Tetouan ( The pearl of Rif)

Tetouan is one of the nicest cities in Morocco. Great beaches and a good reputation makes this a must-visit city for every tourist. The beautiful setting, modern streets and around the clock activities make this city a number one attraction.

The city of Tetouan in the northern part of Morocco means ‘open you eyes’ in the Berber language. The name probably was derived by the hasty development of the town by the Muslim and Andalusian refugees of Spain. It is the only open port of Morocco on the Mediterranean Sea. Perched atop the slope of a narrow valley with a huge dark mass rock, the city has a very beautiful setting. It is surrounded by the majestic mountains in the south and the west. It is just about 40 miles from the city of Tangier. It has nearly a population of 320,539 as per 2004 figures. You will find the Moroccan Darija Arabic and the Berber Tamazight languages being used by the locals in their daily life. Arabic is the official language and you will also find business people using Spanish as well as French.

History 

The city was founded in the 3rd century BC. Artifacts from the Roman and Phoenician eras are known to exist in the site of Tamuda. It was built around 1305 by the Marinid King Abu Thabit from where attacks were carried out on the Ceuta. It was destroyed in 1400 when it came to be known as a safe haven for the pirates. It was rebuilt in the 15th century by the refugees of 'reconquista'. The Andalusian Moors built fortifications before developing the city. In 1860 it was taken over by the Spaniards under Leopoldo O’Donnell. It was evacuated on May 2nd 1862. However, the Moors had so much hatred that they destroyed the entire city and got it to its former bad state. It was formerly ruled by Spain and came under the Spanish protectorate in 1913 governed by Jalifa. You can find the Spanish influence even now with street name in Arabic and Spanish and some people even speaking Spanish.

The Muslim population is the majority one but the Sephardi Jewish community that emigrated from Spain after 'reconquista’ has also been here in minority for a long time.

What to see?

As you come to the city of Tetouan you will find that it is located between a variety of orchards of orange, almond, pomegranate and cypress trees. This is a part of the Martil Valley which flows down with Tetouan, Martil harbor at its mouth. Within the city you can find it interesting to explore the wonderful fountains and orange groves in the magnificent houses of the aristocratic Arabs who are the descendants of those expelled from Al-Andalus by the European 'reconquista’. Their houses are superb with exquisitely carved ceilings painted in hispano-moresque designs. You would also find the peculiar Tetuan tile work on the floors, pillars and dados. You feel the Moorish impact of Sevilla, Andalusian and Cordoba towns on the architecture here.

It’s worth a visit to the traditional industries involved in creation of tile work, inlaying with silver wire as well as the manufacturers of thick soled yellow slippers, flintlocks, and capes and skirt for girls in rural areas. You can find the goutahs and babouches the two traditional items worn by Berber here. The souks are particularly active and you can find small squares devoted to local foods and crafts and selling a wide variety of local pottery. There are number of monuments that you can visit in Tetouan; the Khalifa’s old palace just outside the medina, a fort, ancient walls and preserved fences, mosques, fountains and foundouks that give the city a very interesting look. Even if you go around the city’s winding streets you would discover among the walls a wonderful world telling you some interesting part of the history. The median in Tetouan is listed as a World Heritage site by UNESCO and is worth a visit.

Accommodation, eat and drink

The beaches between the Ceuta and Tetouan are the most beautiful beaches of Morocco which you cannot afford to miss. There are luxury hotel and bungalows where you may stay near the beaches where you may stay. Within the city also there are several luxury hotels as well as good budget hotel. Many of them even have some rooms with rooftop terrace that have some great views. Most of them are comfortable designed to make your stay peaceful and relaxing. If you want to eat there are several hotels with their own specialties serving authentic Moroccan cuisine. There are various facilities like bars, swimming pools and spas to give you ultimate luxury. The staff like the people around the town is extremely friendly and helpful.

The city of Tetouan is a busy and active town and very exiting to visit. The shopping areas and the old monuments are attractive and thorough exploration can bring up many surprises that will give you a feeling of a successful trip to Morocco.

