We started in Lihoudi, in the northeastern corner of the medina. As you might guess from the name, this was once a Jewish area where jewellers and goldsmiths plied their trade. Out of respect for local residents, the mosque was built without a minaret so the call to prayer would not sound out over this
Are you one of those people who loves to beef up on the history of the places you’re going to visit on your trip? Whether it’s the History section in a Lonely Planet guidebook or a deeper delve into the literature of the country, any insight you gain into your destination will pay off. You’ll
Indulge your shopping habit in Morocco: it’s a feast for the senses Ceramics Fez is famous for its ceramics. Artfully painted in blue and green, plates, bowls, jugs, tagines and even bathroom basins can be found everywhere. Look out for the slightly greyer clay from Safi: the pure white is more fragile and will chip
A few years ago, CNN named Morocco’s capital, Rabat, as one of the top places to visit. Is the city worth a detour or more? Visitors to Morocco usually head for Marrakech, Essaouira or Fez and don’t even consider Rabat. It’s not a premier tourist destination, but perhaps that’s where it’s charm lies. There’s
December and January are good months to visit Morocco. It is a popular time of year, which means the souks and cities are filled with buzzing energy, but you can always seek out some quiet if you know where to look. Exploring the Sahara is perfect – while it’s cold at night, the days are
Ramadan in 2023 starts around 22 March and ends around 20 April. We can’t be more precise because it depends on sighting the moon. So should you venture into Morocco during Ramadan? There’s no reason why not, and the insights you’ll gain into the people and culture will enhance your experience. What you need to
Take some dramatic mountain peaks, add a sprinkle of red-roofed houses chasing higgledy-piggedly down the mountainside, small houses with wrought-iron balconies and roof terraces with magnificent views. Now wash it all in an indigo-blue rinse and you have the delightfully laid-back town of Chefchaouen in northern Morocco. Originally built by Riffian tribesmen in 1471 as
Spring is by far the best time to visit Morocco, and that’s March, April and May. The snow has gone except for the highest peaks, the valleys are full of spring flowers and it’s not yet too hot. March sees the first of the orange blossoms appearing on the trees and being sold in the
In 1683, the English diarist Samuel Pepys dubbed Tangier ‘the excrescence of the earth’. In the 1950s, the city became an International Zone that attracted foreigners, artists, spies and hippies. It was neglected, sleazy and dissolute,with a nasty breed of hustler who’d make life miserable for every visitor. Hardly the place to spend a few
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