Morocco in the North of Africa is often looked at a seamless blend of Arabic and Berber culture, mixed with a dash of European spirit that all comes together to make a whole. On a trip here you can expect to be amazed by gorgeous architecture, delicious foods, and wondrous scenery that involves romantic sand dunes and lazy camel rides. As Morocco is by the sea, you can also expect gorgeous beaches, or if you prefer you can explore the rugged mountain ranges for which this country is also famous.
Ahansal Valley was formed by a crack in between two mountains in the High Atlas and here you will find gorgeous canyons and valleys as well as craggy cliffs and ravines. At the bottom of the valley you can kayak from the Bin el-Ouidane Dam and take in the beauty of the area from the vantage point of the water.
Travel time:
9 hours by road (608 MAD)
Clothing: Water resistant clothing suitable for kayaking is a must.
Distance from Rabat to M’Hamid: 777 km
Erg Chigaga:
Many visitors to Morocco dream of going on a camel ride, and with that in mind the best place to trek with camels is Erg Chigaga. Here you will find some of what are arguably the most beautiful sand dunes on earth, and for many the trip out here is a once in a lifetime experience. Most treks to Erg Chigaga leave from M’Hamid, and from there it can take up to five days to reach Erg Chigaga by camel.
Travel time:
11 hours by road (258 MAD)
17 hours by train (340 MAD)
8 hours by plane (1,239 MAD)
Clothing: Light clothes that shield you from the sun are a must
Distance from Rabat: 598 km
Todra Gorge:
Todra Gorge is a gully between the High Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert and is 300 meters deep. There are various routes you can take if you want to climb in the gorge, although these are only really recommended if you are an experienced climber. Some sections called the Petit Gorge can be attempted by beginners if you really want to take in the majesty of the gorgeous red cliffs here.
Travel time:
16 hours by road (315 MAD)
13 hours by train (295 MAD)
Clothing: Climbing equipment and appropriate climbing clothes and shoes are a must.
Distance from city center: 324 km
Al Koutoubia Mosque located in the city of Marrakech is known across Morocco for its amazing architecture that is not to be missed. Signature features here include a towering minaret that stands at 77 meters high and features an intricate spire with decorative orbs.
Best mode of transport: Taxi or bus
Duration of travel: 3 hours 30 minutes
Dress modestly if you want to enter the mosque
Distance from city center: 8.5 km
Chellah is an old part of the city of Rabat that was first established by the Carthaginians before it fell under Arab rule. Now you will find the ruins gracefully crumbling and you can see old minarets as well as amazing parts of the original Roman and Moroccan structures. Admission costs 10 MAD and the Chellah is open daily until 5.30pm.
Best mode of transport: Taxi
Duration of travel: 16 minutes
Distance from city center: 215 km
University of Al Quaraouiyine in the amazing and ancient city of Fes is known for being the oldest continuously functioning university in the world, making it a powerhouse of historical significance. You can also visit the adjacent mosque of Al Quaraouiyine at the same time, which is famous for its towering arches and has a capacity of over 20,000 worshippers at one time.
Best mode of transport: Taxi or bus
Duration of travel: 2 hours 30 minutes
Dress modestly if you want to enter the mosque
Essaouira:
The city of Essaouira is known for its crumbling medina as well as its gorgeous beach that curves around the coastline of the Atlantic coast. The promenade along the beach is famous for its brass cannons that are still intact.
Mirleft:
For some of Morocco’s Atlantic beaches look no further than the village of Mirleft where you will find a huge number concentrated along the coastline. These include gems such as Fish Beach, Camping Beach, and Coquillage (shell) Beach. You can also enjoy Marabout’s Beach which is famous for the marabout’s tomb. In Morocco, many people make pilgrimage to the site of a ‘marabout’ or tomb which is said to be a place where a wise leader or a saint like figure is buried. In Mirleft, you can see one such tomb on the beach which makes this a moving experience if you are in the area.
Palm Beach:
This sounds like it would be more at home somewhere like Florida but actually Palm Beach is located in sunny Agadir. The beach is known as a good spot for women and families as you will not be hassled by beach vendors. There are also amenities like showers and a playground.
