05 October 2015

Morocco trip planner: 4 great itineraries for independent travellers.

From Saharan dunes and high peaks to manic medinas and spice souks, Paul Clammer reveals how to get the most out of marvellous Morocco

Movies, medinas and mayhem

Marrakesh and the snow capped Atlas mountains (Shutterstock)

Artists, libertines, surfers & slurpers

Red arches on Atlantic Ocean coast (Shutterstock)

Saharan sands – two ways

Erg Chebbi, Morocco (Shutterstock)

Popular peak-bagging to offbeat Rif

High Atlas Mountains (Shutterstock)

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Morocco Awaits

Morocco private tours fully planned for you with private transport.

We create Morocco tour packages specifically for you. We are an independent Morocco travel agency offering the best Morocco private tours with a wealth of experience in creating Morocco desert tours and providing personal, attentive service from start to finish.

We only work with well-reviewed hotels and restaurants that have a proven service and safety record. As much as possible we work with local owners and staff to ensure that your tourism dollars go directly to hard-working Moroccans.

We pride ourselves on being easy to work with. Planning an overseas vacation should be fun! We offer flexible payment options, reasonable cancellation terms, and personal planning. We take care to ensure you are safe and cared for from beginning to end.

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Why Book With Us

Trusted by many travellers as one of the best Morocco tour companies on TripAdvisor. Over the years, Roaming Camels has been dedicated to providing a high quality of service within your budget and in an authentic and meaningful way. For the best Morocco tours, you have come to the right place.

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TripAdvisor Multiple Award Winning Company

We’ve received a Travellers Choice Award from TripAdvisor for every year we have been in operation.

100% Customizable

Tell us about your trip requirement and what are your must-have experiences. We’ll work together to customize your trip to meet your exact needs so that you have a memorable trip.

Local Experts, Great Pricing

We’re a local Morocco tour operator. When you book with us, you are working directly with us. We do our best to keep our overhead low so that we can give you great prices.

Local Culture

All our top Moroccan tour guides and drivers are locally born and raised. We believe that in order to show you the real Moroccan culture, we must live it.

Ethical Tourism

We believe in using partners that are environmentally conscious and who treat their animals with respect and care. Especially the Moroccan camels!

No Hidden Charges

We don’t add surprise extras cost. We explain up front all that is included and all that is not. There are no surprises with hidden costs at the last minute.

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We really are the best tour company

We are a top-rated tour company for Morocco tours on TripAdvisor. One of the most recommended Morocco tour companies for top Morocco travel. Traveling Morocco with a licensed tour guide is a great way to ensure travel safety in Morocco.

Who better to introduce you to Morocco desert tours than an Amazigh native guide? We are committed to supporting our local communities and creating once-in-a-lifetime experiences for you.

Roaming Camels Morocco is owned and operated by a highly respected native Amazigh guide who has years of experience leading tours of all kinds. Our focus is on high-quality experience, personal service, and a chance to learn and understand the culture of Morocco. LGBTQ2s+ experienced allies. Everyone is Welcome.

Get in touch with us today to start working on your tailor-made plans.

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Don't just take our word for it

What the travelers say.

People love to spend their Morocco vacation with us. Why? Because we do great Morocco desert tours. It’s impossible to deny that seeing this magical land at the hands of people who are passionate about it – that makes a difference.

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From the Desert to the coast

Experience the diversity of morocco.

Morocco is an extremely diverse country where no two cities are alike and you can visit the desert, the sea coast, the mountains, or the metropolis.

Getting to know the cities in Morocco is a great way to help you understand where you want to spend your precious time. Learn about the capital of Rabat and the current home of the King. Discover the 5 Imperial cities. Learn the big differences between Fes and Marrakech.

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What is a Riad in Morocco? Unveiling Traditional Moroccan Hospitality

A riad in Morocco is a quintessential haven, a traditional house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard. Imagine yourself stepping through a modest doorway into an enchanting world where the hustle and bustle of the streets fade into tranquil sounds of trickling fountains and chirping birds.

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Choose the Best Morocco Private Tour

Morocco tours, our best selling tours, 3 day desert tour from marrakech to fes, 12 day tour from casablanca, custom luxury tours, morocco awaits, create your journey.

We create Morocco tour packages specifically for you. We are an independent Morocco travel agency offering the best Morocco private tours with a wealth of experience in creating Morocco desert tours and providing personal, attentive service from start to finish.

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We understand luxury travel..

With an extensive background in luxury planning and travel design, we have worked with many high end travellers.

Please fill out the form below and we’ll be in touch to help you plan a once-in-a-lifetime travel experience.

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Interested In Booking a Luxury Tour in Morocco? We Can Help!

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Morocco Customized Tour Packages

Let us take the stress out of trip planning with expertly designed tours.

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Grand Morocco

Enjoy this extensive tour of Morocco, from Imperial Cities, Sahara to Atlas Mountains

Best of Morocco

Best of Morocco

Extensive tour of the Morocco covering all sides of Moroccan culture and history, south, North, Sahara and Atlas Mountains

Amalfi Tours

Majestic Morocco

A glance of Moroccan life and culture at your pace

Kasbahs and Desert Tour

Kasbahs & Desert

Excellent choice for traveling Morocco at a glance.

Caravan of Morocco Tour

Caravan of Morocco

Experience Moroccan Culture at your pace.

Culinary Morocco Tour

Culinary Morocco

Travel with the chef to Morocco. Our itinerary brings together some of Morocco’s greatest travel highlights with the country’s most coveted culinary wonders. Having collected and mastered traditional recipes from around the country.

Do you want to visit only a selection of locations?

Consider it done!

All you have to do is contact us with your specific interests and we will design the program around your needs, including the locations and activities of your choice.

Embark on a captivating journey through the enchanting world of Moroccan design, where vibrant colors, mesmerizing textures, and graceful fluid lines converge. Immerse yourself in a tapestry of influences from North Africa, the Mediterranean, and Islamic heritage, resulting in an exquisite fusion that has captivated the hearts of artists and designers across the globe.

Step into a realm where every corner exudes an air of mystique and allure. Moroccan design beckons you with its unparalleled beauty and rich cultural heritage. Let the vibrant hues of azure blues, fiery reds, and golden yellows transport you to a realm of pure inspiration. From intricate geometric patterns to exquisite tile work, every detail embodies the harmony of diverse influences, intertwining history, and contemporary artistry.

Marvel at the breathtaking riads adorned with elegant archways and ornate carvings. Lose yourself in the winding streets of ancient medinas, where vibrant marketplaces offer a treasure trove of traditional crafts and exquisite textiles. Be spellbound by the delicate interplay of light and shadow, as sun-kissed courtyards bathe in a gentle glow, unveiling the essence of Moroccan design.

The allure of Moroccan aesthetics extends far beyond its borders, as its influence has transcended time and geography. From the grand palaces of Marrakech to the minimalist chic of modern interiors, Moroccan design has left an indelible mark on the creative landscape. Surrender to the irresistible allure that has ignited the imaginations of artists, architects, and designers worldwide, who have been seduced by its irresistible charm.

