Rabat
About a million people live in the capital Rabat and its sister city Sale, but wandering around the Medina, the Kasbah or the Modern Town this is not the impression you get. Life is easy. Not many people harrass you. Shopowners are very nice.
For this reason Rabat is a good first base to start exploring Morocco. You can get in touch with life the morrocan way at your own pace.
Watch the changing of the Royal Guard at the Royal Palace (Friday mornings) walk the narrow streets of the Casbah des Oudaya and visit the 12th-century Tour Hassan.
Several other interesting sights should be visited if time permits. Chief among these are Bouknadel and its Jardins Exotiques (fascinating gardens) and Chellah which has interesting museums a 17th-century fortress and Roman ruins. And dont neglect Rabats sister city Sale with its Grand Mosque, city gates, markets, small back streets and harbor filled with fishing boats.
You might also consider going to the beach in Rabat, although the beaches south of the city are somewhat better than those in town itself.
Related Travel Information
Casablanca
Casablanca is the economic capital of Morocco and the biggest city, with about 5 million people. Tourists coming to Casa expect to find a romantic town, as depicted in the classic Humphrey Bogart film of the same name. They will soon be disappointed. The film was actually shot in Florida. The only thing that will remind them of the film, are the piano players in the bars of the more fancy hotels. They will play the theme from the song all night long.
The town is basically a big commercial and industrial city and its medina (market) is nothing in
Morocco - General Information
Independent monarchy, divided into 37 provinces, and the 2 governorates (wilaya) of Casablanca and Rabat-Sale. Morocco claims, and occupies most of Western Sahara. Morocco also claims the territory of Spanish North Africa. Some hash producing regions in the north are out of control of the central authorities.
Day of independence: March 2, 1956.
Throne Day: July 30, 1999
GOVERNMENT
Head of state: Muhammad 6
Prime ministers: Driss Jettou.
The government is made up of 31 ministers.
National Assembly: There are 2 chambers, the Representative with 325 members, and the Advisers with 270 members. All members of the Representative Chamber are elected from general elections.
Marrakesh
Known as the "Red City" Marrakesh is the capital of the south. The atmosphere is distinctly more African than that of the other Imperial cities, Fez, Rabat and Meknes. The setting of the city is stunning with ochre stucco buildings surrounded by the snow-peaked Atlas mountains. If you have the time, Marrakesh is definitely worth a stay of several days.
The Jma-l-Fna is an unbelievable experience. It is a market scene straight out of the movies with snake charmers, musicians, dancing bears, acrobats and storytellers. Around the square there are numbered stalls that sell very cheap freshly-squeezed orange juice in
Morocco - Where to go?
-Marrakesh hosts Djemaa el Fna, the wackiest square in Morocco, where assorted weirdos put on performances and in the evening food stalls serve excellent local cuisine. The souk [market] is the best place to find good quality crafts.
- Fès is the oldest imperial city in Morocco and has the largest medina [old city] and souks in the world. You have to get lost in this medieval maze of 10,000 tiny streets to feel the city.
- Dunes. Travel past Erfoud [to Merzouga] or Zagora [to M'Hamid] to get to the dunes at the edge of the Sahara
