Morocco Activities

Taroudant
At Taroudant, children can tour the town in horse-drawn taxis or alternatively, ride a camel in the surrounding countryside. The local wildlife here will appeal to young ones of all ages, with everything from wild tortoises, donkeys and goats commonly seen.

The coast
Morocco’s miles of coastline ensure there is plenty of choice when it comes to finding a beach. While the beaches vary greatly in their quality, with some not being suitable for swimming, there are many that host restaurants and bars as well as having outlets providing various water sports. Recommended beaches for those with children include the beaches at Agadir and Casablanca.

With Morocco’s extensive coastline, there is no shortage of water sports here, with everything from parasailing, swimming and surfing on offer. Meanwhile, those who want to relax should treat themselves to a trip to a public hammam, which is guaranteed to be an experience to remember, while also leaving your skin as soft as butter.

Four-wheel drive
Four-wheel drive jeep safaris are increasingly growing in popularity among visitors to Morocco, with tours available from most major centres, while self-drive rentals are on offer for the brave-hearted. The southern desert is popular driving territory on account of its picturesque sand dunes, nature reserves and Berber villages.

Hammam
If you are staying in budget accommodation or have been travelling on the road for a few days, there is nothing better than a trip to a local hammam for a good clean up. Having held a special place in Moroccan culture for centuries, this equivalent of a Turkish bath is a social experience and a place of gathering for the locals. The process begins with a session in a warm, dry room, where you will begin to sweat. This is then followed by an even hotter room and a plunge in a cold pool. The process is completed with a full body wash and massage, before you are shown to a tepid room in which to relax. The architecture in many hammam is impressive in its own right.

Water sports
Many of Morocco’s beaches offer all manner of water activities as well as being great spots for sunbathing and relaxing. Parasailing is available at Agadir Beach, with unbeatable view of the coast from the air, while surfing Morocco’s waves and swimming are also hugely popular activities. At beaches all along the coast, you will find locals playing football; a great alternative if you don’t want to get wet!

Distinctive and popular the world over, Moroccan cooking is something you can easily get hooked on. With French, Spanish and Arab influences all evident in the country’s cuisine, it is no wonder these delicious flavours blend together to produce some of North Africa’s most delicious dishes.

However, while the cuisine is varied and plentiful, as a traveller, you will find many of the mid-priced and budget eateries have a limited menu, with the same dishes appearing throughout the country. It is important to understand that, with the exception of people in the larger cities, Moroccans do not eat out. Traditionally, families eat at home together. This has a significant impact on what’s on offer, with only major cities such as Fez, Rabat and Casablanca offering international fare. One positive side to this is that you will have plenty of opportunity to taste traditional Moroccan delights.

Couscous made from semolina grains is a staple dish served with almost everything. Popular dishes to be tried include: tagine, a spicy stew of meat and vegetables; kaliya, a combination of lamb, tomatoes, bell peppers and onion; pastilla, layered dough with a sweet, spiced meat and almond-paste filling; and besara, a soup made from split peas, traditionally eaten for breakfast.

In addition to the country’s popular and traditional dishes, visitors can also take advantage of the great street food on offer, giving a whole new meaning to ‘take away’. Ideal for budget travellers, markets in Morocco are veritable hunting ground for hungry tourists, with everything from roasted chicken, sandwiches, salads, French fries and barbequed corn on the cob available.

Another thing some visitors might not be prepared for is the lack of alcohol on offer throughout the country. This is due to Morocco being primarily a Muslim nation. You will find alcohol in many restaurants, supermarkets, bars and hotels; however, don’t be tempted to get drunk in public here – it is greatly frowned upon.

Shopping in Morocco can at best be a delightful experience, while at worse it can also be quite intrusive. It's impossible to walk through a souk without being accosted by somebody offering to sell you something and while this is just part of the cultural experience, some tourists can get worn down by the traders’ persistence. Take it in your stride and don’t be pressured into buying things you don’t want. You will find that once you get to grips with the bargaining game, it can be a great deal of fun. It is a good idea to halve the first asking price and take the haggling from there, walking away if you feel the price is too high.

Apart from the larger cities such as Casablanca and Tangier, you will find Morocco largely devoid of modern shopping centres. The souks offer the most quintessential shopping experience in Morocco, with unique sights, sounds and smells that will leave you with a lasting impression. Every town in Morocco has a souk where you can observe the everyday going-ons of Moroccan life. Marrakech’s souks are considered to be among the best, with these covered labyrinths selling everything from handicrafts to all sorts of fast food. Each area of the market specialises in certain goods, making it easy to find what you are after.

Popular buys and souvenirs include leather slippers, handicrafts, carpets, terracotta pottery, silverware, kaftans (traditional Moroccan costume) and colourful knitted hats.