MegaMall:
If you are looking for a shopping mall in Rabat then MegaMall is one of the modern choices and has all the latest amenities you could want under one roof such as shops and restaurants. There is also a food court her as well as a bowling alley and an ice skating rink.
Old Medina:
The medina or central shopping area of Rabat is not as big and well known as that of other cities, but if you are in town then you shouldn’t miss the chance to come here and hunt for bargains. As with any souq or market in Morocco, you will find an eclectic mix of products for sale such as shoes, clothes, decorative items, pottery, ceramics, and carpets.
Oudja:
Oudja is known for being the pottery district in Rabat. Here you will find an amazing array of pottery and you can also see local craftsmen at work as they fire up their kilns.
Local delicacies:
Couscous is one of the main staples of Moroccan food and is made from semolina which is steamed. It is often served as an accompaniment to meat dishes or it can be a main course if it is mixed with vegetables or meat. Traditionally, it is always eaten on a Friday.
Tagine is a kind of spiced stew that is made of meat and vegetables. Usually the stew takes several hours to prepare and is cooked and served in a special kind of clay pot. You can find tagine all over Morocco and most of the stews have a base of beef, chicken, or lamb.
Bastella is made of layers of dough that are covered in a filling of meat that can be anything from lamb to pigeon. The layers also include almond paste and the pastries are then baked and sprinkled with icing sugar to make a sweet and savory snack all at the same time.
Old Medina is the downtown area of Rabat and if you want to try some of the local street food then this is the place to come. Here you will find local Moroccan snacks such as traditional cooked fish, salads, and sandwiches, as well as sweet treats like pancakes.
corner av. sidi mohamed benabdellah & av. zerktouni, Kebibat, Rabat
Samaky (corner av. sidi mohamed benabdellah & av. zerktouni, Kebibat, Rabat); tel 0537694829; open 12 to 10pm. Samaky has an extensive menu if you want to try some of the local food and is also known for its friendly service and good food at an affordable price. This is a great place to come if you don’t want to pay for a high end meal but still want to focus on quality.
Travel time:
1 hour by car (130837.54 Tanzanian shillings)
Distance from Zanzibar city: 50km
Among the other activities that take place in Zanzibar, this is one of the most famous ones. Kite surfing is known as a family sport. This place is known as a kite school that helps people learn the art that is kite surfing. It’s a seasonal sport so it’s active from June to September and from December to March.
Travel time:
1 hour by car (130837.54 Tanzanian shillings)
Distance from Zanzibar city: 50km
Among the other activities that take place in Zanzibar, this is one of the most famous ones. Kite surfing is known as a family sport. This place is known as a kite school that helps people learn the art that is kite surfing. It’s a seasonal sport so it’s active from June to September and from December to March.
Travel time:
1 hour by car (130837.54 Tanzanian shillings)
Distance from Zanzibar city: 50km
Among the other activities that take place in Zanzibar, this is one of the most famous ones. Kite surfing is known as a family sport. This place is known as a kite school that helps people learn the art that is kite surfing. It’s a seasonal sport so it’s active from June to September and from December to March.
Travel time:
1 hour by car (130837.54 Tanzanian shillings)
List of nationalities who have permission for Visa free entries:
Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Canada, China, Chile, Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Republic of Congo, Guinea, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, Libya, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Niger, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Qatar, Romania, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, Venezuela
Other countries need to apply for a visa before they arrive.
List of nationalities who can have Visa on arrival: N/A
Any nationalities who are not eligible to travel to that country or can travel under certain conditions: N/A
Prostitution and extramarital sex is illegal in Morocco.
The legal drinking age in Morocco is 18
Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country and as such follows Islamic laws and customs.
Most visits to Morocco are trouble free although there remains a high threat of terrorism in the country.
Bag snatching and pick pocketing can occur in major cities.
Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco.
There are no specific vaccinations recommended for Morocco.
Morocco is made up of two groups of Berbers and Arabs and is known for a diverse population that includes people who have ancestry from Spain and Portugal, among other places. Morocco was occupied by the French before achieving independence in 1956 and this influence is very much still alive today. Most people here speak both Arabic and French, and names of streets and places are also usually written in both languages. There are also many French influences in the culture here such as the food, and you will find croissants and pain au chocolate as well as traditional Arabic bites.
