Morocco
A short flight from the UK, Morocco offers astonishing variety: the labyrinthine medinas of Marrakech and Fez, the blue lanes of Chefchaouen, High Atlas trekking and a night among the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga. Bargaining in the souks is part of the ritual, and mint tea seals almost every deal.
Overview
Morocco squeezes Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, the snow-capped Atlas and the edge of the Sahara into a country smaller than France. A classic first loop starts in Marrakech, crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the ksar of Aït Benhaddou, continues through the Dadès and Todra gorges to the dunes at Merzouga, then heads north to Fez's medieval medina. Trains link Fez with Rabat, Casablanca and Tangier, and Chefchaouen sits in the Rif mountains between Fez and Tangier. Essaouira's breezy ramparts make an easy coastal finish.
Morocco works for almost any budget: riad guesthouses in old courtyard houses range from simple to lavish, street food is cheap, and trains and buses are inexpensive. The medinas can be intense — persistent touts, faux guides and wrong turns are part of the deal — but the hospitality behind closed doors is genuine. First-timers are often surprised by how cold desert and mountain nights get in winter, and how green the north is in spring. It suits culture-lovers, walkers, food fans and families; Ramadan changes the rhythm of daily life, so check its dates.
Map of Morocco
Top 5 highlights
- 1City
Marrakech medina and Jemaa el-Fnaa
The red-walled medina's souks, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Bahia Palace fill the day; at dusk, Jemaa el-Fnaa square comes alive with food stalls, storytellers, musicians and snake charmers.
- 2History
Fez el-Bali
Often called the world's largest car-free urban area: a maze of medieval lanes around the Al-Qarawiyyin mosque-university, the Bou Inania Madrasa and the Chouara tannery's dye pits. A local guide helps on day one.
- 3Nature
Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga
Apricot-coloured dunes rising up to 150 metres on the edge of the Sahara. Ride a camel out at sunset to a desert camp, sleep under the stars and climb a dune for sunrise.
- 4Culture
Chefchaouen
A Rif mountain town whose medina is washed in shades of blue, with a kasbah, a lively main square and hikes to the Spanish Mosque viewpoint and, further out, Akchour's waterfalls.
- 5Architecture
Aït Benhaddou
A UNESCO-listed fortified village of earthen kasbahs climbing a hillside above the Ounila river, seen in Gladiator and Game of Thrones. Visit early or late, when the mud walls glow.
Biggest cities
Casablanca
Morocco's commercial capital is modern rather than medieval, but the ocean-front Hassan II Mosque — one of few open to non-Muslims — and the Art Deco downtown justify a day.
Rabat
The calm, green capital has the Kasbah of the Udayas above the river mouth, the unfinished Hassan Tower and Mohammed V's mausoleum; Salé's old medina lies across the Bou Regreg.
Tangier
Gateway to Europe across the Strait of Gibraltar, with a hilltop kasbah, literary cafés once frequented by Burroughs and Bowles, and a bullet train to Casablanca in just over two hours.
Ranked by urban area: Rabat's figure covers the continuous Rabat–Salé–Témara conurbation. Counted as single municipalities, Tangier and Fez rank second and third after Casablanca.
When to go to Morocco
Best time: Mar–May, Oct–Nov.
Average climate in Marrakech
Festivals & events
- May–JunFes Festival of World Sacred Music
A week of Sufi chanting, gospel, flamenco and devotional music from around the world, staged in Fez's palace gardens and at the Bab Al Makina.
- MayRose Festival, Kelaat M'Gouna
The Dadès Valley town celebrates the Damask rose harvest each May with parades, music, a Rose Queen and stalls selling rosewater and oils.
- JunGnaoua World Music Festival
Essaouira's festival brings Gnaoua trance musicians together with jazz, blues and world artists on beach and square stages, usually in June.
How much does Morocco cost?
Estimates per person per day, excluding flights. Prices vary by season and city.
Food to try
Tagine
Slow-cooked stew named after its conical clay pot: try chicken with preserved lemon and olives, or lamb with prunes and almonds.
Couscous
Steamed semolina piled with vegetables and meat in a rich broth, traditionally the Friday lunch eaten after midday prayers.
Pastilla
A Fez speciality of flaky warqa pastry filled with spiced pigeon or chicken, almonds and egg, dusted with cinnamon and icing sugar.
Getting around
ONCF trains link Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech, including the Al Boraq high-speed line from Tangier to Casablanca. CTM and Supratours buses cover the south and the coast. Shared grands taxis run between towns, petits taxis work within cities — insist on the meter — and car hire suits the Atlas and desert loop. Organised tours handle Merzouga for many visitors.
