Things to Know Before Heading to Marrakesh

- Algeria, Egypt, Libya, Morocco, Sudan, Tunisia, and Western Sahara comprise North Africa.

- North Africa is separated by a narrow strait from Spain by a mere 8 miles (Strait of Gibraltar)

- North African territories follow the Islam religion

- North Africa is characterized by having both Arab and European influences, as well as Berber and Roman influences.

- Ramadan is celebrated every 9th month of the Lunar calendar year and last for 30 days. (it usually falls on August or September)

- Both French and English are widely spoken

Overview

North Africa is truly an amazing region in terms of cultural attractions, natural scenery and rich historical heritage.

From the majestic Pyramids of Giza in Egypt to hiking in the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, a holiday in North Africa offers you a myriad of opportunities to suit every taste.

For instance, if you are a history buff and are interested in ancient ruins, you can explore the popular Ruins of Carthage in Tunis Tunisia where you can see Roman ruins.

If you are a shopping enthusiast, Morocco and Egypt are home to souks or street markets where you can shop for handmade local goods such as carpets, jewelry, pots and paintings.

Popular Destinations in North Africa

If you are wondering where to start your North African adventure, here it is list of three of the most popular destinations in North Africa for first time travelers:

1. Tunis Tunisia

The capital city of Tunis Tunisia is not only a popular destination in North Africa but also an ideal holiday base, if you intend on exploring southern Italy.

In fact, Tunis Tunisia is only a short ferry ride from Palermo Sicily and Cagliari Sardinia.

2. Rabat Morocco

If you are planning on visiting Morocco for the first time, the capital city of Rabat Morocco boasts many attractions such as the Roman ruins Chellah, just outside of the city, as well as a national reserve park where you can enjoy outdoor activities.

3. Cairo Egypt

Cairo Egypt is certainly one of the most popular destinations in North Africa. Apart from being home to the popular Pyramids of Giza, a trip to Cairo Egypt also offers you the chance to enjoy a multitude of fun tours such as a tour along the Nile River, a camel ride tour though the Sahara desert, and a walking tour of Coptic Cairo where you can explore synagogues and museums.


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The capital of Rabat Morocco is located along the coast of Morocco, sharing the same golden sand stretch as Casablanca.

If you are deciding where to go in Morocco, Rabat is an ideal starting place as the city is known for its more relaxed and quieter atmosphere.

4 Money Saving Tips in Morocco

If you are traveling to Rabat Morocco for the first time, the city was a former Roman settlement between the 8th and 12th centuries. Then, a former colony of France in the early 20th century.

Rabat’s mixed heritage can be appreciated in its colonial style architecture, Chellah Roman ruins and the Medina of Rabat.

Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Outdoor Activities

Bird watching & Hiking

If you are an outdoors enthusiast and would like to explore Morocco’s natural scenery, the Lac Sidi Boughaba Parc is just 13 miles north of Rabat’s city center.

Lac Sidi Boughaba Parc is a beautiful biological reserve home to a wealth of fauna and flora.

At the reserve you can enjoy hiking while exploring the wildlife, picnicking and even fishing at the lake there.

Beaches

One of the reasons that make Rabat Morocco such a popular destination in Morocco it’s its coastal location.

If you want to spend time at the beach, Rabat Morocco has a lovely beach where you can spend a relaxing time soaking up the sun, or en joy fun water activities such as body surfing.

Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Places of Interest

Rabat Old Quarter

Visiting the Old Quarter (Medina) in the city is one of the most popular things to do in Rabat Morocco.

Just like other major Medinas in Morocco, Rabat's Old Quarter is characterized by typical maze-like streets and traditional markets (souks).

In Rabat's Old Quarter you can also find the beautiful landmarks the Grand Mosque and the Moulay Sliman Mosque, which are both located along Rue (street) Souika.

Musee Archelolgique‎ (Archeological Museum)

The Rabat Archeological Museum is located on Rue (street) Brihi, and it is one of the most popular museums in the city, as it features a myriad of fascinating ancient artifacts.

If you are interested in ancient history and ancient artifacts, the museum features various rooms where you can marvel at prehistoric fossils and sculptures and ceramics from the Roman period.

Musee (Museum) Oudaia and Andalusian Gardens

The Oudaia Museum is housed in the palace built by Moulay Ismail. This museum is an excellent place to marvel at Moroccan art such as paintings, jewelry and clothing items.

The Andalusian Gardens are located at the palace’s grounds, and they're a beautiful example of a Mediterranean garden featuring all kind of exotic flowers.

