Morocco is a country that holds a certain enduring fascination amongst many travellers, but it can often be seen to be somewhere that is dangerous to go. We want to help you filter out some of the confusing information out there about Morocco tours, and help you uncover this beautiful country that is a melting pot of the Arabic and Berber cultures.
We’ve created this pocket guide to help you find out more about Morocco, including:
- Where to go in Morocco
- Culture and etiquette in Morocco
- Food and drink in Morocco
If you are currently thinking about booking one of our VIP Morocco tours – this pocket guide should help you to make up your mind.
Morocco Travel Facts
- Size and location – Morocco is a country of 446,550 km – making it slightly larger than the US state of California, but smaller than France and Spain. It is located on the northwest coast of Africa.
- Population – Morocco has a population of 36.91 million (in 2020)
- Languages – The officially recognised languages of Morocco are
- Arabic
- Berber
- French
- Religion – 99% of Moroccans are Muslim, with 1% being Christian and a tiny proportion (about 6000 people) identifying as Jewish
- Politics – The Head of State in Morocco is King Mohammed VI who has been in power since July 1999. The government if Morocco is elected and the current Prime Minister is Aziz Akhannouch of the National Rally of Independents party.
Where to go in Morocco
With beautiful ancient cities inland, relaxing beach resorts on the coast, the beautiful (but eerie) desert and the stunning Atlas and Rif mountains, you will be spoilt for choice when you visit Morocco.
If you are a city lover, then you need to check out Fez and Marrakech. Fez is not only home to the oldest city in the world, but also a UNESCO-classified Medina too. Marrakech is really popular with tourists due to its exotic gardens, historical museums, lush gardens and majestical palaces. Casablanca and Rabat are also worth a visit, although they have a more modern feel than Fez and Marrakech.
The Atlas and Rif Mountain ranges are not only accessible for hiking and walking, but provide you with some stunning scenery to explore as well. Take the chance to explore Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s highest mountain or you could visit the blue town of Chefchaouen in the Rif mountains.
If you want to experience Morocco’s beaches and coastline then you can either go North or South. In the North lies Asilah, Larache and Tangier or you can head South to Agadir, El Jadida, Essaouira or Sidi Infi.
And who can forget the desert? To really experience all that Morocco has to offer you should head to the oasis of Agdz, Erg Chigaga or Merzouga to view the stunning contrast of desert horizon and palm trees.
Best time to travel to Morocco
The best time to travel to Morocco depends on the weather. In the Spring, around April and May, and early Autumn, around September and October, are usually seen as ideal as they are the times of the year when the climate in Morocco is at its most pleasant.
Winter is a good time to explore South Morocco and the Sahara Desert as it is not too hot during the day – however the temperatures do tend to plummet at night so you will need to pack your woolly hat and a coat. Summer is best avoided as it gets far too hot during the day for any exploration to take place.
How to travel to Morocco
The best way to get to Morocco is to fly to either Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca or Manara Airport in Marrakech. Fares are generally high in July and August, and around Christmas and New Year. They can also be expensive at weekends too.
Food and Drink in Morocco
There are many culinary delights for you to experience in Morocco including hearty soups, succulent kebabs and fragrant tagines. Harira is a typical starter you will find, and it consists of spicy beans and pasta. Couscous is a popular Moroccan food that is served with a lot of dishes. Tagine is a dish you will find all over Morocco with the classic combinations including lamb with almonds and prunes or chicken with lemon and olives.
If you want to try something that is truly unique to Morocco then you need to look out for Patilla – a savoury meat pie made with filo pastry – but be warned, camel meat is often a common ingredient.
Mint tea is the tipple of choice in Morocco and you will find it served everywhere – along with other types of tea and infusions. Nus nus, half coffee and half milk, is another popular drink in the country too.
Delicious freshly squeezed fruit juices are widely available too, as is tap water – although many tourists choose to stick to bottled water to be on the safe side.
As Morocco is an Islamic country, the drinking of alcohol is not widely seen, but you can usually find alcoholic drinks in bars and some of the larger hotels.
Culture and Etiquette in Morocco
Despite what you may have read, Moroccans are usually welcoming of tourists and very tolerant too. However, it is important that you play your part and are respectful so that you don’t offend people inadvertently.
If you travel to Morocco during Ramadan, for example, you need to remember that:
- Eating or smoking in the street
- Public displays of affection
- Wearing skimpy clothes
Are all frowned upon and so are likely to cause offence.
And there you have it. Hasina luxury Morocco tours pocket guide to Morocco. Make sure you bookmark this article ready for your next trip to Morocco.
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