Top things to do in Morocco

Top things to do in Morocco

 Below is a list of the top 12 things I highly recommend you try to do while on holiday in Morocco. Activities include: a relaxing scrub a local hammam, a cooking class, skiing, surfing, and getting lost trying to find the Fes tanneries. Eat a kebab alongside snake charmers in Marrakech medina and stroll the streets of Chefchaouen Blue. Read on to discover many other things that I recommend you try to do during your holiday in Morocco.

Outside the eurozone, and very affordable, this stable kingdom on the north-west coast of Africa is one of the year's most desirable short-haul destinations.

Gareth Huw Davies reveals how Morocco offers a choice of ancient cities with modern twists, the grandeur of the Atlas mountains, an eclectic mix of music and culture and some intriguing dishes to try...

Nice and breezy: Fishing boats at Essaouira on the fresh Atlantic coast

1. AL FRESCO MOVIES 

Tangier is entry-level Africa, a short hop across the Straits of Gibraltar on a day trip from Spain, and is resurgent. A single plan - part of a larger project to save Tangier's historic buildings - sums up the new mood. In 2006, the run-down Art Deco Rif cinema reopened as the Cinématèque de Tanger (www.cinemathequedetanger.com), showing arthouse films.

On summer nights, the projectors switch the films on to the square outside, the Grand Socco. After the film, take a spot on the terrace at Cafe Hafa for an epic view across the Straits or head for Nord Pinus (www.nord-pinus-tanger.com), a smart new inn in an 18th- Century pasha's palace on the sea wall.

2. MARRAKECH EXCESS 

Marrakech, a sea of terracotta roofs under the setting sun, is a strong contender for the chicest stop in North Africa. There is a catalogue of swish places to stay, and many high-end restaurants.

But inside its sophisticated wrapping the old city - the Medina - retains its maze of tight streets winding into the souks.

Browse 1,000 years of history, from the 11th Century Koutoubia Mosque and the thronging market of Jemaa el-Fna Square to the fragrant, tiled walkways of Jardin Majorelle, a botanical garden once owned by Yves Saint Laurent.

3. RHYTHMS OF AFRICA

Essaouira comes with city-wide air-conditioning - the Atlantic Ocean. This resort of blueshuttered, whitewashed houses built around an 18th Century Portuguese port is Morocco's big summer escape as the interior heats up. 

The old inner city slumbers on behind the sandy walls until three days in June (25-28) when it wakes for the annual Gnawa Music Festival (www.festival-gnaoua.net). There are often free performances of this African roots music, as well as rock, reggae, Brazilian and Afro- Cuban styles.

4. ANCIENT LABYRINTHS

The dignified old walled city of Fez comes closest to undiluted, original Morocco, with the world's largest medieval Islamic settlement and the world's oldest university. 

Architectural masterpieces include palaces, mosques and fountains adorned with mosaics, marble and carved wood. The old city has changed little in two centuries.I defy any GPS system to make sense of the labyrinth of thousands of narrow alleys.

Fez feast: Pastilla, or sweet pigeon pie

5. A PLATTER OF PIGEONS

Pastilla - sweet pigeon pie - is the signature dish of Fez. And don't be put off by the key ingredient: it doesn't come from the local market square. 

The meat is cooked with onions, parsley, spices and beaten eggs, under a layer of crushed almonds and pistachios, covered in pastry sprinkled with sugar and cinnamon. 

Another Moroccan speciality, apart from couscous, is tagine, ideally cooked in the namesake clay dish. Dar Moha in Marrakech (www.darmoha.ma) serves a fine beef tagine with figs, walnuts, cinnamon and argan oil.

6. PEAK EXPERIENCE 

The Atlas mountains, 40 miles from Marrakech, are an easy day trip from much of Morocco.

And now there is a great new place to stay in the mountain area. The Kasbah du Toubkal (www.kasbahdutoubkal.com) is an impressive mountain retreat at 5,400ft, in the shadow of Jbel Toubkal, the highest peak in North Africa. 

This is a hostel for all-comers, from school walking parties to celebrities. (If you don't want to stay with a boisterous group, they will tell you the quiet times to book.)

The air is pure, the views are majestic and you can take a gentle day's hike up to Kasbah's trekking lodge, with its en suite bedrooms,solar powered underfloor heating and a terrace looking up to snow-capped 12,000ft peaks. More information at www.visitmorocco.com. See www.balesworldwide.com for nine-day packages from £1,395.

Visit Tanneries in Fes


Fes is famous for its leather products and most of them come from the leather bazaar (souq) in old Fes. Tanneries have been in operation since medieval times and some things have changed, which makes it absolutely fascinating to visit.

