We’ve mostly been calling this country “Morocco” in this article, but that actually isn’t its official name. The full name is The Kingdom of Morocco, and it joins an ever-shrinking list of official kingdoms – there are just seven others in the entire world. The country adopted this title officially in 1956 when the French colonial rule there came to an end. It’s a little different in the native Arabic, however.
The name in that language is al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyyah, which is best translated to “The Kingdom of the Western Place.” That’s quite a cool name if we do say so ourselves. Very mystical and fantastical. Morocco is a derivative of the name of the city of Marrakesh, which was the area’s capital for a long time.
Dressing as the Moroccans Do
If you take a trip to Morocco, you’re sure to see plenty of people dressed just like you. Well, not just like you – nobody has your sense of style, that’s for sure. But they wear shorts and jeans and jackets and things like that. But Morocco does have a “national costume” that they keep in the closet for special occasions such as holy days and celebrations. It’s called the djellaba, and it looks a little bit like a coverall.
It’s available in all kinds of colors, and it’s a unisex outer robe or dress with full sleeves. The mountain dwellers of the country call it a Tadjellabit, a Berber term for the piece of clothing. There are also cold-weather versions that come complete with a pointed hood to trap heat around your head.
The Kind of Money That Makes a Country
The monetary unit of this coastal country is the Moroccan dirham. You can find banknotes in twenty, fifty, one hundred, and two hundred dirham amounts. Coins are more popular than in the United States, available in one, two, five, and ten dirhams. There are also coins for cents (called centimes) in denominations of one, five, ten, twenty, and fifty.
It will be impossible for us to pin down an exchange rate that can be relied on for any amount of time, but the dirham has tended to hover around ten cents in American money. Thus, ten dirhams equals about one dollar. For this reason, Morocco is seen as a cost-effective place to visit if you’re on a budget.
Spend a Night in the Desert
Yes, usually, that kind of thing sounds like a threat, but it turns out this is one of the best things to do in Morocco. Journey into the Sahara Desert on the back of a camel – in and of itself a rather unique experience – where you can climb sand dunes and even do something called sandboarding. We don’t know exactly what that is, but we bet we can figure it out given enough time.
After all that action, you can find a dune to pitch a tent. Just, like, any dune. Who’s going to get mad at you? There are families of Berbers who do the same thing, and you might get lucky enough to have dinner with them. There are some tours that will set this sort of nighttime fun up for you.
Olympic Success
Since first joining the Olympic games in 1960, Morocco has sent athletic delegates to every game with a few exceptions: The first is the 1976 Summer Games, in which most of Africa boycotted the games, and the second is the next time, 1980 when many countries boycotted the Soviet invasion of Afghanistan.
However, this relatively small country has been able to rack up an impressive number of wins in that short time, including seven gold medals. All of those golds – as well as a vast majority of the country’s other Olympic accolades – come from footraces, though they’ve garnered a couple of bronze medals from boxing as well. Their most successful Olympian is one Hicham El Guerrouj, with a pair of golds and a silver from longer races (1,500 kilometers to 5,000 kilometers).
A Special Stop for Travelers
If you caught sight of Aït Benhaddou and didn’t know what you were looking at, you might assume it’s a vision from the past. This town is actually a UNESCO World Heritage site that seems to be carved out of the mountain itself. Located about fifty miles southeast of Marrakesh, Aït Benhaddou is known as an Ighrem, a small walled and protected village that was a common stopping point for traders and travelers who were making their way across the desert.
There aren’t that many people who live there now, but this small village is a beautiful site and a memory of what life was like before many of our modern conveniences. Your best bet is to arrive early so you can avoid both the crowds of tourists, as well as the searing sun of the afternoon.
All the Way Across the Mediterranean
If you want to do something cool, you’ll need to pick the right spot and a clear day – do it properly and you can see all the way across the Mediterranean to Spain. The Strait of Gibraltar is the narrowest spot of the Mediterranean Sea, but at most places, it’s still something like fifteen miles across. Even for those with a good set of peepers, that’s a long distance to look.
However, there are some high locations to climb to give you a better chance, and if you have a clear day you might just catch sight of Europe. Sure, it’s only Spain, but it’s still part of Europe. Here’s a fun piece of trivia: did you know that “Gibraltar” can be translated to “Gate of Morocco”? Also, “The Pillars of Hercules,” which is...sorry, Morocco, but that’s cooler.
It’s Time to See Some Ruins
Being so close to Europe, and having housed people of one form or another for thousands of years, of course this country has its fair share of ruins. If you’re interested in learning more about the history of the country and the region, make a day trip to the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
These are found near the modern city of Meknes and date back to the ancient Berber kingdoms that held sway over the area of modern-day Morocco more than two thousand years ago. Then, as they tend to do, the Romans arrived. They brought all of their Roman advances as well as their rule, and they expanded a whole lot of the area, leaving ruins all over the place. The most famous of these ruins are at Volubilis.
Enter the Valley of Roses
While you’re vacationing in a foreign country, you might be focused on doing and seeing as much as you can before you have to go back home, but that’s not the way to do things at all. Sometimes, you just have to stop and smell the roses. And, if you’re vacationing in Morocco, that’s something you can do literally.
The M’Goun Valley, also known as the Valley of Roses, is a particularly beautiful part of the country that you should try and see if you have the time. From this part of the country, four thousand tons of roses are harvested every single year, and those roses are often used in the making of local beauty products. It’s an immense area that sits in the heart of Morocco.
Plenty of Beach Property
Morocco famously has a desert but also a snowy mountain ski resort, but now we’re going to tell you about the wide stretches of waterfront space it can boast. The west side of the country is against the Atlantic Ocean, while the north side is up against the Mediterranean Sea, making it only one of three countries to be attached to both bodies of water.
This means there are plenty of beautiful beaches to stroll on if you aren’t interested in the hustle and bustle of the cities or the burning sands of the desert. If you’re after a relaxing day of sun and surf, it’s hard to beat getting access to a pair of famous bodies of water at the same time – though you may have to travel a little bit.