Ruins of Chellah

The ruins of Chellah are located in the outskirts of the city and are basically the ruins of the Roman town of Sala that settled here between the 8th and 12th centuries. At the site, you can find a beautiful garden, a Roman forum and a Roman roadway (Decumanus Maximus).

Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Shopping & Food

If you’ve never experienced the shopping scene in Morocco before and are wondering what to expect in Rabat Morocco, the shopping scene is very similar to that of places such as Izmir and Kusadasi in Turkey.

The Medina of Rabat is the heart of the shopping experience in the city and, here you’ll find many street vendors selling handmade goods such as jewelry and carpets.

Apart from being a great place to shop for souvenir gifts, the Old Quarter (Medina) is a great place to get fresh local produce and enjoy a traditional Moroccan dish in one of the many restaurants there.

Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Nightlife & Entertainment

The city of Rabat has one of the liveliest night scenes in Morocco, and you can find a range of traditional and international bars, cafes and nightclubs.

The Old Quarter of Rabat is where the Moroccans hang out and where you can find traditional Moroccan bars and cafes as well as discos.

Alternatively, the Rabat hotel bars provide another source of nightlife as they feature nightly live entertainment.

Things to do in Rabat Morocco: Events & Festivals

If you are wondering when to travel to Rabat Morocco, it’s a good idea to travel here during one of the major events and festivals happening in the city throughout the year.

For instance, the popular Mawazine Music Festival happens every year in May and it is one of the most popular events of the calendar year. The event brings together musicians and performers from all across Morocco as well as the rest of the world.

In June, the Rabat Film Festival takes place showcasing movies by local and international amateur filmmakers.

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The city of Tunis is located north of Tunisia facing western coast of Sicily and southern coast of Sardinia.

If you are traveling to the lively capital of Tunis for the first time, the city is divided into the Medina and the Ville Nouvelle parts.

The Medina (Old Quarter) still retains the feel of the Old Tunisia, while the Ville Nouvelle (Modern city) has a more French-European feel.

Apart from the many things to do in Tunis Tunisia, the capital is an ideal base for exploring southern Italy attractions.

In fact, taking a cruise from Tunis along the Mediterranean sea will allow to explore the islands of Sicily, Sardinia, Palma de Mallorca and Malta.

Things to do in Tunis Tunisia: Shopping

The Old Quarter of Tunis is the best place to experience the shopping scene in the city and it’s the place where you’ll find the famed Souks (markets).

Shopping in a Souk (market) is one of the most popular things to do in Tunis Tunisia, and just like in Turkey, Morocco and Egypt, Tunis is a bargain-hunter’s paradise.

In fact, souks offer the best places for souvenir shopping, and you can find anything from leather items, carpets, handmade crafts and all kinds of silver jewelry.

Things to do in Tunis Tunisia: Places of Interest

The Medina of Tunis

Taking a stroll along the Medina of Tunis or Old Quarter is one of the most popular things to do in Tunis Tunisia. The Medina offers an insight into the Old Tunisia, and it is where you’ll find pre-colonial era buildings such as the Great Mosque and Bey's Palace.

The Bardo Museum

The Bardo Museum is a must-see attraction for those interested in history. The museum houses a large collection of Roman mosaics, as well as artifacts from Ancient Greece and the Arab world.

The Ruins of Carthage

The Ruins of Carthage are another popular interesting place to visit and it is where you’ll find Roman ruins such as the Roman amphitheater and the thermal Antonine Baths.

While in the area, you can also pay a visit to the Carthage Museum and the St. Louis Cathedral.

Things to do in Tunis Tunisia: Nightlife & Entertainment

One of the best places to find traditional nightlife & entertainment is in the Old Quarter of Tunis. Apart from Souks, the Old Quarter is home to charming small cafes where you can enjoy a Shisha pipe.

If you are looking to enjoy alcoholic drinks, the coastal towns of La Marsa and Sidi Bou Said (around ten miles from Tunis city center) are two of the trendiest places in Tunis, where you’ll also find a more international vibe.

Things to do in Tunis Tunisia: Events & Festivals

Carthage International Festival

The Carthage International Festival is one of the most popular festivals in Tunisia, and a great event to attend and soak in Arab heritage. At the event you can enjoy a myriad of traditional singing and theatrical performances.

El Haouaria Falconry Festival

El Haouaria falconry festival, held in the town of El Haouaria in June, is a fun event where visitors are treated to a spectacular falconry competition.

Medina festival

The Medina festival, held in Tunis during the month of Ramadan, is a fun cultural event that features worldly music and film events, as well as a variety of traditional Arab performances.


