Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country in the Maghreb region of North Africa. With coasts on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea, and only an hour’s ferry ride from Spain, Morocco is a rich and varied mix of cultures. Morocco boasts a captivating history, diverse landscapes, and a welcoming culture.
From rich cuisine and souks full of wonders, to magnificent landmarks and picturesque scenery, this mountainous destination on the fringe of the great Sahara is enchanting. If anything, it’s the colorful markets, or souks. Let's delve into the many facets that make Morocco a unique and captivating destination.
Rich History and Cultural Fusion
Morocco boasts a captivating history, with influences from Phoenicians, Romans, and Arabs evident in its monuments. The region constituting Morocco has been inhabited since the Paleolithic era, more than 300,000 years ago. The Idrisid dynasty was established by Idris I in 788, and Morocco was subsequently ruled by a series of other independent dynasties, reaching its zenith as a regional power in the 11th and 12th centuries, under the Almoravid and Almohad dynasties, when it controlled most of the Iberian Peninsula and the Maghreb.
Centuries of Arab migration to the Maghreb since the 7th century shifted the demographic scope of the region. In the 15th and 16th centuries, Morocco faced external threats to its sovereignty, with Portugal seizing some territory and the Ottoman Empire encroaching from the east. The Marinid and Saadi dynasties otherwise resisted foreign domination, and Morocco was the only North African nation to escape Ottoman dominion.
You can see this fusion brought to life in the cities, towns and villages of this North African wonderland. The culture of Morocco is a mix of Arab, Berber, African and European cultures.
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Iconic Cities and Medinas
Every city in Morocco features a Medina, an old part of the town with narrow streets, mosques, and bustling markets. Casablanca, Tangier and Chefchaouen have three of the most interesting medinas or old towns in Morocco. Typically, the center is the Friday (main) mosque with its landmark towering minaret. Outside again are the residential areas, traditionally with family homes facing a private courtyard. Every storefront is also a shady place to congregate and socialize. Savor the sights, sounds, and smells each medina offers as you explore its varied delights.
Marrakech is famous for its bustling souks (markets), full of tantalizing food stalls, snake charmers and buildings with intricate patterns. Marrakech is the cultural capital of Morocco and known as ‘the Red City’ because all buildings must be red by law.
Bustling Souks and Artisan Crafts
For visitors, the heart of every medina is the souk. Everything sold in the souk, from shoes to leather, was once made on site to serve local needs. Morocco recognizes more than 70 different artisan crafts but has given its name to especially fine leather. Whether it’s a quick souvenir, or a more permanent reminder of your visit, the souk is the place to bargain for more riches than even Aladdin could conjure up. If you do get lost in the souk, asking a random passer-by for directions may just result in an unexpected detour to yet another shop.
Beyond the bustling Medinas, Morocco is known for its treasure trove of handicrafts, leather goods, rugs, and exquisite jewelry. The Medina is where all Moroccan handicrafts, such as jewelry, rugs, poufs, and tea sets are found.
Delicious and Diverse Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is a very special blend of influences from Berber, Arab, Andalusian, and French cuisine. Moroccan cuisine is among the most delicious, fragrant, and balanced cuisines. With all the dishes Moroccan cuisine has to offer (and there are dozens!), every trip to Morocco is an exciting culinary experience. The good thing? In Morocco, you will find excellent and affordable restaurants in every city.
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Tagine, the domed clay pot that gives its name to the dish slowly stewed within, is perhaps the most famous Moroccan dish. Pastillas (from the Spanish for “small pastry”) are delicious spice-rich parcels of meat or fish. Abundant crops such as olives, oranges, tomatoes, peppers, figs, and almonds all find their way into recipes. Freshly made flatbread is a staple at every meal and mint tea is the beverage of choice.
Morocco grows oranges and clementines in vast quantities for export but many also end up squeezed for fresh fruit juice. A cookery class will be a permanent reminder of your time in Morocco. Why not join a class to learn traditional cooking techniques for yourself?
Making a Moroccan tagine is a culinary journey
Magnificent Mosques and Religious Sites
Of the many beautiful mosques in Morocco, Casablanca’s Hassan II may be the most impressive and is certainly the largest. Built out over the sea, the mosque can hold over 100,000 worshippers, but it’s the small details that will enthrall you as a visitor. Tangier’s Grand Mosque has a much longer history, with the present structure dating to the early 1800s and its site once that of a Roman temple. While not open to non-Muslim visitors, it sits at the heart of the old medina and is still the “Friday” mosque.
The Kasbah Mosque in Tangier has an even longer history, with its latest restoration in 2015 fortunately revealing much of its past glory. Chefchaouen’s Spanish Mosque is an entirely different building again.
Traditional Hammams
The hammam originated in the time when few Moroccans had a bathroom at home. Nowadays, they remain one of the few places where a female traveler can meet and talk to Moroccan women; outside the setting of the hammam, you’d rarely have such an encounter. The hammam is also just a great place to be cleansed, massaged and pampered. Segregated by gender, many modern hammams are very similar to a spa. If you don’t want the communal experience, hotels and riads (traditional guest houses) have hammams with all levels of private treatment.
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Hollywood Connection
For anyone enchanted by the romance of Hollywood, one of the best things to do in Casablanca is to visit Rick’s Cafe, a 2004 recreation of Humphrey Bogart’s “gin joint”. Rick’s is against the wall of the medina, inside which you will find the art deco Cinema Rialto. Also worth a visit is the Abderrahman Slaoui Foundation Museum, a tiny showcase of Moroccan art.
Filmmakers also love Morocco. It has the largest film sets outside of Hollywood. The Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate are called “Morocco’s Hollywood.” Aït Benhaddou is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has been a backdrop in movies like “The Mummy” and “Gladiator.” Lawrence of Arabia, The Sheltering Sky, Mission Impossible, and Casablanca were shot in Morocco.
Unique Geographical Diversity
Morocco boasts a diverse range of beaches to cater to different preferences. The Atlas Mountains range, dividing Morocco’s coastlines from the Sahara Desert, is a paradise for nature lovers and trekkers. Surprisingly, Morocco offers skiing opportunities in the Atlas Mountains, with Oukaïmeden being the largest ski resort in the country.
The Sahara Desert, with its towering sand dunes, provides an excellent backdrop for camel rides and exhilarating sand skating. The iconic camel rides in the Palmeraie oasis near Marrakech offer a unique and regal experience.
First University in the World
Morocco is home to the world’s first university, Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez. The University of Al-Qarawiyin (Al-Karaouine) is the world’s first university. It was founded in 859 AC and is still operating today. The Kairaouine Mosque was founded in 859 and is home to the University of al-Kairaouine (al-Qarawiyin), the world’s first university.
Key Facts About Morocco
Here are some key facts about Morocco:
| Fact | Description |
|---|---|
| Official Languages | Arabic and Berber |
| Main Ethnic Groups | Berbers and Arabs |
| Government | Constitutional Monarchy |
| First University | Al-Qarawiyyin University in Fez (founded in 859 AC) |
| Imperial Cities | Rabat, Fez, Meknes, and Marrakech |
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