Rabat-Based on Instagram data, researchers shared that Morocco’s High Atlas mountains occupy the 27th place on the list of the 30 best cycling routes in the world.

To find the places that get the most pictures shared per kilometre, Instagram data and route distances were analysed in a study. The study of “Explore Worldwide” concerns the most beautiful cycle route worldwide.

Relying on a cross-referencing method, the researchers studied 100 routes. They analysed hashtag data to find out how many photos were shared on each course. To clarify, they cross-referenced the number of hashtags with the length of the route to rank the best cycle route.

With a total of 832 photos per kilometre, the American “Blue Ridge Parkway” came out on the top of the best cycling routes in the world. Concerning Morocco’s High Atlas Mountain, it has a ratio of 24 Instagram photos per kilometre. 

The top 10 cycling routes on the list are in the United States, Eastern Albania, Japan, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands, Australia, Chile, and Canada. 

Why Morocco’s High Atlas region is attractive?

Located in central Morocco, the High Atlas is the principal mountainous massif of Morocco and the Maghreb. From the West-South-West, the Atlantic Ocean, to the East-North-East, the Algerian borders, the High Atlas Mountain is 740 km long.

The High Atlas is composed of a chain of beautiful mountains where the highest point in North Africa is based. The highest point is Mount Toubkal towering 4,167 meters above sea level.

The region is rich in Berber culture. For nature lovers, the region offers one of the best biking and hiking adventures, especially when it wears its fascinating blanket of snow.

Morocco’s High Atlas is known for its breathtaking cascades, such as the “Ouzoud” waterfalls. The “Draa Valley” is also an attractive site where kasbahs, one of Morocco’s prestigious imperial cities, is located.

Moreover, I think that It is a must to mention Ourika Valley, one of the most famous tourist destinations of Morocco’s High Atlas. It is an attractive site composed of perfect hiking trails and beautiful waterfalls. 

After pedalling around breathtaking landscapes for hours, cyclists may have the chance to enjoy a variety of local Berber tagines. If you are a cycling lover, Morocco’s High Atlas is worth the visit.

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Morocco’s High Atlas Is One Of The Top 30 Most Instagrammable Spots In The World
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1. The Bou Inania Madrassa

Bou Inania Madrassa was once a school. It is a historic religious site in the centre of the Medina of Fes. It is one of the few religious sites in Fes that non-muslims may visit, so they can enjoy its extraordinary architecture. The elegant marble courtyard, the complex wood carvings and the mosaic tilework of this magical Bou Inania Madrassa are worth the visit.

2. Karaouine Mosque and University

Karaouine University is one of the oldest universities in the World. It operates as a university and a mosque at the same time. It is one of the important religious sites in Medina of Fes. Unlike Bou Inania Madrassa, non-muslims people are not allowed to enter this holy building where people pray. However, you can take a glimpse through its giant gates and see the magnificent marble courtyard, tiles, arches and carvings.

3. The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace, or The Dar el Makhzen, was built in the 1960s. It is frequently used by the royal family. It is a masterpiece of craftwork. Tourists unfortunately are not allowed to explore the palace, yet you can take a glimpse from one of the majestic gates. its stunning walls, bronze doors and mosaic tiles make it one of the top historical sites tourists visit.

4. The Chouara Tanneries

Visiting Medina of Fes means visiting the Chouara Tanneries of Fes. This site is one of the most visited sites in the city. To have a unique bird’s view, you may get upon the rooftops of the surrounding leather stores to enjoy watching how leather hides are produced in an old-fashioned way. Keep in mind, that the smell is quite strong, so make sure to take a scarf with you, yet locals offer visitors mint leaves to handle the smell most of the time.

5. Get lost in Medina alleyways

The old Medina of Fes is a maze of narrow alleyways. There are over 9000 narrow alleyways which make the Medina of Fes the largest car-free urban area in the world. It is the best place to get lost in. Yet, if you want to enjoy the beauty of this maze, it is better to look for a guide so that you get the best out of your walking tour.

