Morocco

When to go

Weather

Warm Mediterranean climate on the coast, inland areas have a hotter, drier climate. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas. April to August is the most popular time to visit.

Festivals

In May, the festival of Sid Mohammed Ma al-Ainin is a chance to see the blue-clad Tuareg nomads of the Sahara, along with other tribes. The National Folklore Festival of Marrakesh is a 10-day event in July attended by dancers, musicians and entertainers. The Tissa Horse Festival is held each year in October where hundreds of riders assemble wearing their finery to present their mounts.

Highlights

“The bus to Marrakesh, Morocco, Traverses landscapes simply socko. The machine has not replaced the mammal, And everything is done by camel. I hope I’ll never learn what flesh, I ate that day in Marrakesh, But after struggling with a jawful I thought it tasted humpthing awful.” Ogden Nash, 1964.

High Atlas

Trek the steep rocky trails around North Africa’s highest peak, Djebel Toubkal, or hike the challenging Todra Gorge. Then sleep overnight at a home-stay to enjoy some warm Berber hospitality.

Marrakesh

Heat, dust and mudbrick ramparts, Marrakesh draws countless travellers under its spell. Watch the wondrous array of storytellers, acrobats, musicians and snake charmers who perform among the open-air food stalls in the city’s famous market square, Djemaa El Fna. Tables are piled high with a vast array of exotic foods, including grilled brochettes, fresh salads, steaming hot stews and roasted sheeps’ heads.

Essaouira

Ride the waves or just relax on the fine beaches of this likeable eighteenth-century coastal town, a haven for surfers. The town also has a maze-like medina and a picturesque harbour, frequented by fishing boats unloading the day’s catch.

Casablanca

Join a tour of the imposing Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in the world, built recently with sufficient space for 100,000 worshippers and featuring a magnificent 200-metre-high minaret, the tallest structure in the country.

Fes

Explore enchanting souks, caravanserais, and medersas (Islamic colleges) in the labyrinth streets of this historic walled city, one of the world’s largest intact medieval towns.

Volubilis

Step back in time at the country’s largest Roman ruins, dating largely from the second and third centuries AD.

Being there

Etiquette

A handshake is a customary greeting. Casualwear is widely accepted. Beachwear (swimsuits and shorts) should be for the beach or poolside only. If invited to someone’s house, dress smartly. A gift for the hostess is always appreciated, otherwise normal social courtesies should be observed. Many of the manners and social customs emulate French manners, particularly among the middle class. Firmness and patience can pay dividends in some social situations.

Food and Drink

Specialities include fragrant stews called tajines, made from marinated meat and often served with couscous. Also popular are pastilla (a pigeon-meat pastry), mchoui (spit-roasted mutton) and kab-el-ghzal (almond pastry). To drink: mint tea, strong coffee.

Shopping and Souvenirs

Tanned and dyed leather from Fes, copperware, silver, silk garments, wool rugs, carpets, blankets.

Additional Info

People and Places

Capital: Rabat.
Language: Arabic.
Population: 29,631,000.
Population Density: 41.7. (pop per km²)
Size: 710,850. (area km²)

Transport

Casablanca (CAS) 30 km from the city, Tangier (TNG) 12 km from the city.
Limited rail network but the services are cheap and regular. Major roads are all-weather, particularly in the north. Road travel in the interior is more difficult. Car hire can be expensive.

Red Tape

International Driving Permit or foreign driving licence.
UK: 49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE, tel (020) 7581 5001, fax (020) 7225 3862, email mail@sifamaldn.org. USA: 1601 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, tel (202) 462 7979, fax (202) 462 7643, email embassy@embassyofmorocco.us.
UK: BP 45 RP, 17 boulevard de la Tour Hassan, Rabat, tel (37) 238 600, fax (37) 704 531, email british@mtds.com. USA: BP 120, 2 avenue de Mohamed El Fassi, Rabat, tel (37) 762 265, fax (37) 765 661, email ircrabat@usembassy.ma.

State of the Nation

Life expectancy: M 68.35, F 73.07.

Finance: Limited acceptance of credit cards and traveller’s cheques.
Business hours: 0830-1200, 1430-1830 Monday-Friday.
GMT: GMT.
Voltage guide: 110/220 AC, 50 Hz.
Country dialling code: 212.