Journey a Famous Roadway
How many countries in the world have a “most famous mountain pass”? Count Morocco among the number thanks to the Tizi n’Test road. This path was built in 1920 to help link Marrakesh and Taroudant, two cities that are more than two hundred kilometers apart. For people who love interesting drives, this is one to try. If you get a day with good weather, you’ll get amazing views of the surrounding countryside.
You’ll have to deal with constant hairpin turns as the height reaches two kilometers above sea level and then starts to descend. Since it’s so high, the pass can sometimes be covered in clouds. If you need to stop and take a breather during the hectic ride, there are cafes at certain points where you can relax for a cup of coffee.
The Beautiful Mosque and More of Casablanca
Since it shares a name with one of the most famous movies of all time, Casablanca is easily the most recognizable town in the country. While you can’t relive scenes from the movie (since it wasn’t actually shot in the country), you can still make the most of Casablanca. A winning spot to look at is the Hassan II Mosque in the city, which has a huge tower and amazing designs around the outer walls.
It’s right up against the waters of the Atlantic Ocean, making it all the more breathtaking. After that, you can go to the Quartier Habous to find souvenirs like pottery or leather goods. This city is a big tourist place, so expect to pay a little more for the good stuff, but it’s still the good stuff.
Visit Spain Without Leaving the Country
Morocco and Spain are a stone’s throw away from each other, which means different parts of each country have been traded back and forth as empires rose and fell, colonies were founded, and independence was won. However, there is still a city within the borders of Morocco that belongs to the Spanish – Ceuta is a Spanish autonomous city on the east side of the spit of land that juts out toward Spain.
This combination of Spanish and Moroccan architecture, food, and culture is a unique sight to behold in the North African country. It’s a fun day trip option if you want to mix up your time in this country, but we don’t know if it will be complicated getting there and back, regarding passports and things like that.
Fridays Are for Couscous
If you’ve never had a chance to try couscous, you’re missing out. It’s a great little grain, and it’s also the national dish of Morocco. However, there are a lot of people who only eat it on Friday, which is the Islamic holy day of the week. Of course, there’s nothing against couscous being served on any other day of the week, but the Muslims of the country tend to serve it on Friday.
There doesn’t seem to be much of a reason for this other than a merging of cultural consciousness – unless they’re fasting, Muslims are allowed to eat meat on Fridays. It’s just one of those things that a nation will pick up and hold to, even if there are no rules or guidelines saying that it has to be that way.
School Has Been in Session for a Long Time
You might think that the oldest school in the world is in London or Rome, but its place of rest is actually in Fez, Morocco. Technically, it’s only BELIEVED to be the oldest school in the world, but it has a pretty good claim to the title. It’s Al-Qarawiyyin University, and it’s said to have been founded in 859. That’s right; this school has been in operation for more than a thousand years.
It started as a mosque and center for Islamic studies but then began to expand to topics like law, mathematics, language, and astronomy. It’s done a lot to preserve the knowledge from the time of the Islamic Golden Age (eighth to thirteenth century), and it attracted many famous scholars from the Muslim world.
Not a Place of Much Learning
Despite Morocco being the location of the oldest institution of higher learning in the entire world, it seems the country as a whole is having something of a literacy crisis. In rural areas especially, less than half of the girls in the country graduate from the high school equivalent. This is usually because, instead of attending school, kids and girls especially are tasked with chores around the house and taking care of younger kids.
Even adults can have a little bit of trouble with their schooling – only about three-fourths of grownups can read and write. However, things are improving slowly. The irony of the country having the oldest university in the world but not having a great educational system is not easily missed.
Keeping the Desert at Bay
It’s news to us that the Moroccan government has to constantly work to keep back the encroaching Sahara Desert, but maybe you weren't aware of just how much effort it takes. Every year, the Moroccan government plants thousands of acres of forest in order to keep the fertile topsoil in place. These are mostly hardy trees, such as the area’s Argan trees, which block the sand of the desert. Or something.
We have no idea how you stop a desert from growing. The Argan trees have the added benefit of providing plenty of wonder Argan oil, too. The nations of the Sahara Desert are unified in trying to keep it from spreading, even trying to reclaim some of the land and make it usable.
A Big Muslim Population
The primary religion in the country is Islam – in fact, about ninety-nine percent of people in the country identify as Muslim. However, it remains one of the most progressive Muslim countries in the world. Speaking generally, it’s far more accepting of outsiders than the majority of other Muslim-majority countries. It allows other beliefs and faiths that may not conform to the Muslim lifestyle.
Despite that, the Muslim influence is apparent and noticeable everywhere in the country, such as in the country’s laws and general code of conduct. Be sure to take a look at where these details differ from your native country if you’re planning a trip. For example, while foreign women aren’t required to cover their heads in Morocco, most guides recommend clothing that covers your shoulders and falls past your knees.
A Sport for the Entire Country
Call it soccer or football or the name that it has in Morocco, Korea, but no matter what you do, don’t disparage it while you’re visiting Morocco. The national team, the Lions of Atlas, was the first African team to make it to the second round of the World Cup back in 1986.
This sport is the national sport of the country, and the people will gladly get together around the telly to watch their team play, especially against “local” rivals from Algeria, Tunisia, and Egypt. They’ve enjoyed several years as the top African team, including a three-year stretch from 1997 to 1999. In the 2022 World Cup, they were able to climb all the way to fourth place before being defeated by the eventual runner-up, the French team.
PDA Is a No-No
While doing things like kissing, hugging, and even holding hands between spouses or partners isn’t necessarily illegal, it is heavily frowned upon, so much so that the practices can be thought of as taboo. Nobody will mind much if you sneak a quick kiss, but anything beyond that is inappropriate. The reason for this is there are laws on the books about things that are “an act of aggression against Moroccan Muslim society and people,” and for some reason, public displays of affection fall under that umbrella.
It turns out that when charges related to these things are brought up, they’re almost always against Moroccan couples, not tourists. Just don’t be too ridiculous with it, and we don’t think anybody will mind except the old ladies, and what are they going to do?
