Accommodation
Editor's choice: Riads
Riads are traditional, luxury Moroccan town houses. These are usually found in medinas (old towns) of large cities and can offer excellent self catering accommodation. Meals can be provided. Check whether your accommodation is to be on the top floor, (very hot in summer) or the ground floor (damp in winter).
Hotels
Morocco has 100,000 hotel beds to cater for its thriving tourist market. There is quite a wide choice of accommodation in all sizeable centres. The upper end of the market is represented by internationally known hotels in most main towns, notably Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier. Grading: Hotels are rated from 1 to 5 stars.
Self-catering
Self-catering apartments are available in Agadir, Marrakech and Tangier. Full details are available from the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Top Things To Do).
Camping/caravanning
There are established campsites with good facilities in many parts of Morocco. Full details are available in a brochure from the National Tourist Office.
Youth Hostels
There are hostels in Asni, Azrou, Casablanca, Fès, Marakech, Meknes and Rabat. There is an International Youth Hostel at 6 Place Abmed Al Bidaoui, Ville Ancienne, Casablanca (tel: (22) 220 551).
Accommodation Information
Fédération Nationale de l’Industrie Hôtelière320 Bd. Zerktouni, Casablanca 20000, Morocco Tel: (22) 267 313/4.Website: www.fnih.maFédération Royale Marocaine des Auberges de JeunesseBP 15998, Casa Principale, Parc de la Ligue Arabe, Casablanca 21000, Morocco Tel: (22) 470 952
Business
• GDP: US$50.1 billion (2004).• Main exports: Clothing, fish, inorganic chemicals, transistors, crude minerals, fertilisers, petroleum products, fruit and vegetables.• Main imports: Crude petroleum, textile fabric, telecommunications and equipment, wheat, gas and electricity, transistors and plastics.• Main trade partners: Spain, France, USA and UK.
Economy
Agriculture employs one-fifth of the working population, the principal crops being cereals, vegetables and citrus fruits (of which Morocco is one of the world’s largest exporters), and accounts for about 20 per cent of GDP. Livestock farming produces enough meat to fulfil domestic needs. Fishing is vital to both the domestic and export markets, as well as for the revenue accruing from the sale of licences allowing foreign fleets to fish in Moroccan territorial waters. Mining is the country’s principal industry. Morocco is the world’s largest exporter of phosphate rock, both in raw and processed form (such as fertilisers), and this is the principal source of export revenue. It has substantial other mineral assets including iron ore, coal, lead, zinc, cobalt, copper, silver and manganese. Morocco has small reserves of oil and gas, but must import the bulk of its needs. The main components of the manufacturing sector are food processing, textiles and the production of leather goods. In the service sector, tourism has grown rapidly and is now worth almost US$2 billion annually. The tourism industry has benefited from Morocco having one of the best infrastructures on the African continent; this is also an important consideration for foreign investors. Remittances from Moroccan workers abroad (mostly in Europe) are another major source of revenue. During the last 10 years, the government has introduced a series of IMF-sponsored reforms, including trade liberalisation and public expenditure cuts in exchange for successive assistance programmes. This has reduced the size of the public sector and contributed towards easing Morocco’s huge foreign debt but at the cost of increased unemployment. Almost half the workforce are officially unemployed. A trade agreement with the EU was signed in 1995 under which all tariff barriers will be removed by 2012. Morocco is also part of a planned Free Trade Zone (including Jordan, Tunisia and Egypt) which will offer preferential access to EU markets. The Moroccan government formed a free trade agreement with the US in 2004. Finally, Morocco is now the largest single recipient of aid from the EU. Morocco is also a member of the African Development Bank, the Islamic Development Bank and a founder member of the Union of the Arab Maghreb. In 2004, GDP growth reached 3.5 per cent.
Business Etiquette
Businesspeople should be of a smart appearance, although a suit is not necessary in very hot weather. Appointments should be made in advance. Negotiations often involve a great deal of bargaining and a visitor should expect to deal with a number of people. Office hours: Government offices Mon-Thurs 0830-1200, 1430-1830 and Fri 0830-1100 and 1500-1830. Commercial offices Mon-Thurs 0830-1200, 1430-1830 and Fri 0830-1100 and 1500-1830.
CONFERENCES/CONVENTIONS
The Pullman Conference Centre in Marrakech provides meeting facilities for up to 5000 people. Additional facilities can be found at the Palais des Congrès. Further information and a special brochure on conferences and conventions, Morocco, A Feast for the Senses, can be obtained from the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Top Things To Do).
Commercial Information
Fédération des Chambres de Commerce et d’Industrie du Maroc6 rue d’Erfoud, BP 218, Hassan-Rabat, Morocco Tel: (37) 767 881 or 051.E-mail: fccism@ccis.ma
Climate
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.
Communications
Telephone
IDD is available. Country code: 212. Privately-run Téléboutiques can be found through out the country. There is an attendant to provide advice, change and phone cards.
Mobile telephone
Roaming agreements exist with international mobile phone companies. Coverage is mainly available in the cities in the west of Morocco.
Internet
Access is widely available in business centres, hotels and in Internet cafes.
Post
Airmail to Europe takes up to one week and can be unreliable. Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0830-1200 and 1430-1830, Sat 0830-1400.
MEDIA
Although King Mohammed VI eased restrictions on the press when he came to power, some issues such as Western Sahara, the monarchy and corruption remain sensitive topics. The government owns, or has a stake in, Morocco's two television networks. It plans to allow private investment in state-run broadcasters and the official news agency. Satellite dishes are widely used, giving access to a range of foreign TV stations. Press: Daily newspapers are published in French and Arabic. The main French newspapers are: L'Economiste, Le Matin, Libération and Le Journal. The main Arabic newspapers are Al Anbaa and Assabah. TV: Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) is state-run while 2M is partly state-owned. Al Maghribiya, a satellite channel operated by RTM and 2M, is aimed at Moroccans living abroad. Radio: State-run Radio-Television Marocaine (RTM) has regional and national services. Tangier-based Medi 1 is privately-owned by Moroccan and French concerns and has programmes in Arabic and French.WESTERN SAHARA: National Radio of the Saharan Arab Democratic Republic broadcasts in Arabic and Spanish; the station supports the Polisario Front.
