One of the best things about living on the Costa del Sol is its diversity.  Only a couple of hour´s drive from the snowy mountain ranges of Sierra Nevada, with beaches on the doorstep and Morocco only a short ferry ride away, the Costa del Sol has much to offer.  Algeciras can be reached easily from all Costa del Sol Resort towns , including Marbella, Puerto Banus and Estepona.

Morocco is a mystical land, offering visitors a real taste of North Africa.  Situated just nine miles from Spain, you can enjoy a day trip or a five or six day excursion to Morocco. Ferries leave Gibraltar, Malaga and Algeciras regularly for Morocco. It´s strange to think you can take a day trip to a different continent, but thousands of visitors a year take advantage of the ferries to and from Morocco. You can also pick up regular flights between Malaga Airport and Tangiers, Nador, Melilla, Ceuta and Casablanca – although these can prove quite expensive.

Officially known as the Kingdom of Morocco, with nearly 34 million people, Morocco is the only county in Africa that is not currently a member of the African Union.  It´s capital city is Rabat, and the largest city is Casablanca.  It has a coast on the Atlantic Ocean, which reaches into the Mediterranean Sea.  Ceuta and Melilla are two Spanish autonomous cities, with which Morocco has land borders.

Morocco´s rich history makes it an intriguing place to visit. Recognition by the United Kingdom in 1904 of France’s influence in Morocco provoked a swift German reaction. The crisis of June 1905 was resolved at the Algeciras Conference, Spain in 1906, which formalized France’s special position and entrusted policing of Morocco to France and Spain jointly. A second Moroccan crisis provoked by Berlin, increased tensions between European powers. The Treaty of Fez (signed on March 30, 1912) made Morocco a protectorate of France. By the same treaty, Spain assumed the role of protecting power over the northern and southern Saharan zones on November 27 that year.

Many Moroccan soldiers served in the French army in World War I and World War II, and in the Spanish Nationalist Army in the Spanish Civil War. To this day, many Moroccans still use French as their second language. Morocco was granted independence in 1956, and celebrated its 50th year of independence on August 20th, 2006. There are four Spanish enclaves remaining on the Mediterranean coast: Ceuta, Melilla, Peñón de Vélez de la Gomera, Peñón de Alhucemas, and the Chafarinas Islands, as well as the disputed islet of Perejil.

Modern day Morocco retains its original charm, while continuing to evolve into a thriving tourist centre. Visitors to this magical land are attracted by the diverse background and culture of its people, along with ancient Arabic monuments and an eclectic mix of delicious cuisine.

Moroccan cuisine has been influenced by many different cultures.  The food is a mix of Berber, Spanish, Corsican, Portuguese, Moorish, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean, and African cuisine.  Heavily influenced by the native Berber cuisine, the Arabic Andalucian cuisine, the Turkish cuisine and the Middle Eastern cuisines brought by the Arabs, as well as Jewish cuisine.  Spices are used in nearly all Moroccan dishes, and many of these, such as saffron and mint, are home-grown.  The most popular meat dish is chicken, often cooked in a tagine with various herbs and spices.  Couscous is the most famous Moroccan dish, and the most popular drink is green tea with mint.

Ferries travelling between Algeciras and Tangier, or Algeciras and Ceuta, take between 30 minutes and 1 hr 30 mins, depending on which sailing you take.  Algeciras is only an hour´s drive from Marbella and Puerto Banus. All relevant information about ferry times and prices can be obtained from their website

Algeciras is a ferry port city in the south of Spain, near the city of Gibraltar, and slightly north of Tarifa, which is Spain´s southern-most town. Algeciras  faces the Mediterranean. The modern Algeciras ferry port is one of the busiest in the world, with a lot of traffic to and from Africa. There is a regular ferry service to Tangiers (Morocco) and the Spanish enclave of Ceuta. Because many people who pass through stay the night at Algeciras, there are many hotels and hostals. Around the beginning of August, cars with families of Moroccan immigrants living in Europe mass in the haven waiting to embark the ferry to spend their holidays in Morocco, so ensure you book your ferry or buy ferry tickets well in advance for the busier months.
Many visitors to Morocco choose to stay in riads, which are original Moroccan courtyard houses which date back to the times of the Sultan princes. Staying in a riad is the best way to discover the true spirit of Morocco, as many are located in historical city centres, including Marrakesh, Essaouira, Casablanca and Fez.  Many of these riads, have been transformed into luxurious boutique hotels, where visitors can relax and enjoy their sumptuous surroundings.

