Morocco is just a step away from Europe, across the narrow straits of Gibraltar, but it is a world away in terms of culture and experience, brimming over with contrasts, colour and mystery. This is partly due to its geographical position, sited at the crossroads where East meets West, Africa shakes hands with Europe, and the Mediterranean merges with the Atlantic.

Sitting at the top northwest corner of Africa and sharing two oceans, the country's main appeal for visitors has always been its Mediterranean climate, the quality of its crafts and its exotic nature. However, in more recent years travellers are discovering other hidden delights and adventures, particularly in the northern and central parts of Morocco in the Rif and High Atlas Mountains, where it is even possible to enjoy a skiing holiday. Then, down south, some are drawn to explore the sands of the Western Sahara, on camelback, horseback or by 4X4.

Whether you visit Morocco for the sunshine, or to trek through the mountains or the hot desert sands, it is a sure bet that you will also be enchanted by the timeless Medieval medinas of the cities, particularly in Fez and Marrakech, where the souks and squares plunge visitors into a fascinating foreign world. Snake charmers weave their magic; the stench of the tanners' yards pervades the air; and the call of the muezzins wafts from the ancient minarets. The abiding memory will be one of sweetened mint tea, brightly-coloured slippered feet and big smiles.

Although most of its suburban enclaves are ultra-modern, Morocco has more than its fair share of ancient monuments and magnificent buildings, reflecting a turbulent history shaped by its strategic location. Since the days of the Phoenicians, Morocco has attracted foreign interest from the Romans, Vandals, Visigoths and ancient Greeks until the coming of the Arabs in the 7th century, who brought Islam and the Alaouite Dynasty. European powers have had their day, too, trying to control this northernmost tip of Africa. France and Spain battled for control, until nationalism triumphed and the Kingdom of Morocco gained independence in 1956 (except for the two small enclaves of Ceuta and Melilla in the north, which are still controlled by Spain). This rich past, coupled with a timeless present, makes Morocco a magical mystery tour of surprises and enchantment for millions of visitors every year.

Koutoubia Mosque

Address: Marrakech

Admission: Free (gardens)

Djemaa el-Fna

Address: Marrakech

Dar Si Saïd Museum

Address: Riad Ezzitoun El Jadid Marrakech

Admission: 10 dirhams Daily 8.30am to 11.45am; and 2.30pm to 5.45pm; closed Tuesdays

Telephone: (044) 442 464

Saadian Tombs

Address: Rue de la Kasbah near the city walls in the old city, beneath the minaret of the Kasbah mosque Marrakech

Admission: 10 dirhams Wednesday to Monday, 8am to 11:45am and 2:30pm to 5:45pm

Oukaimeden

Address: Marrakech

Ouirgane

Address: Marrakech

Karaouine Mosque

Address: Medina Fez

Tanneries

Address: Bab Debbagh (Tannery Gate) Fez

Admission: Daily 9am to 6pm

Fez City Gates

Address: Fez

Zaouia Moulay Idriss II

Address: Fez

Kasbah des Oudaïas

Address: Kasbah des Oudaias Rabat

Admission: Museum closes at 1pm, tourists may stay until 7pm.

Telephone: (0)7 73 15 37

Palace Museum and Gardens

Address: Rabat

Admission: Daily 9am to 12pm, and 3pm to 5.30pm; closed Tuesdays

The Citadel of Chellah

Address: Rabat

Hassan Mosque

Address: Rabat

Medina

Address: Rabat

Archaeological Museum

Address: 23 Rue Brihi, Ville Nouvelle Rabat

Admission: Daily 9am to 11.30am, and 2.30pm to 5.30pm; closed Tuesdays

Telephone: (0)7 70 19 19

Volubilis

Address: Rabat

Admission: 20 dirhams

Temara

Address: Rabat

Grand Socco

Address: Tangier

Tangier American Legation Museum

Address: 8 Zankat America Tangier

Admission: Free Monday to Friday 10am to 1pm and 3pm to 5pm

Telephone: (039) 93 53 17

Kasbah

Address: Tangier

Dar el Makhzen

Address: Place de la Kasbah Tangier

Admission: 10 dirhams

Telephone: (0)9 93 20 97

Forbes Museum

Address: Palais Mendoub, rue Shakespeare Tangier

Admission: Daily from 10am to 5pm

Telephone: (0)9 93 36 06

Chefchaouen

Address: Tangier

Asilah

Address: Tangier

Kalaa (Hiking in the Rif Mountains)

Address: Tangier

Ben Youssef Madrasa

Address: Rue Souk el Khemis Marrakech

Telephone: +212 (0)44 390911

The Museum of Marrakech

Address: Place Ben Youssef, Medina Marrakech

Admission: 30 Dirham 9am to 6.30pm daily.

Telephone: +212 (0)24 44 1893

Bab Agnaou

Address: Entrance to the medina (ancient Moorish quarter). Marrakech

Majorelle Garden

Address: Ave Yacoub El Mansour, Guliez Marrakech

Telephone: +212 (0)5 2431 30 47

Shrob ou Shouf Fountain

Address: Dar el Bacha Marrakech

Souks

Address: From Ben Youssef Mosque to Rahba Kedima Marrakech

El Badi Palace

Address: Place des Ferblantiers Marrakech

Admission: 10 Dirham 08.30am to 11.45am, 14.45pm to 17.45pm.

The King Hassan II Mosque

Address: Blvd Sidi Mohammed Ben Abdallah Casablanca

Admission: 100dh; students 50dh Tours from Saturday to Thursday from 9am, 10am, 11am and 2pm

Old Medina

Address: Casablanca

The Shrine of Sidi Abderrahman

Address: Casablanca

Casablanca Twin Centre

Address: Casablanca

Meknes

Address: Fez

Todra Gorge

Address: Marrakech

Ait Benhaddou

Address: Marrakech

Walking in the Atlas Mountains

Camel Trekking in Morocco

Cooking Classes in Morocco

Cantanzaro

Address: 42 Tarik Ibn Ziyad Marrakech

Food Type: Italian

Narwama

Address: 30 Koutoubia Marrakech

Food Type: International

Café du Livre

Address: 44 Tarik ben Ziad Marrakech

Food Type: International

Adamo

Address: 44 Tarik ben Ziad Marrakech

Food Type: Patisserie

Dar Moha

Address: 81 Dar el Bacha Marrakech

Food Type: Moroccan

Tatchibana

Address: 38 Derb Bab Ksiba Marrakech

Food Type: Japanese

Café des Épices

Address: Place Rahba Qedima, Medina Marrakech

Food Type: Café

Puerto Banus

Address: Rue Ibn Hanbal, Ville Nouvelle Marrakech

Food Type: Seafood

Bistro La Saveur

Address: 12 Loubnane, Ville Nouvelle Marrakech

Food Type: International