Four cities you should visit on your first trip to Morocco. Travel to a variety of breathtaking sights, including the blue city of Chefchaouen

1. [Basic information for traveling to Morocco]

Morocco is a country slightly larger than Japan, famous for its World Heritage Sites such as the old town of Fez and the old town of Marrakech.

Most of the population is Sunni Muslim, and the official language is Arabic. Most of the city is divided into the old town called "Medina" and the new town that developed after the 19th century, and the Arabian streetscape typical of Morocco is popular with tourists.

2. [Access from Japan to Morocco] 18 hours by plane

As of October 2019, there are no direct flights from Japan to Morocco.

If you choose to transfer by plane, you will usually stop in Europe, such as Paris or Frankfurt, or in Middle Eastern countries, such as Dubai or Doha, and the shortest flight time is about 18 hours.

Besides flying, you can also take a ferry from Spain to Tangier or Ceuta. There are more than 20 ferries a day from Algeciras, at the southern tip of Spain, and the journey to Morocco takes about an hour.

3. [Transportation in Morocco] It is comfortable to use trains, buses, and taxis

When traveling within Morocco, you can use trains and buses for long-distance travel, and taxis for short-distance travel within the city. When traveling long distances, it can be difficult to make transfers when using trains or buses, so be sure to check the route maps, timetables, and fares in advance.

There are also petit taxis that operate within the city, and grand taxis that operate outside the city, with grand taxis generally being shared.

ONCF (Train and Bus): http://www.oncf.ma
CTM (National Bus): http://www.ctm.ma

4. [Morocco's Climate] The northwest where you can enjoy the four seasons and the southeast where you can feel the African breeze

Morocco has a low precipitation rate and a comfortable climate with low humidity. However, the climate differs between the northwest and southeast, separated by the Atlas Mountains in the center.

The northwestern part of the country along the Mediterranean coast, close to Europe, experiences four seasons like European countries, and snow falls in the mountainous areas.
On the other hand, the southeast is covered with dry regions such as deserts, allowing you to experience the African and Arab land firsthand.

Although the climate is warm throughout the year, there is a large difference in temperature between day and night and it gets cooler after sunset, so it's a good idea to bring a jacket or a jacket with you.

From here, we will introduce 4 cities recommended for sightseeing in Morocco. We will also provide a local report from Isa.

5. [Blue City Chefchaouen] Morocco's No. 1 recommended city for sightseeing

Chefchaouen is a safe tourist city. The climate is mild and it is comfortable to stay there even in summer.

Chefchaouen (Chefchaouen) is a popular tourist city in Morocco. The beautiful blue medina is picturesque no matter where you look, so strolling around the city is one of the pleasures. It is also characterized by being located in the mountains, so it is cool and comfortable even in summer.

To get to Chefchaouen, a small town on the side of a small hill, you can take a bus. It takes about 6 hours and 30 minutes by bus from Mohammed V International Airport in Casablanca, the largest city in Morocco. There are also buses from cities such as Tangier and Fez, so it is relatively easy to get there.

Chefchaouen is a popular spot in Morocco, and is a relatively safe city with many tourists from all over the world. However, theft and other crimes do occur. If you are not checking into your hotel immediately after arrival, we recommend that you leave your large luggage at the paid luggage storage facility at the Chefchaouen bus terminal.

Enter into the otherworldly scenery of the blue city of Chefchaouen

Tomomi Isa's Travel Report 1

Chefchaouen (Chefchaouen) is a city with a history of being closed to non-believers as a sanctuary for Islam.

Many locals are seen wearing the traditional Moroccan dress known as the "djellaba," which is said to have been the model for the costume design in the movie "Star Wars." You can enjoy the traditional lifestyle and atmosphere of Morocco.

Chefchaouen is a city that is attracting attention again these days, and the reason for this is the "blue" color that permeates the old town area (Medina).

There are various theories as to why walls began to be painted blue, but the truth remains unknown, with some saying it was a sacred color or that it was to repel mosquitoes.

But anyway, this city is beautiful. Just walking around makes you feel like you've wandered into a world of stories, and makes you want to throw away the map and lose yourself in the blue world.

The city is divided into the new town and the old town, and the old town is where you can fully enjoy the world of Chefchaouen. For shopping, we recommend the area around Uta el-Hammam Square, and if you want to see the sunset, we recommend the Spanish Mosque on the hill.

6. [Labyrinth City of Fez] Recommended city for sightseeing in Morocco #2

You can get to Fez by plane, train, or bus. It is one of the easiest cities to visit in Morocco.

