Where to go on your Morocco Tours
Where to go on your Morocco Tours: Want to visit Morocco, but don’t know where to start? In this article, we’ll help you choose the places to explore to make the most of your stay.
Travel to Morocco, from the medinas to the Atlas Mountains
Located in the Maghreb region of North Africa, Morocco is a delight for the senses. The most accessible African country in Europe, it attracts a diverse clientele. From breathtaking Saharan landscapes to the historic medinas of Fez and Marrakech, it’s a country brimming with adventure for all tastes!
Located in the Maghreb region of North Africa, Morocco is a delight for the senses. The most accessible African country in Europe, it attracts a diverse clientele. From breathtaking Saharan landscapes to the historic medinas of Fez and Marrakech, it’s a country brimming with adventure for all tastes!
Cities to visit in Morocco
A simple stay in Morocco is not enough to discover the immensity of the country. There’s so much to discover, city by city, region by region, that it’s tempting to return.
Casablanca
The country’s economic and financial capital, Casablanca lies at the crossroads of two historic cities. The small medina has retained its Muslim character and numerous stores.
Discover the contemporary city that departs from the 1930s colonial architecture from the ramparts. Towards the corniche, you can see the world’s tallest religious building: the Hassan II mosque, inaugurated in 1993 and designed by French architect Pinceau.
The monument, built on the Atlantic Ocean, rises some 10 meters above sea level. Its 200-meter-high minaret is equipped with a laser beam pointing towards Mecca.
Despite the richness of the materials used, the building’s decor is fairly uncluttered: 330,000 m² of glazed terracotta tiles, 240,000 m² of plaster, and 173,000 m² of wood. The building can accommodate up to 150,000 people.
Explore Rabat
The imperial city of Rabat lies 280 km from Tangier. Morocco’s capital since 1912, it almost achieved this status under the control of Yacoub el Mansour.
Inside the medina, the ochre door of the Oudaia kasbah is a reminder of the feeling of the time. Head to the Café Moor for a view of the Bou Regreg estuary before returning to Rue de Consuls. Here, you’ll find merchants auctioning carpets.
In the imperial city, the Hassan II Tower stands on an esplanade that was to have been used to erect the world’s largest mosque under Sultan Yacoub el Mansour. Its incomplete minaret is 44 meters high.
Nearby, the Mohamed V mausoleum, open to non-Muslims, houses the king’s white onyx tomb in a funerary room surmounted by a stained-glass-lit arch. Don’t miss the Chellah necropolis in the late afternoon. A polychrome earthenware minaret rises from the bushes of a terraced garden.
The city of Fès
Fès is Morocco’s cultural city. You’ll need at least two days to discover it. Continue along the ochre stone ramparts, then head for the Merinid tombs.
From the ruins of the necropolis, the view extends over “the most imperial of imperial cities”. Within its walls, the busy crowds of Fès el Bali bustle through the narrow streets and passageways, all of which lead to the Qaraouiyyin quarter.
Once in the medina, you can stroll through the dyer’s souk before entering Place Seffarine, a stronghold of copper retailers. Then it’s on to the tanners, woodworkers, and henna souks to the Medersa el Attarin, the Koranic school, a masterpiece of Merinid art, built in the 14th century.
Fès: what to do?
Don’t forget to visit the tanners’ souk, and don’t hesitate to visit a beautiful swimming pool decorated in the style of yesteryear.
The medina (Arab quarter) of Fès is immense. Stroll through the many streets and discover architectural treasures, palaces, mosques, caravanserais, and the medersa.
Explore the red walls and souks of Marrakech
As the sun sets over Marrakech, the smoke from Jemaa El Fna square rises, the Koutoubia lights up and the voice of a muezzin sounds. Marrakesh’s inhabitants head for the famous square, while the multicolored souks gradually empty.
The palaces remain stubbornly silent, steeped in history. This is where the charm of Marrakech is to be found, as it seems to wake up after a day spent in the torpor of the sun and the pollution of vehicles.