No I.D. Card Needed
While it isn’t as common practice anymore, it used to be very common for older Berber women to have numerous tattoos covering their face and neck. Originally, this practice was a form of tribal identification. Modern conveniences like identification cards have turned this practice into a more cultural form of identification.
If you know your tattoos, you know that tattoos on the head and neck area are some of the more painful to receive, so we’re left wondering why they chose this instead of something like the back of the hand or the arm. Sure, getting a tattoo anywhere is going to hurt, but why pick spots that will be the most painful? Maybe it was some sort of test of courage.
Seeing Red
It’s clear that Morocco is a colorful place – not only is there a blue city (also featured in this article), but there’s a RED city as well. While the Blue City of Chefchaouen has been painted blue, the Red City of Marrakesh is red because of the color of the clay and red sandstone that is common in the area. Many old buildings, including walls and towers, were built using this colorful rock.
They’re really more of a pink or salmon color, but “the pink city” isn’t anywhere near as cool as “the red city.” Marrakesh is found in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and there’s plenty more to see here than just the red color, such as a medina so impressive it’s a UNESCO World Heritage site.
The Original Seat of Power
Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is an important place in the history of Morocco – it’s where the first official ruler, Idris I, came to power all the way back in the eighth century. If you aren’t that interested in history, there’s still plenty to do here. There are a lot of walking routes, but some of them can be so tough that they’re a little more like hiking paths.
However, if you have the stamina to do some exploring, you can find fun bakeries, great spots for a cup of coffee, and even shops that press olives into oil. There are places in the nearby city of Fes where you can sign up for a tour that will hit all the most popular spots of this historic city.
There’s a Ski Resort?
No, we didn’t think that this North African country would have a ski resort any more than you did, but apparently, there is at least one. It’s a pretty small one, but it’s still there. It’s called Oukaïmeden, and it means “Give People.” We guess not every name has to make that much sense. It’s not only the highest ski resort in all of Africa, but it’s on an honest-to-God mountain. In Morocco! Incredible.
It has seven lifts and more than six miles of skiing paths. Sure, it’s not like something you’re going to find in the Alps or the Rocky Mountains, but if you want to do something really special, this might be the way to do it. The summers in the mountains are short and warm, but the winters are long and cold.
Try a Local Cooking Class
Just like any other country in the world, Morocco has a unique and vibrant culinary culture for you to try, but you don’t have to be stuck with just eating it! If you really want to learn about the food of a specific country, try making it yourself! For instance, tagine cooking classes are all the rage in Morocco. Tangine is made of vegetables and meat – usually lamb – slow-cooked in an earthenware pot. It’s a common find on almost any traditional Moroccan menu.
If you take a cooking class, you can learn how to cook this delicious and healthy dish the way the experts do it. Sure, you could read it from a website from home, but it will mean a lot more to learn from somebody who has been eating it all his or her life.
The Best of the Beaches
If you’re a big fan of stretching out in the sun and enjoying the waves, then it seems like Morocco has a lot to offer you. In particular, the popular resorts of Agadir have a ton of water to enjoy, and during the summer, the place is packed with tourists who want to have fun in a new country. There are big package deals that include everything you could need for a full vacation of your very own.
You could also strike out to find some less-busy beaches by heading up or down the Atlantic. The crowds can get a little tiring, which means you can still go and find a spot of your own. Of course, if you love being surrounded by other people, by all means.
Plenty of Space Under These Arches
On the Western side of the country, against the Atlantic Ocean, one of the most popular tourist destinations to visit is Legzira Beach and the famous arches there. These amazing red stone arches, naturally formed thanks to the unique currents and water flows of the area, are a natural sight to behold. While a few of the arches have come apart in recent years just due to the natural erosion of water on rock, there is still plenty left to enjoy.
These arches are enormous, and the red color is beautiful, so it’s impossible for us to say this is one to skip. It’s an incredibly popular spot with tourists – often called the best thing to see in Morocco – so crowds are almost always going to be there, but they’re the worst on the weekends.
It’s Time to Roar
The national animal of Morocco is the Barbary lion, but don’t start looking up zoos. Sadly, this animal is extinct following the advent of firearms. Up until then, there had always been bounties for the animals, which would terrorize herds and sometimes attack humans, and so once people had a reliable way of dispatching them, they did so with wild abandon.
This was the animal that so often faced off against gladiators in the arena during Roman times, and they roamed freely around the area of the Atlas Mountains in Morocco. It was Barbary lions that were kept at the Tower of London during the Middle Ages, and they were often found in circus menageries and even hotels. There may still be lions descended from Barbary lions in zoos around Morocco.
Catching a Wave
When people think of surfing, they imagine the coast of Florida, Los Angeles, or Australia, but it turns out there are plenty of tubular places to visit in Morocco if you’re a surfer. The wild Atlantic coast of Morocco has been a surfer’s getaway for some time, though it doesn’t seem to have much stake in pop culture for that kind of place.
The prime spot for hitting the water seems to be the sleepy little village of Taghazout – years ago, it was little more than a fishing village, but summer crowds of surfers have begun to descend on the place by the hundreds or thousands. The village has adapted to this change, and you can now find surf schools, plenty of places to stay, and lots of other surfers – it sounds like paradise.
It’s Time for a Medina
One of the biggest draws for a lot of tourists is the Medina, a historic quarter of a city that is found throughout North Africa. Surrounded by walls and packed with narrow, winding streets, a medina is an exciting adventure for the traveler. The medina in the city of Fez is the largest active medina in the world. The city is said to be the cultural capital of the entire country, and it may even be the oldest city in Africa.
The Fez or Fes medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site and has two main sections, Old Fes and New Fes. The Old Fes is the heart of the city, featuring medieval architecture, old-world mosques, and some amazing Islamic schools. These places are a sensory overload, with vendors, shops, performers, and all kinds of amazing goods to buy.
Better Bring Some Sunscreen
Morocco is home to part of the Sahara Desert, the largest hot desert in the world. Yes, most deserts are hot, but not all of them. Famously, the Antarctic is mostly a desert since it gets less than ten inches of precipitation a year. It also happens to be cold. But back to the Sahara: It spans more than three-point-three million square miles and lands in eleven countries in North Africa.