The charm of Fez is its Medina, an old townscape with over 1,000 years of history dating back to the 9th century. The Medina of Fez is divided into two districts: the maze-like town of Fez el-Bali and the royal palace of Fez el-Jedid. The usual tourist route is to go from the new town, which is the starting point of transportation, through Fez el-Jedid and then into Fez el-Bali.

Once you pass through the beautifully tiled Bab Bou Jloud, you'll find yourself in the maze-like Fes el Bali. You can enjoy a stroll, but there's also the risk of getting lost. If you're worried, you can hire a guide at your hotel or tourist information center (starting at around 250DH), so it might be worth taking advantage of this.

If you go to Fez from Casablanca's Mohammed V International Airport, it takes about 1 hour by plane, about 4 hours by train, and about 5 hours by bus. The new town has an airport, train station, and bus terminal, so it is a city that can be visited relatively easily by plane from Marrakech, Errachidia, and Agadir, or by train or bus from Tangier and Meknes.

The labyrinth city of Fez is a historic capital of artisans

Tomomi Isa's Travel Report 2

From Mohammed V International Airport, take a 4-5 hour train or bus ride to arrive in Fez, the capital of Morocco's first Islamic dynasty.

The old town, built over 1,000 years ago, is still in use. As the story goes, it was purposely made into a maze to ward off enemies, and it's easy to get lost. And getting lost is the best way to enjoy Fez's largest city.

Once you pass through the city's iconic Bou Jeloud Bab, you'll find street stalls all over the streets, where you can bustle around looking for Moroccan dresses, silver accessories, and basket-work bags.

Among them, the one we want you to find even if you get lost is "Tannerie Choirat" in the leather tannery district at the back of the old town. If you don't know how to get there, just ask the people in the town and they will tell you right away.

In the leather craftsmen's workshop, where round dyeing vats are lined up, you can observe how leather is dyed by hand, a method that has not changed since the Middle Ages. Of course, you can also purchase products made by the craftsmen directly at the shop attached to the workshop. If you want to see the whole city, go to the Marinid Cemetery.

7. [Morocco's largest shopping district, Marrakech] Top 3 cities in Morocco

Marrakech is easy to access. We recommend using "Kuchi" to get around the city.

Marrakech has long flourished as the center of trade and commerce in Morocco, attracting people from all over the world, from the north to the south and the east to the west, and so transportation is very well-developed. It takes only 50 minutes to get there by plane from Casablanca. It is also possible to get there from other cities in just a few hours by train or bus.

The city of Marrakech is divided into the vast Medina, which spreads out around Jemaa el-Fna Square, the new town with its tranquil atmosphere, and the historic district to the south, where the Royal Palace is located. There is so much to see that it would be difficult to enjoy everything in one day, so we recommend using taxis and city buses to get around efficiently. In addition, there are horse-drawn carriages called "kuchis" that run around the city, and they are popular with tourists as they can be ridden for about 100 DH per hour.

The souks (markets) that spread throughout the Medina are an essential part of any trip to Morocco, as they are a place where you can experience local culture and interaction. As it is a large city, the tourist office has guides who speak Japanese, so if you are not confident in moving around the city or negotiating prices at various places, we recommend using them.

Searching for souvenirs in Marrakech! Experience Morocco in this vibrant city

Tomomi Isa's Travel Report 3

Marrakech, Morocco's largest shopping city, can be reached by plane in 50 minutes or train in about 5 hours from Mohammed V International Airport.

Jemaa el-Fna Square in the Medina of Marrakech has been designated an Intangible Cultural Heritage by UNESCO, where people from all over Africa, including the Atlantic coast, the Sahara Desert, and inland, gather there bringing all kinds of goods to create a festival-like market every night.

The energy is unparalleled in other countries. The souks that stretch out in every direction from Jemaa el-Fna Square are the country's largest shopping spots. This exotic area was also chosen as the setting for the movie "SEX AND THE CITY II." If you're looking for souvenirs, this is the place to go.

If you are looking for a hotel in Marrakech, we recommend a gorgeous riad. Enjoy a blissful time in a wonderful accommodation.

And one thing you definitely can't miss is the experience of staying at a riad, a traditional Moroccan mansion renovated for travelers. There are a wide variety of riads to suit all budgets, from casual to five-star luxury, but my recommendation is of course the five-star.

