Categories
Moroccan Tourism

The Best Morocco’s Natural Hot Springs and Thermal Baths

Discover Morocco’s finest natural hot springs and thermal baths: your ultimate tourism guide

Medical tourism is a growing industry, where Morocco’s natural hot springs are highly valued for their healing properties.

To relieve their ailments and feel refreshed, ancient societies gathered at these natural hot springs and bathed in the healing waters. This cherished custom continues today, as adventurous travelers swarm to the renowned thermal oasis.

Morocco’s thermal baths,known as “Ain el Hammam” in Arabic, offer a unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and cultural immersion. With over 117 thermal springs across six thermal zones (North-East, Rif and South-Rif, Center, Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas and Sahara), only 29 have been scientifically analysed. Among these, we count 6 thermal centers: Abaynou, Ain Allah, Ain Salama, Fezouane, Sidi Harazem and, of course, Moulay Yacoub.

The Best Morocco’s Natural Hot Springs and Thermal Baths

6 Best Natural Hot Springs in Morocco

#1 : Moulay Yacoub, Fez

Moulay Yacoub, Morocco’s largest and most visited natural hot spring, is located 20 km northwest of Fez. Its hot mineralized waters originates at a depth of 1,500 meters. The water is very hot at its spring (54°C) but it is cooled down to 38°C for use in the thermal center. Free of pollution and everyday stress, it offers a genuine invitation to relaxation.

Medical effects: Rich in sulfur, natrium, calcium, and magnesium, Moulay Yacoub thermal water’s high temperature has sedative, analgesic and anti-contracture effects that help treat arthritis and chronic tendinitis. In dermatology, it is relevant as part of psoriasis, burn aftereffects, acne, and neurodermatitis.                                                 

« When psoriasis is treated early, Moulay Yacoub’s thermal water brings very good results. Slightly radioactive, it has amazing anti-inflammatory virtues » says Dr. Raouf Belefqih.

  • When to visit: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for mild weather and a relaxing experience at the hot springs.
  • Precautions: Avoid peak midday heat in summer, stay hydrated, and bring warm clothing in winter evenings.

#2 : Abaynou, Guelmim 

Located 15 km southwest of Guelmim, in the middle of a palm and olive trees oasis, this station features separate pools for men and women, reception services, and accommodations. A new tourist center near the source and a campsite offer several tourist services and activities.

Mineral Benefits: Physico-chemical analyses showed that the waters are rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulfate and carbon duoxide. These characteristics allow the treatment of certain dermal and rheumatic conditions and offer potential benefits for skin health, muscle relaxation, and joint pain.

  • When to visit: Shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) to avoid peak crowds. Spring and autumn offer warm days and cool nights, while summers can be scorching.
  • Precautions: Be mindful of uneven surfaces, respect local customs, and opt for private pools if preferred.

#3 : Ain Allah, Fez 

The source of Ain Allah is situated 14 km from Fez. The water from this hot natural spring in Morocco is very hot, with a temperature of 30°C, extracted from a 1,650-meter-deep borehole. While the water is mainly used for irrigation or to supply swimming pools, the site is known for natural exfoliation and massage activities carried out in Morocco’s thermal spas.

Mineral Benefits: The waters contains sulfur, iron, and magnesium, which are beneficial for skin conditions and muscle relaxation.

  • When to visit: Visit during Ramadan evenings for a unique experience, witnessing  vibrant post-fasting celebrations and enjoying traditional delicacies.
  • Precautions: Dress modestly and be mindful of crowds during religious holidays.

#4 : Ain Salama, Meknes 

The Meknes-Tafilelt region is blessed with a precious natural hot spring, located 13 km from Meknes near Oued El Kell. Ain Salama is a popular tourist destination featuring a well-appointed pool, baths, showers and a children’s play area.

Mineral Benefits: Rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulfate and bicarbonate, These waters are known to relieve stress, enhance blood circulation, and boost energy.

  • When to visit: Visit during the off-season (November-March) to avoid crowds and enjoy the tranquility of the mountains. Combine your trip with trekking or exploring nearby Berber villages.
  • Precautions: Be aware of mountain terrain, wear proper footwear, and check weather conditions before hiking.

#5 : Fezouane, Berkane 

Morocco’s natural hot spring, Fezouane, located 10 km from Berkane, emerged from intense volcanic activity at the end of the Tertiary and the beginning of the Quaternary periods. Receiving approximately 10,000 visitors annually, its multiple pools offer varying temperatures surrounded by lush greenery and an adjacent park, making it perfect for family outings.

Mineral Benefits: Its waters belong to the group of calco-magnesian bicarbonates. They are renowned for healing liver, skin, kidneys, and rheumatism ailments.

  • When to visit: Weekdays are less crowded, pack a picnic lunch and make a day of it with the family.
  • Precautions: When visiting Fezouane thermal baths, wear sturdy shoes for exploring its natural landscapes. Stay hydrated, avoid prolonged exposure to hot waters, and carry sufficient water and snacks, as amenities might be limited.

#6 : Sidi Harazem, Fez 

Located 30 km east of Fez, Sidi Harazem is the second spa resort in the Fez-Boulemane region. Discovered during Roman times, its relationship with Moroccan consumers spans centuries due to its curative virtues. Sidi Harazem is the first mineral water bottled and marketed in Morocco, since 1968.

  • Medical effects: The thermo-mineral water of Sidi Hrazem (SH) is traditionally used for its diuretic properties, effective in treating kidney stones.
  • When to visit: Spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) for pleasant weather and a peaceful spa experience.

For those seeking an escape from today’s fast-paced world, Morocco’s natural hot springs and natural spas offer ultimate rest, relaxation, and renewal. From traditional collective hammams to luxurious spas in major cities, indulge in moments of intense relaxation.

 

Moroccan Tourism

The Best Morocco’s
Natural Hot Springs
and Thermal Baths

The Best Morocco’s Natural Hot Springs and Thermal Baths

Discover Morocco’s finest natural hot springs and thermal baths: your ultimate tourism guide

Share

Discover Morocco’s finest natural hot springs and thermal baths: your ultimate tourism guide

Medical tourism is a growing industry, where Morocco’s natural hot springs are highly valued for their healing properties.

To relieve their ailments and feel refreshed, ancient societies gathered at these natural hot springs and bathed in the healing waters. This cherished custom continues today, as adventurous travelers swarm to the renowned thermal oasis.

Morocco’s thermal baths,known as “Ain el Hammam” in Arabic, offer a unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and cultural immersion. With over 117 thermal springs across six thermal zones (North-East, Rif and South-Rif, Center, Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas and Sahara), only 29 have been scientifically analysed. Among these, we count 6 thermal centers: Abaynou, Ain Allah, Ain Salama, Fezouane, Sidi Harazem and, of course, Moulay Yacoub.

 

Medical tourism is a growing industry, where Morocco’s natural hot springs are highly valued for their healing properties.

