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Metro
29-04-2025
- Business
- Metro
This new train journey links three of Morocco's most beautiful cities
A new golden age of train travel has dawned, and it's safe to say we are now in the thick of the rail renaissance. For the first time in a century, trains are the It-girl of transport, and over the past few months, a slew of ambitious projects have been announced. These a £99 European Sleeper service from Brussels to Venice, and a new train that will directly link the Spanish and Portuguese capitals of Madrid and Lisbon. Morocco is the latest country to join the slow (and sustainable) travel club. The North African jewel is launching an extended rail line linking three of its most spectacular cities for the first time in history. The Al Boraq line, which currently runs between Kenitra and Tangier, will add stops in Morocco's capital, Rabat, plus the tourist hotspots of Casablanca and Marrakech. Fuel your wanderlust with our curated newsletter of travel deals, guides and inspiration. Sign up here. Currently, Al Boraq is Africa's only operating high-speed railway system. The planned 430km extension will make it the longest on the continent, too. Aside from making Morocco more accessible, the updated route – set to cost close to £4 billion – is expected to drastically cut travel times. For example, the journey from Tangier to Rabat will take one hour. From Tangier to Casablanca it will be one hour and forty minutes, while Tangier to Marrakech will take two hours and forty minutes. Those travelling to Rabat from Casablanca's Mohammed V International airport and vice versa will reach their destination in just 35 minutes. The construction connecting Kenitra and Marrakech was officially launched earlier this month by King Mohammed VI, who welcomed a new era of ultra-modern rail infrastructure across the country. He said in a statement: 'This project demonstrates Morocco's firm determination to continue developing the national rail network,' and noted that this transformation will serve as 'the backbone of a sustainable and inclusive transport system.' While news of the project is exciting, locals and visitors alike will have to wait a few years until they can travel on the new lines. Currently, completion is expected to be operational before the 2030 FIFA World Cup. Rabat, a city of about one million, has been Morocco's coastal capital since 1912. Despite its status, it's a less intense experience than Marrakech and a calmer introduction to the country as a whole. Defined by Islamic and colonial heritage and laid-back pace, Rabat is the best of both worlds for every type of traveller. @elisolidum A Week in Rabat, Morocco 🇲🇦 it feels weird to call a capital city underrated, but that's totally how I feel about Rabat. finding time to slow down, visiting bookshops and cafes, grocery shopping at local markets, catching sunsets on the beach, and finding a little sense of home in the chaos of Morocco. It's been a month of fast-paced travel all over the country, and taking a week to settle down in Rabat has been much needed 👌🏽 #travel #morocco #tiktoktravel #travelblogger #fyp ♬ September – Sparky Deathcap Founded in the 12th century, every stone is steeped in history. The Kasbah des Oudayas neighbourhood provides obvious Andalusian influence, with whitewashed buildings and dominant blue doors. Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site, the charming medieval fortress district has become a hotspot for artists and creatives from all over the globe. Hassan Tower – considered the symbol of Rabat – is one of the most famous sites in the city. Marvel at its Moorish architecture while soaking up the sun. Summer in Rabat – and Morocco in general – can reach 40°C, so it's worth visiting in the shoulder seasons when temperatures aren't as strong. If you're into a mix of modern and historical, Casablanca is for you. The city is widely known as Morocco's chief port, as well as being one of the largest artificial ports in Africa. Whether you visit the Hassan II Mosque, an elaborate oceanfront mosque, or head to the Arab League Park, famed for its lush gardens and palm trees, Casablanca offers a unique Moroccan experience. Just over a 90-minute drive from Casablanca is El Jadida, a chaotic but authentic Moroccan port city that's yet to be invaded by tourists. Nicknamed the 'Hamptons of Morocco', the medina of this UNESCO-listed old town is said to be the most European-looking in Morocco. No visit is complete without a walk along the city walls, which capture panoramic views of the ocean. Metro's Alice Giddings spent a week at Mazagan Beach & Golf Resort, a luxurious hotel on the Atlantic coast just outside the city walls that boasts 7km of private beach and lavish suites dotted around a swimming pool. Read her full report here. Nowhere does it get more quintessentially Moroccoan than in Marrakech, with its bustling bazaars, street food tours, and a melting pot of culture. For history, head to the Saadian Tombs and El Badi Palace. For a taste of daily life, it's all about Jemaa el-Fna square, a UNESCO World Heritage Site bursting with music, traditional storytelling and food vendors. For culture, check out the Ben Youssef Madrasa to admire centuries-old Islamic architecture. @kelseyinlondon 🇲🇦 How to spend a perfect day in Marrakech ⬇️ MORNING 9am 🏫 Ben Youssef Madrasa 10am ☕️ Bacha Coffee 11am 🛍 Go shopping in Souk Semmarine AFTERNOON 1pm 🍽 Lunch at Le Jardin (order the chicken pastilla!) 