Introduction
Pick up a flying carpet in the magical bazaars of Morocco. Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh...just the names of these cities stir a hint of spice in the nostrils. Jostling crowds, the piquant tension of debate, space in perpetual motion - the minute you set foot in the country you know you've arrived somewhere very different.
Spend a weekend in a luxury riad in Marrakesh, F è s or Rabat, exorcise your shopping demons in some of the most colourful markets in the world, or indulge in some off-piste desert driving over sugar-soft dunes... And this fantastically varied destination is barely three hours flying time from Europe.
Geography:
Spectacularly diverse, Morocco combines sand, sea and snow in a way that Club Med developers can only dream about. The southern coast stretches to the edge of the disputed Western Sahara territory, while to the north, the bulk of Morocco's population fills the foothills of the often snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Between the mountains and Morocco's Atlantic coast are plateaus and plains that are fertile and well-watered. In the extreme south, at the edge of the Anti Atlas, the gorges, like the rivers that flow at their bases, gradually peter out into the endless sand and stony wastes of the vast Sahara.
Destination Facts
Capital: Rabat
King: Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Abbas El Fassi
Government: constitutional monarchy
Time zone: GMT 0
Area: 446550
Population: 33000000
People: 55% Arab, 44% Berber, 0.7% foreigners
Languages: 98% Muslim, 1% Christian, 1% Jewish
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (DH)
Major industries: Mining, leather goods, textiles, tourism
Major Trading Partners: EU, US, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil
Country Dialing Code: 212
Getting there and away
With international airports at Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir, Morocco is well linked to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Taking your own vehicle to Morocco is straightforward. There's a variety of car ferries and jetfoils operating between Algericas in Spain and Morocco's Tangier and Ceuta. There are also ferry trips twice a week from Gibraltar to Tangier.
Getting around
If time is your enemy and you've got a bit of cash to splash about, consider the occasional internal flight to make the most of this land. Morocco's Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) operates one of the most modern rail and bus systems in Africa, linking most of the main centres. The trains are generally comfortable, fast and a better option than the buses - if only because sleeping cars are available for many overnight trips. Lines go as far south as Marrakesh. But if you miss the train, the buses are by no means a last-ditch option. The bus network is dense and efficient in most areas. Running alongside the bus services are shared taxis. These are the workhorses of the Moroccan road - normally elderly Mercedes vehicles which you'll see belting along the highways or gathered in great flocks near bus stations. Shared taxis are a big feature of Morocco's public transport system and link towns to their nearest neighbours in a kind of 'leapfrogging' system, going from one town to another, en route to a final destination. The fixed-rate fares are higher than bus fares. Renting a car isn't cheap in Morocco, but deals can be struck with the smaller agencies. Petrol (gas) is available pretty much everywhere. There are police checks on most main roads in Morocco but these rarely affect foreigners. The bigger cities have public bus services. Petits taxis are a common sight in most cities and major towns. They're licensed to carry up to three passengers and can be a useful way to avoid heat exhaustion and/or hustlers.
Places of Interest
Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh...just the names of these cities stir a hint of spice in the nostrils. Jostling crowds, the piquant tension of debate, space in perpetual motion - the minute you set foot in the country you know you've arrived somewhere very different. Spend a weekend in a luxury riad in Marrakesh, F è s or Rabat, exorcise your shopping demons in some of the most colourful markets in the world, or indulge in some off-piste desert driving over sugar-soft dunes...And this fantastically varied destination is barely three hours flying time from Europe.
Weather
On the Atlantic-Mediterranean coastline June to September are the most pleasant times to visit Morocco, offering mostly rain-free days and moderately humid and warm conditions, with the mercury lingering around the high 20 ° Cs (low 80 ° Fs) during the daytime. Further inland, rain is sparse the year round and it can get quite hot. More comfortable conditions on the central plateau will be found during March to June and September to December. Don't underestimate the extremes of heat and cold in the higher mountains, where some peaks can remain snow-capped from November to June.
