Morocco

Sovereign country located in North Africa, with coasts on the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea.

It achieved its political independence from France and Spain on March 2, 1956. It is separated from the European continent by the Strait of Gibraltar. It limits with Algeria to the east, to the south with Mauritania, to the north with Spain, its main trading partner with which it shares both maritime and land borders. Its political capital is Rabat and its economic capital Casablanca. Given its strategic location in the Mediterranean , it was the place of constant cultural exchanges with the Romans, Visigoths and Byzantines and offers scenarios such as the desert of the Sahara, palm groves, the Dadès Valley with the snowy peaks of the Great Atlas and cities vibrant as Marrakesh.

How to get to Morocco

Plane: the most comfortable, fastest and cheapest option to the question of how to travel to Morocco from another country. Through the international airports of Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir, Morocco is well connected with Europe, Africa and the Middle East. In Morocco there are a total of 15 international and national airports. The most important are: Casablanca (Mohammed V), Tangier (Boukhalef), Rabat (Salé), Fez (Saïss), Agadir (Al Massira), Marrakech (la Ménara), Oujda (Angad), Al Hoceima, Tetouan and Ouarzazate. Casablanca Mohammed V Airport is the main airport in Morocco. The most important airlines in the world come together here

Bus: through the strait taking one of the ferries that depart from Spain. The advantage of this option is that the price of the bus trip also includes the boat trip, although these boat trips can be long and tiresome.

Train: depending on train schedules, you may have to spend a night in Algeciras (Spain).

Boat: from Europe, a more romantic and less polluting option than the plane, which reaches Africa and connects Morocco with the European railway network.

How to get around Morocco

Plane: the national airline, Royal Air Maroc (RAM), offers numerous domestic flights with 18 airports to discover Morocco from north to south.

Train: The railway network of the Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) runs throughout the country and the Supratours bus company takes over when the destination city does not have a station. The high-speed train (TGV) connects Casablanca with Tangier.

Bus: made by the Compagnie de Transport au Maroc (CTM) as well as other private companies.

In Casablanca and Rabat you can choose a taxi, a bus or a tram. Fares are regulated and each taxi has a meter.

Car: when renting a vehicle, keep in mind that in Morocco you drive on the right and most vehicles are equipped with a manual gearbox. Traffic signs appear in French and Arabic. Highways and national roads connect Morocco from north to south.

What to see in Morocco

It is located on the Atlantic coast of the country, at the mouth of the Bu Regreg River, which separates the city into two parts. It is the political capital and the main administrative center of Morocco, as well as the fourth imperial city. It is a curious mixture of the historical tradition of the past and modernity established in the present. It was in the 12th century when its most emblematic buildings were built, such as the Hassan Tower and the Kasbah des Oudaias. This city became the stronghold for Muslims expelled from Spain in the early 17th century.

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hassan tower

It is located on top of a hill in Rabat and is one of the three great viewpoints of Rabat built by the Almohads, the others being the Koutoubia in Marrakech and the Giralda in Seville, built by the same architect.

It is 44 meters high, although its original design should have been 86 meters; It is made of red sandstone which gives it that peculiar color. Years later, the Lisbon earthquake damaged most of the monument's columns and walls.

Mausoleum of Mohammed V

Here rest the remains of the monarchs Mohamed V and Hassan II, grandfather and father of the current King Mohamed VI. It was built between 1961 and 1999, just opposite the Hassan Tower. The project is made up of the Great Mosque and a Kubba, a tomb covered by a dome built in white Italian marble. The almost cubic construction is crowned by a four-sloped roof covered with green tiles. The Great Mosque of Rabat, built around the 14th century, is made up of a square-shaped minaret decorated with horseshoe-shaped arches. A little further from the mosque is the jewelry souk, where representatives of foreign powers used to reside.

Kasbah of the Oudaias

The kasbah was built on a cliff in Rabat that rises over the Atlantic, housing an old palace converted into a museum of traditional art. It is formed by walls that house a walled neighborhood, made up of narrow and well-kept alleys full of houses painted in blue. It is accessed through a door from the Almohad period, where there are the Andalusian Gardens, created at the beginning of the 20th century, and the National Jewelry Museum, originally the residence of the Sultan Mulay Ismaíl. Inside is the Jemâa Al Atiq mosque, the oldest in Rabat, and which, as usual, can only be accessed if you practice the religion of Islam.