Unleash your inner artist as you delve into the secrets of Moroccan design aesthetics. Let its symphony of colors, textures, and fluid lines awaken your creative spirit. Embrace the allure of a culture that has inspired generations, beckoning you to indulge in a sensory feast for the eyes and soul.

Dare to venture into the world of Moroccan design, where imagination knows no bounds and beauty knows no limits. Let the thread of inspiration guide you through the labyrinthine wonders of this captivating art form. Prepare to be enchanted, for Moroccan design will leave an indelible imprint on your heart and forever change the way you perceive the world of aesthetics.

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Authentic Morocco - Private Tours of Morocco

  • About Morocco
  • Useful information and FAQ’s
  • How to plan your trip
  • Marrakech Day Trips
  • Other Activities
  • Testimonials

independent travel morocco

WELCOME TO AUTHENTIC MOROCCO

Authentic Morocco, an independent tour operator with over 30 years’ experience, offers customised private luxury tours of Morocco backed by exceptional customer service. We organise unforgettable tailor-made trips for singles, couples and small groups, matching the wonderful options we are blessed with in this fascinating country to your personal preferences.

If you are looking to immerse yourself in the historic imperial cities, visit some of the 9 Unesco heritage sites, the Sahara or a mixture of all, we will put together a special itinerary just for you.  Whether you are organising your perfect honeymoon or romantic break or if you have any special interests such as Jewish Heritage, trekking, cycling etc, we will plan the trip accordingly.  The fabulous and traditional accommodation we propose will showcase the very best of “authentic” Morocco.

We hope you enjoy our web-site which aims to give you a starting point from where we can begin planning your ideal trip.

Morocco is wonderfully diverse and refreshingly different. This is where east meets west in an eclectic mix of cultures and landscapes. It has a vibrancy that resonates with those who love life. Morocco has it all – from bustling ancient medinas, stunning wild coasts and spectacular mountain scenery to empty deserts with soaring dunes and lush oases. Quite simply it has something for everybody.

In a country of superlatives, its prize asset is the Moroccan people. They are delightful and ever willing to spend time to showcase their country and culture. Interaction and fun are an essential part of daily life. Nothing is ever too much trouble. Their warmth is genuine, their time for you is limitless. By the time you arrive home, you will be captivated by their genuine hospitality.

Authentic Morocco is a small, privately owned British limited company, operating in Morocco. Our ‘love affair’ with Morocco is now decades old, our first trip being in 1985 from London to Fez in an old VW Beetle.

Being one of the longest established travel companies in Morocco, we have forged endless trusting relationships and are a mine of information.

We also own two other businesses in Morocco – our luxury camp at Erg Chigaga ( www.desertcampmorocco.com ) and our golf business ( www.morethangolfmarrakech.co.uk ).

What do we offer?

We specialise in organising tailor-made luxury private tours. Whilst examples of the kind of tours we offer are shown in the ‘tour’ section, please note that each trip is adapted to your specific wishes. Our tours offer a blend of the popular tourist attractions and places that are off the beaten track.

We think the best way to describe our tours are as ‘affordable luxury’. Our preferred accommodation showcases the best of Authentic Morocco – small, private and elegant with great food and hospitality. We tend not to recommend places that are flashy, ostentatious or pretentious. But ultimately the choice is yours.

The tours are designed to allow time for some spontaneity.  Hence, whilst every tour has an overall structure, there is always time to do the unexpected. After all, each day is a new start and your energy, mood and interest can change from one day to the next. Your private driver and guides have the knowledge and expertise to adapt your day accordingly. All the drivers and guides are hand-picked by us – they are charismatic, knowledgeable and responsible.

Finally, we are flexible – so if you would like to make changes to your itinerary during your tour, we will try our upmost to amend the arrangements accordingly.

What does it cost?

Our philosophy is to cost each trip fairly.  We limit the mark-up on our trips enabling us to make a profit, our drivers and guides to be paid a fair price and our clients to have a truly memorable vacation at a sensible price.

Depending on the accommodation and the number of days you require a private driver, the approximate price is somewhere between US$ 180 and US$ 450 per person per day.

Please find below some of our more popular tours.

Imperial Morocco | 7-8 Nights

Imperial Tour

An 8 or 9 day tour taking in the 4 Moroccan Imperial cities of Fez, Meknes (incl. Volubilis), Rabat and Marrakech and all they have to offer.

UNESCO Tour | 10-12 Nights

UNESCO Tour

A 11-13 day tour featuring Morocco’s UNESCO main heritage sites and much more including Rabat, Volubilis, Meknes, Chefchaouen, Tetouan, Fez, Todra Gorge, Ait Ben Haddou, Marrakech and Essaouira.

Majestic Morocco | 11-14 Nights

Majestic Morocco

A 12-15 day tour showcasing the majesty of Morocco - Marrakech, Ait Ben-Haddou, Erg Chigaga, Fez, Chefchaouen, Rabat/Sale and Casablanca.

Bespoke Tours to Morocco

Bespoke Tours

Bespoke tours designed just for you.

Bespoke Tours to Morocco

Desert Tours

Desert Tours to Erg Chigaga and Erg Chebbi.

Taste of Morocco

Marrakech and the Coast

A 7 day/6 night tour of Marrakech and Essaouira.

Marrakech, Desert & Coast | 10 Nights

Marrakech, Desert & Coast

An 11 day/10 night tour of Marrakech, the desert at Erg Chigaga and Essaouira on the Atlantic coast.

Morocco Holiday Testimonials

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Authentic Morocco offers private tailor made tours of Morocco.

Here's wishing all our friends and partners well in Morocco as the borders remain closed until at least the end of January 2022.  Hopefully we will soon be back to sending you our clients.  Missing the Berber Pizzas!! #morroco  #morrocantourism #morroccanfood #AuthenticMorocco #moroccanholidays #moroccansunshine

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Explore Beyond Borders

Immersive journeys through the landscape & culture of Morocco

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The Alternative Morocco is an independent travel design company based in Marrakech, Morocco and London, UK.

We believe in authentic cross-cultural experiences.

Our mission is to create inspiring journeys that focus on the culture, heritage, and diverse landscape of Morocco. From the wild coastline and majestic mountains to lush oases and enchanting deserts, we take travellers to the essence of every charming corner in Morocco.

We design unique tours & activities to connect travellers with local communities and their rich cultures. We specialize in creating tailor-made itineraries, private and shared tours in a way that is sustainable, responsible, and supportive for the local communities.

We are committed to delivering authentic, memorable experiences that inspire you and stay with you for life, and we make sure these experiences contribute positively to the local people and environment of the places you visit in Morocco.

Top picks of the month

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Culture & Community

The ancient caravan routes ∴ 6-16/05/2024 ∴.

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Adventure & Wanderlust

5 elements yoga & ayurveda retreat morocco ∴ 9-16/06/2024 ∴.

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Nature & Connection

2 day atlas mountains hike in imlil from marrakech, explore more holidays according to your needs., our project.

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Our Cultural & Solidarity project focus on slow, conscious exploring where fair cultural exchange and mutual respect are in the centre. Our philosophy is to give back to local communities in places we visit to enrich lives and protect the environment.

