In the south of Spain on hols, had planned to nip over for a few hours on a day trip. Just wondered if anyone had called in, and if it was a worthwhile experience. Cheers Gaz
Went there 10-12 years ago for a day as part of a cruise, also Casablanca. Luckily only had to spend a few hours in each, yes it was an experience, but not in a good way. I'm sure more adventurous travellers will say it's great, but I will never return. At least you'll only be going for a day, so if you don't like it, it's not the end of the world. I did buy a leather belt made from camel, that I still use every day, so that was good.
It kinda depends how far you are away...if it's a huge coach ride to the Spanish port I wouldn't do it as you spend most of the day there and back in the coach. If you are near to the port, and can then spend a decent full day in Tangier, definitely go for it. It's a bit of a wild ride culturally as it's intense and very different to the European side of the med... I know a lot of people aren't fans of Morocco, but I think it is the closest place to Western Europe that has a completely different culture, and hence it is a great place to visit. (Post a couple of photos if you do go...)
As @The Royal Maharaja says, it is a culture shock, it took me few days to calm my ‘Western’ paranoia before I got to really enjoy being there. The crime rate is actually very low and once you bear in mind that the locals have no dole, or social security, you understand why, if you ask anyone for directions, they will want to show you the way in the hope of a few coins tip. Tourists are super-wealthy compared to the locals, so you’ll be a very welcome sight, due to the opportunity you represent for overcharging (haggling is expected), tipping and general backhanders should you allow yourself to be delivered to a restaurant, merchant, or other tradesman who will then repay the individual that has brought you to them. This we find naturally uncomfortable as Westerners because we left that behaviour behind in Dickensian times, yet the people are simply surviving on their wits and will do you no harm.
Absolutely love it over there, one of my favourite places in the world. Did the Atlas Mountains on a hired bike not long back. Only issue there was that you would have a lovely ribbon of tarmac that would suddenly become gravel for 20 metres where the earthquake had caused issues. Couple were mid corner and hard to see until you were right on them. As for the culture. They are the warmest most welcoming people I have ever met. My tip is don’t start a conversation with a local unless you have a spare hour. Learn a few words of Arabic and you will see their faces light up. The tourist areas are filled with wooden camels and cardboard Fezs, even a few miles off the beaten track sees a much more chilled out way of life. Local restaurants can be a table outside someone’s home with a tagine or two on the go and are worth seeking out. Cannot wait to go back. Traffic police are interesting - if they realise you are not local they may stop you just for a chat if it’s not the main tourist routes (one suggested his sisters restaurant/ cafe which was very good), but didn’t see evidence of them being dodgy, unlike some in mainland Europe. Driving/ riding is errrrrr interesting…….. Have your eyes on stalks and your head on a swivel in towns and I wouldn’t personally ride at night as biggest one wins seems to be the rule of thumb.
It's also one of my most favourite visited places too. Atlas Mountains, Ouarzazate, Essaouira... I'll never, ever, ever forget riding a camel under the perfect starry sky at about 4 o'clock in the morning in the desert near Merzouga...had the boys with us too...great times.
