Morocco is known for its desert landscapes, some of the most beautiful in the world. The fascination that Morocco awakens lies in its great diversity. The country is much more than arid deserts, it is also known for its beaches and high mountains. It is even possible to find magnificent winter sports centers.
But it's not just the attractive landscapes that make Morocco such a charming country, but also its cultural and artistic richness and its well-known authentic Moroccan crafts. On a trip to Morocco, there is the opportunity to experience Moroccan culture in the famous markets or souk, the most famous being in Marrakech, Rabat, Casablanca and Fez. Anyone loses track of time in one of these markets, with its intense commercial and leisure activity and its authentic products, where the ancient knowledge of the past mixes with the evolution of the present.
The most important cities in the Kingdom of Morocco, in addition to its capital Rabat, are Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech, Agadir, Tangier and Meknes. In addition, nine cultural features are UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
General Data
Capital: Rabat.
Form of government: Semi-constitutional monarchy (since 1956).
Population: 37,157,380 inhabitants.
Emergency number (police): 19.
Emergency number (fire department): 15.
Morocco International area code: +212.
Electrical voltage: 220 volts.
Morocco Geography
The Kingdom of Morocco is located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean and Algeria, the neighboring African country. Without Western Sahara, the area of the country is 446,550 km². This makes Morocco an African country comparatively smaller than the rest. The landscape is incredibly varied, which is why in Morocco you can find desert landscapes, snow-capped mountains, green plains and beautiful sandy beaches.
Morocco climate and travel season
Morocco in summer follows Central European Time (CET) -2 hours and in winter CET -1 hour. Morocco's two climatic zones are separated by the Atlas Mountains. The northwest part of the country is influenced by the Mediterranean and the southern part of the country is influenced by the Sahara climate. The fauna also largely depends on the different climatic zones: in the north, Mediterranean flora predominates in the mountains, while date palms are planted in the oases in the southern areas. On the other hand, in the mountainous areas there are forests, while in the southern coastal area there are plants associated with the image of Morocco: argan trees and jujubes.
As there are different climatic zones in Morocco, the climate is very varied. Determining the best time to travel in Morocco will depend on your vacation destination. In the interior areas, temperatures can vary in summer between 29ºC and 45ºC, the same occurring in the months from March to May or from October to November. The best time to travel to the northwest is from April to November, as these are the months when temperatures are most favorable for tourism and vacations. If you travel to the Sahara, temperatures can fluctuate a lot between day and night, so you can enjoy warm sunny days and cool nights.
Public transport in Morocco
In Morocco, it is common to travel by taxi. There is a distinction between the small taxi for short city trips and the large taxi for longer trips. The small taxis of each city have a distinct color, for example, in the Moroccan capital, Rabat, the taxis are blue, while those in Casablanca are red.
Large taxis are usually white. Prices are relatively cheap. If you want to go without a taxi, traveling by bus is another alternative. Morocco has a fairly dense bus network. There are direct connections between almost all major cities and each usually has a bus station where tickets can be purchased.
Morocco entry requirements
Spanish citizens do not need a visa to enter Morocco for stays of up to 90 days. For a longer stay you need a residence permit. If this is your case, you must apply to the local foreign police within 21 days of your entry. For this application, you need to prove your economic solvency and justify the reasons for your stay.
Further information on the application can be provided by the Moroccan Embassy. We recommend that you arrive in good time upon entry, as people with careless behavior may be denied entry into the country. Bear in mind that some regulations in Morocco are very different from the laws in Spain, so we recommend everyone to familiarize themselves with the country's laws or consult the Moroccan Embassy in Madrid.
Health System in Morocco
It is important to take out reliable travel and health insurance at source that includes medical assistance and repatriation which, if applicable, can be very expensive. If you travel to Morocco with your own car, you must bring all the necessary documentation, in addition to being preferably insured with the maximum coverage possible.
Morocco's healthcare system does not depend on Europe. In the big cities, you will find highly qualified staff in private clinics, in many cases trained in Spain or France. In rural or desert areas, infrastructure can be somewhat limited, so extreme precautions are recommended. Hospitalization will only be used in cases of extreme urgency, and it is preferable, after proper medical advice, to return to the place of origin.
According to information about Morocco on the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Spain, there is no mandatory vaccination for traveling to Morocco, but vaccination against tuberculosis, tetanus, diphtheria, polio and hepatitis A is recommended.
Hygiene measures should be maximized, paying attention to food and drink. Always drink bottled water or closed drinks and wash fruits and vegetables with special care. It is also recommended not to buy food from street stalls. In summer it is advisable to avoid eating salads that we have not made ourselves.
A good idea might be to travel with a small first-aid kit, with antidiarrheals, colds, plasters or disinfectants, as well as sunscreen and mosquito repellent. More medical advice and, in particular, up-to-date safety instructions can be found on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs website.