Sidi Ifni

Located in the Souss region of Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast, Sidi Ifni served as a Spanish port city from the mid-19th century until it was ceded to Morocco in 1969. From the 1930s until the late 1960s, the town hosted a large Spanish population, and today visitors to Sidi Ifni can see crumbling Spanish-built fortifications, Spanish signposts and funky European art-deco architecture next to traditional Moroccan homes.

Like most of Morocco’s southern coast, Sidi Ifni has a mild climate year round. The best time for swimming, surfing and kite boarding is during the summer months when the water is warmer and the wind picks up. A rocky coastline makes Sidi Ifni and its surrounding beaches a destination for advanced kite surfers and boarders; beginners would be better off in the calm lagoon of Dakhla further south in the Western Sahara. 

If you’re flying in to Morocco, the closest airport to Sidi Ifni is 112 miles away in Agadir. From the Inezgane bus station next to Agadir, local buses ply the 3.5-hour drive to Sidi Ifni. Buses from Marrakech (8.5 hours) are also available, and from the towns of Tiznit and Goulmimeyou can travel by grand taxi (Moroccan share taxis).

One of the appeals of Sidi Ifni is its laid back atmosphere. You won’t find any discos, tour buses or large beachside hotels, and there aren’t likely to be many tourists hanging out around town. Aside from swimming and surfing during the summer months, other things to do in Sidi Ifni include meandering around the old Spanish church and consulate, enjoying the ocean view from the town lighthouse and checking out the local fish market.

Women in Sidi Ifni wear colorful, voluminous garments called malhafas, and female visitors can easily spend an afternoon browsing fabric shops and allowing the shopkeepers to offer lessons on how to tie and wear the local dress. Even if you don’t plan on wearing a malhafawhen you get home, the pieces of cloth make excellent curtains, wall hangings or furniture coverings. If you are interested in smaller souvenirs from Sidi Ifni, check out the bead and jewelry shop adjacent to the beachside Hotel Suerte Loca.

The Hotel Suerte Loca also has an on-site restaurant and several larger rooms with ocean view balconies. It’s popular with backpackers and surfers. About a half dozen smaller hotels line the beach, although you can also find accommodations closer to the town center. One homey option is the Xanadu Guest House. Sidi Ifni also has two campsites for tent or car camping, although you should be sure to inquire if your campsite includes hot water access.

Six miles north of Sidi Ifni is a much larger beach at Legzira. The beach has two stunning natural sandstone arches, a collection of basic cafes and hotels, and plenty of space for a picnic or beach barbeque. If you don’t have your own transportation, you can arrange for a grand taxi from Sidi Ifni to drop you off at Legzira and pick you up at a specified time later in the day.

Chefchaouen ( The blue City )

Chefchaouen

Morocco’s blue city of Chefchaouen (call it “Chaouen” for short) is a deliberately blue-washed monochromatic wonderland. Viewing it from the slopes above is like looking at a city under impossibly blue water. Visiting on the ground is full immersion in a transcendent experience with the color blue leaping out at you from every street. Here are 10 things you didn’t know about Morocco’s Blue City, Chefchaouen. 

Where is Chefchaouen, Morocco? 

In the northeastern part of this rich Maghreb nation lies the blue city of Chefchaouen. Nested in the valley of the Rif Mountains and within reasonable access of the Mediterranean, this small city is easiest to reach by flying or sailing into Tangier (roughly 72 miles away), and traversing the connecting roads via Tetouan. It boasts a population of around 40,000, and the citizens are reportedly anything but “blue”– they’re relaxed, courteous, and welcoming..

What’s the Historical ?