To relieve their ailments and feel refreshed, ancient societies gathered at these natural hot springs and bathed in the healing waters. This cherished custom continues today, as adventurous travelers swarm to the renowned thermal oasis.
Morocco’s thermal baths,known as “Ain el Hammam” in Arabic, offer a unique blend of relaxation, rejuvenation, and cultural immersion. With over 117 thermal springs across six thermal zones (North-East, Rif and South-Rif, Center, Middle Atlas, High Atlas, and Anti-Atlas and Sahara), only 29 have been scientifically analysed. Among these, we count 6 thermal centers: Abaynou, Ain Allah, Ain Salama, Fezouane, Sidi Harazem and, of course, Moulay Yacoub.

6 Best Natural Hot Springs in Morocco

Moulay Yacoub, Fez

Moulay Yacoub, Fez

Moulay Yacoub, Morocco’s largest and most visited natural hot spring, is located 20 km northwest of Fez. Its hot mineralized waters originates at a depth of 1,500 meters. The water is very hot at its spring (54°C) but it is cooled down to 38°C for use in the thermal center. Free of pollution and everyday stress, it offers a genuine invitation to relaxation.
Medical effects: Rich in sulfur, natrium, calcium, and magnesium, Moulay Yacoub thermal water’s high temperature has sedative, analgesic and anti-contracture effects that help treat arthritis and chronic tendinitis. In dermatology, it is relevant as part of psoriasis, burn aftereffects, acne, and neurodermatitis.                                                 
« When psoriasis is treated early, Moulay Yacoub’s thermal water brings very good results. Slightly radioactive, it has amazing anti-inflammatory virtues » says Dr. Raouf Belefqih.
When to visit: Spring (March-May) and fall (September-November) for mild weather and a relaxing experience at the hot springs.
Precautions: Avoid peak midday heat in summer, stay hydrated, and bring warm clothing in winter evenings.

Abaynou, Guelmim 

Located 15 km southwest of Guelmim, in the middle of a palm and olive trees oasis, this station features separate pools for men and women, reception services, and accommodations. A new tourist center near the source and a campsite offer several tourist services and activities.

Mineral Benefits: Physico-chemical analyses showed that the waters are rich in calcium, magnesium, sodium, potassium, chloride, nitrate, sulfate and carbon duoxide. These characteristics allow the treatment of certain dermal and rheumatic conditions and offer potential benefits for skin health, muscle relaxation, and joint pain.

When to visit: Shoulder seasons (April-May or September-October) to avoid peak crowds. Spring and autumn offer warm days and cool nights, while summers can be scorching.
Precautions: Be mindful of uneven surfaces, respect local customs, and opt for private pools if preferred.

Ain Allah, Fez

The source of Ain Allah is situated 14 km from Fez. The water from this hot natural spring in Morocco is very hot, with a temperature of 30°C, extracted from a 1,650-meter-deep borehole. While the water is mainly used for irrigation or to supply swimming pools, the site is known for natural exfoliation and massage activities carried out in Morocco’s thermal spas.

Mineral Benefits: The waters contains sulfur, iron, and magnesium, which are beneficial for skin conditions and muscle relaxation.

When to visit: Visit during Ramadan evenings for a unique experience, witnessing  vibrant post-fasting celebrations and enjoying traditional delicacies.
Precautions: Dress modestly and be mindful of crowds during religious holidays.

Sidi Harazem, Fez

Located 30 km east of Fez, Sidi Harazem is the second spa resort in the Fez-Boulemane region. Discovered during Roman times, its relationship with Moroccan consumers spans centuries due to its curative virtues. Sidi Harazem is the first mineral water bottled and marketed in Morocco, since 1968.

Medical effects: The thermo-mineral water of Sidi Hrazem (SH) is traditionally used for its diuretic properties, effective in treating kidney stones.
When to visit: Spring (March-May) or fall (September-November) for pleasant weather and a peaceful spa experience.

For those seeking an escape from today’s fast-paced world, Morocco’s natural hot springs and natural spas offer ultimate rest, relaxation, and renewal. From traditional collective hammams to luxurious spas in major cities, indulge in moments of intense relaxation.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Moroccan Tourism

Morocco’s Remarkable Post-COVID Tourism Triumph (2023 Statistics)

Visit Fez Souk

Moroccan Tourism

Morocco's Remarkable Post-COVID Tourism Triumph (2023 Statistics)

Morocco's Remarkable Post-COVID Tourism Triumph (2023 Statistics)

Share

Tourism in Morocco: a post-COVID success story

According to the Ministry of Tourism, Handicrafts, and Economy, visitor arrivals totaled 6.5 million persons in the first six months of this year, a 21% increase over the same period last year. “The figures for June confirm the upward trajectory that tourism has been on since January 2023.”

The number of arrivals is expected to reach 6.5 million by the end of June 2023, a 21% increase over the previous year, according to a ministry brief on tourist arrivals.

According to the same source, the volume of arrivals at border checkpoints reached approximately 1.4 million visitors in June, a +25% increase over 2019.

Several markets contributed to this achievement, including Spain (+79% vs. 2019), the United States, Canada, the Israeli market (+96% vs. 2019), the United Kingdom (+23% vs. 2019), and Portugal (+16% vs. 2019)

The ministry explains that numerous partnerships have been signed with Tour Operators and online travel agencies in order to secure 2.8 million customers for the 2023 summer season, which is double the volume secured for the 2019 summer season.

According to the press release, Fatim-Zahra Ammor, Minister of Tourism, Crafts, and the Social and Solidarity Economy, stated that “the indicators of the sector testify to the very good health of our tourism.”

And to add: “Our ambitions are obviously more important within the framework of the roadmap, and we will continue to work with the entire industry and deploy the necessary means to achieve our quantitative and qualitative objectives”

Tourism, a key foreign exchange earner, produced 41 billion dirhams (MMDH) in foreign currency receipts by the end of May 2023, representing a 42% increase over the same time in 2019.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Historic Sites Moroccan Tourism Sea & Beaches

Visit Oujda : Top 11 Places To See (Beach, Nature & Monuments)

Visit Oujda City in Morocco

Moroccan Tourism

Visit Oujda : Top 11 Places To See (Beach, Nature & Monuments)

Visit Oujda : Top 11 Places To See (Beach, Nature & Monuments)

Share

Located in the Oriental, which corresponds to the region in the north-east of the kingdom, Oujda is the only Moroccan city to be able, during a single day, to offer the visitor a hike in the mountains to the north of the city.

On the Béni-Snassen mountains, to make a circuit in the desert or to bask on the Mediterranean coast, the sea is barely sixty kilometers away.

The town is also 100 kilometers from Nador and 115 kilometers from Mellilia. A brand new highway, also connects since the end of July 2011 Oujda to Fez in barely 2 hours and 40 minutes by car.

Born in 994, according to historians, Oujda, a city of commerce and cultures, displays more than a thousand years of existence and presents a past charged with a particularly rich history.

A visit to the old medina, now the souk, allows you to take stock of it. It was in the 11th century that the city took off as a stopover town on the trade route between West and East Africa, with caravans bringing back gold dust and feathers. Ostriches, ivory and slaves from present-day Sudan.