It covers a significant portion of Morocco’s southeastern region. You might think that a desert doesn’t have much to see...but that’s part of the allure. There are places that are perfectly silent. During the night, you can see millions of stars. It’s a tranquil, awe-inspiring place that can feel so far disconnected from the rest of the world that one will get goosebumps.
Explore Huge Rocks
There are plenty of beautiful cities in Morocco to explore, but that doesn’t mean there are a lot of nature options that will turn anyone’s head. One place that you should certainly try to visit is the Gorges of Dades. This place has to be seen to be believed – the pictures barely do it justice. There are numerous different hikes to go on, but you might want to find a guide who knows the area – it’s easy to get lost, and some of the hikes can be treacherous.
There’s an immense passage between a pair of bluffs that have been carved for centuries by the Dades River, similar to how the Colorado River carved the Grand Canyon. This is a must-see for any geology buff or someone who is after amazing sights.
Not the Breakfast Kind
If you visit Morocco without any kids or step outside your hotel kidless enough times, expect to be approached by a hash dealer. Cannabis and its byproducts are illegal in Morocco, but hash is still commonly seen in plenty of places. It’s a concentrated form of cannabis – much more potent than traditional marijuana – and it’s pretty popular in the country. However, just because it’s common doesn’t mean it’s legal.
Buying or consuming it can get you slapped with some harsh punishments. We can’t believe we have to say this, but there are some stupid people out there: don’t do things that are illegal in the country you’re visiting, and don’t get high. It’s not going to turn out well. At least it’s hard to get drunk.
It’s Time to Get Colorful
There’s no way to avoid it – Morocco is an extremely colorful place. That’s thanks in part to the many colorful dyes that you can see for purchase at almost any medina or souk. They get the colors from the many vibrant and indigenous plants of the area. One of the most iconic dyes from the area is indigo, a deep blue shade that will...make everything blue, trust us. Just trust us. The color comes from the leaves of the indigo plant! Imagine that.
You may also be familiar with henna, which is a natural reddish-brown pigment obtained from the...henna plant. It’s a common addition to celebrations and festivals, giving people temporary body art that has become more popular around the world as of late.
Our Oldest Friends
Did you know that Morocco has a very special place in the history of the United States of America? It’s a little hard to pick out, but Morocco was actually the very first country to recognize the United States as a country. Morocco began trading with the United States in 1777, not even a year after the states declared their independence.
There were pre-existing ties between Morocco and the American colonies, and then an agreement in 1786 called the Moroccan-American Treaty of Friendship laid the foundation for mutually beneficial commercial agreements. This is all thanks to Sultan Mohammed III, who was interested in expanding the Moroccan trade networks beyond Europe. An infant country across the Atlantic Ocean gave him a perfect opportunity to do so.
A Hidden Gem
There’s no way that a big city is actually hidden, but the city of Meknes is the kind of place that doesn’t show up on a lot of tourist guides, even though it should. It’s somewhere between Fez and Rabat, and it was one of Morocco’s four imperial cities – amazing that it could be passed by with that kind of resume. There is a great deal of grand, beautiful architecture to enjoy, but a fraction of the visitors that go to places like Rabat, Fez, or Casablanca will never make a stop in Meknes.
There are historic museums, royal palaces, and beautiful mosques that give you your pick of stops without having to deal with all the crowds. Being able to see something new and fun without being swarmed with people in a new country sounds like a deal to us.
See the Entrance to the Mediterranean
The city of Tangier is a place to visit if you want to enjoy a combination of the world’s natural beauty with the memorable look of Morocco. It’s situated at the entry point of the Mediterranean Sea, facing Spain from across the Strait of Gibraltar. Of course, the medina is an easy choice to make while looking for places to visit, but there are a couple of other good choices as well.
For example, there is Hercules Caves, found just outside of the city. The myth tells us that the Greek demi-god Hercules slept in the cave before one of his twelve labors. You should also visit the Tangier Casbah, which often served as a military and political center for the city. The city is also a common starting point for many tours elsewhere in the country.
Don’t Be Sad – It’s Just a Color
Right away, it’s clear to see that Morocco is a beautiful, colorful place, and there are few places that better exemplify that fact than the city of Chefchaouen. It’s known as the Blue Pearl of Morocco, mostly due to the fact that the entire Medina (a historic, usually walled district) and a large portion of the surrounding village is painted a pale blue. Tourists can often be seen wandering around and taking pictures of things.
Intricate doors and windows built into the waves of buildings can make it feel like you’re in the ocean, but the entire effect is one of tranquility, serenity, and peace. It’s the perfect place for painters, photographers, and people who simply want to see how much color can have an effect on things.
Related to a Prophet
The Kingdom of Morocco got its official start in 786 (or 788, details are a little spotty) when a man named Idris I founded the state and began the Idrisid dynasty as the ruler of the first Moroccan state. While there is no clear evidence for this, it’s said that Idris was a direct descendant of the prophet Muhammed – his great, great, great-grandson.
Idris had fled from a massacre of his family in the Hejaz, an area of the world that includes Saudi Arabia, and he came to the area of Morocco before convincing the Awraba Berber tribes to break allegiances to distant caliphs, which allowed him to collect them into a new state. The Idrisid dynasty named Fes the capital of the country and started building the area into a major regional power.
I Can Hear You Now
One odd thing about Morocco is the number of cell phones. The country has a population of roughly thirty-seven million people, but there are more than forty million active cell phones in the country as a whole. That number is probably much higher than the statistics we have on hand, too.
The reason for this is that cell phones are the most popular and common way to access the internet, which has become a necessity for a lot of people. The citizenry of the country is considered quite tech-savvy thanks to this, and we imagine it isn’t impossible to see people walking down the street with more than one cell phone on them at all times. They might even be using more than one at the same time!
