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Morocco,
The Coast
The Coast: -
The Mediterranean coast between Tangier and Nador has a string of creeks, bays, sheltered beaches and cliffs along the shore, ideal for swimming, boating and fishing. Al Hoceima, Mdiq, Taifor and Smir-Restinga are all new resorts, offering a wide variety of accommodation, from luxury hotels to well-situated bungalows.
The Atlantic coast is often rocky, with some long stretches of fine sand and calm bays.
Tangier: Tangier, gateway to Africa, is the country’s most cosmopolitan town, a place where – surviving from the days when Tangier was a free port – the street signs are in three languages; in fact, no less than 12 nations have occupied the city at one time or another since the fifth century. The city has a picturesque and active market called the Grand Socco. Other places worth visiting include the Mendoubia Gardens; the Sidi Bounabib Mosque; the Moulay Ismail Mosque; the Forbes Museum; and the Merinid College.
Excursions: Excursions in the region include visits to the mountain town of Chechaouen, the fishing village of Asilah and the Caves of Hercules at Cape Spartel. About 40km (25 miles) southeast of Tangier, the city of Tetouan has a reputation for minor crime. However, the town
is beautifully located on a hillside with a view over the Mediterranean and its medina (market) in the old part is a listed UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Casablanca: Also on the Atlantic coast is the newer city of Casablanca. Founded at the beginning of the century, it is the country’s principal commercial town, the second-largest town in Africa and one of the continent’s biggest ports. Here stands the Hassan II Mosque, the world’s largest mosque with one of the world’s tallest minarets.
Excursions: Just south of Casablanca, in a picturesque location along the banks of the Oum er-Rbia, is Azemmour, with its abundance of violet bougainvillea and its purple ramparts (which visitors may walk along after agreeing a fee for the guardian to unlock them). Slightly further south is El Jadida which has a remarkable Portuguese fortress and one of the most beautiful beaches on the Atlantic coast. It also boasts the Church of Assumption, an enormous underground Cistern and the ‘Gate on the Sea’
and fortifications.
Elsewhere: Travelling further south along the coast brings visitors to Safi, a fishing port with a Portuguese palace, pottery shops and a medina.
Agadir is a modern holiday city with superb beaches, excellent resort hotels and self-catering accommodation, which offers all types of sports activities. From here, there are excursions to the towns of Taroudant, Tiznit, Tafraout, Goulimine and, of course, the famous Marrakech. Essaouira is a laid-back fishing port whose narrow streets are lined with whitewashed, blue-shuttered houses. Mohammedia is another popular resort in this region.
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