Visit Oujda Morocco

Today, the city and its surroundings provide a very tangible insight into the charms of living in an oasis.

And who says oasis, says water. Largely thanks to its mountain ranges, Oujda and its neighboring towns are fed by springs, some of hot water.

A liquid so rare elsewhere that has allowed here to raise an important vegetation and create pleasant shaded areas. But the Moroccan city is also a cultural center with, in particular, an international raï festival which takes place every year in July.

Located very close to the border with Algeria, the city of Oujda – or “capital of the Orient” is not the first one that comes to mind when talking about Morocco. However, there are a number of things to do and see in Oujda that make it a city as dynamic as it is atypical.

It is also a unique city from which it is easy to escape to the sea or the desert… in the same day. Here is our top 10 things to do in Oujda :

1. Go for a walk in the Medina and the Souk of Oujda

You only have one day in Oujda? Go to the Medina and the Souk! This is perhaps the first thing to do in any city in the Middle East… The medina – or old town – and the souk are indeed a pleasant way to establish a first contact with the local population.

Oujda Medina Souk
Oujda Medina Souk

However, be careful what you buy there because counterfeiting remains present.

Oujda is no exception to the mix of flavors and scents that can often be found in a souk! By the way, do not hesitate to discover the “Souk El Ma” or “water market”: in the past, we sold … rainwater! This was used for the surrounding gardens. Atypical, right?

You will not fail to appreciate the arcades and ramparts of the medina as well as the charm of the stones marked by the sun. Clearly a must if you spend a day in Oujda.

2. Maison Dar Sebti

This “mini-palace” is little known and yet it is worth the detour! This residence was offered to the city by a merchant from Fez, Abdellatif Senti, at the end of the 1940s.

Today, it is a village hall in which weddings and events take place, but it is also the seat of the Center for Studies and Research on Gharnati music.

An authentic and colorful place that you will not miss to visit in Oujda!

3. Lalla Meryem Park

Just opposite the Maison Dar Sebti, the Lalla Meryem park is one of those essential places to visit in Oujda. After a day of walking under the Oujda sun, you will enjoy a walk in the shade of its palm trees! You will also discover a lively place, imbued with culture with an open-air theatre, the Museum of Traditional Weapons.

In summer, it is also home to many music festivals.
Among the best known in the city of Oujda, you will also find the Lalla Aïcha park, a park of about twenty hectares with everything you need to let off steam: playground, horse riding or tennis club, swimming pool… If you spend a day in Oujda, don’t miss a trip to one of these parks.

3. Bab Sidi Abdelwahad

Bab Sidi Abdelwahad Oujda Morocco
Bab Sidi Abdelwahad

This is the old city gate, located east of Oujda. Very beautiful with its amber color, this door offers many architectural details to admire.

Enhanced by the large esplanade on which it overlooks, it is also a very important crossing point in the city. The other city gates are: Bab El Gharbi, Bab Ouled Amran, Bab Sidi Aïssa and Bab Al Jamai.

5. The Al Kabir Mosque and its three fountains

Oujda Mosque
Oujda Mosque

There are several mosques in Oujda… Also nicknamed “The Great Mosque”, the Al Kabir Mosque is definitely one of the things to see in Oujda because it is the oldest monument in its Medina.

Built in 1298, the Mosque has since been renovated several times in order to retain none of its splendour. Good to know: to the right of the entrance, take the alley that will lead you to Médersa mérinide, a school whose architecture and tranquility will mark your visit to Oujda.

6. Make a hammam in Oujda

Discovering the Moorish baths of Oujda is one of the activities to do in Oujda… even if many of them have unfortunately been destroyed.

Among those which remain, the Hammam El-Bali which means “old hammam” – sometimes also nicknamed hammam of Sidi Yahya (from the name of the patron saint of the city) bears its name well, because it is the oldest in Oujda.

It is therefore of real historical interest even if some prefer the “Ajjarda” or “Jarda” hammam not far away, and its very beautiful architecture with its dome and its fountains.

7. The oasis of Sidi Yahya

A few kilometers from the Medina of Oujda, Sidi Yahya has something to soothe you, with its palm trees and its stream. It is also a crossroads of inter-religious encounters, Muslims, Christians and Jews rub shoulders there. You can see the mausoleum of Sidi Yahya who is the patron saint of the city.

Around Oujda:

Due to its location, Oujda allows you to go in turn to the sea, in the forest or in the middle of the desert, and all that during the day.

8. Sidi Maâfa Forest:

a few kilometers from Oujda, this forest is an ideal place to relax in Oujda and have a beautiful view of the city by climbing a little.


9. Saidia beach:

Saidia Beach
Saidia Beach

About sixty kilometers from Oujda, Saidia is considered one of the most beautiful beaches in northern Morocco. With its magnificent beach, but also its many festivals and events, Saïdia is very popular and shines internationally.

10. The Marchica lagoon:

The lagoon of Nador is a unique natural site! Its unique flora and fauna (even threatened for certain marine species) makes this lagoon a site of particular interest around Oujda.

11. The Zegzel Valley:

there are two prehistoric caves which are among the top things to see in Oujda and around, the “Camel Cave” and the “Pigeon Cave”.

So, ready for your trip to Oujda?

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Historic Sites Moroccan Tourism

Fez: The Best Places To See The Moroccan History & Culture

visit fez Morocco

Moroccan Tourism

Fez: The Best Places To See The Moroccan History & Culture

Fez: The Best Places To See The Moroccan History & Culture

Share

Visit Fez the capital of Moroccan spirituality and culture

#About Fez
#Al Quaraouiyine University
#Bou Inania school and the Attarine medersa
#Medersa Attarine
#Medersa Bou Inania
#Chouara Tanneries
#Bab Boujloud
#Batha Museum
#Fondouk Nejjarine
#Ibn Danan Synagogue
#Conclusion

Formerly the capital of Morocco, the one that shines today for its medina and its traditional tanneries, still keeps many other secrets. Fez bears witness to a rich historical past of which it has not lost a crumb thanks to renovation projects undertaken by the local authorities.

It is a maze of smells, colors and handicrafts of all kinds. The medina of Fez is the pride of the spiritual and cultural capital of the kingdom. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1981, it was the capital founded by the Idrisid dynasty between 789 and 808 AD.

Fez was indeed, until 1912, the capital of the kingdom.

From that time, the two entities of the medina of Fez evolved in symbiosis constituting one of the great Islamic metropolises embodying a wide variety of architectural forms and urban landscapes. (…) This architecture is characterized by construction and decoration techniques developed over a period of more than ten centuries, and where local knowledge and know-how and various external inspirations (Andalusian, Oriental, and African) were mixed. “, underlines Unesco on its site.

 “The medina of Fez is considered one of the largest and best preserved historic cities in the Arab-Muslim world,” adds the UN institution. The imperial heritage of the city of Fez is still palpable today, and its medina is an indelible trace of it.

It is also fortified by a whole series of ramparts, resulting from the various developments that have marked the history of the city.

Restore the city to its full beauty:

But above all, the most tangible historical imprint undoubtedly remains Al Quaraouiyine University. What was initially a mosque became over the centuries the place of a prestigious universal education.