Nestling at the foot of the High Atlas mountains, the imperial city is divided into several districts. The medina is the most authentic of all, protected by ominous ramparts. This is where you’ll find Marrakech’s main attractions: the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian tombs…
This Unesco-listed site is also packed with riads, or traditional houses, transformed into bed & breakfasts for tourism purposes. To the west of the old town, the Hivernage district is a residential area home to luxury villas and tourist hotels.
Discover the north of the city
Guéliz is a modern district to the north with many European-style hotels, restaurants, cafés and boutiques, mainly along Avenue Mohammed IV. Finally, the palm grove, some six miles from the city center, covers almost 13,000 hectares.
annually decreased due to tourism speculation, it currently has a lot of hotels and holiday clubs, Robert Trent Jones also created a fantastic golf course.
A host of sporting activities
Sports-minded visitors to Marrakech will also have plenty of time for tennis, horseback riding, quad biking, go-karting, hiking and skiing on the peaks of the Atlas Mountains. In terms of climate, Marrakech is a city to discover all year round.
When to go to Marrakech
Where to go on your Morocco Tours: In winter, the nights are cool and the sun is generous. In summer, the heat can be stifling, not least because of the dry, hot winds that blow in from the Sahara.
But that’s how the purists will tell you that you have to discover the magnificent Marrakech. To find out when to go to Morocco
Explore Agadir, its national parks and beaches
Arguably Morocco’s most important tourist destination, Agadir is located roughly halfway along the Atlantic coast. It is home to Morocco’s largest port. A historic city, Agadir was almost destroyed by a massive earthquake in 1960 and was subsequently rebuilt, losing much of its former charm.
Today, the city is much larger in size and population than it was before the disaster. It is essentially a large vacation resort with hundreds of hotels, restaurants, bars and stores serving a growing tourist population. There are very few cultural monuments in Agadir. Its hotels are on the whole quite affordable. If you’re looking for an inexpensive place to rest and relax, it’s hard to beat Agadir.
Agadir: What to do?
Most people come to Agadir to lie on the beach and eat buffet-style food, because, to be honest, there’s not much else to do here.
The main activities are water sports, and you can find just about every type in the numerous hotel centers, on the seafront promenade or on the beach.
Otherwise, there are only three main points of interest in the town itself. The first is the Jardin de Olhão, named after the Portuguese town with which Agadir is twinned, and boasting a small history museum. The fishing port, Morocco’s largest, is an impressive sight.
Visit Morocco’s seaside resorts
Morocco is full of breathtaking seaside resorts and beautiful towns. It’s the ideal place for an active getaway or a little peace and quiet!
The beautiful beaches of Saidia province
With its well-maintained beaches. It offers everything you need and more to ensure an unforgettable vacation. The long sandy beach and turquoise sea offer a range of exciting water sports and beautiful walks.
The Moroccan capital, Rabat, is elegant. It’s both modern and historic.
The Oudayas beach is Rabat’s largest sandy beach. It’s a safe place for surfers of all levels.
Why not visit the famous city of Casablanca?
Renowned for its glorious Art Deco buildings, the city is packed with highlights, including the palm-lined boulevard d’Anfa, dotted with cafés.
The new Essaouira Mogador resort offers luxury and authenticity. Essaouira’s medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Tourist activities in Morocco
Agadir, the country’s seaside resort renowned for its long beaches, is perfect for holidaymakers! Marrakech attracts party-goers, while surfers can head south to Essaouira.
Hiking enthusiasts can head south to explore the country’s quieter towns. These include Fez and Tangier or take a Morocco tour to the Atlas Mountains.
You can also learn how to roll couscous or go camel-trekking. Or go shopping in the souks and get lost in the medina. Whether you want to explore the Mediterranean Sea, the desert, the mountains or the imperial cities, there’s something for everyone in Morocco!
Travel tips for visiting Morocco
Morocco can be divided into three main regions: north, center and south. Discover the most authentic form of Moroccan culture in the many medinas and souks of the north.
Between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean, northern Morocco is lined with long, secluded beaches such as Saïda. The corners of the Kingdom of Sherif – from north to south, to the easternmost regions – remain untouched by mass tourism.
