Morocco holidays

1. Explore the Kasbah of the Udayas, the clifftop citadel of the capital Rabat. The kasbah dates from the 12th Century but has been renovated many times since. Inside the impressive Bab Oudaya gate lies a network of winding streets housing a small museum, Rabat’s oldest mosque and a beautiful garden.
2. Take a tour of Casablanca’s colossal Hassan II Mosque. One of Africa’s largest mosques juts out dramatically over the ocean and can hold up to 105,000 people. A squad of over 600 master craftspeople worked on the mosque’s intricate design while noteworthy features of the building include a heated floor and retractable roof.
3. Visit the Caves of Hercules, just outside Tangier. See the spot where according to legend Hercules rested after separating Europe and Africa. Snap a photo of a crack in the rock which resembles the outline of Africa and take a guided tour to learn more about the myths and stories associated with the caves.
4. The Moroccan Sahara is split into two dune areas: Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga. In the former, the dunes of Merzouga are the most visited and can reach 150 metres, while in the latter, the more remote dunes of Zagora are less touristy but closer to Marrakech. Visit traditional Berber villages, stop by small oases fringed by date palms, surf the sands and enjoy the pristine night skies.
5. The Rif Mountains are Morocco’s most northerly peaks and remain popular with hikers for their Mediterranean views and easy-going treks. In this region check out the towns of Chefchaouen, with its famously blue medina, and Tetouan, with its splendid Spanish colonial architecture.

• Marrakech is a heady blend of new and old, offering plenty to dazzle the senses. Artisan traditions stretching back centuries are alive and well. In the airy avenues of Gueliz and Hivernage there’s prime shopping. Visit the Bahia Palace and the Dar Si Said, trawl the souks and lose yourself in the Medina.
• Agadir, Morocco’s main seaside resort, gets 300 days of sun a year making it a popular place for sun seekers. Haggle for bargains in the El Had souk, enjoy the Timitar world music festival in summer and stroll along the seven-mile-long promenade.
• The cosmopolitan, coastal city of Casablanca is more future focussed than other Moroccan cities but retains enough charm to tempt visitors. Don’t miss Hassan II Mosque, home to the world’s largest religious minaret, savour fresh seafood on La Corniche and shop in the Quartier Habous, an architecturally unique area combining Moorish and art deco influences.
• The imperial city of Fez has centuries of cultural heritage behind it. Its populous Medina provides a dizzying assault on the senses. Take in the view from the Tombs of the Merinids, discover the sights and smells of the Chouara Tannery and its fine selection of leather goods and have a restorative soak in the Moulay Yacoub Thermal Baths.
• The High Atlas Mountains sprawl across some 600 miles and are fertile ground for hiking and biking, being North Africa’s leading trekking destination. There are impressive peaks to scale, well-trodden passes to cross and mud-thatched Berber villages to pass. Regular seasonal snowfall in its highest reaches makes snow sport viable in Oukaimeden.
• Known as ‘the Wind City of Africa’, Essaouira naturally attracts windsurfers and kitesurfers half the year while visitors are drawn here the rest of the time by the many art galleries, to wander the winding alleys of its Medina and to watch traditional seafaring activities in its highly atmospheric port.

If you travel to Morocco with a valid British passport and stay for less than 90 days, a visa is not required. For more visa information, visit the IATA Travel Centre.