Our project gives you a unique opportunity to settle into local communities way of life and fully contribute to the local economy. Through active participation, we create a different, alternative experience of tourism in Morocco, a journey of learning, discovery and mutual respect.

We aim to create a sustainable environment that develops enriching cultural exchanges, mindful interactions and a deep sense of connection between local inhabitants, travellers and nature.

Why book with us?

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Support Our Cause

We contribute 20% of our profit to local communities, provide them with educational supplies, daily necessities and support them in developing responsible, effective practises to protect the environment. From participating in ancient traditional cultural activities you will witness how well your travel improves the welfare of local people and makes a difference to the environment.

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Great Reviews

Our travellers are our best advocates. We take great pride in taking care of our guests and their travel plans in Morocco. We connect with travelling communities, mindful explorers and storytellers. Our guests become our friends, frequently returning to Morocco and recommend our specialist travel services to friends, colleagues and family when planning a trip to Morocco.

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50+ of Unique Experiences

We take special care in planning memorable journeys. Our adventures are inspired by Morocco's rich heritage, culture and communities. Our wide range of itineraries are designed around travellers interests and expectations. We design unique tours across diverse regions of Morocco and offer 24/7 support to assist you throughout your journey.

Latest News

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The new year 2021

The Great Sahara Desert As we’re watching the last sunsets of 2020 in the peaceful surroundings of the Great Sahara Desert, we look back and reflect on the extremely challenging and unusual year. Without a doubt, 2020 has been tough for all of us and changed our lives in ways we could never imagine. We…

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Infinite Morocco

Become inspired to travel to Morocco

Tailor-made Morocco vacations crafted by experts.

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Morocco Travel Agency – Tour Operator

To infinite morocco..

As a leading independent local Marrakech tour operator and dynamic travel company, we specialize in creating hand-curated experiences that showcase the beauty and diversity of Morocco. From imperial cities to the southern regions, we offer a range of tailor-made vacations that allow you to fully immerse yourself in the culture and history of this enchanting country.

As a full-service Morocco tour operator , we handle your trip’s details, including hotel bookings, vehicle rentals, sightseeing activities, luxury holidays, dining, multi-day excursions, and golf tours.

We are particularly renowned for our exceptional desert tours Morocco , which offer a truly unforgettable experience. Our deep love for Morocco drives us to provide only the best for our clients.

Visit morocco

What can we do for you? Morocco tours!

What to visit in marrakech and travel to morocco

Let us introduce you to the Kingdom’s true beauty and diversity through a wide range of Morocco custom tours .

We will take you to the must-see sites, stunning landscapes, beautiful beaches, and remote and hidden regions in the Atlas Mountains and deep Sahara. We aim to provide you with the most memorable, enjoyable, and inspiring travel experiences, introducing you to the local culture and its people along the way. The best time to visit Morocco , is when you are ready to go!

As a leading local Morocco tour operator , we offer a variety of quality trips, including luxury tours, family vacations, desert tours, photography expeditions, culinary tours, and honeymoon breaks.

All of our tours are tailored to your specific objectives. They are suitable for families, small groups, and independent travelers seeking luxury vacations planned by local experts, travel advisors, and qualified guides.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco right now ? Absolutely! Morocco has taken steps to ensure the safety of travelers during the pandemic. For more information on how we address this issue in our travel plans, please visit our COVID-19 Morocco Travel Updates page.

Infinite Morocco is a fully licensed and registered travel company with a state-authorized financial institution providing full protection for everything you book with us. Our company registration number is 6993467 and our VAT number is 47129625. We are also members of ARAVDT (The Regional Association of Travel Agencies of Draa-Tafilalet) and JATA (The Japanese Association of Travel Agencies). In addition, we hold an official license from the Ministry of Tourism of Morocco in Rabat (license number 44D/15). ARAVDT is an active association of small travel companies dedicated to providing quality tours and services at great prices. We are committed to offering the same level of excellence to our clients.

Welcome to Morocco ! Let us help you plan a lifetime vacation in this beautiful country. Our tour company is based in Ouarzazate and Marrakech, and we specialize in multi-day Morocco package tours that showcase the best of the country.

If you’re ready to start planning your trip, present your request, and we’ll send you more details. And if you have any questions, such as “ Can I travel to Morocco from the USA now ?” don’t hesitate to contact us. We’d be happy to talk with you over the phone and help you plan the trip of a lifetime.

Our tours take you from Marrakech to the Sahara Desert , through the breathtaking Atlas Mountains, and to charming valleys like Ounila, Dades, Draa, and Todra. You’ll also have the opportunity to explore the city of Fes and other imperial cities.

Whether you want a 3-day/2-night tour, a 4-day/3-night tour, or even a 7-day/6-night tour, we can design a custom Morocco itinerary that meets your travel needs and preferences.

  • Read everything about our Morocco travel agency .

Why Book with Us and Travel to Morocco

At Infinite Morocco , we understand that your time is valuable. That’s why we prioritize organizing a high-quality, customized vacation for you in the best destinations in Morocco . Our local expertise allows us to create a one-of-a-kind itinerary that will be unforgettable from start to finish. So, please sit back, relax, and let us handle the planning while you enjoy all our Morocco tours .

Friendly team

Expert multi-lingual staff can understand and fulfill your expectations and requests before your trip to Morocco.

Licensed agency

Fully licensed and recognized by the Ministry of Tourism, our travel agency is authorized to provide exceptional services in Morocco.

Handpicked hotels

We offer a diverse selection of hand-picked hideaways where to stay in Morocco , including boutique hotels, luxury riads, traditional kasbahs, and Sahara desert camps.

Fleet of vehicles

We offer a fleet of luxury SUVs and minibusses (seating 7 to 17) through our subsidiary transportation company.

Experience Morocco

The moroccan history

The Moroccan culture

Morocco is known for its diverse and fascinating culture, which is quite different from that of Western countries. Its culture is shaped by elements such as history, faith, traditions, and customs. While Morocco has modernized in recent years, it is still a good idea to familiarize yourself with some of its customs and traditions before visiting.

The moroccan hospitality

The Moroccan hospitality

The Moroccan people are incredibly friendly, and hospitality is a matter of honor in this North African country. You may be invited to drink tea or have a meal at someone’s home just minutes after meeting them. Moroccans are also very curious and always open to small talk, so don’t be shy and interact with the locals.

The moroccan cuisine

The Moroccan cuisine

Herbs, spices, meat, and fish are all fundamental to Moroccan cuisine, with lamb and beef being particularly popular types of meat. While a wide range of Moroccan herbs and spices are used, dishes are generally not spicy. Couscous, originally a Berber dish, is now a popular and special part of Moroccan cuisine. You can also expect to taste a variety of tagine recipes cooked in clay pots while traveling in the country.

The moroccan culture

The Moroccan history

Morocco’s history is rich and fascinating, reflecting the fusion of many different peoples, dynasties, religions, and thousands of years in a beautiful country full of prime monuments and archeological wonders. From the ancient madrasas of Fes, Meknes, and Marrakech, to the ancient ruins of Volubilis, to the vast Sahara Desert heritage where fortified buildings called kasbahs stand the test of time with their magnificent architecture, there is much to discover in the history of Morocco.

