroccan cuisine has been influenced by many cultures, including Arab, Jewish and French. Lamb, beef, chicken and camel are popular. The main source of carbohydrates is couscous, bread, rice and legumes, as well as a huge intake of root vegetables, herbs and seasonal fruits.
Dishes in Moroccan cuisine are prepared slowly and carefully, seasoned with spices (often very heavily) and fresh herbs. As much as the country is full of contrasts, so is its national cuisine, which is why one dish often contains sweet, salty and spicy. Meat dishes are often flavored with dried or fresh fruit, and popular national dishes include tagin with meat and quince (tagin is the name of both the pan and the method of preparing the dish), lamb with dates, dried apricots or prunes, and lamb with pine nuts and raisins. Moroccan traditional soups are very thick and hearty.
Harira – lamb soup with coriander and beans, which is served first at the end of Ramadan fasting and chorba – slightly spicy chicken broth. Pastilla is a traditional dish for big celebrations, for example, for a wedding or for welcoming an important guest. Couscous is usually served on Fridays, but in an informal setting.
Couscous is semolina grains – one of the main ingredients of Moroccan cuisine. The grains are tossed in olive oil, then diluted with liquid from the tagine and steamed, resulting in crumbly and flavorful couscous. This dish is always served hot – the idea of using cold couscous is only popular abroad. Seasonal fruits and sweet pies with fillings including honey, nuts, cinnamon, sesame and fennel seeds complete the meal. Sweet mint tea is served, made from green tea with fresh mint and plenty of sugar – an excellent digestive aid at the end of a large meal. Although Morocco produces wine, Muslim culture prohibits alcohol consumption, so it is rarely served at dinner.
The import and export of foreign currency is not limited. The export of national currency is prohibited. It is allowed to import duty-free no more than one bottle of spirits and one bottle of wine per adult, up to 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 250 grams of tobacco. Hunting equipment and professional photographic equipment are subject to mandatory declaration, and in some cases an official import permit is required.
The import of photographs, videos and printed materials containing elements of pornography, materials contrary to Islamic norms, as well as drugs and weapons is prohibited. The export of objects and things of historical and artistic value without special permission is prohibited. Tours from the travel operator W.club in Morocco will introduce you to a multifaceted country with a rich culture and ancient history. Even a short holiday in Morocco will be varied and interesting. Morocco is an exotic and at the same time modern country.
