{"id":7293,"date":"2020-02-20T22:57:04","date_gmt":"2020-02-20T22:57:04","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/expedia.blog.ca.local\/what-to-know-for-visiting-morocco\/"},"modified":"2020-02-20T22:57:04","modified_gmt":"2020-02-20T22:57:04","slug":"what-to-know-for-visiting-morocco","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.expedia.ca\/stories\/what-to-know-for-visiting-morocco\/","title":{"rendered":"What to Know for Visiting Morocco"},"content":{"rendered":"

The North African country of Morocco<\/a> is an eclectic blend of Middle Eastern tradition and European flair, bursting with aromatic spice markets and vibrant colours. If you\u2019re planning a vacation, take a look at these travel tips for travelling in Morocco and check out some helpful advice to make the most of your visit.<\/p>\n

\"Pottery
Marrakech<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How to get there and around<\/h2>\n

Several major airlines offer routes to Morocco from Canada, so it\u2019s simple and cheap to fly there. Once you arrive, you can get around Moroccan cities by train. There are also bus services from several companies that travel to large cities, small cities, and more remote areas. If you want to spend time exploring the Sahara Desert, it\u2019s more difficult to access via public transportation. In this case, it\u2019s best to hire a car to ensure you can reach your destination and to have your own schedule.<\/p>\n

When to go<\/h2>\n

Though the coastal regions of Morocco can be visited year-round, the best time to travel to most of Morocco is from March to May and September to October. During these spring and autumn months, the weather is warm and comfortable rather than cold and snowy or unbearably hot. If you\u2019re going to sightsee, it\u2019s important to consider Ramadan in your planning. During this holy month, Muslim people fast during the day and you\u2019ll wish you knew that many businesses will be closed. That said, the nightlife is spectacular during Ramadan, so there\u2019s plenty to do late at night.<\/p>\n

Dress code<\/h2>\n

Morocco has an eclectic mix of cultural influences and differences between regions, so the dress code expectations can vary. There are a lot of religions and cultures, and the cities are progressive. While there\u2019s no single dress code that applies everywhere, it\u2019s smart to pack some conservative clothing and do a little research before travelling to a rural area or smaller city, and avoid public displays of affection. If you\u2019re not sure about what\u2019s appropriate, you can ask a local or book a guided tour to ensure that you avoid unlawful or inappropriate behaviour or dress.<\/p>\n

Most mosques are off-limits to non-Muslims<\/h2>\n

Morocco is home to a strong Muslim population and many mosques. During your trip, you\u2019re likely to hear the melodic call to prayer, but bear in mind that most mosques don\u2019t allow non-Muslims to enter. The 2 exceptions are Hassan II Mosque<\/a> in Casablanca, which is a beautiful traditional mosque with colourful elements on a promontory, and Ali ben Youssef in Marrakech, a 16th-century mosque with a museum and Islamic design. If you’re near other mosques, it\u2019s best to admire the architecture from outside of the building.<\/p>\n

\"Exterior
Medersa Ben Youssef<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

You can speak English<\/h2>\n

In most countries you travel to, it\u2019s good to learn a few phrases in the native language to help you get around. The diversity of Morocco makes this more complicated, however, since you\u2019re likely to encounter Arabic, French, Spanish, and Berber throughout the cities and towns. Fortunately, English is spoken in most of the cities. If you want to be prepared, you can know before you go and learn a few basic phrases in Arabic, French, and Spanish, such as \u2018hello\u2019, \u2018thank you\u2019, and \u2018where is the restroom?\u2019.<\/p>\n

Visit a bathhouse<\/h2>\n

For a truly authentic experience, be sure to visit a bathhouse on your trip. Many hotels will have hammans, but a public bathhouse is about as traditional as it gets. Bathhouses have nondescript exteriors, but they\u2019re usually found near mosques and toiletry shops. What to know before you go is to pick up a few supplies like a bath mat, a towel, sandals, black olive oil soap, a kiis, and ghassoul. In a bathhouse, both men and women bathe in their undergarments.<\/p>\n

Prepare to haggle<\/h2>\n

Visiting a medina or market is a highlight of the Moroccan experience. You can find everything from handicrafts to antiques and traditional goods. When you shop there, however, you\u2019ll wish you knew how to haggle. Haggling is a strong custom and expected by vendors, with many goods going for half-off the original price. The strongest part of negotiating with vendors is committing to your price and being willing to walk away if you don\u2019t get it. To prepare, you may want to research any high-priced items and explore specific haggling travel tips.<\/p>\n

Plan a few days for the desert<\/h2>\n

The Sahara is huge and takes a while to access, so if you\u2019re going to visit, be sure to allot enough time to experience it fully. You can book a tour<\/a> to take some of the planning out of the process, which usually includes a camel ride and a night sleeping out under the stars. Also, the desert is hot during the day and cold at night, so it\u2019s important to anticipate and pack layers to stay comfortable. Remember to wear lightweight clothing during the day to keep your skin covered and pack a lot of water to stay hydrated.<\/p>\n

Spend some time in the mountains<\/h2>\n

Along with the coast and deserts, Morocco is home to gorgeous mountain landscapes. Located just outside Marrakech in the Ourika Valley, the Atlas Mountains are a sight to behold. You can plan a hiking trip to see the views and hidden waterfalls or book a hot-air balloon tour for aerial views. There are many charming villages in and near the mountains as well where you can find museums and other attractions. The Atlas Mountains are a great day trip<\/a>, but you may even want to spend a few days there to explore all the villages.<\/p>\n

\"Landscape
Moroccan Wilderness<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Sunbathe on the coast<\/h2>\n

Morocco\u2019s coast is a popular spot for beach trips and water sports. Comfortable all year long, the coast has quaint surf towns like Taghazout and laid-back beach towns like Little Sidi Ifni or Imsouane. In these areas, you\u2019ll practically have the beach to yourself, since they\u2019re still lesser-known coastal gems. For a livelier experience, you can travel to Essaouira for water sports, festivals, arts and culture, and fresh-caught seafood. Despite being a hip spot, most tourists don\u2019t know about Essaouira, so you’ll have a chance to experience local coastal life.<\/p>\n

Plan your vacation<\/h2>\n

From traditional bathhouses and markets to expansive deserts and towering peaks, there\u2019s something for everyone in Morocco. Now that you have all the essential information before visiting Morocco, you\u2019re ready to plan your excursion. Take a look at Morocco vacations<\/a> on Expedia to get great deals on your next adventure.<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The North African country of Morocco is an eclectic blend of Middle Eastern tradition and European flair, bursting with aromatic spice markets and vibrant colours. If you\u2019re planning a vacation, take a look at these travel tips for travelling in Morocco and check out some helpful advice to make the most of your visit. How… Continue reading What to Know for Visiting Morocco<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":5,"featured_media":7297,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[715,23,43,1894],"tags":[],"authors":[],"class_list":["post-7293","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-africa","category-destinations","category-inspiration","category-things-to-know","entry"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nWhat to Know for Visiting Morocco | Expedia<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Find travel tips and advice for visiting Morocco for a vacation, such as when to go and what to see.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.expedia.ca\/stories\/what-to-know-for-visiting-morocco\/\" \/>\n<meta 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