 The name Chefchaouen means “two horns” in Berber tongue, a reference to a mountain sliced into two by the valley where the town rests. In 1471, a small fortress was made by Mulay Ali Ben Rachid (considered a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad) in order to block the Portuguese invasion and enhance mercantilism (a practice common in Europe from the 16th to the 18th centuries that promoted governmental regulation of a nation’s economy). Following the expulsion of Sephardic Jews and Morisco Muslims during the Spanish Inquisition and Reconquista, Chefchaouen became a refuge for thousands of Jews. Until the Spanish occupation in the 1920s, the town was closed to most visitors and religions. Morocco, and Chefchaouen, gained independence in 1956. .

Why the blue? 

In the 1930s, the Sephardic Jewish refugee population took their brushes and went to work on the walls of their houses with a talcum blue motif. The color is meant to be a holy reminder of God’s power. A working hypothesis of the blue washing is the similarity to the holy ancient Israeli city of Safed, where Jewish refugees from the Reconquista did the same to their homes. While the Jewish population in Chefchaouen has been slowly supplanted by a Muslim one, their influence in design and history seems, thus far, to prevail. .


What kind of food is eaten here?

 Baissara is a traditional split pea soup that is particularly popular in Chefchaouen. Of course, a typical Moroccan meal can be enjoyed in Chefchaouen. You can get tagine, made with fish or meat, vegetables and couscous infused with spices; grilled meats and mint tea — which is drunk all day long, casually or ceremonially.

What are some of the city’s landmarks? 


Myriad mosques ring out five times a day, and from the hills above, it’s a cacophony of beautiful, reverent sounds. Some notable mosques include the Place Uta Hammam, arguably the city’s center of Islam. Jemaa Bouzafar is a small mosque outside the city allegedly damaged during Spanish occupation. Its twisty decaying stairs are still climbable for a spectacular view. The kasbah in the old city has a lush green garden and is the site of an old prison. Walking the serpentine streets is the thing to do. 


What’s this about the weed, man? 


Most tourist websites and books hold either cautionary or covertly encouraging tips on a certain green product that covers the hills outside Chefchaouen. Over there, it’s called kif. Whether you know it as gonga, dope, Buddha or pot…it’s marijuana. This is known for being the area’s largest exporter of cannabis. Armed men guard the slopes, and vendors can get pushy to the point of dangerous towards tourists in this, “Amsterdam of Morocco.” While smoking hashish and marijuana can be common in this town, it’s illegal in Morocco. 

Chefchaouen: forever blue?

We hope so! Home and business owners in the medina upkeep the blue-washing of the lower halves of their buildings regularly. Whether it’s for tourism’s sake, or to maintain a testament to a holy past, every spring, white and blue are swirled together, large rollers are utilized (mostly by women), and the living dreamscape is continued.

Agadir

Agadir is a city in the southern part of Morocco. It is of interest primarily because of its location, as it is surrounded by the Anti Atlas, the Sahara Desert, many natural parks, and secluded beaches which are all easily accessible from Agadir.

The city of Agadir itself is primarily a tourist resort that is popular with European travelers. It has a beach with all the appropriate facilities for beach-tourism. The city is especially attractive, it is clean and orderly with very friendly locals.

See :

• Museum Municipal du Patrimoine Amazigh. The museum which exhibits a small collection of Berber objects from 18th and 19th century the likes of old Berber music instruments, Berber jewelry, traditional clothing and old manuscripts.

• Museum. Another Museum is located on the corner of the Avenue des F.A.R. and Avenue President Kennedy, unfortunately the sign is missing but you go through iron gates on the corner. Mostly photographic exhibits which concentrate on the Agadir earthquake on 29 February 1960. Cost is 20/30dh each and there is a guide who speaks Arabic, French and English. After you have browsed you can walk around the super Jardin Olhao, where there is a cafe, toilets and children's playground. 

