Morocco is an initiation into the exotic magic of the Islamic, Arabic, African world – the world of medinas and minarets, desert and mountain; yet it almost touches western Europe and, for all the differences, retains a European patina, the legacy of the French Protectorate.

To imbibe the spirit of Morocco, wander the streets of the great cities. Fès – the ancient capital – has a stunning array of medieval buildings, while Marrakech compels attention, its world-famous souk selling a bewildering array of goods; both hark back to the Arab dynasties that ruled the country from the Muslim conquest. Casablanca, a thriving commercial centre, and Rabat, the capital, reflect their modern French origins; Tangier is mildly seedy, slightly melancholy. All Moroccan cities are crowded, the hustlers a fact of life.

Morocco’s charm lies in its diversity. For sun-worshippers, there are miles of beaches, while inland lies Berber country where, among the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, the energetic can walk or trek.
Beyond the Atlas are the fringes of the Sahara, where the caravans once stopped on their way south to trade in spice and ivory.

Whether scaling distant ridges, idling by the sea, haggling for exotic artefacts, gazing at ancient wonders or marvelling at the pink and indigo of a desert dawn, you will be mesmerised.

The original inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, have experienced a series of invaders over the centuries.
The first Arabs arrived from the west in AD682 and established a series of dynasties which have ruled Morocco ever since. As in much of North Africa, the conflict between Arabs and Berbers has been a central feature of the country’s history.

Morocco achieved independence from the French in 1956 and despite some progress, today two territorial disputes remain: in the Sahrawi region (previously known as Spanish Sahara), claimed by indigenous guerrilla movement, the Polisario Front and in the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast.

Food and Drink

Morocco’s traditional haute cuisine dishes are excellent and good value for money. They are often
exceedingly elaborate, based on a diet of meat and sweet pastries. Hotel restaurants usually serve French cuisine.
Restaurants offer a good selection of food, including typical Moroccan dishes, French, Italian or Spanish meals.
The three-course fixed menus are not expensive. Many of the souks have stalls selling kebabs (brochettes) often served with a spicy sauce. Most restaurants have waiter service.
Bars can have either waiter or counter service. Laws on alcohol are fairly liberal (for non-Muslim visitors) and bars in most tourist areas stay open late. Wines, beers and spirits are widely available. Locally produced wines, beers and mineral waters are excellent and good value, but imported drinks tend to be expensive.

Tipping: Service charges are usually included in hotel bills; it is customary to tip waiters MAD1-2.

Nightlife

Morocco offers a variety of entertainment from casinos, bars, discos, restaurants and nightclubs, often with belly dancing. There are modern nightclubs in all the cities and resorts around the country.
There are casinos in Marrakech, Mohammedia, Tangier and Agadir. Traditional Moroccan entertainment, such as folk dancing, can be seen in every town.

Shopping

The co-operative shops of Moroccan craftspeople, coopartim, operate under state control selling local handicrafts at fixed prices and issue an authenticity receipt or a certificate of origin for customs when exporting.
Souks are also worthwhile places to visit for local products. Special buys are leather, tanned and dyed in Fès; copperware; silver; silk or cotton garments; and wool rugs, carpets and blankets. Bargaining is essential, and good buys generally work out at around a third of the asking price.
In the south, there are Berber carpet auctions, especially in Marrakech, Taroudannt and Tiznit.
Visitors will need a guide to make the best of these occasions.

Shopping hours: Mon-Thurs 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, and Fri 08.30-11.00 and 15.00-18.30; large stores are open Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900; souks (traditional markets) are open
Mon-Sun 08.30-13.00 and 14.30-18.00.

Climate

The climate varies from area to area. The coast has a warm, Mediterranean climate tempered on the eastern coast by southwest trade winds. Inland areas have a hotter, drier, continental climate.
In the south of the country, the weather is very hot and dry throughout most of the year, with the nights coolest in the months of December and January. Rain falls from November to March in coastal areas.
Mostly dry with high temperatures in summer. Cooler climate in the mountains. Marrakech and Agadir enjoy an average temperature of 21°C (70ºF) in the winter.

Required Clothing

Lightweight cottons and linens are worn during summer, with warm mediumweights for the evenings during winter and in the mountains. Waterproofing is advisable in the wet season, particularly on the coast and in the mountains.

Getting There by Air

The national airline is Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com).

Departure Tax

None.

Main Airports

Casablanca (CMN) (Mohammed V) is 30km (19 miles) south of the city (journey time – 35 minutes).
To/from the airport: There are taxi services into Casablanca and train services available to Rabat.
Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, post office, banking and bureau de change, restaurant, bar, tourist help desk and car hire.

Tangier (TNG) (Boukhalef Souahel) is 11km (7 miles) from the city (journey time – 20 minutes).
To/from the airport: Bus and taxi services are available into Tangier. Facilities: Outgoing duty-free shop, banking and bureau de change, restaurant, bar, tourist help desk and car hire.

Other international airports include Fez (FEZ), Marrakech (RAK) and Rabat-Salé (RBA).

Currency

Moroccan Dirham (MAD) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of MAD200, 100, 50, 20 and 10. Coins are in denominations of MAD10, 5 and 1, and 50, 20, 10 and 5 centimes.

Currency Exchange

Moroccan Dirhams can only be obtained in Morocco. National currencies should be exchanged at official bureaux de change only (identified by a golden sign); changing money in the street is illegal.
There is no commission charge and visitors will be issued with a receipt which they must keep in order to exchange Moroccan currency back into the original national currency upon departure. Money can be withdrawn in banks with a credit card and a cheque book in some larger towns.

Credit/Debit Cards and ATMs

Some credit cards are accepted. Cash can be withdrawn from ATMs in some larger towns.

Traveller’s Cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller’s cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.

Banking Hours

Mon-Thurs 08.15-12.15 and 14.15-17.15; Fri 08.15-11.15 and 14.30-17.30; Sat 09.00-13.00.

Passports

Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all nationals of countries referred to in the chart above.

Visas

Not required by nationals of countries shown in the chart above for stays of up to three months, except nationals of Hungary who can stay for up to 30 days.