Golfing Region Morocco

Playing golf in Morocco is particularly interesting for European golfers in spring because you can work on your swing early in the year.

Travel information at a glance - golf trips to Morocco

• Golfing in Morocco
• The best time to travel
• Good to know

Golf trips to Morocco - the destination

Destination Morocco

Morocco, the westernmost of the five Maghreb countries in North Africa, is a relatively small country by African standards, but has a very diverse and interesting landscape. It borders both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean, and while the northern coast with its Mediterranean climate is steep and rocky, the Atlantic coast with its extensive sandy beaches and the land beyond is largely flat. Inland, on the other hand, the landscape is dominated by the imposing Atlas Mountains, which run like a bar from north-east to south-west, with their highest elevation of 4167 meters. Behind it, towards the south, lies the northern edge of the Sahara. Here you will find picture-book desert landscapes that are exposed to shimmering heat in summer.

Morocco Golf - A great commitment to golf

In this diverse landscape, 28 golf clubs are nestled in fairy-tale settings throughout the country. Playing golf has been a tradition in Morocco since the early 1920s. At that time, the Royal Golf Course in Marrakech was established, which owes its name to King Hassan II. It was also King Hassan II who established golf in Morocco as a national sport for the wealthy and had 17 golf courses built throughout the country.

Hassan's son Mohammed VI, his successor on the royal throne since 1999, recognized the economic potential of golf for his country. His declared aim is to use the sport to attract ten million golf tourists to the country every year. To cope with the new onslaught, Marrakech airport was given a new terminal and many new luxury hotels were built in a short space of time.

Those who come to Morocco to play golf are always close to the country's major attractions. Some of the most renowned and oldest golf courses are located near the four royal cities of Fès, Marrakesh, Rabat and Meknès. Marrakech, Fès and Meknès, with their medieval cities protected as UNESCO cultural heritage sites, are worth more than just a fleeting visit. Magnificent mosques, oriental marketplaces, snake charmers and souks characterize the image of the cities. In today's capital Rabat, history and modernity meet in the smallest of spaces.

But you can also play golf in the desert. From the city of Ouarzazate, a tourist center in the south of Morocco between the High Atlas and the Anti-Atlas, you can discover the Kasbah Road, a series of impressive 19th century clay castles.

The best time to travel to Morocco for a golf vacation

Climate and travel time for Morocco

The best time to travel to Morocco is from April to November for the coastal regions and from October to May for the interior due to the heat in summer. While the climate in the coastal regions is dry and hot in summer and mild and rainy in winter, temperatures in the interior can reach up to 45° in the summer months and drop below freezing in winter. Morocco is in the Western European time zone, in summer Western European Summer Time applies, Central European Time (CET) -1 hour.

Good to know in Morocco

Currency

Payment in Morocco is made in the country's own currency, the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). 1 Euro corresponds to approximately 10 Dirham. Payment is usually made in cash. In the larger cities, you can withdraw money with EC cards from ATMs or at the bank counter. Banks and hotels also exchange cash into the local currency.

Travel documents

A visa is not required for a stay in Morocco of up to 90 days, but a valid passport is required. It must be valid for at least 6 months from the day of entry. An identity card alone is not sufficient.

Making calls in Morocco

If you want to use your cell phone in Morocco, you will find a very good cell phone network. You can make calls from German networks, but you should check the roaming charges of your provider beforehand. It is certainly cheaper to buy a Moroccan prepaid card, which can be purchased for as little as 50 dirhams plus phone credit.

Getting there

The quickest and most convenient way to travel to Morocco is by plane. From most German airports, the flight takes around 3 hours. Popular destinations in Morocco are the cities of Agadir, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakesh, Nador and Tangier.

Making yourself understood

The official language in Morocco is Arabic. French and, in the north of the country, Spanish are also common business languages. The Berbers speak their own languages. Those who speak French can generally communicate very well throughout the country.

Health

In terms of health protection, no compulsory vaccinations are required to enter Morocco. However, it is recommended to be vaccinated against diphtheria, tetanus, polio, meningitis and hepatitis A. Diarrheal diseases can be avoided if you pay strict attention to food and drinking water hygiene.

Rules of etiquette

As Morocco is an Islamic country, slightly different rules of conduct apply than in Germany. Nudism and "toplessness" are prohibited on the beach. Women will have a more pleasant stay if they do not dress too revealingly. In general, women and men keep a certain distance from each other. As with us, people greet each other with a handshake and bring a small gift when invited, but no alcohol! And one thing you can't do is show someone the soles of your feet. This is considered an insult.

Watch out for the water jug in Morocco!

Eating habits are also slightly different to ours: if a jug of water is served with a meal, it is intended for washing hands. Most people drink a heavily sweetened tea with their meal. It is considered very rude to refuse food, but if you fill your plate to the brim, your host will be delighted. Cutlery is not necessarily expected, as traditionally people eat with their hands - only with the thumb, index finger and middle finger of the right hand, while the left hand is considered unclean. In hotels, however, people have adapted to Western customs.