10 THINGS TO DO IN MOROCCO
In ancient times, the Phoenicians, the Carthaginians and the Romans ruled there, and in the Middle Ages and Modern times, the Arab states of the Maghreb had to endure several waves of European expansion. Modern Morocco is a synthesis of cultures, a melting pot where Islamic traditions are intertwined with the beliefs of the Tuareg nomads and the legacy of the French colonists.
Many architectural sites in Morocco, even entire neighborhoods of ancient cities in the country are included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. There are a variety of tourist destinations: from beach holidays on the coasts of Agadir, Tangier and Casablanca to hiking in the Atlas Mountains. The forts, mosques, palaces and museums of Fez, Marrakech and Rabat also draw many travelers. You can do the 3 days desert tour Marrakech to Fes.
DELVE INTO AN ORIENTAL FAIRY TALE IN THE MEDINA OF MARRAKECH
The medina is the oldest part of the city and is surrounded by a thousand year old wall. This is the quintessence of Morocco’s culture and traditions, its history and essence. Here are the famous Djema el-Fna square, the Ali Ben Yusuf mosque, the palace of the Grand Vizier Palais Bahia and luxurious sultan’s tombs. In the maze of narrow streets of the medina hides artisanal workshops and shops, and at night there are musicians, delighting your ears with the melodic sounds of rebaba.
ADMIRE THE MINARETS OF FEZ
In the twelfth century, under the rulers of the Maghreb, the Almoravids, Fez became the cultural and religious center of North Africa. The Bab Dekaken and Bab Boudjeloud gates, erected centuries ago, still guard the entrance to the ancient part of the city. The muezzin of the Karawin Mosque calls the faithful to prayer. As ten centuries ago, the dyers’ market bustles here, and men with gray beards drink Moroccan mint tea and engage in unhurried conversation.
TO SEE THE “BLUE WONDER” ON THE SLOPES OF THE ER-RIF
One of the most beautiful cities in Morocco – Chefchaouen – is able to captivate any tourist at first sight. Its architecture has preserved its original appearance since its founding, so it seems as if the time itself is frozen in the stone facades, mosaic arches of windows and paved squares. Virtually all of the city’s walls are painted in piercing shades of blue and blue, creating a whimsical play of light in the narrow, picturesque streets.
STROLL ALONG THE PROMENADES OF THE PORT OF ES SUVEIRA
In Phoenician and Roman times the city of Essaouira was an important point of maritime trade. Caravans arriving from the Sahara and ships arriving from distant countries stopped here. Its name means “how beautiful” in Arabic. Today, tourists come to Essaouira to taste the delicious dishes in the fish restaurants, visit museums and exhibitions, go surfing and attend the Gnaoua Festival of expressive music.
VISIT THE EARTHEN FORTRESS OF AYT-BEN-HADDOU
A strong fortification-xar was built in the 11th century to protect the caravan route from Marrakech to Timbuktu. By the mid-twentieth century, this trade route had lost its importance. The population gradually left Ait-Ben-Haddou, and the fortress became a favorite location for shooting Hollywood epics. Scenes from “Lawrence of Arabia”, “The Pearl of the Nile”, “The Mummy”, “Alexander”, “Gladiator” and other famous films were filmed here.
FEEL THE BURNING BREATH OF THE DESERT
The grandiose Sahara is like another planet. Billions of tons of sand on millions of square kilometers of land. It is like a giant living organism, moving, breathing and constantly conquering new lands. A jeep tour deep into this harsh desert will be an unforgettable adventure for anyone. During the exciting journey through the Sahara, tourists will experience incredible races through the sand dunes and encounter the nomadic Berbers. You can either hire a car to get to the desert or you can check one of the travel agencies in Morocco that offer Marrakech desert tours as it is the most city where to start a tour.
TO ENJOY MOROCCAN FOOD
The spicy aromas of Arabian cuisine envelop and mesmerize, like a dance of an oriental beauty. Couscous, harissa, tagine, chickpea soup, harira are just a few examples of the incredibly delicious and hearty dishes traditionally served in Morocco. Special mention should be made of Moroccan mint tea and coffee with sesame or pepper. Of the sweets worth mentioning are bushkutush ginger biscuits and shbakia honey pie.
IMMERSE YOURSELF IN THE MULTICULTURAL ATMOSPHERE OF TANGIER
In clear weather, Tangier can be seen from the distant shores of Europe. In this amazing city, Arab civilization mixed with Western civilization. For a long time, Tangier stood apart from the rest of Morocco. European and American artists, writers, and other creative people came here, creating a free-spirited, bohemian atmosphere. There are many sandy beaches in and around the city where you can sunbathe in the beautiful scenery.
MARVEL AT THE IMPREGNABLE CLIFFS OF THE TODRA GORGE
The powerful Atlas range, stretching from the Atlantic to the Mediterranean coast, crosses the territory of Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. To the south, the mountain range rests against the relentless and incessant sands of the Sahara Desert. The narrow Todra Gorge is one of the most impressive parts of the Atlas Mountains. Its steep cliffs at their narrowest point are no more than 10 meters apart. During the day, the walls of the canyon change color depending on the position of the sun.
LEARNING THE ART OF BARGAINING
The ability of Arab traders to sell anything at the best price has been legendary for centuries. In the colorful bazaars of Marrakech, Rabat, Tangier, Casablanca and Agadir, you can compete with them in this skill. Moroccan markets are a veritable treasure trove of rare spices, traditional ceramics, elaborately woven carpets, antiques, oriental delicacies, jewelry and a thousand other useful items instead of gold coins and emeralds. For a big itinerary in Morocco that will allow you discover the most attractions, many people do the 12 days tour from Casablanca because it is long and you can discover not only the desert but also the cultural econimical and touristic attractions.
