Vidhi Gupta
26-Sep-2026
Being in Morocco gives a sense of familiarity in a foreign land.
With just one stopover and a time zone barely four and a half hours behind India, Morocco feels closer than a map suggests. Bollywood plays in the streets, spices speak a language we know, and strangers welcome you with so much warmth that you don’t feel like a tourist but one of them.
Here are some of the many reasons why Morocco should be on every Indian’s bucket list.
The Love for Bollywood
Morocco has a special love affair with Bollywood, and Shah Rukh Khan is undoubtedly one of its biggest stars. From Amitabh Bachchan and Kajol to several other actors, Indian cinema enjoys a remarkable following among Moroccans. But what makes this affection truly special is how warmly they share it with Indian travellers.
During my time in Morocco, I experienced this love in the most unexpected ways. Restaurant staff would switch their playlists to Bollywood songs just for us, hospitality professionals would break into an SRK song at our table, and a shopkeeper in the bustling souks would try to lure me into his store by singing a Bollywood number. Definitely, the love for Bollywood in Morocco goes beyond the screen. It finds its way into everyday interactions, creating an instant connection between two countries.
Flavourful Connection
Morocco’s cuisine carries a familiar warmth for Indian travellers, with its generous use of spices, herbs, and layered flavours. Its signature dish, tagine, is slow-cooked in an earthen pot, bringing together meat, poultry, or fish with vegetables, nuts, and fruit. Served alongside couscous and khobz (Morocco’s traditional bread), it offers a comforting introduction to the country’s culinary heritage.
And then there’s Moroccan tea, a simple brew of fresh mint, served with a dramatic pour that is as much a ritual as it is a refreshment.
Lights. Camera. Action
For film lovers, Morocco is like a living film set. In Ouarzazate, Atlas Film Studios has welcomed productions such as The Mummy, Gladiator, and Game of Thrones, alongside hundreds of other films and series. Its clear blue skies, quiet filming conditions, and versatile landscapes have made it a favourite among filmmakers.
The magic continues at Aït Ben Haddou, the UNESCO World Heritage-listed ksar, whose earthen architecture has featured in numerous international productions. Morocco’s cinematic appeal even extends to recent projects such as Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, filmed across locations including Aït Ben Haddou and Marrakech.
Living the History
Morocco is a dream for history lovers, with centuries-old medinas, grand palaces, ancient fortresses, and UNESCO World Heritage Sites that bring its past vividly to life. In Fes, wander through the medina to discover Al-Qarawiyyin, founded as a mosque in the ninth century and widely recognised as one of the world's oldest continually operating centres of higher learning.
Nearby, the Chouara Tannery, dating back to the 14th century, continues its traditional leather-making processes, with its iconic stone dyeing vessels. In Rabat, the Kasbah of the Oudayas, a 12th-century fortress that once sheltered corsairs and sultans, offers a journey into the city's rich past. Marrakech brings its own historical treasures, from the winding medina to the Bahia Palace, built in the 19th century and celebrated for its intricate marquetry, colourful zellige tilework, ornate ceilings, courtyards, and gardens.
And then there is Chefchaouen, the Blue City, founded in 1471. Its well-preserved kasbah, Spanish-influenced architecture, and striking blue-washed streets make every turn feel like a walk through a living painting.
Staying in a Riad
Credits- Riad Fes
From the outside, a riad can look like an ordinary home, enclosed by tall walls and a simple door. But the moment you enter, you discover a world of intricate tilework, vibrant colours, fountains, and a beautiful courtyard. Today, several of these traditional Moroccan homes have been transformed into boutique hotels, each with its own character.
Some are intimate and cosy, like Dar Echchaouen Maison d'hôtes & Riad in Chefchaouen, where a pool overlooks the city’s stunning blue-hued landscape. Others are expansive, such as Riad Fes- Relais & Châteaux in the medina, with three separate wings and a rooftop offering sweeping views of the old city.
Masterpiece of Faith
Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque is one of the largest mosques in the world and among the few that welcomes non-Muslim visitors on guided tours. Massive yet deeply peaceful, it amazes you by its intricate geometric patterns, perfect symmetry, and exquisite craftsmanship. Moroccan zellige tilework and muqarnas adorn its walls, pillars, staircases, and doors, while the ablution hall, with its 45 marble fountains, is a sight in itself. Blending centuries-old tradition with modern engineering, the mosque features a retractable cedar roof, hammams with heated swimming pools, and heated marble floors for winter. It is a remarkable expression of Morocco’s architectural ambition, artistry, and faith.
Souvenir Shopping
Morocco is the kind of destination where shopping deserves a suitcase of its own. From beautiful blue ceramic pottery that looks weighty but is surprisingly lightweight to intricately woven carpets and rugs crafted from exceptional wool, there is something to take home at every turn.
Pick up fragrant rose water, Moroccan oil, olives, and harissa, or browse the charming fridge magnets that make for delightful little keepsakes. And then there are the medinas and souks, brimming with jewellery, clothing, traditional utensils, spices, and countless treasures waiting to be discovered. Pack an extra suitcase for Morocco’s souvenirs; you’ll find a way to fill it.
