Rabat and Casablanca
Morocco is a country that is full of unique cultures, foods, colors and architecture. Its a land of contrasts that sits as a gateway between Europe, Africa and the Middle East. Donna and I made a stop in Morocco’s largest city (Casablanca) and the capital of Morocco (Rabat). We saw many palaces, mosques, ancient ruins, carpet and spice stores and tasted interesting foods. Its a great and safe place to visit in Africa.
Getting to Morocco
There are many ways you can get to Morocco. On our trip we stopped there as a port of call on a Norwegian cruise that began in Barcelona, Spain but you can easily fly into major cities like Casablanca, Tangier or Marrakesh. A great option for touring Morocco aside from a cruise would be taking a bus tour of the country such as a Trafalgar tour. You can get tours that start in Spain/Portugal and go to Morocco or tours that are in Morocco the entire trip.
Rabat, Morocco
Donna and I spent most of our time in the capital city of Rabat. It is the second largest city in Morocco and the seat of the Kingdom. You can visit the outside of the Royal Palace of the King, visit a guarded mausoleum, ancient ruins, the Kashbah (fortress) and the beach area. Rabat has many different areas, a market and a wall around much of the city area. Its a very unique experience visiting this city.
Mohammed V Mausoleum and Hassan Tower (Unfinished Minaret)
You can visit this ornate Mausoleum that is the burial place for King Mohammed V and his two sons (including King Hassan II). It is located at a large plaza that is part of an unfinished mosque that ends with Hassan tower. The area is guarded by the Royal Moroccan guards. You can easily take pictures with the guards. Some are on horseback and others are on foot inside the mausoleum. There is a reader of the Koran inside the Mausoleum The architecture of this building finished in 1971 is spectacular and worth a visit while in the area.
Ancient Ruins of Chellah
We visited the fortified necropolis of Chellah while visiting Rabat. It is a fortress that has been occupied by the Phoenicians and Romans and has been granted World Heritage Site status. You can see mosaics left in the mosque, and the ruins of many buildings. Its a pretty area with many plants and flowers in the area. Its a fertile area not too far from the Bou Regreg river. When we first got to the site we were greeted by traditional Moroccan music at the gateway to the city (see picture at the top of the page). We were able to see a stork on top of the minaret ruins. We also made some cat friends as we walked through the site and saw and Eel in a small pond.
Dar al-Makhzen (Moroccan Royal Palace)
We visited the Moroccan Royal Palace and saw the very large complex including gardens, a mosque, the Moroccan Military Headquarters and a village for the servants of the King. We saw large fountains and the entrance to the palace guarded by different members of the Moroccan military. The King of Morocco does not live at this palace and uses it as his office and for administrative purposes. He lives in a more seculded palace near by.
Kashbah of the Udayas
We visited the fortified Kashbah while in Rabat. We saw the old wall protecting the area and stopped to try a Moroccan Mint drink. Many of the streets and passageways in the area are white buildings with decorative doors. Blue is also used in much of the area. This was a nice quick stop for us and more time could be used to explore the area a little longer.
Moroccan Lunch
While we were in Rabat we stopped and eat a traditional Moroccan meal. We sat at a relatively low table with low chairs and ate family style. We had very fresh fruits and vegetables, CousCous, and the main course was Moroccan Chicken. The food was very unique and was tasty. It is always nice to stop at a trusted restaurant to taste the local cuisine.
Casablanca, Morocco
After tour Rabat we drove along the coast and headed back to the large city of Casablanca. Casablanca is a large business center and port and like many large cities has a lot of traffic. We drove through the main avenues of the city and even passed a replica of Rick’s from the famous movie Casablanca. We stopped at a traditional Moroccan Carpet store and spice shop before going to the highlight of Casablanca the huge Hassan II mosque.
Hassan II Mosque
The second largest mosque in the world and the tallest minaret in the world is the Hassan II mosque on the coast in Casablanca. It is a stunning mosque full of beautiful architecture. The size of the mosque is stunning as you walk through the large plaza as you approach the mosque. The Atlantic Ocean is just on the other side of the Mosque. We arrived near a time for prayer so we were able to look inside (but not enter) the mosque. While in Casablanca this is the main site you will not want to miss. It’s far more impressive than the nearby Rick’s.
Tips for Morocco
Morocco is a country filled with a unique culture, amazing history, and friendly people. It is a safe country to visit but just like at home you want to be watchful to avoid pick pocketing and other theft. Rabat is a spectacular city to visit in Morocco. Casablanca is a great city to visit as well but Rabat is definitely the city with the most items to see in the area. The Hassan II mosque is the highlight in Casablanca. In Morocco the currency is the Moroccan Dirham and the exchange rate is very favorable compared to the US Dollar or Euro. The Euro is also accepted in some places as are credit cards. Arabic is the language of Morocco but I did not have any trouble speaking to locals in English. Going to Morocco on a cruise is a great way to get a taste of Morocco. We definitely would like to go back for an more extended stay in Morocco in the future!