6. Jnan Sbil gardens

Built over a century ago, Jnan Sbil gardens is the only public garden in the Medina of Fes. It is a nice oasis of nature. This beautifully landscaped garden is the best place where you can enjoy a breath of fresh air after a busy day in Medina. Once you step inside, You will find beautiful zellij-tiled water gardens, tranquil fountains, fragrant flowers and poplar trees.

7. Borj Nord

Borj Nord, or Alborj ash-Shamali, was built in the 16th century by Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al-Mansour. It was built over a hill overlooking the Old Medina of Fes so that the Sultan keeps an eye on his people. Now, it operates as an arms museum, containing a mixed collection of over 5000 weapons spread over 14 chambers. There are impressive cannons, swords, and guns of all sorts. So, if you want to explore weapons of all eras and enjoy a panoramic view of the Old City, visit Borj Nord.

8. Nejjarine Museum

Nejjarine Museum of Wooden Arts and Crafts is a wonderfully restored founduq. Here, you will discover magnificent examples of fine Moroccan woodwork including a varied collection of craftsman’s tools, and musical instruments. I would like to highlight the fantastic wooden boards that Quranic recitation students use and also the rooftop coffee shop that offers a panoramic view over the Medina of Fes.

9. The Aben Danan Synagogue

The Aben Danan Synagogue, or Ibn Danan Synagogue, is located in the Mellah district. It is a Jewish Synagogue. Mimoun Ben Sidan, a wealthy Jewish trader from Ait Ishaq town, built it to serve more than 1500 Jewish families who were moved from Spain to Fes. The Synagogue contains magnificent green tiles, hangings, pillars, and chandeliers. Also, don’t forget to check out the Torah scrolls, Elija’s Chair, and the mikvah, a ritual bath.

10. Sunset on a rooftop

Watching the sunset on a rooftop is a must when you are in Medina of Fes. The view from a rooftop terrace is breathtaking. You can enjoy seeing the whole old city. What is more fascinating is watching the sun setting behind this maze-like city and the lights turning on. It is a relaxing experience.

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Also, local people will really appreciate you if you do make an effort to respect their customs. Here, I will share 5 social etiquettes in Morocco you should know before visiting this incredible country.

Greeting

When it comes to greetings, Moroccans are a little bit more formal. However, they are very welcoming. They say ” Asalam Alaykum ” -hello- to everybody asking you about your health and the wellbeing of your family and children if you have got any.

If you are of the same sex, they will usually shake hands and/or greet you with two air kisses on both cheeks. Still, greeting that way opposite sex is something Moroccans don’t do unless you know each other very well.

Moreover, if you want to greet the opposite sex by extending your hand for a handshake, don’t feel embarrassed not to shake hands with you. Most Moroccans are very conservative because they respect their religious principles. Also, I think it is important to mention that you should always shake hands with your right hand.

How to dress

The way you dress is just as important as the way you greet. You should always dress modestly in Morocco. Women should wear clothes that cover their upper arms, chest, midriff, back and knees. Yet, It is ok for women not to cover their hair unless they want to visit and enter a mosque like Hassan 2 Mosque. On the other hand, men should wear a t-shirt that covers the shoulders and long jeans or short that reaches at least the knee.

However, visiting a rural area means being more conservative. It is better to wear t-shirts and long trousers for members of either sex. In addition to this, it will be much better for women to cover their hair. This is one of the social etiquette in Morocco people who live in rural areas respect the most as city people are a little bit more relaxed about how you dress. Even though, Moroccans will really appreciate you if you make an effort to respect the Moroccan culture by dressing modestly.

Read also: What to wear in Morocco: The ultimate clothing guide

Making out in public

The social etiquette in Morocco I mentioned earlier has less impact if we compare them with this one- making out in public. Making out in public is something that is not allowed. It is frowned upon to show affection in public. Yet, it is all fine to hold hands, to have a brief hug or even take a stolen kiss on the cheek.

I would like to mention that you may often see people of the same sex hugging or holding each other’s hands. This is just a sign of friendship. It does not mean something else as homosexuality is illegal in Morocco.