A North African Bohemian HangOut
Morocco and Bohemian don’t exactly go together like chocolate and peanut butter, but there was a time during the sixties when the port city of Tangier was a favorite spot for writers, artists, and other free thinkers. The country as a whole has become a lot more religious as of late, but if you visit Tangier, you can still see some of the city that so entranced writer William Burroughs.
It’s thought that the music of the local Tangier musicians went on to inspire the beat poets of the sixties and seventies, leading to a big cultural revolution. Tangier isn’t a very touristy town, so you’ll have to do a little bit of sightseeing on your own, but there is still plenty of fun stuff to do while you enjoy the colorful scenery.
They Certainly Are Charming
You might have seen images of snake charmers in movies or TV shows, but are they real? It seems that they certainly are, at least in Morocco. These people regularly handle venomous reptiles, and it’s perfectly common to see them in popular tourist places like the main square of Marrakech or Tangier, plying their trade for tips from tourists.
However, this practice has been becoming a little less common in Morocco, at least, due to changing attitudes about animal welfare. There have even been a number of authorities that have tried to ban the practice outright. Even if you aren’t a big fan of snakes, you might be interested in seeking out one of these charming animal handlers. You might have to hurry if you want to see one before they’re all gone.
A Capital Place to Be
Morocco has lots of natural beauty to explore and admire, but the cities can be just as beautiful if you want to stay closer to your hotel. The capital city of Rabat is attached to the Atlantic Ocean, meaning you can enjoy the sand and surf while exploring the ancient streets and beautiful architecture of the city. Good choices for exploration spots are the Hassan Tower, the remains of an incomplete Mosque that is more than eight hundred years old.
You can visit the royal palace, which is the official residence of the King of Morocco. Enjoy the Kasbah des Oudaias, a fortress that has protected the city from invaders since the tenth century. Now that you’ve worked up a hunger, we recommend the Dar Zaki. Try the Harira soup, which has plenty of hearty vegetables.
Cats, Cats Everywhere
It doesn’t matter where you go in this country; you’re almost certainly going to see a cat. There are tons of them in Chefchaouen, but almost any city is going to be full of the little furry beasts. They aren’t often pets, but the people of the country will sometimes leave food or scraps in bowls for them to enjoy.
For this reason, rabies is a regular worry in the country, and none of these stray cats have had their shots, obviously, so they might be carrying some diseases. Muslims consider cats to be “clean” animals, and there is also a tale about a cat saving the prophet Muhammed’s life at one point – an explanation for why cats have the M shape on their forehead.
Friends With Four Legs
Clearly, there is a lot in Morocco, but one thing that this article will teach you is the fact that there are a whole lot of animals in the country. In particular, there are tons of horses, goats, camels, and burro (which is just another kind of donkey, we guess) in the country. The animals are everywhere, and if you visit you’re going to find they’re a big part of the local culture.
You’ll see them on city streets, on roads between towns, and even deep in the desert. Hauling carts, carrying tourists, and climbing trees to get food. They’re clearly something that all of the citizens are used to, but it can take a little bit of time. Be sure to take a couple of pictures while you’re there to prove it to your friends.
Warm Water No Matter the Month
Do you want to enjoy some warm water and be immersed in a unique and memorable style of architecture? Then your destination of choice should be Tetouan, which has this and more. It’s right next to the Mediterranean Sea, which means the water will be as warm or warmer than the Atlantic Ocean. As you might imagine, tourists love this, but there are plenty of other things to do in Tetouan.
The small city has some amazing buildings to enjoy. Even more, there are plenty of mountains just next door, meaning there are hikes, tours, and climbs for the outdoorsman or woman. Some of the archeological sites and museums found in the city date back millennia ago – it seems this little place has it all.
It’s Time to Freshen Up
In Morocco, there are lots of dirty things to do. Climb mountains, go surfing, venture into the desert, and on and on. But what if somebody just wants to relax a little bit? Well, how about treating yourself to a traditional spa? One of the must-do activities for a lot of visitors is to enjoy a hammam, a traditional bath with separated areas where guests can soak and steam as attendants scrub them down – usually with the local clay variety.
As most houses didn’t have bathrooms in the centuries of Moroccan life, these bathhouses became an important part of the culture. The architecture is beautiful, and these places now offer lots of different spa experiences. The most famous are from Fes and Marrakech. Luxury hotels often have their own bathhouses, as well.
Full of Symbolism
The Moroccan flag is an easy one to recognize – it’s almost entirely red, and it has a green five-pointed star in the center. Every element of this simple image has plenty of symbolism built into it, just like pretty much every other flag around the world. The five-pointed star, a pentagram, represents the seal of Solomon, a symbol given to the ancient king directly by God (so the story goes). The five points represent the five pillars of Islam.
The deep red background is supposed to symbolize bravery and strength, and the green of the star is the color of Islam, as well as symbolizing peace and hope. So, just like the stars and stripes of our own flag or the colors of the Union Jack, a whole lot of thought went into this symbol of the country.
Put Your Language Skills to the Test
The official language of Morocco is Moroccan Arabic (as well as Tamazight), and that’s what most people from the country speak. However, there are plenty of other languages that you’ll hear just wandering through one of the historic cities. To begin with, there are plenty of dialects of Arabic spoken, including “Standard Arabic” as well as Hasaniyya Arabic. About a third of the population speaks French since Morocco was a French colony at one point.
The people who lived there decided they liked the language enough to keep it around in one form or another. The country is also quite close to Spain, so Spanish is heard quite often as well. About twenty percent of the country can speak some English, especially those who work in the tourist industry.
A One-of-a-Kind Museum
Just like every other country, there are plenty of museums in Morocco to help you get a glimpse at the way the country has changed from the time of the first settlers up until the current age. However, the city of Casablanca has one of the most unique museums in the entire Arab world – a Jewish museum. It’s the only dedicated Jewish museum in the Arab world, and it celebrates Judaeo-Muslim culture as well as the mutual influences behind both parts of that culture.
Jews first settled in the area during some time in the second century B.C., so there is plenty of history to go over. Some of Morocco's traditional textile patterns were inspired by the clothing worn by Jewish women from centuries before it became an official country.