Moroccan Travel Agency

Infinite Morocco is a trusted, Moroccan-owned travel agency and local tour operator company based in Ouarzazate, Morocco (also known as the African version of Hollywood). We are licensed and bonded by the Moroccan Ministry of Tourism.

Our private tour packages in Morocco include stays at unique boutique hotels, lodges, luxury desert camps, and authentic luxury riads. You will also have a private, insured vehicle and personal driver, as well as expert local guides for major medinas and historical sites. We offer mid-priced tours, customized trips, and affordable luxury Morocco tours to suit your needs and budget.

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Morocco Tailor-Made Tours

At Infinite Morocco, we specialize in creating tailor-made tours of Morocco to suit your individual needs and preferences.

Our Morocco tailor-made tours include luxurious accommodation options such as boutique hotels, lodges, luxury desert camps, and authentic riads. We provide Marrakech travel services and Casablanca travel services .

You’ll have a private, insured vehicle and personal driver to take you around, as well as expert local guides to show you the major medinas and historical sites.

Whether you’re looking for a mid-priced, customized, or affordable luxury tour, we have something to suit every budget. Let us help you plan the perfect Morocco vacation .

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  • A Solo Travelers Guide To...

A Solo Traveller’s Guide to Morocco

Soak up the serenity of the Sahara desert amongsmany other beautiful offerings in the Kingdom of Morocco

From couples and groups of friends to families, luxury seekers and budget visitors, Morocco has something for everyone. Here’s our handy guide to visiting this captivating North African country as a solo traveller.

Want to explore Morocco with like-minded travellers who are as passionate about travel as you are? Book your place now on Culture Trip’s 11-day Morocco adventure – taking you from ancient cities to the Sahara desert.

Traveller’s Guide to Morocco – Where to Visit?

Morocco is a large country, with towns and cities from north to south that are worth exploring. If you’re travelling solo, you may want to add some of these popular destinations in Morocco to your itinerary.

Explore the busy souks of Marrakech

From the frenetic narrow streets of the old medina and the eclectic evening activities at the Jemaa el-Fna to the bars and clubs in the colonial area of Gueliz, Marrakech offers a whirlwind of excitement. There are lush gardens where you can sit and gather your thoughts, and charming cafes where you can indulge in a cup of mint tea; or you might prefer to do some haggling at the souks. If you’re travelling solo, then a licensed local guide could prove invaluable to help you navigate the medina – in fact, you might want to join our six-day trip from Marrakech to the Atlas Mountains and Taghazout Bay , where you’ll have a Local Insider on hand to guide you.

Many of the main attractions in Essaouira , which sits on the Atlantic coast due west of Marrakech, are easy to reach on foot. Less chaotic than Marrakech and a favourite destination for independent travellers, the city comprises a laid-back medina, a wide sandy beach popular with wind- and kitesurfers, quirky cafes and art galleries – as well as a working harbour and old walls. Check out our pick of the best places to stay in Essaouira here .

Don’t miss the beach at sunset in Agadir

Solo sunseekers can spend their days blissfully relaxed on Agadir ’s sandy beaches, or surfing the Atlantic swells . Alternatively, you can visit Vallée des Oiseaux, admire the views from the ruined kasbah of Oufella, shop in the markets and unwind in one of the many relaxed beachside bars.

Tangier , in the far north of Morocco, offers a blend of beach life and culture. Uncover local legends at the Caves of Hercules, soak up the vistas from Cape Malabata, shop in the souks and visit local museums. Or do as the Moroccans do, and book yourself a hammam scrub at one of these top-rated hammam spas . Many solo travellers manage to discover the city’s gems without the need for a tour guide.

The tanneries of Fez are where leather skins are dyed before being made into shoes, clothing and furnishings

Teeming with life, all packed cheek by jowl into a tiny space of medieval buildings and alleyways, Fez – ancient capital of the kingdom of Morocco – is a veritable assault on the senses, and a guide is essential to help you work your way around the medina. Otherwise it’s easy to get disorientated in the narrow labyrinth-like alleys of this Unesco World Heritage siteWhile here, make time for a visit the tanneries . Other places of interest include the University of Al Quaraouiyine (founded in the ninth century and thought to be the longest functioning teaching institution in the world), Al-Attarine Madrasa, the Merenid tombs and the historic Jewish Quarter.

Chefchaouen

One of the most beguiling cities in Morocco, Chefchaouen, known as the Blue City after the painted walls in the medina, is a terrific place for solo adventurers, which is why it features on our epic 13-day Morocco itinerary . The friendly locals, compact medina and charming atmosphere add to Chefchaouen’s appeal . Other activities include visiting the small but interesting kasbah, seeing the Grand Mosque and watching locals wash their rugs at Ras el-Ma.

Where to Sleep, Eat and Drink in Morocco

There are numerous accommodation options across Morocco ’s major towns and cities, catering to all tastes and budgets. Solo travellers would probably prefer to stay in a sociable backpacker hostel or hotel that attracts other lone travellers – all of which are bookable on Culture Trip.

Visitors will find an abundance of restaurants , cafés and bars around Morocco. Many riads and hotels have their own restaurants, which makes it ideal if you’re a solo traveller who prefers not to venture too far from your room for dinner.

What to Do in Morocco

Trek in the Mountains

Visit an ancient Berber village near Tahnaout, in the High Atlas mountains

Morocco’s mountain ranges offer excellent opportunities for trekking . Visit Berber villages, see native flora and fauna and admire splendid views. Guided treks are recommended for solo travellers; you can either join a group trip or engage the services of a local licensed guide.

Shop in the Souks

The lively souks are ideal for browsing or picking up traditional goods and souvenirs, and they’re not just for tourists – you can get a flavour here of how the locals shop. Walking around the souks alone can make you more of a target for the relentless vendors – though generally harmless, they can be persistent.

Marvel at the Desert

A guided trip is the most common way of visiting the desert, whether you’re travelling in a group or alone. Numerous operators organise desert trips of varying lengths – Merzouga and Zagora are two of the most popular desert destinations.

Practical Tips for Travelling Alone in Morocco

Transportation

Smaller taxis charge according to the fare on the meter, but you will need to negotiate prices for a larger Grand taxi. While the small taxis generally only carry passengers to local destinations, the larger taxis can often be chartered for longer inter-city journeys.

An extensive system of buses operates between most of Morocco’s major towns and cities. Minivans may cost a bit more than a regular public bus; however, they do offer a much faster mode of travel.

Trains are a great way of getting between major cities; services are generally punctual and reliable and carriages are usually clean and tidy.

Communication

English is often spoken in major tourist areas. Knowing at least a few basic phrases in French or Spanish can help out, too. The farther away you venture from the tried-and-trodden track, the more difficult it can be to find people who speak European languages. Although most people in Morocco speak Arabic, Amazigh is the primary language spoken in predominantly Berber areas.

It’s also relatively easy to stay online and connected in Morocco , which is great for digital nomads.