Surrounded by Moroccan-decorated furniture in a luxurious mansion, you can look out at the pool and enjoy breakfast on the rooftop with Moroccan crepes and fresh orange juice... You can fully enjoy the different culture of Morocco with all your senses, something you can't experience at a regular hotel.

Even with all this luxury, if you rent an entire riad for your group, your budget will be around 20,000 yen per person per night. Be sure to search for your favorite riad.

8. [Merzouga, close to the Sahara Desert] Morocco's top 4 recommended tourist destinations

If you want to visit Merzouga, you will need to take a bus from Marrakech or Fes for about half a day.

Merzouga is a small town in the southeast of Morocco, near the border with Algeria. It is a small village right next to the Sahara Desert, and many people visit for the desert experience.

To get to Merzouga from the wealthy cities in the northwest, you have to cross the Atlas Mountains, which stretch across central Morocco.
The most common way to get there is to take a bus from Marrakech or Fez for about half a day. However, this direct bus only runs once a day, but it is very popular, so if you don't book early, it may be full and you won't be able to get on.

In such cases, you can take a bus to a nearby town such as Erfoud or Rissani and then take a grand taxi from there, so choose a route that suits your schedule and budget.

Enjoy Africa! Experience a luxury camp in the Sahara Desert

Tomomi Isa's Travel Report 4

Morocco is home to a number of unique cities, including Chefchaouen, Fes and Marrakech, but for me, the true highlight is the desert.

Heading east from Marrakech by long-distance bus for about 560km, you will feel the scenery getting drier and at the very end of the road is Merzouga, a small town at the entrance to the famous Sahara Desert.

The Sahara Desert around Merzouga is home to many so-called "luxury camps," which are popular with travelers from all over the world seeking unique experiences.

Once you arrive in the city of Merzouga, you'll board camels (!) for a 1.5 hour drive to the luxury campsite in the desert.

When you think of staying in the desert, you might imagine a wild and dangerous camping trip where you have to share precious water, but the tents at this camp are equipped with air conditioning, hot showers, toilets, and fluffy beds, making them just as comfortable as a hotel.

In the evening, you can enjoy Moroccan food, listen to Berber music, and if you feel like it, join in on drumming, and sing and dance around the campfire.

What's more, the day I visited was a full moon night. The moon slowly moved overhead in the middle of the desert with nothing blocking it, making it seem like something out of a movie (by the way, the stars are said to be incredibly beautiful on new moon days). And when dawn broke, the desert, like freshly fallen snow, began to shine reddish brown in the morning sun...

I am not exaggerating when I say this. It is all based on something I experienced the other day.

Well, I've visited deserts around the world several times, but I've never felt like I was in another world anywhere as much as I did in the Sahara Desert in Morocco.

You can book through local travel agencies and hotels, and there are also Japanese-language tours that can be booked through travel agencies in Japan, so if you're visiting Merzouga, we recommend staying at least one night.

9. [Things to be aware of when visiting Morocco] Be aware of security, political situation, and Ramadan

Morocco is said to be a relatively safe country on the African continent. Moroccans are friendly and approachable, so they will often talk to you and happily show you the way. However, petty crimes such as theft of valuables and exorbitant tip demands do occur, so it is important to be careful.

Furthermore, since there are unstable areas in neighboring countries such as Algeria and Western Sahara, it is best to avoid border areas. If you are joining a local tour, be sure to check your destination carefully.

In addition, in Morocco, which is an Islamic country, not only can you cause trouble by slandering Islam, but also by entering a mosque you are unfamiliar with or taking pictures of local women without permission. You should also be careful about what you wear when traveling. Women should avoid exposing as much skin as possible.

Also, when visiting an Islamic country, you should be aware of Ramadan (the Muslim fasting period). As a rule, all Muslims abstain from eating or drinking anything from sunrise to sunset during Ramadan (next Ramadan will be from April 24th to May 23rd in 2020). If Ramadan is held during your travel period, be sure to follow their lifestyle and refrain from eating, drinking, and smoking outside.

Enjoy an extraordinary trip to Morocco, a country packed with sights to see

In addition to the cities that Isa introduced this time, Morocco has many other fascinating spots, such as Ait Ben Haddou, a World Heritage Site famous as a filming location for movies and music videos, Essaouira, a seaside town where artists gather, and Volubilis, where you can see Roman ruins.

It may be an unusual destination for an overseas trip, but why not try a trip to Morocco on your next vacation? It may be a trip that will give you excitement and thrills that you have never experienced before in your life.

Originally posted: March 25, 2019