My Top 5
Whenever we have the opportunity, we ask our users to send us their top 5 experiences from their most recent trip to Morocco. Below are our selection of the very best recommendations from these. We love these so please do keep sending these in by email and we hope you enjoy them too.
Listed in order of most recent posting
Catherine and Paul, Brighton, September 2009
Posted 08/10/09
1. The Djemmaa el Fna is the main square and open area of Marrackech that draws snake charmers, water sellers, fortune tellers, jugglers, and traditional musicians. It is fun just to wander the square to observe all of the interesting activities that take place here.
2. Generally hotels in Morocco seem to have a roof top. We enjoyed spending time there looking out over thr City, particularly the evening when the sun was going down.
3. We went on a 3 days/ 2 nights trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara. We stopped at Ait Benhadou to visit one of the most exotic and best preserved Kasbahs. Then on to Ouarzazate and the Dades Valley. The next day we visited Todra Gorges. Then on to Merzouga where we jumped on camels and slept in Bivouac tents in the desert.
4. Visit the cascades d' Ouzoud (100 miles from Marrakech but worth the trip). I remember sitting on top of the cascades and watching the sunrise. Nice view and very peaceful. You can hike down to a cave and a 'gorge'. Especially the gorge (canyon) is very nice. Also I saw my first wild monkeys ever. Very exiting!
5. Do a day trip to Fes. It's like stepping back in time to a huge, medieval city. Now a UNESCO world heritage site, the medina is what attracts most visitors to Fes. Exploring Fes was one of the highlights of our trip to Morocco.
The Holden family, Kent, June 2009
Posted 10/06/09
1. We visited the medina of Fes el-Bali (Old Fes), one of the largest living medieval cities in the world. Its narrow alleys are crammed with every conceivable sort of workshops, restaurant and market, as well as mosques, and extensive dye pits and tanneries.
2. Drive the famous route N9 from Ouarzazate climbs over the high Atlas mountains passing the Col du Tichka (2.260m). Breathe-taking.
3. Palais de la Bahia in Marrakesh which was built towards the end of the 19th century, with its the rambling rooms, elaborate reception halls, living quarters, pleasure gardens, fountains and numerous secluded, and shady courtyards. Typical Muslim architecture. It housed Bou-Ahmed's family and retinue of four wives, 24 concubines and countless children.
4. The Menara Gardens is a great place to visit after you have tired of the hassle of the Marrakesh's medina. The Menara Gardens is actually located outside and away from all of the other attractions in Marrakesh. It is about a two kilometre walk west of the medina. The garden actually is something of an olive tree orchard with a large reflecting pool that is filled with fish. On the south side of the pool is a pavillion which is one of the most photographed buildings in Morocco. At the best of times you can photograph it with the Atlas Mountains in the distance. You can vaguely see them in this photo. The light is much better for such photos in the late afternoon. This is also the best time to visit for all the bus tour groups have left by then. The gardens are open throughout the day.
5. Mint tea together in the shade on a sunny day. Very refreshing (although it did get a little repetitive after a week!
Angela, Lytham, Lancs, January 2009
Posted 06/03/09
1. Jardin Majorelle, owned by the French couturier Yves Saint-Laurent. In among the cacti, bamboo and cascades of bourgainvillea is a deep-blue villa, now housing the museum.
2. The area of the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech was the original privileged cemetery for descendents of the prophet Mohammed. The mausoleum is sub-divided into three small halls. There are 66 Saadians, included AL-Mansour, his successors and their closest family members, buried under the two main structures, and there are more than 100 buried outside the buildings.
3. Koutoubia. At 70 m. tall, the minaret is visible for miles in any direction. The word minaret, originates from Arabic, Alminar or "the place of light", from where the muezzin dispels the darkness with the word of the Holy Quran. At dusk, in the fading crimson light of evening, the resounding call to prayer that echoes across the city has a powerful emotive effect. Built by the Almohad, Yakoub el-Mansour (1184-1199), this is the oldest and best preserved minaret. It is also a classic representation of Moroccan-Andalucian architecture; its features are mirrored in many other minarets throughout the country, but not one of these matches the Koutoubia's for sheer size.
4. Souks. Even if you are not buying, as you wander through the various souqs there are plenty of opportunities to watch artisans at work fashioning slippers, weaving rugs, dyeing textiles and hammering metals.
5. Day trip to Fez. The tanneries there provide a great illustration of how resolutely some parts of Morocco have clung to practices developed in medieval times. Skins are still carried by donkey to the tanner's souq, tanning and dyeing vats are still constructed from mud brick and tile, the tannery craftsman and apprentices are still organised according to medieval guild principles. Leather-making is undoubtedly one of its smelliest. Among the exotic ingredients are, cow urine, fish oils, animal fats and brains, chromium salts and sulphuric acids.