Health and Safety

Tap water is safe to drink in most parts of the country. When buying a glass of juice from stalls, however, ensure that clean glasses are given to each customer.

As with almost anywhere in the world, pickpockets operate in many of the larger cities, so you should be especially cautious in busy souks and medinas. Opportunists on scooters may try and snatch your bag. If you’re riding a bicycle, don’t leave anything of value in the basket. In addition, do be sensible and avoid walking alone at night in dimly lit and quiet areas.

Solo Female Travel in Morocco

Chefchaouen is known as the Blue City

It is generally very safe for women to travel alone in Morocco, but do remember this is a patriarchal society, and you may find the lack of local women on the streets or in cafes a little offputting. You may also attract the unwanted attention of local men – though generally harmless, the stares, catcalls, questions and propositions can become tiresome.

Don’t forget, either, that this is an Islamic nation, so you should make an effort to dress modestly. While covering your head is not required, it can help to avoid attention in more remote destinations. As a general rule, make sure you cover your knees and elbows and avoid tight-fitting or see-through garments.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

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Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

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Traveling in Morocco: the good, the bad and the ugly

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We’ve always wanted to visit Morocco, and when we wound up in Europe with all of April free during our gap year we figured it was a great opportunity to visit. After all, flights to Morocco are very affordable (and we booked them for free using our Chase Ultimate Rewards points!) and there are lots of wonderful HomeExchange homes to choose from. April also offers ideal weather as you’ll see in many of our pictures below! But as with any country, there are highlights and disappointments (and downright aggravations) when it comes to visiting Morocco. So before you board the plane, make sure to read the good, the bad and the ugly of travel in Morocco.

Please don’t misinterpret that we disliked our time in Morocco. We had a lot of fun and interesting experiences, but we’re still processing our thoughts on the country overall as a tourist destination. Before visiting we had heard almost exclusively raves from bloggers, but since returning and talking to others we find that many people share our mixed sentiments. Because our whole purpose in writing this blog is to share genuine on-the-ground experiences, it’s only fair to be candid about what we (and apparently, many people) experienced as tourists in Morocco.

Some of the issues we encountered, like not being able to find good transportation to some places or dealing with irritating Airbnb hosts, are non-issues if you take a group tour like this one that my brother did. They’re more expensive than the DIY options we usually go for, but Morocco tours are surprisingly affordable and probably more pleasant than what we dealt with! If you’re considering that route, be sure to read up on Intrepid vs G Adventures .

Food in Morocco

Places to see in morocco, taxis in morocco, traveling by train and bus in morocco, places to stay in morocco, people in morocco, our recommendations for a first visit to morocco, plan your trip to morocco.

independent travel morocco

Use the interactive map to find vacation rentals and hotels in Morocco

We love Moroccan food! Tagine, sweet chicken and almond pastille, fluffy couscous with root vegetables, salty turkey shawarma, cheap and filling soups… we love them all. Even for families visiting Morocco with kids as picky as ours, there’s almost always something for everyone. Thanks to the heavy French influence, you can often find a plain omelette or even a flaky croissant. The oranges are the best we’ve ever had, and extremely cheap from local street vendors. We also found restaurateurs to be some of the nicest people we met (perhaps since they already know they’ve got your money – more on that later). Don’t miss Restaurant la Tolerance in Essaouira or Baarada in Fez. Baarada is an especially unique experience – your “menu” is a visit to the kitchen to sample the day’s options before deciding!

Want a really unique experience? Spend the day in a traditional Moroccan home preparing lunch and talking about your lives and your dreams! Read more about it here.

independent travel morocco

As in many developing countries, the tap water is not considered safe to drink for visitors (though many locals drink it without issue). We also found that restaurant meals were a little more expensive compared to other developing countries, though certainly less expensive than in the US or Australia for the same level of feasting.

In our experience the less-touristy areas of Essaouira and Fez don’t have many good restaurants to choose from, probably because Moroccans don’t seem to eat out for dinner as much as people who live in other major cities. Instead, especially in Fez, we mostly came across open-air cafés where men sit (perhaps while waiting for their wives to cook dinner and tend house, based on what we were told by some locals) and smoke, drink coffee and openly stare at passers by. It’s sort of like the Parisian tradition of people-watching at cafés, but much less inviting. If you’re doing solo female travel to Morocco, take note: sitting alone at one of these cafés may invite the wrong kind of attention, as only a “certain” kind of woman would do that.

I spent our first full day in Marrakech alternating between the bed and the bathroom while Ronnie and the kids enjoyed a wonderful guided tour through the medina. We still don’t know the culprit, as we all ate the same foods and I was the only one impacted.

I’ve heard from other visitors to Morocco that they experienced the same thing – though of course it definitely happens in other countries too, especially those where the local water isn’t potable. Unfortunately some of the hygiene is questionable in Morocco – we rarely encountered hot water in sinks, which makes me wonder how dishes (or hands!) can be adequately cleaned between uses.

Make sure you’re covered by a reputable travel insurance policy in case you’re seriously impacted and need medical attention – this policy is great all over the world. At a minimum, throw some Immodium in your backpack in case you get hit with a food-borne illness and aren’t able to get to a local pharmacy.

See how these issues in Morocco compare to safety in Egypt .

Morocco is a beautiful country, offering all types of tourism options! You can explore the rich history of the country going back thousands of years, appreciate the beautiful architectural details like carved wood and tile work, cool off in the beautiful snow-capped Atlas Mountains, get lost in a medina or (of course) ride a camel over seemingly-untouched dunes in the Sahara. The whole country is a feast for the eyes!

independent travel morocco

Getting to some of the coolest areas requires a bit of advance planning, as they’re not exactly next door – though their remoteness has surely kept them more amazing! It’s also helpful to have (paid) local contacts in many cases.

For instance, our day trip to the Atlas Mountains would have been doable but much harder without our driver/guide Sharif. He not only took us to Sitti Fatima, but made sure we ate at a reasonably priced restaurant with good hygiene standards, escorted us to a Berber family’s home for tea and bread (the highlight for the kids!) and connected us with an excellent hiking guide. While you theoretically could do those things on your own, it would be much harder.

One of the best things to do in Morocco is pay a visit to the well-preserved Roman ruins at Volubilis, but that involved taking a train from Fez to Meknes, then a shared ride van to Moulay Idriss and finally a taxi (or private car, in our case) to the ruins – or you can take a paid group tour or hire a guide for the day.

As with everything else in Morocco, there’s no free lunch (though some lunches are negotiable, it turns out!). We considered taking one of the popular multi-day excursions out to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara desert , complete with a camel ride and a night in a traditional tent (complete with traditional flush toilets, courtesy of power and water piped in from the nearby hotel) . Unfortunately those excursions are expensive. We were quoted $1400-1600 USD for four days/three nights for our family, and we were advised that anything shorter is just too fast-paced to do with young children.

Of course we are pretty sure that there are other costs to be added – meals not covered, tips for every person you meet along the way, and more. We opted to skip on the experience, though it would have been cool and we might do it if we ever return to Morocco; for now we felt that it just wasn’t something we wanted to do badly enough to justify the extremely high cost per day, especially since we got to ride camels across sand dunes in Essaouira (beware the wind!), visit a Berber family in the Atlas and take in views of the mountains in Morocco all on affordable daytrips.

