Welcome to Morocco, a land rich in culture, shaped by the vagaries of history. Fancy a change of scenery? At any time in the year, you’ll be astounded by the wide range of experiences Morocco has to offer, from sumptuous palaces and vast gardens to the spice-scented bustle of the souks. In just a few hours, you can travel from the snow-capped peaks of the Atlas to the sands of the desert. You’ll watch in fascination as the dextrous fingers of master craftsmen fashion masterpieces of embroidery, tapestry, pottery and jewellery; each one unique in its own way and, of course, don’t forget the fabled hospitality of the locals: the coin of the realm!
Morocco in Brief
Name in Arabic: Al-Maghrib
- Official name: The Kingdom of Morocco
- Surface area: 710 850 km2
- Population: 32 million inhabitants, 45% of whom are aged twenty or less.
- Density: 42 inhabitants per km2
- Official Language: Classical Arabic
- Languages Spoken in the country: Dialectical Arabic, Berber, French, Spanish and English.
- Religion: Sunni Islam is the main State Religion
- Local Time: GMT. When it is noon in Paris in summer, it is 10 a.m. in Morocco. In winter, when it is noon in Paris, it is 11 a.m. in Morocco.
Formalities
Passport & Visa :
passports must be valid. For a stay under three months, no visa is required for French, Belgian, Swiss and Canadian nationals. Children under the age of 16 must have their photos on their parents’ passports. Customs>the applicable duty-free in Morocco is the same for all countries not belonging to the European Union. Visitors can import 1 litre of 22° alcoholic beverages, two litres of wine and a carton of 200 cigarettes. Currencythe national currency is the DirhamDH, (1 Euro=10 DH). The cost of living in Morocco remains considerably cheaper than in France. The importation or the exportation of the Moroccan Dirham,however, is strictly prohibited. Credit cardsgenerally in Morocco, all type of credit cards are accepted, in every corner you will find signs of visa card or master card, you can make your payments in morocco directly by credit cards, hotels and riads and restaurants all are equipped with credit cards processing systems at the European level, western union and moneygram are operating in morocco and travellers checks are largely used.
Transport
Morocco has more or less satisfactory network of roads, it is one of the best in Africa, and is constantly being developed. The conditions of transport of both people and goods can be considered as fairly good. The country has international airports in the imperial and touristic cities; the same goes for maritime transport, some large ports are sufficient to handle the flow of traffic. The railway lines satisfy the needs of travellers whose standard of living does not enable them to use other means of transport. To sum up, whatever the means of transport you use, most of the towns and villages in the kingdom are covered.
Moroccan Food
Many restaurants, classified under their specialities, have a full and varied menu, with cuisine of good quality price ratio, costing from 20 to 40 Euro but all the big towns have relatively expensive gastronomic restaurants. Meals are served between 11:30 a.m and 3 p.m and from 7 p.m to 10 p.m, with exceptions where you can eat at any time.
Climate and Clothing
Everyone knows that Morocco is a warm country, and there is no need to go deeper into that bit of Morocco travel information. However, it should be pointed out that the country does have extreme temperatures in the desert and mountains, and even on warm days you should bring a jacket for the evenings. Make sure you bring good shoes, and women should avoid short skirts, tank tops or other revealing articles of clothing.
Health
No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco. It is advisable to drink bottled water and avoid street food and raw or uncooked meat. Avoid swimming, wading, or rafting in bodies of fresh water. Medical facilities are good in all major towns. Health insurance is essential.
Safety
Another concern for travelers around the world is safety. Thankfully, Morocco is a very safe country to be in. This is no biased piece of Morocco travel information, as you will find plenty of honest and friendly people throughout the country. However, as with any country, carry only small amounts of money, keep your valuables hidden and hold your camera close. You should be careful in crowds and you should avoid fake guides who offer false Morocco travel information to tourists and travelers. With Lonely Morocco, you will have all your guides arranged, and all of them are licensed and can help you discern fake Morocco travel information from real Morocco travel information.
Electricity
they use a French-style electrical plug, which is similar to that used in continental Europe, Newer buildings are adapted for 220 V / 50 Hz power usage, while older buildings use 110 V / 50 Hz. If bringing electronics that need a plug-in, you may need a converter.
Communications
The international access code for Morocco is +212. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). City/area codes are in use, e.g. (0)44 for Marrakech and (0)37 for Rabat. Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills; it is best to check before making long international calls. Two mobile GSM 900 networks cover the north of the country. Internet cafes are widely available in tourist areas.
Feasts & Festivals
In Morocco, land of thrills, there is a complete programme of ceremonies and celebrations, throughout the year. Moreover, there are four types of celebrations: moveable feasts of a religious nature, based on the moon, national ones marking historical events, traditional Moussems, a mixture of the sacred and the profane and finally festivals, mainly on an international scale, opening up to the western world and certainly not to be missed out on.
Festivals
Festival of Popular Arts :
or Folklore Festival (Marrakech – June): Every year in June, Marrakech vibrates to the rhythms of its Folklore Festival, which takes place in the sumptuous setting of the El-Badi Palace. Its immense courtyard is laid with carpets for the occasion and decorated in a myriad of traditional styles, ready to welcome musicians, singers and dancers, from the world of Moroccan popular arts and traditions, not to forget the thousands of spectators who flock from all over the world to enjoy the spectacular entertainment. The Festival unites a whole range of performances, combining the ritual dances of the Atlas, Saharan dances such as the Dekkah and the Guedra, and Gnaoua dancing, a mystical tradition stemming from Black Africa animistic rites.
