A pleasant culture shock awaits you as you arrive in
Morocco. It is
as culturally rich as it is geographically diverse and cannot fail
to impress. Visiting some of its towns and villages and experiencing
the generosity of its people will leave you hooked, as I was, by the
Arabic experience.
Fez
Fez is the bustling cultural and spiritual centre of Morocco.
 The
main attraction is the Medieval Medina in the colourful old city,
which has been continuously inhabited since the 10th century. It is
busy with traditionally dressed Moroccans, and rich with the noise
of buying and selling, veiled women going about their work and
bell-ringing water sellers.
A guided tour is the easiest way to tackle the buzzing hive that
is traditional Fez, but if you are brave, you can negotiate the tiny
alleyways, too narrow for cars whilst risking getting lost and then
haggling with a local to be guided back out!
The Tanneries: A visit to the souks will lead to a visit to Fez's
famous tanneries, where one of the oldest arts in the world is
practiced to produce the soft leather do characteristic of Morocco.
You’ll need a strong stomach for the smells given off during
curing, while you look down on the fascinating tanners’ yard and its
impressive vats of different coloured dyes and piles of skins. Open
9-6, admission free.
View Point: The best vantage point over the ancient walled city
is from the ruined Merenid Tombs on a hilltop to the east of the
city. From here you can see the skyline with its profusion of
satellite dishes, and a general mass of palaces, green-roofed holy
places, the tanneries, as well as the adjacent Karaouine Mosque.
Moulay Idriss ll: In the depths of the old city sits the shrine
that houses the remains of the founder of the city of Fez, Moulay
Idriss II. It is one of the holiest buildings in the city.
Non-Muslims may not enter, but you can glimpse inside to see the
saint’s tomb, which is receives constant devotional visits from
groups of women who burn candles and incense.
 Walking
through the alleyways and souks of Marrakech, particularly in the
Medina of the old city, it is easy to believe you have been
transported back in time to the “Arabian Nights”.
It is this enchanting mood that brings thousands of sightseers to
the most visited of Moroccan cities.
The Medina is characterized by much noise, hustle and bustle with
tradesmen and craftsmen going about their daily tasks of cloth
dying, copper beating or leather working, as well as herbalists,
perfumers and slipper makers.
Snow-covered peaks of the High Atlas Mountains form a beautiful
backdrop for the city, although they are often hidden by the heat
haze.
Djemaa el-Fna: In the heart of the Medina. It is an irregular
'square' and a hub of action where tourists flock to soak up the
busy atmosphere. Tourism, though, has not spoilt, but rather added
to the complete picture.
Marrakesh has a modern side with its luxury hotels, banks and
streets bursting with motor scooters, while it blends effortlessly
with the past of the old city.
Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef bin Tachfine of the
Almoravide dynasty, and his son perfected the city by bringing in
architects and Andalucian craftsmen from Córdoba to build palaces,
baths, mosques and a subterranean water system. The city walls were
raised from the red mud from the plains.
Horse drawn carriages: Known as calèches, are one of the best
ways to view the city when you are not on foot exploring in the
Medina.
Koutoubia Mosque: This is the city’s main landmark and the 69
metre high minaret towers over the labyrinth of streets and markets
in the Medina. The red stone mosque was first built in 1147 but it
was knocked down and rebuilt in 1199 because it was had not been
built correctly aligned with Mecca. The mosque is large enough for
thousands to pray in.
Djemaa el-Fna: This large town square translated as “Square fo
the Dead”. The square offers a colourful scene and is a magnet
performing artists, snake charmers, musicians, storytellers and
healers, all vying for attention. Passing tradesmen offer anything
from boiled snails, vegetable soup and kebabs to fresh orange juice.
There are many cafés here from which to watch the busy scene, and
from where you may then visit the souks to find some shade from the
searing Moroccan sun.
