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Travel to Morocco: A Complete Guide (Tips + Morocco Itinerary).  

• By Sarah Steiner
• Updated On April 22, 2024

Welcome to our Morocco Travel Guide! It’s safe to say we love Morocco. It’s April 2024 and we are just wrapping up SIX months of travel to Morocco.

We arrived by ferry from Spain and have hugged and surfed the beautiful Atlantic coastline. We loved the contrast of the famous imperial cities (Fes, Marrakech, Chefchaouen) and desert towns (Ouarzazate, Merzouga and Zagora) heading all the way inland to the Sahara Desert. And we ventured way down south to camel markets (Guelmim), historic settlements (Sidi Ifni) and surfing hotspots (Taghazout, Tamraght and Dakhla).

So now; after six incredible months of travel to Morocco here is our complete Morocco Travel Guide and itinerary with everything you need to know for an epic trip to Morocco of your own! 

In this Morocco travel guide you will find: 

• Travel to Morocco 
• Best time to visit
• Visas  
• Traveling  to  Morocco
• Data, WIFI and connectivity 
• Safety in Morocco
• Money and ATM’s
• Food and alcohol 
• Transportation within Morocco  
• Morocco itinerary  
• Places to visit in Morocco   – Tangier – Chefchaouen – Fes   – Rabat – Casablanca – Essaouira – Marrakech – Agadir – Merzouga – Ouarzazate   – Ait Ben Haddou
• Accommodation in Morocco  
• More about travel to Morocco  

About Morocco, just quickly

• Full Name:  The Kingdom of Morocco
• Capital:  Rabat
• Official languages:  Arabic and Moroccan Berber
• Religion:  99% Islam
• Currency:  Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
• Population:  37,080,000 (2021)
• Time Zone:  National Standard Time (UTC+1)
• Calling Code:  +212
• Drives On:  Right
• Credit Cards:  Visa/MC accepted
• Outlets:   Plug Type C and E (220 V / 50 Hz)

Travel to Morocco – the country, the people and its culture

Morocco has a unique history that has largely been influenced by its geographical placement in between Europe and Africa and bordering the entrance to the Mediterranean Sea.  

Size-wise it is a large country and has an incredibly varied landscape and culture in the different directions of each border.  But one thing that is constant all over the country is the Moroccan culture and warm hospitality.  

On the northern Atlantic coast the first cities that welcome any traveller are the coastal towns of Tangier and Asilah.  

Inland, the famous imperial cities of Marrakesh and Fez do not disappoint.  Marrakesh is more modern and popular as a starting point, but Fez is iconic and traditional and definitely worth adding to your Morocco itinerary. 

Agadir, Rabat and Casablanca are Morocco’s other large cities and offer the coastline as well as street food and the famous Hassan II Mosque (the only mosque you can visit as a tourist in Morocco). 

The Atlas Mountains provide truly stunning scenery and are popular as a destination for trekking and exploring or just as a daytrip from Marrakech. 

And hidden away in the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is arguably Morocco’s most iconic and prettiest town.

Read more about options to choose the best Morocco itinerary below. 

Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco? 

Citizens of the following countries and territories can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days (unless otherwise noted):

• All European Union member states, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Burkina Faso, Canada, Chile, China, Colombia, Cote d’Ivoire, Dominican Republic, Gabon, Indonesia, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macao, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore, South Korea, Switzerland, Togo, Tunisia, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States. 

Visa-free entry for Morocco is valid for both airport and land borders for the countries listed above. 

Other foreign nationals wishing to enter Morocco must obtain a visa prior to arrival. 

On July 10, 2022, the Moroccan government launched an e-Visa system   to facilitate the granting of visas to foreign nationals subject to this formality.

Best time to visit Morocco

Traditionally, the best time to visit Morocco in terms of the weather is during the spring (April and May) and autumn (September and October) months.  This is when the climate is pleasant and summery throughout the country without being too hot for day-time exploration.  

However, in our experience we would also recommend the wintertime (December, January and February) as a perfect escape from the Northern-hemisphere.  And to make the most of the sunshine and pleasant day-time temperature.  Winter is also a good time to explore the south and the Sahara fringes and further inland without overwhelming heat.  Albeit do remember that even in the desert it can get bitterly cold during the night. 

Getting  to  Morocco

Morocco is geographically located in North Africa.  It is possible to travel to Morocco by air, land and sea. 

Travel to Morocco by air

Morocco has 8 main international airports.  Casablanca is the country’s major airport and hub for the national carrier, Royal Air Maroc.  

International airports in Morocco: 

Travel to Morocco by land

If you want to travel to Morocco by land, know that it shares a border with two countries: Algeria and Mauritania. 

The border between Morocco and Algeria is closed and has been closed for years.  But it is possible to cross the border from Morocco to Mauritania.  

• Read all about crossing the Morocco – Mauritania border from Dakhla to Nouadhibou here. 

Travel to Morocco by sea

It is also possible – and easy – to enter Morocco at the port borders in the north of the country at:

• Tangier Med

It is possible to bring a vehicle or motorhome with you to Morocco on the ferry from Europe.  (This is what we did).  

• Read all about how to travel to Morocco with a motorhome on the ferry from Algeciras, Spain to Tangier Med . 

Is it safe to travel to Morocco? 

Morocco is regarded as a safe country to travel to.  Crime rates are relatively low.  And in all our travel to Morocco we have never felt unsafe or questioned our safety. 

The country has seen a huge rise is visitor numbers in recent years as tourists – especially from Europe, UK and USA – are looking for an off the beaten track and unique travel experience.  And along with travel anywhere that is more adventurous, aspects such as public safety, hygiene standards, and societal norms may be different to what you are used to. 

It is expected that you respect and understand its laws and cultural customs and adhere to the status quo. 

Unfortunately Morocco does sometimes have a reputation for scams and pickpockets, especially in the public spaces of tourist hotspots like Marrakech, Fes and Essaouira.  Much of Morocco’s economy depends on tourism and petty crime and ‘tourist traps’ can catch a visitor by surprise.  Keep your valuables safe and carry small amounts of cash.  And as with any travel around the world it is important to be aware of your surroundings. 

Internet connectivity and WIFI in Morocco

In general, internet and WIFI connection is good (surprisingly so by travel standards) across the country.  Hotels and accommodation in the cities will have WIFI available (at varying speeds).  In the desert regions and further south in Morocco the connection is often weaker.  

If you rely on WIFI for work I suggest tethering to your SIM card with data.  See below, but the mobile networks are often faster and more reliable. 

SIM cards and data

There are three mobile network operators: Maroc Telecom, Orange and INWI.  

It is easy to buy a prepaid SIM card on arrival at the airports and at Tangier Med (ferry port).  And in the cities you will see roving vendors wearing branded t-shirts of the different network providers selling SIM cards and recharge vouchers. 

Data is inexpensive and it is straightforward to recharge prepaid connections using scratch cards that can be purchased at kiosks and convenience stores all over the country. 

• Read all about buying a SIM card in Morocco and how to get unlimited data. 

Get a VPN for traveling in Morocco

You should always use a VPN when you travel.  And especially when you connect to public Wi-Fi networks.  

Your connection with a VPN will be much safer.  And you will be able to access any content that is typically censored or blocked in Morocco.  

Money, currency and cash when you travel to Morocco

The Moroccan dirham is the official currency of Morocco.

• 10 MAD = 1 USD
• 100 MAD = 10 USD 
• 1000 MAD = 100 USD

Dirham are available in banknotes of 20, 50, 100 and 200.  Coins are available in denominations of 1/2, 1, 2, 5 and 10 dirham. 

ATMs in Morocco 

You can find ATMs in the main cities and towns in Morocco. 

Credit cards (VISA and Mastercard) are accepted at mainstream city accommodations, high-end restaurants, large supermarkets and shopping malls.  

However, Morocco is a cash-based society. You will need to always carry cash with you in Moroccan Dirham.   

ATMs in Morocco will give you a maximum of 2,000 – 4000 MAD per transaction (approximately 200 – 400 EUR/USD.)

These are the ATM’s in Morocco we have used (mostly successfully) to withdraw local currency: 

• Societe Generale 
• Attijariwafa Bank
• Banque Populaire

Morocco has fairly high withdrawal charges with a standard withdrawal fee (regardless of amount withdrawn) of 35 MAD. 

How much does it cost to travel to Morocco? 

It really depends on how long you have, where you go and ultimately your Morocco itinerary.  

Typically, meals costs somewhere between 5 and 10 USD.  Accommodation in Morocco usually includes breakfast.  

• Bottle of water  (1.5L): 6 MAD
• Bread:  1.5 MAD 
• Tagine (2 person):  50 MAD
• Cappuccino:  15 MAD
• Orange juice  (fresh): 10 MAD
• Sprite or Coke  (330ml): 6 MAD
• Sandwich/Panini:  35 MAD 
• Meal at McDonalds:  65 MAD
• Bananas (1kg):  15 MAD
• Milk (1L):  8 MAD
• Beer (330ml):  25 – 40 MAD
• Wine (750ml):  60 – 110 MAD
• Petrol  (1L): 14 MAD
• Diesel  (1L): 13 MAD

Food and alcohol in Morocco 

There’s a lot more to Moroccan cuisine than couscous and tajines.  The traditional foods of Morocco are mouth-watering.  

Moroccan dishes are influenced by Berber, Jewish, Arab, Spanish and French cultures. And food plays a very important role in traditional Moroccan culture and is seen as a symbol of hospitality. 

Alcohol isn’t readily available around the country.  But it is legal to drink alcohol in Morocco. Many larger hotels will serve alcohol and in the cities (Marrakech, Fes, Essaouira, Agadir) there are restaurants and bars in and around the medina that serve alcohol.

Food in Morocco you need to try

The most common food items you will come across on your travel in Morocco include slow-cooked meats, couscous, bread, dates and sweets and of course, Moroccan mint tea. LOTS of mint tea. 

• Tagine: Slow-cooked meat and vegetables cooked and presented in a conical-shaped clay pot.
• Couscous:  Originally from Morocco and typically served with meat or vegetable stew. Traditionally prepared on Friday and served for special occasions. 
• Harira:  Lentil soup usually served as a starter or used during Ramadan to break the fast at dusk.
• Bastilla:   Flaky pie traditionally made with pigeon or chicken.
• Khobz:  Crusty bread typically baked in communal wood-fired ovens and served with meals.
• Bissara:  Hearty soup made from dried fava beans and commonly served during breakfast
• Tanjia:  Like tagine, meat slow-cooked in a covered clay pot. 
• Chebakiya:  Flower-shaped, fried sesame cookie dipped in honey. 
• Kaab el Ghazal  (Gazelle Horns): Crescent-shaped pastires made with almond paste, orange flower water and cinnamon. 

Language for your travel to Morocco 

Arriving in Morocco you’ll quickly discover that the language spoken amongst Moroccans is an amazing blend of Arabic, French, Berber (Amazigh) and sometimes a little English (or even Spanish). And without doubt the people you encounter and interact with will appreciate your effort at speaking a bit of their language.   

• Hello:  As-salaam Alaykum (literally means peace be with you)
• And unto you peace  – Walaykum As-salaam (said in response to the above)
• Thank you:  Shukran
• You’re welcome:  Al ‘afw
• How are you?  Labas? 
• Good:  Mezya
• How much?  Be kam? 
• Please:  Afak
• Delicious:  Hadshi bneen
• Yes:  Wah
• No:  La

A greeting of ‘Salam’ is always received with a smile. 

Transportation for your travel to Morocco 

Public transportation is an adventure in itself when traveling in Morocco.  It can be hit or miss with taxis and buses between cities or taking a shared taxi.  The bigger cities like Marrakech and Casablanca have public bus routes within the city but the buses are often old and overcrowded and don’t necessarily follow a route or timetable… 

But, travel to Morocco is an adventure and that is what we are here for; right? 

Travel in Morocco by train

The best way to travel between Moroccan cities is by train.  Morocco now has Africa’s fastest trains traveling at 300km/h (186mph) linking Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca every hour over a new high-speed line.  Classic trains link northern Tangier and Casablanca with Meknes, Fes and Marrakech.

Travel in Morocco by rental car

Renting a car in Morocco gives you the ultimate freedom to explore in any direction and at your own pace of travel. Car rental in Morocco costs between 15 and 50 USD a day. The price will depend on the company that you rent with and the model you rent. Don’t be put off by concerns of self-navigating Morocco.

• Read our complete guide to driving in Morocco . 

Travel in Morocco by plane

RAM (Royal Air Maroc) operates domestic flights from Casablanca to six major cities in Morocco.  You will usually have to change planes at Casablanca, unless both points are stops on a single Casa-bound flight. In general domestic flights are expensive, but it will save you a lot of time.

Travel in Morocco by bus

Intercity buses are the most common mode of transport between cities in Morocco and are a cheap and efficient way to get around.  

The most popular bus companies are: 

• Ghazala 

It is possible to book tickets online for Supratours and CTM or you can book in person at the bus station (easier; and definitely more reliable). 

Buses between cities are reasonably priced with a ticket between Marrakech and Casablanca between 80 – 110 MAD ($8 – $11 USD) per person for the 4-hour bus ride. 

Travel in Morocco by taxi

There are different types of taxis to get around Morocco.  The most common are shared taxis (which in essence operate a bit more like a mini-bus system): 

• Petit taxis:  These are small cars to get around town and can hold up to three people (yes; only three passengers are allowed at a time).  They’re very cheap to use and you can just wave one down and check with the driver where he is going and negotiate your price upfront. 
• Grand taxis:  These are shared taxis that can carry up to six passengers. They often won’t leave the taxi station until the taxi is full but because they are so popular the wait is not usually long.  You can locate a grand taxi near any taxi stand. 
• Private taxi:  Operates the same as any taxi anywhere.  Not all taxis are metered so make sure to negotiate and agree on a fare before driving. 

Morocco itinerary options 

This is the juicy part of our Morocco travel guide.  From here we are going to talk about our itinerary in Morocco as well as the unmissable and best things to do in Morocco and places you need to see.  

It really depends what you want to see in your travel to Morocco.  Because Morocco really seems to have it all! 

So whether you are looking for a relaxing riad, and Instagram-worthy vacation, history, a desert adventure or sunshine and surf.  Morocco truly has it all. 

Ready? 

Three 10-Day Morocco itinerary options 

Here are three Morocco itinerary options for a 10-day adventure (or vacation) in Morocco.  All of the places to visit in Morocco are listed below with highlights and things to do in each place so you can adjust and adapt your Morocco itinerary accordingly.

North to Sahara 10-Day Morocco Itinerary – Option 1

• Day 1 : Arrival in Tangier (1 Night)
• Day 2 : Chefchaouen (1 Nights)
• Day 3 : Volubilis & Meknes (Day Trip)
• Days 3 – 4 : Fes (2 Nights)
• Days 5 – 6 : Sahara Desert – Merzouga (2 Nights)
• Day 7 : Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou (1 Night) 
• Day 8 : Marrakech (2 nights) 
• Day 10 : Departure from Marrakech

Coast to Desert 10-Day Morocco Itinerary – Option 2

• Day 1:  Arrival in Agadir – Tamraght (1 Night) 
• Day 2:  Tamraght and Taghazout (1 Niight) 
• Day 3:  Tamraght to Marrakech (1 Night) 
• Day 4 – 5:  Sahara Desert Trip (2 Nights) 
• Day 6:  Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou (1 Night) 
• Day 7:  Return to Marrakech (1 Night) 
• Day 8:  Marrakech (1 Night) 
• Day 9:  Day trip Marrakech to Ourika Valley (1 Night) 
• Day 10:  Departure from Marrakech 

Imperial 10-day Morocco Itinerary – Option 3

• Day 1:  Casablanca (1 Night) 
• Day 2:  Chefchaouen (1 Night) 
• Day 3:  Fez (stopping off at Volubilis en route) (1 Night) 
• Day 4:  Marrakech
• Day 5 – 6:  Sahara Desert Trip (2 Nights) 
• Day 7:  Ouarzazate and Ait Ben Haddou (1 Night) 
• Day 8 – 9:  Marrakech 

Travel to Morocco – Places to visit on your Morocco itinerary 

Travel to Morocco is unlike anywhere else in the African continent.  Geographically the country is long and thus the culture is diverse and different from top to bottom.  We have spent more than six months travel in Morocco.  And we’ve seen a LOT.  

But to summarise travel to Morocco in one Travel Guide we have chosen the likely main stops on your Morocco itinerary and the three best things to do in Morocco for each place. 

Tangier is a port city in the north of Morocco steeped in history and entangled in the literal maze of streets in the old medina. It’s hard to fathom that this magical escape to Africa is barely an hour’s boat ride away from Europe. 

Things to do in Tangier

• The Kasbah:  Pass under Bab Haha gate and enter the Kasbah in Tangier with the maze of cobbled alleyways and sweeping hilltop views of the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean sea.
• Tangier Grand Mosque:  Originating in the 5 th  century the mosque was once the site of a Roman temple.  During the 8 th  century it became a place for Muslim prayer until the Portuguese conquest in the late 15 th  century when it was converted to a cathedral and subsequently back again to a mosque.
• Petit Socco:  A hub of activity – historic and otherwise – in the centre of Tangier.  The best choice to plonk yourself and drink mint tea and watch the world go by.

Chefchaouen

Chefchaouen is a city in the Rif Mountains to the northwest of Morocco and known for the striking, blue-washed buildings of the old town. There are many different theories to why Chefchaouen is so blue.

Things to do in Chefchaouen 

• Take in all the BLUE:  Chefchaouen is the ultimate Moroccan medina for wandering and photography.  There are endless enchanting squares, doorways and dead-end alleys that are all very photogenic.
• Visit the Souk:  If you happen to be in Chefchaouen on a Monday or a Thursday you should definitely visit the souk. 
• See the view from the Spanish Mosque:  The best place for a beautiful panoramic view of Chefchaouen is at the Spanish mosque. This mosque sits on the hillside and it is a pleasant 45-minute walk to get there.

Fes is a UNESCO world heritage site and home to the oldest and largest medina in North Africa.  The city was once the capital of Morocco and is now regarded as the cultural epicentre of the country. 

Things to do in Fes, Morocco  

• Jnan Sbil Gardens (Bou Jeloud):  This peaceful slice of nature is the only public garden in Fes medina.  Relax, cool down and join Fes locals enjoying the park too. The park is open Tuesday – Sunday between 8AM – 7:30PM. 
• Bou Inania Madrasa:  Opposite the Grande Mosquée, this religious school, completed in 1358 is a historic madrasa (Islamic learning centre) in the city of Fes. 
• Fes Tanneries:  Be sure to check out the iconic tanneries of Fes! Take in the world-famous smells and discover hundreds of earthen pits full of coloured dye used to colour animal skins.  The tanneries are a unique part of Fes culture and a must-see in travel to Morocco. 

The capital city of Rabat is often overlooked as a destination for travel to Morocco. It is a modern city today but like it’s neighbours it boasts a rich history with another lively Moroccan medina.

Things to do in Rabat

• Visit the medina:  The medina and kasbah of Rabat are two different but connected areas. While much of Rabat is extremely modern, the medina still has reminders of a historic and different kind of life.
• Try a street food sandwich: Eenter the medina and hunt down the  viande hache  (mincemeat) sandwich in fresh Moroccan bread. 
• City of Sale:  Just across the Bou Regreg River from Rabat lies the smaller sister city of Salé; another interesting and often forgotten place. Salé has a fascinating history that is deeply linked to a past with dreaded pirating famed since the 1600’s.
• Visit Chellah:  Overlooking the lush Bou Regreg River on the Rabat city side is Chellah, a picturesque fort that dates back to the Phoenician times in the third century B.C. 

Casablanca is a port city and commercial hub in western Morocco and the largest city in the country. 

Things to do in Casablanca, Morocco 

• Hassan II Mosque:  No trip to Casablanca is complete without visiting the spectacular Hassan II Mosque; the only mosque in Morocco open to non-Muslims. 
• Morocco Mall:  Located at the end of La Corniche area is Morocco Mall – the biggest shopping mall on the African continent.
• Old Medina:  Starkly contrasting the modern mall; the old medina of Casablanca is a vibrant and fascinating place to wander (and drink tea and eat fresh, hot M’smen).

Marrakech 

Morocco’s most well-known city is a sensory experience of vibrant colours, flavours, smells, sounds and unique sights.  It’s world-famous for the maze of markets and shopping in old city medina but there are plenty more things to do in Marrakech.  

Things to do in Marrakech

• Jamaa el Fnaa:  The main square of the Marrakech medina is the literally-bustling heart and hub of the city and an experience of culture, chaos and shopping like nowhere else!
• Try a Moroccan hammam:  This is a must-do during your travels in Morocco.  A hammam is a public bathhouse and the experience really is one of the highlights (and out-of-comfort-zone adventures) of the culture.
• Jardin Marjorelle:  Visit the famous gardens and vibrant blue house once owned and restored by Yves St Laurent.  A truly tropical desert oasis in the midst of the busy city.

Essaouira 

Essaouira is a port city on the Atlantic coast.  Just a walk in the port vicinity feels like more than a world away from Europe. 

Trade winds make Essaouira popular for surfing, kitesurfing and windsurfing. And it isn’t as overcrowded as Marrakech or Fes.  It is one of the most underrated destinations for travel to Morocco.

Things to do in Essaouira

• Essaouira medina:  The labyrinth of alleyways in the old city are an assault on the senses (in a good way) with colourful souvenirs, handicrafts, Moroccan rugs and shoes.
• Surfing:  Trade winds make Essaouira a fantastic alternative for a Morocco vacation away from the big touristy cities.  There are plenty of surf shops, windsurfing and surfing schools that are great for beginners. 
• Fish market and port:  Essaouira was the main fishing port for Morocco in the 1900’s and today fishing boats line the harbour where each day they sell their catch.  It’s interesting for a walk or choose your own seafood to be cooked fresh at the many restaurants.

The Hollywood of Africa! Ouarzazate really is like a mini-Hollywood in Morocco.  There are many cool sites to visit and the city is just a hop, skip and a jump from the even more iconic Ait Ben Haddou. 

Things to do in Ouarzazate

• Visit Ben Haddou:  A 30 minute drive from Ouarzazate, Ait Ben Haddou is an ancient village of earthen clay buildings that dates back to the 1600s.
• Atlas Film Studios:  With cheap production costs and desolate scenery, Ouarzazate has been a Hollywood base for over 200 movies and television programmes filmed at Atlas Studios including, Gladiator, Ben Hur, Game of Thrones, The Mummy, Passion of Christ, and Black Hawk Down.
• Kasbah Taourirt:  A citadel in the centre of Ouarzazate set up as a museum showcasing the historic vantage point of the city on the trade routes from Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Agadir 

Agadir is a city on Morocco’s southern Atlantic coastline connecting to the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. 

Things to do in Agadir 

• Souk el Had: Agadir’s main souk with over 6000 vendors  selling everything from spices, fruits and vegetables through to clothes, perfumes, carpets, pottery, and electronics.
• Taghazout and Tamraght:  Just a short drive north to the beach towns of Taghazout and Tamraght for surfing and sunshine. Anchor Point often considered to be Africa’s best surf spot.
• Agadir Beach (Plage d’Agadir):  A seaside resort with deep, fine sand, cafes and restaurants galore. 

Accommodation in Morocco

Riads  –  A Riad is a traditional Moroccan house of palace with an indoor garden and courtyard.  Riad accommodation is generally located withing the old city medinas.

Hostels  – Popular especially on the coast in surfing spots like Imsouane, Taghazout and Tamraght. 

Hotels  – In the bigger cities you can find high-end and mid-range to budget hotel options. 

