Introducing Morocco
Travel Alert: Travel to the Western Sahara region of Morocco is not advised due to the presence of landmines. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
Advertisement
For many travellers, Morocco might just be a short hop away by ferry or by one of the myriad budget airlines from Spain, but it’s a much further distance to travel culturally. The regular certainties of Europe are suddenly swept away by the arrival in full technicolour of Africa and Islam. It’s a complete sensory overload.
Tangier, that faded libertine on the coast, has traditionally been a first port of call, but the winds blow you quickly along the Atlantic coast to the cosmopolitan and movie-star famous Casablanca, and whitewashed fishing port gems of Asalih and Essaouira. Inland, the great imperial cities of Marrakesh and Fez attract visitors in droves as they have done for centuries. The winding streets of their ancient medinas have enough surprises around each corner to fill a dozen repeat trips. Away from the urban beat, you’ll find Roman ruins and dramatically craggy valleys to distract you.
If you really want to escape from everything, Morocco still has a couple of trump cards. The High Atlas mountains seem custom-made for hiking boots, with endless trails between Berber villages, and North Africa’s highest peak (Jebel Toubkal) to conquer. Or if you prefer someone else to do the walking, simply saddle up your camel and ride it straight into the Sahara, to watch the sun setting over an ocean of sand.
Last updated: Mar 14, 2010
Tips & articles
-
Marrakesh with children
23 August 2010
Labyrinthine Marrakesh is a great place for kids: there’s plenty to see and do, and plenty of room for little...
-
Morocco: travel books to read before you go
22 August 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s Morocco guide provides a selection of travel literature to enhance your trip....
-
Moroccan souvenirs
20 August 2010
This excerpt from Lonely Planet’s guide to Morocco provides tips to souvenirs that won’t cost the earth....
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
-
Inspiring Trip Ideas... Any Suggestions?
by jegan 2 replies, last post 02 September 2010
Hi All, I have spent a lot of time over the last few days perusing this forum for ideas about potential cycle tours. I have 3 months…
-
hiring scooters in Morocco
by jessiepie 2 replies, last post 31 August 2010
Hey there, I'm just wondering what the situation in Morocco is like for hiring scooters. Does anyone know what kind of documentation…
-
My rather ambitious RTW trip
by runningbyyou 9 replies, last post 02 September 2010
I've recently decided to do a 2+yr RTW trip starting Sept 2011. I've traveled quite a bit and lived in South America for 6 months at a…
Morocco
Our Top Picks For Morocco
-
1 Marrakesh
Get lost in the souqs and find some of Morocco's most inventive artisans
-
2 Meknès
Travel by horse-drawn carriage past the architectural splendours of this compact imperial city
-
3 Fès
Dive deep into the maze of Fès's ancient medina - the world's most intact medieval Arab city
-
4 Tangier
Soak up the mirage-like feeling in this historic and notorious gateway to Africa
-
5 Casablanca
Admire Casa's stunning whitewashed colonial buildings and take in the fast beat of contemporary Morocco
Fast Facts about Morocco
- Borders
Algeria closed; Mauritania open but no public transport
- Population
34.33 million
- Famous fans of Morocco
William S. Burroughs, Paul Bowles, Joe Orton, Tennessee Williams, Brian Jones, Talitha Getty
- Money
Dirham (Dh); US$1 = Dh8.15
- Capital
- Phrases
ssalamu’lekum (hello); shukran (thanks); insh’allah (God willing)
- Area
446, 550 sq km
- Famous for
Humphrey Bogart and Casablanca, Marrakesh, trendy riad hotels, crafts, kaftans, vegetarian delights
- ATMs
Throughout the country except in small villages
- Chief of state
King Mohammed VI
- Languages
Darija (Moroccan Arabic), French, Berber
Related Groups
Our favourite Morocco Blogs (beta)
-
Morocco bans driftnets
Blog: The View from Fez - 1 September 2010
Great news in the battle against illegal fishing: Morocco has passed an amendment banning the use, possession, manufacture or sale of driftnets.
-
Love on the Road – A Lonely Planet Blogsherpa Carnival
Blog: Vagobond.com - 1 September 2010
Some say the road is lonely, but for many (me included) the road can lead to love. Check out the latest Lonely Planet Blogsherpa Blog Carnival "Love on the Road"
-
What to wear in Ramadan: the Moroccan djellaba
Blog: The View from Fez - 31 August 2010
Many women don traditional caftans or djellabas during Ramadan, even if they don't usually. The View from Fez takes a look.
