Retiring in Morocco is a dream for many, but the country does not have an easy path to follow. There are many different aspects that need to be considered before you make your decision to retire in Morocco. While there are many great places to live and retire here, it’s important that you find the one that will work best for your lifestyle needs. This article will go over 7 of the best places to retire in Morocco and how they compare with each other based on their beauty, climate, culture, and more!
Why Retire in Morocco?
Morocco is a popular tourist destination, and it has a lot to offer. Morocco is also a Muslim country, which means that it’s not as liberal as some other places around the world. However, many Moroccans are tolerant of non-Muslims and will welcome you with open arms if you’re willing to learn more about their culture.
Morocco has good weather all year round; even better than southern Europe! The climate here is mild enough for people who live in areas where winters can get cold or hot (like Alaska). If you like living outdoors during the warmer months but prefer indoor heat during the winter months, then Morocco might be perfect for you!
The healthcare system in Morocco works well compared with most other countries around Africa because they have free public hospitals available 24/7 across major cities such as Marrakech or Casablanca etc… There are also private hospitals that provide excellent care at reasonable prices compared with what we experience back home.
7 Best Places to Retire and Live in Morocco
1. Tangier:
Tangier is a great place to retire in Morocco. It has a lot of culture and history, including the Monastir Cathedral, which dates back to the 12th century. You’ll also see beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea from Tangier’s beaches and mountains.
Why retire in Tangier?
Tangier was named after the country’s capital city (Tanger) as well as its main port (Tangier), making it easy for visitors to get around by bus or taxi if they don’t have their own car or bike. The city also has many good restaurants where you can enjoy traditional Moroccan cuisine while listening to live music performances on weekends. The best time to visit Tangier is during its annual festival, which is held in May. During this time, you can enjoy a variety of performances while also learning about the city’s rich history.
2. Marrakech:
Marrakech is a popular tourist destination, but it also has plenty of residents who have made the city their home. The climate is mild in winter and hot in summer, so you can enjoy an indoor lifestyle year-round without having to bundle up. You’ll find many different accommodation options for every budget and taste, including luxury hotels that are just a step away from some of Morocco’s most famous attractions, like Jamaa El Fna Square and the Boumniat Sidi Saadoun mosque.
Why retire in Marrakech?
Marrakech’s nightlife scene is vibrant, with bars and restaurants serving local cuisine alongside international dishes served by friendly staff members who know how to make customers feel at home while they’re enjoying themselves!
3. Casablanca:
Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco, and it’s also the economic center of the country. The city has a rich history that dates back to 1478 when it was founded by Spanish explorers who wanted to establish a colony there. Casablanca is known for its beautiful beaches and warm weather year-round (it doesn’t get too cold). It also has an excellent airport, so you can fly into this beautiful city without having any trouble getting around or finding lodging options.
Why retire in Casablanca?
As far as the cost of living goes, Casablanca is very affordable compared to other places on this list—you can find cheap food options on every street corner!
It is also a great place to shop for souvenirs and gifts. You’ll find many shops selling traditional Moroccan clothing, art, and jewelry in the medina quarter of the city. The city has a lot of history, and there are many great places to visit while you’re there. You can see the Hassan II Mosque, the largest in Morocco, which is an excellent example of Islamic architecture. There are also plenty of museums that showcase Moroccan culture as well as artifacts from other cultures around the world.
4. Fez:
Fez is the oldest city in Morocco, and it’s a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is full of history and culture. It’s also the perfect place to enjoy nature, with its many parks, gardens, and public squares.
Why retire in Fez?
Fez hosts several festivals throughout the year, including:
- The Sidi Bou Abbès Festival (June)
- The International Film Festival (August)
- An Market Fair (April)
The Fez Festival of Sacred Music (May) The Fes Festival for World Sacred Music (December). The city is known as the “Capital of Morocco’s Craft Industry” and is famous for its handicrafts and jewelry. It’s also a great place to shop for carpets, leather goods, pottery, brassware, and silver jewelry.
5. Meknes:
Meknes is a city in central Morocco, located south of the capital Rabat, on the banks of the Bou Regreg river. It has a population of 658,812 and is the capital of the Meknès-Tafilalet region.
Meknes was founded in 1578 by Marinid sultan Abu Inan Faris Abd al-Wahid as an urban military base for his son Moulay Ismail. The city grew quickly under Moulay Ismail’s rule until he died in 1603; his son Muhammad Tughril Shah (who ruled from 1604 to 1617) expanded its walls another 3 km towards Fes and built there another madrasa (school) named after him as well.
Why retire in Meknes?
The city was built in a short time, according to a description by the traveler Evliya Çelebi. The sultan had the architect Muhammad al-Damiri, construct numerous palaces and mosques in Meknes. Many neighborhoods were born at that time including: Fath-Aljdad, Al-Malika Zeinab, Fatima Zahraa.
6. Essaouira:
Essaouira is a laid-back city that’s popular with tourists, who come for its long history and beautiful beaches. Located on the Atlantic coast in Morocco’s Rif Mountains, Essaouira has been an important trade center since ancient times. It was also home to pirates who used it as a base from which they attacked Portuguese ships sailing up and down Africa’s western coastlines.
Why retire in Essaouira?
Like many other Moroccan cities today, Essaouira has many natural resources—it has plenty of water (the city sits at sea level), fertile land for farming and fishing, plus plenty of trees to make paper out of—but it hasn’t always been this way: before Europeans started settling in Morocco during the 19th century they had no idea what they were doing here!
7. Rabat:
Rabat is a beautiful city, and it’s one of the best places to live in Morocco. The weather is temperate year-round, there are plenty of things to do, and you can find many different types of retirement communities in Rabat.
Why retire in Rabat?
There are several important reasons why it would be wise for someone looking for their next home base in Morocco:
- You’ll be able to enjoy the local culture and history
- There are lots of great places nearby where you can go shopping or explore on foot or by bike (or even on horseback!)
- Rabat has some nice beaches too!
The city is beautiful, and you’ll have plenty of things to do. You can go shopping in the enormous souks that are filled with vendors selling everything from spices to handbags. There are also a number of museums and galleries for those who like to learn about the culture.
Conclusion: The best places to retire in Morocco
Morocco is a country that has everything, including some of the best places to retire in Morocco. The following cities are among the top choices for ex-pats looking to retire in Morocco:
- Tangier – This city is located on the Strait of Gibraltar and is one of two UNESCO World Heritage sites in North Africa (the other being Saint-Tropez). It’s known as an important port city with historic architecture, lively nightlife, and more than 100 years’ worth of history that you can explore at your leisure.
- Marrakech – With its bustling markets filled with local artisans selling their wares from door to door, this city offers visitors an authentic Moroccan experience despite its large tourist population. You’ll also find plenty of great restaurants serving delicious food at reasonable prices next door!
- Casablanca – Located between Marrakech & Rabat/Fez respectively; Casablanca has been called “The Venice Of Africa” due to its many canals running through it, which make up over 15 miles long network connecting all parts together, making it easy for travelers who wish not have trouble finding somewhere else too!
With all of these options, you can bet your retirement will be a memorable one.