Morocco has long been known as an interesting meeting point within Europe, as it is situated at the north west corner of Africa. A luxury holiday Morocco is considered to be one of the best ways to explore Africa as it has good access by land and sea, a great selection of places to visit, and a tourist-friendly culture.
If you book one of Hasina’s Morocco tours, you will see the true Africa – ancient walled cities, maze-like souks, vast sandy deserts and minarets.
Head to the northern shore of Morocco to experience life with a view of the rock of Gibraltar and Spain, or head to the western shore of the Atlantic to experience sunny beaches. If mountains are more your thing, head over to the southern end of the country to a land dominated by the Atlas Mountains – where adventure awaits!
Morocco has many cities whose names you are probably familiar with – like Tangier, Casablanca and Agadir. However, it is probably the big cities such as Fes and Marrakech which draw the largest crowds, thanks to their charm and variety of things to see and do.
Wherever you decide to go on your tour of Morocco, you will no doubt find traditional African culture mixed with French and Spanish cultures as well.
History of Morocco
The area of Africa known as Morocco can trace its roots back hundreds of thousands of years, as its coastlines and fertile areas were seen as a welcome retreat from the heat of the desert – and so were attractive to early humans.
Phoenicians were the first to inhabit Morrocco, around 6000 BC – and then later on it came under the rule of the Carthage empire, finally becoming an independent country in 225 BC.
This independence didn’t last long though, as the Romans arrived in 33 BC and brought it under the rule of Rome. The Berbers managed to take back control in the 3rd century AD, with the Romans left to occupy a few of the coastal cities.
The Northern regions of Morocco were then put under Byzantine control, with cities such as Tangier fortified. In the middle of the 7th Century, Islam reached the region and it was taken under control of the Muslim part of North Africa (which was previously part of the Eastern Roman Empire).
As the years went on, so Morocco’s sphere of influence grew, with various Berber dynasties gaining power and Morocco spreading into Portugal, Spain and much of North Africa. Until the 15th century, that is, when the Iberian Peninsula ended Muslim rule.
The Alaouite Dynasty, who still rule today, first gained power in the 16th century, with Morocco then becoming a colony of both France and Spain in the 20th Century. Negotiations with both France and Spain led to the return of Sultan Mohammed Vth as ruler of the country in 1955, with independence finally being gained in 1956.
Places to visit in Morocco
Morocco really lives up to its name as a country which is a treat for the senses – and it so easy to get there and enjoy. Only 20 miles away from mainland Europe, it manages to blend the sights, smells and tastes of North Africa with the accessibility and familiarity of a more developed nation.
The majority of Morocco’s most visited places tend to be in and around the town of Marrakech – which has a history of being a Berber stronghold dating back centuries. This inland walled city manages to retain some charm and history, with its minaret dominated skyline as well as palaces and gardens, and well-known souk situated right at the centre.
Jamaa el-Fnaa, probably the busiest and most well-known square in Africa, is a UNESCO world heritage site – and has become a symbol of the city as a whole. Tourists travel here in their hundreds to be entertained by acrobats and snake charmers, and to buy trinkets from the market stalls that line it. If you can, you should visit it at night, as it transforms into a carnival of light and sound, backed up by the most enticing food smells. Head to one of the many cafes that line the sides of the square, to view the whole spectacle from the height of a balcony.
Not far from the Jamaa el-Fnaa is the ancient souk, which winds its way through the old town (Medina). The overhead canopies add to the air of mystery, allowing you to lose all track of where you are as you slowly walk past stalls full of all sorts of delights – from carpets to food. It is generally a safe place to be, and you can enjoy a bit of fun with the stallholders while you haggle for a fairer price.
Fez is another of Morocco’s most beautiful cities, surrounded as it is by mountains – and traditionally a stop of on the trans Sahara trade routes. Again, it has a walled city at its centre, two medinas and a French colonial area on the outskirts. It is home to many historic mosques, and one of the World’s oldest continually functioning Universities.
Casablanca is a name you will also recognise, no doubt, thanks in no small part to the film of the same name (which wasn’t actually filmed there). It is Morrocco’s largest city, and home to its main port and airport – and is the place known best for sports and music.
Casablanca is not the capital of Morocco; however, Rabat is. Although it is traditionally a port, it is starting to become a tourist destination in its own right, with its historic buildings, coastal views and royal residences.
If all of this is wetting your appetite to visit Morocco, why not book one of Hasina’s morocco tours – so, you can see exactly what the country has to offer?
Discuss this article