Where to go for a holiday in Morocco
The first association with Morocco — tangerines with characteristic black diamond-shaped stickers. Meanwhile, Morocco — is not just fruits, but also sunsets, beaches, architecture, and even the ocean. Let's figure out what to do in Morocco and if it's time to pack your bags.
On one side, Morocco is washed by the Atlantic Ocean, and on the other — by the Mediterranean Sea. In Morocco, people mainly speak Arabic and Berber, but closer to the north, you can also hear French, or even Spanish. In this sense, sign language or a translator will help you more than an excellent knowledge of English.
The most famous cities in Morocco — Casablanca, Marrakech, and Rabat (the capital). The distance between these cities is small — you can visit three places in one day. But we recommend not rushing: the East dislikes haste.
How to get there
If you've been wondering, where to go to the sea without a visa, here's your answer — Morocco. Convenient flights include Moscow — Casablanca and Moscow — Marrakech. Additionally, you can fly with short layovers in Istanbul, Dubai, and Cairo. A visa is not required for Istanbul and Dubai, and in Cairo, you can get one upon arrival at the airport.
When to go
Generally, year-round in Morocco, you can find a city with attractions where it will be comfortable to stay. Due to the country's elongated shape, the climate varies in different parts. For example, in summer on the Mediterranean coast, temperatures rise to a pleasant +28 degrees Celsius, while in winter they stay around +10–12. If you move south, summer temperatures reach +37, and winter, on the contrary, is colder — down to +5 degrees Celsius.
The tourist season begins in May and lasts until the end of October. During this time, the influx of tourists is particularly active. It's more pleasant to visit attractions in spring, when it's not yet too hot and there are fewer people — from mid-March to mid-May.
A peculiarity of Morocco is that the weather can be influenced by surprises like winds blowing from the Sahara. In such cases, even on the not-so-hot Mediterranean coast, temperatures can rise to +35 degrees Celsius and higher.
Another feature that might somewhat affect your trip is Ramadan. In 2024, it will run from March 10 to April 9. During this time, people decorate their homes, and vendors come out to the squares with a wider selection of goods in honor of the holiday. For tourists, this is a plus, but working hours are reduced, and rules for purchasing alcoholic beverages become stricter (unless we're talking about resorts, of course).
About holidays in Morocco
Morocco is a Muslim country with all that entails. Women are not recommended to wear overly revealing clothing that exposes the stomach, back, or chest. Topless sunbathing is not customary here. It's also not customary to display affection in public places: save hugs and kisses for your hotel room, or at least until you're within the hotel's boundaries.
Moroccans are friendly people and are very welcoming to tourists. However, in bazaars and market squares, it's best to keep your expensive wallets and smartphones close to your body. It's quite safe here, and the police are highly respected, but why take unnecessary risks and get acquainted with a new culture under unpleasant circumstances? If you get lost, it's better to ask a police officer or a shopkeeper for help, rather than a pleasant-looking gentleman with the aura of Basilio the Cat.
As in most southern countries, the rules regarding mosques are the same: non-Muslims are not allowed into the temples. There are rare exceptions, but it's best to prepare yourself for taking photos only from the outside. You'll need something to send to mom from your trip, after all.
Main attractions
Finding things to see in Morocco is not difficult — ancient architecture and gardens are everywhere.
Hassan II Mosque
The largest mosque in Morocco admits not only Muslims but also people of other religions. The mosque stands on an artificial plot (reclaimed land) in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean and can accommodate 25,000 people. An additional 80,000 can be accommodated in the surrounding area, meaning over 100,000 (!) worshippers can pray simultaneously.
Pink granite, golden marble, heated floors, and a retractable roof — all this is the Hassan II Mosque. It's worth noting that it is located in Casablanca, where the eponymous film starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman was shot.
Fes City
The oldest city in Morocco offers you streets, labyrinths, and the oldest educational institution — Al-Qarawiyyin University. Fes is incomparable to anything else, unless you might have seen these alleys in the old cartoon 'Aladdin'. In Fes, everything has been preserved exactly as it was in the Middle Ages, and there's less and less of that left in the world. In the 9th century, the world's first university was opened here. True, the education there was more religious, but who cares.
Meknes
Another ancient city in Morocco. In its time (which is a very, very long time ago), it was considered the Eastern Versailles due to its architectural style and gardens. Meknes is only 60 km from Fes, meaning you can kill two birds with one stone in a single day. Or three, if you also reach the ruins of Volubilis nearby.
Volubilis was built as early as the 2nd century and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is open to tourists and welcomes all those interested in history and architecture. In short, this is our top 3 for lovers of Eastern history: Fes, Meknes, Volubilis.
