Eating out in Morocco

You may be visiting Morocco for a holiday or property viewing trip for Morocco real estate. Whatever the reason, prepare yourself with these key facts about Moroccan cuisine:

• it’s delicious
• couscous. One of the most well known Moroccan dishes. It’s accompanied by vegetables plus meats, chicken, mutton or beef
• tagines. Richly spiced meat stews cooked in a distinctive funnel shaped earthenware container. They can feature vegetables and some recipes include prunes and walnuts. Often served with bread, olives and a red sauce
• harira is a hearty, tomato based soup and you may come across lentil stews too
• kafta is grilled beef
• mint tea. This is especially refreshing when you’ve been walking around the souks and streets of Moroccan cities. It’s often given to you at the end of a meal. Ask for your tea ‘sans sucre’ if you need to, as they are often heavily sugared
• desserts. These are typically fruit only, such as oranges with cinnamon dusting. You don’t tend to get pastries or puddings on the menu. But you can buy cakes from local patisseries
• alcohol with your meal. This is limited to larger restaurants in popular tourist destinations such as Marrakesh and Fez. Note there are some good Moroccan wines to be tried.

You can also get omelettes and grilled chicken for lunch snacks. The former is a legacy from the past when Morocco was a French protectorate.

Cinnamon cities
Moroccan cuisine uses a variety of spices. Cinnamon is a popular ingredient as well as cumin, ginger, paprika and saffron. Common herbs are coriander, parsley, oregano, not forgetting mint!

Marrakesh cuisine tip
If you visit Marrakesh, try and visit Jma El Fna Square’s food stalls at dusk. It’s a lively place to glimpse at Moroccan life, see the sun go down and shop, if you need to, at nearby souks.

Moroccan mash up

Music is an integral part of Moroccan life. If you’ve visited Morocco before or read about this fascinating country, you may have listened to the distinctive Gnawa music. Gnawa are the descendents of slaves from Black Africa who established brotherhoods throughout Morocco.

Gnawa music groups consist of master musicians, metal castanet players, clairvoyants, etc. Full of mystery, the music can even be ‘trance-inducing’ for some musicians who can spin frantically – ‘losing themselves’ in their music.

The ‘Plan Azur affect’
As Morocco opens it doors to international tourists through the visionary Plan Azur 2010 tourism programme, more tourists visit, eager to experience this exotic and special destination.

Some of them are even exploring investment and relocation opportunities in Morocco properties. Second or first home buys include new build properties plus renovating riads options.

If you’re interested in visiting or buying into Morocco – here’s some key facts about this North African country.

Morocco profile
Capital: Rabat
Other important cities: Marrakesh and Fez and ports, Casablanca and Tangier
Population total: estimated at 33.8 million
Religion: Mainly Muslim with Jewish, Christian and Hindu minorities
Languages: Arabic Berber, French, Spanish
Total surface area: 720,000 km2

The Kingdom of Morocco presents the most westerly point of the Arab world and enjoys strategic importance as it possesses both Atlantic and Mediterranean coastlines. In the interior it offers dramatic, mountainous scenery in the Atlas and Rif mountain ranges.

Historically, Morocco held French protectorate status from 1912 until 1956 when Sultan Mohammed became king. King Mohammed VI has been on the throne since 1999.

Morocco offers a fascinating blend comprising Berber, Arab, African and Jewish influences. Northern areas exhibit Mediterranean traits too. Visit soon!

Visiting Moroccan properties for a second home buy

If you’re planning a property inspection trip to look at Morocco properties - you’ll need to find a decent place to rest your head to help you make the most of your stay.

Inland and Northern Moroccan property options
Whilst Marrakech and Fez present good property buy locations, there are resorts on the Mediterranean coast which are worth considering.

The weather’s a bit cooler in the northern areas too – offering a reprieve from the hot summer temperatures experienced in the southern interior. This has implications for the rental retu