Duty Free
Duty-Free
The following goods may be imported into Morocco without incurring customs duty: 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g of tobacco; 1l of spirits and 1l of wine; 5g of perfume.
Restricted items
A special permit is required for sporting guns and ammunition which is obtainable upon arrival from the police authorities if passenger(s) hold a permit from their country of origin.
Entertainment
Food & 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.National specialities: •
Harira, a rich soup.•
Pastilla, a pigeon-meat pastry made from dozens of different layers of thick flaky dough. •
Couscous, a dish based on savoury semolina that can be combined with egg, chicken, lamb or vegetables.•
Tajine is a stew, often rich and fragrant, using marinated lamb or chicken. • Hout is a fish version of the same stew.• Djaja mahamara is chicken stuffed with almonds, semolina and raisins. • Also popular are mchoui, pit-roasted mutton.•
Kab-el-ghzal, almond pastries. National drinks:• Mint tea made with green tea, fresh mint and sugar. It is very refreshing and its consumption is an integral part of Moroccan social courtesy. • Coffee is made very strong, except at breakfast. Tipping: Service charges are usually included in hotel bills; it is customary to tip hairdressers, cinema usherettes and 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 0830-1100 and 1500-1830; large stores are open Mon-Sat 0900-1300 and 1500-1900; souks (traditional markets) are open Mon-Sun 0830-1300 and 1430-1800.
General Information
Area
710,850 sq km (274,461 sq miles).
Population
31.6 million (UN, 2005).
Population Density
44.4 per sq km.
Capital
Rabat. Population: 1.3 million (1994).
Geography
Morocco is located on the westernmost tip of north Africa, bordering Algeria to the east and Mauritania to the south and southeast, the Atlantic ocean to the west and the Mediterranean to the north. Running through the middle of the country is the Atlas mountain range, which leads to the fertile plains and sandy beaches of the Atlantic coast. The Middle Atlas range sweeps up from the south, rising to over 3000m (9850ft), covered with woodlands of pine, oak and cedar, open pastureland and small lakes. The Rif Mountains run along the north coast. The ports of Ceuta (Sebta) and Melilla on the north coast are administered by Spain.
Government
Constitutional monarchy since 1956. Gained independence from France in 1956. Head of State: King Mohammed VI since 1999. Head of Government: Prime Minister Driss Jettou since October 2002. Recent history: King Mohammed VI was enthroned in July 1999. He soon embarked on a series of political and economic changes and pursued a modernising course. Although poverty is still widespread and unemployment remains high, one of the King’s priorities was to fight poverty. He set up a programme of economic liberalisation to attract foreign investment, eased restrictions on the press and granted more rights to women.
Language
The official language is Arabic, but Berber is spoken by a large minority. French is widely spoken throughout the country, except in the northern regions where Spanish is more predominant. English is also understood, particularly in the north and the main tourist areas.
Religion
Predominantly Muslim with Jewish and Christian minorities. Morocco’s population and culture stems from a cross-section of origins including Berbers, Arabs, Moors and Jews.
Electricity
127/220 volts AC, 50Hz, depending on age and location of building.
SOCIAL CONVENTIONS
Handshaking is the customary form of greeting. Many of the manners and social customs emulate French manners, particularly amongst the middle class. The visitor may find, in some social situations, that patience and firmness will pay dividends. Often visitors may find themselves the centre of unsolicited attention. In towns, young boys after money will be eager to point out the way, sell goods or simply charge for a photograph, while unofficial guides will always be offering advice or services. The visitor should be courteous but wary of the latter. Normal social courtesies should be observed in someone’s home. Casual wear is widely acceptable, although swimsuits and shorts should be confined to the beach or poolside. Women travelling alone, and/or wearing clothes regarded as provocative (eg strappy tops, short skirts, etc) may attract unwanted attention. Sexual relations outside marriage, and homosexual conduct, are punishable by law. Smoking is widespread and it is customary to offer cigarettes.
Health
Health
1
Vaccination against polio and typhoid is advised.
2
A minimal malaria risk, exclusively in the benign vivax form, exists from May to October in rural areas of the Chefchaouen province.
Food & drink
Bottled water is available and is advised for the first few weeks of stay. Drinking water outside main cities and towns may be contaminated and sterilisation is advisable. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid dairy products which are likely to have been made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.
Other risks
Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present in small foci. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools which are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Soil parasites are also present; visitors should wear shoes. Hepatitis A and E also occur. Immunisations are sometimes recommended for hepatitis B, tuberculosis and diphtheria. Tungiasis and Lassa fever also occur, although rarely. Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.
Health care
There are good medical facilities in all main cities, including emergency pharmacies (sometimes in the Town Hall) outside normal opening hours. Government hospitals provide free or minimal charge emergency treatment. Full health insurance is essential.
