Why Morocco, Why Now
Morocco gets under your skin fast. You land and within an hour you're lost in a medina that's been standing since the 12th century, someone's pressing mint tea into your hands, and the call to prayer is echoing off walls the colour of terracotta. It's sensory overload in the best possible way. Marrakech gets all the attention, and honestly, it earns it. But Fes is the one that stays with you. Chefchaouen looks like someone photoshopped an entire town blue. The Sahara will make you feel very, very small.
And then there's the food. Tagine, couscous, street-side msemen for about 30p. This guide covers how to plan the whole thing without overthinking it, from the ancient sites to the practical stuff like visas, budgets, and how to haggle without feeling like you're being taken for a ride.
Best Time To Visit
Morocco packs desert, mountains, and coast into one country, so the right season really depends on what you're chasing.
Spring (Mar to May)
Warm, blooming, idealWarm days and blooming landscapes make this the sweet spot for sightseeing and mountain treks. Wildflowers cover the Atlas foothills and cities stay comfortable rather than scorching.
Summer (Jun to Aug)
Hot and dry, 40C plusHot and dry, genuinely unpleasant in Marrakech where it regularly hits 45C. Better suited to the coast, Essaouira especially, or Sahara camping once the sun drops and the desert cools fast.
Autumn (Sep to Nov)
Cooler, quieter, idealCooler and quieter than spring, and just as good for medinas, souks and mountain hikes. Prices tend to ease off too as the summer crowds thin out.
Winter (Dec to Feb)
Mild cities, ski seasonSki season in the Atlas Mountains, believe it or not, alongside mild city weather. A genuinely good window for off-season travel with fewer crowds and softer prices.
Doing the desert and the mountains? Pack layers regardless of season. Marrakech can be warm at midday and properly cold in the Sahara or High Atlas after dark. For a full month-by-month breakdown, see our Best Time to Visit Morocco guide.
See Morocco in 60 Seconds
A minute of medina alleyways, blue-washed Chefchaouen and Sahara dunes at sunset. Then read on for the full story.
Morocco is a country where colourful medinas, dramatic mountains, golden deserts, and stunning coastlines come together to create one of North Africa’s most captivating destinations. In just 60 seconds, we’ll explore the bustling souks of Marrakech, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the towering dunes of the Sahara, the peaks of the Atlas Mountains, and the historic cities that have fascinated travellers for centuries. Whether you’re travelling for culture, adventure, incredible food, or unforgettable scenery, Morocco is a destination that awakens all the senses.
Book The Essentials
The exact booking sites we use ourselves. Nothing here we wouldn't personally recommend.
What To Expect
The practical stuff, minus the waffle.
Capital
Rabat is the political capital, calmer and more orderly than Casablanca or Marrakech. Most visitors skip it, which is exactly why it's worth a look if you've got the time.
Language
Morocco is a genuine melting pot. Arabic is most common, French is widely spoken (especially in business and cities), Spanish shows up in the north, Berber among indigenous populations, and English is increasingly common in tourist areas.
Currency
The Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Rough guide: £1 is about 12.5 MAD, €1 is about 10.75 MAD, and $1 is about 9.3 MAD. Rates shift, so check XE close to your trip.
Cards & ATMs
Many retailers and restaurants accept credit cards, but you'll need cash for souk vendors and small shops. ATMs are common in major cities, and plenty of places now take contactless via Apple Pay or Google Pay too.
Plugs
Most sockets in Morocco are types C and E, running at 220V and 50Hz. Grab a universal adapter before you go if your plugs don't match.
Safety
Morocco is a safe country to visit as long as you understand its laws and cultural customs and stick to the status quo. Crime rates are relatively low, but watch for scam artists and pickpockets, which do turn up in the busier medinas.
Random Useful Tip
Never accept the first price in a souk. Start at around a third of the asking price and negotiate up from there. It's expected, it's part of the culture, and vendors respect it far more than paying the sticker price without a word.
Never Ever
Never follow a stranger who insists a street, souk or attraction is "closed" and offers to guide you somewhere else instead. It's one of the most common Marrakech scams. Politely decline and keep walking toward where you were originally headed.
Live Weather in Marrakesh
Straight from the source, updated as you read this.
34°C
- Temperature
Morocco Travel Guides
From Marrakech's medinas to the High Atlas kasbahs. The essential six to start with.
5 Days in Marrakesh: Markets & Medinas
The full itinerary for the medina, the souks, and everything in between. Enough time to actually settle in.
Read the guideFes or Marrakech: Which Moroccan City is Best for You?
Same country, very different energy. Here's how to pick, or how to justify doing both properly.
Compare the citiesHigh Atlas Road Trip + Map: Crossing Morocco's Kasbahs
Mountain passes, ancient kasbahs, and some of the best driving scenery in North Africa. Map included.
Get the map13 Must-Visit Attractions in Marrakech, Morocco
Jemaa el-Fnaa, the Bahia Palace, the Majorelle Garden and more. The essential list for a first visit.
See the list12 Essential Morocco Travel Tips
Don't learn these the hard way. Everything we wish we'd known before our first trip.
Get the tipsIs Morocco Safe to Visit? A Guide for Travellers
The honest picture on scams, solo travel and the areas worth extra caution, without the scaremongering.
