Rooftops in Morocco: medinas, mountains and sunsets
A kingdom between two seas
A North African monarchy of just under 40 million people, Morocco is one of the few countries with coastlines on both the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Its capital is Rabat, while Casablanca is its largest city and economic capital. Its Arabic name, al-Maghrib, means "the west" or "the setting sun", and the French name "Maroc" derives from the name of Marrakech. The currency is the dirham.
More than two-thirds of the country is mountainous: the Rif in the north, the Middle Atlas, the High Atlas, where Jbel Toubkal reaches 4,167 metres, and the Anti-Atlas, before the desert expanses of the south. The imperial cities of Fez, Meknes, Rabat and Marrakech, and sites such as the ksar of Aït-Ben-Haddou, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, bear witness to more than twelve centuries of history.
Why head up to the rooftops
In the medinas, low houses with flat roofs form an unbroken landscape of terraces. Restaurants, cafés and riads have set up tables, benches and parasols there: people climb up to escape the bustle of the alleys, watch the minarets stand out against the sky and glimpse the mountains in the distance. In the modern districts, it is mostly hotels that have created bars, gardens and pools on their roofs.
Marrakech, the first stop
The red city and its terraces
At the foot of the High Atlas, Marrakech offers a wide choice of rooftops. Facing the minaret of the Koutoubia, around Jemaa el-Fna square or above the Spice Square, the medina's terraces overlook a sea of ochre roofs; in the Gueliz and Hivernage districts, contemporary hotels have created hanging gardens and a rooftop pool.
Very different atmospheres
Some venues serve cocktails and wine to the sound of DJs or jazz, while others focus on mint tea, fresh juices and modern Moroccan cuisine, with no alcohol. Thanks to the sunny climate, the terraces are lively all year round, with misters in summer and heaters on cool winter nights.
Practical tips
Alcohol, seasons and booking
In Morocco, alcohol is served only in establishments licensed to sell it, often hotels, bars and some restaurants; many cafés and riads in the medina do not serve it. Check before choosing your terrace for an aperitif. Sunset is the most sought-after time: it is best to book for dinner or to arrive early. Smart dress is appreciated, and required at the most upmarket venues. Prices are displayed in dirhams.
Photo : Petar Milošević / Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0