To see the tanneries, you have to head in a leather shop filled to the brim with handbags, jackets and slippers. This is not just an excuse for your guide to make a commission off of your visit, the best views are from these stores. Sprigs of fresh mint are essential when you visit the tanneries from animal skins are stinky, and pigeon shit they are treated in does not help.

Stroll through the Streets of Chefchaouen Blue
Chefchaouen is situated in the heart of the Rif mountains of Morocco. Chefchaouen (sometimes called Chefchaouen) is relaxed, with a very affordable accommodation, and above all, quite amazing to watch. The streets and most of the buildings in the old part of town (medina) are painted a bright blue sky most. The mountains that you can see at the end of every cobbled street are rugged and majestic. Clear mountain light adds just a touch of magic to the place. This is my favorite place to stroll, shop and sip mint tea in Morocco, the key thing is to avoid Spanish tourists who have discovered its charms. Read more ...



Learn To Cook Traditional Moroccan Food
The cuisine of Morocco has been influenced by native Berber cuisine, the Arabic Andalusian cuisine, Turkish cuisine and cuisine of the Middle East brought by the Arabs. The French influence came later and the merger between traditional Moroccan and French cuisine is at the heart of many experiments fine-dining in Morocco today. Many riads offer cooking classes in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira. Typically, a cooking workshop half-day will offer you the chance to buy fresh ingredients from the market and then make a traditional tagine and couscous dish. This is a great way to immerse yourself in the culture of Morocco. Click here for recommendations on cooking classes in Morocco.

Steam in a steam Traditonal
The hammam is a public steam bath in Morocco. Steam used to be the only place people could come to bathe and rub from a private bathroom in a house or apartment was a luxury few could afford. There is less steam Now, since modern plumbing means that people can swim in their own homes. Get a good scrub at a local hammam is a wonderful cultural experience, eye-opening. It offers travelers especially women a good chance to meet and chat with local women. There are high-end steam in riads and hotels luxury of that offer massages and scrubs more Western style, while still using local products. I like the variety of the working class, usually found near mosques ... Read more

Having Dinner at the Djemaa el Fna
The Djemaa el Fna is really the heart of Marrakech. There is a large central square in the old town (Medina). At the end of the afternoon the Djemaa el Fna turns into a paradise for entertainers - if you're in to snake charming, juggling, music and that sort of thing. Snack stalls are replaced with stalls offering more substantial fare and square comes alive with entertainment that has not changed much since medieval times.

The Djemaa el Fna is surrounded by cafe overlooking the square so you can just relax and watch the world go by if you're tired of jostling crowds below. Be prepared to be asked for money when you take pictures of the performers and stop to watch the entertainment.

Overnight in the Sahara Desert
Sahara Desert Morocco is a magical place to spend a few nights. The most popular area to explore is the sandscape Saharan breathtaking in a small place called Merzouga, just south of Erfoud. The Erg Chebbi dunes may look familiar if you've seen SATC2, The Mummy, or Sahara. The Erg Chebbi is about 450 miles from Marrakech. There is a small airport about 80 miles from Erfoud, with twice weekly flights from Casablanca. The best way to get around and explore is by camel, 4x4'S that are popular if you yourself want a rally driver.

You can opt for a bedouin tent in the dunes, or a luxury tent at the Auberge Kasbah Tombouctou. Time your trip for spring and you can even see flamingos in a great seasonal lake near Merzouga.

Surf in Morocco
Morocco has long attracted surfers his breakers of the Atlantic. A popular time for surfing is during the winter months when swells are consistently good and the temperatures of water and air are still quite mild. Taghazout is the city's most popular surfing, just north of Agadir. There are many spots to serve near the city and several surf shops and hotels to choose from. Check out: Surf Berbere Surf Adventures and Moroccan. The city appears to be getting rundown, to verify reports of current trip.

Surfers and kite surfers are also heading to the beaches around the pretty town of Essaouira, but the waves are not as consistent. This may be the place to check out if you just want to try it out. Dakhla is also popular with kite surfers.

Find Peace in the Majorelle Gardens
The Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech are filled with rare plants, bright colors and peace. The botanical gardens are located north-west of the Medina of Marrakech, about a 30 minute walk. (Stop by the wholesale market on the way to see the mountains of dates, nuts and grains to be bought and sold).

The Majorelle Gardens were designed by French painter Jacques Majorelle settled in Marrakech in 1919. In 1980, Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent gardens and redeemed them faithfully restored. The workshop Majorelle is now a small museum dedicated to Islamic Art. Yves Saint Laurent died in June 2008, and had his ashes scattered in the Majorelle Gardens.

