The Complete Travel Guide to Morocco

Morocco, found in the Maghreb region of northwest Africa, is one of the most unique African countries. Geographically part of Africa, but culturally part of the Arab world, Morocco is a perfect melting pot of these cultures, as well as those from previous French and Spanish colonisation efforts. Known for its rich history, beautiful architecture and year-round warm weather, Morocco is the perfect place for your next trip abroad. Here is the ultimate travel guide to Morocco.

Everything You Need to Know Before Visiting

When’s the Best Time to Visit Morocco?

There are three primary seasons for visiting Morocco: peak season, shoulder season, and off-season.

Peak Season: June to August. This coincides with summer breaks in the Northern Hemisphere, and as such, it is the most popular time to visit Morocco, with guaranteed warm, dry weather.

Shoulder Season: March to May and September to October. Spring and autumn are the shoulder seasons in Morocco, and the weather is much milder, as well as the added bonus of fewer crowds.

Off-Season: November to February. While some people flock to Morocco for winter sun, it is much cooler in the winter months, which also makes it much quieter. This is a great time to visit if you’re travelling on a budget, too.

Language Guide: What You Need to Know

Arabic is the most widely spoken language in Morocco. There are also several local dialects, such as Berber Arabic, which are spoken, but standard Arabic is the primary language of the country.

Some people also speak French and Spanish, and many locals also speak English. However, it is important to learn some Arabic phrases which may help you out on your visit to Morocco.

Hello: Mrhban

Peace be upon you (a popular Arabic/Islamic greeting): Asssalamu alaykum

Goodbye: Mae alsalama

Please: Law samaht

Thank you (very much): Shkran lak (shkraan jzylaan)

Yes: Naeam

No: La

Do you speak English? Hal tatakalam bial’iinjiliziati?

I don’t speak Arabic: Ana la aitakalam alearabia

How are you? Kayf halika?

Staying Safe While Travelling in Morocco

Morocco has its safe and dangerous areas, like many countries, so it’s imperative to stay safe while travelling throughout the country.

As with many developing countries, Morocco’s economy is still very much cash-based, although card and contactless payments are accepted in most chains in large cities. However, as you will most likely need cash on your visit, it is important not to carry too much around with you, as pickpocketing is rife, particularly in busy markets and cities.

You should also never leave your bags unattended anywhere in Morocco, and when using public transport, make sure that you are always fully aware of your surroundings. Never use an unlicensed taxi.

LGBT+ travellers should be extra careful when visiting Morocco. Homosexuality is technically illegal in Morocco, although while tourists are rarely prosecuted, public displays of affection should be avoided in order to avoid harassment or even physical violence in extreme cases.

While most of the country is safe to visit, there are some areas which should be avoided altogether. The Rif Mountains, towns and cities along the Algerian border, and the border with the disputed Western Sahara Region should all be avoided due to potential terrorism threats.

How Much Does a Trip Cost? (Average Daily Budget)

Depending on how you want to experience Morocco, your budget will vary.

Budget: Expect to spend anywhere between €30 to €60 will be sufficient for a budget trip to Morocco. This will involve visiting markets, staying in local areas and using public transport as a primary method of travelling further afield.

Mid-Range: Anywhere from around €80 to just over €100 per day will ensure that you can enjoy a mid-range stay in Morocco. This could involve eating out more regularly, a couple of excursions, and travelling around in taxis.

Luxury: Luxury stays in Morocco are the most expensive, and as such, you can easily expect to spend over €200 per day, or more, depending on what you wish to experience. This includes high-end hotels, several excursions, and VIP travel.

Best Cities to Visit in Morocco

While there are many beautiful and charming cities in Morocco, these are four of the best.

City 1: Marrakech

What to Do: Explore historic palaces, visit souks, day trips to the Atlas Mountains.

Where to Stay: The Medina (the Old City) is ideal for a cultural visit to Marrakech, while places outside of the Medina, such as Hivernage or Gueliz, offer more modern, spacious stays.

Average Cost: Around €40 will ensure that you have a fun and enjoyable stay in Marrakech.

City 2: Fez

What to Do: Fez el Bali, Bab Bou Jeloud, visit traditional Islamic schools.

