One of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa, Morocco is located in the Maghreb region – defined as most of the region of Western North Africa, including the Atlas Mountains and the coastal plains of Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia and Libya – of North Africa.
With a landscape that consists of everything from desert to rugged mountains and beautiful Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines, Morocco offers travellers the best of all worlds that are easily accessible from one beautiful country.
If you are planning a holiday to Morocco in the near future, there are some things you should know before you pack your suitcase and board the plane.
Accommodation Options
Accommodation options vary widely in Morocco, with everything available from luxury beach resorts to cheap and cheerful hostels, ensuring that there is an option available for all tastes and budgets.
Some of the accommodation options that stand out, however, include:
- Mazagan Beach and Golf Resort in El Jadida. This beautiful resort offers guests a luxury hotel in Morocco right on the beach with stunning views and amenities and activities that will keep the whole family busy throughout their stay.
- In Marrakech, the Mandarin Oriental resort is the perfect selection for travellers looking for a luxury oasis to spend their evenings away from the hustle and bustle of the city after a long day sight-seeing.
- For the bargain hunters, Dar Finn in Fes is a quaint little Bed and Breakfast spot that includes a main house, adjoining annexe with a lush walled garden, a glistening pool and a number of terraces.
Local Cuisine
One of the country’s most popular and well-known foods is the Tagine – which is a North African/Arabian dish that is named after the earthenware pot that is it cooked in.
A slow-cooked savoury stew made with meat, fish or poultry with an array of fresh vegetables or fruit, it includes a number of delicious spices (including ginger, cumin, turmeric, saffron, paprika, chili and cinnamon), and is a lip-smacking local dish that is usually served with bread and should not be passed up!
I recommend indulging in street food while you are in Morocco. Not only is it reasonably priced, but it is authentic, home cooked local food that will really hit the spot. Check out Djemaa el Fna – a market place in Marrakech that turns in a massive street-food buffet where you will find amazing Tagines and other local delicacies.
Tourist Attractions
Rich in culture and with an interesting history, Morocco provides travellers with insight into each of the cities through an array of tourist attractions that enlighten them and further their knowledge about the country.
Some attractions that you should make time to see, include:
- Marrakech: Djemma el Fna, Saadian Tombs, and my favourite, the Majorelle Gardens. Other attractions in Marrakech include the bustling souks and amazing bazaars where you can pick up a bargain and enjoy an array of local foods.
- Fes: the old walled part of the city named Fes El Bali, Chaouwara Tanneries, Merenid Tombs and the Sultanate Palace of Dar el-Makhzen.
- Dades Valley: a tourist attraction in itself, the Dades Valley is located between the Jebel Sarhro and the High Atlas Mountain ranges. Offer some of the most breath-taking scenery you will ever lay your eyes on, you will witness deep red cliffs that are lined with kasbahs that have been transformed into luxury hotels. What’s more, there is the opportunity to see a number of Berber villages, the Todra and the Dades Gorges.
Make the most out of your holiday in Morocco by indulging in everything the country has to offer, from beautiful accommodation to tasty cuisine.