3pm 🌵Jardin Majorelle EVENING 6pm 🍹 Drinks & dinner at DarDar Rooftop More Marrakech Recommendations ⬇️ 📍THINGS TO DO Le Jardin Majorelle, Moroccan Cooking Class (Amal Women's Training Center), Ben Youssef Madrasa, Le Jardin Secret, go shopping in the souks, Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Jemaa el-Fnaa, YSL Museum, Stay overnight in a Agafay desert camp (I recommend Be Agafay & Scarabeo Camp), sunrise hot air balloon ride, spa say / hammam, El Badi Palace, Day trip to Ouzoud Waterfalls, desert quad bike tour, Maison de la Photographie 🍽 RESTAURANTS Le Jardin, Dar Dar Rooftop, La Trattoria, L'Mida, Bacha Coffee, Les Jardins Du Lotus, El Fenn Rooftop, Nomad, Le Salama, La Table at Royal Mansour, Comptoir Darna, Cafe Des Epices 🏨 STAY Riad Botanica, Riad Sakkan, Riad Be, Riad L' Atelier, Riad Yasmine, Roya Mansour, Riad 42, El Fenn, Riad Jardin Secret, Amanjena, La Sultana #marrakech #marrakechmedina #marrakech🇲🇦 #visitmarrakech #riadmarrakech #instamarrakech #marrakesh #morocco #moroccotravel #moroccotrip #visitmorocco #morocco🇲🇦 #travelmorocco #exploremorocco #instamorocco #uktravelblogger #travelblogger #travelguide #traveltips #travelblog #marrakechrestaurant #marrakechfood 24 hours in Marrakech | Things to do in Marrakech | Marrakech Itinerary | 1 day in Marrakech | Marrakech Restaurants | Marrakech Cafes | Marrakech Bars | Hotels in Marrakech | Marrakech food spots | Marrakech travel tips | Marrakech hidden gems | Marrakech activities | Marrakesh Itinerary ♬ original sound – Kelsey💗London Travel Creator And, as Millennials and Gen Z continue to popularise the sober tourism trend, Metro's Gergana Krasteva found that Marrakech is the perfect choice for teetotal travellers. In January, she spent 72 hours in the 'Red City,' soaking up culture instead of alcohol. Noting that it's a 'place that doesn't need booze to be interesting,' Gergana explored opulent palaces and atmospheric souks with aromatic cuisine. She said: 'All are making the city known as the Jewel of the South an increasingly popular choice for sober travellers.' More Trending However, if Morocco has always been on your bucket-list, but the chaos of Marrakech doesn't appeal, Gergana recommends a visit to Fez. Around two hours and twenty minutes from Rabat, Gergana reports that the city nicknamed the 'Athens of Africa' has held onto much of the traditional culture that defines it. With none of the crowds and a spiritual and cultural focus, it's also cheap to get to: at least four direct flights depart from London every week, from as little as £27 one-way. 'It's never been easier to visit the ancient tanneries, stunning architecture, and royal palaces that make this city so fascinating,' Gergana adds. Can't wait until 2030? Saudi Arabia has also tapped into the luxury rail travel trend, becoming the first Middle Eastern country to embrace it. In 2026, plans to launch the 'Dream of the Desert' are in motion, the first five-star rail service in the region that will travel around 780 miles through the Arabian Desert, from Riyadh to Al Qurayyat, near the northern border with Jordan. However, concerns over the ambitious project have risen due to the country's 'dire' human rights situation. MORE: 'Breathtaking' pier named UK's best despite nearly being destroyed last year MORE: The UK's most remote train journey with 26 stops and 'stunning scenery' MORE: 'English Mediterranean' island dubbed the UK's sunniest place is still overlooked by tourists
Time Out
28-04-2025
- Business
- Time Out
A newly extended high-speed rail line will link three of Morocco's most spectacular cities
The development of high-speed rail lines has been booming in Europe and Asia recently, but we shouldn't forget about the strides being taken in Africa – specifically, in Morocco. Over the last 20 years or so, the country has been making some major investments into its infrastructure, such as improving its road networks, expanding its airport capacity and with projects like the Tanger Med port, which is a major hub for trade between Africa, Europe and the Americas. And now, Morocco is focusing on its railways. The country is home to the only operating high-speed railway system on the continent, the Al Boraq line between Kenitra and Tangier, which is now being given a 430km-long extension. The high-speed line will become the longest in Africa, linking Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech. The project is the flagship portion of a wider $9.5 billion national railway plan, expected to cost around $5 billion. Also planned is the purchase of 168 next-gen trains, plus a new transit system in the three cities. The railways are designed to have trains reach speeds of up to 350km per hour. That means that once it's launched, the extended line will connect Tangier and Marrakech in just two hours and 40 minutes, slashing current journey times by more than two hours. It will also connect the Moroccan capital of Rabat with Casablanca's Mohammed V International airport in just 35 minutes. Speedy, right? But it's not just about faster travel. According to , the project will help ease congestion on existing trains and allow space for regional and commuter services, which in turn will reduce traffic and therefore air pollution – a problem affecting Casablanca in particular. Then there's the economic benefits for Morocco. Thousands of direct and indirect jobs will be created thanks to the project and workers will gain significant technical skills. It will also improve connectivity between industries across the country, reduce carbon emissions and enhance living standards in cities. What's not to love? Several West African countries have already hinted at plans to replicate this model, so stay tuned for all the latest information.