• Ensemble Artisanal. is situated on the corner of Rue Yacoub Al Mansour et Avenue du 29 Fevrier downstairs is a shop selling all the co-operatives wares, up a few steps you can see artisan's working, painted furniture, ironwork, embroidery, ceramics etc. edit

• Coco Polizzi's Medina. A labour of love, Coco Polizzi has been recreating a traditional Moroccan Medina on route N1 in Bensergao. Out of town you will need to take an orange Petit taxi, and arrange a time for the taxi to return to collect you, but its well worth the effort for the architecture alone. Amble along the cobbled alleys amongst artisans and chatty shop keepers and take a traditional souvenir or two home.
• Fortress. There's part of the original fortress which is at the top of the hill beside the city, over the huge painting. It's possible to go there by taxi, bus or even small mopeds that are for rent around of the Hotel Kenzi (they are expensive, more than 100 Dh an hour).

Do :

Agadir is primarily a resort and as such has a limited number of attractions

• Beach. The main attraction is the beach, which is very big, without wind and not very crowded.Edit: The beach is very windy, at least in February.

• Surfing. Imesouane, Devils rock (at the town of Tamragh and with the neighbouring towns of Aourir and Taghazout), Anchor point, Cro-Cro and many others. There are a lot of surf schools and surf camps and surf shop. Best surf season from November till March, - but if u are just beginner - you can surf every day all year long.

• Zoo. There is a small zoo, called "Vallée des Oiseaux" ('Birds Valley'). The entrance is totally free lately. There is a very nice cage you can walk inside, many birds from all the world, some goat-like animals from the Atlas, and even exotic mammals. The children of Agadir go there to play in a small and crowded playground. To find it, go to the Uniprix, and the main gate is on the other side of the street on the right (Av. Hassan II).

• Golf. With three top notch Golf courses Agadir can rival most countries golf facilities. Ask at any large hotel about the bus transport which collects visitors several times a day.

• Visit Souk El Had. Closed Mondays. With over 3000 stalls the Souk is a must see. Everything from tourist souvenirs, clothes, leather goods, household items, to fruit and veg. If you are a tourist and enter via Gate 9 or 10 (the main gates) expect to be approached by someone offering to guide you. Which of course means he'll take you to all his friend's stalls. If you wish to avoid this, and explore on your own, enter through one of the lower numbered gates where the Moroccan's go. Haggle hard and note some stores advertise Fixed Prices. Worth looking there first so you have an idea of the 'right' price to pay before trying your hand at haggling. Personal favourites and the olives and spices stalls. Generally stallholders are happy to be in your photographs, but be respectful and ask permission first.

Go next :

• At 40 km south from Agadir, there is the Souss-Massa river national park
• At about 80 km east from Agadir, there is the city of Taroudannt, which is worth the visit if you don't plan to visit Marrakech or other big historical cities.
• The coast northern to Agadir has very nice and accessible beaches, like Taghazout at 15 km. You can get to these towns using the Zetrap bus line: 60 and 'RATAG' bus line: 12 that leave from the center of Agadir. Bus Number 32 runs every 20 minutes or so north on Boulevard Mohammend V (12 Dh).
• Imouzzer with its famous cascades is located about 60 km northeast of Agadir, although the trip through the mountains will take longer than the distance suggests.

Marrakech

Marrakech is the third largest city in Morocco after Casablanca and Rabat, and lies near the foothills of the snow capped Atlas Mountains and a few hours away from the foot of the Sahara Desert. Its location and contrasting landscape has made it an enviable destination in Morocco.

The city is divided into two distinct parts: the Medina, the historical city, and the new European modern district called Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle. The Medina is full of intertwining narrow passageways and local shops full of character; it also contains the large square Jeema el fna, where many hotels are located and tourists, locals and vendors congregate. In contrast, Gueliz plays host to modern restaurants, fast food chains and big brand stores.

Marrakech is the main tourist destination in Morocco and thus, unfortunately, also a place where many Moroccans try to become rich fast by ripping off tourists. This mentality is so widespread that even Moroccans are now ripped off whenever possible so that they call the city "Marrakech, Arnakech" - which rhymes in Arabic and translates to "Marrakech, Mafia". See the Scam section for more information.

Once in the medina, everything can be seen on foot, though you'll be doing a lot of walking. Many tourist destinations are signposted by brown, red or green signs affixed to posts or to buildings. Bear in mind that many of these signs don't take the direct route, and some seem to deliberately send tourists via various markets or other places money may be spent.

