For a sense of Moroccan
culture, a good start would be to embrace some of the ongoing rituals of
daily life. These are a few highlights—customs and sites you can
experience with relative ease.
Mint Tea
When in Morocco, it's a good idea to make friends with mint tea.
This sweet and aromatic brew is the national drink, offered for, with,
and following breakfast, lunch, and dinner. It's served as an icebreaker
for anything from rug selling in the Meknès souk to matchmaking at the
Imilchil marriage market. Dubbed "Moroccan (or Berber) whiskey,"
thé à la menthe
is Chinese green tea brewed with a handful of mint leaves and liberally
loaded up with sugar. Introduced to Morocco only in the mid-19th
century when blockaded British merchants unloaded ample quantities of
tea at major ports, the tradition has now become such a symbol of
Moroccan hospitality that not drinking three small glasses of tea when
your host or business contact offers it to you is nearly a declaration
of hostilities. Generally ordered by the pot and poured from on high in
order to release the aromas and aerate the beverage, mint tea is
recommended in cold weather or in sweltering heat as a tonic, a mild
stimulant, and a digestive.
Music
Music is integral to daily and ritual life in Morocco, both for
enjoyment and as a form of social commentary. It emanates from homes,
stores, markets, and public squares everywhere you go. Joujouka music is
perhaps the best known, but every region has its own distinct sound. In
the Rif you'll hear men singing poetry accompanied by guitar and
high-pitched women's choruses; in Casablanca,
rai (opinion)
music, born of social protest, keeps young men company on the streets;
cobblers in the Meknès medina may work to the sounds of violin-based
Andalusian classical music or the more-folksy Arabic
melhoun, sung poetry; and you know you've reached the south when you hear the banjo of the roving storytelling
rawais
in Marrakesh. Gnaoua music is best known for its use in trance rituals,
but it has become popular street entertainment; the performer's brass
qaraqa
hand cymbals and cowrie shell–adorned hat betray the music's
sub-Saharan origins. Seek out live music at public squares such as
Marrakesh's Djemaâ el-Fna, or attend a festival, a regional
moussem (pilgrimage festival), or even a rural market to see the performances locals enjoy.
Markets
Moroccan markets, souks, and
bazaars buzz with life. Every town and city in Morocco revolves, in one
way or another, around its market, and beginning your exploration at the
hub of urban life is one of the best ways to start a crash course in
wherever you find yourself. The chromatically riotous displays of fruit
and vegetables are eye-bogglingly rich and as geometrically complex as
the most intricate aspects of Islamic architecture and design. Fez
el-Bali is virtually all market, with the exception of the craftsmen and
artisans preparing their wares for market. Fez's henna souk is famous
for its intimate ambience and archaic elegance. Marrakesh's central
market stretching out behind Djemaâ el-Fna square could take a lifetime
to explore. The Meknès market next to Place el-Hedim is smaller but
loaded with everything from sturdy earthenware tagines to a wide
selection of Moroccan spices and fish fresh from the Atlantic.
Casablanca's Marché Central in the heart of the city is one of the most
picturesque and least Europeanized parts of an otherwise unremarkable
urban sprawl. Essaouira's crafts and produce market shares this light
and cheerful town's easygoing atmosphere, and shopping there becomes a
true pleasure rather than a grim battle over haggling leverage.
Trek the mountains of the High Atlas.
For spectacular vistas and fresh air, the High Atlas is a perfect
getaway from the hustle and bustle of urban Morocco. Hiking North
Africa's tallest peak, Djebel Toubkal, rising to nearly 14,000 feet, is
only a two-day climb best done in late summer. Guides can lead amateur
hikers through rural Berber villages and rocky paths less strenuous but
equally rewarding. Head to the Ourika Valley for a variety of outdoor
adventure—it's a justifiably popular region to hang-glide, ski, or ride
mules to hidden waterfalls and tranquil hilltop gardens.
Bargain for babouches in the leather tanneries of Fez.
With the stench of animal
skins curing in the hot sun and sounds of workmen laboring in the
rainbow of dye vats beneath rows of open terraces, there is no better
place to contribute to the artisanal cooperatives if you want to buy
beautifully handmade leather house slippers, bags, belts, jackets, and
poufs. Negotiating in one of the many shops claiming to be the best
producer of leather goods guarantees a memorable experience as you
haggle dirhams while sniffing a complimentary bunch of mint leaves to
offset the strong acidic smell of natural curing ingredients in the
medina air.
