Morocco / المملكة المغربية / ⵜⴰⴳⵍⴷⵉⵜ ⵏ ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ – Let’s explore here
What’s it like in Morocco?
Morocco is a beautiful Kingdom in north western Africa that sits on the boundary between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. It is comprised of stunning Saharan desert that merges with the vast Atlas Mountains and the Rim Mountains. the highest point is Mount Toubkal, in the centre of the country, at 13,671 ft (4,167 m) above sea level.
The Canary Islands of Spain and much of Macronesia lie just off the coast. It shares land borders with Spain, Mauritania, the disputed Western Sahara, and Algeria (which it’s broken off diplomatic relations with). It has a very rich, interesting and mostly stable history.
Western Sahara is a disputed territory in the south of Morocco, slightly larger than the United Kingdom. The eastern part of Western Sahara, amounting to about 20% of the territory, is controlled by the by the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, with the other 80% being controlled by Morocco. Currently (2024), 46 out of 193 UN member states have recognised its independence from Morocco. It is one of the least populated territories on the planet.
The population of Morocco is around 37½ million people (2024), almost two million of whom live in the capital, Rabat. By contrast, around 4¼ million live in Casablanca. It relies heavily on tourism, enticing more than 13 million tourists (2023) per year.
A bit about the history of Morocco
Early History and the Berber Kingdoms
Morocco has a long and complex history that dates back to ancient times. The region was originally inhabited by Berber tribes, whose presence in the area can be traced back thousands of years. The earliest known Berber kingdom in Morocco was the Kingdom of Mauretania, which was established around the 3rd century BC. This kingdom was later annexed by the Roman Empire, and much of the region became part of the Roman province of Mauritania. Following the decline of the Roman Empire, the region saw the rise of various Berber dynasties, and by the 7th century, Islam began to spread across North Africa, significantly shaping the future of Morocco. The Arab expansion brought Islam and Arab culture to the region, and the Berbers adopted both.
The Islamic Period and the Rise of Dynasties
The spread of Islam in Morocco was accompanied by the establishment of powerful dynasties. The first of these was the Idrisid Dynasty, founded by Idris I, a descendant of the Prophet Muhammad, in the 8th century. This dynasty helped to consolidate Islamic rule in Morocco and laid the foundation for the country’s subsequent dynastic periods. Following the Idrisids, Morocco saw the rise of several other notable dynasties, including the Almoravid, Almohad and Merinid dynasties. The Almoravid Dynasty (11th–12th centuries) was particularly significant, as it united much of Morocco and parts of Spain and sub-Saharan Africa under one rule. The Almohads followed, further expanding the territory and influence of Morocco, including controlling large parts of North Africa and Iberia.
The Decline of the Dynastic Empires
By the 16th century, Morocco was experiencing internal strife and external invasions, notably from the Portuguese and the Spanish. Despite these challenges, the Saadi Dynasty (16th–17th centuries) managed to restore Moroccan power, especially after their victory in the Battle of the Three Kings in 1578, which led to the expulsion of the Portuguese from much of Morocco. The decline of the Saadi Dynasty in the 17th century was followed by the rise of the Alaouite Dynasty, which remains in power today. This dynasty established its rule in the early 1600s and became the dominant power in Morocco, successfully consolidating its control over the country.
The Alaouite Dynasty and French Protectorate
The Alaouite Dynasty, which began with Moulay Rachid in the mid 17th century, managed to preserve Morocco’s independence amid European colonial expansion. However, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, European powers, particularly France and Spain, sought to exert influence over Morocco.
In 1912, under pressure from France, Morocco became a French protectorate, while Spain also gained control over certain regions, particularly in the north and south. The French protectorate allowed France to dominate Morocco’s political, economic and military affairs, although Morocco retained its nominal sovereignty and the Alaouite monarchy continued to rule. During the French protectorate, Morocco saw significant modernisation, with improvements in infrastructure, education and industry, but this period was also marked by rising nationalist sentiments and resistance to foreign rule.
The Struggle for Independence
The early 20th century saw the emergence of nationalist movements, with the Istiqlal Party (Independence Party) leading the charge for independence. The party, which was founded in 1944, pushed for the end of French rule and the restoration of Moroccan sovereignty. The nationalist movement gained momentum during World War II, as Morocco’s involvement in the war and the weakening of European powers created an opportunity for greater political mobilisation.
In 1953, the French exiled Sultan Mohammed V, the popular monarch, in an attempt to quash the independence movement. This move backfired, leading to widespread protests and unrest. In 1955, the French government, recognising the strength of the nationalist movement, negotiated with Sultan Mohammed V, allowing him to return to Morocco and eventually grant the country independence. Morocco gained its independence from France on 2 March 1956, and Sultan Mohammed V became the king of the newly sovereign state. Following independence, the country moved towards modernising its political and economic systems.
Post-Independence and the Reign of Hassan II
After independence, Morocco was led by King Mohammed V, who worked to unite the country and modernise its institutions. Mohammed V’s reign saw the integration of former Spanish territories into the kingdom, including the cities of Ceuta and Melilla, and the push for the decolonisation of Western Sahara.