Warning
Travel to the Western Sahara region of Morocco is advised against due to landmines. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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Pick up a flying carpet in the magical bazaars of Morocco. Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh...just the names of these cities stir a hint of spice in the nostrils. Jostling crowds, the piquant tension of debate, space in perpetual motion - the minute you set foot in the country you know you've arrived somewhere very different.
Spend a weekend in a luxury riad in Marrakesh, F è s or Rabat, exorcise your shopping demons in some of the most colourful markets in the world, or indulge in some off-piste desert driving over sugar-soft dunes... And this fantastically varied destination is barely three hours flying time from Europe.
Geography:
Spectacularly diverse, Morocco combines sand, sea and snow in a way that Club Med developers can only dream about. The southern coast stretches to the edge of the disputed Western Sahara territory, while to the north, the bulk of Morocco's population fills the foothills of the often snow-capped Atlas Mountains. Between the mountains and Morocco's Atlantic coast are plateaus and plains that are fertile and well-watered. In the extreme south, at the edge of the Anti Atlas, the gorges, like the rivers that flow at their bases, gradually peter out into the endless sand and stony wastes of the vast Sahara.
Destination Facts
Capital: Rabat
King: Mohammed VI
Prime Minister: Abbas El Fassi
Government: constitutional monarchy
Time zone: GMT 0
Area: 446550
Population: 33000000
People: 55% Arab, 44% Berber, 0.7% foreigners
Languages: 98% Muslim, 1% Christian, 1% Jewish
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (DH)
Major industries: Mining, leather goods, textiles, tourism
Major Trading Partners: EU, US, Japan, Saudi Arabia, Brazil
Country Dialing Code: 212
Getting there and away
With international airports at Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir, Morocco is well linked to Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Taking your own vehicle to Morocco is straightforward. There's a variety of car ferries and jetfoils operating between Algericas in Spain and Morocco's Tangier and Ceuta. There are also ferry trips twice a week from Gibraltar to Tangier.
Getting around
If time is your enemy and you've got a bit of cash to splash about, consider the occasional internal flight to make the most of this land. Morocco's Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) operates one of the most modern rail and bus systems in Africa, linking most of the main centres. The trains are generally comfortable, fast and a better option than the buses - if only because sleeping cars are available for many overnight trips. Lines go as far south as Marrakesh. But if you miss the train, the buses are by no means a last-ditch option. The bus network is dense and efficient in most areas. Running alongside the bus services are shared taxis. These are the workhorses of the Moroccan road - normally elderly Mercedes vehicles which you'll see belting along the highways or gathered in great flocks near bus stations. Shared taxis are a big feature of Morocco's public transport system and link towns to their nearest neighbours in a kind of 'leapfrogging' system, going from one town to another, en route to a final destination. The fixed-rate fares are higher than bus fares. Renting a car isn't cheap in Morocco, but deals can be struck with the smaller agencies. Petrol (gas) is available pretty much everywhere. There are police checks on most main roads in Morocco but these rarely affect foreigners. The bigger cities have public bus services. Petits taxis are a common sight in most cities and major towns. They're licensed to carry up to three passengers and can be a useful way to avoid heat exhaustion and/or hustlers.
Places of Interest
Tangier, Casablanca, Marrakesh...just the names of these cities stir a hint of spice in the nostrils. Jostling crowds, the piquant tension of debate, space in perpetual motion - the minute you set foot in the country you know you've arrived somewhere very different. Spend a weekend in a luxury riad in Marrakesh, F è s or Rabat, exorcise your shopping demons in some of the most colourful markets in the world, or indulge in some off-piste desert driving over sugar-soft dunes...And this fantastically varied destination is barely three hours flying time from Europe.
Weather
On the Atlantic-Mediterranean coastline June to September are the most pleasant times to visit Morocco, offering mostly rain-free days and moderately humid and warm conditions, with the mercury lingering around the high 20 ° Cs (low 80 ° Fs) during the daytime. Further inland, rain is sparse the year round and it can get quite hot. More comfortable conditions on the central plateau will be found during March to June and September to December. Don't underestimate the extremes of heat and cold in the higher mountains, where some peaks can remain snow-capped from November to June.
Warning
Travel to the Western Sahara region of Morocco is advised against due to landmines. Check Safe Travel for current government warnings.
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