Dine on kebabs and harira from a street-market grill.
The intoxicating aromas of freshly grilled skewers of meat and simmering spicy soup in
qissarias
(open markets) and roadside stands tantalize even the most cautious
traveler. Follow the rising smoke from burners and indulge in local
cuisine ranging from beef brochettes and merguez sausages to fried
calamari and whole fish caught fresh from the Atlantic and seared to
perfection. For the more adventurous gourmand, snail soup and sheep's
brains can be sampled. Sop it all up with freshly baked
kesra (flatbread).
People-Watching
Morocco is a visual spectacle
in every sense, and the human fauna are beyond a doubt the runaway
stars of the show. French painters such as Delacroix and Matisse and the
great Spanish colorist Marià Fortuny all found the souks, fondouks, and
street scenes of Marrakesh, Fez, and Tangier irresistible. Today's
visitors to this eye-popping North African brouhaha are well advised to
simply pull up a chair and take in some of the most exotic natural
street theater in the world.
People-watch in Fez el-Bali.
The to-and-fro
pulsing of Fez's medina makes it the perfect place to watch Moroccans
doing what Moroccans do. Great spots include the cafés around Bab
Boujeloud and Bab Fteuh, though the latter is much less amenable to
travelers.
People-watch on the Djemaâ el-Fna in Marrakesh.
From morning to night, the historic square at the center of the
medina guarantees to entertain and provide a glimpse into local living
and the unusual. Surrounded by colorful dried fruit and juice carts
scattered near terraced cafés and rows of shops brimming with activity,
the carnival-like atmosphere of snake charmers, fortunetellers, monkey
handlers, musicians, and costumed water sellers adds to the exotic
flavor of what was once the principal meeting point for tradesmen and
regional farmers, as well as gruesome site for public criminal
beheadings in ancient times.
Appreciate Koranic scholarship in a historic medersa.
A quiet spot in front of the central marble ablutions pool is the
perfect place to view masterpieces of Islamic architecture. Look for
intricate zellij tilework along arched corridors, ornate wood carvings
in domed ceilings, sculpted stone friezes bearing symbolic Arabic
calligraphy, and beautifully detailed stained-glass windows in prayer
halls and reflection rooms of these culturally rich buildings.
Savor the scents and sights of a food souk.
Weave through the labyrinth of open and covered streets to
discover a feast for the senses. The indoor food souk of Meknès is a
must. Along coastal towns, discover fish markets by the harbor. In rural
villages, look for carts peddling freshly picked apricots and dates.
From pyramids of marinated olives and preserved lemons to bulging sacks
of finely milled grains and multicolored spices and nuts, the food souks
reflect the wide range of aromatic ingredients used in traditional
Moroccan cuisine. Follow your nose to sweet rosewater and honey-laden
pastries flavored with cinnamon, saffron, and almonds.
Listen and learn at a local festival.
One of the best ways to experience the rich heritage is to
participate in a local event. Head to Kelaa-des-Mgouna in the Dadès
Valley in May; home to the country's largest rose water distillery
plant, this small oasis village celebrates the flower harvest each
spring. In early June, enjoy the chants, lyricism, and intellectual
fervor of international musicians, Sufi scholars, and social activists
at the World Sacred Music Festival in Fez. In late June, the traditions
of Gnaoua music, a blend of African, Berber and African song and dance,
are celebrated in the seaside resort village of Essaouira. Experience
the Imilchil Berber marriage feast in autumn. In December, the Marrakech
International Film Festival is the hottest spot for international
celebrity sightings. The all-important Eid al-Fitr (Feast of the Fast
Breaking) best showcases Moroccan tradition with three days of joyous
celebration at the end of Ramadan.
Pamper yourself in a hammam.
Getting scrubbed and steamed at a local hammam can do wonders for
the weary. Whether you choose a communal public bath or private room in
an upscale riad, this traditional therapy of brisk exfoliation and
bathing using natural cleansers has promoted physical and mental hygiene
and restoration for centuries. Public hammams are clean and
inexpensive. Le Royal Mansour and the Angasa Spa in Marrakesh are
exceptionally luxurious spots to experience this unique cultural ritual.
Relax in a riad.
