Are you thinking of taking a trip to Morocco? Want to learn more about the striking beauty, culture, and adventure that awaits you within its winding alleys and rich beaches?
Then look no further, because within the pages of Moroccopedia you will find everything you are looking for Morocco Travel.
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What do you like to do?
Learn more about the unique cities, discover the absolute best Moroccan dishes you must try, explore the best golfing spots, or the top beaches for catching a wave and surfing
It is the colors that are most striking in Morocco. The rich red of the buildings in Marrakech, the golden sand in the Sahara Desert, and the brilliant green décor of the plates lining the souks. There is the azure blue of the ocean, and a fusion of all in the bright Berber rugs. Morocco is magical and is just waiting to be discovered.
Travel back in time as you wander through the medieval streets in Fes and discover the souk as well as the character of the various quartiers. There are the bars in Casablanca too where you can relive the iconic movie moments.
Feast under the stars in the Sahara where you can sip Moroccan tea, or spend time in one of Africa’s most famous meeting places, the Djemaa El Fna in Marrakech. Watch storytellers and snake charmers at work in this magical arena as the stallholders cook over flames.
Discover the distinctive flavor of tagine, the sweetest oranges, and delicious pastries as you try out the famous cuisine.
Morocco has beautiful beaches from Agadir along the coast to Tangier and to Essaouira. For a winter break in the sun, Morocco is ideal and perfect for families. Kids will love the camels and the chaotic markets.
There are fishing towns and charming restaurants to enjoy here. The architecture is inspirational and a walk through the Kasbah in Meknes or Casablanca is stunning. This is a country of brilliant artists and craftsmen and the work in the souks and in the buildings is a testament to their talent and legacy.
The Atlas Mountains are another spectacular region in Morocco, including the highest point in North Africa. Whether you enjoy walking or mountain biking there are many beautiful trails to explore and some of the friendliest Berber villages en route.
When to go?
The northern part of Morocco has a typical Mediterranean climate: hot, relatively dry summers and chilly, rainy winters. Early summer and early fall are great times to visit, since it will be drier and warm but not too hot.
October-March can be chilly and damp, but less crowded. The Atlantic coast is a little farther south and follows a similar pattern but is generally even milder year-round.
The interior of the country, which is largely mountains and desert, experiences more dramatic temperature fluctuations. Summer day time highs in cities like Marrakech can reach a scorching 115F, so you may want to avoid July and August.
Spring and fall are great times to visit; winters are cool but not as rainy as the coasts, so they can still be a nice time to visit. Morocco has two major mountain ranges, the Rif and the Atlas.
In general, they will be cooler year-round than nearby cities at lower elevations. Many parts of the mountains are quite cold in the winter and can even receive snow.
If you want to ski, hike, or do indoor activities, you may like visiting in winter. Otherwise, late spring – early fall is an ideal window. But, be prepared for chilly nights at any time of the year in mountain and desert regions.
Where to Stay?
Morocco offers almost anything you can imagine in terms of accommodation, though not every city or town will have the same range of options – it may depend on size, local economy, and popularity as a tourist destination.
Think about what would make your stay most comfortable, fun, and relaxing. An all-inclusive resort? A tiny, upscale boutique hotel?
A cozy riad that offers homemade meals? A simple and inexpensive hostel? A luxury hotel with a spa? Something unique and rustic like a tent in the desert? Morocco offers options to fit any style and budget, and the overall quality of service is excellent.
Popular beach towns like Al-Hoceima and major tourist destinations like Marrakech have all-inclusive resorts, and there are many more dotted throughout the country in scenic locations.
All major destinations like Marrakech, Fez, and Tangier will also offer hostels, a range of hotels – including the popular luxury hotel/spa combination, and riads, so you can choose whatever you prefer when visiting those cities.
Most smaller towns will have a handful of independent guesthouses that can be a mix of simple to luxurious. Generally, the smaller or less touristy the town, the fewer and simpler the hotels.
Tour operators in some beach cities and Sahara towns organize trips and short stays in traditional tents. Check out our articles on specific destinations for accommodation suggestions.
Morocco Travel: Organized or on your own?
Another thing to consider as you plan your trip is if you’d prefer to join an organized tour or if you’d like to do all the planning and transit yourself.
The benefits of a group tour include ease of planning and transportation, comfortable private transportation to multiple locations, access to activities and small towns that are otherwise harder to get to or see, and traveling with a local who will ensure the trip goes smoothly.
While some luxury organized tours are quite pricey, many are very reasonable – even cheaper than booking things yourself.
Benefits of planning things yourself include greater flexibility, traveling without a group, and being able to do just the things you are most interested in. It also makes more sense if you plan to visit just one or two places.
Overall, Morocco is a relatively easy country to travel in, so an organized tour certainly isn’t essential. It is generally very safe, people are friendly and used to accommodating tourists, and there is a good transportation network connecting all major cities and many smaller ones.
Arabic is the major native language, but many people, especially in the hospitality industry, speak French, Spanish, and English, and hotel managers can offer lots of help and suggestions. If you speak French it will be very useful in larger cities, but is not as frequently spoken in small towns.
There are so many fun things to do in Morocco, so many excellent accommodation options, and so much delicious food that whatever you decide to do, you are sure to have a wonderful experience.
Use this article as a framework to start planning your trip, and check out the dozens of other articles on this site for information on specific cities, activities, hotels, and restaurants. Bon voyage!
Morocco is a melting pot of cultures and a joy to discover. Why not see for yourself and take a journey to a very special country.