Taxis are a staple of travel in Morocco – you will see them everywhere and surely take a few. If you can fit in a petite taxi (colors vary by city), prices are extremely cheap – often the equivalent of a dollar or two for short rides. Petite taxis technically accommodate three passengers, though we were sometimes able to get one even as a family of four since Shoshana is so young. Just make sure to tell the driver to turn on the meter – there’s NO NEED to agree to a fixed price for a petite taxi within the city.

The petite taxis nearly all have their seatbelts inaccessible. There’s no good reason for this, as they HAVE seatbelts but they have been deliberately covered up. It’s not as if driving in Morocco’s cities is safer than driving everywhere else! Likewise, there’s no good reason for the three person limits – it’s not like they’re worried about having too few seatbelts, and our family of four can fit in one car just fine. Grand taxis can fit more people, but with negotiated prices they’re generally much more expensive.

independent travel morocco

Just like SO MANY people we met in Morocco, taxi drivers are constantly looking for ways to take advantage of visitors. Lots of drivers insisted that they couldn’t take us since we were a party of four… unless we agreed to an inflated price. Then it was ok.

And like so many other vendors, they can be aggressive and relentless when pursuing passengers in the major tourist areas like medinas and gardens; we were once followed for a solid ten minutes even though we were walking with a local who was giving us a ride. For most rides you shouldn’t pay more than 20-30 dirham, so if a driver tries to demand more just say no. Allowing them to rip you off just empowers them to continue the ridiculously asymmetrical treatment of tourists.

There are some very convenient long-distance transportation options in Morocco and they’re generally affordable. We took the Supratours bus from Essaouira to Marrakech and it was certainly comfortable enough for the three hour ride.

Likewise, the train from Marrakech to Fez was extremely long at 8 hours, but the first class compartment had only six seats and was quite comfortable. On certain days of the week, that route is also covered by a short, cheap non-stop flight (unfortunately those dates didn’t work for us). Pro tip: Not sure what time you want to take the train? Book second class, which can be used at any time on the booked day.

While the transit itself is fine, do plan to bring your own food. Our bus from Essaouira to Fez stopped at a rest area/café/restaurant that has food and fresh juices available. We ordered what we thought would be our best choices, but the food was utterly inedible – including two orders of french fries with visible dirt all over them.

On the 8 hour train ride from Marrakech to Fez, there was no dining car as you’d find on long-distance trains in Europe or the US, but instead a small trolley selling a few junk food snacks and some questionable looking sandwiches. Let’s just say it was a hungry ride. Fortunately the train stations on either end have some ok options, namely McDonald’s and KFC in Marrakech and a really friendly and tasty Venezia Ice in Fez (not pricey either!).

Also note that there are no luggage racks at the ends of the cars, so all of your belongings need to come into your compartment. Better to avoid theft, but hopefully your cabin-mates don’t have big backpacks too! If you’re still backpack shopping, check out my hands-on reviews of women’s travel backpacks here .

Of course given the reasonable prices, if you’re already buying tickets for a family of four you could probably tell them you have two extra children to get a compartment all to yourself. Overall, traveling by train in Morocco is a decent way to get around if you’re prepared.

One of the best places to visit in Morocco is Chefchaouen, the famed “blue city” in the Rif Mountains. I was so excited to visit and see the city’s striking color and learn more about its long and fascinating history. We were warned to buy our bus tickets in advance, as we were visiting during Morocco’s school holidays in mid-April.

As a non-Moroccan, you can only buy bus tickets in person, while locals can buy them online in advance. On our first day in Fez, we dutifully headed over to the bus station to purchase our tickets for an overnight trip to Chefchaouen later in the week. We were crushed to find out that the next return bus with four seats wasn’t for another week! We could get to Chefchaouen any day, but wouldn’t have been able to return to Fez in time for our flight out of the country.

The only alternative would have been to hire a private driver to take us four hours each way, at more than five times the cost of the bus. It’s possible that we could have gone to the bus station in Marrakech or Essaouira and purchased our tickets, but there are a few different bus companies and some of them use different stations so the logistics can be complicated.

It would be nice if foreigners had access to online ticketing (as Moroccans do) or if the bus company could respond to additional seasonal demand with increased service. Judging by the number of private drivers hanging out at the station offering overpriced rides to Chefchaouen, we weren’t the only ones left out in the cold!

independent travel morocco

Morocco offers a wide range of places to stay suitable for any budget. You can spend several hundred per night for a room in a luxury riad, or you can find a decent room for $50 per night that will at least be clean and safe. Booking.com has a wide range of options – we’ve even got a few simple hacks to save you money on every reservation. We were lucky to score some great HomeExchange apartments to save money on our stays.

Even for special places to stay in Morocco, some elements may not be up to what you’d expect to find at European and American hotels. A traveling pair we met at a fancy riad complained that the traditional central courtyard layout made for very loud nights, with sound echoing off of the enormous tiled walls for hours on end. Most tourist accommodations are in or right near the medina, so they may be loud or challenging to find late at night (more an issue in a place like Fez than in sleepy Essaouira).

independent travel morocco

As with other aspects of travel in Morocco, stand up for your wallet so you aren’t taken advantage of. We heard from one mom that a hotel tried to force them into an upgraded room and charge an extra per-person rate for their three year old who would be sharing their bed anyway.

We also encountered someone trying to take advantage of us – he advertised his rental house as three rooms and accommodating six people; when we arrived, we found one bedroom and a living room and kitchen. Yep, he counted the kitchen as a “room”. That was all after we had paid for a car transfer out to his place and he was an hour and a half late. We ended up leaving and booking a last-minute Airbnb, which had its own issues. Of course there are always “bad eggs” but sadly we didn’t find the situation terribly surprising by that point in our trip.

We met some truly lovely people during our visit to Morocco. They were warm and honest. Some special folks we met were our Sidi Fatima hiking guide Mohammad, many awesome people in Essaouira (shout outs to my buddy Aziza at Gipsy Surfer Surf Shop and the staff at Restaurant la Tolerance) and Mr. Zayr whose farm we stayed at near Moulay Idriss.

independent travel morocco

Overall we did not find most people we met to be particularly warm. It’s possible that we bring a distinctly American brand of friendliness and overtness was with us, but we’re used to striking up conversations with locals nearly everywhere we go. People in Morocco just didn’t seem engaging in that way, whether we tried to converse in English or French.

We did get stared at a lot despite my being in modest dress at all times, and there were rarely smiles accompanying the looks. It may simply be a cultural difference, but it didn’t make us feel especially welcome as visitors to Morocco.

Visitors also frequently report being hassled (or even grabbed) to go into shops in the medinas and buy buy buy! but we were “lucky” not to experience that too much (except at places we were taken by our paid “guides”, which I absolutely resented).