History and Government
History
The original inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, have experienced a series of invaders over the centuries. The Phoenicians were the first of these in the 12th century BC, followed by the Carthiginians – who incorporated the littoral region into their extensive empire. When Carthage was subjugated by the Romans in the second century BC, the North African coast came under Roman control. After them came the Vandals in 429 AD and the Byzantines in 533 AD. The first Arabs arrived from the west in 682 AD 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. In the early 15th century, the rising maritime powers of southern Europe started to take an interest in North Africa. The port of Ceuta – now a Spanish possession – was originally occupied by the Portuguese in 1415. This early struggle for control between the Arabs and Europeans came to a climax at the battle of Ksar Kbir in 1578, at which the Portuguese led by King Sebastian were defeated by the forces of Sultan Abdul Malik, then head of the Saadian dynasty. This victory heralded an illustrious period of Moroccan history under the Saadian dynasty, during which the country became a major centre of artistic and scientific endeavour as well as enjoying considerable economic prosperity. After the Saadians and the successor dynasty, the Alawites, Morocco came under growing European influence from the Spanish and then the French. At the end of the 19th century, the French occupied Morocco and, in 1912, at the Treaty of Fez, the Sultan was deposed and the country put under the control of a French Resident-General. The treaty was constructed to ensure that Spanish interests, principally in the form of the enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, were guaranteed. An independence movement began almost immediately, backed discreetly by the royal family. But it was not until after World War II, in 1956, that Morocco finally achieved independence. Morocco’s first post-independence Head of State was Sultan Mohammad V, who later changed his title to King; in 1961, he was succeeded by his son, Hassan II. Until his death in 1999, Hassan held a firm grip on the country with a combination of repression and concession. For most of his rule, the most prominent opposition to King Hassan came from the Union Socialiste des Forces Populaires (USFP), an orthodox left-wing party. However, since the beginning of the 1990s, the Socialists have been overshadowed by emerging Islamic groups which have made particular headway in impoverished urban areas. Both Socialists and Islamists shared, for different reasons, a dislike of Hassan’s autocratic rule and his consistent alignment of Morocco with the West and the US in particular (the Americans maintain a variety of military facilities in Morocco). The rise of the Islamists coincided with the introduction of a new constitution and the holding of popular legislative elections. Several national polls were held during the 1990s, all of which produced inconclusive results, as the poll split more or less evenly among four or five main parties. Hassan kept firm control of the executive by appointing a premier and cabinet (representatives of the Islamist parties were excluded): key executive decisions were taken by Hassan himself and an ‘inner cabinet’ of key ministers. The most recent general election in September 2002 repeated previous results, with the difference that under a new electoral system of proportional representation, no less than 22 parties are represented in the new assembly. Of these, the three main players are the Union Socialistes des Forces Populaires, the centre-right nationalist Istiqlal, and the Islamic Parti de la Justice et du Développement. The new premier, the socialist Driss Jettou, announced his cabinet in November 2002 and pointedly excluded any Islamists from it, confining it to members of his own party and Istiqlal. King Hassan had died three years earlier and was replaced by his son and heir Sidi Mohammed, who assumed the throne as King Mohammed VI. The new monarch appeared keen to adopt a more open, liberal image than his father, but in the first four years of his rule, few significant changes have been made. The ‘inner cabinet’ system of executive decision-making continues as before. Moroccan foreign policy remains broadly pro-western, with close ties to the USA and the European Union, especially France and Spain (Hassan had even aspired to membership of the EU at one time). Closer to home, despite political differences with its North African neighbours, Morocco remains an enthusiastic member of the Union of the Arab Maghreb which it helped to create and functions as an effective regional lobby. Morocco has two major territorial disputes to deal with. Both involve the Spanish, but in very different ways. In 1975, after the death of Franco, the Spanish pulled out of the colony then known as Spanish Sahara and now as Sahrawi. The Moroccans moved in almost immediately despite the objections of the indigenous Sahrawi people. For the next 16 years, until a UN-brokered ceasefire came into effect in 1991, the territory was the scene of a conflict between the Moroccan army and an indigenous guerrilla movement, the Polisario Front. The Moroccans believe the territory is an integral part of the nation. Polisario wants independence. Since the ceasefire, Polisario has pursued its campaign almost exclusively through the United Nations. It has established a government in exile, the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic (SADR), based in Algeria, along with a Sahrawi national assembly. However, despite various initiatives mostly sponsored in one form or another by the United Nations, the movement appears to have made little progress towards its objectives. Polisario has pinned its main hope on a plebiscite in the territory: the issue of eligibility to vote then becomes crucial. The Moroccans have been steadily moving settlers into the region in the hope of eventually outnumbering the indigenous Sahrawi. A recent addition to this already potent mix has been reports of oil and gas fields in Sahrawi territorial waters. The US, backed by other Western powers, has proposed granting Sarhawi regional autonomy within Morocco. After initial rejection, Polisario accepted the autonomy plan in July 2003 as a precursor to a final referendum on the status of the territory. However, the Moroccan government responded coolly. The future of the plan is uncertain. Morocco’s other outstanding territorial dispute concerns the Spanish-occupied enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla, on Morocco’s Mediterranean coast. These were originally annexed by Spain in the late 15th century and are now home to 120,000 Spanish nationals. They have a particular significance in recent Spanish history as the springboard for Franco’s campaign in the Spanish Civil War. The Spanish are determined to hold on to them and firmly reject any comparison with the status of British-run Gibraltar. The Spanish also hold a group of tiny, uninhabited islands strung along the northern coast. In July 2002, one of these, Perejil (‘Parsley’, after a wild form of the herb which grows there) was occupied by a token Moroccan force in a diplomatic stroke to raise the issue of Spanish possessions. A Spanish army unit rapidly retook the rock, but the Moroccan move had the desired effect.
Government
The monarch appoints the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers to wield executive power under his supervision. A series of modifications have been made to the 1992 constitution concerning the bicameral legislature. The Chamber of Representatives (Majlis al-Nuwab) comprises 325 members, of whom 295 are elected by proportional representation in multi-seat constituencies; the remaining 30 seats are reserved for women and are elected from national lists. The 270 members of the Chamber of Counsellors (Majlis al-Mustasharin) are indirectly elected by local councils (162), chambers of commerce (81) and trade unions (27) for a nine-year term.
Money
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 or directly from an ATM in some larger towns.
Credit & debit cards
Some credit cards are accepted. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.
Traveller's cheques
To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take traveller's cheques in Pounds Sterling or US Dollars.
Currency restrictions
The import and export of local currency is prohibited; all local currency must be reconverted prior to departure. The import and export of foreign currency is unlimited but must be declared if in excess of the equivalent of MAD15,000. Upon production of bank vouchers, half the Moroccan currency purchased during a visitor’s stay may be re-exchanged for foreign currency (subject to some limitations) and all of it if the stay is less than 48 hours.
Exchange rate indicators
DateAt time of publishing£1.00=MAD16.04$1.00=MAD9.28
Banking hours
Mon-Thurs 0815-1215 and 1415-1715; Fri 0815-1115 and 1430-1730; Sat 0900-1300.
Overview
Travel warning:Following the series of terrorist attacks that took place in Casablanca on 16 May 2003, all travellers are advised to be vigilant and to avoid crowds and public places crowded with other foreigners. Most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, but violent crime - though not a major problem in Morocco - is on the increase. Visitors to the Western Sahara region should contact their relevant travel advice department for advice prior to arrival. ‘Mysterious charm on Europe’s doorstep’
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; for a change of pace, visit Essaouira, a laid-back seaside town. 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’ll be mesmerised.
Richard Hopton
OverviewII
The original inhabitants of Morocco, the Berbers, have experienced a series of invaders over the centuries. The first Arabs arrived from the west in 682 AD 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. Modern 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.
Passport/Visa
Passport/Visa
Passports
Passport valid for at least six months from date of entry required by all.