Upon the death of Mohammed V in 1961, his son Hassan II ascended to the throne. King Hassan II’s reign was marked by both modernisation efforts and political repression. While he oversaw significant infrastructural development and efforts to diversify the economy, his rule was also characterised by authoritarianism, with political opponents frequently silenced through imprisonment or exile. Hassan II also pursued a controversial policy in Western Sahara, where Morocco and the indigenous Sahrawi people, represented by the Polisario Front, were in conflict. In 1975, following Spain’s withdrawal from its colony in Western Sahara, Morocco annexed the territory, leading to a prolonged and unresolved conflict with the Polisario Front, which sought independence for Western Sahara.
The Reign of Mohammed VI and Modern Challenges
In 1999, King Hassan II passed away, and his son Mohammed VI ascended to the throne. Mohammed VI’s reign has been characterised by a mix of modernisation and political reform, as well as efforts to maintain the monarchy’s grip on power. One of his first major actions was to introduce a new family code (the Moudawana) in 2004, which granted women more rights in marriage, divorce and inheritance, marking a significant step towards gender equality.
Mohammed VI also sought to modernise Morocco’s economy, focusing on tourism, renewable energy and infrastructure projects. He launched several large scale initiatives, including the development of the port city of Tangier, the expansion of Morocco’s solar energy capacity, and reforms in agriculture. These efforts have helped Morocco achieve steady economic growth.
However, political and social challenges persist. While the king has introduced reforms, the political system remains heavily centralised, and the monarchy retains significant power. Protests, particularly in the Rif region in the late 2010s, have highlighted widespread dissatisfaction with corruption, unemployment and the uneven distribution of wealth.
The issue of Western Sahara remains unresolved, with Morocco continuing to control the territory while the Polisario Front seeks independence. The United Nations and African Union have made limited progress in resolving the conflict.
In recent years, Morocco has strengthened its international standing. In 2020, Morocco normalised diplomatic relations with Israel as part of a broader shift in Middle Eastern politics, facilitated by the United States. This move, which was part of a broader set of agreements known as the Abraham Accords, has been both praised and criticised domestically.
Morocco road trip
Our Moroccan road trip is part of a much larger African road trip. The current planned road trip takes us from Cueta in Spain, and mostly follows the coast, before heading on to (the disputed) Western Sahara and Mauritania.
With its incredible history, culture and markets, it’s likely that we’ll actually explore the country quite extensively. So we expect that this planned cross-continental route will change a lot.
Hopefully our journey will improve our knowledge of this intriguing and beautiful country, and enable us to meet some interesting people. We’ll be updating this page at that time – don’t forget to check back 🙂
Map of our road trip through Morocco
What’s it like to drive in Morocco?
They drive on the right hand side of the road in Morocco. Driving there can be incredible, in particular if you enjoy scenery involving deserts and mountains. In the main the roads are decent and driving is much the same as in western Europe.
In fact, in the cities it’s very much like driving in France, because, like the French, they do like to use their car horns! Driving in the cities can be tiresome, as they can be pretty congested, and traffic jams are frequent … although this is true of most cities these days.
There are tolls on the motorways, although you can pay at the toll gate, and they don’t tend to be expensive.
The land border between Algeria and Morocco is closed (2025), and has been for a long time.
What’s it like to drive in (the disputed) Western Sahara?
Driving in some parts (the disputed) Western Sahara requires a bit more skill than driving throughout the more developed parts of Morocco. The main coastal road is generally in good condition, although there are parts that are unsurfaced.
Do you require an international driving permit in Morocco?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Can you use your UK driving license when driving through Morocco?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
Do I need a carnet de passages to drive in Morocco?
We’ve created a dedicated page to driving abroad, which answers this question, and more, which you might find helpful.
What currency do they use in Morocco?
In Morocco they use the Moroccan dirham. Cash is widely used. The use of credit / debit cards is widely accepted. Travellers cheques are readily accepted in cities. There are many ATMs in cities and towns throughout the country.
You should make yourself aware of the amount that your bank charges you for using credit and debit cards abroad. Often credit cards are cheaper for purchasing items directly, and for withdrawing cash from ATMs.
What language do they speak in Morocco?
They speak Arabic and Berber in Morocco, although French is also widely. Spanish is also widely spoken, especially in the north of the country. In our experience English is also spoken in most tourist areas.
What time zone is Morocco in?
Remember, when you’re planning your next trip to take a look at what time zone it’s in.
Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
We’ve created a dedicated, more comprehensive page on visas, which you should find helpful. Check it out!
Is wild camping legal in Morocco?
Yes, wild camping is fine in Morocco.
What plug / socket type do they use in Morocco?
In Morocco they use plug / socket types C and E.
Health issues in Morocco
Is it safe to drink water in Morocco?
No, it is not safe to drink tap water in Morocco. Bottled water is readily available throughout the country.
What vaccinations are required for Morocco?
This NHS website is kept up to date with all relevant information on vaccinations in Morocco.
Phones in Morocco
What is the country calling code for Morocco?
The country calling code for Morocco (including Western Sahara) is +212
What are the emergency phone numbers in Morocco?
- The emergency number for police in Morocco is: 19
- In Morocco, the emergency number for ambulance is: 15
- The emergency number for fire in Morocco is: 15
If you’ve got some useful info that you’d like to share, let us know!
And don’t forget to check out all the other pictures!