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.
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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
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Get lost in a Moroccan souq
21 July 2010
Who knew shopping could be so enlightening? You can glimpse a maâlem’s mosaic techniques, learn Berber...
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Top 10 ways to devour Moroccan cuisine
21 July 2010
Cutting into a pigeon b’stilla (savoury-sweet pie made with fine pastry) releases heady aromas of cinnamon,...
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The Moroccan tradition of the Moorish garden
17 July 2010
Gardens have great importance in Morocco, as elsewhere in the Muslim world. As an earthly version of...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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I need some inspiration please.
by truckergirl 1 reply, last post 31 July 2010
I have about 3 months of next year from january until march. I am looking for some inspiration on what area or countries i could travel…
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20 days round trip in morocco
by Gapistar 7 replies, last post 31 July 2010
Hey My girlfriend and I are planning a round trip in Morocco this august. We have plane tickets to seville (Spain) and from there on…
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N. Africa transit
by soulsurvivor713 1 reply, last post 30 July 2010
So, I've seen a Q similar to this in another thread, but no good answer, so I'll try it here. Maybe better luck. Anywhoz! So, I'm planning…
Morocco
Our Top Picks For Morocco
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1 Marrakesh
Get lost in the souqs and find some of Morocco's most inventive artisans
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2 Meknès
Travel by horse-drawn carriage past the architectural splendours of this compact imperial city
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3 Fès
Dive deep into the maze of Fès's ancient medina - the world's most intact medieval Arab city
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4 Tangier
Soak up the mirage-like feeling in this historic and notorious gateway to Africa
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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)
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Throne Day - Morocco's King congratulated
Blog: The View from Fez - 31 July 2010
On the eleventh anniversary of HM King Mohammed VI taking the throne, the king received a congratulatory messages from around the world.
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Marrakesh – Exploring A Moroccan Pharmacy
Blog: As We Travel - 30 July 2010
Marrakesh is a city that stands out from many other places around the world. You can be sure to leave this place with a complete brain-overload full of strange, new impressions.
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Boobs and a bath
Blog: The Adventures of D - 30 July 2010
After my prude showing in Budapest, I knew I HAD to visit a Hamam while visiting the intoxicatingly colorful and wild Morocco. Besides, “Losing inhibitions” is on my Bucket List. On the ferry to Morocco, once I arrived in Chefchaouen, and on my walkabout in Fes the following day, I was dead set on visiting [...]