Visas
Required by all except the following: (a) nationals of countries shown in the chart above for stays of up to three months; (b) nationals of Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Bahrain, Brazil, Bulgaria, Chile, Congo (Rep), Côte d’Ivoire, Croatia, Guinea, Iceland, Indonesia, Korea (Rep), Kuwait, Libya, Liechtenstein, Mali, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, The Philippines, Puerto Rico, Qatar, Romania, Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and Venezuela for stays of up to three months; (c) nationals of Hong Kong (SAR) for stays of up to 30 days;(d) transit passengers continuing their journey by the same or first connecting aircraft within 24 hours, provided holding onward or return documentation and not leaving the airport.
Types of visa and cost
Single-entry: £16; Double-entry or Multiple-entry (both business only): £25. Prices may fluctuate in accordance with the exchange rate and must be paid by postal order only.
Validity
Entry visas are valid for three months; visitors wishing to stay longer should apply to the local police station within 15 days of arrival. For other visa enquiries, contact the Embassy (see Passport/Visa Information). Extensions can be applied for with the Directorate General of National Security in Morocco.
Application to
Consular section at Embassy (not the Consulate for those residing in London); see Passport/Visa Information.
Application requirements
(a) One completed application form. (b) Four passport-size photos taken within the previous six months. (c) Valid passport with at least one blank page, and with a photocopy of the relevant data pages. (d) Fee, payable by postal order only. (e) Photocopy of all flight bookings. (f) Photocopy of hotel reservation. (g) Letter from employer or educator. (h) Self-addressed, stamped, registered envelope for postal applications (for those living outside London only).
Working days required
Normally four, upon receipt of all necessary documents. Some nationals should note that their application forms are sent to Morocco for clearance and processing and may take up to two months.
Passport/Visa Information
Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the UK49 Queen’s Gate Gardens, London SW7 5NE, UK Tel: (020) 7581 5001/4. Website: www.mincom.gov.maOpening hours: Mon-Fri 0930-1700; 1000-1300 (visa section); closed UK and Moroccan national holidays (open until 3pm during Ramadan).Moroccan Consulate in the UKDiamond House, 97-99 Praed Street, London W2 1NT, UK Tel: (020) 7724 0624. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 0900-1230.Embassy of the Kingdom of Morocco in the USA1601 21st Street, NW, Washington, DC 20009, USA Tel: (202) 462 7979.
Public Holidays
Public Holidays
Below are listed Public Holidays for the January 2006-June 2007 period.Jan 1 2006 New Year’s Day. Jan 10 Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 11 Manifesto of Independence. Jan 31 Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year). Apr 11 Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday). May 1 Labour Day. Jul 30 Feast of the Throne. Aug 14 Fête Oued Eddahab (Oued Eddahab Allegiance Day). Aug 20 Révolution du Roi et du Peuple (The King and the People’s Revolution Day). Aug 21 King Mohammed’s Birthday. Oct 22-24 Aïd al-Fitr (End of Ramadan). Nov 6 Marche Verte (Anniversary of the Green March). Nov 18 Fête de l’Indépendance (Independence Day). Dec 31 Aïd al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice). Jan 1 2007 New Year’s Day. Jan 11 Manifesto of Independence. Jan 20 Fatih Mouharram (Muslim New Year). Mar 31 Aïd al-Mawlid (Prophet’s Birthday). May 1 Labour Day.
Note
Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Aïd al-Fitr, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Some disruption may continue into Aïd al-Fitr itself. Aïd al-Fitr and Aïd al-Adha may last anything from two to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, see the World of Islam appendix.
Resorts & Excursions
Imperial Cities
Fès, Marrakech, Meknes and Rabat are known as the Imperial Cities, each having been the country’s capital at some time during its history.
Rabat
Rabat, the present capital of Morocco, was founded in the 12th century. It is a town of trees and flowers, and many monumental gateways, including the Gate of the Ambassadors and the Oudaias Kasbah Gate. There is a good selection of hotels and numerous pavement cafes. The nearby Mamora forest and the many beaches are popular tourist attractions, particularly during the summer. Other attractions include Tour Hassan, the grandiose minaret of a vast, uncompleted 12th-century mosque; the Mohammed V Mausoleum, an outstanding example of traditional Moroccan architecture; the Royal Palace; the Chellah, with superb monuments, delightful gardens and Roman ruins; the Oudaias; the Archaeological Museum; the National Museum of Handicrafts and the antique Moorish cafe. The battlements surrounding the old town, and part of the new city, date from the mid-12th century. Also worth a visit is Salé, Rabat’s twin city, at the opposite side of the river, believed to have been founded in the 11th century.
Meknes
Meknes is protected by 25km (16 miles) of battlements, flanked by towers and bastions. The city reflects the power and the constructive genius of King Moulay Ismail, a contemporary of Louis XIV, who ruled the country for 55 years. The Michlifen and Djebel Habri are two ski resorts above Meknes. The city boasts a wonderful souk (market) and the old town is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site.
Excursions
About 30km (19 miles) from Meknes, the Roman ruins at Volubilis are also on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Excavations and ruins dating back to the third century can be visited for a small admission fee and there is also an interesting archaeological museum.
Fès
Fès is the most ancient and impressive of the imperial cities. Built in the eighth century, it has more history and mystery than anywhere else in Morocco. Officially encompassing two cities –
El Bali and Jadid
– Fès is famous for the Nejjarine Square and Fountain, the Er Rsif and Andalous (Al-Andalus) mosques, the Royal Palace, the Kasbah and Karaouine (Al-Qarawiyin) University, which is older than Oxford University. The Dar Bath Museum is also worth a visit. The old part of the city –
Fès El Bali
– still retains the magical, bustling atmosphere of an ancient time and it is centred around the two famous mosques of Al-Qarawiyin and Al-Andalus. It is a huge maze of winding streets and covered bazaars where, if one is not careful, it is easy to get lost (it is therefore a good idea to hire an official guide). There are magnificent examples of Hispano-Arabic architecture as well as numerous opportunities to see traditional craftspeople at work. The medina (market) in Fès El Bali is one of the largest in the world and is also on UNESCO’s World Heritage list. Here, one can buy almost anything. It is particularly good for carpets, rugs and ornate metalwork. As in all of Morocco, the market business is conducted in a leisurely, although deadly earnest way, with the accompaniment of endless glasses of sweet mint tea. Fès is, perhaps, one of the most fascinating cities anywhere in the Middle East or north Africa. The valley of Ouergha to the north is famed for its souks and Morocco’s most celebrated gathering of riders, which is said to have been attended by Pope Sylvester II prior to his accession in AD 999 and resulted in him introducing Arab mathematics to Europe. Other attractions are the Karaouine (Al-Qarawiyin) Mosque and Mesbahai Medersa, an old school, remarkable for its traditional architecture and late afternoon auctions in the Kissaria, the shopping area.