Trek the High Atlas
The Atlas Mountains stretch more than 1,500 miles from the west coast of Morocco to Tunisia. The High Atlas in Morocco is home to the highest peak in North, Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m) Africa. Most treks begin from Imlil, an hour's drive from Marrakech. You can trek year round, but the best time to go is April-May. There are simple slots available and you do not have to go with a guide, but it is recommended.

The Ourika Valley tour offers a perfect day trip from Marrakesh. The Ourika valley slopes gently alongside the Ourika river, resulting in beautiful views from small Berber villages. The Ourika Valley ends in Setti Fatma, home of the Seven Waterfalls. It is also possible to combine this trek with a visit to the beautiful Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.

Stay in a Riad
Riad Argan, Marrakech, Morocco
Riads are traditional houses converted into hotels, and I would never stay anywhere else when visiting Morocco. Most are located in the fortified cities of Fez and Marrakech, so you are right in the heart of the bustle. Inside, Riad'S are simply beautiful, tiled architecture masterpieces. Most will have a fountain in the center of a courtyard, with rooms built on two levels or so above. Check in the option of a roof terrace for breakfast, a nice way to start the day, overlooking the alleys and minarets. If you are visiting Morocco in the summer, opt for a Riad with pool or plunge pool to cool off in the heat of the mid-afternoon. Here are some recommendations for riads in Fes and Marrakech, or check out riads Morocco web site.

Skiing in Morocco
I'm not suggesting you should travel to Morocco specifically to ski, but skiing in Africa is just a cool idea in my books. Oukaimeden lies just south of Marrakech (46 miles) in the High Atlas Mountains and is usually covered in snow in January and February. There are ski lifts (you can also use a donkey) and skis to rent but do not expect high quality. There are a few places to eat snacks and two hotels to overnight at. Oukaimeden is an easy trip from Marrakech and day will cost you about $ 40 to get to by taxi.

Mischliffen is a ski area near the town of Ifrane in the Middle Atlas mountains (near Fes and Meknes). There are ski lifts but they do not always work. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi from Ifrane (6 miles away).

Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Casablanca is often just a quick one nighter for most people visiting Morocco. But it should be just enough to nip in a small taxi and head to the Hassan II Mosque. It took 6,000 traditional Moroccan craftsmen five years to build this magnificent mosque with its intricate mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted plaster moldings, ceilings, carved and painted wood. It is the largest mosque in the world, with room for more than 100,000 worshipers.

It's really quite something to spend an hour or so walking around. Non-muslims are not allowed inside, but there is plenty to marvel at on the outside. Unfortunately, there is the sea air is not Being kind and it is very expensive to maintain. Hope that its beauty will continue to hold up.

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Best Things To Do in Morocco

Best Things To Do in Morocco

What are the best things to do when visiting Morocco? Below is a list of the top 12 things I highly recommend you attempt to do while on vacation in Morocco. Activities include: a relaxing scrub at a local hammam, a cooking class, skiing, surfing, and getting lost trying to find the Fes tanneries. Eat a kebab alongside snake charmers in the Marrakech medina and stroll the blue streets of Chefchaouen. Read on to discover many other things I recommend you try to do during your vacation in Morocco.



Visit the Tanneries in Fes
Fes is famous for its leather products and most of them come from the leather bazaar (souq) in old Fes. The tanneries have been in operation since medieval times and little has changed, which makes them absolutely fascinating to visit.

To see the tanneries, you have to head into a leather shop filled to the brim with handbags, jackets and slippers. This is not just an excuse for your guide to make a commission off of your visit; the best views are from these shops. Sprigs of fresh mint are essential when you visit the tanneries since the animal hides are stinky, and the pigeon poop they're treated in doesn't help.

Stroll through the Blue Streets of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is situated in the heart of Morocco's Rif Mountains. Chefchaouen (sometimes called Chaouen) is relaxed, with very affordable accommodations, and above all, quite stunning to look at. The streets and most of the buildings in the old part of town (medina) are painted a most brilliant sky blue. The mountains which you can see at the end of every cobbled street are rugged and majestic. The clear mountain light just adds a magical touch to the place. It's my favorite place to stroll, shop and sip mint tea in Morocco, the key thing is to avoid the Spanish tourists who have discovered its charms. Read more...

 

Learn To Cook Traditional Moroccan Food
The cuisine of Morocco has been influenced by native Berber cuisine, Arabic Andalusian cuisine, Turkish cuisine, and Middle Eastern cuisine brought by the Arabs. French influence came later and the fusion between traditional Moroccan and French cuisine is at the heart of many of the fine-dining experiences in Morocco today. Several Riads offer cooking classes in Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira. Typically, a half-day cooking workshop will offer you the chance to purchase fresh ingredients from the market, and then make a traditional tagine and a couscous dish. It's a lovely way to immerse yourself in Morocco's culture. Click here for recommendations on cooking courses in Morocco.

