Archives March 29, 2020

Travel to Morocco : Pratical information

You will need some information to travel to Morocco, here they are:

 

Visa Requirement

First of all, you will need a valid passport with an expiry date of at least six months from the date of entry into Morocco. It is a good idea to make a photocopy of your passport, carried separately, in case of emergency. This is important information about travelling to Morocco.

If you are coming from the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and most members of the European Union, you do not need a visa, just up-to-date travel documents. For more information, please consult the Moroccan embassy in your country or the one representing your country.

How to get to Morocco?

There are many options for travelling to Morocco. If you are coming from the United States, you can take Royal Air Maroc, which offers direct flights from New York to Casablanca, with connections in some cities such as Marrakech.

If you are traveling from Europe, there are many direct flights from major European cities to Casablanca, Marrakech, Ouarzazate, Fez, Agadir and more.

When to travel to Morocco?

You can visit Morocco at any time of the year, but there are climatic particularities. In the summer it is quite hot, when the warm air from the Sahara desert blows over Morocco. In addition to the heat, it is very dry.

The winter is cold, believe us! You can admire the snow-covered mountains in Marrakech, Ifrane, Azrou and other regions too.

Security

Staying safe while travelling is a matter of common sense and simple precautions. Fortunately, you will find many honest and friendly people all over the country, especially in the countryside. However, as in any country, keep your valuables hidden and keep your camera close at hand.

You should be careful in crowds and avoid false guides who offer false information about traveling to Morocco to tourists and travelers. Therefore, guides offering their services must display an official badge from the local tourist authorities. Rather trust agencies, their guides are professionals.

The best tourist attractions in Morocco

 

There are many tourist sites in Morocco. In Morocco, it is possible to find incredible places full of history, as well as points rich in culture. Be it in contrast to the French architecture and a culture full of meaning. Here are the most interesting tourist sites :

– Hassan II Mosque – Casablanca

– Bab Chellah / Kasbah of the Udayas / Mohammed V Mausoleum / Hassan Tower : Rabat

– Djemaa el-Fna Square / Majorelle Gardens : Marrakech

– Royal Palace / Boujloud / Batha / Medina : Fez

– Kasbah of Taourirt : Ouarzazate

– Dunes: Erg Chebbi

– Todra Gorge: Tinghir

– And the Atlas Mountains.

 

What to eat in Morocco?

In addition to dishes rich in various spices, it is also a cuisine rich in cultural differences!  A curiosity of Morocco is that variety occurs from one region of the country to another, covering savoury dishes, sweets and even drinks.

Typical Moroccan food brings many characteristics of the country; the way the meats are made and seasoned, the types of sweets and breads, the drinks on offer, in short, it also tells us a story. Ask for tagine, couscous, harira, zaalouk, chabakia, mint tea and many other sweet and savoury dishes.

Don’t expect to find alcoholic beverages on the list, as the majority of the population is Muslim and does not consume this type of drink.

The most beautiful places in Marrakech

VISIT MARRAKECH AND ITS SURROUNDINGS: THE MOST BEAUTIFUL PLACES TO DISCOVER

Marrakech is one of the most popular destinations for tourists from all over the world. Visit Marrakech is a unique experience to live! It is a mythical city that offers many opportunities for tourism: curious travelers will be able to make their selection. We offer 5 must-see sites for your stay in Morocco. So discover them and plan your trip with the article below.

DISCOVER THE PLACE JEMAA EL-FNA IN MARRAKECH

This is often the first place that comes to mind when we think of Marrakech: the iconic place. This is a historical symbol since the place has existed for several hundred years. Its location makes it a popular site for tourists. It allows you to also visit the souks of the city, known worldwide. It should be known that the Jemaa El Fna square attracts more than a million travelers every year.

You will find all the representative activities of the city: typical stalls, musicians but also dancers and snake charmers. If you want to eat in the evening, know that the street restaurants arrive from 17h to discover local dishes.

VISIT THE MAJORELLE GARDEN

The Majorelle garden is a pearl not to be missed: created by the painter Jacques Majorelle all around his studio, it was bought by Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent. Work has been done to preserve this magical place. The Majorelle Garden is a unique space to visit Marrakech.

The Majorelle garden can be recognized by its famous blue walls and is famous for being an island of freshness in the imperial city of Marrakech. A Berber museum is now part of the garden and visitors can also contemplate the memorial of fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who died in 2008.
The garden is open from 8am to 5.30pm.

THE MAGIC OF THE MEDINA AND THE SOUKS OF MARRAKECH

The Medina is the old part of the city, unlike the more modern districts. The Medina of Marrakech is huge: it covers 600 hectares and is the oldest inhabited city in North Africa. It is a must for visiting Marrakech.

It is full of period fountains, flavored gardens and shady patios. Discover its narrow streets full of charm and find typical Moroccan objects in the souks of Marrakech ! The souks are grouped by trade and you will find everything: babouches, spices but also clothes or carpets. Stroll from a souk to another and above all, do not hesitate to haggle your favorite pieces: this is the rule that applies to everyone on the spot.

