Welcome to Morocco!

With the romantic cities of Casablanca, Fes, and Marrakech, as well as beautiful beaches, vast deserts and towering mountains, Morocco is full of exotic experiences and there's so much to see and do. Taking an exciting tour in Morocco is a great way of exploring its colourful cities, splashing in its beaches, trekking through its mountains, and learning about its rich history and culture.

From the family-run guest houses, Morocco hotels, riads and other places to stay where you can unwind with your family to the Berber villagers you meet on your trek or tour in Morocco, the Moroccans stretch themselves to be most hospitable. They are comfortable with both the noisy medinas and markets on the one hand and the unending silences of the Sahara Desert on the other. From the trading posts of Tuareg to the old Jewish quarters or mullahs, every Moroccan greets you the way they have done over the centuries: "You are welcome in Morocco, Ahlanwasahlan".

Every state has it own specific culture and together they make up the Moroccan culture that continues to be preserved for posterity. Casablanca is the chief port and the industrial and commercial hub of Morocco. Rabat is the political hub and Fez is the religious and cultural centre. Marrakech is where the tourists converge in droves to take a Morocco tour of the city and stay in its authentic Morocco hotels. You can use our Morocco map to choose your hotel in Morocco based on where you wish to visit.

Morocco is an Arab nation situated in North Africa. Though not a member of the African Union, Morocco is a member of the Arab League. Algeria lies to the East of Morocco. Morocco shares both a water border and a land border with Spain, which lies to its north. The water border lies in the strait and the land border lies along two tiny autonomous Spanish cities of Melilla and Ceuta. Mauritania lies to the south of Morocco past the western Saharan regions.

The city of Rabat is the capital of Morocco. Casablanca is the main port in Morocco and also its biggest city, whilst Tétouan, Tangier, Sale, Safi, Quarzazat, Oujda, Mohammadia, Meknes, Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Agadir are some of Morocco's main cities. A local Morocco tour is the ideal way of visiting these fascinating cities.

Morocco is the third most populated Arab country with a population of 33 million people, and is preceded only by Egypt and Sudan. Moroccans are mainly Sunni Muslims of Berber, Arab or mixed Arab-Berber stock. 75 per cent of all Moroccans are descendants of Berber stock. Arabs make up the next largest ethnic group. There are many other ethnic groups in Morocco, which explains Morocco's rich culture and age old civilisation. Protecting this varied and rich legacy and preserving its cultural heritage in one of Morocco's top priorities.

Throughout its history, Morocco has been home to people of diverse cultures. From the north came the Andalusians (Jews and Moors), Vandals and Romans, from the south came the Sub Saharan Africans and from the east came the Jews, and Arabs, Carthaginians and Phoenicians. Thanks to such diverse influences, various religions, like Islam, Christianity, Judaism and even paganism find a place in Morocco.

Modern Moroccan literature traces its birth to the nineteen thirties. A sizeable Spanish and French settlement provided the Moroccan intelligentsia with an ideal environment to foster literary creativity. They also had the freedom to absorb other European and Arabic literature and produce their own masterpieces. In the fifties and sixties, Morocco became a well known literary centre, attracting literary giants like William S. Burroughs, Tennessee Williams and Paul Bowles.

Moroccan music is predominantly Arabian in character. Trance music, which traces its origins to Muslim music, is very popular here. Morocco has also given the world Andalusian classical music, Berber folk music and chabbi bands (which are influenced by rock bands). Moroccan music is in essence a harmonious blend of these various forms of music.

Moroccan cuisine is a mix of Berber, African, and Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Moorish, Portuguese, Corsican and Spanish cuisines. This diversified cuisine is symbolic of Morocco's interactions over hundreds of years with the world around it. Moroccan food and cuisine uses spices extensively. Tillouine produces saffron, and olives and mint are grown in Meknes while oranges and lemons are cultivated in Fez. Other spices are imported from various countries as they have been for the last thousand years.

Morocco was a French colony between 1912 and 1956. It regained its political independence from France on the 2nd of March 1956 and France officially surrendered the protectorate on the 7th of April. Sultan Mohammed became the King of Morocco in 1956 and ruled till 1961, when his son Hassan II took over. Hassan II ruled for 38 long years, till 1999. His son King Mohammed VI ascended the throne in 1999 and sought to modernize Morocco. He introduced social and economic liberalisation but has kept intact the exhaustive powers of the king. Morocco celebrated the golden jubilee (50 years) of its independence in the month of November in 2006.

Morocco has been fiercely independent through the centuries and yet been open to ideas and evolved a rich combination of religions, cultures and languages. In every city of Morocco the influence of the Europeans, Arabs and Romans bear testimony to this. Morocco has adopted a modern and contemporary attitude without compromising its ancient roots.

With excellent value hotels in Morocco, wonderful cities and sights, fantastic shopping and great Morocco tour options, you are sure to have a wonderful Morocco holiday! Check out our Morocco Tours and Activities section or Morocco Destination Guide for further information.