Steam in a Traditonal Hammam
The hammam is a public steam bath in Morocco. Hammams used to be the only place people could come to bathe and scrub, since a private bathroom in a house or apartment was a luxury few could afford. There are fewer hammams now since modern plumbing means people can bathe in their own homes. Getting a good scrub at a local hammam is a wonderful, eye-opening cultural experience. It offers women travelers in particular a good chance to meet and chat with local women. There are upscale hammams in Riads and luxury hotels, that offer more Western style massages and scrubs, while still using local products. I prefer the working class variety, usually found near mosques...Read more

Have Dinner at the Djemma el Fna
The Djemma el Fna is really the heart of Marrakech. It is a large central square in the old city (Medina). At the end of the afternoon the Djemma el Fna transforms into an entertainers paradise -- if you're in to snake charming, juggling, music and that sort of thing. Snack stalls are replaced with stalls offering more substantial fare and the square comes alive with entertainment that hasn't changed much since medieval times.

The Djemma el Fna is surrounded by cafe's overlooking the square so you can just relax and watch the world go by if you're tired of jostling the crowds below. Be prepared to be asked for money when you take photos of the performers and stop to watch the entertainment.

Overnight in the Sahara Desert
Morocco's Sahara desert is a magical place to spend a few nights. The most popular area to explore is the breathtaking Saharan sandscape in little place called Merzouga, just south of Erfoud. The Erg Chebbi dunes may look familiar if you've seen SATC2, The Mummy, or Sahara. The Erg Chebbi is about 450 miles from Marrakech. There's a small airport about 80 miles from Erfoud, with twice weekly flights from Casablanca. The best way to get around and explore is by camel, although 4x4's are popular if you fancy yourself a rally driver.

You can opt for a bedouin tent in the dunes, or a luxury tent at the Auberge Kasbah Tombouctou. Time your trip for spring and you may even see flamingos in a large seasonal lake close to Merzouga.

Surf in Morocco
Morocco has long attracted surfers to its Atlantic breakers. A popular time to surf is during the winter months when swells are consistently good and the water and air temperatures are still quite mild. Taghazoute is the most popular surfing town, just north of Agadir. There are numerous spots to serve close to town and several surf shops and hotels to choose from. Check out: Surf Berbere and Moroccan Surf Adventures. The town appears to be getting rundown, so check current trip reports.

Surfers and kite-surfers also head to the beaches around the lovely town of Essaouira, but the waves are not as consistent. This may be the place to check out if you just want to try it out. Dakhla is also popular with kite-surfers.

Find Peace in the Majorelle Gardens
The Majorelle Gardens in Marrakech are filled with rare plants, bright colors and peace. The botanical gardens are situated north-west of the Medina of Marrakech, about a 30 minute walk. (Stop by the wholesale market en route to see mountains of dates, nuts and grains getting bought and sold).

The Majorelle Gardens were designed by a French painter Jacques Majorelle who settled in Marrakech in 1919. In 1980, Pierre Bergé and Yves Saint Laurent repurchased the gardens and faithfully restored them. Majorelle's workshop is now a small Museum dedicated to Islamic Art. Yves Saint Laurent died in June, 2008 and had his ashes scattered in the Majorelle Gardens.

Trek the High Atlas
The Atlas Mountains stretch over 1500 miles, from Morocco's West Coast to Tunisia. The High Atlas in Morocco is home to North Africa's highest peak, Jebel Toubkal (4,167 m). Most treks start from Imlil, an hour drive from Marrakech. You can trek year round, but the best time to go is April-May. There are simple accommodations available and you don't have to go with a guide, but it is recommended.

The Ourika Valley offers the perfect day tour from Marrakesh. The Ourika Valley slopes gently alongside the Ourika river, resulting in beautiful views from small Berber villages. The Ourika Valley ends in Setti Fatma, home of the Seven Waterfalls. It's also possible to combine this trek with a visit to the magnificent Ksar Ait Ben Haddou.

Stay in a Riad
Riad Kniza, Marrakech, Morocco
Riads are traditional homes converted into hotels, and I would never stay anywhere else when visiting Morocco. Most are situated in the walled cities of Fes and Marrakech, so you are right in the heart of the bustle. Inside, Riad's are simply beautiful, tiled masterpieces of architecture. Most will have a fountain in the center of a courtyard, with the rooms built on two levels or so above. Check into the option of a rooftop terrace for breakfast, a lovely way to start the day, overlooking the alleys and minarets. If you're visiting Morocco in the summer, opt for a Riad with a pool or plunge pool to cool off in the heat of the mid-afternoon. Here are some recommendations for Riads in Fes and Marrakech, or check out Riads Morocco web site.