Considered the oldest university in the world still in operation by Unesco, the university is also an architectural gem, with its finely carved cedar sections, carefully worked plasterwork and subtly decorated zelliges.

Driven by a quest for knowledge and knowledge, students flocked from all over the Merinid Empire. They were lodged in the Attarine medersa, which graciously offered them board and lodging, provided they showed perseverance.

The rehabilitation of coranic schools, or medersas, is also in the wake of a tolerant Islam, repeatedly advocated by Morocco and King Mohammed VI. Launched on March 4, 2013 under the aegis of the monarch, the program of restoration and rehabilitation of the historic medersas of the medina of Fez was crowned in May 2017 by a presentation ceremony chaired by the Moroccan sovereign.

Among the famous medersas of Fez, it is worth mentioning the largest, that of Cherratine, which was built by Sultan Moulay Rachid in 1670 on the ruins of the Al Labbadine medersa. Installed on three floors, it has nearly a hundred rooms that can accommodate up to two hundred students from Al Quaraouiyine University.

Other architectural gems to visit absolutely: the Bou Inania school and the Attarine medersa. They are built like a riad, adorned with a central patio, a pond and a fountain, the rooms being around this square to accommodate the students.

The pleasure of the eyes lies in the zelliges, sculpted plaster and other cedar wood worked in an artisanal way.

Both are located in the medina of Fez, where it is good to stroll and get lost in its maze.

The Fassi city is also famous for its leather and its brightly colored tanneries. In the tanners’ souk reside three ancient tanneries, the largest and oldest being the Chouara tannery, which is almost a thousand years old. Its tanners work hard to produce 2,911 to 5,132 processed leather hides.

Nestled in the Blida district, opposite the zaouïa Sidi Hammoumi and Derb El-Mitta, the place attracts almost all tourists to the spiritual capital of Morocco. Because there resides an exceptional historical and cultural part of Morocco and its beauties.

DarDif has summarized all to you dear reader, to ensure that you live the best experience possible on your trip to the imperial city:

 #1- Medersa Attarine

“Medersa” means school in Arabic and you will find many very old Koranic schools in the Medina of Fes. Theology was studied there but also many other scientific disciplines. One of the schools worth visiting is the Medersa Attarine which was built in the 14th century by Sultan Abu Said Uthman.

It is quite small in size and could accommodate only 60 students. But it is known to be the most beautiful school in the city of Fes. It is indeed a real architectural pearl and you will be able to admire in particular superb bas reliefs and beautiful cedar furniture. A true work of art!

#2 – Medersa Bou Inania

The Medresa Bou Inania is also one of the most visited schools in Fes and it has the particularity of having a minaret. The faithful went to the Medresa Bou Inania to pray there on Friday (holy day in Islam).

It is important to note that even though it is a Muslim place of worship, this school is open to non-Muslims and therefore it is an opportunity for everyone to learn more about the local culture.

#3 – Chouara Tanneries

The city of Fes is also known for its traditional crafts and in particular for its leather work. And to realize it, do not hesitate to take a tour of the side of the Chouara tanneries which are located north of the Medina. It is one of the 3 big tanneries of the city and it was set up in the 11th century!

You will find workers there who still use traditional techniques to make their precious leather. The process is simple, the skins of cows or sheep are first cleaned with a lime-based mixture. They are then processed in pigeon excrement to soften the skins. Once treated, the men knead the skins with their feet for hours under the blazing sun.

Penultimate step, the skins are soaked in stone vases containing natural dyes based on indigo or saffron for example. The last step is then to dry the leather. It will then be used to make bags, belts or slippers.

As you will have understood, you will be treated to a truly incredible spectacle and this whole palette of colors makes the Chouara tannery extremely photogenic. It is really the experience not to be missed if you travel to Fes.

#4 – Bab Boujloud

“Bab” means “door” in Arabic and Bab Boujloud is one of the gateways to the old town of Fes. It was built in the 12th century and it is surely one of the most beautiful buildings in the Medina. You will notice the beautiful blue ceramics that cover the upper part of the door.

#5 – Batha Museum

Even if the Medina is itself a real open-air museum, it is still interesting to visit the Batha museum to learn more about the local culture. You will find there in particular a beautiful garden at the entrance but also embroidery, pottery, carpets and many other artisanal products from Fes.

#6 – Fondouk Nejjarine

A “Foundouk” is in fact a caravanserai, that is to say a place where caravans can stop by depositing their goods and their camels. And the Foundouk Nejjarine (carpenters in Arabic) is now a museum that exhibits the works of wood craftsmen from the city of Fes.

Note that the Foundouk was built in the 18th century and is now part of the UNESCO World Heritage.

#7 – Ibn Danan Synagogue

Slightly outside the Medina you will find the beautiful Ibn Danan Synagogue built in the 18th century by the Danan family. It may come as a surprise, but there has been a Jewish community in the Maghreb for a very long time now and it has never been a problem.

There are therefore superb synagogues in Muslim countries such as Morocco or Tunisia with the beautiful Ghriba synagogue in Djerba.

To conclude:

When the most imperial of Moroccan cities welcomes its guests, it intends to share with them the most precious way of life. Open-air museum, Fez rivals Venice, Florence, Athens as a living universal heritage.

The refinement of its palaces, the richness of its museums, the grandeur of its medersas which housed the greatest scholars of the Golden Age, the profusion of its mosques as so many homages to the greatness of God are, if you love culture and arts, you will find in fez an invitation to discovery constantly renewed.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Moroccan Tourism

Finally, Morocco To Reopen Its Borders This Month

Morocco Opens The Airspace Borders February 2022

Moroccan Tourism

Finally, Morocco To Reopen Its Borders This Month

Finally, Morocco To Reopen Its Borders This Month

Share

Morocco reopens its airspace in February after more than 2 months of closure

The Moroccan government has decided to reopen the airspace from February 7 to flights to and from the country, after more than two months of closure, according to a statement released Thursday evening by the MAP agency.

Authorities were under pressure from a bankrupt tourism sector and Moroccans stranded abroad to unblock borders closed since November 29 due to an outbreak of the Omicron variant.

“This decision comes in accordance with the legal provisions relating to the management of the state of health emergency and following the recommendations of the scientific and technical commission and taking into account the evolution of the epidemiological situation in the kingdom”, indicates the press release.

“To support the implementation of this decision, a technical commission is currently examining the measures to be adopted at the border posts and the conditions required for travelers, which will be announced later”, specifies the same source.

The government also extended Thursday the state of health emergency in force since 2020, throughout the territory, until February 28.

Royal Air Maroc (RAM) announced, this Friday, the resumption of its international scheduled flights, on its entire network, from February 7, 2022, date of the reopening of the Moroccan borders within the framework of measures related to the Covid-19 health crisis. Pending the resumption of regular air traffic, special flights continue to operate from January 28 to February 6, 2022, to Paris, Brussels, Milan, Barcelona and Madrid.

