Hello and welcome to another trip!
Morocco or the Kingdom of Morocco is a country in northern Africa and is a mix of languages, nationalities and cultures. The main spoken language is Arabic and the main religion is Islam. The capital of the country is Rabat, while the largest city is Casablanca, which we visited and will see together later. Morocco -for me- is a country of unique beauty, completely different from the European countries I have traveled so far and I strongly recommend to anyone looking for a special destination, to put Morocco on the list of next trips!
Let’s start our trip!
1. Casablanca
Casablanca, as we already mentioned, is the largest city in the country and is inhabited by about 3.5 million people. In addition to being a larger city, Casablanca also has the country’s largest port on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean. So, what can you see in Casablanca?
Hassan II Mosque
I start from this specific place, since -for me- it was one of the most important points I found in the country. This Mosque was built by King Hassan II, after whom it is named, and is one of the largest mosques in the world. Built in 1986 (completed in 1993), it is located partly in the sea -specifically the Atlantic Ocean- and is a landmark for the country’s religious culture. Inside there is a prayer room, washing room, baths, Koranic school, library, museum and Academy of Traditional Arts.
As for its architecture, it was done by a French guy named Michel Pinseau, while at the same time there were many Moroccans who worked alongside him. Its most impressive point is the minaret, which is 200-210 meters high. In addition to being a place of prayer, the mosque is also a unique spot for photos, as it combines this incredible architecture with the colors of the ocean.
Morocco Mall
Morocco Mall was inaugurated in 2011 and houses a large number of major brands, while at the same time it offers leisure centers, a cinema, but also many restaurants with local and foreign cuisine. It is located 10km far from the Hassan II Great Mosque we spoke about earlier, so you can combine them in the same day and enjoy a variety of activities in Casablanca. I am closing the Morocco Mall’s chapter by mentioning that in 2012 it received the International Market Prize for Real Estate Professionals in Cannes in the category of the best architectural shopping center. I think this proves both its beauty and its importance both for the country of Morocco and for Africa in general.
2. El Jadida
El Zadida is a very beautiful seaside town, which is located 96km southwest of Casablanca. The city was built in the 16th century by the Portuguese and given the name Mazagan. In 1769 it became Moroccan, always keeping the architecture of the Portuguese Renaissance. For me it is clearly the most beautiful city I have visited.
Pullman Mazagan Royal Golf & Spa
This place has it all: five star hotels, suites, restaurants, bars, swimming pools, spa, golf course, and much more. The Pullman opened its doors in 1993 and is a landmark for the city and certainly, if you are close, you shouldn’t miss a visit. I am attaching some photos for you to see some of what I saw and to enjoy -even online- this place.
The Portugese City
The Portuguese City is located in the Medina of the city of El Zadida and is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. It was built in 1509-1514 and it houses many shops with traditional products, cafes, restaurants, as well as historical sites. The view is magical, as climbing to the highest point of the castle, you can enjoy the endless blue of the ocean. A unique experience that you shouldn’t miss!
Sidi Bouzid Plage
This beach is located 5km away from El Zadida and is very popular. The beach has fine sand and clear water and is classified as a Blue Flag beach. For me it was a rather unique experience, since I swam for the first time in the Atlantic Ocean, which despite its charm, I have to say is also very dangerous. It requires a good knowledge of swimming, resistance to the low -for me- water temperature and then, you are ready to enjoy your day there.
3. Oualidia
Another city on the Atlantic coast awaits us. Oualidia is located 158km south of Casablanca. The landmark of the city is an abandoned palace, which was built in 1940 by Sultan Mohammed Ben Youssef. What I -personally- liked the most is the beach, which was full of people enjoying the cool waters and eating various seafood in the sun. There are also many restaurants to enjoy the local cuisine. For the end, I left the Château Eden El Rouh & Spa, a real pearl of the city. The incredible pool, the magnificent view and the romantic atmosphere add up to a landscape that I would definitely like to experience again soon.
4. Marrakech
Marrakech, or the Red City, has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It is a city that is easily connected to others thanks to its railway network, as well as Menara Airport. It is the second largest city in the country, after Casablanca, and has many sights to see. It is definitely a city that you need many days to explore. Today I’m going to talk about two things that excited me:
Jemaa el Fna Square
It is the most famous square, which is full of people enjoying traditional food, music and handicrafts sold by small bussnessmen and artists. It is a cultural crossroads I would say of different nationalities, languages and cultures. I personally enjoyed a hand made juice while walking and enjoying the market.
Ourika Valley
This location is a rural, traditional district in Marrakech and takes its name from the river that runs through it. So there, near the river, there are many traditional taverns where you can try tajine, classic Moroccan food accompanied by traditional Moroccan tea. And all this, while you can dip your feet in the cold waters of the river and enjoy the good weather. So that’s what we did!
Also, driving to and from Ourika, you’ll find many small shops with people selling handmade goods, such as Moroccan cookware, decorations for the home, bags and traditional products. Of course, we also did our shopping for us and our family.
Menara Mall
Marrakesh Mall opened its doors in 2015. It is an extremely large mall, where you can find everything you can imagine, from clothing, jewelry and perfume shops to restaurants , cafes, spice shops and much more. Being in the city, you shouldn’t forget to walk through the mall and do your shopping. After all, who can say no to traditional spices? As a cook, I will tell you that they are in no way comparable to what you can find in Europe. And if you’re not a fan of cooking, you definitely won’t be able to resist an Arabic perfume, trust me!
Traditional Moroccan Cuisine
Moroccan cuisine is based on slow, good cooking and spices. I was very lucky because I got Moroccan cooking lessons from natives with a lot of care and love. Personally, I loved the country’s food both for its simplicity and taste and for the family atmosphere I experienced, as we always ate together at the table with lots of love, laughter and good time. These are memories that I will keep forever in my heart, until I live them again soon.
Thank you for being part of my trip one more time! Have a great time!