Simon and Heather, London, June 2008
Posted 04/07/08
1. At the east side of the medina in Essaouira, you can gain access to the ramparts and the Skala de la Ville, a sea bastion built along the cliffs, lined with a collection of European brass cannons from the 18th and 19th centuries. The walkway has great views out to sea. Locals and tourists alike gather here to watch the sun disappear over the horizon
2. Visit Essaouira’s busy working port, immediately southwest of the medina. It is a hive of activity, with nets laid out on the quayside, fishing boats unloading their catch, traditional wooden boats being built and the seafood sizzling on outdoor grills.
3. Travel to El Jadida, which was originally known as Mazagan, was entirely built by the Portuguese in the 1600s when they built a fort here at the edge of the rich grain country of the district known as the Doukkala. It is today largely an administrative center and summer beach resort.
4. One of our favourite places in Morocco was the sleepy little fishing town of Sidi Ifni on the southwest Atlantic coast. To call it sleepy is a bit misleading - it's practically comatose and a great place to relax and chill out. There's some fabulous cafes, great food, fantastic live music, unique architecture and the friendliest people we met in Morocco.
5. Not many people visit Tan Tan but we did. Until 1958 Tan Tan was part of the Spanish Sahara, in which year the Tarfaya zone was handed over to Morocco two years after the independence. It is a good place to spend a night. There are several shops, internet cafés, banks and hotels. We stayed in the Bir Ansarane hotel, not far from the Oued ben Khelil. This hotel has a lovely terrace, where we had our dinner and some drinks.
Robert, engineering consultant, Durham, holiday in March 2007
Posted 21/6/08
1. Camping in the Sahara. Magical isn't it? The desert is really something else. The sand is finer than you can ever imagine. i took close to an hour to climb the nearest dune, sinking knee-deep at parts. It was hard! by that time, the night has settled over the desert. The stars shine so brightly in the darkness, the night casting a strange blue hue over eveyone's faces. In the far distance, Algeria glows dimly. The silence is complete. The tent is traditional berber, woven i believe. Our lone guide was garbed in desert blue. He made a campfire & cooked (what else?) tagine. Later, he took out his drums. i give him full points for excellent one-man show.
2. The Atlas Mountains are a superb location to go hiking. The region is just now being discovered as a possible tourist destination and is very rustic. In some villages like the one I stayed in the lifestyle of the locals has barely changed for over the past hundreds of years. Guides can be hired at various trekking outfits throughout the mountain range. It cost me about £40.00 for a guide and mule to carry my bags. The great disappointment of my trip to Morocco was that I was not able to spend more time in these beautiful mountains because I was so sick and because the weather turned rather foul. In fact there was serious flood just after I left.
Joanne and mother, Devon, May 2008
Posted 18/06/08
Don’t really have a Top 5 but visiting a hammam is one of the highlights in Morocco. During my stay in Marakesh, I visited three hammans. The experiences are completely different as they are targeted to different users.
1. Firstly Ville & Une Nuit, it has very spa type of ambience and decor. The stream room and rest area are on main floor where are quite comfortable. The massage room is on 2nd floor, which are divided in semi-open patition are in western and arab decor. There is also a rest area which is under a doom with arab decor. Price wise a package of hamman visit + massage costs 330DH. It is located in the northeast corner of Djemma el-Fna, after passing the covered market. Address: Place Jemaa El Fna - Derbe Dabachi No 58
2. Secondly, Hammam Ziani, it has a very comfortable decor and environment. There are separate areas for men and women. The stream room and rest area are on main floor where are quite comfortable. The massage is taken place in an open area between the shower room and steam room. Price is 170Dh for hamman+massage. It is located only 2 minute walk northward, 14 Rue Riad Zitoune jdid from Palais Bahia. Tel: 062-72-55-71.
3. Thirdly Hammam el-Bacha, it is a basic localised hammam for local people. Not much to expect from any other local hammam. The price is 10Dh and take note of hours for men (4am-noon & 7pm-midnight) and women. Bring your own towel and soap, and underwear of course)
Gem and friend, Westborne Grove, June 2008
Posted 16/06/08
1. The port of Asilah, 40 km south of Tanger is a niche, bijou resort town. Affluent Moroccans and Europeans have poured money into gentrifying houses within the white-washed and mural-painted city walls. Despite the changes its popularity has brought, Asilah has managed to retain a certain arty charm and it remains one of the secrets of the North Atlantic coast.