Marrakech
Founded in 1062, Marrakech was once the capital of an empire that stretched from Toledo to Senegal. Called the ‘Pink City’ because of the colour of the local earth used in its construction, it is a city of labyrinthine alleyways, secluded palaces, museums, mosques and markets. The city’s gardens are still supplied with water from 11th-century underground irrigation canals. The Djemaa el-Fna (Place of the Dead), the city square, comes alive after nightfall; thronged with dancers, fortune-tellers, musicians, acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers, it is an exciting and occasionally bewildering place – an exotic spectacle that is striking and endlessly surprising. Koutoubia, the 12th-century mosque, is as tall as the towers of Nôtre Dame and dominates the Marrakech skyline. The Ben Youssef Medersa, with its mosaics, marbles and carved woodwork, is the largest theological site in the Mahgreb. It forms part of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina, now a World Heritage site, crammed with architectural masterpieces. Other interesting places to see are the sumptuous Bahia Palace; the beautiful Saadian Tombs housing the remains of rulers of the Saadian Dynasty; the Dar Sisaid Museum; the Menara and Aquedal gardens and the famed camel market.
Excursions
An hour’s drive from Marrakech is Oukaimeden, Morocco’s best ski resort. This trip can be combined with a visit to Ourika (which has a donkey market) and Asni. The latter is an excellent base for visiting Jebel Toubkal, Morocco’s highest mountain, set amidst spectacular scenery.
The Coast
The Mediterranean coast between Tangier and Nador has a string of creeks, bays, sheltered beaches and cliffs along the shore, ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. Al Hoceima, Mdiq, Taifor and Smir-Restinga are all new resorts, offering a wide variety of accommodation, from luxury hotels to well-situated bungalows. The Atlantic coast is often rocky, with some long stretches of fine sand and calm bays.
Tangier
Tangier, gateway to Africa, is the country’s most cosmopolitan town, a place where – surviving from the days when Tangier was a free port – the street signs are in three languages; in fact, no less than 12 nations have occupied the city at one time or another since the fifth century. The city has a picturesque and active market called the Grand Socco. Other places worth visiting include the Mendoubia Gardens; the Sidi Bounabib Mosque; the Moulay Ismail Mosque; the Forbes Museum; and the Merinid College.
Excursions
Excursions in the region include visits to the mountain town of Chechaouen, the fishing village of Asilah and the Caves of Hercules at Cape Spartel. About 40km (25 miles) southeast of Tangier, the city of Tetouan has a reputation for minor crime. However, the town is beautifully located on a hillside with a view over the Mediterranean and its medina (market) in the old part is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casablanca
Also on the Atlantic coast is the newer city of Casablanca. Founded at the beginning of the century, it is the country’s principal commercial town, the second-largest town in Africa and one of the continent’s biggest ports. Here stands the Hassan II Mosque, the world’s largest mosque with one of the world’s tallest minarets.
Excursions
Just south of Casablanca, in a picturesque location along the banks of the Oum er-Rbia, is Azemmour, with its abundance of violet bougainvillea and its purple ramparts (which visitors may walk along after agreeing a fee for the guardian to unlock them). Slightly further south is El Jadida which has a remarkable Portuguese fortress and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast. It also boasts the Church of Assumption, an enormous underground Cistern and the ‘Gate on the Sea’
and fortifications.
Elsewhere
Travelling further south along the coast brings visitors to Safi, a fishing port with a Portuguese palace, pottery shops and a medina. Agadir is a modern holiday city with superb beaches, excellent resort hotels and self-catering accommodation, which offers all types of sports activities. From here, there are excursions to the towns of Taroudant, Tiznit, Tafraout, Goulimine and, of course, the famous Marrakech. Essaouira is a laid-back fishing port whose narrow streets are lined with whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses. Mohammedia is another popular resort in this region.
The South
The South is a region rich in folklore and spectacular scenery, dotted with small oasis villages and quiet towns surrounded by orchards and olive groves.
Tafilalt
Erfoud is the centre for excursions to the oasis of Tafilalt, kept green and fertile by the underground waters of the Ziz and the Rheris. Er Rachidia is the provincial capital of the Tafilalt region, and has a bustling market on the main square. On the road between Er Rachidia and Erfoud are the ‘Blue Springs’ at Meski and the natural amphitheatre of Cirque de Jaffar near Midelt. Tinerhir, once a garrison of the French Foreign Legion, is worth visiting for its kasbahs. Near Tinerhir is the outstanding scenery of the Drâa Valley (famous for its red-earthern kasbahs) and the magnificent Todra gorge.
The Deep South
This former French garrison can be reached via a beautifully scenic route from Marrakech over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. Ouarzazate is a good starting point for tours to the deep south. Of particular interest is the kasbah of Taourirt, the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Carpet Weavers’ Co-operative Shop. About 30km (19 miles) from Ouarzazate lies the exotic and UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou. The Ksar is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat and consists of a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls. Aït-Ben-Haddou has featured in several films, including Lawrence of Arabia and The Sheltering Sky. The magnificent ochre-coloured cliffs and rock formations of the Dadès Gorge, one of Morocco’s highlights, lie approximately 100km (63 miles) east of Ouarzazate. Nearby is the pleasant village of Boumalne du Dadès which has several hotels and guest houses offering accommodation.
Zagora Region
From the top of the Djebel Zagora, there is a spectacular view of the Draa Valley and desert. The oasis of Tamergroute, 18km (11 miles) away from Zagora, has a library containing some of the earliest Arabic manuscripts, written nine centuries ago on gazelle skins. They are on display at the Zaouia Nasseria. Nearby, Mhamid and its palm groves are at the gates of the great sand desert.