Domestic and table etiquettes

Moroccans are very generous. If you know or meet local friends, they will likely invite you to their homes for a meal. Now, you may begin to think about what are the domestic and table etiquette in Morocco to follow in case someone invites you.

Well, the first thing is to remove your shoes before entering unless the host says it is ok to keep your shoes. Second, you should wash your hands, yet it is likely that the host will bring a washing basin to the table before the meal is served. Last but not least, you should use your right hand for eating as Moroccans don’t use a knife and fork, but their fingers.

Ask before taking someone’s photo

To resist the beauty of Morocco is hard. You are free to take photos of whatever you like, but to take someone’s picture without his/her permission.

Actually, Moroccans do not appreciate being photographed. You should always ask for their permission before taking someone’s photo. Even though, if you were in Jamaa el-Fnaa, you may take pictures or record a video of people performing music, tumbling or boxing, but not normal people.

Moreover, I would like to mention that it is illegal to take photos of police, border checkpoints or military figures and buildings.

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” Morocco’s reputation in the world in 2022″ is the title of a study that was conducted by Moroccan Royal Institute For Strategic Studies (IRES) in March & April of the same year, In collaboration with the Reputation Lab.

It was the eighth edition of IRES’s survey, a fieldwork survey, on Morocco’s reputation among the general public of the leading countries.

According to the report, Morocco’s reputation has increased by 0.3 points in its general reputation indicator which stands at 48.6 points on the RepCore scale in 2022. It is equated to the moderate reputation according to the Reputation Lab’s normative scale.

Also, it is important to mention that Morocco is ranked 32nd out of the 60 nations with the highest GDP with a score (48.6 points) close to the average (49.4 points) of the largest economies.

Moreover, Morocco’s reputation index is the same as the United States, Argentina, Israel and the Dominican Republic index, after it had overtaken Chile over the past year.

Morocco enjoys a favourable reputation in France, Egypt, Chile and Australia. On the other hand, its lowest reputation scores were recorded in Sweden, Spain and South Korea.

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Near the northwest coast of Morocco, Waldorf Astoria Tangier is anticipated to be opened in 2025. It will feature 115 guest rooms and suites, containing 21 villas with private pools and a 1250 sqm Royal Villa.

This 3OOO sqm luxury resort will have five restaurants, multi-functional meeting spaces, and boardrooms to host business events. It has, also, a partnership with Peacock Alley brand.

Waldorf Astoria Tangier is expected to be the biggest holistic wellness destination in the Kingdom of Morocco.

Patrick Fitzgibbon, senior vice president, development, Europe, Middle East and Africa at Hilton, said that across Morocco they were growing their portfolio of hotels, building on the significant momentum the country is experiencing for travel and tourism, with plans to nearly triple their presence in the coming years with openings from across their brand segments.

At the present time, Hilton runs four hotels in Morocco: Hilton Tanger Al Houara Resort and Spa, Hilton Tanger City Center Hotel and Residences, Hilton Garden Inn Tanger City Center, and Hilton Garden Inn Casablanca Sud, the latest hotel Hilton has opened.

Also, Hilton awaits to open Conrad Rabat Arzana and Hilton Taghazout Bay Beach Resort and Spa in the few coming months, as there are seven hotels under development.

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Jamaa el-Fnaa

Jamaa el-Fnaa is located in Marrakech, a city filled with colour, tradition, and friendly people. Jamaa el-Fnaa is the hub of this city. It is full of life.

Jamaa el-Fnaa is a free outdoor theater. At night, people meet in this vivid square of Marrakech selling food, performing music, dancing, boxing, snake charming, doing magic and much more.

In a few words, Jamaa el-Fnaa is a super unique square.

Fes el-Bali

Fes el-Bali is the oldest part of the Medina of Fes. When you get inside, you find yourself in a completely different world. It is like a maze where it is almost impossible not to get lost, in case you thought of discovering it yourself without a guide.

However, you may love getting lost so that you enjoy its beautiful architecture. Also, you may love to know how leather is produced in an old-fashioned way in such a historical old city. Fes el-Bali is worth the visit.