For

exploring more of the city, buses and petits taxis are plentiful.

There is much to see and do in Marrakech. An entire day can be dedicated to wandering around all the different souks, seeking out the best bargains. The city also offers several historical and architectural sites as well as some interesting museums.

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Wonderful detailed walls in the Dar Si Said Museum

Sadian Tombs

Jewish cemetery in Marrakech

• 1 Djemaa El-Fna. The highlight of any Marrakech night. Musicians, dancers, and story tellers pack this square at the heart of the medina, filling it with a cacophony of drum beats and excited shouts. Scores of stalls sell a wide array of Moroccan fare (see the Eat section) and you will almost certainly be accosted by women wanting to give you a henna tattoo. Enjoy the various shows, but be prepared to give some dirhams to watch. By day it is largely filled with snake charmers and people with monkeys, as well as some of the more common stalls.

• 2 Maison de la Photographie, 46, Rue souk Ahal Fès (200 m behind Ben Youssef Medersa - Koranic School). A little photography museum, it has one of the highest roof terraces in the Medina. MAD 40.

• 3 The Souks (suuqs). Markets of Marrakech, just adjacent to Place Djemaa El-Fna, are where you can buy almost anything. From spices to shoes, jellabas to kaftans, tea pots to tagines and much, much more. Undoubtedly, being a foreigner means you will end up paying higher prices than a native would, but be sure to bargain nonetheless. If you happen to run out of dirhams, you will also find plenty of people in the souks who will eagerly exchange your dollars or euros (though a fair rate here is less likely than at an official exchange). All that said, the sellers here are much less aggressive than say, Egypt or Turkey, so have fun! 

Metal craft area

• 4 Koutoubia Mosque (right besides Djemaa El-Fna). Named after the booksellers market that used to be located here. It is said that the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque is to Marrakech as the Eiffel Tower is to Paris. The minaret is visible from Gueliz which is connected to the Medina by Avenue Mohammed V. At night, the mosque is beautifully lit. Non-Muslims are not allowed inside. 

• 5 Tanneries. Visiting the Tanneries can be an interesting experience. Even if some people tell you the area is only for locals, it is possible to visit the Tanneries without paying a youngster. After finding a Tannery, ask one of the workers if you can visit it and take pictures .

• 6 Saadian Tombs. The tombs were not discovered until the beginning of the 20th century. They have been preserved just like they were during the glory days of the Saadian rulers. Unlike the El Badi Palace, they were not destroyed, probably for superstitious reasons. The entrance was blocked so they remained untouched for hundreds of years. Inside you will find an overload of Zelij (Morrocan tiles) and some beautiful decoration. It does not take a lot of time to explore, but it is definitely worth the visit. While here, look for the tombs of Jews and Christians; they are noted by their different markings and direction of the tomb. MAD 10. 

Majorelle Gardens

• 7 Majorelle Gardens (Jardin Majorelle), Rue Yves Saint Laurent, 40090 Marrakech (In Gueliz),  daily, Oct-Apr: 8-17:30, Mai-Sep 8-18, Ramadan: 9-17. It provides an excellent respite from the hustle and bustle of the city streets, if not crowded by tourists as it sometimes is. The park was designed by the artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s and 1930s. Since 1980 the garden has been owned by Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It boasts a collection of plants from across the globe, including what seems like every cactus species on the planet. Get here early to avoid the crowds. Inside the gardens is also the Berber Museum, which shows a slightly bigger and more modern presentation than the Dar Si Saïd. 70 MAD, 30 MAD extra for the Berber Museum.)

• 8 Dar Si Saïd Museum (on Rue Riad Zitoun Jdid, is a museum 5 mins away from Djemaa El-Fna.). 9:00–16:30. Museum set in an old palace with beautiful gardens. While somewhat run-down, it is worth seeing and houses many different artifacts from Morocco through the ages, such as wood carvings, musical instruments, and weapons. It is dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood, gathering a very beautiful collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics. All these objects are regional, coming from Marrakech and all the south, especially from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani, and Tafilal. MAD 10, children below 12 MAD 3.