Elsewhere
South of Agadir, the pink kasbahs of Tafraoute perch on spurs of rock, their façades often painted with strange designs in white or ochre. Goulimine is the site of the Blue Men’s souk, held each weekend. A camel market also takes place once a week, on Saturday.
Sport & Activities
Morocco’s varied landscapes, which range from a 3500km- (2170 mile-) coastline to the forests, rivers and mountains of the Middle and High Atlas and the Sahara Desert, offer a wide choice of sports and leisure activities.
Golf
This is very popular in Morocco, partly because King Hassan II was an internationally ranked practitioner of the game. Some of the best-known of the country’s 16 golf courses are located at the Royal Dar es Salaam Golf Club in Rabat, which has three courses and annually hosts the internationally renowned Hassan II Trophy. Agadir has three courses: the Agadir Royal Golf Club is a par 36 while the beautiful Dunes Golf Club has three 9-hole par 36 courses (designed by a disciple of Robert Trent Jones). The third course, set around lakes, palm trees and eucalyptus, is the 5-star Golf du Soleil, which is a 27-hole par 72. The Marrakech Royal Golf Club is an 18-hole par 72 course located at the foot of the Atlas mountains. Marrakech has two other 18-hole courses: the Palmeraie Golf Club, designed by Robert Trent Jones in a setting with views of the Atlas mountains as well as easy access to the Atlantic beaches nearby; and the Amelkis Golf Club. Other 18-hole courses include Ben Slimane and El Jadida (both near the Atlantic coast), Mohammedia Royal Golf Club (near Casablanca) and the Tangier Royal Golf. Apart from the Hassan II Trophy (see above), the Moroccan Open and Hassan II Challenge are noteworthy tournaments. The Mohammed VI Golf Trophy is held at Dar es-Salaam Royal Golf Course in Rabat at the end of March. Altogether, there are approximately 30 golf courses in the country, including several new ones. A useful golf brochure and information on golfing holidays can be obtained from the Moroccan National Tourist Board (see Contact Addresses section).
Hiking and trekking
With its four distinct mountain ranges – the Rif, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas – Morocco offers outstanding opportunities for hiking and trekking. Various trekking tours can be organised through the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Specialist tour operators offer a variety of treks including guided horse trekking in the mountains, and camping trips. One of the most popular treks in the High Atlas is the ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4167m/6668ft), North Africa’s highest peak. The Toubkal area is about a one hour drive from Marrakech and the usual starting point for this trek is the picturesque village of Imlil. Official mountain guides with mules are recommended for trips lasting longer than one day; guides are widely available in Imlil. Accommodation is provided in refuges, gîtes (resting places) and small hotels along popular trails. Trekking is possible all year round, but the best time is from April to October. The canyons and gorges are best tackled from June to October (in summer, storms can make the gorges impassable).
Watersports
Sandy beaches offer safe swimming, although the Atlantic can be cold even in summer. Mohammedia, Agadir, El Jadida, Oualidia, Safi and Essaouira are all good bathing resorts. The Mediterranean coast in the north, opposite Spain, is being developed, and resorts such as Cabonegro (14km/23 miles from Tetouan) offer superb swimming and diving. Other dive sites can be found at Agadir and Essaouira. The rivers in the High and Middle Atlas ranges, particularly the Oum-er-Rbia, offer whitewater rafting throughout the year (visitors are strongly advised to use experienced guides). Fishing permits are necessary for trout streams, lakes and pike lakes, and are issued by the Waters and Forests Department or local clubs. Several ports are equipped for deep-sea fishing, such as Dakhla in the Sahara and Mohammedia near Casablanca.
Skiing
This is possible for several months each year. Ifrane in the Middle Atlas and Oukaïden in the High Atlas (70km/44 miles from Marrakech) offer skiing facilities. Other ski resorts include Mischliffen in the Middle Atlas, on the doorstep of Fès and Meknes. Mount Tidiquin in the Ketama district and Djebel Bou Volane in the Middle Atlas are popular areas for expedition-type skiing and walking trips (with few amenities).
Riding
There are horse riding clubs in all major towns, notably Agadir, Casablanca, Fès, Marrakech and Rabat. Several clubs organise pony treks in the Middle Atlas. The combination of travelling by mule and skiing (known as mule-skiing) is characteristic to the High Atlas and can be carried out from February to April. A useful brochure, The Great Trek through the Moroccan Atlas, is available from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism or the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses section). Camel riding (méharrées) is also available, both in the Atlas mountains and around the Sahara Desert area in the southwest.
Other
Also available throughout Morocco are 4-wheel-drives, incorporating visits to natural and cultural sights such as the 300m- (984ft-) deep Gorge of Todra, the massive sand dunes of Merzouga and the Berber region of Ouarzazate. Most of these tours feature typical Moroccan feasts and barbecues. The famous Paris-Dakar motor rally passes through Morocco every year.
