11 Things Morocco is Famous For

If I wanted to write a list of all the things Morocco is famous for, it would take me ages and pages. Being of Moroccan origins and spending months in Morocco every year, I know Morocco more than any other country and I love talking about every little detail.

Instead of a lengthy and exhausting post about what Morocco is known for, this post will give a summary of Moroccan Zest most consulted topics about Morocco. Whether you are planning a trip to Morocco or just curious about this country, it will give you all the curated information you need.

I travel frequently and there aren’t many countries offering as many diverse experiences as Morocco. If you live a few hours away from Morocco, you can even hop on the plane for a weekend and you’ll be amazed at what you will be able to do in those 48 hours.

Unfortunately, many visitors stick to the basics and don’t explore the full potential of Morocco. They get confused about what Morocco is famous for thinking the country is a desert land full of oases and camels. Which is not incorrect actually, but there is much much more.

The reason I spend most of my vacations in Morocco (besides the fact that I still have family there) is that I can have different experiences depending on the weather and my location. There are many exciting activities that can be done throughout the year and that the majority of visitors are delighted with.

10 Things Morocco is Famous For

As I mentioned earlier, in order to avoid a lengthy exhausting post, below the main things Morocco is known for, with it’s most pleasing and stimulating experiences.

For planning a trip to Morocco, this guide has everything you will need..

If you need further help defining your itinarary or finding out-of-the box experiences, send me an email.

1.      The Atlas Mountains

Let’s start with an unpopular Moroccan experience yet one of the best, especially for nature lovers.

Moroccan Atlas Mountains are covered with lacy cedars and scrubby pines, and the peaks (up to 4,167 meters / 13,671 ft) are covered with snow, even in the warmer months. Truly stunning, the Atlas Mountains have one of the best views from bottom to top.

Besides the beautiful nature, hiking the Atlas mountains is a great way to explore Moroccan mountain villages where dwellers have a minimalistic lifestyle. If this part intrigues you, you can even join some private tours where you’ll get immersed and be a dwellers’ guest. So grounding!

2.      The Moroccan Desert & Sahara

Moroccan desert is my happy place, and it may become yours too! Once you are surrounded by gigantic dunes and have no clue where you are. Then spend the night by the fire under the stars and wake up on a breathtaking desert sunrise. You will feel so far away from all your problems and your everyday struggles.

It’s one of the most inspiring experiences you can have in Morocco.

If the desert experience is appealing to you, check out my favorite desert spots in Morocco.

3.      Moroccan Wild Beaches & Azure Coasts

Morocco is home to incredibly diverse coasts. Whether you like azure luxurious beaches, surf spots or wild beaches, you will be served!

Below is a wild beach in the Moroccan desert, with only wild beach waves, sand dunes, and no soul around. I am having goosebumps just thinking about the trekking experience! Something you will remember for a lifetime, right?

If you are a beach person or love adventure, check this guide about Morocco’s best beach spots.

4.      Moroccan Ski Resorts

You are probably thinking: What? Skiing in Morocco? Well yes! You can find a few ski resorts in the Atlas mountains, and many tourists come from around the world to live the experience.

5.      Morocco Monuments, Architecture & History

Morocco is home to different architectural styles, reflecting the country’s rich history.

Phoenicians and Romans’ footprints are still visible in many monuments in Morocco, especially in the cities of Fez and Meknes.

The Arabs conquered Morocco in the 7th century and introduced their civilization. Islam had a great following and many monuments in the country still show how powerful the Arab civilization was at the time.

And some cities like Casablanca and Rabat still carry the European fingerprint in many of their buildings.

6.     Moroccan Food

I often get hungry just by thinking about Moroccan dishes.

If you love food and you never tried Moroccan cuisine, well, you’ll be very pleased, believe me!

Moroccan cuisine is known for being very fragrant and for satisfying most taste buds. Maybe you’ve already heard of the Moroccan Tajine, the Moroccan Couscous or Moroccan mint tea? These are some of the most famous and cherished Moroccan dishes you can try. But there are lesser-known others, as delicious and as special!