Desert Camps –  In the Saharan region you will find nomad style camping and glamping offered in the desert. 

Campsites  – Morocco has an abundance of camping and motorhome campsites. Read our complete  guide to campsites in Morocco.

• Booking.com  – We book all our accommodation in Morocco and all over the world on Booking.com. There is a great selection of budget accommodation, beautiful riads, desert camps, hostels, and hotels.  Be sure to check the filters and make the most of cancellation flexibility that we love! 

Souks and markets in Morocco 

Once you have refined your Morocco itinerary and chosen the direction for your travel in Morocco it is time to add in some unique things to see and do for a truly memorable trip.  The weekly markets and souks in Morocco are a fascinating way to get a glimpse of traditional, rural and day-to-day life.  

Here are some of our favourites: 

• Zagora Weekly Market
• Tabounte Weekly Market
• Guelmim Camel Market
• Sidi Ifni Weekly Market
• Tafraoute Weekly Market
• Tamraght Weekly Market
• Agadir Weekly Anza Souk 
• Ouarzazate Weekly Souk

Planning travel to Morocco – more information

These are the companies we use while traveling fulltime as a family (for five years now) and ones that we would recommend to anyone booking travel to Morocco. 

• Booking.com  – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. There is a great selection of budget accommodation and be sure to check the filters and cancellation flexibility that we love! 
• Skyscanner   – We use this for all our flights. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. 
• GetYourGuide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world.
• SafetyWing  – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country. 
• World Nomads   – Travel insurance tailored for longterm travel and nomads (including those who have already left home). Make sure you have travel insurance before traveling to Morocco!

Read our other guides and articles for traveling in Morocco 

• Taking the ferry from Spain to Morocco.
• Everything you wanted to ask about driving in Morocco.
• Crossing the Morocco Mauritania border from Dakhla to Nouadhibou.
• Motorhome services in Morocco.
• A guide to campsites in Morocco.
• Buying a SIM card in Morocco (and how to get unlimited data).

Wondering about itineraries?  Questions about schooling?  See our Family Travel Guides and FAQ here . 

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21 Things You Must Know Before Visiting Morocco Travel Tips

• Africa / Fez / In the City / Marrakech / Morocco
• 33 Comments

Visiting Morocco? This is what you need to know before visiting.

More and more people are visiting Morocco every year. It’s a beautiful country, and as photographers and videographers, we had a field day.

On the flip side, there were also downsides to visiting especially as a woman. If you plan on going, we put together a few pointers to help you set realistic expectations and prepare for your trip.

Thank you Contiki for hosting our trip. See our full 15 day trip itinerary here . All opinions are always our own. This post may contain affiliate links, where we receive a small commission on sales of the products that are linked at no additional cost to you. Read our full disclosure  for more info. Thank you for supporting the brands that make Local Adventurer possible.

Last Updated: March 16, 2023

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21 things you must know before visiting morocco, best places to stay in morocco, planning checklist, more resources, 1. dress appropriately.

Overall, guys can dress however they like, but women need to dress more conservatively. Although you see many tourists wearing whatever they want, we chose to cover up as much as possible to avoid unwanted attention.

Even if you’re traveling with a group of guys, you may still get harassed. Some of the girls in our group got groped on multiple occasions even though we were paired off with a male buddy.

It was mostly really old men, and it happened more often in crowded places. When visiting mosques, you need to cover down to your wrists and ankles.

For the ladies out there, keep a  shawl / scarf  handy (this one is reversible and great for traveling light)

See More: What to Pack for Morocco – 2 Weeks in a Carry On

2. Currency and Cost

More established shops will take credit cards, but most smaller markets, street vendors, and cabs will not. Be ready with the local currency.

The Moroccan Dirham (DEE-rahm) goes for roughly 10.4 Dirhams (DH) per 1 USD or 11.09 per 1 euro. We thought things would be cheaper in Morocco, but the prices were comparable to Europe because of how touristy the country has become.

Our guide recommended that each person exchange 100 euros daily, which was plenty for us.

3. ATMS Can be Hit or Miss

Exchange enough money when you get your chance. Ask the front desk at your hotel; they may have money to exchange.

The ATM quickly ran out when our entire group was trying to exchange money. Who knew ATMs can run out of money!

A few people from our group thought the ATM was giving an error and tried multiple times, but the ATM didn’t dispense any while still charging it from the bank for every attempt.

Also, traveler’s checks are pretty much useless in Morocco. It’s hard to find a place to cash them.

4. Keep Correct Change with You

Moroccan cab drivers rarely “have change” when you need it. At least, that’s what they tell you. To avoid overpaying, keep your coins.

Most of our cab rides within the city cost roughly 30 Dirhams. The dilemma with keeping change though is that you will not be able to exchange it back when leaving the country since they only want larger bills.

You want to keep correct change while you’re in the country, but you also want to spend it all before leaving.

5. Learn to Haggle

If you’re shopping in the markets or medinas, you will have to learn to haggle. I know some people have strong opinions about paying full price for the sake of “charity”, but selling is like their national sport and haggling is an integral part of their culture.

More likely than not, they will still get the better deal, but keep in mind if you are willing to spend the time, you can get items for at least 25-50% of the starting price.

Know what you’re willing to pay before you start the haggling process and walk out if you can’t get the price you want. They may call you back multiple times.

Also, you may want to bargain with your cab drivers before getting in. Most of our rides within the city cost 30 DH. If they demanded more, our guide told us to hand them the money and walk away.

Luckily, that didn’t happen to us because we always firmly set a price before the ride.

If you’re looking to buy a carpet or anything with a higher price tag, do your research before visiting Morocco. People get tricked into buying them as “an investment” to sell later. Don’t fall for their sales tactics and the local guide’s added pressure to buy.

Have some change ready for tips. A good general rule of thumb is 1 DH at a local place and 3-5 DH at nicer places.

7. Be Wary of Local Guides

You should absolutely hire a local guide to help you get an inside perspective on the country and navigate through the maze of the medinas (old towns). However, be sure you know what you’re getting yourself into.

The local guides have built relationships with many different stores, and they are most likely getting a cut of the sales. Don’t be fooled when they say they are trying to help you haggle to get the best price, because they usually aren’t. We were able to get better prices without them. This happened in Fes.

See More: 21 Amazing Things to Do in Fes Morocco

8. Stay Away from Strangers Offering Free TOurs or Directions

Even if you don’t hire a local guide, you might find other locals offering you tours while you’re walking around the markets and medinas.

If you go with one of them you may end up completely lost and pressed to spend money. Most of the time they will ask for a tip afterward too.

This is the same with asking for directions. A lot of them will offer to walk you to where you’re going but then ask for a tip. If you’re so inclined, always keep money to pay them off, plan ahead and ask your hotel, or pull up some maps when you have WIFI.

Also, if you are  renting a car in Morocco  so that you can get around on your own, be sure to plan ahead rather than wait until you are there.

9. Fridays are Holy Days and Prepare for Holidays

Keep in mind that it is a Muslim country, so pay attention to their holidays otherwise you might be there when everything is closed.

Also, most shops and attractions will close on Friday since it’s their holy day.

A friend of mine went during Ramadan and told me it was very difficult to eat meals. We happened to arrive in Morocco on Eid al-Adha, where they were slaughtering and sacrificing animals on the street.

All shops we saw closed that day and most shops were closed the following day.

Plus it was a bloody mess, most of which we avoided. Below you can see what is usually a crowded marketplace is deserted.

10. Be Careful what Water You Use

To stay safe, drink bottled water and even use it to brush your teeth. Also, avoid using any ice when you’re out. The LARQ Self-Cleaning Water Bottle is really useful when you’re in Morocco if you don’t want to buy a ton of bottled water. See all the top travel water bottles we tested on the road.

11. Pack Some Imodium

I don’t care how strong you think your stomach is, you should pack some  Imodium   just in case. This is always a good rule of thumb for all travel.

At least a third of our group wasn’t feeling well after the first meal in Morocco. I popped a couple of Imodium, and I was fine the next day. Others were not so fortunate.

See More: 21 Moroccan Foods You Must Try

12. Watch Your Pockets

Most Moroccans are friendly and honest, but you should always be careful with pickpockets in any major city, especially in crowded places like the markets. Pickpockets often target touristy areas.

13. What Language Do they Speak?

Moroccans speak a mixture of Arabic, Berber, English, and French. You’ll be fine with English in most of the larger cities, but you’ll probably need a translator in the rural parts of the country.

Here are a few basic Arabic words that came in handy:

• Hello  (Peace Be With You): Salam Alikome (salaam a eleikum)
• Thank You:  Choukran (shokran)
• No Thank You:  La Choukran (la shokran). This one is useful when you have a bunch of street vendors hassling you to buy something.
• Watch Out:  Balak. Although you won’t use this yourself, you’ll most likely hear this in the medinas or souks (outdoor markets). Locals will say balak if coming by with a mule, motorcycle, or cart to warn you to either get the side or get run over.

14. Visiting Mosques

If you’re hoping to see a Mosque while visiting Morocco, you might be out of luck unless you’re Muslim. Most mosques are off-limits to non-Muslims, with the exception of the massive Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca. They are still beautiful to take photos from outside though!

If you’re looking for beautiful architecture,  Bahia Palace   is open to visitors.

See More: 21 Fascinating Things to Do in Marrakech Morocco

15. Alcohol, Drugs, and Parties?

Although most Moroccans are Muslims, yes, they still have all these. Hashish, an extract of the cannabis plant, is quite commonly offered to you in the streets. 

Contiki loves their parties, and we were told that only hotel bars had alcohol available for tourists, but we surprisingly found several bars and even nightclubs serving alcohol.

We decided we didn’t want to pay 300 DH (30 euros) to get into a club that already appeared like a sausage fest from the outside.

They also told us it’s pretty typical for prostitutes to hang out at nightclubs there too. There was a special DJ guest that night, but normally the club was supposed to cost around 150-200 DH.

16. Do I need a Visa or Vaccines?

Almost all English-speaking countries (except South Africa and Australia) do not require visas to enter the country. The CDC also doesn’t require any vaccines although many would recommend Hepatitis A and Typhoid shots. Find out more details from  CDC here  for the most updated information on vaccinations before visiting Morocco.

17. Have the RIght Converters

Don’t get stuck in Morocco without a way to charge all your electronics. We recommend picking up  one of these  so that you have options for wherever you travel and additional outlets in case there aren’t many in the hotel room.

Morocco uses the following: Voltage: 220 V, Frequency: 50 Hz, Power sockets: type C / E. If you have something that works in Europe, then it will be the same. If you’re traveling from the states,  the adapter  will help you get everything charged.

18. Ask Before Taking Photos (And You may have to Pay)

When you’re walking through the markets, be careful when taking photos of people and shops. Unless you are purchasing something, they may get angry at you and even demand money for the photos.

When we took photos of the snake charmers, we paid 20 DH. Some may even hassle you for more, so again, it’s good to first establish a price before taking a photo.

19. Bring TOilet Paper with you Everywhere

Don’t expect bathrooms to have toilet paper. Be prepared with your own and also have some hand sanitizer available. A lot of public restrooms have a small fee as well so if you see an attendant be sure to ask the price before using the bathroom.

Though they’re not flushable, I like to bring my  wet wipes  on all my trips to wipe my hands when I don’t have easy access to bathrooms.

20. Souvenirs to Bring Home

Fez is known for leather and carpets, while Marrakech is known for fragrances, oils, and spices (like saffron). If you’re buying saffron, make sure you’re buying the real thing. Many places sell artificial saffron for dirt cheap or mix the real with the fake stuff. No one wants saffron cut with other spices.

You can ask them to do a demonstration in water. If it colors the water yellow, it’s real, if it turns reddish, it’s the dye coming out from the artificial saffron.

You can also smell the difference (should smell more herbal), or ask for a couple of strands to put in your mouth and spit it onto a tissue to see what color it produces.

21. It’s a cat Lover’s Heaven… and Hell

There are homeless cats everywhere in Morocco. They are super cute and made us smile every time we saw them but also really sad every time we had to walk away and leave them.

It seemed that the people of Morocco took care of them in their own way. We saw them feeding them scraps of food in the markets. If you’re highly allergic to cats, don’t forget to bring some allergy meds with you.

Final Thoughts as a Woman Visiting Morocco

There were many times on our trip that I genuinely wished I was a man visiting Morocco. While others simply got annoyed (full disclosure), I was much more sensitive since I still have residual resentment from some sexual traumas when I was younger that I am working out.

It’s a work in progress, making the trip incredibly challenging personally. For the most part, we had the best-case scenario of traveling with a local guide and Contiki. Those incidences happened within the few hours of free time that we wandered off alone.

Overall, Morocco is beautiful, and we’re happy to have experienced the country.

Instead of scaring you from visiting, we hope it educates you and helps you go in with the right mindset and expectations. As long as you’re entirely aware of your surroundings and know what to expect, you can have a wonderful experience.

• Get comprehensive insurance for your trip.
• Find a great deal on Morocco hotels .
• Arrange a rental car for your trip.
• Book a tour for your visit.
• Get airport lounge access .
• Buy a travel charger to keep your devices charged.
• Get a new backpack for your trip.
• Buy a Morocco travel guide .
• Pack the appropriate shoes for your trip.
• Don’t forget your in-flight essentials .
• Lonely Planet Morocco  – they always have great photos and information.
• Moon Morocco  – also very photo heavy.
• Morocco National Geographic Adventure Map
• Pocket Arabic Dictionary

Is Morocco one of the top places you want to visit? Why or why not? Can you think of any other tips for visiting Morocco?

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“Discovery consists not of seeking new lands but in seeing with new eyes ” – M. Proust

Esther + Jacob

Esther and Jacob are the founders of Local Adventurer, one of the top 5 travel blogs in the US. They believe that adventure can be found near and far and hope to inspire others to explore locally. They explore a new city in depth every year and currently base themselves in Las Vegas.

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This Post Has 33 Comments

I’ve been to Morocco 3 times. Tangier and twice to Agadiar. Guess what IM A WOMAN and had the most amazing time in both areas. In Tangier we visited the Casbah which was amazing. Haggling was fun and the people are great. Never felt vulnerable and I have not been insulted or felt afraid. On the most part the people are really nice. I absolutely love Agadir. Its modern in its approach and there’s loads to do. The beach is beautiful. As two women travelling without a man, oh who’d of thought, we did not have any issues in Morocco anymore than anywhere else. Wherever there’s men they’ll be the ones who are rude, sexist and revolting. That’s unfortunately the way some of them are. Otherwise the people of Morocco are lovely. I’d go every year if I could afford it.

That’s so great to hear you had a wonderful experience! I’ve definitely heard a mix of thoughts from both sides.

Thanks for your list of tips. I’m a bit conflicted about Morocco due to my serious feminist leanings, but I so want to see it. It’s a shame that there is such disrespect and hypocrisy, but I suppose that’s everywhere in some regard. ;-)

You’re welcome, Hillary. I still hope you get to experience all the good parts of Morocco. I think it’s definitely changing with the younger generations, but it really is a different world view over there.

as local Moroccan, I can confirm that the tips that you provide are true. I am ashamed of the ‘Watch Your Pockets’ tip; what can I say?! every place have it’s good and bad people. however, by mentioning that you are making people aware so that they don’t have any bad experiences in Morocco. thank you :)

I think it’s true for most big cities in the world. :) Thanks Abdou!

Hi I’m Indian live in dubai UAE I like to visit Morocca it need visa or not I’m hear with residents visa

Great article. My friend is currently in moroco and hates it. I hope that she gets home safely and isnt raped. I am never going to visit! I will stick to places like Finnland, Switzerland and new Zealand

Stay safe everyone!

dont forget that you can be beheaded if you backpack in the countryside :)

I did not hear about that!

Thank you realy Marrakesh is very nice

So glad I found this! I booked today for me and my partner to go next year. Great to have an idea of what to expect.

So glad you found this helpful, Donna. I hope you two have a great trip!

Such a detailed insides about morocco, a great read to be aware before going to morocco, I have some more insights in depth. If you want to read.

Thanks for the information, yes I agree that before visiting In Morrocco we must know about the details of that places. When I had visited that place I don’t know anything about that place but my journey was very interesting and beautiful. The natural beauty also attracts me a lot.

Glad you found it useful, Diana!

Thank you for being so detailed. Your blog is wonderful and very insightful. I will use it in future travels. Thank you for including pictures.

Thanks so much for reading, Madison!

Wow…such an amazing experience feeling happy while visiting Morocco. Basically, in time of our trip we visited local market bought many products. Thanks to our local guide from yougomorocco.com planned a trip in a perfect way. I hope I will plan this place in an upcoming year.

Thanks for such an informative blog! I would love to travel to Morocco, and in fact, almost booked a trip, but decided to go elsewhere instead due to time constraints. Thanks for the advice to get out of the cities and explore more.

thanks for sharing the valuable info for Morocco visitors !!

I’m planning to visit Morocco with my boyfriend in March. But I’m a bit skeptical. Will I be safe in Morocco

My daughters middle school is deciding bet Morocco & Brazil. there will be at least a minimum of 20 middle schoolers with parents, The trip will be next April 2018. Im worried either way on what they can do

I feel like as long as there are parents watching out for them, they should be okay. It’s unfortunate to say, but it helps if the parents are male. Our tour guide was telling us they previously sent a female guide who didn’t fare too well in the country.

Very informative write up. I appreciate your work. I will be visiting Casablanca on official note in a weeks time just for two days. I hope the experience will be great! However, you did not mention what the cost of various hotels are like.

Thank you so much.

I’m moroccan and I have been there like 5 times I think but everything you said is true. It’s good you’re being honest about it. Morocco is good but it’s not perfect.

Thanks for your comment. If you think about it, no country is perfect. I’m sure plenty of people have gone and had different experiences too, so it’s best seeing it for yourself. :)

Very informative. Thank you for being so open and honest. I still want to visit Morocco and now have a good idea as what to.expect, especially as a woman.

Thanks, Suzy! You absolutely should! :)

Thanks, I will be in morocco in July, really helpful tips, Choukran :) regards Ayaz

You’re so welcome! Have a great trip :)

How I can trip to morocco is there any cheap morocco holidays packages ? My friend suggest me this website http://www.viriksonmoroccoholidays.co.uk is this good ? i find this website have very affordable packages but I am confused because of fraud.

Unfortunately we’re not sure about that company since we’ve never been. The only experience we have in Morocco is with Contiki, which we had a great time with! Good luck!

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Morocco travel blog — the fullest morocco travel guide for a budget trip for first-timers.

Morocco is an Islamic country located in the northwestern part of Africa, both the gateway to the Mediterranean Sea and the gateway to the Sahara desert, so this country possesses different types of terrains and diversity in climate, along with countless of extremely beautiful, impressive, spectacular landscapes. As part of the Arab world, Morocco also has many cultural traditions and a treasure of very unique Islamic art and architecture. That is why Morocco is always a favorite destination of many tourists around the world, and especially always on the “must-visit” list of any traveler. So, what to do and how to plan a perfect budget trip to Morocco for the first-time? Let’s check out our Morocco travel blog (Morocco blog, Morocco trip blog) with the fullest Morocco travel guide (Morocco guide, Morocco tourist guide) from how to get there, best time to come, where to stay, best places to visit and top things to do to find out the answer!

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Morocco travel blog: Overview of Morocco

Geographically, Morocco is formed up of four different regions: The Sahara desert with its towns and Berber oasis (Siwa Oasis); the Atlas and Rif mountains; the plains were home to the royal cities of Strasbourgesh and Fez (Fes); and finally the sandy shores of the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean, surrounded by small seaside towns and the cities of Rabat and Casablanca.

Morocco (Arabic name Al Mamlakah al Maghribiyah, meaning “The Western Kingdom”) is a country located on the northwest coast of Africa, bordered by Algeria to the east and Western Saharah to the south. The whole country of Morocco is divided into 16 regions, with the capital of Rabat and the largest and most famous city of Casablanca.

Safety and security

Theft can happen in big cities and along beaches, where you should avoid deserted areas and stay alert at all times, especially after dark. Remember do not bring large amounts of money or valuables with you.

In big cities, in addition to petty theft, pickpockets and extorting money, I find the safety and security in Morocco not so bad. In crowded places, there are many policemen in uniform and plain clothes. In the old towns (Medina) always have crowded markets, it is necessary to pay attention to your belongings. You should leave the passport in the suitcase at the hotel, bring only a photocopy.

The southwestern border region which bordering Algeria and the southern territories of Western Sahara, especially near the border with Mauritania because of kidnapping and is advised by the authorities that visitors should not to come there due to the complicated security situation in these areas.

The US government has a website to notify the security situation (terrorism, natural disasters) of all countries in the world here .

The French government also has a similar site, access here .

The national religion of Morocco is Islam. Coming here, it is advisable to wear discreetly, limit open underarms and short skirts on streets to show respect for locals. If it’s too hot, you can bring a thin, long, large scarf to wear instead of a shirt with sleeves.

In Morocco, in large places of worship, men and women are not allowed to pray in the same area but must be separated, male on one side, female on the other. There are different entrances as well.

The Moroccans speak two main languages, Arabic and French, and in the mountainous areas, there also is a Berber language. All the signs, in addition to Arabic, they are also available in French, so you don’t have to worry about falling illiterate.

A few common words (transliteration):

• Where is the toilet: Fin kaynin toilettes?
• Hello: Salam
• Goodbye: Bslama
• Thank: Shokran
• Thank you (in Berber): Ten miêrt
• Agree, ok : Wakha
• Let’s go: Y-allah

The flag of Morocco flag is red, with a green five-pointed star, which is the symbol of the Kingdom of Morocco. Originally, the Moroccan flag was plain red, embodying the Alaouite dynasty, which ruled Morocco since 1631. In 1915, a green five-pointed star was added to distinguish it from the flags of other countries that also had red. Green is the color of hope and also the color of Islam. The star represents the 5 pillars of Islam:

• Fasting (Ramadan)
• Pilgrimage (to Mecca, Islam’s holy site)

Morocco blog: When to visit?

Due to its diversisty in geography, the best time to travel to Morocco depends largely on where you will going to, but overall, Morocco is a great year-round destination. With its long coastline, majestic mountains, and desert landscapes, it’s an incredibly diversity country in landscape that offers unique experiences to explore at any time of year. January is the wettest and coldest month and July and August are the hottest months, so you’ll see less touristy. Spring (March & April) and autumn (September & October) have the most pleasant weather.

In the Sahara region, cities in the plains, you should be avoided come in mid-summer. Desert climate is hot, dry and clear in the summer, but nighttime temperatures can plummet. However, the hottest months are ideal for visiting coastal cities like Essaouira and Rabat. The winter months in the mountains are very cold, which can be difficult to come as many hotels do not have heating system.

From October to May next year is the best time to visit Morocco. The autumn and spring’s weather is cool. Winters are not as cold as Southern Europe. The desert night is quite cold, so you still need to bring warm clothes. The Moroccan spring often comes a little earlier than in Europe. From mid to late February, plum and apricot blossoms bloom white on oases in the middle of desert. In late April, early May, roses bloom brilliantly in the valley of roses (Vallée dés Roses).

During Christmas and New Year, the whole Europe is on holiday, the streets will be a bit crowded and the price of services will be slightly higher. Because Morocco is Europe’s neighbor, the French and Germans like to go to their neighbor to relax, especially special holidays.

Morocco travel blog: Getting to Morocco

The simplest and most convenient way is flying to big cities like Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, Rabat… There are many low-cost airlines operating daily flights from European cities to Morocco and the flight time is also very reasonable (It takes average 3 – 4 hours of flying) such as Ryanair, Volotea, Easyjet… If you hunting hard, you can find cheap airfares for just a few dozen of Euros / round-trip. I often use Skyscanner , Google Flights to find tickets and then go directly to websites of airlines to buy.

