Morocco Holiday Destinations

Whilst it would have been reasonable to divide up Morocco's holiday destinations geographically - High Atlas, Mid Atlas, Mediterranean coast etc - or according to the activities and experiences offered - culture, trekking, camel caravanning, skiing - 'Villas in Morocco' uses an approach which combines both elements. Morocco's holiday resorts and destinations are classified as being city, coastal or in the Moroccan interior. Destinations which fall into two categories, such as the coastal city of Tangier, are dealt with according to their primary focus of interest to the holidaymaker.

Morocco City Holidays

In recent years, city breaks of two or three nights have become increasingly popular with holidaymakers. Improvements in air travel and a reduction in the cost of flights mean that city breaks in Morocco are a viable alternative to European city breaks for UK tourists. Many Moroccan cities - Marrakech, Tangier and Fes - have sufficient of interest in the city and the immediate surrounding area to warrant a holiday of a week or more. Other Moroccan cities, most notably Casablanca, are principally commercial centres and less attuned to the needs of the holiday visitor.

The Coast of Morocco

Morocco has three quite distinct areas of coastline of interest to the holiday visitor. The Mediterranean coast, to the north of the country, is the least well-developed in terms of tourism, but has many small towns and pleasant beaches and is ideal for those who like to get off the beaten track and a little closer to the real Moroccan experience.

Morocco's northern Atlantic coast, which stretches south from the city of Tangier as far as Rabat, is largely unspoilt and has long sandy beaches, coastal lagoons and inland forests, making the region a haven for wildlife. The southern Atlantic coast, which stretches from Casablanca down to Agadir, is popular with those looking either for a traditional beach holiday or for good locations for surfing and windsurfing. Major tourist resorts include Agadir, whose sandy beaches and warm seas are popular for family holidays, and Essaouira, which is a mecca for surfers and windsurfers.

The Moroccan Interior

Away from the cities and the coast, Morocco has a varied and often spectacular natural landscape. Those who head into the Moroccan interior are usually in search of specific holiday activities. The High Atlas, which forms the backbone of northern Morocco and rises to a height of over 13,500 feet, offers wonderful terrain for both day hikes and the longer trekking expeditions, which are often accompanied by mules carrying provisions and equipment. Organised treks are also popular in the Sahara region in the south of Morocco, where camels are used to carry luggage. Other activities which draw visitors to Morocco include skiing, birdwatching and golf.