Passing through one of these doorways of the riads, you enter a large courtyard and discover many  hidden gem. The central courtyard is typically sprinkled with flowers and trees providing shade. Fountains are elaborately decorated with mosaic designs and often you will often find a mosaic tiled swimming pool in middle of the courtyard. Riads can be rented out by individuals, families or even on a private-booking basis for large groups.  For more information, checkout: http://www.riadsmorocco.com

Cheaper accomodation is widely available for visitors on a budget, and every major city has a range of hostals and guesthouses for reasonable prices.  Some of these can be situated in the city centres, which may make them noisy, but basically, you get what you pay for.  Having stayed in a riad in Casblanca and a hostal in Fez, I would recommend you look round before booking.  Owners of hotels, hostals and riads are only too happy to show you round their establishments, before you commit to booking.

The cosmopolitan city of Marrakesh has become a must for sophisticated travellers who want to experience Morocco at its most stunning. Stylish lounges and restaurants have opened throughout this vibrant city, and it has also become a haven for art-lovers over the past few years. Travelling art exhibitions have added Marrakesh as a venue, and this intriguing city has evolved into a slick and smart place to visit.Marrakesh offers something for everyone, and is often referred to as the Rose City, because of the pink salmon colour of the buildings

Attracting  lovers of traditional Moroccan architecture, Marrakesh boasts amazing mosques, gardens, palaces, and Koranic schools. With some of the most lively bazaars and souks in the world, and ancient city walls, which were built to protect the Sultan´s palaces, the city´s architecture remains virtually unchanged since the Middle Ages.

The first time I visited Marrakesh, I found it quite surreal.  Almost like a film set from ancient times, combined with some of the best food we have tasted in Morocco. Snake charmers, fortune tellers, musicians, dancers, and story tellers jostle for position in the Djemaa El Fna Square, where tourists flock from all over the Costa del Sol.

Marrakesh monuments are being continually renovated as a personal project of the King. As tourism is such an important feeder of the Marrakesh economy, the number of tourism police is higher than ever, making visitors to the Pink City feel secure and at ease.

Essaouria is a fascinating city.  Combining French influences with Moroccan traditions and culture, this beautiful city has become more popular with visitors from Europe over the past few years.Dating back 3000 years, this fortified fishing village has played a very important role throughout Moroccan history.  It has been controlled by the Portuguese, and the French, before Morocco returned to independence in 1956.
Narrow and curving passageways make up the medina of Essaouira. The passageways are lined by tall white houses, and home-made crafts are made in the hundreds of workshops around the city. World-renowned for its local hand-made products such as wood sculptures, paintings, fabrics and music, Essaouria is a magnet for lovers of Moroccan history and culture.

The white beaches and huge waves, attract water-sports enthusiasts from all over the world, and the clear waters are home to a vast range of sealife.  Once the fishing boats return back to port after a long day at sea, the fish auctions are a sight to behold.  Local specialities include grilled sardines, and a large range of fresh seafood and fish.  Local restaurants serve fish specials daily, at great prices.

Often referred to as the museum city, Fez shows the uniqueness and diversity of Moroccan history. With 143 mosques, original ramparts, and antique palaces, Fez has succeeded in protecting its culture, while offering tourists an amazing range of amenities and facilities. Fez´s architecture is rich and reflects the reign of different dynasties throughout the generations.  Generating income for the city are the many workshops, which still produce hand-made metal and leather goods, ceramics, silk, tapestries, and sculptures. Original ramparts still protect the ancient city and its thousands of narrow streets. Many historical monuments are hidden in the medina. The part of Fez which is referred to as the ´new city´ provides a startling contrast with Fès el Bali. Wide and elegant avenues are lined with numerous cafés and restaurants, which contrasts sharply with poorer suburbs around the city.

Casablanca is famous all over the world and.  Not only is Casablanca known for being the business capital of Morocco, but it first came to the world´s attention in 1942 when the film of the same name was released, starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman. Casablanca has a rich trading past, and has become the most important place for the Moroccan economy. The city is also a good place to stay if you are touring between Marrakesh, Fez, Essaouira, and Tangier.  Visitors looking for more modern Moroccan attractions will feel at home in Casablanca, which boasts a great selection of bars, nightclubs and restaurants to suit all tastes.  Interestingly, it is also home to the second largest mosque in the world – the enormous Hassan II Mosque. This is the only Moroccan mosque which non-muslims can enter.

Morocco is a fascinating place to visit from the Costa del Sol.  Whether you are staying in Marbella, Puerto Banus, Fuengirola or Estepona, you are closer to the African coast than you think.  Take a trip to Algeciras by road, and you can be in Morocco within 30 minutes.  Experience the different cultures of Spain and North Africa by taking either  day trip excursion or a more leisurely 5-day guided tour of this magical land.