Most of You may hear about Morocco and Want to Know about the country, its culture, food, and the people who knows; after reading this Morocco tour Guide, You may plan a trip to Morocco.
I have a lot to say about Morocco. Morocco is the only African Country that borderlines with the Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines. Morocco is known for enriching culture, religion, and its primitive tradition. Once you visit Morocco, I promise you will never forget the scent of mint tea and the taste of tagine, Spectacular Mosques, twisting markets called Medinas, and pervasive spice stalls.
Morocco is known as the most Progressive Country in North Africa. The Biggest Attraction of Morocco is its Fourth largest city Marrakech. According to Winston Churchill, “Marrakesh is simply the nicest place on Earth to spend an afternoon.” That is the sheer example of the greatness of this city that, despite his hectic schedule, he could not resist experiencing the charm of this city.
Each City in Morocco has its unique charm. Tangier, for example, has been a gateway to Africa and Europe for thousands of years. You can see ports, Old historical buildings, Kasbah museum, old markets, sandy beaches, and explore many other things in this city.
From High Atlas Mountains to the Stunning Sahara Desert Views. Morocco is a beautiful country that everyone should visit once in their life, or it should be on your travel Bucket list. If you want to enjoy a Marrakech to Fes desert tour, check out our 3-day Package.
No doubt, Morocco is a country of wonders, and there are plenty of things you could do and see to make your trip memorable. Here are some of these things which you will regret if you miss on your next tour to Morocco.
In North Africa, the Old part of the town or city is known as the Medina. It is Usually Walled and contains Street stalls, shopping centers, fountains, Mosques, etc. Markets in medinas are old and very close and twisted together. So, if you love getting lost, then you should visit Medinas in any city in Morocco. I prefer not to go off the beaten path, and especially women, it can be a bit unsafe for them. If you want to explore the medinas, then hire the local Experts and stay on the streets with lots of tours.
The high Atlas Mountains is the Mountain range spanning Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. The highest peak is Toubkal, with a rise of 4,167 meters (13,671 ft) in southwestern Morocco. Atlas Mountains Segregate Mediterranean and Atlantic coastlines from the Sahara Desert. You can hike Mount Toubkal any time of the Year, but the best time would be from the end of March till the Mid of June.
In the Eastern part of the High Atlas Mountains, this wadi exits. It is becoming prevalent among tourists because the hike of Torda George is challenging, but if you want to do something different, then do conquer this Canyon.
Located in the city of Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque is a piece of art and a result of the efforts of thousands of skilled Moroccan artisans. It took about six years to build this great piece of art. It is the largest mosque in Africa and the third-largest in the world. According to Wikipedia, around 105000 people can worship in it at a time.
If you are a cooking fan and want to learn how to cook traditional Moroccan food, you can join the cooking classes in big cities of Morocco like Fez, Casablanca, and Marrakech. Conventional Moroccan food mixes Arabic, Eastern, French, Berber, Andalusian, and Mediterranean Cuisine with some influence from Europe and the Sahara. Many Hotels and riads offer cooking classes and can teach the secret of making a Moroccan Tagine, lamb Couscous, or pigeon pastilla in no time.
The Kasbah of Oudaias is located in Rabat, the capital of Morocco. It has been on a list of the UNESCO as a World Heritage list since 2006. You can find this Kasbah in the oldest Corner of the City. The Kasbah’s peaceful environment, Beautiful narrow streets, and white houses make it one of the best tourist attractions in Rabat. From the heights of this Kasbah, you can enjoy the breathtaking views of the Bouregreg River and the Atlantic ocean.
Are you a surfer? Do you want to test your surfing skills? If your answer is Yes, then I would like you to know that Morocco is very famous among the surfers. The primary season for surfing in Morocco is from August to April, but if you want to catch the better waves, you should go in between January and March. Taghazout, Imsouan, and Sidi Kaouki are the best spots to do surfing and shop for surfing accessories.