Dar Si Saïd Museum: The Museum is housed in a palace on the Riad
Ezzitoun El Jadid and shows the arts, crafts and culture of the
Berber people, including displays of some Moorish cedar wood
furniture, elaborate door and window frames and artefacts from every
day life in the Sahara desert. Open 8.30-11.45 and 2.30-5.45 except
Tuesdays. Admission Dh20
Saadian Tombs: Built in the late 16th century, this beautiful
necropolis has 66 lavishly decorated indoor tombs. The central
mausoleum has a high vaulted roof which is exceptionally ornate,
including carved cedar panels and Italian marble columns. Open
9.00-11.45 and 2.30-5.50 except Tuesdays. Admission Dh15
Around Marrakesh
Oukaimeden: A ski resort in the desert with camels instead of ski
lifts! Yes, thick snow envelops the Jabal Oukaimeden mountain peak
during the winter months (usually January and February) and it is
just a 46-mile (74km) drive from Marrakech. The town can be reached
by taxi or car and is well equipped for skiers seeking restaurants,
ski equipment hire, and comfortable hotels within a stunning alpine
setting.
Ouirgane: A village in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains about
1 ½ hour’s drive from Marrakesh. It is a popular place to visit,
where summers are cooler and winters are less harsh. The Berber
villages are enchanting whilst set in forests with wild flowers,
including the famous rose gardens, fruit trees and streams cascading
from the High Atlas.
Essaouira: This popular resort town dates from the 18th century,
and is easily reached by bus from Marrakech. The town is surrounded
by a fortified wall and faces the sea. The beach is a wide, stunning
stretch with pretty whitewashed houses, boat-builders’ workshops and
art galleries. Visitors come for the laid-back atmosphere and the
high wind that makes it a very popular centre for wind- and
kite-surfing.
Essaouira is also famous for its wood carving tradition, mainly
using local, fragrant Thuya wood. The harbour is a hive of activity
at all times, particularly during the daily fish auction, attracting
as many onlookers as buyers and sellers.
 Agadir:
Is a major seaside resort south of Marrakech. It is new and
modern with magnificent sandy beaches. Its “newness” is largely due
to an uncharacteristic earthquake that shook the town in 1961, and
it has now been re-modelled as a popular package holiday destination
as well as a major fishing port. Agadir boasts 300 days of sunshine
and a huge supply of hotel beds, reputedly a quarter of the total in
Morocco.
Morocco’s capital city is characteristically modern with wide,
conservative boulevards, gardens and large blocks of flats. The king
lives here in a beautiful palace surrounded by trees and flowers.
Despite having a rich history dating back to 7th century, Rabat
is a far cry from the hectic backstreets of Fez and Marrakech.
However the old part of the city has a Medina and a Kasbah.
Rabat is located on the Atlantic coastal plain, opposite its twin
city of Sale, and it is near some beautiful sandy beaches.
 Rabat’s
Dar Es Salaam Golf Course is world-renowned.
Kasbah des Oudaïas: A Kasbah is a “village within a city” and is
a good place to take in the sights of the city. It is guarded by the
impressive arched gate built in 1195. The Palace and Andalucian
gardens and the terrace gives beautiful views from the Kasbah
mosque, over the river and sea. The Palace Museum and gardens date
back to the 17th century. The museum houses Moroccan art such as
Berber jewellery, costumes and carpets.
Citadel of Chellah: Located in the new town of Rabat, the ruins
of Chellah, once a Roman port, provide interesting sightseeing. Just
inside the gate are Roman ruins dating from 200 BC, which includes a
forum, a temple and a craftsmens’ quarter.
Hassan Mosque: You will see the towering 50 metre minaret of the
Hassan Mosque from many parts of the city. Each façade of the
minaret is intricately patterned with different motifs on each face.
Mausoleum of Mohammed V: The mausoleum was inaugurated in 1967.
Located opposite the Hassan Mosque, it is one of the great monuments
of modern Morocco. The deceased king lies in a white onyx tomb,
surrounded by royal guards, while and hundreds of Moroccans pay
homage each day.
The Medina: This medina was created by Muslim Andalucian refugees
from Badajoz, Spain. It was essentially the first “seed” of the city
until the arrival of the French in 1912 who began creating the new
town.