Alternatively, you can also drive to Morocco from Europe via a transit ferry from the Spanish city of Tarifa to Tangier. Some ferry companies such as FRS, Inter Shipping regularly operate ferries that connecting these two cities with travel time of about 1 hour. See ferry routes and timetables here .

Morocco blog: Getting around Morocco and between cities

Morocco’s national railway company is ONCF. The railway network in Morocco is concentrated mainly in the north and cities along the west coast, connecting the major cities. Therefore, if you want to getting to cities in the South (such as Agadir), the bus is the most reasonable choice.

Train tickets can be purchased online through the company’s website at:( https://www.oncf.ma/fr/ ), via app ( iOS , Android ) or directly at ticket counters at train stations.

If you want a guarantee and rest assured, you can buy tickets 1 to 2 days in advance.

Like me, when I was in Marrakech, I checked the train schedules and prices in advance on the web, then went to the station 1 hour before departure and bought tickets directly at the ticket counter. This helped me more flexible and not be constrained by time.

A few things you should keep in mind are:

• The ticket counter will stop selling 3 minutes before departure time.
• In big cities like Marrakech or Casablanca have relatively high frequency of trips, on the contrary, smaller cities like Meknes have quite a few trips. So, if you stay in small cities, you should carefully check the departure time of train to arrange a reasonable travel time.
• On the train, you must always keep your belongings within sight, to avoid being “lost your luggage” when train stops at stations.

Example fares: Train from Casablanca – Marrakech : 95 MAD (10 USD); Bus supratours from Marrakech – Essaouira : 80 MAD (8.4 USD), Train from Fes – Meknes : 22 MAD (2.3 USD).

It is the most convenient means of transportation in Morocco. The bus network covers the whole country, so it is possible to reach places that train cannot. The major bus carriers are CTM ( http://www.ctm.ma/ ), Supratours ( http://www.supratours.ma/ ), SATAS and Trans Ghazala.

When traveling in Morocco, I chose the CTM bus company (because the company has frequently bus trips, and the service is also relatively good).

Riding by bus, I recommend you to book tickets 1 to 2 days in advance to be able to choose the most suitable trip in terms of both tickets and timetables. The reason is that if you buy tickets on the departure date, but unfortunately the bus trip you already choose is already full, you will be pushed to the next trip. In big cities, the waiting time between bus trips is not too long (about 1 hour), so take the next trip is still okay.

But, in contrast, in small cities (eg Chefchaouen) the frequency is reduced quite a lot and you have to wait for a long time to wait for the next bus, which can affect your expected schedule.

This is also a good option to getting around in Morocco, helping you to be more proactive in your time as well as being able to reach places that trains and buses cannot reach. However, self-driving in Morocco also requires you to be very steady and careful.

As far as I can see, the traffic here is a bit chaotic, especially in small cities (eg Chefchaouen): pedestrians cross the street anywhere; On the road, in addition to cars, there are also horse-drawn carriages, donkey carts, and horns are loud, in general, it feels quite similar to Vietnamese traffic.

Moreover, the terrain in the North of Morocco has many hills and passes, so self-driving is not for weak drivers.

Getting around in cities

Inside medina, motor vehicles are prohibited, you can only walk or donkey riding. The area of medina is not too large but complicated like a maze. So prepare a good pair of walking shoes.

In Moroccan cities, there are always people who are enthusiastic to show you the way to ask for money. If needed, let them guide directions for you and pay about 10-20 MAD (1-2 USD). If you feel uncomfortable, just say “No” clearly a few times. If they insist on following and walking ahead, pretending to give directions, I often take advantage of when they don’t notice and stop by a shop on the street. If they don’t see you anymore, they will leave away.

In order to limit being disturbed on the road, you should not hold a paper map in your hand with a blank face, a half-lidded gaze. Instead, you should download offline maps of MAPS.ME or Google Maps , plus compass apps to your phone for convenient navigating. In Marrakech and Fes, paper maps are also not very effective because in the souks, almost all streets have no numbers, streets without names.

Outside of medina, the most convenient way to travel are taxis. Taxi prices in Morocco are comparable to Vietnamese taxis. In Casablanca and occasionally in Marrakech, taxi is billed by meter. During rush hour, the drivers often refuse to turn on the meter, you should ask in advance to be sure and bargain the price before getting on the car.

There are two types of taxis operating in cities in Morocco: “grand taxi” – large taxi and “petit taxi” – small taxi.

Small taxi: 4-seater car, only allowed to run in the inner cities. According to regulations, this type of taxi can only carry a maximum of 3 passengers.

“Our group went with 4 people, even though we saw that the car still has an available seat and asked the driver to take all 4 of us, the driver disagreed and asked to divide into 2 groups to accept it”.

Large taxi: Usually a 7-seater taxi, this type can go out of town or traveling between neighboring cities.

In cities, to getting from city center to airport, you can only take this large taxi.

With most taxis, the price list is listed on the window of the car, however, you can still bargain with the driver to get the most reasonable price.

Casablanca also has a tram system, the way to buy tickets and travel is the same as in Europe.

Morocco travel blog: Where to go?

Marrakech (marrakesh).

There are few places where red is so overwhelming as in Marrakesh, from houses, walls, even the streets are painted pink or red. This North African city has a multi-dimensional, mysterious and captivating life.

It is the country’s fourth largest city, after Casablanca, Fes and Tangier. Marrakesh, located in the southwest, was once the capital of Morocco, playing an important role in the trans-Saharan trade route. The history of formation and development of Marrakesh has gone through many periods. Since the 13th century, Marrakesh is no longer the capital, but is still one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, an important commercial center. Marrakesh is also one of Morocco’s artistic cities, a national and international tourist destination.

Attractions in Marrakesh: Jemaa el Fna Square, Medina old town, Souks. Medina Old Town is a top tourist attraction in Marrakesh and is surrounded by 9km of high walls. Jemaa el Fna Square is a bustling place with all kinds of representations of the daily life of Moroccans, Ali Ben Youssef Medersa is the largest Koran school in North Africa, Bahia Palace, Souk Flea Market in the Medina is also a must-see place during your visit.

Chefchaouen

Also known as the Blue City of Morocco, Chefchaouen is located in the Rif Mountains in the northwestern Morocco. It’s a small city, a bit remote, but well worth a visit in the vibrant shades of turquoise of the houses, charming alleyways, a photogenic and perfect spot to take virtual living photos.

The city is built on a hill, so be prepared for a hike, when you get to the top it can feel like you just went for a hike. Walking is the best way to experience the city as there are many narrow streets that cannot be accessed by cars.

Sahara Desert tour

There are many Sahara desert tours that offered by tour operators in Morocco, with options ranging from camping, day trips, or night add-ons combined with other city tours. Camping in the Sahara Desert is a dream for any visitor, it’s definitely the ultimate nomadic experience. This is where you can experience walking on the sand dunes to watch the sunrise, camel riding, camping…

Known as Morocco’s cultural capital, Fes is a place you’ll definitely want to visit once. Ranked as the second largest city in Morocco, Fez served as the country’s capital until 1925. The city is known as the “Athens of Africa” ​​for preserving its diverse historical heritage. One of the heritages with the most vivid image of the Moroccan people is in the Fez markets (souks). Visit the Fes el Bali area to discover the unique cultural features, which was recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site in 1981.

Fes is located just over 300 miles from Marrakech which you can reach by car or plane. This UNESCO World Heritage city is one of the best-preserved ancient Arab cities in the world and the largest car-free urban area on earth.

The seaside city of Essaouira

Located on the coast of Morocco, Essaouira is known for its laid-back atmosphere and excellent kitesurfing conditions and beautiful beaches. If you stay in Marrakech, there is a bus that connects these two cities. The journey takes about 2.5 hours. Another option is to hire a taxi from Marrakech airport and a one-way trip will cost around $90.

Tangier is a northern Moroccan city with a population of over 2 million, located on the North African coast, to the west of the entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar, which borders the Mediterranean and Atlantic Oceans at Cape Spartel. This city has cultural features, architecture that mixed of France and Spain.

Surrounded by beautiful beaches, Tangier attracts visitors by its vibrancy that few places have. Visitors can move here by taxi after about 10 minutes from city center. My first impression of Tangier is the lively, bustling street and beautiful beaches just ten minutes away from the center. By the beach are markets, modern residential areas, frequented by tourists from all over the world with a wide variety of goods on sale.

In 1923, Tanger was called an international city under a treaty between nine countries with interests in Morocco: France, Italy, Spain, Great Britain, USA, Sweden, Netherlands, Belgium and Portugal.

Meknes is one of the four most popular tourist destinations in Morocco. Before choosing Marrakesh as the next capital, Meknes served as the capital of Morocco from 1672 – 1727 under the rule of Sultan Moulay Ismail. Today, the city still retains the images that recreate the heroic history with the architectural style of Spain and Morocco. Especially the great gates with high walls. The impressive historical landmarks: Mosques, old markets and squares… Especially the old town (medina) in this city is also recognized by UNESCO as a world heritage site.

Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco and the largest port in Africa. Casablanca is known to many people through the movie of the same name, but it is not the filming location of this movie. With the diversity in culture from Portuguese, French and Moors, make the city is more dynamic and full of vibrant.

The city of Ouarzazate is known as “The Door of the Desert” because of its location on the edge of Sahara Desert. This place is a “quiet” land of palm trees, sandy roads and buildings bearing the image of fortresses. In particular, Ouarzazate also owns two largest film studios in the world, Atlas Studios and CLA Studios. Moreover, there are many movies using the setting here, so this city is also known as the “Hollywood of Africa”. When coming to this city, the following attractive tourist attractions will surely attract you: First is Sahara desert, Todra gorge – a great natural wonder or visit Taourirt Kasbah, which is an important histrical fortified residence complex of Morocco.

The city is now the capital of Morocco and was established in the 12th century. Rabat impresses with its diverse landscape of flowers, plants and trees. In addition, monumental works must be mentioned gates such as the Great Gate of the Kasbah (Bab Oudaya) and The Gate of Ambassadors.

Some notable attractions in Rabat: Mamora forest, beautiful beaches, mosques, Mausoleum of Mohammed V, ancient city (medina), Royal square, Chellah medieval fortified, … Not only that, tourists can visit the National Craft Museum or stop at the street cafes while wandering in Rabat.

The town of Asilah or Arzeila is located in the northwest region on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. It is located in the northern Atlantic Bay and is 31km from the city of Tangier. The town has a pretty good depiction of Moroccan culture, including murals.

Morocco travel blog: Where to stay?

Room rates in Morocco are much cheaper than in Europe. The price for a double room, included breakfast, from 30 USD (guesthouse), 50 – 60 USD (2-star hotel or hostel), with more than 100 USD you can stay in a 4-star hotel.

To find top rated and best hotels in cities in Morocco you can go to Booking.com , Agoda.com . If you want a budget stay let choose Airbnb , and use this link https://www.airbnb.com/c/anht5185 , to register for an Airbnb account and book a room, you will get a discount up to $55 for the first booking.

The main attractions are located in medina (old town in city), you should rent a room here for convenience. But also should not be too far from the motorway in case you have bulky luggage, to avoid spend much effort. For example, in Marrakech, you should rent a room near Jemaa el-Fna square, in Casablanca, you should rent near United Nations Square or Casa-Port Railway Station (note that in Casablanca there are 2 big stations that are quite far apart), in Fes, you should rent in Talaa Sghira street or Talaa Kebira street (the beginning of this street near Bab Boujloud).

In the old town, there are usually few big hotels. Instead, there are Dar or Riad which are traditional Moroccan homestays. Riad is usually built in square-shaped, with a skylight and a small garden in the middle, creating a quiet and pleasant atmosphere. You should stay there once, I’m sure you will like it.

Morocco blog: How to buy and choose desert tour?

Coming to Morocco, riding a camel in the sunset or sunrise in the Sahara desert is an experience not to be missed. In the medina in Fes and Marrakech there are many tour operators offering tours to the desert, but in reality there is only one company that organizes it. Tour operators only distribute as travel agents, so there is no need to book online in advance, so just directly go to their offices to bargain and choose the cheapest one to buy.

Check out the tour schedule here: https://www.igomorocco.com/

There are different types of tours to desert: 2 days to Zagora (Ouarzazate); 3 days to Erg Chebbi (near Merzouga) or 4 days to both places. I found the 3-day tour to Erg Chebbi is the most suitable and reasonable. The 2-day tour to the Zagora does not see the beautiful shimmering sand dunes as shown on Instagram, while the 4-day tour is a combination of the two tours above, you will have to waiting for the car for a long time in Ouarzazate.

The distance from Merzouga to Marrakech and Fes is about the same. If your itinerary includes both of these cities, you can request tour operator pick up in Marrakech, drop off in Fes or vice versa.

If riding a camel, you should wear long pants, not lace or jean pants that are too tight or hard (my own painful experience). Overnight in the desert, you have to sleeping in a Berber tent which is very cold, need to bring extra warm clothes. In addition, you should bring more toilet paper – “paper attached to the intestines”, haha!

Morocco travel blog: What to eat?

Moroccan food is delicious and rich. Traditional restaurants often have tajin, couscous, pastilla or lamb or beef stews. In souks (traditional markets), there are many kinds of savory, delectable grilled meat, skewers. Morocco is a Muslim country, so people don’t eat pork.

Breakfast in riads has many types of breads, cornmeal pancakes, with jams, honey, butter, mint tea, and delicious freshly orange juice.

The Moroccan pastries are also delicious (but very sweet). Some pastry is as small as a thumb, goes well with mint tea.

During the two weeks of eating and drinking all over Morocco, I always remember of eating fresh fish and seafood in Essaouira. If you have the opportunity to visit, do not forget to try.

B’ssara (Moroccan fava bean soup)

B’ssara is a soup made with simple ingredients using beans, olive oil and local flavor cumin. This is a traditional Moroccan dish often used in daily meals. It can be used in breakfast to start a new day and served with bread. The price for this dish is quite cheap, a bowl costs only a few cents.

You can’t leave Morocco without trying tagine! This is a stewed soup that is considered a Moroccan’s culinary cultural symbol with its very own taste. Its ingredients include mea, poultry, or fish, vegetables, spices, nuts, all are stewed in a clay pot. It’s available everywhere that you can find easily in this country from high-end restaurants to eateries, roadside food stalls.

Goat Cheese

Goat cheese comes in a lot of Moroccan recipes and is amazing. If you are a lover of goat cheese then you will especially love this in Morocco.

Morocco is home to a wide variety of olives. The country is one of the world’s largest producers of olive oil, so it’s the perfect place to sample all kinds of olives.

Almonds are the basis ingredient of many of the delicious things here, especially the orange blossom flavored almond milk and Moroccan spiced almonds.

Kefta tagine

Kefta tagine is the name of a dish made from minced beef or lamb mixed with ingredients and spices such as coriander, garlic, and cinnamon. Then it will be rounded into balls and cooked in tomato and onion sauce under skillful hands of chefs. The final step to perfect the dish make it greasy, a few eggs will be added into the pot.

You must definitely enjoy delicious dishes made from lamb, the most famous of which is Méchoui. Previously it was a traditional dish used in wedding parties, later it was mentioned as one of the famous street foods in Morocco. To make this dish, people use a whole lamb, marinate with herbs and spices and then spit-roasted on charcoal.

Akouda is a cake made from mashed potatoes combined with aromatic spices. This dish is deep-fried until golden crispy and eaten hot. It can be dipped with tomato sauce, served with salad or sandwiched with bread are all very delicious, this dish is popular in northern Morocco and in old towns (medina).

This is a traditional dish associated with Moroccan culture and religion. On the Friday after the weekly prayer, if you travel to Morocco, you will find this dish on all Moroccan family tables. Couscous is stewed from vegetables such as zucchini, pumpkin, eggplant, cabbage, potatoes, carrots, green beans, chicken and beef. Especially served with Leben – a traditional fermented milk.

Chermoula fish

Bordered by Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean with a long coastline, Moroccan cuisine is rich with a lot of dishes made from a multitude of different types of fish. Chermoula is one of them with an irresistible delicious taste. The dish with a combination of herbs, spices and fish is grilled over charcoal with the highlight of a special sauce.

Deep-fried Moroccan doughnuts

Import from French, a pastry lover’s dream. They are similar to fried donuts and you will find them all over the country.

Moroccan sweets, pastries

You’ll find shops full of sweets, and it’s easy to sample a variety. You can grab some bread and baklava or almond briouats and almost anything dipped in orange blossom water.

Moroccan smoothie made with avocado fresh fruits such as bananas, apples, kiwi, eggs, milk, and candies or nuts, is a must-try sweet treat of Moroccan cuisine.

Morocco travel blog: What to buy?

Morocco is one of the countries with many specialties. Tourists come here often buy:

• Rug: If you know that Iran has a famous Persian rugs, Morocco is also known as a rug paradise. The most prominent is the unique Berber wool rugs. One useful tip to not buy the wrong type of fake rug is to ask the seller to burn the tassels to try. If it’s real wool, it won’t catch fire, while fakes will catch fire and burn.
• Pottery (the most beautiful in Fes): You can come across all styles and ceramic products that Moroccans still use every day such as vases, cooking utensils, dishes, mosaics, ashtrays… The ceramics in Fes and Safi are best, the two main ceramics production sites of this country, they have a unique Moroccan style.
• Leather goods (in Fes, Essaouira or Marrakech). Head to Marrakesh and Fez to shop for these items, bags and leather products. Here sells a variety of products with vary prices, types and quality for you to choose from. In other cities of Morocco you can also buy these products but it is a bit smelly.
• Spices: Moroccan spices are very popular with tourists to buy as gifts after their trip. Locals sell spices in souks in every city. The most special is Ras el Hanout, which is a spice named after “head of the shop”. The reason it is called that is because the owner of the shop will mix this spices for you. Usually it consists of cumin seeds, cinnamon powder, ginger powder, clove pepper powder and some other spices.
• Herbal, dried rose, dried fruit (Marrakech or Essaouira have the most).
• Argan Oil (in Essaouira): The rarest gift that can only be found in Morocco is argan oil. Because the only place on earth where argan trees grow is near Essaouira. However, it is because of its scarcity that many people fake it to sell at a high price. When buying this oil, you should note that you should refer to a reputable place to buy and from locals to avoid being scammed.
• Decorative lamps and jewelry (in Marrakech)
• Fresh fruit, pomegranate, orange, and cactus are delicious.

Goods in Fes are a bit more expensive than in Marrakech, but much better. The souk near Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fna square sells a lot of Chinese goods, making it difficult to distinguish the real from the fake items. Shopping in souks in Morocco, you always remember to bargain, starting from 1/3 to 1/2 off the asking price. It’s also a pleasure of going to a market, isn’t it?

Sometimes, you can meet people nearby invite you buy weed, you should be careful because Morocco has many policemen in plain clothes hidden in the crowd.

Morocco blog: Traveling cost

• Hotel: $50 – 60 / 1 night (double room in 2-star riad for 2 people)
• Food: $10 – 20 / 1 meal at delicious restaurants, with a nice view

I budgeted $80 – 90 / 1 person / 1 day (excluding airfare) and found it very Okay. If your budget is slightly lower, the total cost will be in the range of $60 – 70 / 1 day for all: meals, transportation, sightseeing (excluding airfare).

Picture below is the courtyard of La Table du Palais. One of the nicest restaurants I’ve been to. 150 DHs for the main course, 220 DHs for the main course and 1 side dish, 250 DHs for the whole appetizer, main course and dessert. If you just want to sit and rest for a while, don’t want to eat, you can order a glass of orange juice or mint tea, very affordable.

Morocco blog: Suggested Morocco travel itinerary

Over 2 weeks of traveling in this beautiful North African country has helped me gain some experience to be able to arrange a reasonable exploration itinerary.

Here are 2 itineraries that I think are quite reasonable for those who want to once set foot in Morocco:

• Itinerary 1: Marrakech (day 1 & 2) – Ouarzazate (day 3) – Merzouga (day 4) – Fès (day 5) – Chefchaouen (day 6) – Fès (day 7).
• Itinerary 2 (long time): Marrakech (day 1) – Essaouira (day 2) – Marrakech (day 3) – Ouarzazate (day 4) – Merzouga (day 5) – Fès (day 6 & 7) – Chefchaouen (day) 9) – Fès (10th) – Merknès (11th) – Rabat (12th) – Casablanca (13th) – Marrakech (14th).

In addition, if you have more time, you can also add to the itinerary of other tourist cities of Morocco such as Agadir, Tangier. Or, if you are an adventurer, you can also book High Atlas trekking tours departing from Marrakech, visit Berber villages (Imlil, Asni, Ourika, …) and admire the wonderful valleys beauty of this mountains.

These tours are very diverse in terms of places to visit as well as the number of days to go to which help you freely choose, and of course it is also sold a lot at agents in Marrakech.

We had another Morocco trip itinerary for 7 days here: Morocco 7 days itinerary — How to spend 7 days in Morocco perfectly to visit: Fez, Chefchaouen & Tangier .

Morocco travel blog: Some notes before you go

• Money exchange: The exchange rate in the airport is often not as good as outside, you should only exchange a little at the airport and then go to the city center to continue exchange. In Marrakech, on Prince Moulay Rachid street near Jemaa el-Fna square there are many banks.
• Major cities have ATMs, but don’t expect much because the machines are often broken.
• Plugs: Most plugs in Morocco are type C and type E. Standard voltage is 220 V and standard frequency is 50 Hz. An adapter will be the best for most electronic devices. Internet: Although you’ll find that most cafes, restaurants, and hotels in the city have Wi-Fi handy (and cheap!) for 4G while you’re traveling in Morocco. You can buy a Maroc Telecom SIM card for just 40 dirhams (just over $4) and get 10GB of data for 100 dirhams ($10).
• What to wear? Choose light, appropriate clothing. Be sure to always cover your shoulders and knees like using scarves and maxi skirts. They are ideal for warm sunny conditions and that shows respect for the culture – which in turn will get you treated with respect.
• Do not take pictures without permission in Morocco. They will respond as soon as you press the button. Many people here, and especially the elderly, think that if they are photographed, their images will be used for bad purposes. They are quite negative because of the influence on religion and spirituality. Usually people in tourist cities and young people will be more open, but you should ask before taking photos.
• Long pants should be worn when riding a camel, it is not denim or lace fabric and too tight will make you uncomfortable when sitting for more than 1 hour on a back of a camel. In addition, sleeping in a tent in the desert should wear enough warm clothes. Besides, it is necessary to prepare necessary personal belongings and drinking water, but it must be compact and hygienic.
• Do not go alone at night when traveling to Morocco, you need a trusted person to accompany you. Even if you are a muscular man, you should not go at night, especially in the desert, in a remote place. Another reason is because Moroccan roads are not always convenient and well-lit, so you should keep this in mind when traveling.
• Public toilets in Morocco are chargeable, except for hotels and restaurants. At some places, there is no collection, but there are still people standing to remind you not to forget to put tips in a box after use.

Some best day tours, trips, activities and transfer services, tickets in, from and to Morocco you can refer to

• 2D1N Zagora Desert Tour from Marrakech
• Ourika Valley Day Tour from Marrakech
• Essaouira Day Trip from Marrakech
• Agadir Day Trip From Marrakech
• Moroccan Cooking Class in Marrakech
• Marrakech City Tour
• Quad Biking Experience in Marrakech

Are you looking for more top things to do in Morocco: Tours, activities, attractions and other things? Let’s check it out here. And here .

