The Five Essential Sights of Morocco

Morocco is one of the most fascinatingmaking the time and taking a day trip here.
destinations to visit on a holiday to North Africa.The Djemma el Fna in Marrakech
Culturally, it is a heady mixture of Arabic, NorthTranslated variously as "The Mosque of Nothing"
African, Berber and French Colonial influences, andand "The Assembly of the Dead", the central
haggling in souks, enjoying fine French cuisine,square in Marrakech is perhaps the most
wandering through medieval medinas, camel tripsunforgettable sight to see while on holiday in
to the desert, and trekking through the High AtlasMorocco. By day it is a market, with fruit sellers,
Mountains are just some of the experiences onfortune tellers, henna painters and snake
offer. There's so much to see and do in the citiescharmers, but it is by night that it really comes to
and the countryside that it can be hard to narrowlife. Crowds of Moroccans surge around the
down the choices for your trip, but if you arestorytellers and musicians on the south side of
after the very essential sights to see on a holidaythe square, while the traditional medicine men and
to Morocco, look no further than these five...dentists who populate the north side continue to
The Fez Medinaserve the needs of the locals; it is one of the
The medina, or "Old Town", of Fez is perhaps themost remarkable sights in the country.
best preserved medieval city in the world. It wasThe Town of Chefchaouen
built in the 14th century, and aside from theThis delightful blue-walled town is one of the most
introduction of electric lighting, little seems to havebeautiful small towns in North Africa. A holiday
changed in the six hundred years. Traditionalhere offers perfect relaxation - hiking in the Rif
craftsmen still make and ply their wares in oneMountains that surround the city, haggling in the
room workshops, and overburdened donkeys arelittle market at the centre of town, sipping mint
still the only form of transport that can be used intea in the many little cafes, or simply wandering
the Medina. The narrow winding streets are athrough the streets and enjoying the unusual sky
maze for the unwary, and taking a half or full dayblue buildings.
guided tour may be the best way to see all theRamparts of Essaouira
sights the Fez medina has to offer on yourThe port city of Essaouira, located a few hours
holiday in Morocco.from Marrakech, is fast becoming one of the
Ait Benhaddouholiday highlights of Morocco. The relaxed coastal
Ait Benhaddou is a series of old Kasbahs locatedatmosphere, beautiful old medina and dramatic
near Ouarzazate, and this fort town is in acoastline are all attractions of the city, but the real
stunning position amidst rocky hills and palm trees.highlight is the set of old ramparts that run along
Ait Benhaddou has been the backdrop forthe seafront. Walking the old fortifications,
numerous films, including Lawrence of Arabia andcomplete with 17th century cannons, is like talking
Gladiator, and the nearby film studio in Ouarzazatea walk in time through the city's colonial history -
is now one of the largest studios in the world. It isthe architecture is a beguiling mixture of
one of the most popular sights to see while onPortuguese, French and Berber styles, and the
holiday in Morocco, and it is definitely worthviews are simply spectacular.