• 9 Ben Youssef Madrasa, Kaat Benahid (in the old Medina). 9:00-18:00, closed for religious holidays.. One of the largest Madrassas in the North Africa. It is a school attached to the Ben Youssef Mosque and is home to beautiful art and architecture. Build ca 1570. Dh 40, Dh 60 combined with the Museum of Marrakech. 

Ben Youssef Madrasa

• 10 El Bahia Palace, . Daily 08:00–17:00. An ornate and beautiful palace, build at the end of the 19. century for grand viziers of the sultan. Popular with guided tours and stray cats. The palace is well worth a visit and gives a great impression of what it must have been like to be a 19th century nobleman in Morocco. There is a nice garden with banana flowers, tranquil courtyards, and other lovely plants. MAD 10, children below 12 MAD 3.

Courtyard in Bahia Palace, Marrakech

• 11 El Badi Palace, Ksibat Nhass. 08.30-11.45, 14.45-17.45. A palace now in ruins and inhabited by storks and stray cats. There are some underground passageways to explore. The view from the terrace is majestic. The palace was built by Sultan Ahmed al Mansour to celebrate the victory of the Portuguese army in 1578 in the Battle of the three kings.
  This minbar dates back to the 12th century and on display in a single room with some explanations<. A minbar is a preaching chair.
  Also hosts the Marrakech Museum for Photography and Visual Arts (abbreviated MMP+), a small museum which however showcases great pieces of visual art. Entrance fee for this museum is included in the Palace entrance fee, it is open from 9AM to 5PM. MAD 10 admission to the palace, MAD 10 extra to see the old Kotoubia Mosque minbar. 

El Badi Palace

• 12 The Menara gardens (west of the city in walking distance). 5:30-20:00 in the winter. A mixture of orchards and olive groves surrounding the water reservoir with the central pavilion which is a popular sight on tourist postcards. Not a decorative garden, and now quite run down. The pavilion was built during the 16th century Saadi dynasty, and renovated in 1869. It has a small cafe, but it is not open all hours. There are no toilets open when the cafe is closed. fee

Menara

• 13 Jewish Cemetery, Avenue Taoulat El Miara, Marrakech (adjacent to the mellah, within the medina). The largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco, characterized by white-washed tombs and sandy graves. 

• 14 Marrakech Museum, 09:00-18:30. MAD 40, MAD 50 including the Ben Youssef Madrasa.

• 15 Musée de la Palmeraie, Dar Tounsi, Route de Fès ("Located in the south of the Palmeraie, it is quite off the main tourist paths, expect to travel at about an hour per direction. You need to get a taxi or hop on bus 17 towards Palmeraie (which does not run often). The route with the museum is off to the left side of the road, the crossroads just before the Atacadao supermarket. You have to head follow the road for about 500m, there are also signs.),    9:00-18:00?. In old agricultural buildings in the Palmeraie, made out of rammed earth. The architecture itself is interesting if you haven't seen it. It offers a small collection of contemporary art, with a room dedicated to Morrocan artists (also famous ones), the international ones are rather not top-notch. The gardens are nicely made and are good place to relax in quit. MAD 40. 

• 16 Musee Farid Belkahia, Dar Tounsi, Route de Fès (As to writers knowledge, the museum is located at the seat of the Fondation Farid Belkahia, which is off Route de Fès, Dar Tounsi, walking past Musée de la Palmeraie for further 500m-1km), . closed on Sun, no more info. A museum dedicated to the renowned contemporary artist Farid Belkahia, showcasing different periods of his work .

• 17 Tiskiwin Museum, Derb El Bahia 8 (Between El Bahia and Museum Dar Si Said). 9:00-12:30;14:30-18:00. About the people in the Sahara. Created by Dutchman Bert Flint. Dh 20.