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Morocco Travel
Guides
Morocco offers a
whole host of
major cities,
each with their
individual
character and
charms. While
Tangier’s
beautiful
buildings may
captivate you,
the souk at
Marrakech
is sure to
delight in a
different way,
gripping you
with its allure.
The great
variety
of historical,
cultural and
leisure
opportunities
available in
Morocco’s cities
tempts
most travellers
to visit more
than one
destination
country-wide.
Agadir
This coastal
city is one of
Morocco’s most
popular, with
strings of bars,
discos
and restaurants
lining the
waterfront.
Although the
newer parts of
the centre are
not altogether
attractive and
the beach is
lacking, Agadir
has a charm of
its own that
draws many
visitors. The
old Medina
offers a glimpse
back in time,
with its fort,
turrets and
Portuguese-era
walls. The
industrial city
produces large
amounts of
pottery, making
this the place
to pick up your
terracotta
souvenirs. A
stroll through
the Colline
des Potiers (Potters’
Quarters) will
reveal some fine
examples.
Casablanca
Immortalised in
Hollywood’s
Casablanca, this
is Morocco’s
party resort,
with nightclubs
and bars lining
the coast. The
centre is modern
while the old
town offers more
traditional
delights and
winding
alleyways that
you can easily
lose yourself
in.
Characterised by
wide boulevards
and tall
colonial houses,
the city has
some good
markets. The
Marche Central
is the primary
food and
handicraft
market and is
great for
exploration.
Surfers and
beach babes will
love it here,
with the beach
attracting the
crowds with its
waves and golden
sands.
Fez
Fez is Morocco’s
medieval delight,
with its ancient
beauty
mesmerising many
visitors. Coming
here is like
stepping back in
time, with the
exception of the
French-built
Ville Nouvelle,
which has more
modern appeals.
The Medina is
rich with
history, having
been the
cultural and
religious centre
of Morocco since
as far back as
the 10th century
up until the
French transfer
of
administration
to Rabat.
Residents of
this city have a
reputation
for their
intelligence,
with many Fassis
being powerful
government
leaders.
This developed
centre of
learning will
appeal to all
sorts of
visitors with
its unique
offerings.
Marrakech
Home to one of
the most famous
souks in Morocco,
Marrakech is a
highlight of
most people’s
visit to Morocco.
In pastimes the
city had
significant
status as a
cultural
and political
centre, and the
architectural
reminders of the
city’s former
kudos are
still evident,
with the
Koutoubia Mosque,
Kasbah, Ben
Youssef Madrasa,
Saadian Tombs
and Place Jamaâ
El Fna all being
must-sees. The
pre-Saharan Ksar
of
Ait-Ben-Haddou
provides
visitors with
even more
earthen
architectural
wonders.
Tangier
As one of the
country’s
busiest entry
points, visitors
flock to Tangier
from Gibraltar
and Spain, with
regular ferries
servicing these
routes. While
the many tour
groups and
day-trippers
that plague the
town can be
off-putting,
Tangier has a
number of
attractions,
with its port
area, winding
alleys, markets
and cafés. While
the snake
charmers may
have more luck
charming their
snakes than the
tourists and the
noisy streets
are full of
chaos, there is
a magical appeal
to this centre
of trade that
has caused a
number of
visitors,
including famous
ones, to set up
home here after
becoming
awe-struck with
its beauty.
Visit the souks
for some real
bargains.
Discover Historic Meknes
A must for historians and archaeologists, this ancient capital dates
back to the 11th century. Its Spanish-Moorish architecture and walls
are still partially intact, providing some excellent photo
opportunities.
Visit Essaouira
With an interesting port area and excellent surf at the beach,
visitors can wander
through the streets of Essaouira and get
a taste of this friendly and busy city.
It is host to the annual Gnawa festival and many
foreigners are attracted by its pretty
white-washed buildings with blue
shutters, while there are also a few small art galleries here for
those with an eye for Moroccan art.
Explore Ancient Salé
Situated across the estuary from Rabat, this town contains some of
Morocco’s oldest monuments. The ancient leftovers of the Almohad
dynasty can be explored on foot, with these architectural reminders
sure to leave you with a lasting impression. Local beaches provide a
pleasant alternative for those with little interest in the local
history.
Explore Roman Volubilis
Volubilis was once the capital of Mauretania and an important Roman
military outpost, with its beginnings dating back to the 3rd century
BC. Extensive ruins remain, including
a well preserved Roman gate, making it
possible to imagine the city’s former glory.
Wash the dust off
Wash the dust off after a hard day’s sightseeing at a public hammam.
Similar
to a Turkish bath, these are social
places to come and get clean, ideal for those travellers who are
covered in a coat of Moroccan dust. Bathers warm themselves up in a
heated room, similar to a sauna, before entering an even hotter room
prior to jumping into a cold tub. This process is then followed by a
scrub down by one of the attendants and a period of relaxation in a
tepid room. A Moroccan institution – the hammam are not to be missed. |