The city of Northwestern Morocco is Located on the north African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, where the Mediterranean Sea joins the Atlantic Ocean. The historical backdrop of Tangiers is vibrant because it is a hub of many different cultures. Starting from the period of Berbers, and Phoenicians, until the independence era around the 1950s, lots of Civilizations lived there, and till this very day, it influences these Civilizations. Around 100 years ago, this city acquired the international status of the foreign Colonel powers and became the favorite spot of many Diplomats, Writers, Artists, and business people.
If you are a movie fan and want to see the place where the Evergreen movies like “The Mummy,” “Kingdom of Heaven,” “Lawrence of Arabia,” “Gladiator’ and part of the Famous TV show Games of Thrones have been shot, then you should visit this famous Atlas Studio. It is situated 5km west of the city of Ouarzazate in Morocco. Founded in 1983 and named for its relationship with High Atlas Mountains. It is the largest film studio globally and covers more than 300000 sq ft of the Desert.
It is considered a hub for trading and settlement during the Roman Empire times. It is also known as the ancient capital of Mauretania. It was built on a green hilltop in the 3rd century BC. Arabs arrived in 708 and were inhabited by a tribe named Awraba that originated from Libya. The best part is that a large portion of the city is still unexcavated, so the site has a crude vibe. You would love to see the Roman ruins once you visit this ancient city.
Morocco is famous for its camel rides. You can enjoy camel rides in almost any city, but the best one is in the Sahara Desert. You can enjoy Camel Rides in Morocco at a very reasonable price.
You can enjoy half-day quad biking in the palm groves of Marrakech. It would be your lifetime experience. I highly recommend checking out Half Day Marrakech Quad Bike Tour.
It depends upon your passport country, but most visitors will not need a visa to travel to Morocco. Also, Visitors are typically allowed to stay up to 90 days in Morocco.
Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bahrain, Belgium, Bulgaria, Brazil, Chile, Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Guinea, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Guinea (Conakry), Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Indonesia, Italy, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kuwait, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxemburg, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Mali, Malta, Mexico, Monaco, Netherlands, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Poland, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, and Venezuela for a stay of up to three months.
I have good news for all the Californians. The climate in Morocco is similar to California, but the weather also depends upon the place where you stay. Atlantic Coast is a bit cooler than the Interior of the Country. North of Morocco is much Mild than its south. Typically spring and fall are the most reasonable times of the Year, and temperature can reach up to 70F. But when the summer times come, morocco can give Europeans some tough time because the temperature in summer can reach up to well over 100F in the south of Morocco; even the north part of the country would be warm in summers. Talking about the winter and rainy seasons, the temperature can drop around 40F.
It would be my general packing ideas and recommendations for your morocco travel. Of course, that will depend upon which time of the Year you are traveling to the country. I assume that you are a regular traveler who will adopt a general tour to morocco. These are the things that you should have in your bag on your next tour to morocco:
Although like in any country of the world, Moroccans speak many different languages, the dominant one is Modern Arabic, known as Darija. It cannot be labeled as pure Arabic, but it is, in fact, a blend of many different languages like French, Arabic, Spanish, and Berber. It is such a foreign language that most native Arabic Speakers outside of Algeria and Tunisia could not understand the pure Moroccan Language! However, it will help you if you learn a few words from this modern Arabic language known as Darija.
Most Moroccans can speak Spanish and French also, but not all of them are proficient in them. In big cities of Morocco like Marrakech, Fez, Tangier, Casablanca, etc., you can hear many different languages from the natives. Some of them are also very proficient in English.
Always Contact some Local and Licensed Morocco tour Companies. They will guide you on what you should do on your tour, but if you are off the beaten path and find yourself in an awkward position, I have prepared some words that could help you if you lose your way.
La – No
Afak – Please
Labas – how are you?