Top Things To Do
Top things to do
• The old part of Fès –
Fès El Bali is a huge maze of winding streets and covered bazaars. At the medina (market), one of the largest in the world and on UNESCO’s World Heritage list, buy carpets, rugs and ornate metalwork. As in all of Morocco, the market business is conducted in a leisurely, although deadly earnest way, with the accompaniment of endless glasses of sweet mint tea. The valley of Ouergha to the north of Fès is also famed for its souks and Morocco’s most celebrated gathering of riders. Meknes, whose old town is listed by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site, also has a wonderful souk. Tangier has a picturesque market called the Grand Socco. • Try golfing, which is very popular in Morocco, partly because King Hassan II was an internationally ranked practitioner of the game. Some of the best-known of the country’s 16 golf courses are located at the Royal Dar es Salaam Golf Club in Rabat, which has three courses and annually hosts the internationally renowned Hassan II Trophy.• With its four distinct mountain ranges – the Rif, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas
– Morocco offers outstanding opportunities for hiking, trekking and camping trips. One of the most popular treks in the High Atlas is the ascent of Jebel Toubkal (4167m/6668ft), North Africa’s highest peak. The Toubkal area is about a one-hour drive from Marrakech and the usual starting point for this trek is the picturesque village of Imlil. Trekking is possible all year round, but the best time is from April to October. The canyons and gorges are best tackled from June to October (in summer, storms can make the gorges impassable).• Several clubs organise pony treks in the Middle Atlas. The combination of travelling by mule and skiing (known as mule-skiing) is characteristic to the High Atlas and can be carried out from February to April. A useful brochure, The Great Trek through the Moroccan Atlas, is available from the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism or the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Tourist Information). Camel riding (méharrées) is also available, both in the Atlas mountains and around the Sahara Desert area in the southwest.•
Ski in Ifrane in the Middle Atlas and Oukaïmeden in the High Atlas (70km/44 miles from Marrakech). Other ski resorts include Mischliffen in the Middle Atlas, on the doorstep of Fès and Meknes. Mount Tidiquin in the Ketama district and Djebel Bou Volane in the Middle Atlas are popular areas for expedition-type skiing and walking trips.• Sandy beaches offer safe swimming, although the Atlantic can be cold even in summer. Mohammedia, Agadir, El Jadida, Oualidia, Safi and Essaouira are all good bathing resorts. The Mediterranean coast in the north, opposite Spain, is being developed; resorts include Cabonegro (14km/23 miles from Tetouan), Al Hoceima and Mdiq. • Go whitewater rafting on the rivers in the High and Middle Atlas ranges, particularly the Oum-er-Rbia.• Go deep-sea fishing at Dakhla in the Sahara or Mohammedia near Casablanca.• Go on a 4-wheel-drive tour to natural and cultural sights such as the 300m- (984ft-) deep Gorge of Todra, the massive sand dunes of Merzouga and the Berber region of Ouarzazate. Most of these tours feature typical Moroccan feasts and barbecues. Try to see the famous Paris-Dakar motor rally which passes through Morocco every year.
Tourist Information
Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK205 Regent Street, 2nd Floor, London W1B 4HB, UK Tel: (020) 7437 0073. Website: www.visitmorocco.orgMoroccan National Tourist Office in the USA20 East 46th Street, Suite 1302, New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: (212) 557 2520.
Top Things To See
Top Things To see
• Do not miss Rabat's many monumental gateways, including the Gate of the Ambassadors and the Oudaias Kasbah Gate. Other attractions include Hassan Tower, the grandiose minaret of a vast, uncompleted 12th-century mosque; the Mohammed V Mausoleum, an outstanding example of traditional Moroccan architecture; the Royal Palace; the Chellah, with superb monuments, delightful gardens and Roman ruins; the Oudaias; the Archaeological Museum; the National Museum of Handicrafts and the antique Moorish cafe. Also worth a visit is Salé, Rabat’s twin city. • See the the third-century Roman ruins at Volubilis, which are on UNESCO’s World Heritage list; there is also an interesting archaeological museum.• Discover the mystery of Fès, the most ancient and impressive of the imperial cities. Officially encompassing two cities –
El Bali and Jadid
– Fès is famous for the Nejjarine Square and Fountain, the Er Rsif and Andalous (Al-Andalus) mosques, the Royal Palace, the Kasbah and Karaouine (Al-Qarawiyin) University and the Dar Batha Museum. The old part of Fès –
Fès El Bali
– still retains the magical, bustling atmosphere of an ancient time and it is centred around the two famous mosques of Al-Qarawiyin and Al-Andalus. • In the valley of Ouergha to the north of Fès, see the Karaouine (Al-Qarawiyin) Mosque and Mesbahai Medersa, an old school, remarkable for its traditional architecture and late afternoon auctions in the Kissaria, the shopping area. •
Marrakech, the ‘Pink City’ (due to the colour of the local earth used in its construction), is a city of labyrinthine alleyways, secluded palaces, museums, mosques and markets. After nightfall, head for the Djemaa el-Fna (Place of the Dead), the city square, to see an exotic spectacle of street dancers, fortune-tellers, musicians, acrobats, storytellers and snake charmers. Do not miss Koutoubia, the 12th-century mosque, which is as tall as the towers of Nôtre Dame in Paris. The Ben Youssef Medersa is the largest theological site in the Mahgreb. It forms part of Marrakech’s UNESCO-listed medina, now a World Heritage site, crammed with architectural masterpieces. Other interesting places to see are the sumptuous Bahia Palace; the beautiful Saadian Tombs housing the remains of rulers of the Saadian Dynasty; the Dar Sisaid Museum; the Menara and Aquedal gardens and the famed camel market. • In Tangier, visit the Mendoubia Gardens, the Sidi Bou Abid Mosque, the Moulay Ismail Mosque, the Forbes Museum and the Merinid College.• In the newer city of Casablanca, do not miss the Hassan II Mosque, the world’s largest mosque with one of the world’s tallest minarets.• On the road between Er Rachidia and Erfoud, look for the ‘Blue Springs’ at Meski and the natural amphitheatre of Cirque de Jaffar near Midelt. Tinerhir, once a garrison of the French Foreign Legion, is worth visiting for its kasbahs. Near Tinerhir is the outstanding scenery of the Drâa Valley (famous for its red-earthern kasbahs) and the magnificent Todra gorge.• Of particular interest in Ouarzazate in The Deep South is the kasbah of Taourirt, the Museum of Arts and Crafts and the Carpet Weavers’ Co-operative Shop. • About 30km (19 miles) from Ouarzazate lies the exotic and UNESCO World-Heritage-listed Ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou. The Ksar is a traditional pre-Saharan habitat and consists of a group of earthen buildings surrounded by high walls. Aït-Ben-Haddou has featured in several films, including Lawrence of Arabia. • Do not miss one of Morocco's highlights, the magnificent ochre-coloured cliffs and rock formations of the Dadès Gorge, approximately 100km (63 miles) east of Ouarzazate.
Tourist Information
Moroccan National Tourist Office in the UK205 Regent Street, 2nd Floor, London W1B 4HB, UK Tel: (020) 7437 0073. Website: www.visitmorocco.orgMoroccan National Tourist Office in the USA20 East 46th Street, Suite 1302, New York, NY 10017, USA Tel: (212) 557 2520.
Travel - Internal
Air
Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com) operates regular services from Casablanca airport to Agadir, Dakhla, Fès, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Oujda and Tangier. Contact Royal Air Maroc for further details. Regional Airlines (FN) also runs an internal service.