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Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting Morocco

Updated on 4/15/2019 at 6:07 PM

To most American tourists, Morocco is the Tooth Fairy of travel destinations -- mythical, colorful, and otherworldly. Snow-capped mountains overlook open-air spice markets. Unforgiving deserts and red dunes meld into bustling souks and towering minarets, all of which function harmoniously within the same glorious province. Sitting at the crossroads between Europe and the Middle East, this expansive country is a spectacular, disorienting mix of old world and new age culture. It’s the sort of place you come alone to do a little soul-searching. Or with your person to test some boundaries. Or with your roommate, for that matter, to purchase some truly exceptional home goods without the Urban Outfitters markup.

But the trouble with visiting such a grand, eclectic country is figuring out where to go. The colorful chaotic streets of Marrakesh, Morocco's oft-Instagrammed capital, should be only the beginning of your journey. With so much territory to cover, winging it simply won’t do. Lucky for you, we’ve got some local intel, courtesy of Intrepid Travel -- an organization that runs 27 different journeys across Morocco. With their help, we’ve masterminded a guide to absolutely everything you should know before you find yourself camel-borne, trotting into the Sahara. Read on and you'll see why we named Morocco one of the 19 best places to travel in 2019 .

orocco is roughly the size of California, so don’t go thinking it’s in the realm of a three-day weekend getaway . According to Moroccan native Redouane El Mouatasim, you’ll need at least a week to explore the area in good faith. “Then you can make it to the imperial cities like Marrakech and Fez, and out to the desert,” he says. “Maybe spend a day on the coast.” El Mouatasim works with the Peak DMC team in Marrakech -- an agency under Intrepid Travel, offering guided trips around the country.

As precious as those sweet, sweet PTO days might be, even a week’s vacation is cutting it close. “You’ll be rushed,” he continues. “Ten days to two weeks is perfect; you can actually spend two nights in some places, and maybe even get some rest.”

Wherever you roam, expect Moroccons to be warm, inviting, and generally interested in you. Though tourists are not exactly a novelty in the country, Moroccans remain exuberant hosts. “People who come here might get overwhelmed by people asking questions,” says El Mouatasim. “We’re very talkative, and want to get to know people. When it comes to people visiting from other cultures, we’re very comfortable.”

Most Moroccans speak excellent English, and you’ll find that locals are keen to use the language. In fact, once you engage, casual small talk will often evolve quickly into a passionate discussion of politics, family, and probably your astrological tendencies. “Just jump on a train and people will talk to you,” adds Zina Bencheikh, general manager of Marrakech Peak DMC. “Talk to people on the street and they’ll help you. It’s just part of what we’ve been educated to do: making people feel welcome in our country.”

How to get around: Unlike Europe, you can’t cover Morocco by train. You can take the train between major players like Marrakech and Casablanca, while smaller cities like Agadir, Taghazout, and Essaouira are accessible via regular bus services from three major companies (Supratours, CTM, and Satas). The latter bus line ventures into the more remote areas of southern Morocco, but if you want to get all the way out into the Sahara Desert, El Mouatasim says transportation gets a little more tricky. “You’ll need to get a bus to a town maybe 40 miles from the Sahara, then you’ll need to either rent a car, or go with a company that does excursions out into the desert.”

When to go: Plan your trip around Ramadan . In case you don’t know, Ramadan is the holy month during which Muslim people fast from sunrise to sunset. So if you happen to be in Morocco during this time, a number of restaurants and other businesses may be closed, especially in more rural areas. But that’s not to say you should avoid visiting during Ramadan. At night, the country comes alive.

“You might find shops opening at 10-11pm,” says El Mouatasim. “After that the city comes back to life, cafes full of people, it’s a different life. People will stay out until 2am during the week when it (falls during) summer.”

How to dress: Morocco is just as culturally diverse as it is geographically diverse, and expectations around proper clothing and behavior will vary from region to region. “Americans often have questions about how to dress and behave, but it’s very diverse. We have different religions and cultures in this country,” says Bencheikh. “In a city like Marrakech, you have a lot more freedom in how you dress, or act with your boyfriend, or drink. But if you go out in the High Atlas Mountains, don’t kiss your husband or drink in front of people, and be sure to cover your shoulders.”

With each new city or region you enter, take care to communicate with locals about what is or is not OK. No rule is all-encompassing, but it’s important that you’re prepared to shift your habits (and your outfits) accordingly.  In rural areas and near the mountains, travelers should avoid public displays of affection. Save your shorts and tank tops for the big cities.

For female travelers in Morocco, navigating these complex factors can sometimes prove intimidating. Outside of progressive city centers like Casablanca, Marrakech, and Fez, there are restrictions on where women are allowed to go and what they are allowed to do. It can be tricky, too, to meaningfully interact with locals or to get a sense of what life is like for Moroccan women. Some women might be more comfortable opting for a guided group excursion rather than winging it solo. For the first time ever, a travel company is offering female-only expeditions in Morocco, led exclusively by local women tour guides. Intrepid’s 8-day itinerary includes opportunities to explore rural villages and meet local women -- from female cooks, artisans, artists, and business owners.

How Moroccan Women Are Taking Tourism Into Their Own Hands

By kastalia medrano.

For the first time, a travel company is now offering women-only expeditions in Morocco, led exclusively by local women tour guides. Click here for the full story...

M orocco -- sitting at the crossroads of Europe, Africa, and the Middle East -- is a country whose cuisine has been created by all who’ve passed through.

Morocco’s original inhabitants, the Berbers, began with grain-heavy dishes like tagines and couscous. When Arabs moved in, they brought with them nuts, dried fruits, and sweet-and-sour favors like lamb-and-prune tagines. Later, the Moors brought citrus and olives, while the Jewish Moors brought preservation techniques. Kebabs, arguably Morocco’s most well-known food, came from the Ottoman Empire, while the brief French colonial period gave the country café culture and fine wines.

Since Morocco is a warm-weather country, the food leans towards lighter, grilled meats and vegetables, with lots of fruit and spice mixed in. Kebabs of all kinds are obviously a must-eat, as are the clay-pot tagines where chicken sits atop prunes, olives and different grains. Zaalouk – a smoked eggplant dip – is a perfect appetizer. Or if you’re feeling adventurous try b’stilla – also known as bastilla, a pie with thin, flaky layers of almonds, eggs, and pigeon meat.

Finding restaurants in this country is no harder than in most places, but to get that “I’m eating in Morocco” feeling you’ve gotta hit one of the country’s bustling markets. Of course, they’re chaotic, and you can often get lost or, worse, end up eating something that makes you sick. Ayoub Fennine, assistant operations manager for Peak DMC, suggests eating at food stalls where you see Moroccan families eating, as they know best where to dine.

Finally a note on drinking, both alcoholic and otherwise. Though Morocco is a Muslim country, you can find booze pretty much anywhere, and in the cities, you’ll see Moroccans drinking it. That said, many more-traditional Moroccans may be offended if you start walking around like it’s St. Patrick’s Day in Savannah, so just be respectful and consume responsibly. Also, don’t drink the tap water. Use bottled water for everything from washing down dinner to brushing your teeth.

6 Essential Moroccan Foods You Absolutely Have to Try When You Visit

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A visit to Morocco is not complete without touring a medina for street eats or sharing a tajine with hosts. Click here for the full story...

hen you picture yourself wandering through a Moroccan medina, you’re most likely envisioning Marrakech. Snake charmers, fortune tellers, and merchants manning stalls packed with straw bags and cloth pants crowd the main plaza by day, only to be replaced by a smoky, tantalizing food bazaar at night. From all sides, chefs will beckon you towards their roasting goat’s head meat -- which you should graciously accept, along with bags of dried peaches and heaving plates of hot, sticky couscous. Eat without reserve: No meal here will cost you more than $10.

Admittedly, Marrakech is tourist-heavy, but you can treat the city like your Moroccan training wheels: It’s your gateway to the rest of the country. The place is largely safe and welcoming, making it a solid destination for students or women traveling solo . You can find comfortable accommodations in a riad -- a traditional guest house -- for $40 a night or so, and there will surely be staff nearby to help you navigate the city once you’re settled.

And when you’re ready to explore further, the coast, desert, and mountains lie just beyond Marrakech’s borders. Plus , the city is your best bet for flights -- so make it your first stop.

Shopping and Art-Hopping in Morocco’s Vibrant Cultural Capital

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Marrakech is a city of creators revolutionizing Morocco’s artistic tradition. Click here for the full story...

10 Stunning Places to Explore in Morocco, Beyond Marrakech

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Go beyond Morocco’s medinas and fall in love with these ancient wall-cities, dramatic deserts, organic vineyards, and hole-in-the-wall art galleries. Click here for the full story...

See Rick’s in Casablanca, then go to Fez for the real deal

Yes, the draw of walking into the same bar as Bogey and telling whoever’s there to play it again, Sam might be strong. But it’s not worth basing your entire trip around.

“Stay a night, but not more,” says Zina Bencheikh, general manager of Marrakech Peak DMC. “See the Hassan II Mosque ; it’s the only one non-Muslims can access in Morocco. Go for a drink at Rick’s, but there’s not much to do aside from that.”

“Fez is a bit dirtier than Marrakech, and more authentic,” says Bencheikh. “It’s less for tourists, and the history there is the history of Morocco. And the food in Fez is the best you’ll get in the country.”

Be warned: You will get lost. The labyrinth of colorful, narrow streets in Fez wind into one another forming an impossible maze. But however disorienting, they’re stunning -- and the deeper you lose yourself in their entanglement, the more fully you’ll immerse yourself in the culture. It’s worth spending at least two to three days here to allow for plenty of just-walking-around time. You’ll see quaint homes in a marvelous variety of colors, offset by lines of clean laundry, hanging out to dry. You’ll visit 11th-century leather tanneries where half-dressed men spend their days dying hides in the hot sun. And once you’ve sweated out just about all the toxins in your body, take a day trip to the Roman ruins and baths in Volubiles.

If you’re big into Instagram, you’ve undoubtedly seen photos of Chefchaouen -- The Blue City -- and declared immediately that you must go. You, and 300 million other people.

This small town of blue-washed buildings, punctuated by throngs of colorful flora and fauna, looks ready-made for Instagram. But 2018 might be the last year you can get a good shot without mobs of fellow tourists in your way.

“It’s small, and there’s not much to do there aside from take pictures,” says El Mouatasim. Chefchaouen is relatively tucked away, surrounded by the Rif Mountains (it’s a long bus ride, but doable). “People can get there easily and I’m afraid soon it may be too touristy.”

Head to the Moroccan Coast for boho beach towns and spectacular seafood

While not quite to the extent of The Blue City, the surf town of Taghazout is certainly primed for an influx of tourism. What was once a fishing village filled with a wanderlusty cohort of scruffy surfers and wayward backpackers will soon welcome a Fairmont and a sprawling new Marriott. But regardless of its changing infrastructure, Taghazout is beautiful and still relatively low-key. And this year it’s still relatively low-key. If you visit on a weekday, you’ll evade the Euro-surfer crowd.

Better yet, venture into some of Morocco’s smaller beach towns. The red arch on Legzira Beach in Little Sidi Ifni is one of the most photographed spots in the country, and it’s not hard to see why. Visiting the towering structure is worth the trip alone. Further up the coast is the small town of Imsouane: “The sea there is beautiful, and the only people you’ll find there are backpackers. It’s a good day trip from Taghazout,” says El Mouatasim.

Two hours north of Taghazout, the coastal city of Essaouira is about as close as you’ll get to California livin’ in Morocco -- a bohemian city of roughly 78,000 known for its art community, and its wildly fresh fish. The place is host to the annual Gnaoua Festival -- one of the largest world-music festivals on the planet, held just after Ramadan.

The city itself is decked with street art, and tiny roadside grills serving the day’s fresh catch. Wherever you go, the air has a hint of barbecued seafood and salty ocean water. But magically enough, most tourists don’t seem to have caught on just yet. Get there before they do.

Save at least three days for the desert

It’s no secret that the Sahara is huge, but in spite of its size, it’s not exactly easy to access. Getting to the heart of the Sahara can easily take up to 10 hours, and our guides suggest budgeting at least three days to experience it best.

Book a tour out of Marrakech, most of which stop in a number of different small desert towns for a night or two en route. It’ll be exactly as you’ve always pictured it: You’ll ride a camel and sleep under the stars. But spend any less than three days and you’ll feel rushed. Remember, the desert is Morocco’s top attraction -- it’s worth budgeting some real time for.

Come prepared for the heat… and the cold. El Mouatasim suggests bringing about five times as much water as you think you’ll need, even for low impact activities like camel rides. Which is a lot, considering the amount of H2O most Americans down in a day .

Though it’s counterintuitive, he also advises covering all of your visible skin while in the desert. You’ll be hot either way, but at least if you’re covered up, you’ll be protected from the harsh rays of the Sahara sun. “If you look at the pictures of local people in this desert, they’re all completely covered,” El Mouatasim says.

But don’t let the heat trick you: Temperatures can drop to near freezing once the sun goes down. You’ll certainly want to bundle up at night.

Take an easy day trip from Marrakech into the Atlas Mountains

While the Morocco you imagine might not be one of striking alpine landscapes, the mountain scenery is every bit as spectacular as both the desert and the coast. A 35-40 minute drive from Marrakech puts you in the Ourika Valley -- a beautiful region packed with hiking trails and crashing waterfalls. Get there before sunrise and you can take a hot air balloon tour, with panoramic views over the High Atlas range. A day here is enough, but it’s definitely worth a visit. 

On the lengthy drives from cities like Agadir and Marrakech to the coastal and mountain regions, you’ll find yourself dipping through valleys dotted with seemingly-abandoned cities and hilltop kasbahs. They might not make it onto tour brochures but they’re worth a stop. Many -- like the Tizourgane Kasbah in the High Atlas Mountains -- are little walled cities, where you can enjoy authentic tagine served with sweeping views. Others, like the village of Tafraoute, just a short hike off the main highway, offer museums packed with local artifacts.

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Morocco vs Egypt: which north African country should you visit?

Aug 10, 2023 • 7 min read

Egypt’s astonishing antiquities, or Morocco’s endless dunes? © iStock

North Africa calls – but to which of its legendary destinations’ siren songs should you answer?

We asked a pair of experienced correspondents to each sing in praise of two of the region’s most beguiling countries: Morocco and Egypt. Whichever place you pick for your next journey, you’re sure to strike the right note.

Mesmerizing Morocco 

Travel journalist and UK native Sally Kirby moved to Morocco in 2018, realizing she would always have places (and waves) to feed her curious, surf-loving soul there.

Did you know that Morocco has nine Unesco World Heritage Sites ? Egypt has seven. Sure, one of them is the Great Pyramid of Giza – yet archaeology enthusiasts will be spoiled for choice with the ancient sights (empty of crowds and mostly free of charge) all over Morocco. Think the exquisite Roman ruins at Volubilis , the ancient casbah Ait Ben Haddou , and the Medinas of Marrakesh , Fez  and Essaouira , plus Igiliz, a long-forgotten acropolis now being excavated and opened to tourists. 

Alongside these ancient sites are Morocco’s trendsetting cities such as Rabat , Marrakech and Casablanca . They cater to a growing number of discerning inhabitants and travelers, with lively art scenes, contemporary museums , shopping malls, luxury hotels, buzzing nightlife and globe-reaching music festivals  – all linked by modern tramways and high-speed trains .  

Morocco’s Sahara offers a glimpse into a nomadic way of life. The giant dunes of Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi feature an ocean of red sand that rises up to 500ft over the surrounding terrain. This is the real Sahara, and very easy to access – but don’t take my word for it. You can read up on the differences between the Moroccan and Egyptian desert experiences from a very reliable source here .

Now let’s talk about Morocco’s 1250 miles (2000km) of Atlantic coastline, home to some of the best surfing waves in the world. (Sorry, Egypt.) The country’s surf capital, Taghazout Bay has a three-mile (5km) sandy beach that blends luxury beach resorts with a surf-and-yoga, go-with-the-flow vibe that’s generating Reels all over Instagram. Anchor Point, the local showstopper wave, now hosts a leg of the WSL (World Surf League) international surfing championship. Oh, and in a counterpart to Egypt’s Med and Red Sea beaches, I should mention Morocco’s Mediterranean coast , home to striking emerald coves and stunning beaches for the 310-mile (500km) stretch between Tangier and Oujda . 

All that coastline makes Morocco well positioned to haul in plentiful fresh fish: the country is the world’s largest exporter of canned sardines. Moroccans traditionally serve their fish straight off the boat onto a grill, with seasoning, olive oil and a squeeze of lemon – as fresh as it comes, and utterly delicious. Food is a massive part of Moroccan culture – usually home-cooked using seasonal recipes handed down over generations. Tasty tagines, couscous, soups and salads are guaranteed.

Perhaps Morocco’s biggest asset is its year-round sunshine, making it an excellent beach or pool vacation choice, especially in the south, around Agadir . With so much abundant sun, Morocco is home to the world’s largest concentrated solar farm and on track to become a leader in renewable energy. The heat is less intense than on Egypt’s Red Sea beaches, primarily due to the cool breeze that blows off the Atlantic Ocean even in the summer months. 

Hiking enthusiasts flock to the Atlas Mountains , with its easily accessible day and longer treks . At 13,670ft (4167m), Mt Toubkal is the highest peak in North Africa, providing an interesting hiking challenge for wannabe mountaineers. Nature and wildlife lovers can also enjoy safari adventures in Ifrane National Park, home to Barbary apes, or Souss Massa National Park , with its oryx and other endemic species. 

If you’re still undecided, one final point: the spirit of Morocco will speak to you. This is a peaceful country with community at its heart, where people have time for each other and the things that matter. To be part of that, even for a holiday, can be a life-changing travel experience. 

One I wholeheartedly recommend. 

Enchanting Egypt

Dr Jenny Walker has spent 25 years working in the Middle East and has covered Egypt among other regional destinations in multiple Lonely Planet guidebooks. She recently drove 8500km (5300 miles) from Oman to her home in northern Spain .

“It’s sublime,” a friend newly returned from Morocco said. “It has mountains as high as the Alps, souks more labyrinthine than the Hampton Court Maze and old castles that put the pyramids in the shade.” Pausing to take a breath between superlatives, she added, “And there’s a garden in Marrakesh that’s quite simply a world wonder.” Well…I grant you the Atlas Mountains are a wow, particularly when dusted with winter snows. And yes, you’re bound to get lost in the souks of Fez and Marrakesh – and I get that Yves Saint Laurent’s garden is exotically blue. But can the desert fortifications, which only hint at the mighty Sahara beyond, really overshadow the great works of the ancients?

Let’s face it: if it’s world wonders we’re talking about, there’s simply no contest. No other country but Egypt offers the chance of visiting one of the original seven. Looming over the desert on the edge of Cairo and built to house the remains of Khufu – a powerful Old Kingdom pharaoh from the 26th-Century BC – the Great Pyramid is the only wonder from the ancient world that survives. You can read about it, imagine its size and conceptualize its age, yet only sitting on a camel pacing across the arid Giza Plateau can you really appreciate its extraordinary scale and beauty. The pyramids have inspired creation myths (think “alien conspiracy theories”), been the subject of a dedicated branch of archaeology and been immortalized in film to such an extent that “Indiana Jones” has become an adjective in Egyptian culture. They continue to feature on the top 10 “must-dos” of most travelers’ bucket lists. Nothing – not even a jumbo jet in a fleeting flyby – can put these giants in the shade.

And if we’re talking “bests,” let’s throw in some other world wonders. Take Luxor ’s Valley of the Kings , where just over 100 years ago the tomb of Tutankhamun  was found with all the young pharaoh’s funereal possessions intact. Nested in an elaborate three-part sarcophagus, Tutankhamun’s mummy was surrounded by magnificent artifacts comprising over 2600lbs (1200kg) of gold – more dazzle than all the polished brass of a Meknes market combined.

So let’s just take it as a given that when it comes to the ancients, Egypt is unparalleled. But what about adventure? Sure, Morocco boasts high mountains, but Egypt has its own share of natural bounty. There’s a river for a start, and not just any old river – at 4130 miles (6650km), the Nile vies with the Amazon as the world’s longest. Supporting life along its shores for thousands of years, it offers today’s visitors a green way of traveling between top sites.

Then there’s the desert, its western part a geography lesson in geological formations and remote oasis towns, the eastern part home to hermits. In the tradition of monastic isolation inspired by their mountain strongholds, the brethren of the monasteries of St Anthony’s and St Paul’s , together with St Catherine’s in the Sinai , have inherited not just a legacy of Coptic treasures but also the art of living simply.

And the garden? I’ll concede that Jardin Marjorelle is a modern Marrakesh classic, but a world wonder?... (Give it a few thousand years; who knows?) For now, my money’s on the gardens of the deep, which lie off shore in the crystal clear waters of Egypt’s Red Sea . Home to dugong, whale sharks and 1000 species of fish, these superb waters are decorated with 150 types of corals, every bit as exotic as a garden in blue.

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Travel Talk Tours Review: The Exotic Morocco Tour

Last updated: March 15, 2023 . Written by Laurence Norah - 13 Comments

We’ve explored a number of countries in partnership with Travel Talk Tours , including Turkey, Morocco and Egypt .

You can read about our Jewels of the Nile tour in Egypt here , and our tour of Turkey with Travel Talk Tours here .

In Morocco we did the Exotic Morocco tour with Travel Talk Tours, and this tour is all about our experience on that trip.

By the end of the post, we hope you’ll have an idea if this is the sort of tour for you.

In case you’ve not heard of them, Travel Talk Tours do excellent value group tours in a number of countries around the world, and it seemed like a fun and easy way to meet new people, experience new countries, and find exciting things to take pictures of.

The first trip we ever did with Travel Talk Tours was this tour of Morocco , titled “Exotic Morocco”. This was billed as the best way to experience the highlights of the country, from the medinas of Fez and Marrakech, to the beach of Essaouira, through to camping under the stars and camel riding in the Sahara desert.

That’s a lot to take in, and a lot of ground to cover, with the desert and wilderness parts being what I was most looking forward to.

So what was our experience with Travel Talk Tours in Morocco? Read on for our full review of our Travel Talk Tours Exotic Morocco tour! You can also see more photos from this tour (if there aren’t enough in this post!) in this photo essay I did.

Our 10 Day Exotic Morocco Tour Itinerary with Travel Talk Tours

This post outlines our experiences and review of our Travel Talk Tours Morocco Tour.

This was a 10 day Morocco tour, covering many of the highlights of Morocco over the 10 day itinerary. If you wanted to travel for a shorter time, Travel Talk have a number of Morocco tours on their website here .

Day 1: Marrakech

I’d actually spent eight days in Marrakech prior to the tour starting, so had fairly comprehensively visited all the sights. This was a good thing, but the first day was really just about meeting the rest of the group and having an evening briefing.

Our guide let us know how to get into the old city from our hotel (about 3km away), but no formal activities were arranged. If you are interested in sight-seeing in Marrakech, this excellent post has you covered .

Day 2: Drive to Desert Camp in Zagora

The adventures on the bus begin! You’re going to notice there’s a lot of time spent on the bus. On our tour, this was a comfortable bus that could seat around 22 people, and as there were only 16 of us, most people got two seats.

That’s not standard of course, but it did make the trip fairly comfortable.

Our trip took us from Marrakech to Zagora, a journey that required crossing the Atlas mountain range, which divides the country.

These are a gorgeous mountain range, and the drive through them was filled with jaw dropping scenery.

The tour stopped a few times on the way for bathroom / drink / snack breaks, and we had a longer stop for lunch.

Lunch stops on the tour were always optional, in that you didn’t have to go to the recommended restaurants, but everyone did because it was generally the easiest (and sometimes only) option!