Forgo the standard setting of a modern hotel chain, and opt for a
room with character in the heart of the medina. Former private homes,
multistoried riads have been restored to their original beauty and
authenticity, furnished with antiques and local crafts, and outfitted
with latest technology for those who want to stay connected. Many are
family owned and operated, providing guests with personalized service,
generous breakfasts, and spacious accommodations overlooking lush inner
courtyard gardens. More luxurious riads have full-scale spas, panoramic
terrace bars, swimming pools, and world-class restaurants.
Soothe the eyes in the blue-washed town of Chefchaouen.
Founded in the 15th century by Spanish exiles, the village of
Chefchaouen tucked in the foothills of the Rif Mountains, is widely
considered to be one of Morocco's most picturesque places. Relax beneath
verdant shade trees on the cobblestoned Plaza Uta el-Hamman. Wander the
steep Andalusian passageways, where buildings bathed in cobalt and
indigo hues blend with terracotta-tiled roofs, pink-scarved women,
violet blossoms, and ochre-and-poppy red wool carpets to create an
incredibly vibrant canvas of color.
Ride a camel to the dunes of the Sahara.
For an unforgettable
adventure, mount a dromedary to experience the undulating orange dunes
and abandoned kasbahs of the desert, a magical region immortalized in
film and fiction. Select an overnight tour to stay in a Bedouin tent in
the Erg Chebbi or Erg Chigaga desert wilderness.
A range of spectacular landscapes has made Morocco a major
destination for rugged outdoor sporting challenges and adventure travel.
Much of Morocco's natural beauty lies in its mountains, where the
famous Berber hospitality can make hiking an unforgettable experience.
You can arrange most outdoor excursions yourself or with the help of
tourist offices and hotels in the larger cities. Rock climbing is
possible in the Todra and Dadès gorges and the mountains outside
Chefchaouen. Oukaïmeden has facilities for skiing, and a few other long,
liftless runs await the more athletic. Golf is available in Rabat,
Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Agadir. Several High Atlas rivers are
suitable for fishing.
People come from around the world to trek in these
mountains, drawn by the rugged scenery, bracing air, and rural Berber
(Imazighen) culture. Hiking is easily combined with mule riding, trout
fishing, and vertiginous alpine drives.
Southeast
of Erfoud, beyond Morocco's great oasis valleys, these waves of sand
mark the beginning of the Sahara. Brilliantly orange in the
late-afternoon sun, they can be gloriously desolate at sunrise.
A striking tropical contrast to the barren Anti-Atlas Mountains and the
agricultural plains farther north, the oases are scattered with
massive, pink cement houses built by wealthy urban merchants native to
this area.
Refined Islamic architecture graces the imperial cities of Fez, Meknès, Marrakesh, and Rabat. Mosques and
(schools of Koranic studies) dating from the Middle Ages, as well as
19th-century palaces, are decorated with colorful geometric tiles, bands
of Koranic verses in marble or plaster, stalactite crevices, and carved
wooden ceilings. The
built by Morocco's Jews with
glassed-in balconies contrast with the Islamic emphasis on turning
inward. French colonial architecture prevails in the Art Deco and
neo-Mauresque streets of Casablanca's Quartier des Habous. Outside these
strongholds of Arab influence are the
(rammed earth)
kasbahs in the Ouarzazate–Er-Rachidia region, where structures built
with local mud and clay range from deep pink to burgundy to shades of
brown.
If you want a little breath taken out of you, don't pass up the chance
to see this extraordinarily well-preserved 16th-century Koranic school,
North Africa's largest such institution. The delicate intricacy of the gibs (stucco plasterwork), carved cedar, and zellij
(mosaic) on display in the central courtyard makes the building seem to
loom taller than it really does. As many as 900 students from Muslim
countries all over the world once studied here, and arranged around the
courtyard are their former sleeping quarters—a network of tiny
upper-level rooms that resemble monks' cells. The building was erected
in the 14th century by the Merenids in a somewhat different style from
that of other medersas; later, in the 16th century, Sultan Abdullah el
Ghallib rebuilt it almost completely, adding the Andalusian details. The
large main courtyard, framed by two columned arcades, opens into a
prayer hall elaborately decorated with rare palm motifs as well as the
more-customary Islamic calligraphy. The medersa also contains a small
mosque. 
