Morocco is a country that is located in Northern Africa and has a population of over 33 million people. The Moroccan culture and traditions are influenced by the many different cultures that have occupied it throughout history, including Muslims, Jews and Europeans.
Morocco has a long history of being an important trade post as well as a crossroads for many major religions. It is also home to some beautiful cities that have been carefully built up over hundreds of years.
What is Morocco known for? As one of the top tourist destinations in Africa, Morocco is known for its wide variety of culture and food. It is a country that has been visited by generations upon generations of travelers who have come to experience all it has to offer. Moroccan culture can be experienced through traditional music, dance, clothing and cuisine. The country also offers rich history and architecture as well as gorgeous beaches and desert landscapes.
Take a look at these things you may not know about Morocco and find out why so many people are now calling it their favorite travel destination!
Rabat
This capital city is the seat of Morocco’s government and was founded in 1071 by Berber farmers. The beautiful ocher-colored walls that surround this city give it a unique North African style.
In addition, the old medina quarter includes Islamic landmarks such as the Kasbah of the Udayas and Chellah Fort which date back to centuries ago.
Chefchaouen
This ancient town can be found on Morocco’s northern tip near Tangier. Located at an altitude of more than 1000 meters, Chefchaouen offers stunning views of both the ocean and nearby Spain!
One aspect that makes this city so special is its history. It was built up during World War II by Jewish refugees from Europe who wanted to create a safe haven for themselves. The unique blue hues of the buildings make this town stand out as one of Morocco’s most intriguing attractions.
Casablanca
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and is known for its beautiful modern architecture. This city was used as a backdrop during the filming of several Hollywood movies, including “Casablanca.”
The movie star Humphrey Bogart actually had no idea that this city would become such an important part of film history when he signed onto the project!
Sahara Desert
The Sahara is one of Morocco’s most treasured gems that visitors to the country absolutely need to experience while they’re here! The Sahara Desert is the largest desert in the world and covers an area of over 3.6 million square kilometers.
It is a hot, dry region that experiences very little rainfall. The landscape of this desert varies from sand dunes to mountains and cliffs with a few scattered oases throughout. There are also some areas where date palm trees grow.
The Saharan people have been living in this part of Africa for thousands of years and have come up with interesting ways to deal with the harsh conditions, including deep wells that help them get water when it’s needed most!
Beaches
If you are looking for a place to relax on the beach, Morocco is a great option. The country has both Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts with many gorgeous beaches where locals and visitors gather during the summer months to enjoy nice weather and fun activities.
One popular destination is Agadir which is located in southwest Morocco near the Atlas Mountains. This city offers beautiful white sand beaches as well as an aquarium that holds hundreds of different species of fish!
North African Cuisine
When most people think about Moroccan cuisine, they imagine spicy couscous dishes served up alongside delicious tagines .Yes, those foods are definitely staples of Moroccan food culture; however, there are also some other typical meals you’ll want to look out for such as Pastilla which consists of a flaky, intricately layered pastry filled with chicken or pigeon.
It is usually eaten during special occasions or on the holiday of Eid al-Adha which commemorates Abraham’s willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael.
Medieval Architecture
If you are into architecture that has origins in an older time period then Morocco is definitely the place for you!
Not only can you experience modern day examples of this style, but there are also many places where it can be found in its original form for visitors to admire and appreciate like the Koutoubia Mosque (built in 1150), Aigün Citadel (built in 710 BC) and Chellah Fort (built in 1100 BC).
Berber Culture
The Berber Culture is an ancient culture that has been around for thousands of years. This group of people have a deep history in Morocco and are known for their unique customs, language and spirituality.
Traditionally, the Berbers have been herders who take great pride in their long-standing traditions which include matrilineal practices that put a lot of emphasis on women. From a young age, Berber children learn about loyalty to their family and community through music , dance and stories passed down from generation to generation. The beautiful colors often seen during traditional ceremonies make them stand out as one of the best parts of this vibrant culture!
Hammams
Hammams are communal bath houses found throughout Moroccan cities such as Fez, Rabat, Meknes and Marrakesh. Visitors can experience these baths in a few different ways including using them for steam rooms or just relaxing in the sauna-like conditions that are created when hot water is released from copper pipes to mix with cold well water.
These bath houses are also known for their distinctive sweet smell which comes from aromatic plants like eucalyptus, mint, orange blossom flowers and rose.
Tagine
Tagine is one of Morocco’s best known dishes made up of meat or poultry cooked in an earthenware dish over low heat along with vegetables, spices, herbs and often dried fruit.
This meal originated by Berber tribes who would use the tagine pot to cook food over open fire and keep it warm after serving. Today, Tagine is served in homes and restaurants throughout the country and is also eaten during special occasions like Eid al-Adha.
Camel Riding
Morocco has a long-standing tradition of camel riding that dates back to its Berber roots. The animals are seen as cultural symbols here because they have been used for various purposes including trading, transportation, agriculture, herding sheep, pulling carts, racing and more.
Many locals make their living by selling or renting them out for tourists who want to see the country up close from the back of one! One place where you can experience this adventure with your own two feet on the ground is in Erg Chebbi Dunes located at Merzouga .
Ancient Mosaics
If you love checking out ancient ruins and learning about history, then Morocco is the perfect country for you!
Here you will find many fascinating examples of mosaics that contain detailed patterns and pictures made up of tiny, multicolored stones like those found at Maison de L’Or De Volubilis which was built in the third century by the Romans. Another example is Casablanca Cathedral (built early 20th century) which has intricate mosaics of geometric designs on its walls!
Souks
The Moroccan souks are mainly located within medinas or walled cities. They are also commonly known as bazaars where merchants a variety of products including spices, perfumes, rugs, pottery, jewelry, leather goods and much more.
Usually the souks are divided by what they sell so you can easily find what you are looking for or discover something new! If your visit falls during the month of Ramadan , you are in luck because these markets will be even more lively than usual with people celebrating Eid al-Fitr.
Majorelle Garden
If you love taking walks outdoors and exploring nature, then you’ll enjoy visiting Jardin Majorelle located in Marrakesh.
This beautiful garden was created by Jacques Majorelle and contains a ton of plant species as well as an amazing collection of Art Deco objects and structures like those at La Piscine or The Swimming Pool . After the owner passed away, the garden fell into disrepair until it was taken over by Yves Saint Laurent who restored it to its former glory!
Pastry
Last but certainly not least, Morocco is known for its mouth watering pastries! From savory to sweet, you will find many types of flaky treats here including the popular b’stilla (sweet pie made up of chicken or seafood and almonds served with orange blossom syrup), ktefa (fritter filled with cheese, minced meat or vegetables ) and msemmen (similar to pancake topped off with sugar).
However it seems that the most well-known version which originated in Fez is the gazelle horn pastry made up of paper thin layers of dough stuffed with almond paste and baked until golden brown!
*Final Words
In the end, Morocco is a unique country that boasts its own rich culture and traditions. If you plan on visiting, be sure to take this list of 15 things the country is known for so you can enjoy all it has to offer!
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