Morocco Travel

Getting There

Morocco is very close to Europe with Barely 14 kilometres separating it from Spain across the Straits of Gibraltar. You can therefore travel to Morocco by every possible means imaginable.

Flights
Morocco has twelve international airports: Agadir, Al Hoceima, Casablanca, Dakhla, Fez, Laayoune, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda, Rabat, Sale, Tangier and Tetouan.
Royal Air Maroc and other leading international and charter airlines provide fast and regular services from major cities in Europe, North America and the Middle East. For example: Casablanca is around I hour by air from Madrid, 3 hours from Paris and 6 1/2 hours from New York.

Land & water
If you wish to drive to Morocco, you will head for Algecin in Spain. You can travel by car, motorbike, coach or car sleeper. You can cross the Straits of Gibraltar by car ferry to Tangier (2h30) or Ceuta (lh30). Ferries also operate from Sete (France) to Tangil (the crossing takes 36 hours) and from Almeria\ Nador or Melilla.

When to Go

The climate in Morocco varies depending in which area you are. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate with southwest trade winds on the eastern coast. Inland areas are hotter, drier and continental.The southern area of Morocco is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, with the nights at their coolest during December and January. Rain falls are experienced from November to March in coastal areas and mostly dry and high temperatures during summer. The climate in the mountains is cooler. Marrakech and Agadir average temperature is about 21°C in the winter.

Highlights not to Miss

Agadir
Agadir is where the Sahara, your beach, meets the ocean, your swimming pool. The beautiful bay is welcoming with the sun shining 350 days of the year. The climate is mild and summer just never seems to want to leave. With soft salt water and fine sandy beaches which stretch over kilometres, Agadir is the perfect beach destination in Morocco. Days seem never ending and the evening peacefully drift by.

As the Capital of the Souss region, Agadir is a starting point for a number of excursions to the rest of Morocco. Agadir offer a range of activities including riding, sailing, diving, jetskiing, big game fishing, tennis or golf. The city has such an abundance that the landscape is a playground. Agadir is the ultimate leisure town, a kingdom where travelers reign supreme.

Marrakesh
The city which gave its name to Morocco in the past perpetuates its magic to this day. Marrakesh is an oasis in the desert and a jewel at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. The city is the capital of Southern Morocco where all roads lead to the Memaa El Fna square. Here the musicians, dancers, healers, public scribes, storytellers, vendors of fresh orange juice or grilled nuts come together in a spectacle that is enchanting. The hot food stalls are setup as the lamps are lit and the stars come out, delicious odours of roasting meat, couscous, harira and doughnuts fill the air. Experience a Moroccan festival of colours, sounds and fragrances drawing you into the bustling crowd, enticing you further into the maze.

While strolling through the city you could come across the Bahia palace with gardens filled with the fragrance of jasmine and orange flowers or perhaps the Dar Si Said, housing the museum of Moroccan arts. Other places of interest in this city ar the Saadian tomps, the Ben Youssef medersa and the majestic ruins of the Badii palace, built by Ahmed el Mansour using the most precious materials of gold, onyx and Italian marble, all traded for their weight in sugar.

The best way to explore the city would be in a horse-drawn carriage.

Ouarzazate
En-route to Dades, Draa, Souss and Marrakesh you will find Ouarzazate, one of Morocco's best known tourist destinations. Attractions include a visit to the craft center for the Berber pottery and the Ouzguita carpets. The Kasbah of Tiffoultoute on the road to Marrakesh, in the past the inhabitants were a threat both for Mkhzen and for Ouarzazate and the surrounding zones and today it merely an attraction for tourists. From here you have a magnificent panoramic view over the valley through which the Oued Ouarzazate river runs. One can admire the mountains, the lake formed by Mansour ed-Dahbi dam, the oasis and the Draa Valley from the terrace of the Kasbah.

Imperial cities
The Imperial cities of Morocco include Fès, Marrakech, Meknès and Rabat each having been a capital of Morocco at some time during its history. Rabat is currently the capital of Morocco, a town of trees and flowers, and many monumental gateways, namely the Gate of the Ambassadors and the Oudaias Kasbah Gate. Fès is the most ancient and impressive of the imperial cities. The city has more history and mystery than anywhere else in Morocco and is famous for the Nejjarine Square and Fountain, the Er Rsif and Andalous mosques, the Royal Palace, the Kasbah and Karaouine University, which is older than Oxford University. Meknès is protected by 16km of battlements and flanked by towers and bastions. Highlights include a wonderful souk (market) and the old town is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. The Roman ruins at Volubilis are about 30km from the city which is also on UNESCO's World Heritage list.