Destination overview

Situated on the north-western corner of Africa, Morocco is bordered with Algeria to the east and south-east, Mauritania to the south, and to the west by the Atlantic Ocean. Mountains, deserts, oases or beaches - in Morocco, you will find nature everywhere. The country is divided into three natural regions – the fertile northern coastal plaint along the Mediterranean, rich plateaus and lowlands lying between the rugged Atlas mountains, and the semi-arid area in southern and eastern Morocco which merges into the Sahara Desert.

The northern coastal plaint contains Er Rif, mountains varying in elevation to over 2,400 metres (8,000 feet), while the plateaus and lowlands between the Atlas Mountains extend in three parallel ranges from the Atlantic coast in the south-west to Algeria and the Mediterranean in the north-east.

The Atlas Mountains, with an average elevation of 3,350 metres (11,000 feet) contain some of the highest peaks of North Africa, including Mt Toubkal at 4,165 metres (13,665 feet) being the highest of all. South of the Atlas lies the Anti-Atlas Mountains with volcanic Mt Siroua rising to 3,048 metres (10,000 feet). As you approach the Atlas Mountains, the landscape becomes greener, the air fresher and you will be amazed to be able to ski in winter here while on the same day you can take a swim in Marrakesh.

Along the thousands of kilometres of Atlantic and Mediterranean coast, nature is also generous. Discover the park at the mouth of the Souss and Massa wadis near Agadir, which form an ideal eco-system to attract pink flamingos, cranes and bald ibises. To the south of Sidi Ifni the sublime white beach extends over 50 kilometres of pure beauty. Even further south, Dakhla Bay hosts the last colony of monk seals in the world. Near the Mediterranean, the magnificent Rif nature reserve at the mouth of the Moulaya is also a paradise for birds.

Morocco has the most extensive river system in North Africa and when combined with the coastline, every kind of water sport is catered for including surfing, windsurfing, sailing, canoeing, rowing, water skiing, scuba diving and deep sea fishing. Whatever region you choose, you will always have a golf course close at hand - against a backdrop of mountains, with a view of the sea, or even in a forest!

In Morocco you will be positively enchanted by the wide open spaces. Starting in Ouarzazate, the gateway to the desert, famous for its Kasbahs and ksour (fortified villages), the Draâ Valley leads south, carving a narrow oasis more than 200 kilometres (124 miles) long. This is the ideal place to find peace and calm, with its oasis which spring forth like mirages in a landscape of loose stones and soaring mountains. Their lush green vegetation contrasts sharply with the neighbouring desert. The superb dunes of orange-coloured sand, such as those of the Chebbi erg can reach 150 metres (490 feet) high – absolute magic for being at one with nature.

The terraced town of Tinghir is built at the exit of the famous Todra gorges and their 250 metre (820 feet) high cliffs lie in the heart of a varying countryside, combining stony desert, a range of mountains, a luscious green oasis and a palm grove. West of Tinghir, climbing back up the Dadès Valley towards Ouarzazate, you pass through Kelaat M’Gouna, the valley of roses, where the flower is grown, distilled and especially celebrated every spring during a famous moussem.

To the east of Tinghir stands Errachidia, an ancient garrison city and capital of Tafilalt, the largest oasis in the Moroccan Sahara which fans out from the river Ziz. Head south and 20 kilometres further on, the blue source of Meski feeds a vast palm grove and also supplies a lake, which is a great spot for swimming. Even further south, Erfoud is the departure point towards the dunes of the Chebbi erg. At the end of the main street, the tarmacked road ends and a long line of dunes announce the desert. The highest, Merzouga is where, it is said, you can enjoy one of the most beautiful sunrises in the world.

A must-do is to visit the ancient palaces, the riads, which have been transformed into museums. Their magnificent, richly decorated, exhibition rooms are often real works of art in themselves. As is the case in Marrakesh, with the Dar Si Saïd Museum of Moroccan Arts. You will be overcome by the exceptional wealth of the collections exhibited there.

The living history and unique art of Morocco can be found in the many open-air markets with embroidered fabrics, ceramics, jewellery, wooden sculptures, carpets, pottery, brassware, woodwork and leather objects showcasing the pinnacle of local craftsmanship.

Marrakesh, situated close to the Atlas Mountains, is not only a fantastic city, it is also a symbol of the Morocco that once was, and which still survives here. The streets of the old and pink city have been too narrow to allow effective introduction of cars.

The most worthwhile tourist traps are centred in a rather small zone, starting in the north with the suuqs, continuing through the town square of Jemaa l-Fna with its crowd of storytellers, musicians and the Koutoubia mosque whose minaret is visible from practically anywhere in Marrakesh.

The Menara gardens, considered the most romantic place in town, is a must-see as well as the many examples left by the Europeans and Americans who fell so much in love with Marrakesh that they constructed their palaces and gardens here.

Located in between wild mountains rising up from the Mediterranean Sea, Tetouan has everything going for it and holds all the fascination you would expect from Morocco, with the main attraction being the medina. There is really no need to watch out for typical sights - instead you should just walk slowly through the streets, and watch life around you. There are more than 50 mosques in the medina, including the most noteworthy, the Grand Mosque.

With continuous mild temperatures and enduring sunshine, Morocco is the ideal destination for holidays in an authentic exotic setting. It’s an enchanted place and you will come away with many unique memories.