Fall in Love With a Waterfall
It’s a tough job coming up with the most beautiful natural hotspot in this hot country, but the Ouzoud Waterfall is going to be hard to beat. Found near the village of Tanaghmeilt, the Ouzoud Waterfall astounds with the diverse flows and incredible rock formations in the Atlas Mountains.
Book a day trip from Marrakech for an easy way to enjoy this natural wonder without too much hassle – as an added bonus, the guides might just help you spot some of the local wildlife. It should be noted that swimming in the falls is not a good idea for a couple of reasons, but you should bring a bathing suit just in case you want to dip your toes in the water – it’s a pretty common sight to see.
Time to Start Climbing
Surfing, sand, fun food, great architecture – is there anything that Morocco doesn’t have? It doesn’t seem like it since you can also find some unique and memorable rock climbing paths to explore. In particular, Todra Gorge is a climber’s playground, with numerous rock walls and faces that have pre-existing bolts or are craggy enough to climb freehand – if you have that kind of bravery.
There are paths ranging from beginner to advanced levels, and they offer amazing views of the mountains and surrounding landscape. Of course, you can also go hiking near the gorge for an easier trip to the top, where you can sometimes find local festivals during the weekends. It’s a great way to celebrate conquering a mountain and enjoying the rest of your day.
Preserving Their History
While the city of Fez might have the oldest medina in the world, there’s another one that you should be sure to visit if you have the chance. It’s found in the city of Toutan, and it’s the best-preserved medina in the world. The white-washed walls make one think of the villages in Spain that show the same color.
The mixture of Mediterranean and Moorish architecture creates a sight that any visitor will want to remember. The medina is split into four different sections, each one with a special charm of its own, and the medina as a whole is now designated a UNESCO World Heritage site. It’s easy to get there from the city of Tangier.
Wine, Wine, Everywhere, but Not a Drop to Drink
Here’s a strange element about a country that is ninety-nine percent Muslim: Morocco has seven wine counties and produces about forty million bottles of the drink a year. The country has a rich wine history that dates back to the Phoenician era – 1500 to 300 B.C. It also exports plenty of beer, but, once again, it’s actually quite hard to find alcohol to drink in this country.
Islam expressly forbids alcohol consumption, so the only places that offer these drinks are going to be licensed hotels or restaurants that are catering to the tourist industry. You won’t see many locals drinking anywhere, and there are lots of places in Morocco where drinking in public (or at least on a public street) is banned.
What’s in an Official Name?
We’ve mostly been calling this country “Morocco” in this article, but that actually isn’t its official name. The full name is The Kingdom of Morocco, and it joins an ever-shrinking list of official kingdoms – there are just seven others in the entire world. The country adopted this title officially in 1956 when the French colonial rule there came to an end. It’s a little different in the native Arabic, however.
The name in that language is al-Mamlakah al-Maghribiyyah, which is best translated to “The Kingdom of the Western Place.” That’s quite a cool name if we do say so ourselves. Very mystical and fantastical. Morocco is a derivative of the name of the city of Marrakesh, which was the area's capital for a long time.
Is That Where Love Comes From?
English-speaking people are familiar with the idea of love coming from the heart: “I love you with all my heart” or similar sayings. But in Morocco, love is thought to extend from a different place in the body. No, not that one; it’s the liver! Of course! No one is a hundred percent sure why this is, but who knows why the heart is the place of love for the West anyway.
One possible explanation for this train of thought is that a healthy liver is a sign of well-being, a proper diet, and care for oneself, so love for another could come from the same place. In addition, the smooth, tender texture of a liver has been linked to relationship tenderness and affection.
Where We Get Argan Oil
Argan oil is a common ingredient in many luxury cosmetics and hair care products, and it’s a major export of Morocco. It comes from the nut of the Argan tree – known as Argan nuts, natch – which grows particularly well in the arid climate of Morocco. Moroccans have been using these nuts and their oil for plenty of things in the thousands of years that people have lived in the area – this includes everything from food to medicine.
The locals have been heard referring to it as “liquid gold,” and the business of raising, processing, or shipping it are all big parts of the country. Berber women of the area have traditionally extracted it for centuries. They have to manually harvest the fruit from the trees, extract the kernels, and then cold-press them to finally have the precious oil they enjoy so much.
The Backbone of the World
Even if you don’t get out and do much climbing, it’s impossible to look at mountains and not find them to be at least a little alluring. So wild, so wonderful, so full of mystery and amazing sights. The Atlas Mountains are no exception. They might not have the awesome majesty of the Tibetan mountains or the beauty of the Rockies, but they still have a lot to offer the explorer.
There are hundreds of amazing hiking trails to find, meaning you can do everything from a single afternoon to a day trip to a week-long camping excursion and not run out of new sites to see. There are lots of trips and tours that you can sign up for to see the different sides of this big mountain range, too.
All the Main Exports
Argan oil from the area’s argan trees is a huge export for Morocco, but it certainly isn’t the only one, and it isn’t even the biggest one. There are lots of other things the country exports, including dates and olives. The country also possesses an abundant phosphate reserve, making it one of the world’s leading producers and exporters of phosphate rock and all its many derivatives.
There are also man-made items that any culture will make, and in Morocco, the main examples of these are rugs, ceramics, and leather goods. And, finally, being so close to so much water means lots of fish. But Morocco tends to spend most of its time scooping up a certain kind of fish. You may or may not have enjoyed it on your pizza recently since the fish is the humble sardine.
Yes, Rabat Is Actually the Capital
Ask most people who have never visited Morocco what the capital of the country is, and you’re going to hear a lot of people think that it’s Casablanca. It’s a good pick, but it’s not correct. In fact, it’s the city of Rabat that holds the seat of power for the country.
Not only is the government stationed there, but you can also find French-inspired botanical gardens, old-world architecture that is hard to find anywhere else, and a wonderful mix of the modern world and the charm of ages long past. There are several different tour options for the visitor who wants to be guided through the city – including day trips and food tours – but you can also find a hotel and just walk around all on your own if you’re brave enough.
