Journey through Morocco From Ocean to Desert

If as a child you read “1001 nights” and watched the cartoon “Aladdin”, wondering where is the city of Agroba, you can be sure that a trip to the Kingdom of Morocco will fulfill your childhood dream of seeing “the magic East, where charm and revenge, courage and honor, palaces and sand”. Today we have compiled for you not just a list of attractions in Morocco, but the whole route from the ocean to the desert through the most interesting and memorable cities.

Casablanca:

Casablanca is the largest and most developed city in Morocco, and its international airport receives the largest number of tourists in the country, so this is where we will start our journey. Most of the city is made up of industrial areas, but there is also an authentic historical center, beautiful buildings from the French colonization era, as well as good markets. In Casablanca you must see the Mosque of Hassan II, which was built for five years by the hard work of 6000 Moroccan craftsmen. The majestic building is decorated with detailed mosaics, marble columns and floors, moldings and carved ceilings. Only Muslims are allowed inside, but even outside the mosque looks like a real work of art. Evening will be nice to spend on the central square of the city, which bears the name of Mohammed V; it is surrounded by beautiful old buildings built by the French at the beginning of the last century, and in the center there is a fountain with a colorful night illumination.

Tangier:

After a couple of days in Casablanca, the way goes north along the coast to the city of Tangier. It is the northernmost point of Morocco, a port city, which is washed on one side by the Atlantic Ocean and on the other by the Mediterranean Sea. Tangier has many well-kept city beaches, but the most beautiful are outside the city limits; for example, the famous “Hercules Pillars” caves, washed by sea water in the cliffs. The old part of the cities in Morocco is called the medina; in Tangier, the medina grew up around an 18th century fortress built by the Portuguese. From the observation deck of the fort you have a panoramic view of the Strait of Gibraltar, and on clear weather you can see the shores of Spain. The medina is really big, so as you walk through the narrow streets you will see large mosques, palaces and ancient houses. The brightest and liveliest place is the “Great Bazaar”, where in the best traditions of Arab countries traders noisily invite visitors, and at the intersections entertain the crowd of gawkers snake charmer, fakirs and dancers.

Chefchaouen:

It was time to leave the coast and head toward the Rif Mountains. The next destination is Chefchaouen, a city of heavenly color on the slopes of the Rif Range. Chefchaouen was founded in the late 15th century by an Emir who came to Morocco from Andalusia. Subsequently, many Spanish Muslims and Jews migrated here, and built the city in the image and likeness of their native provinces. For many centuries, the city was considered sacred, and non-believers who decided to get there could face the death penalty, so the unique medieval architecture has survived to this day. A distinctive feature is that the vast majority of buildings in the city are painted blue. It is said that houses were painted in shades of blue, as this color reminds believers of heaven and God, but the following version seems more plausible. The sun shines brightly in this part of Morocco throughout the year, reflecting off the white buildings to the townspeople, and so the walls must be painted. A blue hue is easily obtained from the vaida plant, which grows in abundance in North Africa and has been used since the ancient Egyptians; when added to plaster, it gives a heavenly hue. The best thing to do in Chefchaouen is to walk from dusk to dawn with your camera in hand, and be sure to try the famous local goat cheese.

Fez:

The next stop on the way to the desert is Fez, the oldest imperial city in Morocco. The medina is called Fez El Bali and consists of 9,400 narrow streets in which it is difficult not to get lost. The old part of the city is a UNESCO World Heritage Site as the cultural and spiritual center of the country, while the new part, built by the French, will win you over with its picturesque broad boulevards with trendy stores and modern cafes. Fez El Bali is like a huge anthill, teeming with life in its mazes, and as you walk around you’re bound to see local artisans at work, colorful merchants in authentic rug shops, gardens, minarets, and squares with beautiful mosaic fountains. Even the very gates to the old city are impressive with their monumentality. Be sure to visit the palace square and the art museum located in the palace of Dar Bath. To relax after a long walk, go to a relaxing steam bath hammam, and if you’re already thinking about souvenirs, you can buy quality leather goods in the city of Fez.

Merzouga:

It’s time to get closer to the Sahara Desert, and the last frontier on the way is the small town of Merzouga. The dusty town boasts neither ancient architecture nor modern infrastructure, but it shows tourists what real life is like on the edge of the desert. If you’re lucky enough to be traveling through Morocco in late winter, visit Lake Dayet Srji west of town. After heavy rainfall, it fills with water and becomes a real oasis with flocks of pink flamingos and storks.

Sahara desert:

The jewel in Morocco’s crowning glory is a camel ride into the endless dunes with an overnight stay in a tent under the star-studded black sky of the Sahara Desert. Every day from the town of Merzouga start small caravans of tourists. During the trip you will try the traditional dishes of the desert people, hear the real songs and music of the Berbers, learn about their life and culture. If that’s not enough, you can get a bird’s eye view of the desert during a hot air balloon ride, and then ride the giant dunes on quad bikes, skis or snowboard! There are many agencies in that offer Morocco desert tours if you want to get here by hiring a travel agency.

Ait Benhaddou:

Heading southwest along the desert border, stop at Ait Ben-Haddou, which emerges among the lifeless sands like a mirage under the blazing sun. In ancient times caravans used to pass through this town, where weary travellers could rest and replenish their water and food supplies. Today, Ait-Ben Haddu attracts tourists with its beautiful multi-tiered architecture and narrow streets, which form a bizarre maze of classic Moroccan medina. The flat roofs of the lower levels of the city are folded into picturesque terraces, which offer views of the vast expanse of desert. Many famous films such as “Gladiator” and “The Mummy” were filmed in the vicinity of this city.

Marrakech:

A trip to Morocco would not be complete without a visit to the city of Marrakech at the foot of the Atlas Mountains, with which we suggest ending a long and eventful journey. Marrakech is often called the “red city” because its mud houses have a reddish hue. The Jemaa Al Fna Square in the heart of the medina is one of the most tranquil and calm areas in the city, with live music, acrobats and entertainers performing all day long, and at night the square transforms into a huge open-air restaurant, offering a wide variety of traditional and exotic dishes. This area is best known for starting tours from for example the zook 3 days desert tour from Marrakech to Fes. Marrakech is also famous for its lush gardens and parks, olive groves and majestic palaces. In the old city it is worth seeing the Koutoubia mosque, which is 77 meters high. We recommend spending the last days of the trip in a relaxed mode, sitting in tiny cafes, sipping the famous Moroccan mint tea, wandering through the markets, buying souvenirs and gifts for friends, and gain strength for the upcoming stories about your experiences.

Journey through Morocco From Ocean to Desert

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