In reference to the government’s decision, announced Thursday evening, RAM is preparing to reschedule its flights to and from Morocco, thus replacing the special one-way flights, operated on a limited basis in recent months to a few international destinations. In a press release, the airline indicated that “the flight program will thus include direct flights connecting Morocco to around fifty airports in Europe, Africa, America, the Middle East and Asia”.

According to the same source, the RAM “will strengthen its flight program with a gradual increase in the number of frequencies and destinations”, to better support travelers as part of the resumption of international traffic. In this sense, the company recalls that the trips will be carried out “in strict compliance with the conditions required by the public authorities which will be announced later, in order to guarantee the health and safety” of customers and staff.

Tickets for flights available for sale can be purchased through RAM’s website, through its call centers and sales agencies, as well as through the travel agency network, the company said.

Until 4 p.m. this Friday, 4,899 cases of the new coronavirus have been recorded in Morocco. Thus, the total number of people infected since the start of the health crisis in the country has reached 1,124,986. In addition, 24,653,642 people have received, until today, the first dose of the vaccine against Covid-19. , while 23,071,933 received the second and 4,358,048 received the third.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Historic Sites

Visit Meknes : The Best Things to See and Do in Meknes

Visit Meknes

Moroccan Tourism

Visit Meknes : The Best Things to See and Do in Meknes

Visit Meknes : The Best Things to See and Do in Meknes

Share

Meknes the land of history

Morocco is a land of hospitality. Land of varied landscapes, contrasting contours and lush nature, it offers its legendary generosity and authentic know-how. With typical assets and inexhaustible resources, the cities endorse different personalities, competing for charm and hospitality.

Strolling through the souks you will discover local products and unique handmade treasures. Morocco is pleasure in everyday life, a heady scent of orange blossom, eucalyptus and tamarisk.

Great ambassador of art, Morocco offers a lot of artistic events of all kinds, and numerous art galleries, cultural centers and spaces for unique artists.

Cradle of noble music, the Kingdom claims a musical legacy, the pride of its inhabitants (Andalusian music, Gnaoua, Amazigh, chaabi, malhoun, and many others …)

Bab Mansour el Aleuj

Meknes isn’t far from this, it is indeed the perfect incarnation of what we’ve had written before, it is
in fact one of Morocco’s imperial cities, it’s medina is listed as world heritage of humanity.

Embedded between the Atlantic plains and the Eastern highlands, between the northern Middle Atlas and the hills of the Rif Mountains, it unveils a harmonious splendor.

With its architectural heritage, it’s an enchantment for visitors: wide ramparts, impressive palaces, its mosques, madrasahs, gardens, pools and museums. You will never forget your visit inside its walls where are combined wellness in its purest form, smooth lifestyle and ancient grandeur.

Buildings that defy time :

The ramparts of the city covering nearly 40 km in length are pierced twenty fortified gates, towers and bastions. At first glance the medina appears as a strong fortress. Here, the gates are works of art and souks offer a scenic and unusual journey.

 

Medina of Meknes
  1. The Al-Hedim place, a vast esplanade is an essential thoroughfare to access the souks. At dusk, the square and its large market come to life to accommodate merchants, acrobats, storytellers and fire eaters. A popular and timeless atmosphere is renewed.
  2. On the edge of the Al-Hedim and the medina, the Dar Jamai Museum, in the Moorish style is now the Regional Museum of Ethnography, where gold threaded embroidery, pottery and antique jewelry recall the past splendors of the Kingdom.
  3. The Bou Inania madrasah is a masterpiece built according to traditional coranic school plans. The walls of the courtyard are covered with zelliges, chiseled stucco, and beautiful cedar wood carvings, offering a wonderful example of Moorish decor.
  4. The fabulous Hri Souani dates from the time of Moulay Ismail. With huge proportion, it consists of 23 naves supported by pillars and arches it served as a granary back in time. This place was used in many international films: such as “the last temptation of Christ” and “jesus of Nazareth”.
  5. The Moulay Ismail mausoleum, built in 1703, is one of the few religious buildings open to non-Muslims. The mausoleum is accessed by The entrance door that is very ornate, surmounted by green tiles, the lower walls are covered with mosaics. Marble basin in the middle of a 9.88m by 10m side yard, The patio of the funeral complex is beautifully decorated, from floor to ceiling. in the middle stands a small marble basin.

The white marble tomb of de Moulay Ismaël is in the last room, the other two tombs are those of his son and successor Moulay Ahmed Ad-Dahabi and of Sultan Moulay Abderrahman Ibn Hicham. There is also the tomb of his first wife Lalla Khanta, on the right. The clocks given by Louis XIV to Moulay Ismail, for his refusal to grant the hand of the future Princess of Conti, are at the back of each side of the room.

Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail

The little treasures of Meknes :

With more than 50,000 artisans, Meknes and its region perpetuate ancestral knowledge in the art of wood carving and painting, weaving (carpets, hanbel, embroidery ..), wrought ironing or inlaying, leather (leather goods, binders and slippers).

Ecotourism destination per se, the resources of Meknes region are infinite. It is “Morocco’s water reserve as well as a forest, pastoral and agricultural land. A land with limitless resources, famous for its olive oil, its date palm culture, horse farming, trout farming… Etc.

Read also : Visit Essaouira (This is Why You Should Visit Essaouira Immediately)

Around Meknes :

About twenty miles north of Meknes, built on the rocky outcrop overlooking the valley of Oued Erroumane, the quiet town of Moulay Idriss houses the mausoleum of the founder of the Idrissides dynasty.

  • Volubilis, another key city in the region, was listed World Heritage by UNESCO in 1997.

Volubilis is the largest archaeological site in Morocco and is renowned for the many mosaics decorating the antique buildings. Going up towards the Middle Atlas, you will see along the road, huge cedar forests land, dotted with green valleys, lakes and springs.

 Volubilis
Volubilis
  • Plenty of options for hiking, horse riding, trekking, mountain biking, fishing. At the heart of the mountains flows the longest river in Morocco, Oum Er-Rbia, rising 40 km from Khenifra.
  • Ifrane, nicknamed Morocco’s Switzerland is a charming traditional province at 1650 m. Displaying an urban character reminiscent of the alpine resorts with stone chalets and red tile roofs, it has a delightfully quiet and discreet atmosphere.

The mountain tops are often snowy in winter and the landscapes are pastoral. Skiers should not miss the slopes of nearby stations, Michlifen (2036m) and Jbel Heb (2104m).

Meknes Imperial, eternal city, offers you the experience of a timeless stay, at the frontiers between the history and present times.

 

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Moroccan Tourism Nature & Mountains

Ifrane : The Best 10 Attractions To Visit

Visit Ifrane Morocco

Moroccan Tourism

Ifrane : The Best 10 Attractions To Visit

Ifrane : The Best 10 Attractions To Visit

Share

In the heart of the Middle Atlas Mountains, the domains of Tourist Reception of Ifrane, “home of the Cedar” is a fascinating charming destination located about sixty kilometers from the two large imperial cities of Meknes and Fez.

