Morocco Tourism > Travel Guide, Places to visit, Tours and Packages

"The Exotic Land of Spices & Stories"

Morocco Tourism

Morocco is a country in North Africa. It is blessed with abundant natural beauty and is one of the top destinations for tourism. Majestic mountains standing tall in the distance, cities that are ancient, sprawling deserts and more characterise this country. Famous attractions here include the medina in Marrakesh, the Fort Kasbah of the Udayas, the dozens of souks and the Jemaa el-Fnaa. It is a truly beautiful country, with lots to offer to every kind of tourists.

Tourist Places to Visit In Morocco

Casablanca

Marrakech

All Tourist Places In Morocco

Best time to visit Morocco

March - May is the best time to visit Morocco

The best time to visit Morocco is during spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Although, these are the shoulder seasons the climate paves a great way to enjoy every bit of diverse landscape this country has to offer. Many factors influence the weather in Morocco. The northern and north-western side experiences a Mediterranean climate while the south and southeastern part have a continental climate because of the Sahara desert. Between these, there is also the High Atlas mountain range which brings in a different environment altogether. The peak season of Morocco is summer (June to August) when the whole country enters a holiday mood. With school holidays and local people who return home for their annual holiday, the place is quite packed, and everything (especially hotels with pools) will book quickly. Winter (December to February) is a relatively low season in Morocco. The crowds are minimal because of the myth that everything shuts down during this season.

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Regions in Morocco

Morocco comprises of several regions. Meditarranean Morocco is filled with lots of towns and cities for the everyday tourist, the North Atlantic Coast holds the capital of the country, the South Atlantic Coast is very well-known for its beach towns such as Agadir and Essaouria, High Atlas includes the famous Marrakesh and the Atlas mountain range, Middle Atlas covers the Middle Atlas mountains, Saharan Morocco includes the sprawling deserts of the country and the Anti Atlas region covers the south of the country.

Photos of Morocco

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Holidify's Opinion

What's Great?

Souks for shopping. Rich and vibrant culture. Kind and helpful locals.

What's Not So Great?

Hassle by merchants. Pollution. Littered streets.

For Whom?

History lovers. Photographers. Solo travellers.

Currency of Morocco

Moroccan Dirham is the national currency. Frequently used denominations in terms of bank notes are MAD 20, MAD 50, MAD 100 and MAD 200. US Dollars and Euros are both accepted in the country. Morocco is a cash-based country, so it is always better to carry hard cash with you when you travel here. Debit cards can be used at the cash machines. However, many of these machines do not work, so it is always better as we mentioned, to carry cash.

Exchanging Money in Morocco

Concerning currency exchange, USD and Euros are accepted. You can exchange currency at airports such as Casablanca Airport, whose exchange rates are far better compared to the rest. Most hotels and even banks will also exchange currency. However, exchanging currency using coins is not the norm, as it makes it a hassle for them. Debit cards are widely accepted in hotels and restaurants. Presenting a credit card may cost you an additional surcharge, as a processing fee for your transaction. ATMs are also available.

Nightlife in Morocco

Morocco is often touted as having the best nightlife in Africa! Apart from nightclubs that remain open well into the night, especially in Agadir, there are also live music shows and performances. Cabarets are also common in this country. Marrakesh is the best city to visit to make the most of the nightlife, like pubs, bars, and clubs remain open for a long time here. Visit Djemma el Fna Square for a fun night. Casablanca and Tangier are two other cities that promise great nightlife in the form of bars, belly dancing nights and more.

Shopping in Morocco

The most beautiful bit of shopping in Morocco is the traditional souk. It is a riot of colours, voices and people. You will come across lots of items that you can take home as souvenirs at these souks. Souks are present in all towns, the best ones being at Marrakesh and Fez. Rugs, embroidery pieces such as caftans, beautiful lanterns, perfumes and of course spices, can be purchased from here. Of course, malls and shopping complexes are also dotted around the cities. However, visiting the souk makes for an unforgettable experience.

Festivals of Morocco

The major festivals that are celebrated in Morocco are Ramadan, the Festival of Roses, Gnaoua World Music Festival, World Sacred Music Festival, International Film Festival of Marrakech, Arts in Marrakech (AiM) International Biennale and the Timitar Festival. During this period, Moroccan culture is presented and displayed at its best.

History of Morocco

The Romans were ruling Morocco until the 5th Century AD. After that, the country was invaded and conquered by the Arabs, who were instrumental in spreading the doctrines of Islam. In the 11th century, Morocco was captured by the Berbers. It was during this time that the culture of Morocco began to be enhanced and developed. Later, a group named the Merinids captured Morocco, followed by the Wattasids. The French also captured Morocco, and they then struggled for independence. In 1956, Morocco emerged as an independent nation.

Hygiene in Morocco

Public toilets do exist in Morocco. However, they are not very clean. The toilets inside hotels and restaurants are clean and tourists, of course, prefer to use those. Do not drink water from a tap here, as it is not safe. Hotels provide filtered water for consumption purposes.

Customs of Morocco

Women should dress conservatively here, so as to not upset the religious sentiments of the locals. Avoid Public displays of affection. If you are visiting during Ramadan, do not smoke or eat while walking around the streets. Tipping is a way of life here, so make sure to carry some change.

Tips for visiting Morocco

Always remove your shoes before entering someone's home. Do not take photographs of the locals without first asking for their permission. It is better to take a guide or someone else you may know to the souk with you, to avoid getting hassled by traders.

Culture of Morocco

Moroccan culture is both religious and courteous. They hold their mosques very dear, and only Muslims are allowed to access them. Their culture is steeped in polite courtesy and hospitality, which is evident in the manner in which they interact with people. The family is also given a lot of importance, and even today, the men are considered the head of the house and at a slightly more elevated position than women. Islam is the dominant religion of this country. Sunni Muslims are more commonly found. A few Christians and Jews also live in Morocco. Arabic and Berber are the official languages of the country. Some locals also speak French, Spanish and English.

Food of Morocco

Moroccan cuisine is influenced by Arabic, Mediterranean, European, Subsaharian, Andalusian and Berber elements. The meat of goats and lamb is consumed on a large scale. Morocco also produces lots of tropical fruit and other fruits and vegetables. Some of their staples are wheat, olive oil and the grapefruit, which is often eaten as dessert. The Moroccans use a lot of spices in their preparations. Some of them are cinnamon, cumin, turmeric and ginger. Herbs are also used to render flavour to the meal, such as parsley, mint and sage. The most famous Moroccan dish is the couscous, followed by Pastilla, Tanjia and Harira. Dates are also consumed a lot in this country. Regarding beverages, mint tea is had very frequently.

Stay options in Morocco

There are a lot of accommodation options in Morocco. 5-star luxury hotels, inns, and lodges, boutique hotels, eco lodges, luxury villas are just some of the dozens of options you have. Some people even choose to stay in Kasbahs or medians, which are fortresses that locals used to make use of when the town or city was under siege. For an authentically Moroccan experience, you can also choose to stay in a Riad, which is a decent house located inside the old city walls. If you are watching your pocket, you can stay in one of the many hostels.