Where to Stay: Riads in the ancient Medina offer the best chance of a cultural stay in Fez, while the Ville Nouvelle (New Town) offers more modern accommodations such as high-end hotels.

Average Cost: Anywhere from €40 to €60 per day is more than enough to enjoy the sights, sounds and smells of Fez.

City 3: Casablanca

What to Do: Explore the Habous Quarter, the Old Medina, waterfront promenade stroll.

Where to Stay: Centre Ville is the central part of Casablanca, and is ideal for good transport links and easy access to the city’s major sites. La Corniche is a great area to stay if you want to be near the ocean.

Average Cost: €35 to €65 per day is perfect for a visit to Casablanca.

City 4: Agadir

What to Do: Surfing and swimming at the beach, hiking in Paradise Valley, and shopping at Souk El Had market.

Where to Stay: Secteur Touristique is perfect for first-time visitors, offering easy beach access. Taghazout is a more bohemian-style surf town, perfect for a quieter visit or for those who want to be away from the more tourism-focused areas.

Average Cost: Around €45 to €55 per day is more than enough to enjoy a fun stay in Agadir.

The Big Experiences You Don’t Want To Miss

Because approximately 78% of Morocco is covered by the Sahara Desert, visiting the world’s largest hot desert is a must. Whether you want to hire a desert buggy with a specialist tour group, or head out on a camel trekking desert adventure from places such as Erg Chebbi, and spend a night stargazing with next to no light pollution, the choice is yours.

Morocco is full of incredible history, and visiting some of the country’s most important historic sites is also unmissable when you’re in the country. Some of these include the Hassan II Mosque (the second-largest mosque in Africa) in Casablanca, Aït Banhaddou, an ancient fortified village and UNESCO World Heritage Site between the Sahara Desert and Marrakech, and the Majorelle Garden in Marrakech.

The Atlas Mountains are a fantastic place to visit for outdoor enthusiasts who may not be keen on exploring the desert. You can opt to trek through the winding valleys, visit traditional and ancient Berber mountain villages and see the iconic Ouzoud Waterfalls.

Hidden Corners of Morocco

Morocco welcomed a record 17.4 million tourists and overtook Egypt as the most-visited African country in 2024. Despite record numbers of international visitors, there are still lots of hidden gems in Morocco away from the busy tourist crowds.

Legzira Beach is one such place, with its dramatic cliffs and scenery which looks like it's been taken right out of a painting. This beautiful beach, around 160km south of Agadir, is one of the quietest yet most beautiful beaches in the country.

Deserts are known for their elusive and beautiful oases, and the Fint Oasis, not far from Ouarzazate, is known for its lush greenery and palm groves, as well as being unknown to most international visitors.

Jebel Sirwa is a perfect place to visit for keen hikers. A much less travelled path than the High Atlas Mountains route, the unique landscapes and beautiful scenery are absolutely worth a visit – although the routes can be tricky, so being an experienced hiker is recommended.

How To Avoid Tourist Scams and Traps in Morocco

Make sure that you keep your belongings close by at all times. Bartering is a key feature of Moroccan market stalls and bazaars, and this often extends into other aspects of life, such as taxi prices. You should never feel pressured by salespeople to buy from them, no matter how much they might harass you. A firm ‘no’ and walking away usually does the trick.

Handy Tips and How to Plan Your Trip

While we tend to greet people with ‘hello’ or some variant of it in the Western world, greeting people with ‘Asssalamu alaykum’ is much more common, and also very respectful, in Morocco and much of the Arab world. This means ‘peace be upon you’.

Tipping is customary in Morocco, and usually 10-15% of the bill is sufficient. However, you may tip more if you feel like you had exceptional service. In major cities, service charges are often automatically added to bills, so be aware of this if you do not wish to tip any extra.

While there is no set dress code in Morocco, visitors should remember that it is predominantly an Islamic country, and the religion and culture should be respected. The general rule is that your shoulders and knees should be covered when you are out in public, unless you are on the beach. This applies to both men and women.

Depending on what you want of your visit to Morocco depends ultimately on how long you stay there. Some people, especially those travelling from Europe, find that a long weekend somewhere, such as Marrakech, is more than enough time to explore the city and its major sites. However, you may wish to stay for longer if you are planning a beach holiday somewhere like Agadir, or wish to spend a night or two in the desert on a guided tour.