Gnaoua Music Festival :
(Essaouira – June): The event brings together the finest troops of Gnaoua musicians along with a multitude of American and European Jazz ensembles. It was first held in 1960, and proved enormously successful being rapidly recognised as a festival of true world class.
Sacred Music Festival :
(Fez – May/June): Since 1994, Fez the country’s Spiritual Capital has been the scene of an annual convergence of different cultures which although existing side by side have little real knowledge of one another. With globalisation as its theme, the event has acquired international renown.
Oudayas Jazz Festival :
(Rabat – October):Mirroring the goals of the Euro-Mediterranean Partnership outlined during the 1995 Barcelona Conference, the event first took place the following year, and was soon recognised as the perfect occasion for encounter, exchange and expression., Its primary purpose is the development of what is now known as European Jazz while at the same time opening up the scene to Moroccan jazz musicians, whose syncopated music is firmly entrenched in the age-old traditions of the Maghreb.
International Film Festival :
(Marrakech – September): Apart from its substantial impact on the economy and the tourist industry, this event is not only a platform for meetings and discussions but also an occasion to promote collaboration among all of those involved in the Seventh Art. The festival, first held in the year 2001, is now organised by the Marrakech International Film Festival Foundation and presided over by His Royal Highness, Prince Moulay Rachid.
Religious holidays
Ramadan :
is the sacred month during which Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset. The party atmosphere to be found after dark makes it stand out from the rest of the year. Families and friends meet to break the fast with Harira a rich Moroccan soup and other traditional delicacies like the honey coated sweetmeat, Chebakia. The most important night of the month falls on 26 of Ramadan Laylat Al-Qadr, the Night of Destiny, when the faithful, dressed in their best, congregate at mosques to pray to Almighty God.
Aid Es-Seghir :
”the small feast” The day marks the end of the month of fasting and is symbolic of grace and pardon. It is a family day with meals enjoyed in an atmosphere of festivity, when good wishes are exchanged and transgressions forgiven.
Aid El Kebir :
“The Feast of Sacrifice” this commemorates the act of sacrifice performed by Abraham, as related in the Koran. On God’s command, the Prophet was about to offer up his son Ishmael as a burnt sacrifice, when an angel interposed, offering Abraham a sheep to take the boy’s place. In Morocco, the feast starts with a common prayer being recited in the Msallah outside the town walls. In Rabat, the country’s capital, the King sacrifices the first sheep, a signal for the people to follow his example and start the festivities.
Fatih Muharram :
This is the first day of the Islamic year and commemorates the start of the Prophet Mohammed and his companions’ (Sahaba) months-long camelback journey from the Holy City of Mecca to Medina. The Hijra (migration) was undertaken by the Prophet for fear of being killed by the inhabitants of Mecca, the Koraichi, a people cursed by God.
Aid El-Mouloud :
This is the anniversary of the birth of the Prophet Mohammed, a major event in the history of Islam. Women and children dye their hands and feet with Henna and a special semolina and honey dish. On the morning of the Feast, His Majesty the King travels outside the city, where all the tribes of the Kingdom come to pledge allegiance to him. Back at the Palace, the Sovereign receives the good wishes of among others, members of the Royal Family and of the Government, of civil and military officials, and of members of the diplomatic corps stationed in Rabat.
National holidays
Independence day :
Celebrated on 11 January, the date on which His Majesty, King Mohammed V presented the Manifesto of Independence, demanding recognition of the independence of Morocco, its territorial integrity and its national sovereignty.
Coronation Day :
commemorating the accession of Alaouite sovereigns to the throne, this is now celebrated on 30 July, the date His Majesty King Mohammed VI was crowned. During the reign of, His Majesty, King Mohammed V, it was celebrated on 18 November; and in the reign of the late King, His Majesty Hassan II, on 3 March. It is a day when the Royal Palace hosts sumptuous receptions and, when the Kingdom’s cities, towns and villages become brightly lit up scenes of festivity. It is also customary upon this day for His Majesty the King to address the Nation.
Anniversary of the Revolution :
Celebrated on 20, August on this day in 1953, His Majesty King Mohammed V and the Royal Family were exiled to Madagascar, triggering the “Revolution of the King and of the People.”
National Youth Day :
Celebrated on 21 August, this commemorates the birthday of His Majesty, King Mohammed VI. During the reign of His Majesty, King Hassan II, the event was celebrated on 9 July.
Green March Day :
Anniversary of the Green March celebrated on 16 November. In 1975, at the request of the late King, His Majesty Hassan II, around 350,000 volunteers from all over the Kingdom marched south with the aim of re-integrating the former Western Sahara. The King’s initiative ensured recovery of Morocco’s Saharan provinces – well worth celebrating and a source of pride for all Moroccans, past and present.
Independence Day :
Independence Day, celebrated on 18 November, and commemorating the three days – 16, 17, and 18 November 1956 of His Majesty, King Mohammed V’s return from exile in Corsica and Madagascar. The day is traditionally marked by a Royal Speech, and by a parade of the Royal Armed Forces, watched by enthusiastic crowds chanting: “God, country and King.”