What is Morocco known for? 10 Spectacular Things

Morocco is known for many things. It is famous for its food, its culture, and history. Morocco is a safe destination to visit that is also well known for the most welcoming and kind people.

Today, many people want to visit Morocco, especially Marrakech. If you don’t know much about Morocco then this is a great place to start. These are 10 interesting, unique, and significant things that you need to know about Morocco!

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Travel Restrictions

Due to the current health situation, there might be travel restrictions for visitors to Morocco. Make sure to check regularly for changing travel guidelines on the government websites. You can also take a look at Flatten the Curve website for information on travel restrictions about Morocco.

1. Marrakech, Morocco’s Red City

Marrakech is one of the most iconic cities in the world. It is clearly the ambassador of Morocco. One cannot truly experience Morocco without visiting Marrakech. This city is among the oldest and famous imperial cities in Morocco.

While Marrakech is no longer a capital it still retains its imperial charm and historical significance, which lives on. No one can really pinpoint what keeps people attracted to Marrakech. It is just one of those places that people are naturally attracted to. Love it or hate it, Marrakech is here to stay.

2. Hassan II Mosque, Morocco’s Biggest Mosque

Morocco is known for Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, the 2nd largest mosque in Africa and the 7th largest in the world.

Pictures do not do justice to the immense, dominating presence of this humongous mosque. The entire complex covers a serious 9 hectares and can accommodate at least 105000 worshippers.

It is a timeless work of art, showcasing a blend of Islamic architecture from different Moroccan periods and influences while also remaining contemporary. The interior is meticulously decorated with marble, wood, and mosaics.

3. Couscous, Morocco’s National Dish

In addition to having a strange-sounding name, couscous is a staple food in North Africa. It is said to have become popular in the region of Morocco and Algeria around the 11th century but there are historical traces that suggest that it was consumed by the Amazigh peoples even centuries before then.

What we know is that Morocco is considered the undisputed home of couscous. Couscous is a common Moroccan dish served on Friday for lunch with a variety of veggies and meat. It is especially useful since rice is not commonly eaten in Morocco.

4. Tagine, Morocco’s Signature

The tagine is the name given to both the cone-shaped cooking utensil and the meal itself. The iconic meal that Morocco is well known for is the daily dish of rich and poor alike in Morocco. The tagine pot consists of a bottom plate and a rather big, cone-hat-shaped lid. Both parts are made of baked clay.

The food tagine in Morocco is basically the meal that is cooked in the tagine pot. However, as I have come to learn the hard way, cooking the Tagine is an art. One cannot just throw together anything and cook it in a tagine. The tagine is especially good for cooking tender, saucy meat with vegetables.

5. Mint Tea, Morocco’s Whisky

Many know of the refreshing hot drink, Moroccan mint tea. This drink is a combination of Chinese green gunpowder tea and fresh mint leaves.

In Morocco, tea is the first thing you drink when you get up and the last thing you sip before you go to bed, and many cups are enjoyed in between. Moroccans are tea crazy, outdone only by the Turks, those guys are on another level.

If you didn’t start drinking Moroccan mint tea yet, perhaps you would be interested to know that green tea and mint have several health benefits and should be a part of your daily diet.

Read more: Moroccan Mint Tea Guide & Recipe.

6. Argan Oil, Morocco’s Liquid Gold

Coming all the way to Morocco and not buying the Argan oil would be a huge mistake.

Morocco is known for Argan oil production, treasured oil that is called by many the liquid gold for its uncounted benefits. The pure Moroccan argan oil is used for hair, skin, and even cooking.

If you have dry hair and skin go no further than a few bottles of the magical Moroccan Agran oil. Unfortunately, Argan oil is very rare and hard to produce, that’s why its pure form is quite pricey but totally worth it.

7. Sahara Desert, Morocco’s Treasure

A trip to the Sahara desert in Morocco is highly recommended. A large portion of Morocco comprises the Sahara desert, which is the largest and hottest desert in the entire world. It covers the whole of North Africa, from Morocco to Egypt.

This cruel and unforgiving landscape has been home to several tribes over the ages, forming a diverse culture. The Sahara has previously been inhabited by Toureg, Amazigh, and even Arab tribes.

8. Chefchaouen, Morocco’s Blue Pearl

I’m sure you’ve come across pictures of the blueish town in Morocco. That’s Chefchaouen, the blue city that Morocco is best known for.

Chefchaouen also called Chaouen is a small city nestled in the Rif mountains. It is famous among tourists for its blue-washed buildings, narrow streets, and laid-back vibes. Chefchaouen is absolutely one of my favorite cities in Morocco.

9. Leather Tanneries, Morocco’s History

Leather Tanneries and leather production are some of the many things that Morocco is best known for.

Located in the imperial Fez, Chouara tannery is the largest and one of the oldest in Morocco. This is where most of the leather used to produce the Moroccan handmade goods originates.

The tanneries in Morocco aren’t a place for leather production only, they are a place that holds historical and cultural significance to Moroccans. So, make sure to pay a visit to Chouara tanneries in Fes.

10. Hammam Spa, Morocco’s Tradition

Morocco is well known for Hammam spa. Similar to the Turkish Hammam, the Moroccan Hammam is a steamed room where Moroccans go on a weekly basis and spend a few hours to deep-clean themselves.

Now the Moroccan Hammam has become more of a cultural experience among tourists due to its popularity. The rituals and treatments during a Moroccan Hammam vary from one place to another but overall they will include steaming, scrubbing, skin masks, massages.

11. Marathon des Sables, the world’s famous desert race

Morocco is well known for many things including its extreme desert race called marathon des sables. Marathon des sables is only one of many famous Moroccan marathons. This marathon is considered the toughest one in the world. It is a six-day, 251 km ultramarathon, which is approximately the distance of six regular marathons.

The race is held every year in southern Morocco, in the Sahara Desert. If you are in good shape and want to experience the Moroccan Sahara in totally a different way, Marathon des sables is your chance.