Morocco

Morocco is a country of panoramic landscapes, rich culture, dizzying diversity, popular cuisine, epic mountain ranges, ancient old cities, sweeping deserts – and heartwarming hospitality.

For suggested itineraries please see HERE and click Morocco.

Explore Morocco:

Mediterranean Morocco 
Home to several Spanish enclaves and serves as the country’s main access point to the sea.

North Atlantic Coast 
Home of the capital and Casablanca. The first entry point for the traveller.

South Atlantic Coast 
Home to gorgeous beach towns like Essaouira and Agadir.

High Atlas 
Home to major cities like Marrakech and much of the ethnic Berber population.

Middle Atlas 
covering the Middle Atlas mountains and the surrounding areas including Fez and Meknes

Saharan Morocco 
The vast desert region of Morocco and the country’s least populated region. Offers the traveller a chance to explore a slice of the vast Saharan desert.

Anti Atlas 
Home of Taroudant and offers the traveller another chance to explore another slice of the vast Saharan desert.

Cities:

  • Rabat (Arabic: الرِّبَاط, Berber: ⵕⵕⴱⴰⵟ) – the capital of Morocco; very relaxed and hassle-free, highlights include a 12th-century tower and minaret.
  • Agadir (Arabic: اكادير, Berber: ⴰⴳⴰⴷⵉⵔ) – the town is a nice example of modern Morocco, best known for its beaches, with less emphasis on history and culture. Take the local bus for a few cents and go 2 or 3 villages north, where there are additional beaches.
  • Casablanca (Arabic: الدار البيضاء, Berber: ⴰⵏⴼⴰ) – this modern city by the sea is a starting point for visitors flying into the country. If you have the time, both the historical medina and the contemporary mosque (the third largest in the world) are well worth an afternoon.
  • Fez (Arabic: فاس‎‎, Berber: ⴼⴰⵙ) – the former capital of Morocco and home to the oldest university in the world, the Qarawiyyin University, in its well preserved old city.
  • Marrakech (Arabic: مراكش‎‎, Berber: ⴰⵎⵓⵔⴰⴽⵓⵛ) – a perfect combination of old and new Morocco. Plan to spend at least a few days wandering the huge maze of souks and ruins in the medina. The great plaza of Djeema El Fna at dusk is not to be missed.
  • Meknes (Arabic: مكناس, Berber: ⴰⵎⴽⵏⴰⵙ) – a modern, laid-back city that offers a welcome break from the tourist crush of neighbouring Fez.
  • Ouarzazate (Arabic: ورزازات‎‎, Berber: ⵡⴰⵔⵣⴰⵣⴰⵜ) – considered the capital of the South, Ouarzazate is a great example of preservation and tourism that hasn’t destroyed the feel of a fantastic and ancient city.
  • Tangier (Arabic: طنجة‎‎, Berber: ⵜⵉⵏⴳⵉ) – the starting point for most visitors arriving by ferry from Spain. An enigmatic charm which has attracted numerous artists (Henri Matisse), musicians (Jimi Hendrix), politicians (Winston Churchill), writers (William S. Burroughs, Mark Twain) and others (Malcolm Forbes).
  • Tetouan (Arabic: تطوان, Berber: ⵜⵉⵟⵟⴰⵡⵉⵏ) – nice beaches and is the gateway to the Rif Mountains.

Other Destinations:

  •  Chefchaouen (Arabic: الشاون, Berber: ⴰⵛⵛⴰⵡⵏ) – a mountain town inland from Tangier full of white-washed winding alleys, blue doors, and olive trees, Chefchaouen is clean as a postcard and a welcome escape from Tangier, evoking the feeling of a Greek island
  •  Essaouira (Arabic: الصويرة, Berber: ⵎⵓⴳⴰⴷⵓⵔ) – an ancient sea-side town newly rediscovered by tourists. From mid-June to August the beaches are packed but any other time and you’ll be the only person there. Good music and great people. Nearest Coast from Marrakech
  •  High Atlas (Arabic: الاطلس الكبير, Berber: ⴰⴷⵔⴰⵔ ⵏ ⴷⵔⵏ) – regular destination for mountain hikers, ski enthusiasts, or travellers interested in the indigenous Berber culture
  •  Merzouga (Arabic: مرزوقة, Berber: ⵎⴰⵔⵣⵓⴳⴰ) and 5 M’Hamid (Arabic: محاميد الغزلان, Berber: ⵜⴰⵔⴰⴳⴰⵍⵜ) – from either of these two settlements at the edge of the Sahara, ride a camel or 4×4 into the desert for a night (or a week) among the dunes and under the stars
  •  Tinerhir (Arabic: تنغير, Berber: ⵜⵉⵏⵖⵉⵔ) – desert oasis and access point to the stunning High Atlas

Climate and Seasons:

Morocco is a land of contrasts. Bathed to the north by the waters of the Mediterranean, to the west by those of the Atlantic Ocean, it is also criss-crossed by the Rif and Atlas mountains and is subject to all sorts of climatic influences. 

The coastal regions are popular with the sun. Throughout the year, it pours its rays and you can enjoy its benefits whatever the season. Thus, Agadir, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean and main seaside resort of the country, offers to the amateurs of idleness 300 days of annual sunshine, mild temperatures and light trade winds. Further north, Taghazout, Mogador and Magazan are also worth the detour.

A little further inland, the climate abandons the Mediterranean mildness and becomes continental. The reliefs are more drawn and present sumptuous panoramas. It is the land of wide open spaces, the land of adventurers who can go trekking and hiking in all seasons.

In the south, the country opens onto the immensity of the Sahara. It is in spring and autumn that one must venture there. In the middle of the sands, the sun shines and reflects on the dunes. These desert expanses exude a sense of unreality. Ride a camel and engage yourself in one of the most beautiful paintings ever composed by nature.