Morocco: A Country That Will Surprise You in the Best Possible Way

Part 1 of a Series — Geography, People, Language, Religion, Food & Getting Around

[Riding camels to our overnight tent basecamp was one of our favorite outings]

If someone had told me 3 years ago that Morocco would become one of the most captivating places I've ever visited, I probably would have nodded politely without really believing it. Three years ago my daughter and I traveled to Morocco and Portugal on our annual mother-daughter trip. This is a country that gets under your skin — in the most wonderful way. She loved Morocco so much she took her husband that same year and now my partner, Mimi, and I just spent 3 weeks in May traveling the country on our own. I can't wait to share every bit of it with you. Consider this your friendly introduction before we dive into the cities, the souks, the mountains, and the desert in the posts ahead.

[Rene and Mimi traveling through Morocco and enjoying the sights, colors, and adventures]

Morocco sits at the northwestern corner of Africa, which surprises a lot of people who haven't thought much about it geographically. It's actually closer to Spain than it is to the heart of Africa — just nine miles of water separates it from Europe at the Strait of Gibraltar. That location has shaped everything about the country. To the north is the Mediterranean coast, to the west the Atlantic Ocean, and to the south and east the vast Sahara Desert begins to take over. In between, running like a spine through the middle of the country, is the Atlas Mountain range — snowcapped peaks that you genuinely do not expect to see in North Africa. The diversity of landscape alone is worth the trip: in a single day you can drive from lush green valleys to ancient desert canyons. It is breathtaking at every turn.

[Wide open landscapes, the Sahara Desert, and roadside markets with colorful pottery]

A quick word on language, because it's more layered than you might expect. Morocco's official languages are Arabic and Amazigh (also called Berber), the language of the indigenous people who have called this land home for thousands of years. French is widely spoken — a legacy of the colonial period — and in the northern cities you'll also hear quite a bit of Spanish. What this means practically is that signage is often in multiple scripts, menus switch between languages, and conversations can blend all of the above in a single sentence. Don't let that intimidate you. In the tourist areas and medinas, English is spoken more than enough to get by comfortably, and Moroccans are enormously patient and gracious with visitors.

[A street vendor in the medina, a camel crossing, and Mimi with Mustaf, an antiquities vendor]

The people of Morocco were, without question, one of the highlights of our trip. We found them to be warm, proud, and genuinely welcoming to visitors who come with curiosity and respect. Morocco is an incredibly diverse country — Arab, Berber, Saharan, and African influences all weave together to create a population that is distinct and fascinating. You'll notice this in faces, in textiles, in music, and in food. There is a strong culture of hospitality here that is not performative — it's deeply rooted. Being invited to share mint tea with a shopkeeper or a family is not unusual, and it is one of those simple moments that stays with you long after you've come home.

[People in native dress we encountered along our journey]

[Daily Moroccan sweet mint tea, freshly squeezed orange juice, and a typical breakfast]

Islam is the religion of Morocco, practiced by the vast majority of the population, and it is woven naturally into the rhythm of daily life. Five times a day the call to prayer rises from minarets across every city and village — and if you've never experienced that sound echoing across rooftops at dawn, it is genuinely moving, regardless of your own beliefs. Mosques are central to every neighborhood, and the architecture is extraordinary. While most mosques in Morocco are not open to non-Muslim visitors, the spiritual atmosphere of the country is impossible to miss and entirely respectful to experience. We always felt safe and welcome.

[Mountains near the gorge, Rene hiking along the Ourika River, and a mosque]

Now let's talk about food, because this is where Morocco absolutely delivered. Moroccan cuisine is one of the great underappreciated food cultures of the world, built on centuries of spice trade, Berber tradition, and Mediterranean influence. The tagine — a slow-cooked stew of meat or vegetables seasoned with preserved lemon, olives, cumin, cinnamon, and saffron — is a national staple, and every region does its own version. Couscous is Friday's dish, traditionally shared with family after midday prayers. Street food is phenomenal: fresh-squeezed orange juice for less than a dollar, smoky lamb skewers, warm bread from communal ovens, and pastries dripping with honey and almond. We ate extremely well, every single day, but did tire of these dishes as it was difficult to find other ethnic restaurants and we did not want to eat at McDonalds or KFC!

[Traditional dish meat tagine, sweet Moroccan oranges, and finally a restaurant with beer!]

Getting around Morocco is easier than most people assume. The country has invested significantly in modern infrastructure — a high-speed train connects Casablanca and Tangier in just over two hours, and the rail network between major cities is reliable, comfortable, and affordable. Within cities, petit taxis (small colored cabs) are everywhere and inexpensive, though you'll want to establish the price before you get in. For longer journeys between cities that the train doesn't reach — places like the desert towns or mountain villages — a private driver or organized day trip is the way to go, and both are very reasonably priced. And since we live in Florida, we were thrilled to discover that Royal Air Maroc operates a direct overnight flight from Miami to Casablanca — about eight and a half hours. We splurged on business class so we could actually sleep, and arrived feeling human. It made an enormous difference.

[Mimi and Rene riding quads in the Sahara and with Mohammed, our guide for 3 days]

This is just the opening chapter. Over the coming weeks I'll be taking you city by city, experience by experience — from the chaos and color of Marrakech's medina to the blue-washed streets and houses of Chefchaouen, from the silence of the Sahara Desert, to the seaside town of Essaouira, to the ancient cities of Fez and Rabat. There will be photos, practical tips, honest opinions, and probably a few moments where I admit I had no idea what I was doing. If any part of you is curious about this remarkable country — whether you're dreaming of going yourself or simply want to see it through someone else's eyes — I'd love for you to come along for the ride. Hit the subscribe button below and you won't miss a single post. Trust me, you're going to want to see what comes next.

Up Next — Part 2: The quiet seaside village of Essaouira and the chaotic city of Marrakech