Most Moroccan dishes are slow-cooked with a combination of spices, herbs, and fresh ingredients. This creates highly savory dishes that your taste buds will remember for years.

With all the dishes Moroccan cuisine has to offer (and there are dozens!), every trip to Morocco is an exciting culinary experience. The good thing? In Morocco, you will find good and affordable restaurants in every city. No need to pay a heavy check to enjoy this fragrant cuisine.

To make sure you fully experience Moroccan cuisine and don’t miss its most emblematic dishes, check my detailed Moroccan Food Guide.

If you are a foodie, there are many reputable food tours that you can join in most Moroccan cities. They will give you access to the best and most traditional restaurants.

You can also take a Moroccan culinary course and get back home with authentic Moroccan recipes and impressive cooking skills. Really, if you are an epicure, Morocco will be heaven!

7.      Morocco Unique Culture

Traveling to Morocco will immerse you in a new culture, probably very different from yours. And the best mindset to have is to embrace it.

There are many aspects to Moroccan culture manifesting in everyday behaviors like in tipping, greetings, dressing up and relationship with food. Exploring a whole new culture is really refreshing and stimulating. If you’ve never been to Morocco, Moroccan culture will probably surprise you in a good way.

8.      Morocco Cats

When you visit Morocco you will see a lot of cats … in some improbable places!

Most Moroccan cats are street cats. Still, they are well taken care of most of the time.

Some cities like Chefchaouen and Tangier are full of street cats. For animal lovers and photography enthusiasts, this alone is great attraction.

Whenever I visit Morocco I make sure I have some croquettes and cats sweets with me. It always creates fun interactions.

9.      Moroccan Hammams

If you like SPA treatments and massages then I am beginning you, please please add Hammams to your to-do list when you visit Morocco.

To be completely honest, I prefer Moroccan Hammams to regular western SPAs. The experience can be much more relaxing with real tangible benefits.

Traditional Moroccan Hammams take place in a steam room and last between 30 minutes to 1.5 hours. During that time, your skin and hair get deeply cleansed and nourished like you probably never experienced before. The process uses natural and luxurious products, like clay, rose petals and Argan oil. You can even skip the shampoo and use natural clay shampoo to detox from chemical cosmetics. Another good thing is that Moroccan Hammams are not expensive. They are most of the time less expensive than regular SPAs and massage centers.

I always like to have my Hammam at the end of my trip to get relaxed and clean and hydrate my skin after days in the sun. It’s also the perfect way to end the Moroccan experiences and wrap it up in a pretty little bow.

10.      Morocco is Home to the World First University

The university of Al-Qarawiyin (Al-Karaouine), is the world’s first university. It was founded in 859 AC and it is still operating today. The founder was a powerful and intellectual Moroccan woman called Fatima Al Fihria who wanted to give locals equal access to science and religious studies.

Al-Qarawiyin university is located in Fez, Morocco cultural and spiritual city and a UNESCO world heritage.

11.      The Medinas, Full of Treasures and Original Handicrafts

This is by far one of the topics I get the most questions about! Morocco is known for its Medinas, which are cities’ historical downtowns and the place to hunt for traditional handicrafts.

All Moroccan handicrafts, like jewelry, rugs, leather items and teapots can be found in the Medina. They are often made by craftsmen who are passionate about their job and who inherited their skills from their grandparents.

Unlike what many might think, it’s often best to go shopping in Morocco by yourself, and not with a local guide. In most cases, local guides get commission and mathematically, they earn more if you pay more!

The shopping experience in Morocco is really one of a kind. It is also very convenient as it can be done in most Moroccan cities during all seasons. Even if I go to Morocco many times a year, each time I make sure I visit the Medina to buy some souvenirs and re-stock some traditional essentials.

Most Moroccan souvenirs will make you think of Morocco for weeks and even years. Some of them can be passed through generations. When shopped wisely, they make a really great investment.

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