Feedback

Morocco

6

Reasons To
Visit Morocco

  • Berber Culture

    The Berbers are the indigenous people of Morocco. During the Arab conquest they retreated into their mountain strongholds and took refuge in the inhospitable deserts of the south. This is where their culture persists, based around fortified dwellings; a strong sense of community and an ability to cope with almost any hardship.

    Berber Culture

  • Desert

    The Sahara washes into Morocco at its western extremities, and the Erg Chebbi sand sea is the best place to see this. Passing first through dramatic ridges of blackened rock, the going becomes sandier and sandier, until you're eventually confronted with towering dunes and the best sunsets in Morocco.

    Desert

  • Kasbahs

    A kasbah is a fortified village, made from traditional pisé, or mud brick. Their distinctive towers, with ornate windows, are a dominant feature of the Moroccan landscape, none more so than along the Dades and Draa Valleys in the south: some have been converted into hotels, so you can even spend the night in your very own kasbah.

    Kasbahs

  • Medinas

    At the heart of any old Moroccan city will be the medina, the vital core encircled by walls punctuated by ornamental gates. It's in the medina that you'll nearly always find the souqs, and there will probably be a number of old palaces too: some of these are now hotels, some are museums, while others are abandoned and decaying gracefully.

    Medinas

  • Mountains

    The High Atlas are home to Jebel Toubkal, at over 4,100m the highest mountain in north Africa and a challenging climb. But the Atlas mountains also offer gentler hikes, perfect just to appreciate the scenery, the cool, clean air, and to enjoy Berber hospitality in remote villages.

    Mountains

  • Souqs & Shopping

    The souqs of Marrakesh are the most famous in the country, but almost every town has its souq. Those of Fez seem endless and labyrinthine, whilst those in Taroudant are much more compact and sell the simple goods that the local, rural population need. It's unlikely you'll escape from Morocco without doing a bit of shopping at some point!

    Souqs & Shopping

Request a Brochure

North Africa & the Middle East Brochure

North Africa & the Middle East

By Post Download Online 33786686
PrintShareLike

Visit Essaouira, Morocco

Essaouira lies on the Atlantic coast west of Morocco and is one of the most picturesque towns in the country. The Sultan Sidi Mohammed had a captive Frenchman design the town and promoted trade, making Essaouira a cosmopolitan commercial centre.

Essaouira, Morocco
Essaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoFishermen and gulls, EssaouiraSunset in Essaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoGull in EssaouiraEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoAtlantic coast, MoroccoEssaouira, MoroccoEssaouira, Morocco

Essaouira

Morocco

Essaouira lies on the Atlantic coast west of Morocco and is one of the most picturesque towns in the country. Originally a Phoenician trading post, it prospered during the Roman era as citizens extracted the Tyrian purple colour, beloved of Roman Emperors and kings, from a local shellfish.

The Sultan Sidi Mohammed had a captive Frenchman design the town and promoted trade, making Essaouira a cosmopolitan commercial centre.

The fortifications that ring the city provided a haunting backdrop for Orson Wells’ Othello. Built by the Portuguese, these are intrinsic to the charm of Essaouira.

Highlights of Essaouira

Other attractions include the port, bringing in fresh fish each day, and the tremendous beach that stretches away to the south.

The easy-going nature of the town, the dramatic ramparts and the beach, with its excellent windsurfing, have combined to attract artists and hippies for years, creating a bohemian atmosphere quite different from the rest of the country.

Further reading:
MoroccoWhen to GoHighlightsItinerary IdeasPlaces to GoThings to DoAccommodationAbout MoroccoCountry Guides

Other countries in North Africa & the Middle East:
EgyptIranJordanLebanonLibyaOmanSyriaTunisia

{1E954F56-F92D-424D-9B1D-961CA299F577}