Caves of Hercules, Morocco
February 4, 2014 by Helen
Filed under Travel destinations
Come. Join our knowledgeable guide as he shows us one of the tourist highlights of northern Morocco.
A short distance outside the city of Tangier in northern Morocco one can visit the Caves of Hercules. If you are driving yourself you will not see those words as highway signs in Morocco are usually only in Arabic and French.
But we are on a guided tour so you can focus on the lovely countryside.
Aside: It still surprises me how similar rural geography is from country to country. Intellectually I know I should expect that, but still I am amazed when I look out the window and think “This could be (name a country) or (name another country)”.
There is the sign we are looking for. Notice it is not in English…only Arabic and French.
Caves signpost
northern Morocco
Hint: Click on any photo to enlarge it.
The area near the caves is rocky and desert-like. Only the blue of the water breaks the light brown and gray vistas…making for a rather impressive contrast.
Entering the caves does not require the long walks or body contortions required to enter some caves. You just have to run the gauntlet of merchants who want to sell their wares. Since we were with a tour I think we may have been spared the most aggressive of the sellers.
Inside you will find a merchant has set up a store where you can buy souvenirs.
Souvenir shop inside the Caves of Hercules
Look just ahead of us. There is the “hook” that will get you to visit these caves. The sea window has a rather interesting shape doesn’t it. Now what does it remind me of? Hmm.
Sea window inside Caves of Hercules
You know, if you were to flip the image it looks a bit like the continent where it located. Africa…complete with Madagascar.
Aside: If we had taken a boat tour we would have seen this sea window from the other side and seen not the mirror image of Africa, but the more familiar version. Isn’t the brain’s ability to see shapes within Mother Nature’s handiwork amazing.
A Guinness World Record began here in these caves. Do you know what that record is? Check out your guess at Travel Quiz answer. Click here.
On your way out one of the merchants may tag along. Don’t worry…the ones we met were ever present and always talking but always polite and respectful.
Exiting the Caves of Hercules, Morocco
I do wish I had purchased that purse he was trying to sell me.
Next time perhaps.
Happy travels.
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