Read the guideLatest Morocco Articles
Every Morocco guide we publish lands here automatically.
City Guides
Itineraries + Maps
Best Places to Visit & Things to Do
Best Time to Visit
Travel Tips
Everything Else
How Much Does Morocco Cost?
One of the most affordable countries you'll visit. Here's exactly what to expect, in pounds with dollars, euros and dirhams alongside.
Backpacker
- Hostel dorms from £6 a night
- Street food stalls and local restaurants
- Shared taxis and public buses
- Free medina walks, souks, and hiking
Mid-Range
- Private riad room or boutique hotel
- Sit-down restaurants and rooftop cafes
- Mix of trains and petit taxis
- Guided tours, hammam experiences, day trips
Upscale
- Luxury riads and 5-star resorts
- Fine dining and private chef experiences
- Private desert camps and helicopter transfers
- Exclusive guided tours and spa retreats
Detailed Cost Breakdown
Real prices in pounds, with dollars, euros and dirhams alongside. Pick a category.
Budget
Mid to Luxury
City Travel
Long Distance
Eat Cheap
Eating Out
Budget Fun
Big Experiences
10 Ways to Save Money in Morocco
Morocco is already cheap by European standards. These tips squeeze even more out of the budget.
Tap water isn't safe everywhere here, and buying plastic bottles the whole trip adds up fast.
They're compact, and you'll find more by getting lost on foot than you ever will from a taxi window.
A proper tagine from a stall runs £2-2.50. Tourist restaurants charge five times that for the same dish.
Hostel dorms start around £6 a night. Budget riads give you the proper Moroccan experience for less than a hotel.
Same route as a private taxi for a fraction of the price. Ask locally which stand to use.
It's expected. Start at around a third of the asking price and work up from there, never accept the first number.
Cheap, reliable, air-conditioned, and honestly better than most people expect between cities.
March to May or September to November. Cheaper hotels, fewer tourists, weather that's still genuinely great.
Most medinas are free to walk. You don't need a paid guide just to see Chefchaouen.
Mint tea is basically the national drink and costs almost nothing. Coffee is a European import priced accordingly.
Getting Around Morocco
Morocco is smaller than you think, but the roads are slower than you'd hope. Here's how to move between places without losing your mind.
Domestic Flights
Best for Marrakech to Tangier or Fes to Agadir. Saves hours of bus time on the longer cross-country routes.
- Quick, especially north to south
- Royal Air Maroc from about £32 / $40 / €37
- Not many budget airline options to choose from
Car & Campervan
Best for the Atlas Mountains, desert routes, and coastal drives where public transport thins out fast.
- Total freedom for proper road trips
- From about £24 / $30 / €28 per day
- Driving inside medinas is impossible, don't even try
Petit Taxis
Best for getting around within cities. Petit taxis are metered in theory, and cheap for short hops around town.
- Starting fare from about £0.60 / $0.70 / €0.65
- Bolt and InDriver both work in Casablanca and Marrakech
- Always insist on the meter. Always
Trains (ONCF)
Best for the Casablanca to Rabat to Fes to Marrakech corridor. The Al Boraq high-speed train to Tangier is genuinely impressive.
- Comfortable, reliable, and cheap
- Al Boraq covers Casablanca to Tangier in 2hrs 10min
- Network doesn't reach the south or the desert
CTM & Supratours Buses
Best for budget travel between any two cities. CTM and Supratours run air-conditioned coaches on most routes.
- The cheapest intercity option by far
- Covers routes trains don't, Chefchaouen, Merzouga, Essaouira
- Marrakech to Merzouga is 12 hours, pack snacks
Walking
Best for medinas and old towns. Marrakech, Fes and Chefchaouen are all designed for walking. That's literally how they work.
- Free, and the only real option inside the medinas
- You'll spot things you'd never catch from a taxi
- Watch for motorbikes, they don't stop for you
Which Is Right For You?
Walk plus petit taxis.
Train for the main corridor, bus for everywhere else.
Rent a car.
CTM bus and shared grand taxis.
Quick Tips
Al Boraq tickets sell out, especially on Fridays. Book online at oncf.ma a few days ahead.
If the meter isn't working, agree a price before getting in. Or just get out and find another one.
Casablanca airport has a direct train to the city for about £3.30 / $4 / €3.70. Taxis charge six times that.
Overnight buses save a night's accommodation. Marrakech to Merzouga is a good candidate for this.
Related Resources
Because good trips still hit bumps. Here's the backup plan.
Travel Problems
Missed flights, lost luggage, dodgy hotels. It happens. Here's how to handle all of it without losing your mind.
Read the GuidesTheft & Scams
Fake guides, closed shop tricks, and cons you won't see coming. We break down the most common ones and how to dodge them.
Protect YourselfTravel Insurance
Don't skip this one, especially travelling solo. We compare policies and explain exactly what you actually need.
Find the Right PolicyMorocco Travel FAQs
The questions we get asked most, answered honestly.
Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
How many days do I need in Morocco?
What's the best time to visit Morocco?
Is Morocco expensive?
Do I need travel insurance for Morocco?
Can I drink the tap water in Morocco?
What should I wear in Morocco?
How do I avoid getting scammed in Morocco?
What's the best way to get around Morocco?
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