The region is full of lush green landscapes, lakes and immense forests of cedars, holm oaks and pines. It is also one of the Kingdom’s vast water reserves where the largest Oum Er-Rbia River originates.

The region is home to a multitude of picturesque villages with Berber cachet and ancestral traditions.

Ifrane, ecological capital of Morocco

The lush vegetation as well as the abundance of its water resources and fertile pastures has earned Ifrane the nickname of Ourti, which in Berber means “garden”.

The Ifrane area has exceptional assets characterized by plant diversity (cedar forests, holm oaks, pines) and animals (partridges, wild bears, magot monkeys, macaques) and landscapes (natural and artificial lakes, caves, volcanic sites and magnificent scenery, cedar groves and steppes) to which is added the richness of the cultural heritage of the Middle Atlas (folklore, clothing, zaouiat, wooden sculptures and jewelry items) and internationally recognized ornithological sites for observation certain endemic birds (coot, tadone, covert, perge bee-eater) which attract both national and foreign tourists.

Ifrane, the little Switzerland of Morocco

The first traces of humans in the region date back to the Neolithic period. Caves such as those at Tizguite as well as archaeological remains dating back to prehistoric times at Zerouka, Ghabt Al Bahr and Itto bear witness to this.

Mountain town, with its houses with red tiles, its green meadows, its healthy climate, nicknamed the Switzerland of Morocco, Ifrane experiences a marked animation in winter and until spring, while during the summer, the freshness of its green sites, its forests of holm oaks, firs and cedars make it a vacation and summer resort par excellence.

It is home to one of the most prestigious universities in Morocco: Al Akhawayne. Ifrane is the most frequented summer resort and a stopover for those looking for calm in Swiss Berber style (Winter Tourism in Morocco).

The area has enormous tourist potential: variety and diversity of landscapes, lakes and rivers, as well as a mild climate. Its natural resources make it a favorite tourist center for hiking, wild boar, partridge and hare hunting.

Its lakes are essential for trout and pike fishing. It is also a pastoral region. This is where we find the largest cedar forest in Morocco. These forests are integrated into the international network of model forests.

Ifrane can be the starting point for beautiful excursions for hikers and nature lovers: “Circuit des Lacs” or “Circuit des Dayets”.

  • The refuge waterfall

Also called “cascade of the virgin”, this source is located 3 km from Ifrane. It is an ideal place for relaxation and picnics with the family.

  • The lion’s place
Lion Monument in Ifrane

A place where all Ifrane visitors meet. Carved out of the rock, a lion rests, meditatively, in a semblance of deep introspection.

It has not ceased to intrigue visitors for decades. Powerful, impassive, with impressive dimensions: 7 m. long, 1.50 m wide and 2 m high, inscribed in legend, the most diverse rumors have been circulating for a very long time according to which it is the work of prisoners, legionaries, individuals of various nationalities.

  • Source Ras El Ma
Ifrane in View

Located 5 km from Ifrane on the road connecting the city to Azrou, this site is home to the basins of the national center for fish farming and rearing of Atlas trout alvins.

Moudemame, on the paths of beautiful cedars The word “Moudemame” designates hawthorn. On the site is a natural hawthorn orchard which, when in bloom, offers a colorful view. Here, the forest is home to many forest species, of which cedar is the keystone. This majestic tree, known as Idel or Begnoun, is a species endemic to Morocco.

Cedar wood is popular as a lumber and utility. The essential oils of cedar wood, widely used in pharmacology, are renowned for their therapeutic virtues. This is why a grandiose “Maison de la Cédraie” building is located on the site. It is especially dedicated to the Atlas cedar and its socio-cultural values.

  • The Gouroud Cedar

It takes its name from the French colonel who seconded Lyautey from 1912 to 1914. Located 18 kilometers from Ifrane, it is the oldest of the “Cedrus Atlantica” species in the world (9 centuries). The height of this tree reaching 42 m and a circumference at the base of 9 m.

Today it looks like a huge coat rack. This giant cedar has been dead for a few years.

  • Ifrane Zaouiat waterfalls

69 km from Ifrane, this listed site offers a magical view, especially when the water is released. This small, isolated village is embellished with a pretty waterfall.

The waters of the Ifrane wadi irrigate the village as well as the crops located upstream of the waterfall. This site of the Zaouia of oued Ifrane is marvelous by the ascent of the beautiful waterfall overlooking the said Zaouia and giving an extraordinary panoramic view of the locality and its surrounding region.

  • Ifrane national park
Ifrane National Park

A space for discovery and adventure, the Ifrane National Park shines with the diversity of its landscapes, lakes and rivers. Its natural resources make it a tourist center of excellence.

Mountains, forests, lakes, rivers, and wildlife … in Ifrane National Park, nature appears in all its forms, according to the seasons. Spread over 125,000 ha and occupying almost the entire western portion of the Middle Atlas Central, the park is an environment with airy relief, medium mountains made up mainly of limestones or dolomites with, locally, schists or volcanic covers such as the plateau of Ito.

Distinguished by its ecological and biological values, it conceals a flora and a fauna as diverse as original with more than 1015 species, of vascular plants (more than 22% of the whole of the Moroccan vascular flora), 209 species of ‘birds (approximately 50% of the avifauna reported in Morocco.) including 103 nesting species (5 species of global importance such as the red kite, the marbled teal, the bald ibis as well as an abundant avifauna such as: shelducks, casarcas, and other coots) and 31 species of mammals including the magot monkey, barbaric squirrel and rozet macroscelid.

The Park also encompasses a set of biodiverse sites of remarkable rarity (Oued de Tizguite, Val d’Ifrane: the sources Vittel, Lac Dayet Aoua, Dayet Hachlaf, Dayet Ifrah, Dayet Iffer, Aguelmam Afenourir and Aguelmam Tifounassine, in addition the ski resort in Michlifen).

A space of freedom and discovery, the park is a favorite tourist hub for hikers, fishermen, lovers of outdoor activities and sportsmen looking for strong emotions and a serene atmosphere. The forest massifs and the wooded volcanic reliefs overhanging vast bare spaces (causses and karstic plateaus), are available for hiking, horse riding and mountain biking.

The springs, rivers, and mountain lakes (aguelmane, dayet) attract birdwatching and fishing enthusiasts. The massifs, covered with snow in winter, are the joy of skiing and snowboarding enthusiasts.

On the territory of the National Park, which extends over the territory of 8 rural municipalities and an urban municipality in the province of Ifrane, you can also discover a Berber population renowned for its rich culture and its diverse and ancestral traditions.

The natural space offered by the park also constitutes a privileged ground for any type of pastoral activity, thanks to the vast high meadows, to the numerous springs and to the great forest wealth of this place.

This space is just as renowned for its functions as a water tower as for those for producing lumber, crafts and sheepmeat: the famous Timahdite sheep.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6S4OzDzvs-Y
  • Michlifen

A corner of paradise for nature lovers. 17 km from Ifrane and one hour from Fez and Meknes, Michlifen, whose altitude exceeds 2000 m, is a snow-covered volcanic crater of the Middle atlas Causse.