Archeology Museum: Here you can find a collection of Roman bronze
figures, dating from the first and second centuries and recovered
from Volubilis. Also other artifacts from Phoenician, Carthagian and
Roman settlements throughout Morocco are to be viewed here. Open
9.00-11.30 and 2.30-5.30, closed Tuesdays.
Around Rabat
Volubilis: Located between Rabat and Fez, it was built on top of
a previous Carthaginian city and dates back to around the 3rd
century BC, being a centre of Roman administration in Africa.
Volubilis was inhabited until the 18th century, when it was
carelessly demolished to provide building materials for the palaces
of Moulay Ismail in Meknes. This meant a great deal of Morocco’s
Roman architectural heritage was lost. However, today the ruins
include some well-preserved columns, a basilica, a triumphal arch
and about 30 high beautiful mosaics.
Casablanca: This is a huge, busy European style port city and has
attracted much immigration from the Moroccan countryside. People are
modern with little sign of traditional dress or modesty. The old
town is small but similar to all the other bazaars found in Morocco.
The impressive Hassan ll Mosque is the 3rd largest religious
monument in the World, with fantastic views over the Atlantic Ocean.
Temara: Lies on the coast, some 13Km from Rabat. It is a
favourite weekend spot for city dwellers. Temara has a sandy beach,
along with many hotels, nightclubs, restaurants, a zoo and other
leisure facilities to entertain visitors.
 Tangier was once a playground for the rich and famous seeking a
fashionable café culture as well as a tax haven. When Spain
relinquished Tangier back to Morocco in 1960, its duty-free status
went with it, along with the fashionable crowd. The decayed grandeur
of today still has much to offer and slowly Tangier is regaining its
splendor as an attractive tourist destination.
Grand Socco: Socco means Souk in Spanish and it is named so due
to its Spanish heritage. A Souk is a market to us and is an
interesting place to watch passing Rif people in colourful costumes
selling vegetables and fresh mint. It begins at a busting square and
the medina is entered from the square, through a large arched
entrance.
American Lagation Museum: is located in the middle of the medina.
It is an American cultural centre, museum and conference venue, as
well as a library. The museum is housed in the American Embassy,
built in 1777 when Morocco became the first power to recognize the
USA as an independent country!
Kasbah: dates back to the 17th century and it is interesting to
wonder through its little alleyways, patios and hidden terraces. The
Kasbah Mosque boasts an unusual octagonal minaret.
Sultan’s Gardens, Rue Riad Sultan, just north of the Kasbah
Mosque, are a pleasant place to visit and watch the local craftsmen
at work while sipping mint tea and enjoying views across the Straits
of Gibraltar to Tarifa on the Spanish coast, only 14.5 Km away.
Dar el Makhzen: This is a 17th century palace containing and
impressive collection of art from all regions of Morocco.
Forbes Museum: This is located in the Marshan Villa district,
about 20 minutes walk from the medina. The museum is the former
palace of United States multi-millionaire and media magnate, Malcolm
Forbes. The house is open to the public and houses Forbes’
collection of 8,000 miniature soldiers!
Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen was first settled by Spanish Muslim refugees in the
middle-ages and has retained its distinctive Spanish character. It
is just an hour’s drive from Tangier in the Rif mountains.
The medina is beautiful and bustling with craftsmen working
diligently and tradesmen selling the usual fare of carpets, leather
goods, pottery and copper utensils. The Great Mosque, in the middle
of the medina dates to the 17th century sits on a picturesque square
with restaurants and cafes.
Asilah
Located south of Tangier, Asilah is a very poplular seaside
resort, famous for its nearby Paradise Beach. Paradise Beach is a
short taxi or a fun horse and cart ride from the village and is
famous for its enormous expanse of unspoilt white, sandy beach.
Despite growing numbers of visitors, Asilah has retained its
relaxing atmosphere. Asilah is known as the Artists’ Village and
here you can find many locally painted canvases adorning the souks
of its 15th century medina. The town is small enough to explore on
foot or by donkey cart and is renowned for its great seafood
restaurants.
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