Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez … just the names of these cities evoke the imagination, fuelled by Hollywood in part. A country of spices, open air markets and distinctive style where performers and street vendors fight for your attention.

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Morocco Country Profile
Capital City: Rabat
Area: 446,550 sq km, 173,413 sq miles
Population: 31,000,000
Time Zone: GMT
Country dialling code: 212
Currency: Moroccan Dirham

Climate in Morocco
The Mediterranean coastline of Morocco enjoys a long warm, and mainly rain free summer. Further inland it can get unpleasantly hot during the summer months, especially in the southern and south east desert areas. On the other hand, the temperature drops considerably in the higher lying mountainous areas, even getting to freezing point at night.

Accessibility
Morocco is well linked to Europe with international airports at Casablanca, Tangier, Agadir and Marrakesh.  There are regular flights to Morocco from airports across the UK. An alternative is to travel to Spain and take one of the numerous ferries and jetfoils operating between Algericas in Spain and Morocco's Tanginier and Ceuta.

Morocco Country Highlights
If you are interested in history and old Moroccan architecture then the labyrinthine of Fez is a must see, one of the largest living medieval cities in the world. For culture head to vibrant, frenzied Marrakesh and marvel at the stalls and performers jostling for position.

Permanent move to Morocco
Visitors from the UK don't need a visa for stays of up to three months. Should you wish to stay longer you should apply to the local police station within 15 days of arrival. For other visa enquiries contact the Moroccan Embassy in London.

Buying property in Morocco
In recent years, buying property in Morocco has started to attract considerably more interest from overseas, and it is thought that it may not be too much longer until it attracts the same widespread attention as Dubai. The government of Morocco has had an objective of accommodating ten million tourists per year by 20120, with new hotel complexes being completed while Morocco continues to improve its infrastructure, flight availability and facilities.  With a rise in tourism, demand is increasing for property and people looking for places to rent. So buying property in Morocco could be a shrewd investment indeed.
 
The location of Morocco is one of its main reasons for recent tourism increases, just across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain I one of the main reasons for the recent tourism increases, particularly amongst the growing number of Brits who find Spain to be too 'Brit saturated'. Another reason Morocco has become an attractive investment opportunity is due to the low property taxes and an annual increase in property prices of 15 per cent in the last year along.

Destination Hot Spots

Mediterranean Coast
A short hop over the water from Spain, Morocco's Mediterranean coast shares a similar climate to the south of Spain. Marrakech has a year round climate of 19.4C. The surrounding area is not the typical arid desert that might be imagined, but is actually lush and green.

North Coast
The north coast of Morocco is proving to be popular with those buying property. A modern, two bedroom apartment offering a good level of accommodation and views of the Atlas Mountains can be bought from £40,000.

Search for property in Morocco

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Useful website:
Tourism in Morocco

Article first published in May 2006 and updated in June 2007