Akasuki Ever since the Arab Spring protest movement broke out several years ago, tourism throughout North Africa has been a bit of a touchy subject. A nascent travel industry in Libya was scuttled with the toppling of Gaddafi, with ground conditions still remaining unstable and dangerous in the present day. Egypt is now ruled by a military junta, and while indications are that Tunisia is a safe place overall for travelers, occasional demonstrations in the streets cast doubt upon that perception from time to time.
One nation in North Africa that has kept its stability and order throughout this tumultuous period has been Morocco. A moderate Muslim country filled with lively citizens and a variety of landscapes, Morocco offers a plethora of travel experiences that will please people of varying tastes. From seaside resorts to mountainside kasbahs, there is a spot in this culturally rich nation that will offer you a relaxing holiday in Morocco.
The following three cities in Morocco each offer a different feel to their visitors – find out below if it is right for you…!
- Agadir
If you’d like the bedrock of your Moroccan holiday to revolve around a sun lounger, then the best place to base yourself is in Agadir. The beach is wide and stretches for miles in either direction, so there are plenty of spots to stake out even during the busier times of the year. If you are fairly active, then the surf breaks off the coast is a good place to carve up some waves, as there are plenty of boards available for rent.
There is an old fortress that is just waiting to be explored in the hills above the city, and while the local souk is nothing like what can be found in Marrakech, it boasts over 3000 stalls, so there is plenty of opportunity for you to make an amazing discovery here.
- Fez
If pursuing culture is what makes you tick, then spending your holiday in Fez will produce plenty of finds. Fez possesses one of the best preserved old cities in the Arab World, and the world’s oldest Islamic universities. Simply walking the streets here is an attraction in and of itself, with the smell of spice, leather tanneries, and freshly baked bread in the air.
Some religious sites are accessible only to Muslims, but are worth checking out from the exterior, such as al-Tijani Mosque, while Bou Inania Madersa, an Islamic school with exquisite architecture and design, is accessible to non-believers and is worthy of a through examination.
- Chefchaouen
If fresh mountain air and brilliantly painted houses appeal to you, then a visit to Chefchaouen is certainly worthwhile. The residences of many here have white-washed walls with powder blue roofs, which may evoke a sense of Santorini for some. In the hills surrounding this city, there are many hikes that will take you into the highlands, passing farmer’s fields along the way. Ras el Maa waterfall is a place where locals cool off in the heat of a blistering summer day, so if you wish to have an amazing local experience, it doesn’t get much better than this.