2. Ouzoud Waterfalls, near to Tanaant in the Middle Atlas. The waterfall has an 100m abyss and the water creates a specific ambiance on the bottom part. Chill temperature along with rainbow. Near the surrounding olive trees you can notice the families of monkeys that feed themselves on fruits trees also existing
3. Kelaa Mgouna Rose Festival This is another highlight that I finally made it to - held the first weekend in May depending on the Rose harvest of thousands of Roses that grow in the surrounding area - though becoming much more commercial it still seemed to be largely attended by locals or Moroccan 'tourists'. On the Friday evening preceding the main day which is Saturday, stalls are open with either a Rose Festival theme or crafts or items for sell from the locality. On the Saturday, which is the main day, there is a grand parade of floats and local groups in their various tribal costumes makes its way down the main street with the beautiful Rose Queens up on their float to represent the Festival. In an arena made from the souk day area the attending audience with special guest of person or person from the Local Authorities are entertained by the various tribal groups in the area with music - singing, drumming and other musical instruments - and dance dressed in their varying and often spectacular costumerie
4. The ancient art of henna. Get it while you are here. Something lovely like the local village’s girls have here but don’t pay more than 100 DH
5, Night sky. Billions of stars all over your head. I had never seen so many in the sky, even in Australia.
Charles and Sophie, London, May 2008
Posted 08/06/08
1. We visited Volubilis which is in the middle of a green plain about 33 km north of Meknes. Volubilis is site of the largest and best-preserved Roman ruins in Morocco. The most amazing features are the stunning mosaics, with have been left in their original locations. Excavations indicate that the site was originally settled by Carthaginian traders in the 3rd century BC. The site's most impressive monuments were build in the 2nd and 3rd centuries AD, including the triumphal arch, capitol, baths and the basilica. Well worth a visit even if you are not usually interested in archeology.
2. Morocco is not strong on its museums but one of its best is the Archeological Museum in the capital city of Rabat. This is the best archeological museum in Morocco. It features artifacts from pre-historic times to the early Islamic period. The museum is particularily noteworthy for its fine collection of Roman bronzes Many of the pieces come from the nearby Roman ruins at Chellah and from Volubilis. The museum is opened from 9am to 11:30am and 2:30pm to 5:30pm everyday but Tuesday when it is closed. It cost us 10dh to enter.
3. Not far from Tangier there is one of 'Pillars OF Hecules' (the second is in Gibraltar). It is just a cave - please, visit it! Here Hercules was holding the dome of heaven on his shoulders! Inside the cave there is a 'stream of happiness' - drink its water. But the most fantastic sight inside the cave is a grotto through which you can sea the water - it has the shape of Africa! Is not it wonderful?
4. The late American billionaire Malcolm Forbes collected a staggering 115,000 toy soldiers. He purchased the ancient palace of the mendoub in 1970 in Tangiers and opened the museum. Here, major battles throughout history from Waterloo to Dien Bien Phû are realistically recreated with lighting and sound effects. Entire armies stand on guard in the showcases while in the garden, 600 statuettes bear silent homage to the Battle of the Three Kings. The museum is now owned by the city of Tangiers. The garden offers an exceptional view of the Gibraltar Straits and Spanish coast.
5. The narrow streets, neighborhood mosques, and whitewashed walls of Casablanca's Old Medina show evidence of the Arab influence in the city. Worth a visit but we do not think that Casablanca justifies no more than a day or two.
Rebecca (aka Free Spirit), Gloucester, May 2008
Posted 02/06/08
1. Visit the Todra Gorge, 15 km from Tinerhir at the end of a valley full of stunning palmeraies and berber village. The gorge is a massive fault in the plateau dividing the High Atlas from the Jebel Sarho, with a crystal-clear river emerging from it. It rises to 300m at its narrowest point. It's best in the morning, when the sun penetrates to the bottom of the Gorge, turning the rock from rose pink to a deep ochre. In the afternoon it gets very dark and chilly and, in winter, bitterly cold.
2. Valley of a Thousand Kasbahs. Heading roughly east from Ouarzazate, the Dades Valley threads a course between the mountains of the High Atlas to the north and the rugged Jebel Sahro range to the south. The biggest oases and the line of Kasbahs that give this route its nickname, Valley of a Thousend Kasbahs, begin just before the town of Skoura.
3. Ziz Valley is located in the south bottom part of the Atlas and starts after the city of Rich going towards Errachidia. This amazing rock natural construction is very worth seeing. There are some part where the river Ziz is ok to swim and enjoy a perfect sunny day in this amazing place.