Finally, after a full day of driving, we got as far as the bus could go, and walked the last section to the desert camp as the sun was setting. Here we had a full meal, music by firelight, and tented accommodation under the stars.

In this case, the accommodation was fairly basic, with four beds per tent, although everything was clean and well maintained. The food was excellent, and we had a really nice evening with everyone.

Day 3: Camel Trekking and 4×4 adventures

The day started early – I wanted to catch the sunrise – so I was out of bed by 6am. Conveniently, a whole pile of camels were collected just behind the tents, which made for some photogenic scenes as the sun rose over the sand dunes.

Then, after breakfast, it was time for a two hour ride on a camel in the desert!

I’m not going to lie, riding a camel isn’t exactly a comfortable affair. For the first ten minutes it was tremendous fun. Then you realise that the seat isn’t so comfortable (you try putting a seat on a hump), and you’re going to be stuck up here for another hour and fifty minutes, and it becomes more of an endurance test. Ok, so I may be exaggerating a little. It was definitely an experience.

Jess actually decided to walk her camel rather than ride it and just walked along with the guides and helped direct the camels which was perhaps the smarter idea.

But I am quite happy to now have ticked off “camel-riding” from my things I’ve done list, and plan not do it again…

From the camel riding we hopped into a collection of 4×4’s. I was particularly excited to be in a Toyota Landcruiser, which took me back to my year’s Australian exploration . Having an actual padded seat was also a bonus after two hours on a camel.

Our first stop was a village which makes pottery, and we had a nice tour of the pottery making, followed by the option to buy some pottery.

This was a really nice experience, and there was no hard sell at all, just the opportunity to buy some pottery if you wanted. It was really nice pottery, so a lot of folks invested in tagines and tableware, which were at quite reasonable prices.

Then, on again, this time, into the edge of the Sahara proper – hence the 4×4’s! We had a brief stop for lunch, which involved a large picnic rug under some palm trees, and then drove into the desert. If you’ve never ridden a jeep in the desert, you’re in for a treat, this is a load of fun as these vehicles show off what they can do in the sand.

We stopped by a huge dune from where we had a gorgeous view of the sunset, before heading to another desert camp under the stars.

I very much preferred this second desert camp. Surrounded by huge dunes and with a gorgeously clear sky, it was perfect for star gazing and a spot of astrophotography. Plus, music and drinks by the campfire, not to be sniffed at!

Day 4: Onwards to Tinghir

After another early start (you can’t miss the opportunity to shoot a sunrise in the Sahara!), we had another decent breakfast and it was onwards to Tinghir.

If you look at a map of Morocco, you’ll notice that Tinghir is about a five hour drive from Mhamid, which is the town on the edge of the desert, and we were an hour and a half’s drive inside the desert. So, you guessed it, another full day on the bus.

Again, the scenery was pretty epic, and there were plenty of stops for photos, bathroom breaks, snacks and so on, so this wasn’t a problem.

The highlights of this day (other than that gorgeous sunrise), was the trip up into Todgha gorge, a fantastic canyon in the eastern part of the High Atlas mountains, with walls that tower up to 160m on either side.

It’s very popular with hikers, and a really worthwhile place to visit.

Then, we drove into Tinghir and spent the night in a hotel with lovely panoramic views over the city as the sun set.

Day 5: To Fez!

Our fifth day was another day of driving. Morocco is a fairly well spread out country, so a lot of transportation seems inevitable.

The good news is that we had two nights scheduled in Fez, which meant a whole day of exploration was to come. In the meantime, it was a full day on the bus, enjoying the scenery of the Atlas mountains, again with lots of short breaks.

The highlight of this trip had to be the stop for the monkeys. I mean, who doesn’t like monkeys? (Sorry if you don’t like monkeys).

We paused for at least a half hour in a lovely wooded area where we watched monkeys of all sizes playing in the trees, swinging from branches, and generally having a good old monkey time.

Then, it was into Fez, where we checked into a lovely hotel, and had the option of an evening entertainment performance (extra fee). This involved a short bus trip into the centre of the city, and an evening of dinner and entertainment. This included music, belly dancers, and a magic show.

It was also very interactive, with everyone ending up on stage at some point. The food was tasty, and everyone had a great deal of fun.

Day 6: A Day in Fez

Fez is home to the oldest university in the world, and the old medieval market, or medina that makes up the heart of the old town centre, has roots reaching back to the 9th century.

So it was no wonder that it’s a UNESCO listed site , or that our tour would have us spending a full day here.

This involved a guided tour of the medina which lasted a few hours, with a local guide.

We were led through the maze that is the medina (I would have been totally lost within moments on my own!), who showed us all sorts of interesting stalls where the locals come to do their shopping, as well as some of the highlights of the medina including that ancient university.

Then it was on to the world famous tanneries of Fez. Unfortunately, these are under serious renovation, after countless centuries they were a little the worse for wear. So we got to see a construction site, and a video of what they should have looked like.

Having visited tanneries before, I wasn’t totally sad about this, because they smell awful when in operation! Still, I was a bit sad to miss the photography opportunity.

Then we were given the opportunity to buy from a local tannery, as well as from a local weavers. Again, these were generally fairly soft-sell locations without too much pressure to buy, the quality and prices were reasonable, and certainly plenty of souvenirs were bought by folks on the tour! Then it was back to the hotel and dinner at our leisure.

Day 7: Rabat and Casablanca

From Fez, it was another long drive, this time to the coast, with our destination being the city of Casablanca – made famous by the movie of the same name, even though none of said movie was actually filmed anywhere near Africa!

On the way we stopped for a tour of Rabat, which is the capital of Morocco and another World Heritage Site. Here we were taken for a tour with a local expert guide. This included a visit to the Hassan Tower, construction of which commenced in 1195 but which was never finished.

Then, it was on to the Andalusian Gardens , the ruins of the Roman city of Chellah , before we finished our tour wandering around the gorgeously colourful Kasbah of the Udayas – filled with lovely blue and white walls, intriguing doorways and tiny alleyways.

I think it’s fair to say we would all have been happy to spend more time in Rabat.

Time, unfortunately, wasn’t on our side, as we had to head on down the coast to Casablanca, another long drive away. We took the scenic coastal route, and I did enjoy seeing the rural coastline, and how different it was from the mountainous and desert regions.

Finally, as evening was hoving into view, we arrived into Casablanca. Casablanca isn’t really as romantic as the movie made out , being largely a commercial port city, but it does have a impressive mosque.

The Hassan II Mosque isn’t particularly old (1993), but it is the largest mosque in Morocco, the seventh largest mosque in the world, and it has the highest minaret in the world, at 210m. It’s also a convertible, in that the interior roof retracts to open the interior to the sky. It’s a rather impressive building, to say the least.

We had an optional tour (fee) scheduled of it for the following morning, but as the light was so lovely, we had a chance to explore and wander a little as the sun set, where I was able to capture some jolly nice images.

Then, it was back to the hotel, dinner, and bed.

Day 8: Casablanca and Essaouira

Casablanca started with a morning tour of the Hassan II Mosque. Like the majority of the activities we did, this was also optional, but most people chose to do it.

It was very much worth it as the building is hugely impressive, and as I’d never been in a mosque before, I was intrigued to learn how they worked.

The guided tour was very interesting, and if you’re in Casablanca or on this trip with Travel Talk, I very much recommend making the time to do this.

Then, we left Casablanca, and headed down the coast to Essaouira, another pile of driving away. We stopped for a delicious sea food lunch on the way, and arrived as night was falling.

The hotel was about a 20 minute walk outside the city centre, but some of the group still took advantage of our guide’s offer of a walking tour, and spend some of the evening exploring the medina and old city. I have to admit that Jess and I were tired, so gave that one a miss, opting to explore it the following morning on our own.

Day 9: Essaouira and Marrakech

Our last full day of tour started off with a relaxing free morning, which was nice. We opted to spend it wandering into Essaouira, filming location of one of my favourite TV shows .

After a twenty minute walk along the beach we arrived at the city walls, and I have to say, I instantly fell in love with this 18th century walled city. It just seemed like the perfect place to come and while away a few weeks, wandering the alleys, city walls and beach, whilst sampling some delicious Moroccan cuisine.

Of course, we didn’t have time to spend a few weeks – just a few hours. We packed them full though – with a highlight being the visit to the Citadel – well worth the minimal entry fee for the views.

Then, it was time to head back to the hotel, check out, and hop into the bus for the last journey of the tour – back to Marrakech!

We stopped on the way for a tour of an Argan oil production facility. Argan is an oil from a tree endemic to Morocco, and naturally is said to have all kinds of exciting properties. We didn’t buy anything, but it was interesting to see how the oil was produced and to meet the people making it.

Then, the last leg of the journey took us back to Marrakech, where we checked into the hotel.

There was the option of a trip into the city centre that evening which we didn’t take, as we’d already spend a couple of weeks in Marrakech , and had a few more nights scheduled there before our trip to Egypt.

Day 10: the End!

Whew! Still with me? Not much to say about the final day – after breakfast everyone said their goodbyes, exchanged contact details (well, facebook friend requests) and headed on their way.

Travel Talk includes airport transfers, so trundled everyone who was leaving back to the airport.

A good few people had booked a couple of extra nights in town, which I would recommend doing as otherwise you won’t see much of Marrakech. I’d also advise booking a guesthouse in the old medina part of town rather than where the Travel Talk hotel is located, as otherwise you’ll be journeying back and forth by taxi the 4km or so each way.

In terms of accommodation recommendations, we stayed at a centrally located basic Riad for three weeks, and there are plenty of options to choose from in Marrakech at all price points.

So that was the tour in detail. Let’s go over my thoughts on our experience and see if this is the right experience for you.

Travel Talk Tours review: What was good about our Exotic Morocco Tour?

Covered a lot – As you can see from what we did, our ten day itinerary really packed in a lot. We saw everything from deserts to mountains to beaches, cultural highlights and adventure activities. It was a fantastic way to easily experience a lot of Morocco in a relatively short period of time.

Great people – A tour like this can be made or broken by the people on it. In our case (and on both our tours with Travel Talk in fact), we had lovely people, many of whom have become friends – in fact one will be visiting us in Scotland soon!

We had a lot of laughs and a lot of fun together on our ten day adventure, and I got the impression that Travel Talk tours tend to be like this as a rule rather than an exception.

Easy way to see the country – It’s obviously entirely possible to do a trip like this on your own, plan it all out yourself, go at your own pace and so on.

For a first time visit to Morocco though, this could be a bit of an overwhelming amount of work, and the Travel Talk tour removes all the hassle.

You see all the highlights, hang out with great people, have a lot of fun, and don’t have to worry about anything other than making the bus in the morning. Too easy.

Decent accommodation at the price – One thing that really impressed everyone on the tour was the quality of our accommodation.

Aimed firmly at the backpacker market, the hotels we stayed in were a far cry from the hostels that many were used to.

Sure, you’re not going to be staying in the Ritz, but the hotels were all nice three and four star properties with good beds, high cleanliness standards, private bathrooms and so on.

No-one on the tour had anything bad to say about the accommodation.

Friendly, knowledgeable guides – Our guide Mustafa was very friendly and certainly knew a lot about the history of the country.

On those long bus rides, he’d often get up and chat to us about where we were driving, what we were seeing, and the history of the country. I have to confess, Jess paid more attention to this than me, I was happy to just let the scenery wash into me.

Value – Everyone we spoke to on the tour was very impressed by the value that the trip offered – we saw a lot, and as mentioned above, the accommodation was of a good standard.

It is worth mentioning that the sticker price on the website is not the final price. Like most tour companies, not all meals or activities are included in the price you pay prior to joining the tour.

Travel Talk certainly don’t hide this – it’s really obvious on their website what is and what isn’t included in each tour. Generally, you need to budget in entrance prices, some meals, any optional activities, and tips on top of the advertised price.

Each tour on the Travel Talk website has guidance for how much you might need to budget for these – see here for the Exotic Morocco example .

Then, also consider drinking water, alcohol, snacks, and gifts to come to a final budget.

I think the trips are excellent value for money, just make sure you do your sums first to be sure they are right for you!

Exotic Morocco Travel Talk Tours review: What wasn’t so great?

There are always going to be a few things that aren’t always ideal, although whether or not these are deal breakers for you entirely depends on your perspective. Personally none of the things I’m listing here were really issues for me, but I’m bringing them up so you’re aware:

WiFi access – There’s no WiFi on the bus, and the majority of the hotels we stayed at only offered WiFi in the lobbies. Usually this was fast enough for social media and e-mail, but I wouldn’t suggest you’d be streaming movies or uploading video.

In some cases, we couldn’t get it to work at all.  I expect over time this situation will evolve, but for now, be prepared not to be in constant contact with the world. Not a terrible thing really.

Long bus rides – As you’ll have noticed from the overview of what we did, we spent a lot of time on the bus. Like, a LOT of time. The bus was comfortable, and the driver and roads were both excellent, so it never felt dangerous, but it did go on for a while on some days.

The plus point to this is that we saw a lot of Moroccan scenery, which was absolutely stunning, particularly in the High Atlas and Desert sections of the tour.

There were also lots of stops for photos (and to buy water / use the loo), as well as loads of information from our guide about what we were seeing.

If you’re happy to gaze out of a bus window for hours on end, you’ll not have a problem with this. Otherwise, consider loading up your device with movies, bring a well stocked Kindle, or prepare to become best buddies with everyone on board!

Free time – We didn’t have a great deal of free time scheduled in to our trip, unless you opted out of some of the activities.

We did have plenty of time on the bus of course, but exploring on our own was a bit limited.

My advice would be to add on a day or two in Marrakech at the start or end of the trip if you want to see more the city, as the tour spends a minimal amount of time in the city, and there’s more than enough to do in Marrakech to fill a couple of days of sight-seeing and shopping.

If you’re looking for more ideas on what to do in Marrakech, check out this post from Jess, highlighting 12 must do’s in Marrakech !

Who’s going to be on a Travel Talk tour like this?

Morocco, being a Muslim country (if fairly liberal) isn’t known as exactly a party destination.

Our group was made up of 16 people (Travel Talk Tours can be up to 30 in size), with lots more women than men – there were three guys travelling with their girlfriends, including me, and then the rest of the group were either solo female travellers or groups of girlfriends. Ages ranged from mid-twenties to early thirties.

Nationalities wise, there was a heavy skew towards Australian, with Travel Talk tours generally popular amongst Australians and New Zealanders – our guide confirming that the gender split, age range and nationalities in our tour were pretty standard for their Morocco trips.

So just know that you will probably be on a tour with a group of 20-something Australian women.

Tips for travelling in Morocco

Morocco is a safe country to travel in. The main issues are health, in terms of keeping an eye on what you eat and drink, and the occasionally aggressive nature of some of the vendors.

In the latter case, this might be from street performers demanding you pay them an extortionate amount for the photo you snapped of them or someone who offers you a tour of the tanneries, followed up by some aggressive tactics to make you part with your cash.

My advice would be to have some change available to pay vendors if you do decide to take photos, and to stick to only organised tours with a pre-agreed price for the activities.

You’ll be largely insulated from the hassle on the Travel Talk tour, although some of the shops that the tour visits do feature some fairly persistent vendors.

Just remember that they’re trying to make a living, and if you do want to buy, nearly every price is negotiable.

For food and drink, similar rules apply to travelling in a good many countries – only drink bottled water, steer clear of salad and fruit that hasn’t been peeled, be wary of ice cubes (it might not be bottled water) and only eat food that is well cooked and served hot.

Check out this guidance for more info on staying healthy abroad.

Personally I didn’t get sick on the trip, but I travel a lot, and my stomach is pretty good at handling different types of food.

Many of the folks on our trip did get upset stomachs, diarrhea and the likes at some point in the tour, which is pretty much par for the course when travelling in areas like this.

Pack hand sanitiser and Imodium, or pop into a pharmacy when you’re in the country – there are plenty on hand, and they are more than used to handing over the right kind of pills to travellers in need!

If you go in the hotter months, stay hydrated, and be aware of the signs of dehydration – which can often manifest as food poisoning.

When’s the best time to visit Morocco?

Situated in North Africa, Morocco gets incredibly hot in the summer months (40C+), and quite cool in the Winter months, particularly at night and higher altitudes. There’s even skiing in the Winter.

The best time to visit therefore is generally the Autumn and Spring time, when daytime temperatures are in the mid twenties, and it’s cool enough at night not to need to use air conditioning.

Pack layers as sometimes it can be a bit cool at night, especially in the desert and in the higher mountainous regions.

Is the Exotic Morocco tour of Morocco with Travel Talk Tours for you?

Of course, I can’t answer that exactly! Hopefully you’ve got an idea of whether or not it is based on the post above.

I would say that if you want to see a good amount of Morocco, have a safe and fun trip with good people that also happens to be great value, then yes.

Of course, if you’re not into group tours, this won’t be for you. Travel Talk also generally has an age range of 21 – 35 on their tours, although our guide said that they have had all ages, so if you’re young at heart this would work for you too!

One thing that did stand out as a positive was that many of the folks on the tour had been on Travel Talk tours before, and were planning to go on them again. Clearly the company is getting it right on their tours for their audience, which is a great sign.

Finally, this wasn’t a “party” tour.Whilst alcohol was available at the hotels we were at, and stops were made to give us the option to purchase it (for example before heading into the desert), the long days, early starts and full schedule meant that whilst people might have had a beer or two (or some fine Moroccan wine!) in the evenings, there weren’t any late night party sessions.

Of course, this might vary based on your group, but again, indications from the guide were that this was very much the exception.

Further Reading on Morocco

If you’re looking for more reading on Morocco check out the following:

• Our guide to spending 3 days in Marrakech
• Jess’s guide featuring the best  things to do in Marrakech
• My photo essay on Marrakesh
• This travel guide to Morocco , for something to read and get you excited about on the plane ride over!

And that summarises our experience travelling Morocco with Travel Talk ! Have you been to Morocco? Been on a tour with Travel Talk? Share your experiences in the comments below!

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There are 13 comments on this post

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Tharsi says

30th December 2018 at 10:37 pm

My friend and I will be traveling from Toronto to Morocco in mid-February. We are so glad we came across your post. This really helped us decide if we want to do the trip or not. With the recent travel advisory do you think it’s still safe to travel to Morocco ?

Laurence Norah says

31st December 2018 at 12:29 am

Hey Tharsi!

So, there are very often travel advisories in destinations. In our experience, whilst they serve a useful purpose, they tend to be fairly broad brush, so it’s just a question of what you personally feel comfortable with. Currently I would personally see no reason not to travel to Morocco, but I can’t of course promise you that it’s a safe destination – nowhere truly is (even home!). So it’s always a personal decision. I think it’s safe yes, no less safe than the majority of destinations around the world, but that’s just my thought.

Not sure if this helps, but I hope you have safe travels 🙂

Breanna says

17th December 2018 at 12:03 pm

Hello there!

Thank you so much for the blog post! Part of the reason I ended up booking was due to it. I leave in a few days and im very excited!

I was wondering if you had a rough budget/general idea of how much you spent while on the tour? I can’t seem to find one from Travel Talk, and I’m just trying to sort out how much I should bring. Just a rough estimate would be great!

Thanks again,

17th December 2018 at 4:04 pm

Hey Breanna!

Our pleasure! You’re going to have an awesome time 😀

So, your main expenses will be your Travel Talk local fees (the exact amount should be in your booking,/pre-departure info), money for entrance fees to each paid attraction or museum you wish to visit (the amount for each should be in pre-departure info), and any money for any optional activities you wish to do (options and prices should be provided, these are normally booked the day you arrive and meet your tour group and leader).

The rest of your budget would be money for meals that are not covered (meals are relatively inexpensive in Morocco , you can normally eat for 5 to 10 USD we’d say), extra money for snacks/souvenirs/gratuities/extras (many public toilets have an attendant/cleaner present that you should tip a small amount).

On one of the last days of the trip, the group will collect tips/gratuities for the driver and tour guide (this is recommended but optional, and you can give what you wish).

We did not spend a lot of money in Morocco but some of the people on our tour bought a lot of souvenirs, goods, snacks, etc., and you decide if you want to do optional activities or not so you do have quite a bit of control over your budget. We’d also add that near the start of the tour there were some stops so folks could stock up on drinks and so on, which is a good budget option.

I’d exchange your money in Marrakesh after you arrive, the tour staff can tell you the best place for rates. I’d keep cash on you as some shops/stalls may not accept credit cards. You can pay the local payment in GBP, EUR, USD or the local currency; however the Travel Talk website advises you to pay the local payment in GBP in order to avoid exchange rate differences at the destination 🙂

This website should give you a good idea of some of the average prices for things like food, groceries, coffee, and souvenirs in Morocco: https://www.numbeo.com/cost-of-living/in/Marrakech?displayCurrency=MAD

Hopefully this helps! We’d also say that if you’re doing the desert night sleep over, to make sure to bring some warmer clothes as the desert can be cold at night, especially at this time of year 🙂

Have an awesome trip, and do pop by when you are done to let us know how it was!

Laurence & Jess

Tracey Clarke says

9th May 2018 at 6:11 pm

Excellent Blog! very helpful … and the links were informative! My husband and I are going on the Exotic Morocco tour in July. We were wondering about when and where to get cash. Should we get a large sum at once? or smaller portions along the way? Also, does the dessert get cold at night in July? We want to pack light and just wondering about the best type of clothing to bring. Thanks for your help!

10th May 2018 at 8:54 am

We felt very safe on the tour so you should be fine to get a fair amount of cash, but the guides will tell you at the beginning of the tour as to your options for where you can withdraw cash so you can plan accordingly. We were there a little later in the year than July so it was a bit cool in the evenings, but the tents came with blankets. I have to confess I’m not sure exactly how cold it would be – I’m guessing not freezing, but possibly a bit cool, so maybe bring some warmer layers to be on the safe side. And do please pop back once you’re trip is done so I can update the post!

Stephanie says

18th June 2019 at 7:02 pm

Tracey, Is your Exotic Morocco tour starting on July 6th?

Mary Njenga says

11th March 2018 at 7:33 pm

Thanks ever so much for your detailed blog, it inspired me to sign up and I am now going solo trip next month. I have read many reviews that it helps to arrive a day or two ahead of the tour to explore Marrakesh. What would be your must-see places and what was your average budget per day? I plan on purchasing my first professional camera, what would be suited for Morocco as a beginner?

11th March 2018 at 8:59 pm

My pleasure, I’m sure you’re going to have an awesome time 😀 It definitely helps to arrive early if you want to see Marrakesh as the tour doesn’t include a lot of time for signtseeing. We’ve written a guide to our favourite things to do in Marrakech, which you can see here: https://independenttravelcats.com/12-things-to-do-in-marrakesh-morocco-marrakech/

In terms of budget, it’s not a very expensive place, I’d say you could easily get by on £20 – £40 a day.

For a camera, that’s quite a big question. I’m not sure exactly of your budget, but I’d probably recommend either a mirrorless camera like the Sony a6000 or the Fuji X-A5, or the Canon Rebel EOS 200D to get started. I’ve actually written a whole guide to picking a travel camera which might help, you can see that here:

https://www.findingtheuniverse.com/best-travel-camera/

If you read that and still have questions, I’m happy to help of course!

Happy travels!

Simona says

16th February 2018 at 7:30 pm

Thank you very much for all the details included in this article. I have 2 big curiosities: did you go to Chefchaouen too? We’d be very interested in visiting it and I saw it mentioned on the website describing the tour. Also, did you pay full amount of the trip upon subscribing? Thanks much for your help and happy visiting:)

17th February 2018 at 8:35 pm

Hi Simona! The tour we did, titled Exotic Morocco, did not go to Chefchaouen, however, looking at the itinerary, this tour does seem to have been updated and now includes Chefchaouen. For the payment, Travel Talk splits the payment into two parts – one part that you pay up front, and one part that you pay locally when you arrive. This is made pretty clear when you book, and is listed as the tour price and the local payment. So you pay the tour price on booking, and the local payment on arrival. Hope this helps!