Ski in Morocco
I'm not suggesting you should travel to Morocco specifically to ski, but skiing in Africa is just a cool idea in my books. Oukaimeden lies just south of Marrakech (46 miles) in the High Atlas Mountains and is usually covered in snow in January and February. There are ski lifts (you can also use a donkey) and skis to rent but don't expect high quality. There are a few places to eat snacks and two hotels to overnight at. Oukaimeden is an easy day trip from Marrakech and will cost you about $40 to get to by taxi.

Mischliffen is a ski area near the town of Ifrane in the Middle Atlas Mountains (close to Fes and Meknes). There are ski lifts but they don't always work. The easiest way to get there is to take a taxi from Ifrane (6 miles away).

Visit the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca
Casablanca is often just a quick one nighter for most people visiting Morocco. But that should be just enough to nip into a petit taxi and head to the Hassan II Mosque. It took 6,000 traditional Moroccan artisans, five years to build this magnificent mosque, with its intricate mosaics, stone and marble floors and columns, sculpted plaster moldings, carved and painted wood ceilings. It's the largest mosque in the world, with room for more than 100,000 worshipers.

It's really quite something to spend an hour or so walking around. Non-muslims are not allowed inside, but there's plenty to marvel at on the outside. Unfortunately the sea air is not being kind and it's very expensive to maintain. Hopefully its beauty will continue to hold up.

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Traditional Food of Morocco Culture

Eating out is one of the huge attractions of Morocco. Morocco’s traditional, embellish haute cuisine dishes are excellent, healthy & satisfactory value for money.

morocco food drink cuisine eating drinking

Eating out is one of the huge attractions of Morocco. Morocco’s traditional, embellish haute cuisine dishes are excellent, healthy & satisfactory value for money.

It is effortless to see why Robert Carrier, celebrated cook & food writer, once described Moroccan food as among the most thrilling in the world.

The assortment of ingredients & spices used is impressive. Morocco’s abundance of fresh, locally grown foodstuffs creates an abundance of a meat, fish, fruit, root vegetables, nuts & aromatic spices, so integral to typical Moroccan cuisine.
With Arab, Berber, Roman, African, French & Spanish influences, the Moroccan food positively reflects the country’s rich cultural heritage.
Moroccan Specialities:

?Harira – a rich soup made with chick peas & lentils

?Pastilla – a pigeon-meat pastry made from dozens of different layers of thick flaky dough, almonds & cinnamon

?Couscous – a dish based on steamed semolina that can be combined with egg, chicken, lamb or vegetables

?Tajine ?a slow stew, often rich & fragrant, using marinated lamb or chicken. It is named after the conical-shaped earthenware dish it is cooked in

?Hout – fish version of the tajine stew

?Djaja mahamara – chicken stuffed with almonds, semolina & raisins

?Mchoui – pit-roasted mutton

?Kab-el-ghzal ?(gazelle’s horns) almond pastries in crescent shapes & coated with icing sugar

?. are your taste buds tingling yet?

Moroccan drinks:

?Mint Tea – an integral part of Moroccan life. It is extremely refreshing & made with green tea, fresh mint & plenty of sugar

?Coffee – Arabic style, is very strong, thick & black

?Freshly-squeezed fruit juice ?from local oranges or lemons

?Local lager ?3 locally produced lagers are Flag Special, Stork & Casablanca

?Local wine ?this is excellent. Labels to look out for include Guerrouane, Beau Vallon & Gris de Boulaoune

Restaurants: usually serve French, Italian or Spanish cuisine as well as typical Moroccan dishes. The three-course fixed menus are inexpensive.

Bars: can have either waiter or counter service. Laws on alcohol are copious for non-Muslim visitors & in most tourist areas bars will stay open late. Wines, beers & spirits are widely available, while the Moroccan versions bid the best value for money.

Many of the souks have stalls selling kebabs (brochettes) often served with a spicy sauce. Other Moroccan dishes can be eaten in small, basic restaurants within the souks or medinas. They are cheap, simply served yet mouth wateringly delicious.