Ugh. Every single day, we felt that people in Morocco looked at us as walking ATMs. People tried to take advantage of us every moment that we were outside of our apartment, whether in big ways or small ways. The accumulation of these experiences left a horrible taste in our mouths. Here are just a few things that pissed us off:

-On our first day, a kind older man who offered translation help between French and Arabic led us to the old synagogue since he said he was going that way. He left without asking for money and we thought “hey, people were wrong about Morocco!” Wishful thinking. The next evening he spotted us walking elsewhere in the medina and approached to ask for “a gift”.

-The taxi drivers try to get you to negotiate a price, with their starting offer at 60 dirhams – which we’d consider cheap coming from the US. The local metered price is more likely a third of that price, or less.

-On our visit to the tanneries in Fez, Ronnie admired a messenger bag. The nice man who had been showing us around the tannery told him that the regular price was 1500 dirham, but that he’d offer a special price of 1250. A steal for camel belly leather! We politely declined.

Our “guide” had conveniently left for a while, supposedly to go pray (but I wonder now if it was just to give his associates in the shop enough time to work on us – he basically left us in every workshop and restaurant to go pray). As we waited for the guide’s return, another man who was supposedly the shop owner approached Ronnie and asked what his price was, asking if the other man had offered him 1150. Ha! Ronnie offered 400 dirham. No, that’s not possible but 1000 would work. 400. You’re too good of a negotiator – 800? 400. Please, we have to earn something – how about 600? 400.

Eventually, Ronnie walked out with his bag for 430 dirham, about one third of the initial offer. We’d been told to start negotiations at 50% of the offering price, but I think 20-25% is probably more reasonable – and then don’t budge until you’re within spitting distance. If they’re willing to sell that supposedly artisanal, hand-crafted item for 430 dirham, they must still be making a decent profit on it or they would just say no and let customers leave.

independent travel morocco

-On our final night in Morocco, we headed to Riad Rcif for a fancy meal overlooking the medina – nothing bad to say about that experience! But on the way there we paused for a moment in front of an alley under construction to regain our bearings.

Naturally, a young resident – not impoverished, probably just looking for some pizza/candy/cigarette money – wanted to point us in the right direction. He led us for a few feet and we started to see signs for the riad, and said thank you and goodbye… but he insisted on continuing to walk with us even though we clearly expressed that it wasn’t necessary.

In totality, he walked with us for less than five minutes and then stuck out his hand. Ronnie gave him a 5 dirham coin and then this 10 year old kid complained that it was too little! We heard other tourists complain that young boys demanded “paper” – meaning bank notes, beginning at 20 dirham. For a sense of purchasing power, we ate at plenty of restaurant main courses that cost 40-50 dirham.

This is just a small sampling of our frustrating interactions during three weeks. While the absolute amounts are not huge to a tourist, it is grating to spend weeks being hustled constantly.

We absolutely believe in supporting local economies and during our weeks in Thailand I don’t think we negotiated for anything since an extra dollar means much more to the many kind people we met and the tourist pricing didn’t feel as downright nasty. But in Morocco, where the intent to fleece European and American tourists is just so blatant, ingrained and accepted, I wasn’t inspired to offer the same courtesy.

Our overall impression walking away from Morocco is that it’s a beautiful and fascinating country, but with some unique challenges for tourists. We’ve heard from a number of seasoned travelers that they’re glad they visited Morocco, and that they don’t feel the need to return particularly soon. We mostly share that sentiment. You may be able to avoid some of the issues we encountered on a group tour like this one .

We generally found the major cities of Fes and Marrakech to be more frustrating than calmer areas. For those planning a first visit to Morocco and wanting to travel independently, we strongly recommend starting your travels in lovely, laid-back Essaouira – you can get a fairly complete Morocco experience but you’ll be somewhat insulated from the pitfalls described above – check out all our Essaouira favorites . You can wander the small and friendly medina, stay at a quiet riad, enjoy delicious food and friendly people, explore the complex layered history of multiple civilizations and religions, stroll along the crashing waves of the Atlantic… and yes, you can even ride a camel over a sand dune.

independent travel morocco

Need to book your Morocco hotels and riads? Check out these  easy tips to save more on every booking .

We have plenty of resources here on The Family Voyage to help you start planning your trip to Morocco! Read these next:

– What to pack for Morocco

– Complete Essaouira travel guide

– Why you should visit Morocco in spring

– Morocco with kids bucket list

Need more help planning? Pick up one of these great guide books:

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Still planning your trip? Pin it for later!

Morocco is one of the most fascinating places we've visited, but also the most challenging. Don't get on the plane until you read this article on the real behind-the-scenes of traveling in Morocco... beyond the romance and Hollywood charm. Read it now or save it for later! #Morocco #Africa #Marrakesh #Marrakech #Fes #Fez #travel #familytravel #travelplanning

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24 thoughts on “traveling in morocco: the good, the bad and the ugly”.

Ha ha!! This sounds like 75% of our travels. It’s definitely exhausting and a downright pain in the ass sometimes, and can add a negative overtone to the trip. I can’t stand feeling like a walking ATM…for me, Bali was 100% worse than Morocco for that, and it seems like everyone’s afraid to talk about it! I love your honesty 🙂

What an honest an informative post! Morocco is still my dream destination but recently I’m read up a lot about it that’s helping me manage my expectations. Thanks so much for sharing your experience. Now I know what to look out for!

Love your honest thoughts on Morocco because it is a place I have wanted to visit for so long. I found the bakshesh culture in Egypt frustrating, so it sounds like it would be similar in Morocco. One day we will get there!

A great review and this mirrors my experiences of this beautiful country. I loved the architecture, the people and the colours but the hustle and etiquette had me wanting to hide a lot of the time. I will go back but with different expectations. I think this was the first country that I really didn’t ‘understand’ if that makes sense!

What a super, comprehensive, helpful post! It’s refreshing to read thoughtful, transparent opinions about destinations these days. Thank you!

Brilliant post – this is so helpful, especially if planning on travelling with young kids. Thanks for sharing.

What a helpful post! I’m still in two minds about visiting Morocco next year but your practical and honest advice is much appreciated! 🙂

Thank you so much for your honest opinion. I have also heard a ton of mixed things about Morocco. I hate when locals try and take advantage of tourists. But glad to read this because if I do visit, I want to know what to expect.

Thanks so much for your honest opinions here. We’ve got a 4-year-old and a 2-year-old and planning to visit Morocco next year. I’ve had MANY of the “ugly” type experiences you describe traveling solo (Egypt and India stand out the most), but it will be a whole different thing to deal with it with kids. But even then, I think that taking a light-hearted attitude and not getting too worked up about it is always the best (though not easiest) approach. Thanks for the tips!

Do you have an opinion on renting a car? We are a family of 7, traveling from the US to Casablanca. My husband speaks French and has driven in many countries with driving and steering wheels on either side.

We didn’t rent a car in Morocco, though plenty of people do. The country is fairly well-connected by trains, buses and even inexpensive flights. Obviously being a family of 7 complicated things, but I believe that 2nd class train compartments have 8 seats (you can buy out the last one for extra space).

Where do you plan on going?