Rail
The Moroccan rail system, run by Office National des Chemins de Fer (ONCF) (website: www.oncf.org.ma), provides regular and cheap services with first-class travel available between major centres. Rail fares are amongst the cheapest in the world, although a supplement must be paid for air-conditioned trains. Sleeping cars and restaurant cars are available. The network runs from Oujda in the northeast to Casablanca on the west coast, Tangier on the north coast and Fès and Marrakech in the interior. The most useful route is from Fès to Rabat and Casablanca, with five daily and two overnight trains. There are also two daily trains and one overnight train (without sleepers) which run from Casablanca to Marrakech. Also, from Monday to Friday, a train runs every 30 minutes from Kenitra to Rabat.
Cheap fares
Children under four travel free and children from four to 12 may travel for half fare. The European Inter-Rail pass is valid in Morocco. See Travel International section.
Road
Traffic drives on the right. The major Moroccan roads, particularly those covering the north and northwest of the country, are all-weather highways. In the interior, south of the High Atlas Mountains, road travel becomes much more difficult, especially across the Atlas Mountains in winter. Coach: The main centres are connected by a wide variety of coach services, many of which are privately run. The two largest firms are CTM (covering the whole country) and SATAS (between Casablanca, Agadir and south of Agadir). Visitors should bear in mind, however, that Morocco has a poor road safety record; the roads from Agadir to Marrakech, via Imi'n Tanoute and Chichaoua, are particularly hazardous. Bus: Connections between most major towns and villages are regular and frequent, although buses can be very crowded and it may be wise to buy tickets in advance and arrive well before departure to secure a seat. The price of tickets is very low, especially with some of the smaller local bus companies. It is customary to tip the guard for loading luggage. For charter purposes, air-conditioned motor coaches are available from several companies. Taxi: Those available in major towns, the petits taxis, are metered (see below under Urban). Other larger taxis, usually Mercedes cars, are used for travel to areas outside towns. These can be shared, but fares should be agreed before departure. Car hire: Major hire companies have offices in major towns and cities. Car hire is generally expensive. Documentation: Foreign driving licences are accepted, as well as International Driving Permits. Third Party insurance is required. A Green Card is also necessary. Insurance can be arranged locally.
Urban
There are extensive bus services in Casablanca and other main towns. Pre-purchase tickets are sold. Urban area petits taxis are plentiful and have metered fares. Taxi drivers expect a 10 per cent tip.
Travel times
The following chart gives approximate travel times (in hours and minutes) from Casablanca to other major cities/towns in Morocco.AirRoadRailRabat0.301.301.00Marrakech0.304.004.00Tangier0.506.006.00Laayoune1.3020.00-
Travel - International
Air
The national airline is Royal Air Maroc (AT) (website: www.royalairmaroc.com). There are frequent direct flights from all major European cities, from North America and from the Middle East.
Approximate flight times
From Casablanca to London is three hours; from Tangier is two hours 30 minutes. From Casablanca to New York is six hours 30 minutes.
Main airports
Casablanca (CMN) (Mohammed V) is 30km (19 miles) south of the city (travel 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 (travel 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).
Departure tax
None.
Sea
Main ports: Tangier, Casablanca and Ceuta. Lines serving these ports are Bland Line (from Spain and Gibraltar), Comanav (from France, Spain and Italy), Compañía Trasmediterránea, Limadet, Polish Ocean Lines (from Northern Europe) and Transtour. Car/passenger ferries: Ferry operators include FerriMaroc (website: www.ferrimaroc.com) and Trasmediterranea (website: www.trasmediterranea.com). There are cheap and regular car- and passenger-ferry links between southern Spain and Tangier and the Spanish enclaves on the north Moroccan coast. Most links are roll-on, roll-off car ferries except where shown. The routes are from Algeciras to Ceuta (Sebta) (car ferry); Algeciras to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Tarifa to Tangier (hydrofoil); Gibraltar to Tangier (hydrofoil and car ferry); Almería to Melilla (car ferry); Málaga to Melilla (car ferry); Almería to Nador (car ferry); Gênes (Italy) to Tangier; Alicante to Orán and Almería to Al Hoceima.There are also car ferries between Sète on the French coast (between Béziers and Montpellier on the Golfe du Lyon) and Tangier run by Compagnie Marocaine de Navigation.
Rail
Rail links between Morocco and Algeria are currently suspended. The main international routes are from Oujda to Algiers or from Oran to Algiers. Trains can be caught from London Victoria to Gare du Nord in Paris, and then Gare d'Austerlitz to Algerciras. From here ferries can be caught to Morocco (see Sea section).Rail passes: The Inter-Rail Pass offers unlimited second-class train travel in up to 29 European countries (includes Morocco and Turkey) split into eight zones (A-H). Three different tickets are available: a ticket covering one zone (two to six countries, 16 days’ validity), a ticket covering two zones (six to 10 countries, 22 days’ validity) and an All Zone Pass (29 countries, one month’s validity). Ferry services between Italy and Greece are included. Passengers must be resident in Europe for at least six months before the pass is used. Travel is not allowed in the passenger’s country of residence. Travellers under 26 years receive a reduction of about 30 per cent. Children’s tickets are reduced by about 50 per cent. Supplements are required for some high-speed services, seat reservations and couchettes. Discounts are offered on Eurostar and some ferry routes. Available from Inter Rail (website: www.interrailnet.com).
Road
The best road link is from southern Spain or France via passenger/car ferries (see above under Sea). The road link on the north Algerian border is currently closed. Eurolines, departing from Victoria Coach Station in London, serves destinations in Morocco. For further information, contact Eurolines (52 Grosvenor Gardens, London SW1; tel: (08705) 143 219; website: www.eurolines.com or www.nationalexpress.com).
Travel Advice
Most visits to Morocco are trouble-free, but there is a high threat from terrorism in Morocco. Violent crime, though not a major problem in Morocco, is growing. There are occasional incidents involving theft at knifepoint in the major cities and along beaches. Morocco has a poor road safety record. Accidents are frequent, especially on busy major routes. The main road from Agadir to Marrakesh via Imi’n Tanoute and Chichaoua has been reported as particularly hazardous. This advice is based on information provided by the Foreign and Commonwealth Office in the UK. It is correct at time of publishing. As the situation can change rapidly, visitors are advised to contact the following organisations for the latest travel advice: British Foreign and Commonwealth Office Tel: (0845) 850 2829. Website: www.fco.gov.uk US Department of State Website: http://travel.state.gov/travel
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MOROCCO