Moroccan Gastronomy
Moroccan food belongs to a cuisine that has developed through the different cultures that have lived in the country, such as Berbers, Arabs and Jews. Immersing yourself in Moroccan cuisine is a delicious adventure. Morocco is known for its thousand and one spices, which will make you live a very tasty experience. Some typical Moroccan foods are tajine, the couscous that is usually eaten on Fridays and it is not uncommon to see the local population eat it with their hands, and harira, a soup made with vegetables, meat and noodles. Sometimes the dishes are accompanied by a simple tomato and cucumber salad.
Festivals in Morocco
World Sacred Music Festival. This festival takes place in May in the city of Fez. For a week, there are performances by orchestras, soloists, choirs and dance groups from around the world. The festival takes place in the city, in the gardens and in the medina. You have the possibility to buy a universal pass. In 2017, the festival fee with access to all program points cost around 305 euros.
Marrakech Folk Festival This folk festival takes place in the city of Marrakech, in the south of Morocco, during the months of March and April. Within the framework of this festival, folk dances are celebrated as a traditional heritage. The festival provides a space for the exchange of cultures where local groups and dancers from European and African countries can participate.
Rabat Mawazine Festival Rabat hosts the annual Mawazine Festival, a week-long music festival. It brings together artists from all over Africa, but also from Europe, Asia and the rest of the world. For a week, you can enjoy concerts of all styles and genres. This event is one of the most important festivals in Morocco.
Moroccan History
We have gathered all kinds of information about Morocco. A brief summary of its history will help you get an idea of all that awaits you. The first human traces lead us to believe that the territory of Morocco has been inhabited since the Neolithic period. Since then, these lands have seen a multitude of peoples, such as Phoenicians, Romans, Vandals, Visigoths, Byzantines and, permanently in the mountainous areas, the Berbers.
In the 7th century, Islam was introduced into Moroccan lands and the modernization of the country took place. Morocco became the largest regional power, but the empire quickly deteriorated due to numerous civil wars.
Between the 15th and 16th centuries, Portugal, Spain and England disputed and occupied different territories in North Africa. It is then that Ceuta and Melilla become part of the Kingdom of Spain, a situation that remains to this day. Between the 16th and 20th centuries, the Alawi dynasty maintained control of the country. Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States and the treaty signed between the two countries is considered the oldest uninterrupted treaty in the American country. During the century XX the great European powers showed great interest in the territory of Morocco. It becomes a protectorate of France and Spain, which does not mean an occupation, although in practice Morocco is more of a colony of the two countries, controlling their finances, finances and foreign policy. France improved infrastructure but occupied the best land, neglecting housing and education needs, which is why the people took advantage of the Atlantic Charter during World War II to ask for their independence.
On March 2, 1956, Morocco gained its independence under the reign of Mohammed V. In the sixties, education and housing improved, but the monarchy began to distance itself from the people. It is not until Mohammed VI's rise to power in 1999 when important democratic changes are made and women's rights are considerably improved.
To this day, Morocco is in accordance with its Constitution is a Constitutional Monarchy, with an elected Parliament. The King of Morocco has broad executive powers, being able to dissolve the government and Parliament and direct the military, in addition to other powers. Opposition political parties are allowed and several have stood in elections in recent years.
Holidays in morocco
- On January 11th, the Proclamation of Independence is celebrated. The Manifesto of January 11, 1944 led to the formation of the “Independence Party” (Al-Hizb al-Istiqlal)
- On May 1st, Morocco celebrates Labor Day.
- On July 30th, the Feast of the Throne / Aid el 3àrch (Arabic) will be celebrated. On this day, the accession to the throne of Mohammed VI.
- On the 20th of August, the Moroccan people celebrate the Day of the Revolution of the King and the people. On this day, the union of the people in the fight for their independence against the French is celebrated.
- King Mohammed VI's birthday is celebrated on August 21st. This day is also called “the day of youth”.
- The Muslim New Year is celebrated in Morocco on September 11th.
- November 6 commemorates the “Green March” (El massira el khadrae). During this march, the Moroccans intended to reinforce their influence in the Western Sahara region.
- Morocco's Independence Day is celebrated on November 18 (Arabic: Aid el istiqlal).
Ramadan in Morocco
Of course, we must not forget the holy month known as Ramadan, the month in which Muslims fast every day from dawn until sunset. It is an important and key moment in Moroccan culture. Ramadan is determined each year according to the lunar position, so determining when Ramadan begins and ends depends on what the moon looks like at the end of the eighth month in the Islamic lunar calendar. The month of fasting influences the lives of the inhabitants, so the hours of shops and attractions can vary. There is often a lot to try in the evening after sunset, food stalls are everywhere.
Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. Muslims celebrate this holiday by visiting relatives and eating special dishes and sweets for the occasion. The day of celebration varies depending on the start of Ramadan, which changes every year. Seventy days after this festival, one of the most important festivals for Muslims takes place, which is the festival Eid al Adha or Aid al-Adha, known as the Feast of the Lamb, which lasts two days and commemorates the sacrifice of Abraham. It is common for children to wear new clothes and the population is generous in donating part of a lamb to the poor.
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