18th February 2018 at 7:07 am

Thank you very much for clarifying and for inspiring me to choose them for the Morocco tour!

19th February 2018 at 6:12 pm

My pleasure – have a great trip!

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Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now? Latest travel advice

Here is the latest foreign office advice following iran’s military attack on israel.

O n April 19, Israel reportedly launched a retaliatory attack on Iran , in response to missile and drone attacks on Israel on April 13. The UK Foreign Office’s advice for Morocco has not changed following this, however it has highlighted that the situation is “changing fast”, and that visitors should monitor its advice before their trip. Additionally, it advises visitors that it’s more important than ever to get travel insurance and check that it provides sufficient cover before visiting the country.

Just three hours’ flight away with an hour’s time difference, Morocco is a short-haul option that offers holidaymakers endless variety at often incredibly affordable prices. The earthquake in the Atlas Mountains in September 2023 has deterred some tourists, but there are still plenty of reasons to visit. In cities like Marrakesh and Rabat, magnificent examples of Arabic architecture can be found in mosques, schools and historic sites, while expansive souks offer up the equivalent of Aladdin’s cave, filled with trinkets, carpets and handmade furniture. A bohemian vibe permeates its west coast, especially in Essaouira, where surfers flock for the reliable waves and affordable hotels. And then there are the mountains and desert for those looking for adventure.

What’s the latest government advice about travelling to Morocco?

The UK Foreign Office does not currently advise against travelling to any part of Morocco. However, it does state that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks. In particular, there is an increased threat linked to the number of Moroccans sympathetic or belonging to Daesh (formerly ISIL) and other extremist groups.

The places highlighted as being at heightened risk include crowded areas, government buildings, transport networks, businesses with Western interests, and areas where foreign nationals and tourists are known to gather. You should stay vigilant and follow the advice of local authorities, the Foreign Office advises.

• Best hotels in Morocco • Best hotels in Marrakesh

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Has morocco been affected by the israel-hamas conflict.

Geographically speaking, as Morocco is very far from Israel it’s not directly affected by the Israel-Hamas conflict.

At the end of December 2020, Israel and Morocco also signed a normalisation agreement, which means both nations recognise each other’s sovereignty and are committed to establishing normal diplomatic relations.

However, within Morocco there is significant support for Palestinians with rallies taking place in the capital Rabat. The Foreign Office advises avoiding any kind of political protests.

• Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now? • Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? • Is it safe to travel to Israel right now? • Is it safe to travel to Cyprus right now? • Is it safe to travel to Turkey right now?

Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now?

There’s no reason not to travel to Morocco, but there are some safety considerations to bear in mind.

Although there have been no recent kidnappings of foreign nationals, the UK Foreign Office warns that this cannot be ruled out in advice that also applies to other countries in northern Africa. The threat comes from terror groups from Libya, Mauritania, and the Sahel, who use it for financial or political gain.

Petty crimes such as pickpocketing, bag snatching and drive-by motorcycle theft are common in Morocco, particularly in tourist areas such historic quarters and beaches. There have also been occasional reports of violent crime where weapons such as knives have been used against tourists in street attacks and burglary. The Foreign Office advises avoiding quiet areas after dark and not to carry large amounts of cash or valuables with you.

Which areas were affected by the 2023 earthquake?

Close to 3,000 people died in Morocco after a devastating earthquake hit a remote area of the Atlas Mountains on September 8, 2023. Most of the deaths and injuries occurred in the mountain villages, which are often remote and difficult to access.

In Marrakesh, the nearest tourist hub, some buildings collapsed or were damaged as a result of the earthquake. Most of the damage was in the medina, a Unesco world heritage site and the oldest part of the city. Many of the buildings here are historic, and were not built to withstand natural disasters like earthquakes.

Agadir and Essaouira also experienced some superficial damage to buildings but were otherwise unaffected by the earthquake.

The country is, however, open to tourism, and the income from tourism is certainly appreciated by those affected by the earthquake.

• Best riads in Marrakesh • Best villas in Morocco

What are Morocco’s entry requirements?

British passport holders do not need a visa to enter Morocco for the purpose of tourism, and they can stay for up to 90 days. To stay for longer than 90 days, request an extension at a local police station.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months on the day you enter Morocco. Your passport should not be damaged as otherwise you may be refused entry. You should also make sure your passport is stamped on entry, as you may experience difficulties leaving.

Is Morocco safe for female travellers?

Morocco is generally considered safe for female travellers, especially in holiday resorts. However, if you’re travelling alone, you may receive unwanted attention from men. The Foreign Office advises wearing loose-fitting clothing that covers the arms, legs and chest.

• What can women do to stay safe while abroad?

Is Morocco safe for LGBT travellers?

Homosexuality is illegal in Morocco, although it remains a popular destination for LGBT travellers. The Foreign Office advises against public displays of affection, which may cause offence and lead to prosecution.

• Is it safe to travel to Israel right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Egypt right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Jordan right now? Latest advice • Is it safe to travel to Dubai right now? Latest advice

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Solo Travel in Morocco: 9 Things Essential Tips

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Morocco may not be the first place you think of when planning a solo trip, but solo travel in Morocco can be amazing to say the least.

There are a ton of rumours about Morocco and have it isn’t safe for solo female travellers.

While there may be some truth in the fact that Morocco isn’t like Europe, and there are different customs and culture, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t plan a solo trip to Morocco.

That being said, it might not be the best place for your first solo trip, but once you have some experience travelling alone, Morocco should definitely be added to the list of places you want to go!

Morocco is a beautiful country with amazing things do so, see, and eat.

If you’re wondering if solo travel in Morocco is right for you, keep reading! Hopefully this article will give you a better idea of what to expect when travelling alone in Morocco.

Is Marrakech safe for solo female travellers?!

Table of Contents

1. It’s Really Easy to Travel Around Morocco

A lot of people have this idea that Morocco is a difficult country to travel in, but that simply isn’t the case.

Morocco has a great train and bus system that can easily get you from one city to another. This makes it very easy for solo travellers to see more than one city in Morocco.

However, one important thing to note is that the buses and trains are often very busy, and tickets sell out fast.

You may want to go to the bus or train station a day or two before you travel to a new city to secure your seat. If you don’t, you may have to wait a little while for the next bus or train to depart.

Buses and trains run on a regular basis, so you won’t have to wait long.

Here are a few transportation guides I’ve written to help you figure out how to travel between cities in Morocco:

• How to travel from Marrakesh to Essaouira
• How to travel from Marrakech to Casablanca
• How to travel from Casablanca to Rabat

In terms of getting around within cities in Morocco, that’s pretty easy too!

I’ve found that most cities in Morocco are very walkable. I walked everywhere and didn’t have to rely on public transportation.

If you want to go somewhere that is beyond a distance you feel comfortable walking, there are lots of local buses, or you can take a taxi.

Just be sure to either agree on a price before you get in a taxi or demand they turn on their meter. This will ensure you get a fair price.

But, all in all, getting around Morocco is very easy and not something you have to worry about when you’re on a solo trip to Morocco.

2. You Need to Exchange Money Inside Morocco

One of the most important things you need to know when planning solo travel in Morocco is that it’s extremely difficult to access Moroccan Dirham (MAD) outside of Morocco.

You’re going to have to exchange your currency inside Morocco (likely at the airport).

Exchange however much you think you’ll need and then a little bit more just in case you fall in love with a few extra souvenirs or eat more than you anticipated.

If you have any MAD left over at the end of your trip, you can exchange it back into a variety of currencies at the airport.

You often get the best rate if you exchange it into Euros so keep that in mind. If you’re going to Europe next or planning a trip to Europe in the near future, you’ll probably want to exchange your MAD into Euro rather than your local currency.

I have heard of some banks giving you a very small amount of MAD before you arrive in Morocco.

I had one coworker who was able to get about $100 CAD worth of MAD from a Canadian bank inside Canada.

That would be enough to tide you over if something went wrong at the airport or if you arrived when the exchange places were closed.

I wouldn’t rely on being able to do that though and would expect to have to exchange all your currency inside Morocco.

3. The Food is Delicious

One of the biggest surprises for me the first time I went to Morocco was how incredible the food was.

I didn’t know what to expect and didn’t have any preconceived ideas of what the food would be like when I arrived in Morocco, and I was blown away by how delicious everything I ate was.

I even brought home a tajine, so I could make Moroccan food at home!

One of the most important things to do during solo travel in Morocco is indulge in the local cuisine.

Don’t be afraid to eat at a restaurant alone and don’t be afraid to try the local food even if you’ve never heard of it before.

Trying new food is one of the best parts of travel, and you don’t want to miss out on it in Morocco!

If you don’t know where to go, be sure to ask someone at your hotel or hostel. They’ll be able to point you in the right direction.

Tips for eating alone at restaurants

4. You’ll Probably Get Some Extra Attention

I hate to say this because I don’t like playing into stereotypes, but I want to give you a realistic idea of what solo travel in Morocco might look like.

Or at least what my perspective was as a young, white, blonde woman.

Unfortunately, as a solo female traveller in Morocco, you’ll likely get some extra attention.

It’s important to note that not all of it is unwanted advances or sexual in any way. Oftentimes, it’s just people noticing you’re alone and hoping they can “help” you in whatever you need and be tipped.

If someone is following you or asking to help you, confidentially say no thank you and keep walking.

Some people might still try to “help” you and others will move on to “help” another tourist. The important thing is to keep moving and stand your ground that you don’t need help.

I’ve had a couple of situations where a man walked me all the way to my riad front door and wouldn’t leave without a tip. These situations are few and far between. If that happens, I think it is just better to give them a small amount of money rather than getting into an argument.

Now, in terms of the souks and markets. That’s where I’ve found the unwanted attention to be at it’s worst.

Again. This is just my experience, and I’m not saying this to demonize a certain culture or anything like that. It’s just so you’re prepared.

I found that in the souks, people are more inclined to try to get your attention by cat calling.

This is likely a sales tactic to get your attention and try to lure you into their stall. The best thing you can do is keep walking and not interact if you don’t want to.

All things considered, I think solo travel in Morocco is very safe, and if a little unwanted attention is what you have to put up with to explore this beautiful country, then that’s a small price to pay.

I’ve never felt unsafe when people approached me in Morocco. The people are incredibly kind.

Even if a stranger is following you to your riad, they likely want a tip and aren’t interested in harming you in any way!

5. Never Look Lost

This tip goes hand in hand with the last one.

I personally think it is best to never look lost in Morocco even if you are. Looking lost will make people want to come up and help you, and if you’re like me, that just causes even more stress.

So, keep your map in your bag or pocket and walk like you know exactly where you’re going.

If you do happen to be lost, pop into a corner shop, café, hotel, or restaurant to look at your map and ask for directions if you need to.

This may be a bit overkill, but I prefer it to looking lost on the streets and potentially having multiple people come up to me to “help”.

You may not be as introverted as I am and not mind the help, but if you’re like me and find a situation like that stressful, never look lost.

6. Internet Safety is Key

Just like any country in the world, on a solo trip to Morocco you’re going to be relying on public wifi to access the internet.

The problem with public wifi is that anybody can access it, and if someone wants, they can access your personal online information and data.

I’m talking banking information, social media passwords. Anything you can think of can be stolen if you’re not being internet safe.

The only way to be internet safe when using public wifi networks is by installing a VPN on your devices.

A VPN essentially puts up an imaginary forcefield around your devices that makes it impossible for someone to access your online information when you’re using a public wifi network.

It makes using public wifi just as safe as using your home wifi where you’re the only person who knows the password.

My Favourite VPN

I’ve used a lot of different VPNs over my years of travel, and, frankly, most of them suck.

VPNs are notorious for slowing down your internet speed, which is not what you want when travelling. It makes using the internet frustrating.

The reason I love NordVPN and continue to use it year in and year out is because they’re the fastest VPN on the market.

You don’t even notice that you’re using a VPN because your internet connection isn’t slowed down!

The best part is you can protect up to six devices with one NordVPN subscription. You can protect all your devices for one low fee.

The price of a two-year NordVPN subscription costs less per month than a single Starbucks latte.

With prices like that, you can’t afford to not protect your online information.

My philosophy is that if you can afford to travel, you can afford to install a VPN on your devices and keep your online information safe.

7. Be Prepared to Haggle

One of the things you need to know about solo travel in Morocco is that you’re going to have to haggle.

You’ll need to haggle when purchasing souvenirs and if you take a taxi somewhere.

It isn’t a big deal, but if you’re like me, haggling just feels uncomfortable and awkward. I know it’s a cultural thing, and lots of people do it. I was born and raised in Canada though, so I’m not used to haggling.

Haggling can become even more awkward and uncomfortable if you’re travelling alone.

But it’s something you need to be prepared for. Otherwise you’ll be way overpaying.

You’ll likely still be paying more than a local would unless you’re really good at haggling, but at least you’re not paying an absurd amount more than you should be.

Now if you’re like me and are terrible at haggling, here’s an article that’ll give you some tips on how to haggle properly.

The challenge is putting them into practice though!

A tourist’s guide to wifi in Morocco

8. Be Aware of Local Scams

Just like anywhere else in the world, there are local scams you need to be aware of during a solo trip to Morocco.

The local scams aren’t just pick pocketing, and there are some larger scams you need to be aware of. Some of them seem so innocent that you don’t realize you’ve been scammed until it happens.

This article outlines the top scams in Morocco, and I definitely recommend you give it a read.

If you don’t have time to read that article, here are a few of the top ones you need to be aware of:

• The carpet scam where you’re invited to have a drink of tea then the store owner gets upset that you didn’t purchase a rug and drank his/her tea.
• Fake goods (such as saffron) being sold as if there were the real thing.
• Inflated prices for camel rides (be sure to book online rather than with someone randomly on the street).
• Live animal photos. Someone demands you take a picture with their animal and then demands payment after you take the photo.

Just be safe when you travel alone in Morocco.

Use your best judgement. If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. If something seems sketchy, it probably is.

Listen to your gut.

9. You Can’t Enter Mosques Unless You’re Muslim

This last one technically isn’t a tip specific to solo travel in Morocco, but it’s still important to know.

Unless you’re Muslim, you’re not allowed to tour the mosques.

There is a mosque in Marrakech that sometimes allows non-Muslims to tour it depending on the time of day and what other functions are going on that day. It isn’t a guarantee though.

I tell you this to hopefully prevent you from accidentally embarrassing yourself if you try to enter a mosque just to tour it.

A lot of us are used to being able to tour any religious building we want. It’s very common in Europe, Asia, and North America to walk into a religious building without practicing that religion and just tour it.

We can sometimes take that for granted and think that’s the case everywhere we travel, but it isn’t in Morocco.

Knowing this information will help you respect the local culture and save yourself a little bit of embarrassment.

There are lots of other amazing things to do and see in Morocco that not being able to tour a mosque won’t make you feel like you’re missing out.

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Best Things to do in Morocco

Ouzoud Waterfalls Day Trip from Marrakech

Tagine Cooking Class

Day Trip to Chefchaouen from Fe s

Tangier Hop On Hop Off Bus

Casablanca Central Market Food Tour

There you go! All my top tips and tricks for solo travel in Morocco.

Hopefully this guide helped give you a picture of what solo travel in Morocco is like and help you decide whether or not Morocco is the right place for you to visit alone.

I really liked Morocco and am obsessed with their food to say the least, but it was definitely a culture shock when I visited.

I had only been to European and North American cities at that point in my travel career, and Morocco was definitely a different experience.

It took a little bit of getting used to, but it was a different experience in the best way possible.

If you’re up for an adventure and an amazing experience, Morocco might just be the perfect place for you!

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Morocco in February - Morocco Forum

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Morocco in February

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4 replies to this topic

Not a chance to do all this in 6 days.

It would also not be beach weather. The desert could get seriously cold at night.

What you really need to do is get a good travel guidebook like Lonely Planet or Rough Guide. A map might be goid too.

Remember to add 25% to 50% to all Google map time estimates.

Most of the massive areas to the south and east of the three Atlas mountain ranges are in the rain shadow of the mountains, and are technically deserts (less than 10" rain pa).

I wouldn't be planning to visit the 'blue village' in February. It's in the north and at 750m above sea level so generally bitingly cold.

How will you plan to travel around?

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• Explanation of petit and grand taxis in Morocco
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Home » Africa » Morocco » Travel Safety

Is Morocco Safe for Travel? (Insider Tips)

A melting pot of Arabic, Berber and French culture Morocco is a North African country that packs a punch of unforgettable experiences. Famous for its storied old medinas, mint tea, ancient mosques, and delicious cuisine, there’s a world of wonder to discover in Morocco.

But you might be wondering… Morocco sure sounds amazing , but is Morocco safe?

Don’t worry, we are here to answer all of your questions! In this travel safety guide, you’ll find tips, advice, and an awesome coverage on how to visit Morocco safely.

Whether you are wondering if Morocco is safe to visit right now, or whether want to know if Morocco is safe for female tourists, traveling alone, or even to live in – this insider guide will answer all of your questions!

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How Safe is Morocco? (Our Take)

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Overall, Morocco is safe for travel.

But this doesn’t mean that crime doesn’t happen, and like anywhere else in the world, you’re going to want to exercise caution and be aware of your surroundings at all times.

Morocco’s tourism numbers have been growing by the year and are projected to continue their impressive growth. And at the end of the day, growing tourism numbers typically indicate a safe country to travel in.

But do bad things happen in Morocco? Absolutely.

The most common complaints in Morocco are pushy people, petty theft (which can be common in the major cities), and poor treatment of women (which we’ll cover thoroughly in a bit).

But while both of these issues are unfortunate, there are ways to maximize your personal safety and ensure that your trip to Morocco is smooth sailing.

Some people have complained about getting lost in the winding streets of Morocco due to the ever-changing street names (from French and Spanish into Arabic), but google maps or maps.me should really do the job.

There is no such thing as a perfect safety guide, and this article is no different. The question of “Is Morocco Safe?” will ALWAYS have a different answer depending on the parties involved. But this article is written for savvy travellers from the perspective of savvy travellers.

The information present in this safety guide was accurate at the time of writing, however, the world is a changeable place, now more than ever. Between the pandemic, ever-worsening cultural division, and a click-hungry media, it can be hard to maintain what is truth and what is sensationalism.

Here, you will find safety knowledge and advice for travelling Morocco. It won’t be down to the wire cutting edge info on the most current events, but it is layered in the expertise of veteran travellers. If you use our guide, do your own research , and practise common sense, you will have a safe trip to Morocco.

If you see any outdated information in this guide, we would really appreciate it if you could reach out in the comments below. We strive to provide the most relevant travel information on the web and always appreciate input from our readers (nicely, please!). Otherwise, thanks for your ear and stay safe!

It’s a wild world out there. But it’s pretty damn special too. 🙂

Yep, it is. Of course, travelling with a bit of caution and common sense can come a long way, but most trips to this beautiful country normally end in a full success.

Morocco is, in fact, the most politically stable country in North Africa. The government has been investing more in its infrastructure to be able to attract more tourists. Because at the end of the day, more tourism = more money.

There have been reports of increasing numbers of faux guides , which are unofficial guides that offer their service in front of attractions. While some of them actually know quite a bit and speak multiple languages, you can also fall into the hands of a total scammer. Luckily, tourist police have been handling this issue very well.

You rarely see any political demonstrations in Morocco, and if they do appear, they’re normally not harmful to tourists. Stay out of it, don’t actively engage in those protests and you’ll be more than safe.

With so much culture and history to explore and a generally relaxed and friendly atmosphere, a trip to Morocco right now should be pretty safe and fully worth it.

Some places in Morocco are safer than others. To make sure you’re having a successful trip, we’ve listed the safest, and the not-so-good areas below. 

It may not be the capital city, but Marrakesh is the number one tourist destination in Morocco, which is why we consider it to be one of the safest places in Morocco. Tourists are welcome and lots of places seem to be set up for visitors.

Marrakesh is best known for its amazing places like the central market and souks, all based around Jemaa el-Fna Square – a feast for the senses where you’ll smell spices and hear the shouting of the traders, but there are a number of other attractions around the city which are a little less hectic – including the Jardin Majorelle, Bahia Palace, and Koutoubia Mosque.

Keep in mind that with a lot of people come problems like pickpocketing and petty theft as well. Leave your valuables at home so you can explore the city without a worry of getting things stolen! 

Known as the Wind City of Africa and there’s one thing Essaouira is known for above all else – surfing! With lots of surf camps, plenty of backpacker accommodation, and a very chill vibe, the little city is one of the best places in Morocco if you want safety on a budget. The best time to visit is from April to November. That’s when surfing conditions (both wind and regular) are at their finest. However, if you’re not coming to surf then coming out of season means you can enjoy the medina and all of its attractions in this port town.

Atlas Mountains/Sahara Desert

If you’re a nature lover or outdoor enthusiast and looking for some adventure, then take a closer look at the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert. Both covering a vast area of land, you’ll need to spend a few days here to enjoy some of the most enticing activities in Africa including camel trekking, overnight camping, and hiking and biking in the mountains.

You’ll definitely be safe from pickpocketing and petty theft here, mainly because there’ll hardly be anyone around, but with being in such a remote area, you’ll experience natural dangers on the way. Protect yourself against the sun, stick with your guide, and drink enough water and you’ll be perfectly safe here.

Places to avoid in Morocco 

As in almost every country, there are areas that are better avoided than visited if you want to have a safe trip. Same goes for Morocco. While the crime rate is relatively low compared to other African countries, there is a present violent crime threat.

If you want to explore the country on your own, you’re best off asking locals for their inside knowledge and get a tour guide, just to be on the safe side. To make things a bit easier for you, we’ve listed a couple of no-go areas below: 

• Casablanca : Morocco’s economical capital, Casablanca, is a stunning city with quite a few problems. Statistically, this is Morocco’s most dangerous city due to drug traffic and organized crime. While it’s definitely not a no-go zone, you should still be aware of the situation and stay away from empty side streets and dodgy characters. 
• Fez : This is probably the most unique yet stressful city in Morocco. While Fez definitely has its own charm and attractions, you’ll really have to have thick skin to push your way through all the salesmen, scammers, and guides. That being said, the city is still incredibly beautiful and offers some stunning architecture and history. It’s often considered Morocco’s cultural center. 

Morocco Travel Insurance

ALWAYS sort out your backpacker insurance before your trip. There’s plenty to choose from in that department, but a good place to start is Safety Wing .

They offer month-to-month payments, no lock-in contracts, and require absolutely no itineraries: that’s the exact kind of insurance long-term travellers and digital nomads need.

SafetyWing is cheap, easy, and admin-free: just sign up lickety-split so you can get back to it!

Click the button below to learn more about SafetyWing’s setup or read our insider review for the full tasty scoop.

While we all agree that Morocco is largely safe, there are always ways to make sure you are extra -safe. By following these travel safety tips for Morocco, you’ll be able to travel there confidently and spend more time exploring and less time worrying!