Hassan Tower

Hassan Tower is one of the most attractive touristic sites to see in Rabat. The builder Sultan Yacoub al-Mansour intended to be the largest mosque in the world. After he died in 1199, the project was abandoned and never completed. Yet, Hassan Tower is a beauteous, impressive and historical building the way it is.

You can describe Hassan Tower in three words: unfinished yet unmatched.

Hassan 2 Mosque

Hassan 2 Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco and 7th in the world, is the only mosque in the city of Casablanca that non-muslims may visit. To uncover the beauty of it, you should have an inside tour. You will be astonished by the level of craftsmanship and the beauty of architecture.

What is more fascinating about this architectural marvel is the fact it is built on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean. It is a must-see site.

Erg Chebbi

If you want to escape the crowds of cities and experience desert life, visit Erg Chebbi Merzouga, a small village in southeast Morocco. It will give you a taste of desert life. It is a quiet place where you can enjoy traditional Berber music under a sky filled with stars.

Erg Chebbi is a beautiful place where you can enjoy watching sunrise and sunset and enjoy riding a camel across the windblown dunes. It is a go-to destination where you can enjoy a magical and unique experience far away from city noises.

Ifrane

Ifrane is located at an altitude of 1650 meters. Ifrane is called the little Switzerland of Morocco because of its clean air, scrubbed streets and red-roofed houses. 

Ifrane is a fertile area. Its natural sites offer a relaxing experience such as Ifrane National Park and Dait Aoua Lake. Also, Michlifen Ski Resort is an attractive place where you can enjoy skiing if you are a ski lover.

Volubilis

Volubilis, or Walili, is an excavated Berber-Roman city located north of Meknes. It is one of the most famous historical sites in Morocco. Also, it is one of the UNESCO world heritage sites. 

Once you get to this historical site, you will feel as if you had time-travelled. You will see remains of mosaic floors, altars, aqueducts, and temples that reflect that era. You will experience how people lived thousands of years ago. Volubilis is a feast for history lovers.

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Now, you may begin to think about how you could find local rental companies. Well, I think the first thing to do is to search on the internet for local rental companies. Most companies don’t have a website, yet you may find their telephone number to contact them.

And, if they do have a website, then renting a car will be much easier. I think, also, it is important to mention that most company representatives don’t speak good English, but French. Still, you can make a deal and save some money.

Despite this, it may cost more than what you going to pay to rent a car if you didn’t follow and/or respect what I am going to share with you below :

• Make sure to inform the responsible person about the places you are going to so that you don’t get surprised when he asks you to add extra money after you give the car back. Some companies, usually, add an extra 100 MAD per day if you are taking the car out of the city from where you rent it.
• Keep in mind that some companies may put a temporary lock on a certain amount of your balance –up to 500,000 MAD- in case anything happens to the car. Another option is to hold your passport until the car is returned.
• Try to leave the same amount of fuel it had the first time when you give it back.
• Make sure what type of fuel is used, as most cars take diesel.
• Check whether the vehicle is good enough before signing the lease contract.
• Avoid leaving the main road since insurance contracts do not cover costs if you had an accident on rural roads for example.
• Keep in mind that most cars in Morocco have manual transmissions.
• Ask for a blank copy of accident statement sheet – Constat à l’amiable in French- in advance.
• Make sure the company gives you insurance for the total number of people who are with you so that you do not find any problem if you get pulled over.
• If you found a police checkpoint, do not panic. Just relax and smile as they usually let foreigners just drive through, asking sometimes where you are going to.
• If you find a sign saying that there is a speed radar in use for the next 60KM, make sure to respect the speed limit so that you do not get pulled over for a ticket. Usually about 150 MAD for speeding up to 14 KM over the limit.
• Respect Moroccan speed limit: the maximum is 60 KM in urban areas and 120 KM on the motorway.
• To drive, you must have at least 18 years in Morocco.
• If you are staying for more than one year, you must get a Moroccan driving licence because you can drive using your national driver’s licence for only one year.
• Be alert while driving because traffic regulations are not always strictly observed.
• Keep in mind that is forbidden to drive while you are under the influence of alcohol.

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