Beslama – Bye
Sbah el khyer – Good Morning
Tasharafna – Nice to meet you
Tasbah ala Kheyr – Good Night
Baraka Allahu Feek – May God Bless you
Shokran – Thankyou
Inshallah – God Willing
Mafmtsh – I don’t understand
Tkalam ingles? – Do you speak English
Mitsharfin – It’s nice to meet you
Zwin or Bneen – It’s delicious
Mashi muskhil – It’s not a problem
Fin toilette? – Where is the Bathroom
Like above, you should add some more words to your vocabulary, which would help you a lot in your itinerary, and the best part is you can impress your guide and other Moroccans with your tongue!
Although the trip to Morocco is quite affordable, it’s up to the traveler. If you want to stay in fancy hotels and riads and eat western and fancy spicy foods, then it is self-evident that it will cost you a lot of money. But, on the other hand, if you avoid it, you will be amazed at how much money you will save on your trip. Anyways, here are some of the money-saving tips for you.
Try to eat from the street stalls because it would cost you significantly less. Restaurant meals can cost you 100 MAD ($10). While in less than 30 MAD, you can enjoy delicious kebabs, barbecued corn on the cob, Hot fried chicken, shawarma, sandwiches, and many more things.
Moroccans are champions in Negotiation. You should also be brilliant in that area. When you buy something from Medina, negotiate as much as possible. Also, Negotiate cab fare before getting into it, or ask the cab driver to turn the meter on.
I have mentioned it above, and Now again, I am forcing this, do not fall into the trap of fake tour guides. So many false tour guides wonder in the Medina, and they will persuade you to accept their service, but you should say no to these frauds and walk away. They will insist on you but eventually leave you if you do not answer them.
You should not bring some valuable items with you, especially in crowded places. Many thieves wonder in a medina who can steal your watches, laptops, Camera, wallets, etc. So beware and be attentive in overcrowded areas.
As you know by now, it is an Islamic Country, and Drinking Alcohol in public is not allowed in the country. However, drinking alcohol in restaurants, bars, clubs, hotels, and riads is ok. You can buy alcohol in significant supermarkets and liquor stores. Beware of traveling to remote areas and small towns where alcohol is unavailable.
There are many ways to get around Morocco, but if you are looking at budget travel, I would recommend train travel. It is cheap and very reliable also the major cities are on the route. However, if you want to visit the small towns, bus services are available throughout the country, taking you off the beaten path.
Most people wish to see most of Morocco quickly, but let me tell you, it is impossible to see it in such a short span. So if you want to explore most of the country in less than ten days, consider booking air tickets. Royal Air Maroc (RAM) flies throughout the country, and tickets are not very expensive, but their service standards are not so good for internal flights as they are delayed most of the time.
If you choose to drive a car in Morocco, a rental service is also available in major cities. In addition, Morocco accepts international driving licenses, but you should be alert to speed traps.
Another solution is to take a taxi. Taxis ran throughout the country. There is a centralized hub for taxis in almost every city where you can take a Grand Taxi. Before negotiating, tell them if you want a private taxi or not. Because if you do not take a private taxi, it would be shared, and a taxi may make stops and take and let off the passengers along the way.
Every Year there are millions of travelers visit Morocco. From those, many women travelers also want to see and explore this beautiful country. Of course, it is safe for women travelers, but I have some tips that will help you on the next tour of Morocco for individual female travelers.
The following are some valuable tips for shopping in Morocco.
The most common question people ask before visiting. The short answer to this question is “YES” Morocco is very safe for traveling, and you will be shocked that it is more reliable than some European countries like Spain and France. There are some tips for you to ensure your safety from your end.
It is also very safe for women travelers, but you might face some issues, but they are minor. Some people may tease or comment on you, but for all the women I have mentioned above and again telling you the same thing, just ignore and carry yourself with confidence, and you will be fine. In case of emergency, here are some critical phone numbers you should use.
