Morocco –
Medinas, Dunes & Spice.

Why Morocco?

Three Hours from Europe, a World Apart.

Morocco sits just 14 kilometres across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain, yet the moment you enter the medina of Marrakech or Fes, you are in a world that could not be more different from Europe. The narrow alleyways of the souks, the call to prayer echoing across rooftops, the smell of leather tanneries and orange blossom, the riot of colour in the spice stalls – Morocco engages all the senses simultaneously, and few first-time visitors are prepared for the impact.

Marrakech is Morocco's most visited city and its most theatrical. The Jemaa el-Fna square transforms from a daytime fruit market into an evening spectacle of acrobats, musicians, storytellers and food stalls as the sun goes down. The Majorelle Garden, restored by Yves Saint Laurent and now one of the world's most photographed gardens, offers a cool blue retreat from the medina's intensity. The riads – traditional courtyard houses converted into boutique hotels – are among the most atmospheric places to stay anywhere in Africa.

Fes is older and less tourist-polished than Marrakech, which is precisely its appeal. The medina of Fes el-Bali, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is said to be the world's largest car-free urban area. The Chouara tannery, seen from the surrounding leather shops, is one of Morocco's most iconic sights: circular stone vats filled with dye and animal hides, worked by hand using methods unchanged for centuries.

The road south from Marrakech crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass and descends into the kasbahs and palm-lined valleys of the Drâa and Dadès. The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga rise to over 150 metres – the classic Sahara experience, best at sunrise or sunset, with a night in a desert camp in between. The Atlantic coast offers a different Morocco: Essaouira, a blue-and-white fortified port, is one of the great windsurfing destinations in the world.

Tips for Your Morocco Trip

• 01Best season: March to May and September to November – comfortable temperatures, avoiding summer heat in the interior.
• 02Dress code: Conservative dress is appreciated outside beach resorts and tourist areas. Loose-fitting, covering clothing is both respectful and practical.
• 03Bargaining: Negotiation is expected in the souks. Agree a price before accepting any service. The first quoted price is a starting point, not a final offer.
• 04Mint tea: Accepting a glass of Moroccan mint tea is a gesture of hospitality. It doesn't oblige you to buy – enjoy it as the social ritual it is.