Come and Visit
There are many business opportunities and tactics in Morocco, but one of the biggest is, without a doubt, tourism. The industry employs about twenty percent of the entire population, and the country sees visitors from many European countries as well as the United States, Canada, and lots of other places. Why are people so interested in this country, you may ask?
Well, there are not only historic walled cities such as Marrakesh and Fez, but the stunning beauty of the Saharan Desert is also right next door. Visitors can hop aboard a camel and make a trek across the desert or even sleep in traditional nomadic camps. The tourism industry only seems to be growing with every passing year, and as seen in this article, there are plenty of reasons why.
Try Some of the Local Tea
Since alcohol isn’t much of an option in this mostly-Muslim part of the world, what do people sip on to unwind after a long day? Tea, of course, and it’s so important that serving it has practically become an art form. The favorite of Moroccans is mint tea – steep fresh green tea leaves with fresh mint and plenty of sugar to create something that tastes a little like spearmint chewing gum.
Mint tea is actually the national drink of Morocco, and ordering some means you’re getting the best – serving it properly is a sign of good hospitality. It has to be poured at least a foot above the glass to make sure the fragrance is strong and noticeable right away. Don’t miss this treat if you’re visiting, and make sure to grab a box for your tea-loving friends at home.
Forget About Your Credit Cards
When traveling in the beautiful country of Morocco, you’ll find out quickly that there aren’t many places that take debit or credit cards. There is even a pretty low number of vendors or shops that are willing to accept other forms of currency, such as euros. If you do plan on visiting Morocco, make sure one of your first steps is to go to an ATM.
In addition, you’ll have to get a little used to carrying smaller denominations of money for street vendors or markets. Those fancy iPad devices that let you scan cards are becoming more ubiquitous in places like the United States and Europe, but don’t expect to see too many of them in Morocco. If you want to pay for something, you’ll have to flash some cash.
Essaouira of the Coast
It turns out there is plenty of coastal fun to be had if you’re in Morocco. The city of Essaouira is a particularly happening place for all sorts of activities. These things can range from traditional surfing and kite surfing to things like horse rides, camel trips, and simple beach days.
The city of Essaouira is an adventurer's go-to, it seems, and part of the reason is the constant blowing winds that come in from the Atlantic Ocean. If you want to travel to Morocco to do things and not just eat good food, then this city is a place you need to visit. You can even find some boogie-boarding places if you’re after that sort of thing.
Closer Than You Think
When people hear that Morocco is in North Africa, they might be picturing something like Egypt, but this country is a lot closer to Europe than a lot of people think. In fact, it’s probably closer to Europe than you are to some of the things you drive to on a regular basis. Morocco and Spain are separated by the Strait of Gibraltar – at its narrowest point, that’s only nine miles apart.
The small amount of separation has given Morocco a certain European feel to it, just like how the south of Spain has a certain desert feel to it. It’s also been a big help to the country’s tourism since you just have to take a quick boat ride to visit a different continent entirely. The ferries take a lot longer than you might expect, but it’s still not that bad.
Don’t Shake With Your Left Hand
You shouldn’t eat with your left hand since it’s not only seen as rude, it could also be seen as disgusting. This is because, in Moroccan culture, the left hand is the one used for bathroom hygiene. You know...cleansing. There isn’t a whole lot of toilet paper, is what we’re trying to say.
In addition, chores are done with the left hand, so there’s an even bigger reason not to use it to eat. Yes, this is a little bit of a challenge for those who are naturally left-handed, but teaching yourself to use your non-dominant hand can make you more ready for anything. In a similar way, the Latin word for left is “sins,” which is where we get the word sinister.
Nice Hat
You may have noticed that one of the main cities of Morocco shares a name with a certain jaunty hat. Yes, the city is instrumental in the creation of the little round cap, but it’s not because that’s where they were first made. Actually, no one is really sure where the Fez (or any of its ancestors) really originated from.
The name got attached to the headgear thanks to the city of Fez (or Fes) being the primary source of the crimson berry that was, at one point, the best way to get the felt such a dark red color. Ironically, the group of people that popularized the fez, the Ottomans, never came to power in Morocco. You can, of course, pick up a fez from a market in the city of Fez.
It’s Time to Soar
So, clearly, there is a lot to do in this country, but there’s one thing we seem to be missing. Marrakech has become one of the most popular places for hot-air ballooning in the world. Particularly, the plains outside Marrakech with the dramatic Atlas mountains next to them make for some great ballooning.
The wind and heat mean that ballooning is best done during the morning, but a well-timed lift-off means that you might be able to catch the sun coming up just as you do. The rides themselves are about an hour long, but there are usually other things to do, as well. These things can include traditional Moroccan breakfasts in Palm Grove, an ATV tour, or a short camel ride. The best of Morocco at once.
The Marriage Festival
There are lots of fun celebrations on the calendar if you’re in Morocco, but most of them have a tough time beating the “Marriage Market” in Imilchil, where tens of thousands of Berbers gather at a mountain souk from all over the place. For three days in September, animals are traded, clothes, tools, and other items are bought and sold, and people come together to rekindle old friendships just as the first snowfalls begin. In September.
You might be wondering about the name. “Marriage Market” (or “Fête des Fiancés” as it’s called) is quite the title. It’s because this is where a lot of the young adults of the Berbers come to try and find a suitable husband or wife – with all the people there, many people will be looking hard.
Sure, Tree Goats, Why Not?
There are lots of fun sights to see in Morocco, but there are also some rather peculiar things to see if you happen to be around. Like the tree goats. If you happen to be near the Sous Valley, you can spot goats climbing the rare Argania tree in search of food. Yes, just like Morocco as a whole and so many people around the world, the goats of the country love the Argan nuts.
The thing is, there aren’t a whole lot of these trees around for the goats to nosh on, so they have to get crafty. Goats are well-known climbers, and they’re often seen on tiny little ledges on cliff faces, so why not climb trees as well? Take a pic and try not to bother them too much – it hurts when a goat falls on you.