Traditional Food in Morocco


Moroccan cooking is strongly characterized by the subtle blending of spices, and Moroccans expertly use them to enhance, rather than mask, the flavor and fragrance of their dishes. Spices such as cayenne, saffron, chilies, cinnamon, turmeric, ginger, cumin, paprika, and black pepper are all commonplace in Morocco, as is a special blend of spices called ras el hanout, translated as "head of the shop," which is usually a mixture of between 10 and 30 different spices. Traditionally the proprietor of each spice shop sold his own unique -- and secret -- ras el hanout recipe. Fresh herbs are also present in Moroccan dishes, particularly garlic, coriander, parsley, and mint, as are fragrant additions such as orange or rose water, olives, and olive oil. Harissa, a fiery paste of garlic, chilies, olive oil, and salt, is often used as a condiment. Above all else, perhaps the defining characteristic of Moroccan cuisine is the blending of savory with sweet, most commonly witnessed by the addition of fruit to meat tagines.

Moroccan food is mostly homegrown, producing a wide range of fruit, vegetables, nuts, and grains, along with large quantities of sheep, cattle, poultry, and seafood. This range of seasonal and mostly organic produce is largely grown and cultivated by small-scale farmers and delivered daily to markets and souks around the country.

Eating in Morocco is a social ritual, and sharing meals at home is fundamental to most Moroccans' way of life. Families take great pride in all aspects of a meal, from purchasing the freshest produce to the preparation, cooking, and display of each dish. Such is the importance of mealtime that many urban families even employ a live-in cook -- sometimes a poorer family relative -- to boost their social standing. Most of the country's maisons d'hôte also employ full-time chefs to entice both residents and nonresidents to their doors. This has resulted in an impressively high number of quality eateries located throughout the country, as well as a new wave of international-Moroccan fusion cuisine.

Food

To get you started, here's a list of common Moroccan food items you'll certainly come across during your travels:

amlou: sweet spread made from almond paste, honey, and argan oil
baghrir: spongelike pancake with little open-air pockets on the top, similar to a large crumpet
brochette: skewered meat grilled over a charcoal fire
couscous: hand-rolled semolina grain steamed until plump and fluffy
harira: soup usually made from vegetable or chicken stock with added chickpea and tomato
kefta: minced lamb or beef generously spiced and either rolled into the shape of a sausage brochette or shaped into meatballs and cooked in a tagine
khalli: poached egg, sometimes cooked and served in a tagine
khübz: circular, flat loaf of bread
mechoui: whole roasted lamb or beef
msemmen: thin, oily, flat bread
pastilla: flaky, phyllo pastry pie with a savory filling of chicken, pigeon, or sometimes seafood, topped with cinnamon or sugar icing
tagine: meat, seafood, and/or vegetable casserole or stew, slowly cooked in a two-piece earthenware cooking vessel with cone-shaped lid
tanjia: earthenware urn stuffed with seasoned meat and slowly cooked in the embers of the local hammam
zaalouk: spiced eggplant dip
Breakfast & Breads -- Morocco's culinary delights begin in the morning. Even the most basic of cafes will usually have an offering of fresh pastries or breads to accompany your coffee, tea, or a freshly squeezed orange juice. Baguettes, croissants, and pain au chocolat are the mainstays of most breakfasts, but you may also encounter Moroccan breads -- best eaten fresh -- such as khübz, msemmen, and baghrir. A personal favorite is a warm baghrir smothered in amlou. If you're staying in one of the country's maisons d'hôte, your breakfast will likely also include a selection of jams, or confitures, yogurt, and fresh fruit, as well as boiled eggs and omelets.

Sandwiches & Snacks -- Snak restaurants can be found all over Morocco, ranging from hole-in-the-wall pavement specials to larger, sit-down establishments. Dishes on offer will range from sandwiches, pizza, and frites (french fries) to chawarma (roasted meat in pita bread) and more substantial dishes such as brochettes. The Moroccan version of a sandwich comes in either a baguette or khübz, and usually involves choosing from a displayed selection of meats, salads, and sauces; ask for plats emporter if you want it as a takeaway. Boiled snails -- not the large French variety but small brown-and-cream banded snails known as babouche -- are commonly sold from street food stalls, and a bowl of snail soup is considered a great restorative. Harira is another soup, and can be eaten on its own or as part of a larger meal. During Ramadan, harira is often drunk at dusk to break the fast. There are many recipes for harira, with the basic stock including chickpea and tomato, bean, and pasta; or chicken and pepper. I recommend a squeeze of lemon to add a little sharpness to the taste.

Salads -- The abundance of fresh fruit and vegetables throughout Morocco -- even out to the edge of the Saharan dunes -- lends itself to a delicious variety of salads. Almost everywhere you will be offered a salade Marocain (finely chopped tomatoes, cucumber, and sometimes green pepper), or at the very least a salade vert of lettuce and tomatoes. Vegetarians will prefer the salad course offered by many fine restaurants called meze. This mélange of small dishes can include spiced eggplant dip called zaalouk, herbed baby potatoes, honeyed carrots, puréed pumpkin with cinnamon, and roasted tomato relish.

