The continent of Africa has long been one of mystery and intrigue for travelers, but on the northern coast just a short trip across the Mediterranean from Europe, Morocco is one of the most interesting destinations on the continent. Although many people imagine Africa to be a dry and arid continent, Morocco actually is a very diverse and interesting place to explore, with terrain ranging from the high Atlas Mountains down to the beautiful beach towns on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts.


There are also plenty of challenges when it comes to exploring Morocco, but most people will find it to be an interesting and vibrant destination which reveals some amazing attractions behind the mystery.

 

Top Places To Visit

Marrakesh is where the majority of visitors to Morocco will begin, with a range of historic buildings and an amazing souk, while the vibrant atmosphere is exciting and really opens up your senses. The coastal cities of Casablanca and Tangier are also popular starting points for visitors, and both have some amazing areas to explore, while Tangier especially is a beautiful city that has inspired artists with its attractions.

 

With villages perched on the hillside, and the chance to go hiking in the snow, the High Atlas area of the country can be easily accessed from Marrakesh, and offers a very different perspective of Africa compared to the one that most people will be used to. Other attractive destinations include Agadir, which is a lovely beach town with plenty of places to relax by the ocean, while Volubilis is the largest set of Roman ruins in Morocco.

 

Meeting Other People In Morocco

The first thing to note is that the majority of Moroccans speak next to no English, so if you speak French or Arabic, you will certainly be in a better position to communicate with the locals. If you are staying in the budget hotels and hostels, you will often find a mix of people combining intrepid international travelers and people from the region. One interesting way to meet others is to take one of the beds on the roof of the cheaper hotels, which will not only give you the chance to sleep in the cool of the outdoors, but will also allow you to meet some of the others staying in the area.

 

Safety And Security Advice

Most of Morocco is fairly safe for visitors, although as with many tourist destinations, you will find a reasonable number of hustlers and hawkers congregating around the tourist areas to approach visitors. It is worth noting that homosexuality is criminalized in Morocco, so gay and lesbian travelers should be cautious about their actions when exploring the country, while women will often experience cat calls if they are traveling alone. The luxury buses in the country are quite safe and a good way to get around, although if you are traveling by taxi, make sure that the meter is on when you get in. Most of the country is safe to explore, although the area in and around the disputed territory of Western Sahara should generally be avoided.

 

Top Street Foods To Try

Food is a big part of exploring any new destination, and Morocco certainly has a range of new delicacies to try. This will often be great for those who are adventurous, and one of the delicacies found in many souks and street stalls is fried calves livers in breadcrumbs, which are usually fried and then served with french fries, and are surprisingly good. Around the coastal areas, you can also enjoy some great seafood, and as Morocco is the largest sardine exporter in the world, one of the treats worth trying is the sandwiches, where bread is stuffed with sardines that themselves have been stuffed with a spicy paste that is then deep fried.

 

Where To Stay In Morocco

In the cities of Morocco, you will find the usual range of accommodation from small family run hotels with relatively few rooms up to the international hotel chains. You will also find hostel accommodation and also many hotels will have roof terraces where you can rent a mattress for an inexpensive night.

 

Further out into the countryside, you will find 'auberges', which are comfortable inns with home cooked food, while the more basic 'Gites d'etape' are closer to hostel accommodation, and offer hot showers and simple food.