• If you are approached and are uncomfortable, don’t be afraid to say ‘ no thank you ’ and move on.
• Make sure you’ve packed everything you may need. Nothing is worse than realizing you forgot half of the essentials and having to rush to the next supermarket. It’ll ruin your budget, and most likely the beginning of your trip as well.
• Book a real guide and don’t accept tours from strangers. Faux guides are common around the famous attractions, but it’s better to book your tour online or explore by yourself.
• Keep your valuables close and/or hidden. Pickpocketing is a real problem in Morocco, especially in the bigger cities. If you carry money or valuables with you, make sure they stell well-hidden or get your hands on a money belt .
• Carry small bills around so you don’t have to get out larger notes.
• Dress modestly – this is a conservative country. It’s best to adapt to the people around you. Watch what locals are wearing and choose your clothing accordingly. That way you won’t stand out as a tourist and you won’t be offending anyone.
• Buddy up with fellow travelers . Whether it’s people you met at the hostel or during a tour, it’s always safer in a group. Walking alone can make you a target.
• If someone says they recognize you, it’s a scam! Just ignore and keep walking. If they still insist on knowing you, reply with a firm but polite no.
• Be aware of people hanging around you at ATMs . If possible, only use ATM’s in your hotel or at the bank. Also, don’t withdraw too much money at once. Completely avoid getting cash out at night.
• Ask people before you take someone’s picture – they may demand money.
• Try memorizing routes (or drawing a map) to avoid having your phone out . If you want to use google maps or another application, it’s best to go into a shop.
• Drink filtered water and ask for drinks without ice. Just to be on the safe side, but more about that later!
• Be wary of your personal space as pickpocketing can happen. Also, don’t leave your belongings out of sight.
• Don’t wear anything flashy – you’re more likely to be targeted for a scam.
• Confirm the price of your taxi before you get in . Some drivers will try to rip you off completely. If the price seems way too high, get out and find a different taxi.
• Be prepared to haggle ; it’s expected and it’s normal. Morocco is actually a great country to improve your haggling skills .
• Take MASSIVE care when crossing roads . You don’t accidentally want to get run over by a truck.
• If somebody tries to do you any kind of unsolicited service such as offering directions, they will possibly want you to pay afterward.

Every year, thousands of solo travelers head to Morocco alone to soak in the desert and culture of this amazing country. With a great variety of hostels and cheap guesthouses, meeting other solo travelers is very easy. But that doesn’t mean that traveling solo in Morocco is a cake-walk.

Generally speaking, Morocco is safe to travel alone. However, things can happen anywhere in the world so keep your wits about you. It’s not necessarily a difficult place to travel by yourself, but you’ll have to learn a few things to ensure that you have a fun time on the road.

• Learning some basic Berber, Arabic, or Darija will help you in your travels, especially with taxis or haggling.
• If you are thinking about traveling alone in Morocco, get yourself a phone or sim card. This will help ensure you don’t get lost and gives you peace of mind knowing you can make an emergency call if need be.
• Making friends with fellow travelers along the way is always a good idea.
• Depending on where you go and what city you’re in, solo travelers won’t even need a tour guide, particularly the relatively easygoing Tangier. In other places, just for peace of mind as well as of course to get the best out of your experience, a guide may be a good idea. In this modern age, you can check TripAdvisor and read blog posts to assess what places are safe to stay, eat, and explore.
• Make sure you read recommendations and reviews of hostels and other accommodations. Knowing that other travellers enjoyed it will put your mind at rest.
• Plan a budget Include money for when things go wrong so that you have some financial peace of mind.
• Always keep someone informed about where you’re going. Whether that’s the hostel staff, a friend or family back home.

No matter where you go, traveling as a woman – solo or otherwise –  is always going to have its risks. Some countries, more so than others.

But having said that, traveling in Morocco as a woman can be very safe and 100% doable! You’ll just need to exercise more caution than you would in some other countries.  Some level of attention and minor harassment is, unfortunately, to be expected.

Keep an open mind and you’ll still have a great experience. It will feel a little intense at times traveling Morocco as a woman but just remember why you’re there: to explore the country to its fullest. Even Moroccan women themselves have to deal with hassle from the men – possibly even to a worse degree.

Here are a few female-specific safety tips for Morocco you need to bear in mind to ensure that you actually stay safe on your trip.

• You will most likely receive cat-calls in the medina, but the majority of harassment will most likely be ‘you’re beautiful’ . Don’t interact with people who come up to you – you can do things like pretend to be filming and talking on the phone. Don’t be afraid to completely ignore/shut down a man that approaches you.
• Book yourself into a female-only hostel dorm. Not only do you get to meet other female travellers, but you’re also adding an extra level of safety to your trip.
• If something feels sketchy or uncomfortable – get out of that situation! It’s better to be safe than sorry.
• Don’t open the door of your accommodation to strangers. if you’re not expecting any visitors, just ignore it.
• Dressing appropriately is CRUCIAL – especially when you’re not in tourist areas. Cover your legs and shoulders, even if it’s hot, with loose, long clothes; a scarf is always very handy. You’ll still get comments, but not nearly as many.
• Learn some basic Arabic phrases – ‘No, thank you,’ (La, shukran) is a good one – to gain the respect of locals. Always try and walk around confidently and keep your eyes forward. Know where you’re going, have maps preloaded (or best of all, memorized), and try not to look lost.
• Never walk around alone at night and listen to your gut: if something looks sketchy, it probably is. Have a local or international sim card so you can call people at any time.
• Hiring a local guide is a good idea, but by no means mandatory.
• Keep your phone charged and with you at all times. It’s also a good idea to keep your emergency contacts saved down, just in case…
• Speaking of your phone, stay in contact with friends and family back home. let them know what you’re up to. It won’t just put their mind at ease, but also ensures that someone always knows where you are.

So is Morocco safe for female tourists? The answer is yes. It’s an awesome place to travel, as long as you’re aware, follow our safety tips and don’t do anything to put yourself at unnecessary risk  – however, if you’re new to backpacking, Morocco may be a bit intense for your first experience so we wouldn’t recommend newbie solo female travelers start here.

We’ve covered the main questions already, but there is loads more to know about safety on Morocco. Read on for more detailed information on how to stay safe while visiting Morocco.

Is Morocco safe to travel for families?

Yes. Morocco is a family-friendly destination and a total blast for anyone traveling with kids! It’s going to be a family holiday that you’ll never forget.

Moroccans are used to having large families and traveling with children is a great way to connect with locals who’ll be friendly and helpful to family groups in their country. Booking yourself into family-friendly accommodation is a good idea.

before you go, just make sure your children are up to date with their vaccinations, that you have simple medications (rehydration sachets, diahorrea tablets), and make sure they don’t drink tap water.

Also be sure to advise against petting stray animals and don’t let your children stay in the sun for too long.

Is it safe to drive in Morocco?

If you are in the city, whilst you can rent a car or a motorbike, we don’t recommend it.

Morocco’s urban traffic is absolute chaos . These roads are filled with potholes, congested traffic, and super-aggressive drivers. In 2017 road accidents in Morocco accounted for 3.6% of all deaths in the country (compare that to 0.39% in the UK).

For these reasons, we’d advise only super confident and/or experienced drivers to drive in Morocco’s larger cities.

That said, if you are looking to drive outisde of the city, there are some incredible road trips to be had. If you find a reliable place to rent a car, and you’re in Marrakesh , you should head out for a road trip on the Tizi N Tichka Pass – it’s mostly empty and is an amazing way to see the countryside.

Is Uber safe in Morocco?

Uber launched in Casablanca in 2015. However, after some difficulties, Uber was forced to suspend its services in the country. As of Winter 2019, it is not expected to return to Morocco anytime soon.

With no Uber, this means that you’ll be relying on taxis…

Are taxis safe in Morocco?

Taxis are one of the most frequently used modes of transport in any given Moroccan city. There are two main types:

• petite (small)
• grande (large).

Buses do operate but most people hop into a petite taxi if they need to get anywhere in a city.

Taxis in Morocco are notorious for driving quickly and jumping traffic lights. Generally, they’ll get you from A to B without mishap – just be prepared for a wild ride.

Also, please be aware that taxi scams can be very common. Agree on a price upfront, haggle hard, and stick to your guns.

Petite taxis are supposed to charge by meter, but they’re known for pulling the old ‘ the meter is broken ’ scam. If this happens, point to the meter and say “ la ” (no) and if they refuse, take a picture with your phone – the thought of been reported to the licensing board may straighten them out.

They also might say they have no change (which is why small denominations are important) and also try and drop you at random places, so if possible try to keep a GPS app on your phone so you know where they’re driving you.

You may also have to share taxis. When it comes to the grande taxis, these will wait until they’re full with more people than they’ve got seats before they go. It can be squishy but it’s definitely an experience to add to your travel log. Grande taxis also charge per seat rather than by meter.

Learning a little bit of Arabic, Berber, or even French would also help a lot in any taxi based situation, but, at the end of the day, taxis in Morocco are quite safe… if not completely thrilling.

Is public transportation in Morocco safe?

Easy answer – absolutely!

There’s a train network in Morocco which is great for traveling long distances: it connects most of the major (tourist) cities nationwide. They’re fast, they’ve got air-con, they’re comfortable, and they’re safe. You can check times online, meaning you know when you’re going to arrive and plan accordingly.

Between Rabat and Casablanca, there are some pretty chic double-decker trains that will make you think differently about overnight train travel. For those nervous about overnight trains in general: fear not. Plenty of women travel solo on these trains, with children, too – and there are even women-only cabins.

Be aware that train stations are where you’ll find a lot of salesmen trying to get you in their taxis and on their tours before you’ve even had a chance to step foot around your point of arrival, so be prepared to say ‘no thank you’ a lot. But then again, there’s often a bus station right next to the train station, so transit to your destination should be surprisingly efficient.

The bus routes in Morocco are extensive. The CTM buses, which can be booked online, have Wi-Fi and extra legroom for a spot of luxury.

Then there are the older buses. More affordable, sure, but the routes are hard to figure out and they’re the type that just pick-up and drop-off as they go.

Unlike the trains, the conditions on the buses aren’t always the best: they’re overcrowded, and you may find yourself sat next to a dog or even a chicken. But generally buses in Morocco are safe, if a slightly colorful, way to travel.

Is the food in Morocco safe?

Moroccan food is absolutely incredible. A trip to this North African country will have you on a culinary journey that’ll have your taste buds tingling.

If you follow these guidelines you should be able to eat your way around the country no problem. And you might want to practice the Moroccan custom of the right hand for eating, left hand for… well, you know (cleaning your butt; it’s for cleaning your butt).

Eating Safety in Morocco

• Firstly, there are a lot of delicious-looking fruit and vegetables on offer at the markets. But you shouldn’t really eat these raw unless they’ve been thoroughly washed or peeled . Otherwise, cooking them should be ok.
• Salads should always be approached with caution; if you don’t trust the place you’re ordering the salad from – if it doesn’t look clean – be wary.
• Use your senses: if the food looks like it hasn’t been cooked properly, or if it’s been lying in the sun all day, try to avoid.
• A good rule (for anywhere in the world) is to eat at places where a lot of people seem to be eating – locals in particular. Popular restaurants are less likely to have sanitation issues.
• Eating at food stalls is another great idea because you can watch the food be prepared and cooked in front of you – no surprises!
• Even in supermarkets, check the sell-by date. Old food might not be allowed on the shelves in your home country, but in Morocco’s supermarkets, it seems things can slip through the net quite easily.
• And lastly, it’s an oldie but a goodie: wash your hands . Forever and always.
• Traveling with an allergy? Research ahead of time how to explain your allergy. Keep in mind that store owners and restaurant staff might not know all the foods that contain allergens, so it’s helpful to know the names of some of these too.
• If you’re gluten-free , pick up a handy Gluten-Free Translation Card with descriptions of Celiac disease, cross-contamination risk, and local Moroccan ingredients in Moroccan Arabic.

Can you drink the water in Morocco?

Technically, tap water is MOSTLY safe to drink in Morocco but it’s still recommended that you don’t risk it. The Prime Minister himself has stated that he drinks the tap water in Morocco and, generally, Prime Ministers (anywhere in the world) lie at a professional level. Regardless, the water is heavily chlorinated and treated.

That being said Morocco is scorching hot, and you’ll need to keep yourself hydrated. Do this by buying big bottles of water from supermarkets, streetside kiosks, and newsagents. Hotels usually have water filters for guests and we highly recommend you try to refill bottles rather than buying new bottles because plastic is the worst .

If you’re heading out for treks in the desert – or even if you’re just walking around a city – take a good quality water bottle and water purification tablets. The water bottle can be used for anything, not just water, which is great if you need a little bit of sugar to keep you energized.

Is Morocco safe to live in?

IIf you are thinking of making the move, don’t worry: Morocco is a safe place to live and work. The number of foreign nationals living in Morocco is rising every year.

It might be a little bit of a culture shock, and you may struggle – as with making any move to any new country – but Morocco is very safe to live in.

A great tip? Integrate yourself into the local community and don’t isolate yourself! Ideally, place yourself somewhere where you’ll find home comforts or at least European familiarities. Base yourself in Casablanca (home to the largest portion of expats) or Rabat – this is also where you’ll find the best jobs.

It goes without saying that learning at least some of the language, Arabic and/or French, is a must.

A new country, a new contract, a new piece of plastic – booooring. Instead, buy an eSIM!

An eSIM works just like an app: you buy it, you download it, and BOOM! You’re connected the minute you land. It’s that easy.

Is your phone eSIM ready? Read about how e-Sims work or click below to see one of the top eSIM providers on the market and  ditch the plastic .

Is it safe to rent an Airbnb in Morocco?

Yes, renting an Airbnb is very safe in Morocco. You’ll not only be protected through the booking platform itself, but you’ll also get to choose from countless unique homes. Make sure to read the reviews and ratings before you book, so you can be 100% sure that your place will be safe.

Is Morocco LGBTQ+ friendly?

There are no LGBTQ+ rights in Morocco, which makes it a dangerous country for members of this community. It’s illegal to have same-sex relationships and you can get fined or put into prison for anything between six months to three years. We wouldn’t recommend visiting Morocco with partner if you’re a part of the LGBTQ+ community UNLESS you keep your affection and relationship well hidden.

Planning a safe trip to Morocco can get very overwhelming. To help you out, we’ve listed and answered the most frequently asked questions so you can have a safe trip to Morocco.

What should you avoid in Morocco?

These are the things that you shouldn’t do when visiting Morocco: – Disrespect ANY religion. Just don’t.  – Don’t wear beachwear anywhere else apart from the beach. – Don’t walk around by yourself at night  – Avoid walking in back alleys

Is Morocco safe for first-time travellers?

While Morocco is generally pretty safe, visiting as a first-time travellers can be completely overwhelming and stressful. You’ll need to know how to say no to people, use your common sense and spot a scam from miles ahead. Therefore we wouldn’t recommend Morocco for inexperienced travellers.

Is Morocco safe at night?

If you are a female travellers, this is a clear no. Male travellers can walk around the main tourist areas at night, but it’s still not recommended. If possible, stay at home or when going out, stick with a large group, and don’t wander off.

What are the safest cities in Morocco?

The safest cities in Morocco are Marrakesh and Essaouira. While both have their own unique safety issues, they’re overall very safe. Pickpocketing is common in Marrakesh and the strong waves in Essaouira might become dangerous to surfers and swimmers, but apart from that, there’s hardly anything to worry about.

Yes! Morocco is safe to travel. It is one of the most amazing, dazzling, (and sometimes frustrating) countries in the world.

Whether you are a solo female looking for a backpacking trip, a family looking for a weekend holiday, or are thinking about moving to Morocco, you will be pleased to know that while it has it’s downsides, Morocco is a safe and wonderful country to experience.

With the help of this safe guide for Morocco, you’ll be able to easily know exactly how to stay safe while visiting so you can spend less time worrying, and more time exploring this incredible destination.

Let us know in the comments below if you are heading to Morocco! And, if your heading to Marrakesh, we have a safety guide for there too!

Disclaimer: Safety conditions change all over the world on a daily basis. We do our best to advise but this info may already be out of date. Do your own research. Enjoy your travels!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

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I have a wonderful trip with my friend during our stay in Morocco. We used Days Morocco Tours , for our desert excursion including different activities and visited many attractions. The hotels used were amazing and we really loved the overnight stay in the camp. The food was really tasty thanks to Mohamed and Said. I highly recommend this amazing experience!

The information you give about Fez and Casa being no go areas is ridiculous. I live here abs often go to both for work and to visit. As with all large cities there will be more petty crime as there are greater concentrations of people. Your descriptions of both as no go areas is misguided and unfair.

I have just read the article and we didn’t say that either Fez or Casablanca were no go areas. In fact, we said Casablanca is definitely NOT a no go area.

We try to make these Safety posts balanced and whilst we feel we have a certain duty to point out known dangers and reported problems, we almost always advise readers not to worry too much and to enjoy themselves which is exactly what we did here.

Half the words you stated as darija are either wrong or SMA

Oh no! It’s very likely the author misunderstood what he heard. Could you recommend some changes for us to incorporate? We sure don’t want to tell travelers to speak nonsense!

Thanks for these advices but I think there is no place on earth that is safe 100%. Everytime you visit a new place it’s a new adventure.

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The Cost of Travel in Morocco: A Detailed Budget Breakdown

Morocco is one of those countries that I find myself forever dreaming of revisiting.

While the country is certainly challenging to travel through — at least in comparison to Western Europe — the scenery is spectacular, the food fantastic, and culture fascinating. If you’re not travelling as a solo woman, you’ll be eliminating many of the struggles that come from exploring Morocco, but if you’re determined to strike out on your own, as I did, it’s just as likely you’ll have a wonderful trip.

Throughout the country, you’ll find beautiful spots to explore. Marrakech is chaotic yet wonderful, Essaouira has a crumbling, atmospheric medina, Casablanca is home to one of the prettiest mosques in the world, Tangier has the gorgeous beaches, and Chefchaouen is undoubtedly one of the prettiest cities in the world. Spending a night camping beneath the stars in the Sahara Desert is in my top three experiences after 10 years of full-time travel.

On top of all of that, Morocco is inexpensive. I spent just $28 per day  in the country!

So let’s talk about expenses.

I’ve been recording my travel budget from the very first day I started my travel blog because I want to show you guys that it’s possible to travel the world without spending a fortune. 

Unlike almost every travel blogger on the planet, I refuse to take comps/freebies/press trips when I travel and make sure to always pay for everything with my own money. That means that my opinion is never swayed by tourism boards and marketing companies, and you’ll always be receiving my honest thoughts, good and bad, when it comes to experiences and value. I choose where I stay and what I do in a country, travel anonymously to ensure I receive the same experience as you would, and then write freely about whether something sucked or rocked my world.

Because of this, this post contains affiliate links . That means that if you decide to book any accommodation, tours, or travel insurance through the links in this post, I receive a commission from that sale at no additional cost to you. This is my primary way of funding my travels and posts like these, so I greatly appreciate your support if you do decide to click through.

Let’s get started.

How to Find Cheap Flights to Morocco

European readers: you’re in luck! With a plethora of budget airlines across the continent, getting to and from Morocco will likely cost under €150 each way . If you’re all about overland travel, you can travel down to Tarifa, in Spain, then take the ferry (€38.70) across to Tangier.

For anyone in North America, Oceania, Asia, Africa, and elsewhere, my first recommendation is Secret Flying and my second is Skyscanner .

Secret Flying is my number one flying tool and it’s rare for me to ever travel anywhere on a flight that wasn’t found through that website. It’s a flight deals site that shares some of the absolute best prices for flights that have recently gone on sale. It’s thanks to Secret Flying that I flew from Lisbon to Cape Town for $280 return, London to Los Angeles for $120 one-way, and Singapore to London for $120 one-way. In short, regularly checking flights from your home country to Morocco will help you save a lot of money.

Of course, if Secret Flying doesn’t have any great deals showing, or its deals don’t match with your dates, you can use Skyscanner  from the get-go.

After 11 years of continuous travel, it’s my favourite way to search for flights, as I love that you can search for flights from an entire country to Morocco, and that you can search for travel dates across an entire month to ensure you’re flying on the cheapest days.

As always, the more flexible your plans, the easier you’ll find it to save money on flights. If you’re happy to fly into and out of different airports, you may be able to pick up a deal (flying into Marrakech and out of Casablanca, for example), and if you’re happy to visit at any time of year, you’ll be able to pick and choose the best prices, too.

The Cost of Accommodation in Morocco

You can visit Morocco on any budget, from a €7 a night dorm bed (that’s surprisingly well-reviewed) in Marrakech to $1,000 a night riads you can rent out with your 10 closest friends.

In this blog post, though, I’m going to be focusing on value . Because whether you’re travelling as a solo backpacker on a tight allowance, as part of a couple on a mid-range budget, or as a family looking for a little luxury, value is the one thing you’re going to be looking for. That doesn’t necessarily mean cheap — it means offering up more than similarly-priced options.

There’s some seriously great value accommodation up for grabs in Morocco, whether it’s comfortable hostels with daily activities to help you explore with new friends or glamorous riads that are just perfect for photoshoots. To start with, I’m going to cover the cheapest way to travel in Morocco.

If you’re on the tightest of tight budgets, there are several options that’ll land you with free accommodation  while you’re in the country. Courchsurfing allows you to connect with locals by sleeping on spare sofas in their homes. It doesn’t cost a penny to do so, and is a fantastic way to gain an insight into Moroccan daily life away from the tourists.

Housesitting is a more upmarket way to avoid paying for accommodation, as it’s aimed at the mid-range and luxury travellers. You’ll be looking after homes and pets while their owners are on holiday, and the houses can be extremely luxurious. I’ve met travellers that have pet-sat in an enormous castle in France before! Some of my friends housesat for a month in a luxurious riad in the Moroccan desert several years ago and it looked amazing . This option works best if you don’t have fixed travel dates, as you’ll be agreeing to dates that the owners set.

Finally, when it comes to free accommodation, you could take a look at WorkAway in Morocco , where you’ll be able to help out locals in exchange for food and board. There are some seriously cool options available on the site, from rebuilding a Berber house in a Sahara oasis to helping manage a palm tree farm in the desert.

If you’re not looking to travel for free and just want a clean and comfortable room to sleep in, there are plenty of great options, too.

One of the most affordable ways to explore Morocco is by staying in a hostel. I stayed in several over my first visit to the country and was impressed by the quality of the hostels, as well as how many there are to choose from. Let’s look at the best-reviewed hostels in the country.

• The best hostel in Marrakech is easily Mosaic Hostel  (the reviews are amazing!), which comes in at $13 a night for a dorm and $47 a night for a private double room.
• In Essaouira, you can’t get better than the gorgeous Chill Art Hostel , which is priced at  $12 a night for a dorm bed and $28 a night for a private double.
• You’ll likely be heading to Fes while you’re in Morocco, and while you’re there, the highest-rated hostel,  Fes Touria Palace , offers rooms from $19 a night .
• Chefchaouen is my favourite destination in Morocco! When it comes to cheap accommodation, there’s a whole bunch of terribly-rated hostels, but Dar Elrio  is the lone star that receives all the praise. With rooms starting from $46 a night , this is one of the more expensive hostels in the country, but I think it’s worth the cost when you see how beautiful it is.
• Tangier is similar to Chefchaouen, in that there’s a whole lot of hostels with poor reputations, but Tanja Lucia  manages to buck the trend, with excellent reviews, as well as dorms for $15 a night.  Private rooms at the well-reviewed Diafa come in at $20 a night — it’s one of the best places to stay in Tangier.

Overall, then, you can see that you can expect to spend around $12-15 a night  for dorms in Morocco, and around $25-30 a night  for a private double room. If you’re travelling as part of a couple, there’s no question that you’ll receive the best value for money by opting for a private room.

Okay, but what if you’re not a budget traveller and just want to stay in a lovely, well-reviewed hotel or guesthouse that’s good value for money and has all the things you need from a place to lay your head? I’ve got you! When I visited Morocco, I opted to spend half of my trip staying in backpacker hostels and the other half in well-reviewed guesthouses. For around $40 a night , you’ll be able to stay in an excellently-reviewed hotel, in a central location with friendly staff.