Chellah Necropolis

It is a walled enclosure that brings together an ancient site, first Roman, then medieval, and a necropolis, located near Rabat. It was a port of call known as Sala Colonia in a place of enormous commercial potential due to its location on the banks of a navigable river (Bou Regreg) and its proximity to the Atlantic Ocean. It is probably the oldest human agglomeration established at the mouth of the aforementioned river. Inside you can see ruins of a Roman forum, remains of houses and shops, a mausoleum, a hammam (bath), a madrasa (school), a mosque and an exotic garden.

Royal Palace

Called Dâr-al-Makhzen it is the main and official residence of the king of morocco though the King does not live here but in another residence in the outskirts of Rabat. The complex houses more than two thousand people who work for the King. It is of modern construction (1864) and also houses a mosque (Ahi-Fas) with its Islamic school and several buildings for merely administrative use, among which are the Prime Minister's and the Supreme Court. In addition, the gardens are very beautiful and well cared for. In the place where this Palace was built was another Palace that Sultan Mohammed Ben Abdellah ordered to be built at the end of the 18th century.

Theme
It is located just 4 km south of the city of Rabat; It has an inland nucleus and a coastal beach nucleus on its seafront, which is the first residence for many who seek to live "outside of Rabat but within it". Its seafront is full of hotels and apartments, some better than others, as well as bars, restaurants and entertainment venues (including nightclubs). The beaches are clean and guarded with services that make them pleasant. There are many beaches from north to south, going from Rabat in the direction of Casablanca.

White House

It is located on the coast of Atlantic Ocean to 80km south of Rabat . It is the largest city in Morocco, as well as its main port. It houses the headquarters and the main Moroccan industrial facilities, as well as international companies based in Morocco. Industrial statistics show that Casablanca maintains its historical position as the main industrial area of the country. The city center is located in Plaza Mohammed V and within walking distance most restaurants, bars and hotels. The old medina is a few blocks north, while the New Medina is further south.

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Hassan II Grand Mosque

This Casablanca temple is the tallest in the world, it has a tower 200 meters high and the second largest after the Mecca mosque. This incredible white mosque is impressive both for its size and for having the latest technology: its roof opens automatically, it has heated floors, electric doors and it has an anti-earthquake system. The exterior of the mosque has thirty thousand square meters where about 90,000 people can fit.

the old medina

Casablanca is the most modern city in Morocco but It preserves its old medina, which contrasts sharply with the great avenues of the city. In the old Casablanca enclosed within its walls and in the northern part of the medina, in front of the port, you can see the remains of Casablanca's fortifications from the 18th century, as well as enjoy one of the best panoramic views of the sea in the city. Compared to other medinas, it is quite small and less authentic since in the last 100 years there have been many urban changes in the city, which have obviously greatly affected the character of this historic place.

The new medina or neighborhoods of Habous

Located to the south in the Mers Sultan district and built by the French in the Arab style, to replace the old neighborhood, it is a good place to shop for handicrafts, spices, etc.

A pleasant walk through the shops allows us to find art deco objects. There is a bit of everything: clothing vendors, traditional antique dealers, jewelry stores, bookstores, Moroccan furniture stores, olive and spice sales, coppersmiths, carpet vendors. A series of small shops and bazaars reveal to visitors a wide variety of Moroccan crafts, from all over the country: ceramics, leather goods, wooden furniture.

The Sidi Abderrahman Sanctuary

It is built on a rock on the coast and is only accessible at low tide. The The temple cannot be visited by non-Muslims, but tourists are allowed to explore the small medina, a charming neighborhood that has sprung up around it. Sidi Abderrahman, arrived from Baghdad in the 19th century, he settled on this islet and lived there until the end of his days where his remains are buried. It is considered holy by some Muslims and that place is today a pilgrimage site.

Mahkama du Pacha

Hispano-Arab building made up of more than 60 rooms adorned with wooden ceilings, stuccoes and tiles that is located on Boulevard Victor Hugo in Casablanca and is used as a court of justice. Your translation it comes to be "Pasha's Palace of Justice". It is located next to the neighborhood market and its interiors are spectacular, being one of the best treasures in the city. Although admission is free, it is not easy to enter. It is convenient to hire a guide.

the jewish museum

It is located in a modern and bright building in the Oasis neighborhood, in a villa with lush gardens five kilometers south of Casablanca. It is the only Jewish museum not only in Casablanca and Morocco, but also in the entire Muslim world. Here the story of two thousand years of Jewish civilization in the region and its influence on modern Moroccan society is told. On display are ancient Moroccan Jewish books and scrolls, traditional costumes as well as sacramental items, and a huge collection of synagogue photographs.

