Morocco is an exotic blend of Southern Mediterranean, Arabic and African influences, offering a captivating mix of ancient cities and Roman ruins, vast deserts and centuries-old medinas, bustling souks, elegant mosques and towering minarets. From rugged mountains and golden beaches to winding alleyways filled with colour and spice, the country is rich in culture, history and atmosphere. The Imperial Cities of Fes, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat are filled with historic architecture, museums and lively markets. Casablanca is home to one of the world’s largest mosques, while Tangier charms visitors with its Mediterranean setting and scenic bays. Travellers can sample fragrant Berber cuisine, sip mint tea at a streetside café, trek through the Sahara on camelback, or hike Mount Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak.
Situated to the north of the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and fringing the famed Sahara, the bustling UNESCO-listed city of Marrakesh is an enchanting travel destination. Marrakesh is also home to the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco and one of the busiest squares in the world, known as Djemaa el Fna. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit this square in the evening as it transforms into an enormous, open-air restaurant, and browse through exquisite carpets, spices and a myriad of other items. Art, design and architecture enthusiasts flock to the city to see its incredible artisan achievements, so beautifully expressed at the glorious Bahia Palace, Dar Si Said and Saadian Tombs, as well as at several museums. The other-worldly Jardin Majorelle is also unmissable.
Casablanca lies on the Atlantic coast, in central-western Morocco. Fondly known by locals simply as ‘Casa', the capital is the industrial, economic and cultural heart of this remarkable country, as well as its most cosmopolitan, liberal, and progressive city. While most visitors overlook Casablanca in favour of Morocco’s more popular and exotic tourist areas, this sprawling metropolis has plenty to offer the discerning traveller and has many hidden historical and cultural gems just waiting to be discovered. The city is famous for its spectacular Art Deco and Moorish Revival architecture, constructed during the Colonial Period. Explore the Old Medina, a tiny, ancient, walled village; visit the impressive King Hassan II Mosque; discover the ornate rooms, masterfully tiled floors, and intricately carved wooden ceilings of the Hispanic-Moorish Mahkama du Pacha; or simply watch the world go by at one of the many ocean-view cafes along the waterfront boulevard.