VISIT MARRAKECH: DISCOVER THE MEDERSA BEN-YOUSSEF

The medersa is an Arabic term for school and it is one of the treasures of Marrakech. The Médersa Ben-Youssef was built in the 16th century by Sultan Adbellah Al Ghalib. A true jewel of the city, this school welcomed students from all over the world.

You will have the chance to admire its Arab-Andalusian architecture which was restored in the 1950s. Visits are allowed every day from 8h to 17h. It is a must in the city with sets made by the most talented artists of the time.

DISCOVER THE BAHIA PALACE IN MARRAKECH

Nicknamed the “palace of the beautiful”, the palace of Bahia was built in the nineteenth century by the grand vizier Ba Ahmed to be a favorite. This unique construction occupies a plot of over 10 hectares with more than 150 pieces. Gardens were created by the greatest Andalusian and Moroccan artisans of the time.

What to see in Marrakech

Marrakech is the most famous city in Morocco. Although it is not on the coast, thousands of tourists visit it every year. And that’s not surprising!
Marrakech offers its visitors a variety of entertainment for all tastes. Here, you can stay in riads, palaces located behind simple doors in the medina, or spend nights in a luxury hotel with a huge green space. You can eat in expensive restaurants offering French cuisine, and at the same time buy ordinary Moroccan food directly from street vendors. This is the magic city!

If you are travelling alone, here are the sights of Marrakech and the places you should not miss :

The medina:

Medina Sauk is Marrakech’s main market, located in the central part of the city on the Djemma El Fna square. This colourful market consists of many shopping centres and shops. Here you can find all kinds of authentic Moroccan products at low prices: carpets, furniture, jewellery, clothes, leather goods, spices, oriental sweets and much more.

Bahia Palace:

Built at the end of the 19th century, the Bahia Palace is the most popular tourist attraction in Marrakech. The interior of the palace surprises with traditional Arabic luxury. Here you can see: colourful mosaics, carved wooden ceilings and doors, hand-made paintings, interior art objects and paintings.

Koutoubia Mosque:

The main sacred relic and symbol of the city of Marrakech – the Koutoubia mosque is one of the highest mosques in Africa, thanks to its minaret which is about 80 meters high. The construction of the mosque began during the reign of the Almohad dynasty in the 12th century and took more than 30 years. The impressive territory of the Koutoubia mosque is surrounded by a magnificent garden and park.

Ben Youssef Madrasah :

Ben Youssef Madrasah is the most famous and prestigious medieval school for the study of the Koran in Morocco. The school was founded in the 14th century during the reign of the Almoravid dynasty. The medersa territory includes a mosque, a training complex and cells, where the students lived. The building has been preserved in its original form. At present, the museum is operating in the premises of the complex.

Jema El Fna Square :

Jema El Fna square is the most important and colorful square in Marrakech, it is here that you can get to know the mysterious soul of this city. Life is constantly bubbling on the square, various cafes, retail stores and souvenir shops work there. The holiday atmosphere reigns here at every stop, especially in the evenings, when crowds of people gather in the square, street artists perform and the national dishes prepared here in the square seduce with their aromas.

Majorelle Garden :

The Mojorelle Garden once belonged to a French artist, Jacques Majorelle, who lived in Marrokes at the beginning of the 20th century. The artist managed to collect the rarest and most precious plants from the garden. The beautiful garden with its lush flora, fountains and comfortable gazebos, as well as the unusual blue house where the artist lived, are a wonderful example of the art of landscape gardening.
The garden was later purchased by the famous French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. Currently, a museum is open in Majorelle’s former studio, which displays some of his works on nature and Marrokes’ landscapes.

Saadite Tomb :

The 16th century tomb of the Saadite family is one of the most visited attractions in Marrakech. The best masters of their time worked on the design of this luxurious complex. After the end of the Saadite dynasty, the tomb lost its former luster and was abandoned.
The opening of the tomb, as a memorial complex, took place at the beginning of the 20th century, after restoration work.
You now have a short list of the most famous tourist sites in Marrakech. This guide will help you plan your trip in case you don’t use an agency. But if you are organizing a trip to Marrakech with the help of an agency, a professional guide will show you all these places and especially help you negotiate your souvenir purchases.

A transfer dedicated to your comfort

After your arrival at the airport, the transfer service is offered to all our clients. This type of door-to-door private transport is dedicated mainly to your comfort, you don’t have to worry anymore, a professional driver will take care of transporting you from Marrakech to any destination in Morocco: Fez, Tangier, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Chefchaouen… and to other cities.
You will enjoy the comfort of our first class vehicles and you will travel in complete safety. In addition, the trip will be much more interesting in the company of your driver who will be at the same time your informative guide, he will talk to you about the history of the regions and will approach you as close as possible to the tourist sites that you will cross on the way.