Tangier

It is a city in the north of Morocco , located in the vicinity of the Strait of Gibraltar just a couple of hours sailing between the Atlantic and the Mediterranean. During part of the 20th century, it constituted an international protectorate called International Zone of Tangier , until the incorporation of the city to Morocco with the independence of the country. There you can visit the Plaza 9 de Abril, known as the Grand Souk, Sidi Bou Abib Mosque and behind the Muslim temple stands the Anglican church of Saint Andrews. Crossing the arch of the Bab Al Fahs Gate you enter the labyrinth of the medina, the Great Mosque, the Old American Legation, the remains of a synagogue or the Little Souk. Already in the northernmost part of the country, you will find the beautiful Tangier beaches. Among the most popular you will find Playa Sol, Playa de Cuevas Hércules and Playa de Sidi Kacen; while on the coast of the Strait you will see Sidi Kankouc Beach, Cala Grande, Mesket Beach, Diqui Beach and Mrisa Beach.

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Marrakesh

It was founded in 1062 as an Almoravid settlement and transformed into an imperial city for the Almohads who made it their capital, embellishing it in 1157 with the Koutoubia mosque, one of the most beautiful monuments in the Maghreb, while the successive dynasties that have populated it have enriched it. It is listed as one of the most important cultural centers in all of Morocco. It is also the tourist capital and the first of the destinations for trips to Morocco, as well as a very lively and famous city, among many other things, for its markets and festivals.

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Djemaa el Fna

This cultural space, which is also called Jemaa el-Fna Square, was declared by UNESCO 'World Heritage Masterpiece' in 2001 for bringing urban legends and oral history to life every night.

This huge open space located inside the old quarter of the city, plays host to jugglers, storytellers, snake charmers, magicians, acrobats and a whole range of lunatics.

Koutoubia Mosque

It is an icon of Marrakech and also one of the largest in the Muslim West located to the southwest of the Medina of Marrakech and southwest of the jamaa el fnaa square next to Mohamed V avenue. Its construction began in 1141, standing out for its tall tower and its color, pink sandstone, typical of the city. The tower can be seen from almost anywhere, becoming the central axis of the city. With its almost 70 meters high, 60 meters wide by 90 long, it is the tallest building in all of Marrakech, and it is forbidden to build any other that exceeds it. It owes its name to the booksellers who sold books (kutub) in its atrium.

Menara Gardens

Or also Minzah located outside the Medina is this imperial garden, a park erected in the twelfth century for the sultans to enjoy, today converted into a peaceful garden with the beautiful backdrop of the Atlas mountains totally covered with snow. They are located at the southern end, about a 45-minute walk from Jemaa el Fna square. They are made up of an immense fence 3 km long and 1.5 km wide, which are populated by fruit and olive trees, and a huge artificial pond. They were built by the Almohads devising a system to bring the water from the melting of the Atlas up to here through a series of underground channels to serve as irrigation.

El Badi Palace

Located a few meters from the famous Jemaa el Fna square, it was built in the late 16th century by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour to commemorate the defeat of the Portuguese at Wed al Makhazin (the Battle of the Three Kings). Currently it is practically in ruins, leaving only a large esplanade full of oranges and the walls of the building to visit, from which we can obtain beautiful views of the city and its surroundings. It is said that it was a palace with more than 300 rooms decorated with the best materials of the time: gold, turquoise and glass.

Saadian Tombs

They date from the end of the 16th century and they are located in the Kasbah neighborhood of Marrakech in a closed garden that is accessed through a small corridor. In the same garden you can see more than 100 tombs decorated with mosaics. In them are buried the bodies of the servants and warriors of the Saadian dynasty who ruled the city during its golden age in the years 1524 to 1659. The most important building of the Saadian Tombs is the main mausoleum. Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur (the creator) and his family are buried in it.

Medersa Ben Youssef

This school of Koranic theology was founded in Marrakech in the middle of the 14th century by Sultan Abou el Hassan, becoming the most important in all of North Africa. Composed of a Koranic university and a residence, it welcomed more than 900 students from all over the Muslim world. The most remarkable thing is its interior patio and the decoration and recreation of the rooms that houses some of the most beautiful examples of art and architecture in Morocco. The prayer room has one of the most exuberant decorations in the complex, using pineapples and palm trees for the decoration of the mihrab , small room, which indicates the place to look at when praying.