Seafood -- Morocco's Atlantic coastline, including the disputed Western Sahara, is a much sought-after fishing ground, and for good reason. The cold, nutrient-rich waters have always provided the country's markets and restaurants with a wide range of fresh seafood year-round. Lately, however, there has been a decline in the daily catch, widely attributed to overfishing. Still, on any given day along the coast, and in the major inland cities thanks to refrigerated transport, you're still likely to be spoiled for choice, with fresh catches of Saint-Pierre (John Dory), dorade (sea bream), merlan (whiting), and sardines. Oualidia's oyster farms ensure a steady domestic supply of the popular mollusk, while crevettes (prawns/shrimps) and homard (lobster) are also regularly featured in menus.

Meat -- Moroccans love their meat, and the concept of vegetarianism causes some looks of confusion among locals, who presume that seafood will still be eaten; hence a vegetarian salad usually comes with tuna. Lamb is favored and enjoyed with couscous, in tagines, skewered over charcoal, braised, boiled, or slow roasted until delectably tender for mechoui. Beef and chicken are more affordable and are also served in a variety of ways, including flame-grilled rotisserie chicken, a popular snak meal.

Couscous -- Originating in either Algeria or Morocco in the 13th century, couscous -- Morocco's national dish -- is a fine semolina grain that is traditionally hand-rolled before being steamed over a simmering stew. Ready when plump and fluffy, the grains are then piled into a large platter or tagine dish, with the stew then heaped on top. It's traditionally served after a tagine or mechoui, and is the crowning dish from which most Moroccans will judge a meal. If you're invited to a Moroccan's home for the traditional Friday midday couscous, be aware that every Moroccan man's wife or mother cooks the best couscous in Morocco, and to state otherwise is comparable to treason.

Pastilla -- Sometimes called bisteeya, this is a sweet and savory pastry consisting of shredded chicken or pigeon mixed with egg and crushed almonds. The mixture is enclosed in a phyllolike pastry called warka, which is topped with cinnamon and sugar icing. Pastilla is considered a delicacy, so some restaurants may not always have it available.

Tagine -- Tagine is a casserole or stew traditionally cooked over a smoldering charcoal fire in a two-piece, cone-shape, earthenware vessel, which is also called a tagine and from where the dish gets its name. Tagines come in many delectable combinations such as beef with prunes, chicken with preserved lemon, and lamb with dates, but can also consist of kefta topped with egg, seafood, or purely vegetables.

Tanjia -- Like tagine, tanjia owes its name to the earthenware vessel in which it is cooked. A classic Marrakchi dish, large cuts of seasoned, spiced beef or lamb are stuffed into the tanjia, which is then tied with paper and string and taken to the local hammam. The hammam's farnatchi -- the man responsible for stoking the furnace -- buries the tanjia vessel in the embers and leaves it to slowly cook for a few hours, after which the meat is tender and ready to eat. This is traditionally a dish made by men for men and is prepared for a bachelor party or all-male gathering.

Desserts & Sweets -- Besides mint tea , dessert will usually consist of sweet Moroccan pastries dripping in honey or dusted in cinnamon and sugar icing. Some top restaurants offer pastilla au lait -- layers of crispy, flaky pastry smothered in sweetened milk and amlou and topped with crushed nuts. Sfenj is a deep-fried Moroccan doughnut, and can be seen threaded six at a time on a piece of bamboo reed or palm frond. Patisseries are everywhere in Morocco -- a legacy left behind by the French -- and the quality of pastries and gâteaux (cakes) is excellent. For something truly Moroccan, try the gazelle horns, which are small, crescent-shaped pastries stuffed with marzipan.

Drink

Beverages -- Night and day, Moroccans are rehydrated by two popular drinks -- freshly squeezed orange juice and mint tea, the national drink. Both can be found in cafes and snak restaurants countrywide, and are an excellent pick-me-up for the overheated traveler.

Moroccan males are especially keen on their coffee, another legacy of the French occupation. No self-respecting Moroccan cafe would dare serve instant coffee, and coffee lovers can find fresh cappuccino, espresso, or coffee with milk just about anywhere at any time.

Water -- Many Western travelers -- especially those from colder climes -- suffer from dehydration during their Moroccan travels. This needn't happen, as cheap bottled water is available everywhere. The best still-water brands are Sidi Ali and Ciel, while Oulmes is the most commonly available sparkling water. Most tap water in Morocco is also drinkable, but it's safer to stick to bottled water.

