Constitutional monarchy. The current head of state is His Majesty King Mohammed VI.
The Kingdom of Morocco is a country of 36,708,000 inhabitants spread over a total of 12 major regions. It is located in northwest Africa. To the north, it borders Ceuta (Spain), the Strait of Gibraltar and the Mediterranean Sea. To the south, it borders Mauritania, to the east with Algeria and to the west the Atlantic Ocean. Morocco’s political capital is Rabat with 580,000 inhabitants. Casablanca with its 3,360,000 inhabitants is the most populated city in Morocco and the country’s economic engine. Fez is the second most populated city in Morocco with 1,112,000 inhabitants. It is considered to be the cultural capital of Morocco. Marrakech is the most famous, it is well known for being exotic and the most touristic city in all of Morocco. It has less than one million inhabitants.
In Morocco there are two official languages: Arabic and Amazigh (Berber language). Each language has its many different dialects. Classical Arabic and French are the administrative languages. Spanish and French are very present in Morocco, while English is used more in the world of business and international trade.
Religious customs: Morocco is a very tolerant country when it comes to other religions and cultures. However, only people of Muslim faith can enter mosques. The only mosque in the whole country open for touristic visits is the Hassan II Grand Mosque in Casablanca.
The month of Ramadan is the month of fasting and its date changes every year around the lunar month. Before visiting Morocco it is highly recommended to check the date since during this festival the rhythm of daily life changes radically and the entire country is put on hold.
The Moroccan currency is the dirham: MAD. In all cities there are many banks and ATMs as well as currency exchange offices. Payment by card or cash: in touristic places such as hotels, restaurants, fashion stores and bazaars you can pay with a credit card without any worry. In souvenir shops you can pay with currency but the exchange is returned in local currency, in dirham. Taxis, horse carriages, orange juice vendors of Marrakech and all small shops must be paid in cash with local currency.
In Morocco, leaving a tip is not mandatory, but it is common practice. It is a sign of satisfaction and appreciation, something that locals greatly appreciate given that workers’ wages are typically very low.
Country telephone code: + 212
Time zone: GTM (+00: 00)
Citizens of European countries, Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Ivory Coast, Croatia, Republic of the Congo, Guinea, Hong Kong SAR, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Mali, Mexico, New Zealand, Niger , Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates and the United States only need to have a valid passport to enter. It is recommended to have at least 6 months of validity in your passport. All other nationalities must consult the respective embassies in order to obtain the tourist visa required to enter. At the entrance and exit, to and from Morocco you will have to fill out a form.
To travel to Morocco it is not necessary to have any additional vaccines since it is not a country in irrigation. In time of COVID-19, PCR TEST is required (72 hours validity).
Morocco is a safe country for tourists do to the fact that the authorities take the security of visitors very seriously. Let’s not forget that tourism is one of the most important sources of income for the country. Morocco is far from the conflicts that plague other Arab countries and the risk regarding terrorism is equal to that which any other country, even those of the first world, can face. In any case, whatever the destination, a series of precautions must be taken. On the road, it is essential to follow a series of guidelines. In Morocco you drive differently from the western world, but you also have to be very careful with the speed limit, since there are many policemen effectively performing road controls. You also have to keep an eye on pedestrians and animals: they can cross anywhere on the road, even on motorways. Of course, it is necessary to be vigilant and cautious in large and touristic cities, especially in places where there are greater crowds, such as medinas and souks. These are areas more prone to theft. However in Morocco robbery with violence is not common, and less so to foreigners.
Morocco has an interesting climate variation depending on where you are in the country. This factor must be taken into account before traveling to this wonderful country. From Best Morocco Tour we recommend the months of September to June to visit the imperial cities including Marrakech. Avoid trekking in the High Atlas in the months of December and January as a heavy snowfall is common and can cut off all roads. It is best to avoid the desert between the months of July and August due to the high temperatures. Cities on the Atlantic coast such as Agadir or Essaouira can be enjoyed throughout the year.
In all homes, restaurants, hotels and riads drinking water is available, according to international regulations and conventions but sometimes it contains a strong taste and smell of chlorine. It is advisable to drink bottled mineral water which is available everywhere. In the Plaza of Jemaa El-Fna in Marrakech and in the medina of Fes, the men wearing very colorful and ornate outfits offer fresh water for only a couple of dirhams, this is something very typical in these cities.
Moroccan gastronomy is one of the best in the world. It is a kitchen full of flavors and smells because of their qide range of spices. Combining sweet and savory is very typical in the most popular dishes of Morocco. The most traditional dishes are couscous (a costumary dish based on wheat semolina), the lamb tajine with prunes (a dish prepared in a special clay pot), the chicken or fish pastela (a filling of chicken or fish with onion, spices and almonds, wrapped in sheets of phyllo dough, baked and decorated with icing sugar and cinnamon), kefta (different combinations with minced meat), the typical harira soup and of course a good glass of mint tea to end this feast. Not forgetting of course the famous Moroccan pastries.
Morocco is a country of Muslim majority confession and this religion is against alcoholic beverages, so the sale of alcoholic beverages is restricted. They can only be purchased in authorized stores, in restaurants that have permission to serve them and in the bars and clubs of large hotels. In large or touristic cities there is no problem with purchasing or enjoying a drink as long as it is done in an authorized place and not it the month of Ramadan.