The most popular areas are the beaches of Agadir, Marrakech and Essaouaria, which always attract surfers.
Central Morocco attracts the most tourists, and tour guides help you discover Morocco’s rich culture. However, to avoid the many fraudulent tour guides and bogus cabs; arrange for an official guide recommended by the Moroccan Tourist Office.
The region also offers a surprising blend of tradition and modernity. To discover its artistic and architectural treasures, simply stroll through the imperial capitals of Fez, Marrakech, Rabat or Meknes. The south of Morocco is ideal for relaxing in the tranquillity of the desert, far from the hustle and bustle of the city.
Morocco Culture Tours
Ramadan is the traditional Muslim fasting period lasting 29 or 30 days.
During this period, everything is closed. However, in tourist areas, restaurants and cafés generally remain open during the day.
Morocco: What to eat
Where to go on your Morocco Tours: Moroccan cuisine is known as one of the best in the world. It involves subtle spices and delicious flavor combinations.
The best dishes/recipes
Bssara is a rich traditional dried bean soup usually served for breakfast.
Moroccan meals usually start with at least seven cooked vegetable salads picked with bread. They may include green peppers and tomatoes, sweet carrots or zucchini purée, and a dish of local olives.
Zaalouk is a smoked eggplant dip seasoned with garlic, paprika, cumin and a little chili powder.
For the main course, Morocco offers a rich selection of fish dishes. Fish chermoula is a combination of herbs and spices used as a marinade before cooking over charcoal and as a dipping sauce.
Kefta tajine is a traditional Moroccan dish. It consists of minced beef or lamb with garlic, fresh coriander and parsley, cinnamon and ground coriander, rolled into balls and cooked in a tomato and onion sauce.
For dessert, try a b’stilla tart – layers of thin pastry with pigeon meat, almonds, eggs and spices.
The traditional Moroccan drink is mint tea.
The special period of Ramadan
During the holy period of Ramadan, fasting is generally broken at sunset each day with a hot bowl of harira soup. Rich in tomatoes, lentils, chickpeas and lamb, it is garnished with a drizzle of lemon juice and chopped coriander, and served with a gooey pretzel called chebakkiya.
Discover Moroccan street food
Where to go on your Morocco Tours: Moroccan street food consists of skewers, calamari and grilled sardines. The best place to try them is in Marrakech’s Djemaa el-Fna square.
You can also find more unusual dishes such as sheep’s head meat, snails cooked in a spicy broth and lamb liver brochettes. Fried potato dumplings called Makouda are also available. They are delicious dipped in a spicy harissa sauce.
Morocco: What to buy as a souvenir?
You’re probably familiar with Morocco’s souks; known for their bustling markets and unfixed prices. They sell a range of products; from jewelry to local crafts and a range of spices.
Each city has its own specialty. Meknes is known for its woodwork, Rabat for its materials (embroidery, weaving and traditional 18th-century carpets) and Marrakech for its leather.
You’ll find bags, belts and shoes handcrafted using ancient methods. For those who prefer a quieter shopping experience, Morocco is also home to Africa’s largest shopping mall, the Morocco Mall, recently opened in Casablanca. Wherever you decide to visit, make sure you don’t miss out on any shopping!
You can read more about Morocco Tours during Ramadan
Buying a villa in Tangier
Where to go on your Morocco Tours: After several trips to Morocco, you may be tempted to buy a second home in this beautiful country. Many potential buyers are wondering what is the best way to buy a villa or house in Morocco, and if you want to buy a villa in Tangier, one of Morocco’s most beautiful cities, you can now turn to websites that put owners who want to sell their property in touch with buyers, all without taking a commission on each transaction!
Tangier is very popular because of its proximity to Europe and North Africa, with over 100,000 expatriates choosing to live here. It’s a city steeped in history and culture, and buying a villa in Tangier will allow you to live in Tangier whenever you like and enjoy the easygoing lifestyle.
The real estate market in Tangier is booming, but prices are still very reasonable. If you have the budget, it’s possible to buy a beautiful, quiet villa with plenty of space for a very reasonable price.
Leave a Reply