Beer, Wine & Liquor -- Morocco is by no means a dry country, but drinking in public is still frowned upon and is extremely ignorant if practiced near a mosque. Besides a few select establishments -- mainly in Marrakech -- Moroccan bars, called brasseries, are all-male, smoky drinking dens that are only for the desperately thirsty and are unpleasant for females. Most upscale restaurants, however, will have a liquor license, and should be able to offer beer, if not also wine and spirits. Many tourist hotels will also have an attached bar, although some of them are also the domain of chain-smoking businessmen and prostitutes.

Morocco has three local brands of beer -- Casablanca, Stork, and Flag -- of which the latter is my personal recommendation, while Heineken is the most readily available imported beer. There are also a few surprisingly palatable Moroccan wines available, including an elegant Gris de Guerrouane rosé along with many French brands.

The supermarket chains Acima and Marjane are found in various cities throughout Morocco, have well-stocked liquor stores, and have even been known to stay open for non-Muslims during Ramadan. Other liquor stores can be hard to locate, but you can ask at your hotel. Within most of the country's medinas, the only alcohol to be found will be in select tourist hotels and restaurants.






The cuisine in Morocco is as varied as the country’s landscape, in part due to numerous culinary influences such as Spain, France, Portugal, Italy, Senegal, Turkey and the Berbers. Morocco imports very little food, so its Mediterranean spread of fruits and vegetables tend to be locally grown and fresh. Much of the country’s livestock is free range—picture cattle meandering in the mountains and valleys—resulting in fresh, flavorful meat.

Although each region is known for its unique flavors and dishes, meals throughout the country commonly feature meats with veggies and are often spiced with cumin, cinnamon, saffron and paprika. This bouquet of flavors is woven into Morocco’s breakfasts, lunches, and dinners.

Breakfast

Whether you prefer your breakfast big or small, packed with carbs or protein, the variety of Morocco’s traditional breakfast options should leave you feeling satisfied and ready for a full day of exploring.

To start the day with a light meal, stop by a street stall for Moroccan pita bread. Freshly squeezed orange juice is also abundant on the street, but you may want to bring your own cup, since many vendors only quickly rinse their glasses between customers. Other likely finds include seasonal fruit, French pastries (which can come with honey or jam), doughnuts and, of course, coffee and mint tea.

If your body demands something more substantial before venturing out, a sit down meal will likely offer all of the options from the streets plus omelets with a touch of fresh cumin, Moroccan pancakes and perhaps even lamb’s head.

Lunch

Lunch is traditionally the biggest meal of the day (except during Ramadan), typically taking place from noon to 3:00 p.m. or so, followed by a nap. Many places close over the lunch hour (although a lot of venues that cater to tourists stay open), so it may be worthwhile to take your time and opt for a sit down meal. This more formal lunch is generally served over multiple courses, so be prepared to stay for a while.

Salad, accompanied by homemade bread, is the first course in a sit down meal and includes an array of veggies such as tomatoes, onions, green peppers, beets, garlic and eggplant, as well as spices and herbs.

Couscous is a traditional main course. It is often cooked with veggies, nuts and spices and served with meat, such as roasted lamb or chicken cooked with lemon and olives. Morocco is also well known for tagine, a richly flavored stew that is slow-cooked in an earthen pot. There are numerous varieties of tagine, but simply put, this stew typically consists of meats, veggies and sauce, flavored with a combination of Moroccan spices.

Dessert is often served at some point during the meal rather than at the end. With desserts like bastilla (layers of flaky pastry with toasted almonds, cinnamon and cream), gazelle’s horns (a pastry with almond paste, sprinkled with sugar), coconut fudge cakes, almond cookies and orange slices with cinnamon, sampling these goodies while you still have room is absolutely worthwhile. At the end of the meal, you can expect to wind down with a sweetened mint tea.

As with breakfast, your best bet for a quicker, lighter lunch is to pick up something from a street vendor. If you look for a stall with a line of locals, you’re more apt to find a clean place with a reputation for fresh, tasty food.

Kebabs are quite popular in Morocco and easy to grab on the go. They typically include veggies plus chicken, lamb, meatballs (which may be made from beef or lamb) or a mix of meats (which can include kidney, liver and heart). Lamb sausage and pizza are also common finds, and seafood is especially plentiful along the Atlantic coast. If you’re willing to sit down for a moment, consider picking up a stew and pita bread.

Dinner

Starting around 9:00 p.m., dinner is usually a lighter meal eaten at home. Harira is a traditional dinner dish (especially during Ramadan), which is a thick tomato and lentil soup with lamb, chickpeas, noodles, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric and cayenne. Street stalls offer more snack-like evening options like roasted almonds, cumin-spiced hard-boiled eggs and roasted corn. Bocaillos (sandwiches) have become increasingly popular in Morocco. They’re usually made with your choice of meat, seafood or omelet along with veggies.

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