When you are in Marrakech what you cannot miss is to discover this magnificent city from a professional local tour guide hands. Marrakech is also known as the Pearl of the South, the ancient city that offers a permanent balance between the treasures of the past and the energy of modern cultures. Marrakech is a permanent decoration of pink adobe walls woven with bougainvillea and jasmine with the Snowy High Atlas as a canvas background and its artist is called Mother Nature. Marrakech city of colors, voices and intense aromas of cedar and spices, lustful oasis of palm trees where everything is replicated to compose a magical symphony. We highly recommend you a private tour of Marrakech. At all times you will be accompanied by your tour guide from Marrakech who will facilitate the entrances to the moments and avoid getting lost in the labyrinthine Souk of the city.
The Koutoubia of Marrakech- La Menara (12th century) – Palacio El Bahia – Tombs Saadies – Plaza Yamaa El Fna (World Heritage Site) – Marrakech Jewish Quarter- Majorellle Gardens – The Souk of Marrakech – La Judería (El Mellah) – El Palmeral de Marrakech – La Madrassa Ben Youssef- The Walls and Doors of the Medina.
La Menara (XII century) – La Koutoubia de Marrakech – Bahia Palace – Souk – Yemaa el Afna. The guided view of Marrakech is suitable for all ages and all kinds of audiences. It can be done on foot, with a horse – drawn carriage or with a Mini – Van.
It is probably the most Imperial of all Moroccan cities. Fes is the spiritual and cultural center of the Kingdom. The grandeur of its madrassas, the refinement of its palaces of a thousand and one nights and the richness of its museums is the result of the mixture of various civilizations. Fes inherited the Arab nobility, the Andalousian refinement, Jewish ingenuity and Berber tenacity. Fes is an open – air museum, its priority is to preserve its traditions and its Medina, classified as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO. To get to know this city there is no better than to visit it with an expert local tour guide of Fes, a true expert and connoisseur of the labyrinthine Medina and all its secret corners and the history of its foundation since the Dynasty of the Edrisíes.
The Royal Palace – Fes el Bali (the Old Medina) – La Madrasa Bouanania – Nejjarine fountain – Madarasa Karaouine (headquarters of the University of Fes) – The Jewish Quarter of Fes – The Maristan-Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss – Neighborhood of tanners…
Fez el Bali (former medina) – Mosque and Madrasa Karaouine – The Jewish Quarter of Fes – The Maristan – Mausoleum of Moulay Idriss – Tanners’ Quarter.
The city of Rabat is perhaps not the most touristy but it is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco. It is the political and administrative capital of the country. Rabat has more than 1,700,000 inhabitants. With its unique elegance, fabulous colonial architecture and civilized cosmopolitan atmosphere inspires a refined, pleasant and captivating air. However, its souks and magnificent Medina where it is easy to get lost retain the authenticity and tradition of a very ingrained culture. Its long and rich history backed by a monumental richness that shows the influence of Phoenician, Roman, Almohad and Benimerine times. We invite you to get to know this gem of a city on a private tour accompanied by an expert tour guide from Rabat to enter the city and know all its secrets.
The Mausoleum of Mohamed V- The Hassan- Kasbah Tower of Oudayas- Necropólis of Chellah – The Medina of Rabat – The Royal Palace of Rabat – Give the Makhzen – The Exotic Gardens of Rabat – St. Peter’s Cathedral of Rabat – The Russian Orthodox Church of Rabat – The Majestic – Tramway Rabat – Salé Pastry Shop.
The Royal Palace of Rabat – Give the Makhzen – The Mausoleum of Mohamed V – The Hassan – Kasbah Tower of Oudayas.
The guided tour of Rabat is suitable for all ages and all kinds of audiences. Due to the long distances separating the monuments, private transport service (Minivan) is required to reach them in total comfort. It can be done in 4 hours or 8 hours depending on the time available and your interest.
Many travelers stay in Casablanca just enough to change planes or catch a train, but this metropolis deserves more time. Very difficult to believe that Casablanca in 1830 had just under 600 inhabitants, now Casablanca with more than 3,800,000 inhabitants is the economic capital of the country, where much of the national production is concentrated. It may not be as exotic as other Moroccan cities, but it is the cultural capital of the country. Of all the cities in the world, Hollywood chose Casablanca to immortalize it as the classic enclave of exotic and colonial flavor.
It’s fascinating architecture sponsored by the French colonial, places once frequented by mythical characters Edith Piaf or Saint-Exupéry, its markets where you can find the impossible, its wide avenues, well-kept public parks, fountains and imposing colonial architecture house the most cosmopolitan and dynamic city in Morocco. The facades of the suburbs rise in stark contrast to the Andalusian, Art Deco and Modernist jewels of the center, in front of the modernist symbol of the city, the huge Hassan II Mosque (the highest in the world). We invite you to get to know this extraordinary city on a private guided tour accompanied at all times by a local tour guide from Casablanca.
A Good Breakfast in Vila Zevaco (famous for the film Casablanca) – The Interior of the Hassan II Mosque – Mohamed Square v – Casablanca’s Sacred Heart Cathedral – Casablanca Royal Palace – Casablanca’s Royal Palace – La Medina de Casablanca – the sea promenade (the corniche) – Anfa quarter – A lunch at the Rik’s café.
Hassan II Mosque – Mohamed Square V – Promenade – Barrio el Hbouss.
The guided tour of Casablanca is suitable for all ages and all kinds of audiences. Due to the long distances separating the monuments, private transport service (Minivan) is required to reach them in total comfort. It can be done in 4 hours or 8 hours depending on the time available and your interest.