A Film Maker’s Haven
Most movies are shot in one form or another in Hollywood or London, but Morocco is a pretty popular place to shoot a scene or two as well. If you’ve ever watched a movie that has had even a little bit of desert in it, there’s a good chance that the scene was shot in Morocco. The cost for studios to shoot there is quite low compared to a lot of other areas, and many American studios have an established relationship with the country.
There’s also the laid-back and more open attitude, which helps turn Morocco into “Africa’s Little Hollywood.” Of course, “Casablanca” is also set there...but, in an unexpected twist of fate, the movie WASN’T filmed there! It was shot entirely at Warner Bros. Studios in Burbank, California.
Who, Exactly, Are the Berbers?
The Berbers are an ethnic group spread throughout a great deal of North Africa, but you’ll find the highest concentration of them in Morocco – something like fifteen million of them live in the country. You can also find them in Algeria, Mauritania, Niger, Mali, and Libya, as well as several European countries such as France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.
For the most part, they’re an indigenous group with its own language that tends to live more simple lives of agriculture, herding, and crafting. They’re often seen as nomads, and while some of them do live nomadic lives – managing to eke out a living in the Sahara desert of all places – there are also plenty that have farms, mountain homes, or close-knit villages.
Explore on Two Wheels
If you’re a mountain biker, there’s a specific route that you should explore if you get a chance to go to Morocco. The Ounilla Valley Area is a fertile range of orchards and farmlands with a few small settlements and villages spread around, including some old forts and fortified towns. It’s easy to arrange a trip with a group, or you could use the locations of Telouet or Ait Benhaddou as base camps for exploring the surrounding area.
This valley isn’t on the normal list of things to do for most visitors, so it’s a great way to get away from the hustle and bustle and crowds that you might be getting used to if you’ve been spending a lot of time in the normal touristy parts of the country.
Glitz, Glamour, and the Palaces of Morocco
The Kingdom of Morocco has been around for quite some time, which means there has been plenty of time to build amazing structures that dazzle the senses. One of the most fascinating and beautiful is the palace found in Marrakech, the Bahia Palace. It only dates back to the middle of the nineteenth century, but it still stands out as an incredible example of Moroccan architecture.
The palace was built for the city’s ruling minister, and it’s still home to one of the important Moroccan families. If you happen to take a tour, make sure not to get lost in the roads, squares, and gardens that make up this immense structure. There are several different tours you can choose from if you want to get a better look at the places, too.
Explore the Desert
No, you shouldn’t go wandering into the desert without a guide or even with a guide, but if you want to get a taste of the Saharan heat, visit the little village of Merzouga in the east of Morocco. It’s found a short distance from the Algerian border, nestled between the sand dunes. It’s a ten-hour drive from Marrakech, so we recommend finding a reputable tour guide or group that can get you there and back safely.
While you’re there, you can experience the peace and cleansing heat of the desert, spot a couple of flamingos, and even book a night’s stay inside a desert yurt. There are also three-day tours that give you a place at a Bedouin camp in the dunes, and you’ll also get to see the Kasbah of Ouarzazate, too.
Harnessing the Awesome Power of the Sun
Morocco can sometimes seem like a country that is from an ancient time, and while there is plenty of history to enjoy, you can also see something that is straight out of a science-fiction novel if you go to the right place. The Noor Power Plant is the world’s largest concentrated solar plant project, located in the Agadir district of Morocco.
This is thanks to the fact that the region receives some of the highest levels of sunlight anywhere on the entire globe, so it’s the perfect place to collect that power. The plant as a whole covers about twenty-five hundred hectares, about equivalent to ten square miles, which is bigger than some towns in the area.
One of Africa’s Largest Wind Farms
Tarfaya wind farm found twenty kilometers away from the town of Tarfaya in the extreme southwest corner of the country, is the second-largest wind farm on the entire continent after an even more immense farm found in Kenya. It was put into production in 2014, at which point it had a hundred and thirty-one wind turbines – each one generates about 2.3 megawatts of power.
Thus, in a single year, the farm is able to produce a whopping three hundred and one megawatts for the country. A single megawatt is the amount of power taken up by anywhere from four hundred to nine hundred homes in a whole year. We have to imagine it’s able to be spread a whole lot more in Morocco, however.
There’s Nothing Like a Little Moroccan Leather
Morocco is proud of its leather, and it should be. It’s some of the finest and most valuable in the world, and the process of making it is a bona fide attraction in cities like Fez. Tourists have been known to crowd around the tanneries to watch the process, from soaking to stripping to drying and dying.
Oh, did we mention that this process is pretty much always super, super stinky? Of the many various Moroccan leather options, the Moroccan leather pouf is perhaps the most famous – it’s a comfortable seating option or footrest. You can also pick up a leather bag or a purse, which would make a great souvenir for your mom. You know, just in case you want to get her something. *Winks to Mom.*
A Trio of New Years Celebrations
It turns out there are quite a lot of holidays and festivals in the country of Morocco, including no fewer than three New Years celebrations. The first one is the New Year from the Gregorian Calendar, the one that moves us to the next year, A.D. The second one is the Amazigh New Year, also known as Yennayer, denoting the beginning of the first month in the Amazigh Year that the Berber has used since antiquity.
It coincides with the first day of the old Julian calendar and thus falls on January fourteenth every year. The final celebration is that of Fatih Muharram or the Islamic New Year. Due to the Islamic calendar being a lunar one, this celebration will move around inside the Gregorian calendar.
Not Your Typical Homes
It shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that people in Morocco don’t live in typical Western homes, but what do their living spaces look like? They’re called a riad, and while they look traditional (to us) from the outside, venture inside, and you’ll see something a little different. They’re often lavishly decorated, with many plants, rugs, wall hangings, and other pieces of décor.
They’re usually two stories tall and have an open yard or court in the middle, which is often a meeting place, meal spot, or relaxation station. Most of these homes are enough for the people living there, but there are some that are spectacular – imagine a beautiful Arabian palace, and you aren’t too far off (despite this not being Arabia, obviously). Many hotels in the area also use this type of building.