Police in Cities 19
Police in Rural Areas 177
Fire and Ambulance 15
In the worst case, if something happens to you on the street, just threaten them to call the police or knock the close the door. Moroccans are very friendly, and they will help you get out of the situation. If you are alone and no one is nearby, just give the robbers some money, get out of the scenario, and leave immediately.
The airports of Morocco are also very secure. This may sound weird because most people think that they are unsecured. I know that the level of security is not as tight as that of the US or Europe, but trust me, Moroccan security agencies and government are very vigilant and know about every single person coming in and out of the country. They take security very seriously, and it is their utmost priority to provide the best protection to foreign travelers and people as a whole. So, if I have to sum this up, then if there is one thing the Moroccan government takes seriously, it is security. So, follow their laws and regulations. It is for your good.
If we talk about Moroccan cuisine in general, food is spicy in Morocco, but it also depends on where you come from. Because if you are Middle Eastern or Asian, then you will not find it that much spicy, but if you come from the US or any other European country, you will definitely find it a bit spicy. But the food in most of the Cafes and Restaurants is very safe to eat. Even some street stalls offer delicious and safe food to eat.
Moroccans cook the meat thoroughly. I hardly find boiled meat in any hotel or on street stalls. Sometimes they overcook the meat, but, in any case, it would be mouthwatering. The same goes for vegetables. They offer cooked vegetables, not raw as most European Restaurants do.
Fruits are grown on small farms, and it is very safe to eat. I will not say that fruits would be organic, but the involvement of pesticides would be to the minimum. I recommend that you should not limit yourself to fear of illness. Moroccan food is delicious and very safe to Eat.
Some people have a weak stomach. They usually get food poisoning when they travel to a new place or try fresh food in a different country. So, I would say bring some medicine that suits you for them. If you forget, just consult a local doctor or do some domestic Moroccan remedy, and you should be fine.
If I talk about WATER, I will force you to stick with bottled water. Although you can brush your teeth with tap water for drinking water, I recommend not taking any chance and buying bottled water from “Sidi Ali” or any other good company.
Morocco is an Islamic country, and Alcohol is banned in public places. But you can find out bars and nightclubs which can offer you Alcohol. These bars and Night Clubs can only be found in the Big Cities of morocco. Alcohol can be bought in supermarkets and liquor stores in major cities.
If I need to mention one place which is the center of attraction for more than half of the tourists who come to morocco every Year, then that place would be the SAHARA DESERT. Mythical, mysterious, beautiful, and incredible are the words that cannot even describe the Sahara Desert. You have to visit and experience it by yourself. I bet you will not be able to resist the beauty of the Pink Sand surrounding you. Visiting Morocco Sahara Desert is a Dream for Every Traveler who visits Morocco. I have Prepared some tips for you. When you visit the Sahara desert, do not forget to miss these fun things in Sahara.
The days of the Sahara Desert are Long Compared to their nights, especially in Summer. About 3500 hours of daylight yearly. Skies are always clear except in the Rainy season. The western part of the Sahara Desert experiences even more sun, about more than 4000 hours annually. That is why low rainfall, high exposure to heat, and long days make it the Hottest Desert in the world. The average day temperature is about 40C.
The temperature of the Sahara Desert in Nights is pretty cold in winter and early spring. On average, it varies between 6C to 16C in the spring, while in winters, it can reach up to -4 C. Summer nights are warm enough to allow you to sleep under the stars.
Speaking about Authentic tours, I would like you to see our Morocco Tour packages. We offer Private and Shared Day Trips from Marrakech. So whether you want Morocco Luxury Tour or a Cheap Morocco tour, we can help you. We offer day trips and excursions to Morocco Sahara Desert, the Atlas Mountains, Essaouira, quad biking, and camel trekking activities in the palm grove on the outskirts of Marrakech.
We are the highest-rated tour operators in the world’s largest Tour forum. We have over 320 Excellent reviews. Additionally, we are on the top of the TripAdvisor morocco travel forums by attaining an Excellent rating.