Here are my recommendations for travellers on a mid-range budget:

In Marrakech, Riad Carina  ( $62 a night for a double room; rated 9.3 on Booking ) receives a whole lot of love. So what’s so wonderful about it? Not only is it a stunning and well-designed riad, but it’s located just a five-minute walk from all of the main tourist attractions in town and is home to some seriously friendly staff. It’s quiet and peaceful, has a beautiful swimming pool, and an even more beautiful rooftop terrace.

In Essaouira, Riad Dar Awil ( $56 a night for a double room; rated 9.6 on Booking ) is easily the best place to stay for mid-range travellers, as essentially no other riads in town receive such great reviews while still remaining affordable. Riad Dar Awil is new, modern, and clean, and smaller than other riads across the country, which means more attentive staff and a chance to get to know your fellow guests over breakfast. It’s located right in the heart of the medina, which is exactly where you want to be staying in Essaouira.

In Fes, Dar Fes Tresor  ( $47 a night for a double room; rated 9.1 on Booking ) is exactly what you probably picture staying in Morocco to look like. The rooms are gorgeous, with intricate mosaics and stained glass windows, giving a real traditional vibe to the place. It’s in a quiet location, which is essential for travel in chaotic Fes, and the staff are so kind and friendly. The views from the rooftop are really the icing on the cake!

In Chefchaouen, Dar Swiar ( $40 a night for a double room; rated 9.4 on Booking ) offers incredible value when you consider how expensive the city is for travellers. It has a wonderful rooftop view of the blue buildings, is just a minute’s walk from the main square in town, and a very welcoming owner. As a bonus, the Wi-Fi is fast, which is tough to find in Morocco!

And finally, in Tangier, Mnar Castle ( $46 a night for a four-person apartment; rated 9.2 on Booking ) is one of the most popular hotels for a reason. Not only do they have a large swimming pool for guests, but they also offer some of the best-value accommodation in the country. There’s a delicious breakfast, a breathtaking view of the ocean, and a free shuttle that takes you to the main attractions in the city.

How Much Does Transportation Cost in Morocco?

Morocco isn’t an enormous country, so I found it easy and affordable to travel overland.

If you’ll be arriving in Marrakech, as most visitors do, I recommend easing your way into the Morocco travel experience by paying for a private transfer from the airport . For just $15 , you’ll be met at the airport by your driver then taken directly to your accommodation in the city; if you’re staying in a riad in the medina, they’ll help you navigate the maze-like alleyways to ensure you don’t get lost. In a country where scams are rife, not having to haggle with shady taxi drivers is going to make your arrival so much smoother.

If you’re on a tighter budget, you’ll want to opt to take the bus from the airport into Marrakech. The line 19 bus leaves from directly outside the airport and takes you into the city for just over $3 (30 MAD) , making it a simple and cost-effective option.

The best way to get around Morocco is by bus or taxi. There isn’t an extensive train network, the drivers are notoriously aggressive, so you won’t want to hire a car, and flying is always a pain in the ass.

I travelled by bus between Marrakech and Essaouira, Essaouira and Casablanca, Casablanca and Fes, Fes and Chefchaouen, and then hired a shared taxi to get between Chefchaouen and Tangier.

There are two main bus companies in Morocco: CTM and Supratours . CTM is typically the better bus company, as it has more routes and departure times for travellers to choose from. Still, both companies operate clean and modern buses with a good safety record, so there’s no real reason to choose one over the other. Prices are inexpensive, too — for example the three-hour bus from Marrakech to Essaouira costs just 80 MAD ($8.50) , and you’ll rarely pay more than around $15 for any journey in the country.

If you’d rather some privacy for your trip, you can hire taxis to take you between popular destinations, and if you’re travelling as a group, they can work out to be fairly inexpensive. A taxi from Marrakech to Essaouira will typically cost around 600 MAD ($62) , which is expensive as a solo traveller, but not extortionate if you’re part of a group of four friends.

In Morocco, you’ll also find shared taxis, known as grand taxis, which are excellent options for my solo travellers out there. You’ll be sharing with locals, which makes for a great cultural experience, and saving money, as you’ll split the cost of a taxi between six passengers. I took a shared grand taxi between Chefchaouen and Tangier with five locals and paid 100 MAD ($10.45) for the ride.

The Cost of Food in Morocco

Prepare for your upcoming trip to Morocco by preparing your stomach for a hell of a lot of tagine. Moroccan food is delicious , and the tagine is second to none. Seriously — I couldn’t stop eating it while I was in the country!

Food is extremely inexpensive in Morocco and you can easily get by spending around $12-15   per day .

Most accommodation in Morocco offers a free breakfast that usually comprises fried eggs, olives, fresh bread, honey, and delicious fruits. Add in several glasses of fresh mint tea, and you’re perfectly set up for a day of exploring.

If you’re staying somewhere that doesn’t offer breakfast, there’s still plenty of cafes and restaurants around that will be offering local foods to eat, and you can expect to spend around $2 for a simple breakfast of pastries, jam, and honey.

On  average, I paid $5 for lunch while I was in Morocco, which was nearly always tagine, couscous, or harira. These local eats are delicious, filling, and criminally inexpensive. If you venture outside of the tourist-filled medinas, you can even score a tagine for as little as $3 . In the more popular parts of town, you’ll be looking at around $8 .

Dinners are slightly more expensive than lunches, but still offer great value for money. I spent between $4 and $8  for my evening meals when travelling in Morocco.

Keep in mind that Morocco is an Islamic country and that means that alcohol is both expensive and hard to find. I decided to go tee-total while travelling around the country for this reason, but if you’re determined to have a beer with your meals, you can expect to pay around $4 for a small glass — not outrageous, but definitely expensive relative to the cost of everything else in the country.

A half-litre bottle of water is $0.50 , although I recommend travelling with a foldable Vapur water bottle and refilling it with Morocco’s tap water. You’ll save on money, stay hydrated, reduce your risks of getting sick, and reduce your plastic consumption by doing so. And finally, if you’re a coffee drinker, you’ll be looking at paying $1.50 for a cappuccino.

If you’re a fan of eating in when you travel, groceries from the supermarkets and local markets. aren’t too expensive either. Some typical prices of essentials include:

• A loaf of bread: $0.40
• A dozen eggs: $1.20
• A kilogram of tomatoes: $0.50
• A litre of milk: $0.70
• A kilogram of potatoes: $0.45
• A kilogram of chicken thighs: $4.20

The Cost of Activities in Morocco

If you’re travelling on a tight budget, there are plenty of free activities to keep you busy in Morocco.

One of my favourite things to do in this country is simply wander around the medinas on foot. These bustling markets are full of character and so fascinating to explore, even if you do have to put up with hustlers and touts. Banter back with them, sample some of the free mint tea that’s on offer in their stalls, and don’t take anything too seriously: it’s all part of the fun of travel in Morocco!

So how much can you expect to spend on activities and tours in Morocco? I think you’re going to be pleasantly surprised, as prices are relatively low in this wonderful country.

Every time I book a flight to a brand new country, one of the first things I do is head to Get Your Guide for inspiration. Get Your Guide is a tour marketplace — think of it like the Booking.com for tours and activities — with tons of interesting day trips and adventures to sign up for. And the best part is the sheer number of reviews on the site — if a tour has an average of 4.7 from 3,000 reviews, for example, you know you’re guaranteed to have an incredible time.

As an example, when you look for tours out of Marrakech, one of the most popular options is a day trip out to Ouzoud Waterfalls . Have you even heard of Ouzoud Waterfalls? I hadn’t either, but they’re one of the tallest waterfalls in Africa and they ended up being one of my highlights of my time in Morocco. Simply mind-blowing. The tour itself is priced at just $20 for the 10-hour day trip, so if you have time in your itinerary, it’s a no-brainer.

But if you’re going to do just one thing while you’re in Morocco, it has to be exploring those beautiful Sahara sands. The tour I took of the Sahara Desert still has a spot in my top five travel experiences of all time, even after a whopping 10 years of full-time travel. It was that incredible. Now, you’ve got several different options when it comes to taking a desert-themed trip in Morocco.

For those of you who are super-short on time but still want to get that perfect camel-themed photo, you can fake it for your friends by taking an hour-long camel ride through Marrakech’s palm groves. Coming in at just $17 for the experience, you’ll get to travel outside of Marrakech to nearby villages, dress up in traditional outfits, hop up on a camel, then spend a full hour weaving through palm trees and taking plenty of photos.

However, if you came to Morocco for the Sahara, I know you’re not going to be satisfied by a one-hour camel ride. In that case, there are two options: a one-night trip to the desert ( $95 per person ), or a two-night one ( $112 per person ). I opted for the latter for my time in Morocco and it was amazing . If you have the time, I strongly recommend opting for a two-night tour, especially as it’s really not that much more expensive than the overnight one.

But there’s one other major reason why I recommend the two-night tour.

With the one-night-two-days tour , you’ll travel out of Marrakech and over to the sand dunes of Zagora. This part of the Sahara is actually quite rocky, so instead of experiencing the incredible sensation of being surrounded by nothing but towering dunes, you’ll be on a flat section of sand that’s blanketed in rocks. I have friends who opted for the Zagora tour to save money and their photos of the experience… weren’t amazing. Still, the Sahara is the Sahara, so if you can’t justify spending three days in the desert, this is still a fantastic way to get your fix.

So what about the two-night-three-days tour ?

With plenty of time in your itinerary, you’ll be able to travel much deeper into the desert and be able to check out the enormous sand dunes of Merzouga. I love these sand dunes. My time was spent exploring Berber villages in the Atlas Mountains, riding camels over deep-orange dunes to our camp for the night, watching the sunset from the tallest dune around, eating delicious meals under the moonlight, then sleeping out beneath the Milky Way. In the morning, we set off back to our truck on camels at sunrise, and the silence that surrounded us was mesmerising.

Needless to say, this is one activity that I consider a must-do in Morocco!

Miscellaneous Expenses for When You Travel to Morocco

A local SIM card: I don’t know about you, but one of my least favourite aspects of arriving in a new country is having to figure out how to get connected. Specifically: buying a local SIM card so that I have data to use while I’m in the country.

There’s locating a store that will sell you one, language barriers to deal with (in Morocco, you’ll come up against French and Arabic), various forms of ID you might need to bring, scams to navigate, and… well, it’s a headache.

This year, I started using Airalo , which sells local e-SIM cards for travellers. What that means is that you can buy your SIM card online before you arrive in Morocco, and then as soon as you land in the country, you can switch on your data and start using it. It’s worked flawlessly for me and I’ll never go back to physical SIM cards. You’ll pay $9.50 for 1 GB of data and can top-up through the Airalo app.

Travel insurance: If you’ve read any other of my articles on Never Ending Footsteps, you’ll know I’m always talking about how you need to buy travel insurance.

I’ve seen far too many GoFundMe campaigns from destitute backpackers that are unexpectedly stranded in a foreign country after a scooter accident/being attacked/breaking a leg with no way of getting home or paying for their healthcare. In short, if you can’t afford travel insurance, you can’t afford to travel.

Travel insurance  will cover you if your flight is cancelled and you need to book a new one, if your luggage gets lost and you need to replace your belongings, if you suddenly get struck down by appendicitis and have to be hospitalised, or discover a family member has died while you’re overseas and need to get home immediately. If you fall seriously ill, your insurance will cover the costs to fly you home to receive medical treatment.

I use  SafetyWing  as my travel insurance provider, and recommend them for trips to Morocco. Firstly, they’re one of the few companies out there who will actually cover you if you contract COVID-19. On top of that, they provide worldwide coverage, don’t require you to have a return ticket, and even allow you to buy coverage after you’ve left home. Finally, they’re affordable, and have a clear, easy-to-understand pricing structure, which is always appreciated.

My Travel Expenses in Morocco

At the end of my budget breakdowns, I always like to take a look over my own expense reports and tally up exactly what I spent in the countries I visit, in order to give you an idea of how much you should be expecting to spend.

How much I spent over 21 days in Morocco:

• Accommodation: $205.60/$9.70 per day
• Transportation: $44.95/$2.14 per day
• Food: $282.15/$13.44 per day
• Activities:  $130.00/$6.19 per day

Yes, I averaged just $31.47 per day while I was in Morocco.

Phew! 

That’s it for my travel expense report for Morocco! I really hope you found it useful for your upcoming trip, and am happy to answer any further questions you may have in the comments below.

Safe travels!

Related Articles About Morocco 🧕🏼 The Complete Guide to Travelling to Morocco as a Solo Woman 🇲🇦 28 Incredible Things to Do in Marrakech, Morocco 🐪 An Incredible Experience in the Sahara Desert 💙 Is Chefchaouen the Prettiest City in the World? 🏖 Every Post I’ve Written About Morocco

Lauren Juliff

Lauren Juliff is a published author and travel expert who founded Never Ending Footsteps in 2011. She has spent over 12 years travelling the world, sharing in-depth advice from more than 100 countries across six continents. Lauren's travel advice has been featured in publications like the BBC, Wall Street Journal, USA Today, and Cosmopolitan, and her work is read by 200,000 readers each month. Her travel memoir can be found in bookstores across the planet.

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13 comments.

Great guide! What time of year were you in Morocco? I’m going to be visiting Marrakech in June but I’m worried that the Sahara Desert might be too hot to visit then?

I actually visited in June! It wasn’t too bad in the desert, because you’re only really there during late afternoon and early morning, so you don’t get a chance to experience the desert in the heat of the midday sun. I’d recommend taking some warm clothes for the night, actually, as it was pretty cold after sunset :-)

I’d really like to try out a hamman when I’m there at the end of the year. I’m staying in hotels (as a nervous solo traveller) so I know they’ll have something, but I’m wondering whether you went to any that you can recommend? I’ll be in Marrakech, Casablanca, Fes, Chefchaouen!

Hello, I am flying in to Casablanca on January 27th, 2020 and will stay for 5 days. I think I will take a day trip to Marrakesh at least. My question is that I was looking at a day tour from Casablanca to Marrakesh with a well know travel agency and currently the price is less than $100.00. I put in the dates that I will be there in January and the price jumps to $340.00. Am I reading this correctly or that is the norm for that time of the year. If it cost that much then I want be taking the trip and I will just spend my five days in Casablanca. Let me know what you think, and for that matter you may say, just go to these other places instead. Thanks, Ken Hill

Oh yeah, that definitely seems very overpriced — it should be cheap in January, as that’s the lowest of low season. I’d imagine that actually the cost is $100 per person based on a group of 4 and that when you say you’re a solo traveller, the price increases to $340. I know a lot of tour companies set their prices that way.

I’d suggest travelling to Marrakech independently instead. The bus will be around $10 each way and then you can spend some time wandering around. Keep in mind that the driving distance between Casablanca and Marrakech is around three hours each way, so you’ll spend a lot of time on transportation.

I have been reading some articles and I stumbled upon your reply, I am a travel agent based in Marrakesh. just a quick suggestion: Get out of Casablanca if you can. If you’re there for work, no worries, totally understandable. Marrakesh is about a 3.5 hour drive from Casablanca, so it’s a long drive (or train ride!) for a day trip. This isn’t something we would suggest. It’s best to spend at least a couple of nights in Marrakesh.

Conversely, if you are staying for work and want a quick day trip to see some of the “real” Morocco, consider a day trip to either Rabat or Tangier. You can leave via the new high speed train. Rabat is about an hour away while Tangier is 2 hours.

Hey Lauren, thanks a ton :) This is as comprehensive a piece as it gets

Haven’t booked tickets but I plan to travel to Morocco sometime between March-April and visit Marrakech & Casablanca and also take some of the desert safari trips.

Would it be unbelievably hot at this time or do you recommend another time to travel?

Hi Lauren, I was searching the deals on Morocco and came across your webpage. Some quite interesting facts about Morocco. Thank you! :-) I’m from Toronto and planning for a 9-10 days trip to Morocco in March. I have been searching and the best deal I found is from Intrepid travel for a 9 day trip from Casablanca to Marrakech on a twin sharing room is $950 Canadian or about $715 US. Based on your experience do you think it’s a reasonable fair price? Or would it be better if I just go to Casablanca book a room for one night and find some local tour operator over there? I would greatly appreciate your feedback/advise.

Best regards,

What’s the internet situation like in Morocco? Do I need to buy a local sim card when I arrive or are there wifi networks to connect to?

Hi, I didn’t see a link or anything for the $120 to spend three days wandering through the Atlas Mountains experience.

Yes, you can find it on Viator .

Did you book the taxis ahead of time? How do you get a shared taxi?

No, I just turned up. There’s a bunch of shared taxis all over, waiting for people, so you just tell them where you want to go, wait for more people to arrive, and set off.

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As airplane makers struggle to meet demand, Morocco wants to become a manufacturing hub

Engineers and workers stand inside Safran Aircraft Engines repair plant outside of Casablanca, Morocco, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Moroccan officials are aiming to turn the country into an aerospace hub, luring investors and manufacturers who have aimed to spread out their supply chains and find willing workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)

Engineers and workers repair an aircraft part inside Safran Aircraft Engines repair plant outside of Casablanca, Morocco, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Moroccan officials are aiming to turn the country into an aerospace hub, luring investors and manufacturers who have aimed to spread out their supply chains and find willing workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)

Aircraft parts are placed for repair inside Safran Aircraft Engines repair plant outside of Casablanca, Morocco, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Moroccan officials are aiming to turn the country into an aerospace hub, luring investors and manufacturers who have aimed to spread out their supply chains and find willing workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)

Women workers repair aircraft parts inside Safran Aircraft Engines repair plant outside of Casablanca, Morocco, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Moroccan officials are aiming to turn the country into an aerospace hub, luring investors and manufacturers who have aimed to spread out their supply chains and find willing workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)

A worker repairs aircraft parts inside Safran Aircraft Engines repair plant outside of Casablanca, Morocco, Thursday, April 18, 2024. Moroccan officials are aiming to turn the country into an aerospace hub, luring investors and manufacturers who have aimed to spread out their supply chains and find willing workers since the COVID-19 pandemic. (AP Photo)

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CASABLANCA, Morocco (AP) — Moroccan officials want to turn the country into an aviation hub, luring investors aiming to spread out their supply chains to more nations with available and affordable workers.

The North African kingdom is among a longer list of countries vying for contracts with big manufacturers looking to speed up production and deliver more planes to meet demand. Companies like Boeing and Airbus — as well as the manufacturers that build their components — are outsourcing design, production and maintenance to countries from Mexico to Thailand.

In Morocco, efforts to grow the country’s $2 billion-a-year aerospace industry are part of a years-long push to transform the largely agrarian economy through subsidizing manufacturers of planes, trains and automobiles. Officials hope it dovetails with efforts to grow Moroccan airlines, including the state-owned Royal Air Maroc.

“The needs are huge and we are in a very good position,” said Hamid Abbou, the airline’s CEO. “Most of the big suppliers in Europe are struggling to get people to work in this industry. We don’t have that issue.”

Despite hopes among its cheerleaders, the air travel industry faces headwinds. When demand rebounded after much air traffic stopped during the pandemic, manufacturers faced challenges building enough planes to meet demand from airlines. For Boeing, delays caused by supply chain issues were compounded by high-profile emergencies and deadly crashes that further curtailed deliveries.

From eastern Europe to southeast Asia, new levels of demand have forced manufacturers to seek out new locations to build and repair parts.

Safran Aircraft Engines, a French manufacturer, sends engines for Boeing 737s and Airbus 320s to a repair plant outside of Casablanca every six to eight years and then sends them back to airlines from countries including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, the United Kingdom and Ireland.

The company is among 130 in the sector active in Morocco, where parts ranging from wings to fuselages are produced in an industry that employs 42% women — a proportion that industry lobbyists say is larger than its European and North American manufacturing industry counterparts.

Though many companies eye Morocco as a source for comparatively cheap labor, the industry and government have worked to train skilled workers at IMA, an institute for aeronautics professions in Casablanca.

At an event celebrating Safran’s 25-year partnership with Royal Air Maroc, Safran CEO Jean-Paul Alary said he hoped Morocco’s aviation industry would continue to expand, particularly as industrywide demand increases and companies face labor shortages in Europe.

“It’s the access to well-qualified talent that’s been well-trained,” Alary said of Morocco. “They are the key players for achieving our goals.”

Why It's Always Best To Just Print Your Boarding Pass

Y our boarding pass reveals more about you than you realize. You might not give it a second look unless you're caught in a delay, but this piece of paper — or its smartphone version — packs crucial details. Along with your name and destination, your boarding pass may note if you have requested a special in-flight meal and need quicker service . It also features your flight number, which means more than you think . Plus, it may include the code "SSSS," which means Secondary Security Screening Selection , mandating you to further checks. Perhaps the most important thing on your boarding pass is the bar code, as it's what grants you entry onto the plane. But while mobile boarding passes have long been ingrained in many a traveler's routine, you might want to revert to the old-school way of printing them, because, well, technical glitches happen.

Ever had your phone die on you at the worst moment? Imagine that happening as you're about to show your boarding pass. Mobile devices can bail on you at any time, whether from a depleted battery or a poor internet connection, making your digital boarding pass inaccessible. One Reddit user even noted that they triggered an immigration incident because of mobile boarding pass problems. "The border guard couldn't work out how to scan the QR code," they recalled. While digital passes are convenient, they're not 100% reliable. Keeping a physical copy as a backup can mitigate stress and ensure smoother travel, sparing you from unexpected complications.

Read more: Unsettling Reasons You May Want To Avoid Taking A Cruise

Some Airports Don't Allow Digital Boarding Passes

Air travel innovates at a much faster pace, much to travelers' delight. There is now all sorts of flashy tech available at airports and planes — think state-of-the-art body scanners, facial recognition tech, and the much-celebrated onboard WiFi. Some airports even have TSA self-service security lines, letting travelers zip through without flashing their IDs or boarding passes. Yet, not every airport has embraced modernization. It might be because they're too small to deal with high-tech upgrades or they're still taking time to catch up. And yes, for some of these airports, printed boarding passes are not yet a relic of the past.

Airlines like EasyJet , RyanAir , and Lufthansa have a list of airports on their websites that don't accept mobile boarding passes at this time. Planning a getaway in Marrakech, Morocco? You might want to swap your smartphone screen for a good, ol' physical boarding pass. The same goes if you would be vacationing at a Maldives resort and would be flying in and out of Male. Per Lufthansa, passengers at these airports are given a boarding pass right at the counter, but it's always better to do your homework by contacting the airline so you can come in prepared.

But Be Sure To Print It At Home, Not The Airport

Opting to print your boarding pass at home is a savvy move that could save you more than just time. You can't always expect the airline kiosks to work, and if they do, you might face a long queue. If you ask the service desk to do it for you, you might pay a ridiculous printing fee. Many airlines, especially budget carriers, are notorious for charging an eyebrow-raising amount just to print your pass. Spirit and Frontier charge as much as $25 per pass, while one X user claimed that Ryanair charged their parents a whopping £110 (or around $120) to print two boarding passes. Given the hefty baggage fees, why pile on? In the event that you're caught without a printed pass while already on vacation, your hotel might come to the rescue. Most will print your boarding pass often for free, or at least much cheaper than the airlines' fees.

Once you have the printed copy in your hands, whatever you do, don't share a picture of it on social media. It might be tempting to post for the gram, but remember, your boarding pass packs a ton of personal information. "The risk of being hacked increases drastically when you share too much information about your vacation online," cybersecurity expert Robinson Jardin told Forbes . "When it comes to boarding passes, the real issue is barcodes. They can be read by pretty much anyone with free software online."

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