Menara Gardens
The Menara Gardens are located in Marrakech, 45 minutes from the city's main square, Jemaa el-Fna. The total area of the gardens is 100 hectares. A full hundred hectares of olive and fruit trees and palms, in whose shade you can rest. At the entrance to the gardens, you will be greeted by a huge, tempting pool, but do not be tempted, you cannot swim in it, but you can look and take photos as much as you like.
Chefchaouen (Chaouen)
One of the most famous cities in Morocco. It is more commonly known as the Blue City. This is due to the fact that most of its buildings are painted in blue and light blue tones. You can hear many different legends about where this tradition came from. But the closest to the truth is the one that speaks of Andalusian Jews who fled from Spain in the 15th century and began painting their houses blue in search of divine protection.
Resorts
In Morocco, a holiday by the sea or ocean doesn't differ much: clean water and sand, hotels of varying comfort and price, and a rich assortment of entertainment for tourists. We have selected several special resorts.
Marrakech
Marrakech is a city with a special atmosphere. The place is known as a vibrant paradise for shopaholics, located at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The city's main square, Jemaa el-Fna, becomes a kind of theatrical stage every day: jugglers, fakirs, acrobats, and fortune-tellers perform for the public.
Casablanca
The most modern city in all of Morocco. It is home to the largest Hassan II Mosque, which can be visited regardless of faith. Casablanca is an excellent place to get acquainted with the Atlantic Ocean and its nature. Morocco's best beach is considered to be Ain Diab in Casablanca, if you are among the fans of sand and waves.
Agadir
A super popular resort on the Atlantic Ocean coast. Moreover, it is the largest port in the entire kingdom: meaning the freshest seafood awaits you in every establishment. Fishing enthusiasts will find all the gear here for catching fresh tuna and shrimp. And the beaches have a special scent: eucalyptus and pine groves rise along the coastline. Perfectly suited for a family holiday.
Things to do in Morocco
Stroll through the medinas of ancient cities
Almost every city in Morocco invites you to explore its architecture and history. Just stock up on sun hats and water — the sun can be merciless.
Drink Moroccan mint tea
A classic drink you'll find in every establishment in Morocco. It's usually made with green tea and a lot of sugar. Generally speaking, it's an acquired taste, but it's definitely refreshing!
Swim in the Mediterranean Sea and on the same day — in the Atlantic Ocean
Or vice versa. Beach holidays in Morocco are well-developed, and the country's size allows you to visit several places in one day — your swim trunks won't even have time to dry.
Surf to your heart's content
In the ocean, you can not only swim but also catch awesome waves. The best way to recharge and relax your mind and body.
Visit a hammam
While sipping mint tea, of course. There are fewer hammams than mosques in Morocco, but still a huge number. So there's plenty to choose from to your liking.
Visit the desert
By SUV or camel, with or without an overnight stay, visiting the Valley of Roses, oases, or gardens. And, of course, a sunrise or sunset in the desert — must see!
Accommodation
In Morocco, you can rent any accommodation on well-known websites — Booking and Airbnb. On average, prices there are two to three times lower than, for example, on tour operator websites. If you are in Russia and have payment issues, you can pay for accommodation on Booking upon arrival. In addition, various Russian websites offer hotels in Morocco; even Sutochno.ru has one apartment in Rabat.
Food
Food in Morocco, as in many Eastern countries, is distinguished by its special spiciness and sweetness. Many dishes are prepared from wheat: the most popular food throughout the kingdom — is couscous. In some areas, it's not even called couscous; everyone just says: food. You can also find lentil and wheat soups and porridges in many places, and for meat — it's often lamb and chicken.
It's best to drink bottled water, and consume fruits and vegetables in moderation. In general, as with any trip, it's good to have something for food poisoning with you. If only just to protect yourself.
Transport
Morocco has an excellent railway network and roads. Therefore, it's super convenient to travel between cities by train, bus, and car. High-speed trains with air conditioning have also been launched since 2018.
Bus and train tickets are booked and paid for in advance on the carrier's websites. Additionally, they can be purchased at station ticket offices. We recommend buying tickets in advance — if you hail a bus directly on the highway, it will not stop.
In each city, there are taxi networks. They are easily recognizable by their distinctive color, which varies in each city (Rabat — blue, Casablanca — red, Meknes — light blue). In addition, you can rent a car if you plan to travel independently between cities and beaches. Unfortunately, all historical city centers are closed to car traffic, so you'll still have to walk.
Summary
- Morocco is definitely a must-see: palms, desert, and architecture.
- No visa is needed; you can stay in the country for up to 90 days.
- Ideal beaches with clean water and sand will help relax your mind and body.
- Main cities to visit — Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fes.
- Respect other cultures: only undress on the beach and in rooms.
- Accommodation can be booked remotely; Russian-language websites offer this option.
- There are no transport problems, but it's better to get cash in advance, as well as tickets.
- It's warm here almost all year round — bring sunscreen and something to cover your head.