4. Merzouga (Sahara desert - sand dunes) is not to be missed. There's nothing quite like seeing the desert for the 1st time. It’s a pretty far ride though so i suggest joining a tour. It was 3 days to & from from Marrakech, stopping at various spots, passing along beautiful berber villages carved out of sand that turns a flaming red during sunset, and spectacular mountain passes (Just don't ask me exactly where! The "guide" didn't speak English very well and was generally non-communicative. He only sprang into life when he hi-jacked several of our company to see his carpet-weaving "friend". The rest of us hung out with the locals under a big tree). We stayed overnight in the Sahara in a nomadic tent, laughed & played with the drums & had tagine dinner around a campfire.
5. Can’t think of my 5th suggestion…
Will and Rob (brothers, not lovers!), North London, May 2008
Posted 28/05/08
1. Ouarzazate which has become the film centre of Morocco, and many productions, including The Sheltering sky, Gladiator, The man who could be King, The last Temptation of Christ, The living daylight and Asterix have been shot in the area. Most movies are filmed at the Atlas Studios. It's possible to visit the studio's to see the Tibetan monastery built for Scorcese's Kundun, the plane used in Jewel of the Nile and the Egyptian sets used for various Cleopatra films and documentaries.
2. Ait Benhaddou is one of the most exotic and best-preserved kasbahs in the entire Atlas region. This is hardly suprising, since it has had money poured into it as a result of being used for scenes in as many as 20 films, notably Lawrence of Arabia, Jesus of Nazareth (for witch much of the village was rebuilt), and most recently, Gladiator. The kasbah is now under Unesco protection.
3. Spend some time at the Erg Chebbi. It's a magical landscape, which deserves much more than just a sunrise glimpse. The dunes themselves are fascinating, changing colours from pink to gold to red at different times of day. It's a great place to appreciate the immense, clear dessert sky., with occasionally a sandstorm. You can arrange camel treks from most hotels.
4. The tiny town of Merzouga lies at the edge of the famous Erg Chebbi, Morocco's only genuine Saharan erg - one of those huge, drifting expanses of sand dunes that typify much of the Sahara.
5. Look for fossils around Merzouga. There are lots of places selling them but fun to look for yourself. A great reminder that the Sea that was once here.
Abigail and Matt, UK, April 2008
Posted 05/05/08
1. Chefchaoun is a lovely location in the Rif Mountains. It's an amazing mix between Spanish and Arabic. The Muslims expelled from Spain settled here and the town remained isolated for many years. Spanish troops occupied Chefchaouen until the 1920’s (by then they spoke a weird strain of medieval Spanish). This is why you can see many traits here typical to the south of Spain such as its tiled roofs. It feels very safe and relaxing. We could have stayed here for our entire trip.
2. The Medina in Chefchaoun.It's great just to walk around the narrow cobbled streets looking at the blue and green and white houses which look as cool and refreshing as mints. The shopping streets are incredible too with so many multi coloured goods hanging from the shop fronts. You can also see many weaving looms which is another Spanish influence as it was them who introduced the silkworm.
3. The 17th Century Kasbah which is in Plaza Uta el-Hammam. It is really a great place to go in. We loved the architecture and the artefacts you can find within. If you look around my Morocco page some more you'll come across photos taken inside the Kasbah.
4. And the Market held on Monday and Thursdays. It is a must see activity not because of the things you can buy there, but mainly because of how different it looks!
5. We liked the town of Tetouan also, which owes its quite unique Hispano-Moroccan atmosphere to its more than 40 years (1912-1956) as the capital of the Spanish protectorate. The medina is a fascinating Unesco World Heritage site, the modern ville nouvelle contains some wonderful examples of Spanish colonial architecture.
Jonathan and Claire, W. Sussex, April 2008
Posted 28/4/08
1. Day trip to the Atlas mountains from Marrakech. Great hiking for even unfit people.
2. Windsurfing in Essaouira. Hiring the equipment was cheap by European standards (although I can’t remember quite how much it was). The breeze was fantastic. We also had 3 lessons kitesurfing – and have a long way to go before being even good beginners!
3. Walk around Essaouira with its stone ramparts and turrets, and its medina, a maze of narrow lanes, whitewashed houses, tranquil squares and artisans in tiny workshops.
4. Climbing and bouldering in the Torda Gorge which seems to be the main climbing centre of Morocco. Again the equipment was cheap and pretty good quality. We stayed in one of the basic hotels catering for outdoor types. Can’t remember the name although it was not so memorable.
5. Visiting Skoura, a small village in southern Morocco that has these really beautiful palm groves and inhabited and uninhabited kasbahs.