In Hideous Kinky, author Esther Freud paints a vivid portrait of Morocco as a bohemian paradise. The subsequent movie showcases the wondrous landscape to good effect. Long before Freud’s book, however, even before that classic movie, Casablanca, Morocco has been revered as a tourist destination. It provides westerners, who have a somewhat blinkered vision of the world, with a cultural experience unlike any other, and its natural diversity allows tourists to choose between activities that range from wind surfing to skiing.
There are many cities to visit, each one a must-see. Unfortunately, we aren’t all blessed with endless vacations, so you’ll need to plan your trip carefully. Alternatively, you can focus on one city per trip; you’ll just have to ensure you keep going back.
The best time to travel to Morocco is in Spring, which lasts from around March to May and then again in Autumn (September to November), to avoid the heat. Bear in mind that Morocco is an Islamic country, so if you plan on traveling during Ramadan you’ll have to factor in reduced business hours, particularly in restaurants and cafés, which usually close during the day.
Most countries in the world would consider themselves lucky if they had one World Heritage Site; Morocco has eight.
- The archaeological site of Volubilis contains ancient Roman ruins that date back to 3 BC.
- The historic city of Meknes was founded in the 11th century as a military settlement and boasts Spanish-Moorish styled architecture.
- Ksar of Ait-Ben-Haddou lies on the ancient caravan route between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech. The site contains a group of earthen buildings that epitomise the practical architecture popular in the southern parts of Morocco.
- Mazagan is an old Portuguese city that dates back to the 16th century and its architecture blends European and Moroccan cultures.
- The Medina of Essaouira started life as a fishing village and grew into a strategically significant seaport.
- The Medina of Fez dates back to the 9th century and is considered to be Morocco’s cultural and spiritual centre. Preserved buildings include mosques, palaces, residential home and squares with fountains.
- The Medina of Marrakech was established in the 11th century and its architecture is stamped by the various civilisations that occupied it at different points in history. Highlights include the Kasbah, an open-air theatre and the tombs of several prominent figures.
- The Medina of Tetouan dates back to the 8th century and played an important role in the Islamic community.
If you tire of heritage you can always hit the slopes. Skiing season in Ouka’meden is between February and April and there are slopes to suit all experience levels. Failing that, you can stick with plain old trekking and mountain climbing.
The High Atlas mountain range stretches for 1000km and contains the highest peak in North Africa: Jebel Toubkal. The Western High Atlas offers gentle treks for those who want to take it easy on their holiday while still taking in the forests, gorges, wild flowers and date, almond, olive and walnut groves.
For shopping, you can’t beat the souks, which are in every town and city in the country. There are also camel treks into the Sahara Desert and goats that climb trees in the Souss Valley. Other attractions include the Menara Gardens in Marrakech, Mamora Forest near Rabat, Friouato Caves near Taza, Citadel of Chellah Gardens in Rabat, and Boulaouane Kasbah near Casablanca.
Jade Scully is a copywriter excited about writing copy and stories, blogging about the world and editing. She currently and regularly publishes her stories on a number of blogs. Jade loves animals and hopes to begin writing copy for the animal rescue charity TEARS as her contribution to the cause.