Practical information
- Plugs & voltage
- CE220V — bring a UK-to-C/E adapter
- Emergency numbers
Source: FCDO “Getting help”
- Dialling code
- +212
- Time zone
- UTC+1 (standard time)
- Tap water
- Varies — bottled or filtered is safer
- Driving
- On the right
- Tipping
- Around 10% in restaurants; keep small coins for car-park guardians, porters, hammam attendants and guides, who rely on tips.
- Etiquette
- Dress modestly, especially away from beaches; non-Muslims can't enter most mosques. Ask before photographing people, and during Ramadan avoid eating, drinking or smoking in public by day.
- Main airports
- Mohammed V International Airport (CMN), Casablanca; Marrakesh Menara Airport (RAK), Marrakech; Agadir–Al Massira Airport (AGA), Agadir
Visas & entry for Morocco
Shown for a British passport.
No visa needed
You can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism.
To stay longer than 90 days, you must request an extension at a Moroccan police station.
From the UK government's FCDO entry requirements for British passport holders — read the full page for passport validity, permits and exceptions.
Health & vaccinations
- Recommended for most travellers
- Hepatitis ATetanusTyphoid
- Sometimes advised — depends on your trip, activities and health
- Hepatitis BMeaslesRabiesTuberculosis
- Yellow fever certificate
- A yellow fever certificate is only required if you arrive from (or transit through) a country with yellow fever risk — not if you fly direct from the UK.
- Malaria
- No malaria risk
Source: TravelHealthPro (National Travel Health Network and Centre), checked 21 October 2026. This is a summary, not medical advice.
Public holidays in Morocco
The next 12 months. Banks, offices and some sights may close, and transport and hotels get busy around these dates.
| Sat 31 Oct 2026 | Unity Day |
| Fri 6 Nov 2026 | Green March |
| Wed 18 Nov 2026 | Independence Day |
| Fri 1 Jan 2027 | New Year's Day |
| Mon 11 Jan 2027 | Proclamation of Independence Day |
| Thu 14 Jan 2027 | Amazigh New Year |
| Tue 9 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Wed 10 Mar 2027 | Eid al-Fitr (date may shift) |
| Sat 1 May 2027 | Labour Day |
| Sun 16 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Mon 17 May 2027 | Eid al-Adha (date may shift) |
| Sun 6 Jun 2027 | Islamic New Year (date may shift) |
| Fri 30 Jul 2027 | Throne Day |
| Sat 14 Aug 2027 | Oued Ed-Dahab Day · Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Sun 15 Aug 2027 | Prophet's Birthday (date may shift) |
| Fri 20 Aug 2027 | Revolution Day |
| Sat 21 Aug 2027 | Youth Day |
National holidays only. Dates based on lunar calendars can move by a day or two depending on official announcements.
Useful phrases in Moroccan Arabic (Darija)
| English | Moroccan Arabic (Darija) | Say it |
|---|---|---|
| Hello | السلام عليكم | as-SA-lam a-LAY-kum |
| Thank you | شكرا | SHOK-ran |
| Please | عافاك | AH-fak |
| Excuse me | سمح ليا | SMEH-lee-ya |
| How much is this? | بشحال هادا؟ | besh-HAL HA-da |
Know before you go
- Morocco moves its clocks back an hour, from UTC+1 to UTC+0, during Ramadan; double-check train, bus and flight times if your trip overlaps.
- In the medinas, politely decline unofficial 'guides' who say a street is closed or lead you to a shop; download offline maps, or book a licensed guide through your riad.
- The dirham is a closed currency, so you'll get it in Morocco: airport ATMs work well. Keep exchange receipts if you want to change leftovers back before leaving.
Morocco travel FAQs
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
The best time to visit Morocco is generally Mar–May, Oct–Nov. Peak months are March, April, May, October and November. Average highs in Marrakech range from 19°C to 37°C across the year.
How much does a trip to Morocco cost per day?
Roughly £35 a day on a tight budget, £80 mid-range and £190+ for comfortable travel, per person including accommodation, food and local transport. Flights are extra.
What currency is used in Morocco?
Moroccan dirham (MAD).
What plug type does Morocco use?
Type C and E sockets at 220V. UK visitors need a travel adapter — UK Type G plugs will not fit.
Which side of the road do they drive on in Morocco?
Traffic drives on the right in Morocco, unlike the UK.
Is tap water safe to drink in Morocco?
Varies — bottled or filtered is safer.
Do I need a visa for Morocco?
For British passport holders, the FCDO says: You can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism. Entry rules change, so check the official FCDO entry requirements for Morocco before you travel: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements
What vaccinations do I need for Morocco?
TravelHealthPro recommends Hepatitis A, Tetanus and Typhoid for most travellers, with Hepatitis B, Measles, Rabies and Tuberculosis sometimes advised depending on your trip. Make sure routine UK vaccinations are up to date and see a travel health professional 6–8 weeks before you go.