Bahia Palace

It is a beautiful palace that is located less than a kilometer from Jemaa el Fna square and is an example of a rich, princely and realistic dwelling from the end of the 19th century, made by Ahmed ben Moussa, a grand vizier of the sultan for his personal use. It has more than 150 rooms, all arranged on one floor, due to the obesity suffered by the vizier, which prevented him from climbing stairs. Bill with a beautiful garden of 8 hectares.

Dar Si Said

It is located near the Bahia Palace and was built in the mid-19th century by order of the vizier Ahmed Ben Moussar and the same artisans from the Bahia Palace. This is one of the most beautiful palaces in Marrakech. Today it is home to the Museum of Moroccan Arts dedicated to objects and crafts from the region, such as typical garments, copper elements, fabrics, weapons and jewelry. Berber , as well as some archaeological finds. It has several patios and the upper floor does not exhibit works but rather displays wooden furniture. cedar and influence building Hispano - Moorish .

The walls

It completely surrounds the ancient city, it has an extension of about 19 kilometers, with a height of between 8 and 10 meters and a width of up to two meters. It was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 1985. Built in adobe and maintained over the centuries, they change color tones according to the weather and the light of day. It delimits the historic Muslim-style neighborhoods, which are characterized by their large network of alleys, in front of the Western-style neighborhoods, with large avenues and gardens built during the time of the French Protectorate .

Fez

This City is famous for its ancient walled city, which many compare to that of Jerusalem. It is the first of the imperial cities of Morocco, since it dates back to the 8th century and was declared a World Heritage Site in 1981. It is almost 170 km from Rabat and has more than 9,000 alleys and passageways that recreate a labyrinth in which to get lost. It's as fun as it is exciting. It is also a pioneer in the Muslim cult of this country and has one of the oldest universities in the world. It is particularly known for being the cultural and spiritual capital of Morocco, center of art and science.

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Ouarzazate

This city is known as the door to the Moroccan desert, about three hours by car or ATV from Marrakech and last stop before the dunes and fertile oases that dot the Sahara. It is characterized by its variety of landscapes, the hospitality of its people, the richness and diversity of its folklore and the architectural authenticity of its habitat. Surrounded by a mountain range, it is located at an altitude of 1,160 meters. There we will find Ait Ben Haddou, a wonderful town of clay and adobe, frozen in time in an arid and rocky area, declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO that It has been the setting for famous movies such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator. The city has a total of three film studios and a museum.

Merzouga

It is the pearl of the Sahara desert, a true jewel very popular with tourists from all over the world. It is a small town in the southeast of Morocco, about 20 km from the Algerian border. It is known worldwide for its beautiful landscapes and the immensity of its dunes. That is why it is one of the most beautiful deserts in the world, in which a sea of perfect dunes are the protagonists of the landscape where you can spend one of the best nights of your life under the stars or go on 4×4 adventure experiences. Near Merzouga is Erg Chebbi, which means 'The Little Dune'. Despite their name, they are the largest dunes in the entire country, 250 meters high.

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Moroccan gastronomy

It is full of color and flavor, being a very familiar kitchen in which homemade dishes prevail. The most common ingredients in Moroccan cuisine are spices such as cumin, filo pastry, cereals, honey, almonds and wood-fired bread. Fruits and vegetables, fish, shellfish, and chicken and lamb are also common.

Moroccan tagines: stew cooked slowly in a clay pot with meat until tender; It can also be with chicken or lamb. It is usually served with bread or couscous.

Bread Khubz: flat-shaped bread to eat fresh from the oven with a lot of crust to dip in stews, broths and sauces.

Harira soup: it is usually chosen to break the fast once the sun sets during the holy month of Ramadan; It has lentils and tomatoes with peas and sometimes some meat is added.

Couscous: Dried semolina is rolled by hand and sprinkled with water to form small grains, which are then boiled.

Chicken with almonds: seasoned with parsley, onion, cumin, almonds, garlic, ginger, turmeric and paprika.

Kefta: minced meat seasoned with onion, garlic, parsley, hot paprika, cumin and olive oil.

Eggplant zaalouk: eggplant boiled with tomato and garlic, seasoned with cumin, sweet red paprika and lemon juice.

B'stilla: layers of puff pastry with pigeon (or chicken) meat, seasoned with a filling of almonds and spices. On top it has icing sugar and a little cinnamon.

Moroccan sweets: Almost all sweets are flavored with nuts, particularly almonds, especially gazelle horns or Kaab el Ghazal, which are named for their crescent shape.

Mint tea: there is a great tradition of hospitality around this drink that It is a green tea with fresh mint leaves and sugar.

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