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Morocco, home to the imperial cites of Fez, Meknes, Rabbat and Marrakech, is home to a fascinating culture, friendly locals and a wealth of ancient landmarks and districts such as the Medinas found in the mentioned imperial cities.

Apart from the many fun things to do in Morocco, the country is an ideal base for exploring tourist attractions in Spain. In fact, one of the most popular ways to get to Spain is by speed-ferry which takes just half-hour.

Those of you looking to explore the cities in the south of Spain such as Malaga, Seville and Cadiz can take a ferry from Tangier (Morocco) to Algeciras (Spain).

There are also companies in Tangier (Morocco) that offer a ferry service to Barcelona, so for those of you who would love to explore the north of Spain, the south of France and the rest of Europe from Morocco, the ferry is fun and cost-effective way to go about it.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Fun Outdoor Activities

Sahara Camel Tour

4 Money Saving Tips in Morocco

Taking a camel tour ride on the Sahara desert is one of the most popular fun things to do in Morocco. A typical camel tour through the Sahara desert can last for a few days and visitors spend the nights in desert camps.

Berber Village

One of the most popular fun things to do in Morocco is to explore one of the Berber villages located in the Atlas Mountains.

The best way to go about exploring a Berber village is to hire a local tour guide which can also arrange for you to spend the night with the Berber family.

Horse-drawn Carriage Tour

Exploring Morocco on a horse-drawn carriage is another popular fun thing to do for first time visitors. A typical horse carriage tour lasts around an hour and you get to visit the popular attractions from the comfort of the carriage.

Cities such as Meknes and Marrakech have some of the most beautiful attractions and these cities offer some of the most stunning scenery for a horse-drawn carriage tour.

Beach Activities

Those of you looking to enjoy a relaxing time at the beach as well as water activities such windsurfing, para-sailing and Dolphin boat trips, the resort of Agadir offers all of these and more.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Cities of Interest

Marrakech

The city of Marrakech, located in the heart of Morocco, is perhaps one of the most popular of the Imperial Cities in Morocco, as the city is home to Morocco’s finest palaces that include the Bahia Palace and the Dar El Said, which are now turned into walking museums.

The Medina ( or Old Town) is where Marrakesh main attractions are found and they include the Koutoubia tower and the Saadian tombs.

Fes

One of the highlights of a trip to Morocco is to experience a Medina district. The city of Fes is home to Fes El Bali, which is the largest Medina in the whole of Morocco and it is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Popular things to do in Fes include taking a walking tour of the city’s main tourist attractions such as the Madrasa Bou Inania, the Aben Danan the Synagogue and the Dar Al-Magana.

Meknes

The city of Meknes, located north of Morocco, is one of the smallest cities in Morocco but one of the most prestigious of the Imperial cities.

The main point of interest in the town of Meknes is also the Medina district, which is where you’ll find the famed Jewish Quarter, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, and El-Hdim square/ market place where you can enjoy some shopping, as well as some live entertainment.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Shopping

Haggling at a souk (street market) is one of the most memorable fun things to do in Morocco. Souks are the best places to buy gifts and souvenirs and they are found all across Morocco.

The city of Marrakech is undoubtedly home to one of the most flamboyant souks in Morocco.

The Djemaa El Fna market place and square is the heart and soul of the shopping and dining scene in Marrakech. At the square, you’ll find the famed snake-charmers, Chleuh dancing-boys, story-tellers and magicians.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Food & Drink

Enjoying the Moroccan cuisine is one of the best things to do in Morocco, and their cuisine has a mixture of Berber, Moorish, Mediterranean, Arab, and African influences.

One of the most popular Moroccan dishes to try out it’s Tagine, which is a delicious stew traditionally slow-cooked in a Tagine pot.

The most popular Moroccan drink is green tea with mint, which is considered an important ritual, and locals enjoy it throughout the day with friends and colleagues.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Nightlife & Entertainment

The nightlife in Morocco has a vibrant and unique flavor, and ranges across the country from small bars to traditional belly dancing clubs.

For instance, the nightlife in Marrakech consists of local bars and street entertainment such as street performers and live music.

The resort of Agadir also has a vibrant nightlife and it is one of the places in Morocco where you’ll hotel-discos. In fact, those of you looking for a western-like night scene should consider staying at the resort of Agadir.

Fun Things to do in Morocco: Events & Festivals

The Marrakech Arts festival

The Marrakech Art festival, held in late June, is an international event that brings performers, from as far as China, to Marrakech. Apart from street performers, the event hosts fun theatrical plays.

Ramadan

Just like Dubai, Syria and Egypt, Ramadan month, held on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, is also one of the holiest months of the year in Morocco.