A fascinating route awaits geology enthusiasts, through these remains of ancient volcanoes craters which allow them to discover a magnificent landscape of forest, cedars, and turbulent geology.

On the edge of the cedar forest, the beautiful ski resort continues to attract thousands of winter and mountain sports enthusiasts.

The Middle Atlas was the first to see skiers evolve in Morocco. And it was in 1936 that the Ski Club of Ifrane was created.

==> Book a hotel in Ifrane.

  • Habri & Hibri stations
Ifrane Ski Station

At km 27, leave a small road on the left towards Jbel Hebri on which a second ski resort is built. At an altitude of 2100m, the resort offers two black runs from 50 to 200m.

At km 48, you arrive in Azrou, the starting point for many hikes. From Azrou, the road towards Meknes follows the edge of a plateau nicknamed Belvédère d’Ito. From there you can continue to the Central Middle Atlas.

  • Azrou, at the crossroads
Money in Ifrane

Azrou (the Rock in Berber) is a beautiful summer resort located at about 1200m altitude, on the edge of the most beautiful cedar forest in Morocco, and the most preserved.

The city has a kasbah built in 1684 by Sultan Moulay Ismaïl. For those who make the road between Meknes and Azrou via El Hajeb, it is imperative to take a short break 15 km away, at the “ Belvédère d’Ito ”, to enjoy a beautiful view of the colorful mountains. Ocher yellow.

Also worth seeing, the cedar forest and its monkeys as well as the artisanal cooperative on the road towards Khenifra. The surroundings of Azrou are favorite places for hiking, wild boar, partridge, or hare hunting. You can also enjoy pike or trout fishing

  • Dayet Aoua

Morocco’s most famous lake is located 17.5 km north of Ifrane. Its surface area (140 ha) varies according to the seasons. It is surrounded by a low damp meadow and woodlands of holm oaks and cedars. The submerged and emerged flora is abundant and very diverse.

To conclude Ifrane and its region are a heaven of greenery and pure air! A variety of sporting activities are available to you in a setting of rich and unexpected landscapes! Between its many lakes and its waterfalls of singular beauty, you will have the opportunity to flourish in an environment particularly conducive to sports activities of all kinds, and relaxing environment to meditate.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Moroccan Tourism

The Moroccan Hammams: The History, The Price and Best Spots

Hammams in Morocco

Moroccan Tourism

The Moroccan Hammams: The History, The Price and Best Spots

The Moroccan Hammams: The History, The Price and Best Spots

Share

Discover the Hammams in Morocco: the history, the culture, the benefits and how you can enjoy your day in the Hammam

Among the endless details of Moroccan culture, there is one aspect of social life that comes highly recommended to travelers in Morocco : the hammam, heated constantly by a furnace of wood shaving, or a natural hot source of water, it’s the Moroccan equivalent to a sauna.

The history of Hammam in Morocco

Since religion is the center of Moroccan culture, the first hammams were established near mosques and  praying centers to facilitate the purification of body and soul before prayers rituals, soon the hammams baths became almost a traditional, weekly mandatory ritual among Moroccans,

Growing in popularity amongst the community, the hammam became a gathering point where people of all social classes would meet and discuss anything.

Only separated by gender, you could call it the naked truth since the purifying session is done entirely naked and allows men and women to really be themselves.

Hammams in Morocco

The ritual of the Moroccan Hammam

Today’s hammams in Morocco are a mixture of traditional rituals and modern practices that have the same goal, purifying your body from dead skin and your soul from negative vibes, from the experience of local hammams with its unmarked doorways and progressively heated rooms, to the luxury riads and their magnificent hammams, all is set to a peaceful journey of well being paradise.

Hammams are usually two buildings that separate the women’s side from the men’s, and there are various types of Hammams, there are the local traditional ones, located in small towns and popular neighborhoods, and there are more luxurious, spa like hammams often located in hotels, and there are also professional ones that maintains  the traditional bathing ritual of a Moroccan hammam.

The entry to a traditional local hammam costs around 12 to 30 MAD ( 1 – 3 DOLLARS ), spa hammams can be more expensive.

Traditional Moroccan Hammam

The ritual in hammam starts by choosing the hot room for about 15 to 20 minutes to relax and allow the pores to open, then start by applying a thin layer of black soap all over your body then, after resting for about 5 to 10 minutes it’s followed by rinsing with lots of water. 

If you are in a spa Hammam, the personnel will be responsible for taking care of the entire hammam process such as the application of products, exfoliation and rinsing.

The personnel will scrape all your dead skin from your body with a kessa glove, you will be amazed by the resulting dead skin left on the tile after the treatment.

After the exfoliation process and the rinse, you will wash your hair with your usual shampoo, right after there is a purifying ghassoul mask that will absorb all impurities from your skin while mineralizing the epiderm with essential mineral elements, the clay mask will be applied all over your body, face and hair for deep cleansing and wash and then you will apply your shower gel and then deeply rinse it.

In the most luxurious hammam they will end the session by massaging and dehydrating your skin with pure Argan oil rich with vitamin E, 

After all these treatments, a nourishing massage will nourish your skin and the little extra that remains is the mint tea offered to finish your moment of incomparable tranquility.

A real luxury treatment that will revive your skin letting it breath, and giving it the fresh look that we always seek.

Benefits of the Moroccan Hammam 

  • Physical and emotional detox : Reduce stress, anxiety and allow deep relaxation. 
  • Beautifying the body and face : Take away dead skin from your body, unclog pores while eliminating toxins from the skin and
  • Fight acne : Regulate skin oil secretions to prevent acne and help heal scars and reduce redness.
  • Skin nourishing and dehydration : Provides essential vitamins and minerals.
  • Anti-aging : Allow your inner organs to breathe. Helps toning, firming the skin while improving elasticity.
  • Decrease muscle tension : It sooth muscle pain and rheumatism.
  • Better sleep : Helps rejuvenate your body while sleeping.
  • Boost the immune system : Activate the blood circulation.
  • Body and mind connection : Have more energy and feel more balance.
  • Feel beautiful : Feeling fresh and revitalized.

The most popular hammams in Morocco

#1 : Moulay Yacoub:

For centuries, Moulay Yacoub has been renowned for the richness of its natural hot springs. The spa town takes its name from Abu Yusuf Yaqub al-Mansur, the 3rd caliph of the Almohad Caliphate, whose legend claims that he was cured after having his first bath.

The baths use water pumped from 1500 m below ground and reach a temperature of 54 °C. Rich with sulfur which adds a therapeutic  value to the water and can cure many skin diseases.

#2 : Ain Allah:

The source of Ain Allah is located 14 kilometres from the city of Fez. The water from this spring is very hot, with a temperature of 30 ° C. The source of Ain Allah is extracted by an artesian borehole at a depth of 1650 meters. Water from this source has no therapeutic indication.

#3 : Mosque Hassan II hammams:

Rooted in the Arab-Muslim tradition, THE HAMMAMS OF THE HASSAN II MOSQUE in Casablanca are made up of Hammams for women and for men that occupy an area of ​​3000 m² each, which represents 6000 m² in total.

