Why Visit Morocco?
Morocco has a special way of stimulating your senses. The sight of souks, the sounds of morning prayer, the feel of Sahara sand, the smell of bread, and the taste of harissa, will stick in your memory forever. While you may expect to leave this country remembering its major cities (Fes and Marrakesh), you may be surprised at the things you ended up loving about Morocco. Fes and Marrakech were two of my favorite cities in the world but there was plenty more that the country had to offer.
Here are 10 reasons to visit Morocco:
1. Colors
There is no better way to describe Morocco than colorful. It took me a while to realize why I loved walking around this country until I realized it was the color that was all around me. Moroccans are known for their use of natural dyes in many of their products. Pomegranate skin may be used to create a bright red, saffron for a vibrant orange, or turmeric for a shiny yellow. The use of these natural colors gives added life to everything you see. If you love shopping, you will fall in love with Morocco. Even if you do not (like me), you’ll thoroughly enjoy browsing and marveling at the colorful stores and artifacts.
2. Mixed Landscapes
One of the coolest aspects of Morocco is its diverse landscapes. Inside this small country, you will see the ocean, mountains, snow, desert, greenery, and dryland. In many instances, you can see several of these landscapes from one vantage point. This is a rather unique feature of Morocco and something I haven’t seen in other countries.
If you get the chance, be sure to also incorporate activities related to these different terrains. You can hike in the Atlas Mountains, ski down snowy slopes, surf on the beach, or sleep in the Sahara Desert (more to come on this later!),
3. Souks
An explosion of colors, smells, and sounds will hit you the minute you walk through a Morrocan Souk (market). Understanding the craziness of these market is hard to comprehend until you are actually in the middle of one, overwhelmed with sensory stimulation. Markets in Marrakesh and Fes and are known to be some of the best in the world. To get some sense of what the souks of these cities are like, check out: Pictures Through the Souks and Alleyways Of Marrakesh and Fes
4. Imazighen (Berbers)
Imazighen is the proper term for someone you may have heard being referred to as a Berber. The Imazighen are one of the first indigenous people of Africa. They originally began as nomads and wandered through the African Mountains as sheep or goat herders. Throughout their journey and long history, the Imazighen have survived encounters with both the Roman and Greek Empires. A large percentage of Morocco’s population is still Imazighen. Many of these people are no longer nomads but do still live in the mountains.
A trip or hike into the Atlas Mountains will allow you Imazighen villages first hand. Most of the homes are made of earthly materials such as clay, dirt, and sticks. You can read about the incredible story of Berber I got to meet during my trip to Morocco.
5. Mint Tea
I am not a huge tea drinker, but the mint tea in Morocco is delicious. The combination of fresh Moroccan mint and sweet sugar makes for an addictive drink. Mint tea in Morocco is served like water. For many locals, pouring this sweet tea from high heights is a prideful matter. No matter where you are in the country, Moroccan locals are passionate about the tea they serve. Embrace any chance you get to have the mint tea and watch it be poured. Many times it’s free and it never gets old!
6. Sleeping in the Sahara:
How many people get to say they slept outside in the Sahara Desert? Not many!
To do this, you will probably have to take an hour-long camel trek to get to a desert camp. The ride can be painful at times but the scenery is gorgeous. The pure golden colored sand forms amazingly high dunes that can make an amateur photographer look like a professional.
After seeing one of the most beautiful sunsets in the world, the night will fall upon the Sahara. You will then see possibly the brightest moon and star formations you have ever seen. I brought a compass and had fun being able to locate star formations with ease. Many desert camps will also set up a fire and play live music long into the night. There is something special about being isolated from society while dancing under the beautiful night sky.
If the Sahara hasn’t provided enough, a 5 AM wake up will allow you to see one final treat before you leaving. As you take the camel ride back to the mainland, you will stop to see a sunrise like no other in the world. To get a great view of this, find a high sand dune, and watch it from the top.
7. Ouarzazate
I stayed in Ouarzazate for its proximity to Ait Ben Haddou. Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is probably Morocco’s most famous Berber castle (and also home to the Unsullied in Game of Thrones). If you are staying in Ouarzazate, this famous site is a short ride away.
The city of Ouarzazate itself ended up being one of my favorite stops on the trip. There is a calming presence in this isolated city that you don’t get in Fes and Marrakesh. The buildings are all almost entirely red which makes sunsets and sunrises look splendid. If you plan to visit Ait Ben Haddou, staying in Ouarzazate is a great option. It’s a nice change of pace from the rest of Morocco.
8. Riads
There are no hotels in Morocco that match the beauty of Riads. Riads are local homes or housing complexes that have been converted into a gorgeous bed and breakfast type places (think fancy Airbnb). Normally, the family that owns the place also lives in the Riad and serves you homemade breakfast (and sometimes dinner).
Whenever you get a chance, I would try and stay in these marvelous converted homes. They will provide you with a more cultured experience by offering a unique opportunity to interact with locals while also getting to try some authentic local food. The incredible decor and design of many Riads are also a bonus.
9. Harissa
This is a personal favorite of mine. I can’t remember one meal I had in Morocco without asking for extra Harissa on the side. Harissa is a chili paste made from a blend of peppers such as red and serrano. Different countries have different recipes for this paste, but I can tell you the Moroccan version is delicious. I enjoyed it the best with some freshly baked bread!
10. Morning Prayer Call
Morocco is primarily a Muslim country which means you will hear prayers recited across its major cities five times a day. Even after spending 10 days in this country, I would always get the chills when I heard the majestic prayers echo through a city.
The morning prayer, in particular, is extremely unique. It wakes up the city from its most peaceful state. Waking up for this can be hard, but I highly suggest you do it once. Fes is the best city to do this in since it has many mosques nearby one another. You will hear an echoing effect as the prayers vibrates through the streets and homes begin to light up. Head up to a hotel or Riad rooftop right before sunrise to enjoy this incredible sight and sound.
WOW! Nishil,
We visited Morocco and had an absolutely awesome time! The scenery was gorgeous, too. But, you have captured the feeling and photos extremely perfectly.
Thanks!