If you intend to travel to Morocco during this time, it’s important to remember that is a holy and sensitive time and most places are closed during the day.

World Sacred Music Festival

The World Sacred Music Festival, held in late May in Fes, is an annual music event where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan and international music in one venue.

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Must see sights in Dubai

The city of Dubai UAE is one of the most popular holiday destinations, along with Saudi Arabia.

If you are planning a trip to Dubai UAE for the first time, the city of Dubai (also known as the city of Gold) is an exciting and vibrant cosmopolitan city home to famed Dubai Mall, which is the largest shopping mall in the World.


In fact, the city is known as a shopper’s paradise and, apart from retail shopping, one of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE is to shop in one of the many souks (markets).

Dubai UAE is a great holiday destination all year-round but June through July are the hottest months of the year with average temperatures between 40°C (105°F) and 30°C (86°F) throughout the day.

Fun Things to do in Dubai UAE: Fun Activities

Sand dune jeep ride

A sand dune jeep ride on the Arabian Desert is perhaps one of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE. There are many companies that offer a sand dune ride, but the Jeep ride typically is done on a 4WD and lasts around an hour.

Indoor Skiing

Enjoying a few runs on the indoor ski resort, Ski Dubai, is another of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE. Ski Dubai is located on the Mall of Emirates and has five slopes with different difficulty to suit everyone.

Helicopter and Hot Air Balloon Tour

For a different perspective of the city of Dubai, a helicopter or hot air balloon tour will allow you to get magnificent views of Dubai's landmarks such as Dubai Creek, Burj Dubai Tower and Dubai Marina among others.

Cruise

Exploring the city by sea is another of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE. A typical Dubai cruise will take you along ‘The Palms’ and ‘The World’ famed landmarks.

Fun Things to do in Dubai UAE: Places of Interest

Grand Mosque

The Grand Mosque, located near the Ruler's Court, features one of the tallest minarets in the Dubai UAE, and one of the biggest mosques in the United Arab Emirates.

Visiting the Grand Mosque are night is perhaps the best time to admire this beautiful structure, as the mosque is lit up at night.

Heritage and Diving Village

Those of you interested in soaking in ancient Dubai can do so at the Heritage and Diving Village.

The village, located next to the Grand Mosque, is a magnificent Bedouin Village replica which features people dressed in traditional clothing, as well as period artifacts and more.

Dubai Museum

The Dubai Museum (which is actually the Al Fahidi Fort) is another excellent place where you can see more period artifacts and learn more about Dubai’s earlier way of life through dioramas.

Dubai Creek Abra ride

Taking an Abra ride or taxi ride along the creek is another fun way to explore Dubai’s natural outdoors, and see Dubai’s famed dhows.

Fun Things to do in Dubai UAE: Shopping

As mentioned earlier, shopping is one of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE, and the Dubai shopping scene encompasses over fifty shopping malls and a variety of traditional markets, where you can shop for bargain items.

One of the most popular fun things to do in Dubai UAE is shop for gold souvenirs and gift items to take home. For instance, Deira Gold Souk (located on the Old district of Deira) is one of the best places to shop for gold goods.

Those of you interested in up-scale shopping and a trendier dining scene, the Jumeirah Emirates Towers, located alongside Sheikh Zayed Road, are a great place to hang-out, and enjoy some great shopping at the famed ‘The Boulevard’.

Fun Things to do in Dubai UAE: Nightlife & Entertainment

Dubai UAE has a lively and buzzing night scene, as well as strict laws regarding alcohol. In fact, most of the clubs that serve alcohol in Dubai UAE are located in hotels so, it is worth checking with your hotel regarding their alcoholic drink policy.

Also note that you have to be over 21 years of age to drink alcohol and over 25 years of age to get into a club.

Fun Things to do in Dubai UAE: Festivals & Events

The Dubai Shopping Festival

The Dubai Shopping Festival, held in late January, is, undoubtedly, one of the most popular events in Dubai, and one of the best times to travel to Dubai to grab some bargains.

During the festival, visitors can grab absolute bargains as shop owners offer their merchandise at a much discounted price.

Dubai Summer Surprises

The Dubai Summer Surprises, held from June through August, is a popular event geared towards families, where kids can enjoy a multitude of fun activities such as bouncy castles and face painting competitions.

Ramadan

Ramadan month, held on the 9th month of the Islamic calendar, is one of the holiest months of the year in every Islamic country.

Countries such as Egypt and Syria also celebrate Ramadan, and if you intend to travel to Dubai UAE during this time, it’s important to remember that is holy and sensitive time.

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