Morocco boasts a landscape as vibrant and varied as its past, boasting ties with sub-saharan Africa as well as nearby Europe and even the Middle East. You'll have access to mountains, desert and markets, meaning you can truly cater your villa holiday in Morocco to suit your travel party.
You don't necessarily need a strict schedule when visiting Morocco - a day spent navigating the cities without direction will still lead to plenty of exciting finds. However, if you're someone who prefers to go in with a plan, there are certain must-sees in Morocco too.
You'll likely start and end your trip flying into Casablanca, but don't just treat it as a transit point. Serving as the inspiration for the 1942 film favourite - there's even a Rick's Cafe! - this beautiful city is most notably home to the Hassan II Mosque.
To get out of the city, drive around an hour from Marrakech and you'll find the Atlas Mountains. They're inhabited by Berbers, who have small traditional settlements across the region - a stop-off to one of them is commonplace on a walking tour or 4x4 adventure.
For a complete change of scenery, head to the desert trading town of Rissani. From there you can head out on a camel to traverse the dunes, with some providers offering you the change to sleep overnight beneath clear skies. However, for those who prefer the finer things in life, stop at Ouarzazate for a visit to the Hollywood-esque film studios - Game of Thrones, Prison Break and Aladdin were all shot there.
![Sahara_desert.png](https://www.oliverstravels.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_Sahara_desert.png)
Subtle spices and full flavours unite to produce some of Morocco's most inviting dishes, drawing influence from Arabian, Andalusian and French cuisine. Couscous is a familiar staple, serving as the base of sharing platters and topping off rich stews. One such dish is the signature tagine, traditionally made in a clay pot and served with several slices of fresh flatbread.
Less globally known but equally comforting, harira is a thick soup that combines lentils, tomatoes chickpeas and lamb. It's typically mopped up using chebakia, a sticky sweet pretzel - and trust us, you'll want to savour every last drop!
B'stilla serves as the more unusual contender for your foodie agenda, prepared using paper-thin pastry layers that are then stuffed with pigeon, almonds and eggs. A saffron and coriander seasoning completes the flaky favourite, which is also available with vegetarian or seafood fillings.
Finally, for a distinctly Moroccan take on a western favourite, try beghrir. Also known as "thousand hole pancakes", this spongy crepe-like treat is made using semolina batter. They're typically served with sweet syrups or preserves at breakfast or tea time.
![Moroccan_food.png](https://www.oliverstravels.com/uploads/RTEmagicC_Moroccan_food.png)