A unique site of its kind, each of the two hammams has traditional Moorish baths and health baths in hot sea water and a herbal tea room.

Hassan 2 Mosque Hammams

#4 : Neighborhood Hammam

In every city, whether big or small, and even in villages, there’s a hammam to relax, wash your body, take care of your skin, and disconnect from life’s stress and matters.

To summarize, the Moroccan Hammams are indeed a must in your to do list when you visit the country, the experience dives you centuries back through the rich and diverse kingdom history, and benefits your body and your soul all the way.

Also, there are natural hot springs and baths in Morocco to enjoy.

 

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Moroccan Tourism

Ryanair Winter Program: New Routes to and from Morocco

Ryanair - New Routes to and from Morocco

Moroccan Tourism

Ryanair Winter Program: New Routes to and from Morocco

Ryanair Winter Program: New Routes to and from Morocco

Share

For those who missed out on a summer getaway, Ryanair has also revealed its winter program, linking Moroccan airports with a number of European destinations.

Committed to increasing its connections in Morocco, Ryanair’s Winter program 2021 comes with 10 new air routes to and from Morocco.

Ryanair’s Morocco Winter 2021 schedule is expected to operate over 300 weekly flights to over 120 destinations, including a wide range of new routes to different European hotspots.

Source: Ryanair’s Corporate Website

Ryanair’s winter program is also scheduled to operate flights linking Marrakech with several European cities such as Barcelona, Madrid, Zaragoza, and Valencia.

Fez will also be hosting Ryanair flights to European destinations such as Spain’s Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Malaga, Valencia, and France’s Marseille, Nimes, and Toulouse.

The airline also announced that flights to Ibiza, Bergamo, Rome, and Toulouse among others will be available.

Ryanair to Open its Third Moroccan Operations Base in  Agadir :

As part of its strategy to strengthen its presence in Morocco, the European leading airline, Ryanair,  established a new base of operations in the coastal city of Agadir last July. 

This new base, the airline revealed, will connect Agadir to a variety of  European destinations starting from November. 

With this new base in place, Ryanair is expected to also operate the following flights as part of its  winter program 2021:

  • Two new flights per week between  Agadir-Al Massira and Bologna-Guglielmo Marco airport.
  • Direct flights to Germany’s Dusseldorf, Frankfurt, and Karlsruhe and the Austrian capital, Vienna.
  • Six new routes to Spain: Alicante, Barcelona, Madrid, Malaga, Seville, and Tenerife South.
  • Five new routes to Bordeaux, Marseille, Nantes, Paris Beauvais, and Toulouse.

Ryanair Announced the Launch of 3 New Routes Linking Morocco and Spain :

In a statement published on September 9th, the company stated that the flights will connect Barcelona El Prat airport with three Moroccan destinations: Agadir, Oujda, and Rabat.


Starting from November, flights to serve these destinations will be scheduled twice a week, Ryanair specified.

Interested in Booking a Flight in Ryanair’s Winter Program 2021? Here is What You Need to Know…

Flight’s prices start from $14.

You can book your flights starting from September to October from the airline’s Website.

You can modify and extend your travel time with a “zero” change fee as long as they do it seven days before the flight.

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

Categories
Historic Sites Moroccan Tourism

Fez, A citadel of magnificence to visit in Morocco

Visit Fez Souk

Moroccan Tourism

Fez, A citadel of magnificence to visit in Morocco

Fez, A citadel of magnificence to visit in Morocco

Share

The history behind Fez : An imperial city of Morocco

Fez is the perfect place for a holiday or a short break travel in Morocco.

Fez is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the most traveled Morocco Imperial Cities.

Moroccan and international travelers visiting Fes to discover authentic Fassis heritage and historical treasures and to enjoy haute cuisine.For a close-up experience, consider a trip or a short visit to Fez will be the right decision.

A citadel of magnificence, Fez is the most imperial of the Imperial Cities of Morocco.

Hotel Riad

Some of the nations greatest treasures are found in this great place of palaces and museums, all entrancingly framed in sunlight and shadows.

Fez, the oldest town in Morocco’s imperial city, is an important religious, intellectual and cultural centre.

It is also renowned for its traditional crafts, and because of the particularly high reputation of its university, it is known by many as the ” Athens of Africa “.

This is a marvellous, carefully preserved imperial city which embodies the essence of the country: aromas, shapes, colours and a rich history make up the city of FEZ a part of the soul of an entire nation.

Spiritual capital of the kingdom abounds of prestigious vestiges of a history; UNESCO decided to restore the city in order to preserve the medina, which is an authentic aspect of national heritage.

the Leather Tanneries of Fez in Morocco

The magical and mysterious world of the Orient unfolds its charms for the visitors.

If you want to taste the essence of medieval times in an environment that is not dead, like the museum, Fez would be a good place to visit. Such is the splendor of this Moroccan city that Harrison Ford has been called the most romantic place on earth.

The city is often considered one of the largest cities in the world. Historically, this city is the oldest medieval town is still working properly.

Now, the typical thing that is associated with Morocco Riad. So if you are planning a trip there, you may be thinking of staying. However, it is best to learn a few things about them to your obvious choice.

Remember, there are many hotels in Fez makes captivate. However, some knowledge and consideration will present the advantages and disadvantages of riads.

Riads are very common in Essaouira, Marrakech and in Fez too. the only notable part of the Riad is large doors, adorned the entrance.

Fez Medina

In fact, many people seeking a taste of Fez was in riads in Morocco. Once the doors opened riad with an accident, he was taken to a mysterious world.

As a typical Muslim, the beauty of the building can not be measured from the outside. It is only when you write, you can feel the beauty.

After passing the gate, you will be in the center of Riyadh. In fact, this is the threshold between public and private world. Inside are beautiful tiles and in the center of the building, there is an open space.

The court has a calming effect. In fact, a traditional riad on a return to the fairy tales of Arabic origin.

You will find rooms for each of its activities. However, you have the corners, balconies and corners to explore. However, a specialty with riads is that they are totally different.

Naturally, riads are best if you are looking for traditional accommodation in Fez, but the best option to make your trip memorable is to make a mixture of different options.

If you are looking for hotels and riads in the city,check out our flights and hotels search engine or check Booking, Hotels, Trivago … You will find the necessary informations

There are many useful sites, but are difficult to find. However, to get rid of all this trouble, you should consult as many sources as possible to obtain a correct view of the city.

Read also : Visit Morocco While Covid-19 : Key Information for Travelers to Morocco

Fez

Meknes

Guelmim

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the
knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

DarDif.com

A team of ambitious people write about the Moroccan tourism and share the knowledge about the beauty of Morocco.

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

Join to our mailing list to get Updates and Special Deals only available via Email

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Other articles

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco
Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.

 From Private Desert Odysseys to Hidden Medina Retreats

Ready to Write Your Morocco Story?

The Morocco you’ve
always imagined –
designed around you. 

Tell us what you love,
what you’re curious
about, what you
absolutely want
(or want to avoid).

We’ll take it from there.
No templates. No stress.
Just a journey that fits you.