When most people think of an exotic location for their next holiday, Morocco normally isn’t the first place that comes to mind.
Despite this, TripAdvisor has named Morocco the #1 destination for 2015. We’re putting it down to the wide variety of Morocco – from the languages you’ll hear spoken to the places you can choose to go, Morocco is a land of rich and vibrant diversity and, in this, is one of the most exciting and wholesome holidays a person could have.
Here’s some of the top reasons Morocco is one of the most incredible and exciting locations and a perfect destination for any kind of holiday.
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1. Landscapes
Beaches to deserts and everything in between! Morocco is home to the Sahara Desert, the High Atlas Mountains, lush rainforests and some of the world’s most beautiful beaches – not to mention the wildlife that goes along with it.
Hidden away in this gem of a country is a little snippet of everything beautiful in the world. Whatever the reason you’re travelling, chances are you’ll find it in Morocco. In just a week you can spend a night in a traditional Berber camp under the stars isolated in the quiet desert, take a surfing lesson in the whitewashed town of Essaouira, trek through a section of the High Atlas mountains and spend the night with a local family and visit the monkeys, then finish it off in a luxurious hotel and a night in a traditional steam bath.
There is no other country on earth that can compare to Morocco’s incredible variety and richness. When you factor in the year-round wonderfully warm weather (perhaps apart from when scaling the High Atlas) and the variety of methods you can use to access the country’s highlights – from camel rides to private 4×4 tours – Morocco’s landscape is an incomparable selling point for almost all tourists.
2. Culture
Moroccan culture is a tapestry of many different cultures sewn together over history. You can hear this in the many different languages that exist here and see it in the cities and their bustling nightlife, but it can be seen most clearly in the country’s festivals.
In these extravagant displays of excitement, color and varied culture, the people of Morocco come together to celebrate all the things that make them different and make their country so incredibly delightful. The varied cultures of Morocco mesh seamlessly together, and can easily be explored with a historical tour of some of the many World Heritage Sites, old mosques and cities that have remained standing after hundreds of years or simply speaking to some of the friendly locals.
But it’s not only the varied cultures that make Morocco exciting. The major cities are home to some of the most wonderful and exciting displays of entertainment – from snake charmers to storytellers to fortunetellers. For those looking to experience this side of Morocco, a visit to Marrakech’s Djemaa El Fna Square will not disappoint.
3. Architecture
The architecture of Morocco speaks legions of the country’s rich culture and of its deep history, with each region’s influences being drastically different and the resulting architecture being so too. Many people who visit Morocco say that the architecture and style of the cities, Riads and the ancient sites is inspiring, and leave wanting to take a little piece home with them.
From ancient palaces and roman ruins through to traditional kasbahs and riads and the Islamic cities, Morocco is any architecture enthusiasts dream. But it’s not all beautiful buildings and bustling streets. Throughout the country there are wonderful pockets of peace and calm, such as the coastal towns whose relaxed atmosphere can be seen even in the design of the buildings, and city gardens wherein fountains, flowers and time to oneself is valued highly.
Certain local tourist destinations, such as museums, the Saadian Tombs and riads are also often displays of spectacular traditional design. They are often modern, but cling tightly to principals of Moroccan architecture and warmth. This intertwining of the old and new can be seen throughout the country, and is a delightful experience to see a country clinging to it’s origins as it is propelled into the next age.
4. Food
Traditional Moroccan food is arguably the most flavorsome and exciting food. As with anything in Morocco, the flavors and dishes vary from region to region, but the similarity across the country is the use of strong spices and the effort that goes into making wonderful dishes.
If you’re looking to experience some food wonders while in Morocco, we recommend travelling into the smaller and more remote regions of the country. Here you’ll taste authentic and inspiring dishes that have been traditional to the country for hundreds of years.
For many Moroccans, food is an integral part of both their lives and culture, and there are many traditions that revolve around food, gathering together as family or friends and celebrating with food. Morocco is famous for it’s numerous cafes busting at the seams with personality and any visit to Morocco would be incomplete without a visit to one. In addition, there are multiple cooking classes throughout the country that can teach you to take a little bit of Moroccan flavor home with you. For real food enthusiasts, try a tour focused on food and cooking, in which you’ll travel around the country experiencing the many different flavors, styles of cooking and spend time learning from locals about how to create authentic Moroccan dishes.