Hi Melissa, can you please recommend, if you remember, the tour guide your family used for the Marrakech medina? Also, can you give me more info about the Siti Fatma day trip? Thanks

Hi Roxana, we’ll have to dig around a little to find the name of the company, but we coordinated our transfers, medina tour and day trip all through the same company and they were extremely reasonably priced. Our driver’s name was Sharif and he was a really wonderful person and a good driver. The van was nice and equipped with good seatbelts.

For the day trip, we stopped at a pottery workshop, an Argan oil coop, lunch in Siti Fatma and then a (slightly treacherous) waterfall hike. Be warned that the pottery workshop makes nice stuff but 1) most of ours broke in transit and 2) prices are CRAZY high. In retrospect, we shouldn’t have bought anything there.

Thank you Melissa, it would be awesome if you could find the name of the company.

Yes! I agree with all of the good and bad. I just went three months ago and it was my first ever international trip from the United States. The food was amazing (tagine is now my second favorite food ever), it’s a gorgeous place with hand made and placed tiles on most raids, we managed to see the “goat tree” where goats climb up to eat fruit, and the weather is amazing. However, I agree I felt stared at, hustled for money continuously as if I was an ATM, and didn’t dare go outside at night because of the vibes I got from the a majority of the population looking unwelcoming. I traveled with my friend who is also a woman (so two woman) and we did fine, but we did have a tour guide with us a lot of the time and all the places and restaurants we stayed at were for collaborations for our blogs so they were well vetted. Essouria is way more chill and relaxing. We did still have people come up to us for money randomly while we were at lunch eating. We also had someone follow us (he guessed we were going to a popular tourist restaurant) in Marrakech and expect money. We hadn’t talked to this man or even look at him (I had google maps out) and we stopped walking to try and lose him (which is hard in the alley ways) and when we arrived at the door, he expected payment which we didn’t have on us. I think we got very lucky in that instance nothing bad happened. I would definitely suggest Essouria and I’d love to try to go out into the Sahara if I heard many good reviews about a travel company out there (the price you listed for that trip sounds very expensive to me compared to what I’d expect). Thanks for your honest review!!

Thanks for your feedback! Almost everyone I know who’s gone to Morocco without a full-time guide has had those disheartening experiences. Glad you enjoyed Essaouira!

I’m sorry about your experience. I was in Morocco 5 weeks – beautiful country but the people honestly pissed me off. Your term “walking ATM” is spot on. After being nice the first 3 days I learned that the best thing was to ignore or wave people away when they approached for something. Sad, but the whole thing got old. Beautiful, exotic, and I might go back one day….but the people didn’t leave me with warm feelings.

I’m sorry you had that experience as well! It really puts a damper on the whole experience 🙁 I hope that you still enjoyed your visit overall!

This sounds so similar to my experience in India. I still can’t wait to visit Morocco but I am glad to go in with the right expectations.

Morocco is truly a fascinating place to visit, but it’s always good to go in with eyes wide open 🙂

I just had solo travel in Morocco. I shared the similar experience as the writer. Thanks for sharing your honest opinion. All the culture history and buildings are wonderful. And I guess most of people not in the tourism might be good people, but my experience even started with the hotel concierge telling me to pay 150 Euros for 4 hours guided tour, which ended up with most the tour was guided shopping, where the guide gets his kick backs. Every single day from 5 years kids to barber shop, taxi drivers cheating you constantly on price. It was exhausting. I would not recommend any of friends to visit this country unless going with a tour group. It was not about money spent, in fact is not much in US standards, but the feeling cheated constantly is bad experience for me.

Thank you for sharing your experience!

Safe travels,

Me and three friends of mine decided to visit Morocco in 2020 and booked a 12 Days Tour with Days Morocco Tours. Unfortunately the pandemic took place and we had to cancel our plans. Ali who organized the tour for us, was super helpful and postponed the trip. Two years later, when we contacted them again they immediately replied and adapted our plans for June 2023

The experience was amazing: I had already visited Marrakech once but was curious to spend a few days in the Desert and also go to Fes. I must say that staying at the Desert Camp that this company booked for us was crucial for our wonderful experience. The staff there served us a delicious dinner and after we all sat around a bonfire and listened (and some of us also sang!) to the berbere drums. We got to know a lot about the berber culture and made lifelong friends!

Our guide, Mohammed, who accompanied us throughout the trip, was the perfect fit for our group: cheerful, helpful and always looking out for us. During the whole time, he told us about the country’s history and took us to places we would never find on our own. We ate at very special places, where the locals eat and the food was always tasteful. Also, he was very flexible and adapted very well to our last minute change of plans!

Fes was one of my favorite places overall and our guide Adil was a delight! He showed us the different boroughs of Fes, the tanneries, the ceramic and iron workshops and talked about Al Quaraouiyine, the world’s oldest university, founded by a Tunisian woman. Other highlights were the Blue city of Chefchaouen, which is a small cozy village in the mountains and the magnificent and rich Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca.

The hotels that the tour company carefully picked for us were also an important factor to make this trip unforgettable, with beautiful Moroccan decoration, delicious breakfasts, welcoming staff and super well located.

I can speak for all four of us and say that the tour company is one of the best agencies I have traveled with and it is worth every penny

What was the name of the tour company?

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Morocco Uncovered (including Ighil Mgoun)

  • Desert Hikes
  • Fully Guided
  • Sightseeing

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Places You’ll See

Meknes

  • Introduction
  • Day 1 Casablanca
  • Day 2 Meknes
  • Day 3 Chefchaouen
  • Day 6 Midelt
  • Day 7 Sahara Camp
  • Day 8 M'Goun Valley
  • Day 9 M'Goun Valley
  • Day 10 Ait Benhaddou
  • Day 11 Marrakech
  • Day 12 Marrakech
  • Day 13 Marrakech

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What's Included

  • Accommodation
  • Additional Services

Where You'll Stay

Operated by intrepid travel.

Back in 1989, two guys from Melbourne, Australia by the names of Darrell and Manch set off on an adventure to the other side of the world. They travelled to Africa and without air conditioning on their modified truck, they filled it with supplies, some beer, a bunch of aviator sunglasses, and some friends. On that trip, they came up with the idea that perhaps others may be interested in this style of travel too. Just like that, Intrepid was born. Intrepid has come a long way since then, now giving over 100,000 travelers a year the opportunity to experience small group travel across all 7 continents. They use local transport, sleep in local accommodation from Cambodian stilt houses to Moroccan riads, and employ 100% local leaders. With three different travel styles including basix, original and comfort, themes ranging from cycling trips to family holidays, and itineraries crafted with the perfect balance of must-see sights and free time, Intrepid caters to every type of traveller no matter their age, budget or travel style. The company has grown but their mission remains the same: to change the way people see the world through sustainable, experience-rich travel

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Customer Reviews

  • Overall Rating Good 4.0
  • Itinerary Excellent 4.7
  • Guide Good 4.0
  • Transport Good 4.0
  • Accommodation Good 3.6
  • Food Good 3.4
  • Tour Operator Intrepid Travel 4.6
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Morocco Uncovered (including Ighil Mgoun) reviewer 1

  • T thomaszandlo · 11th October 2022 I traveled with Intrepid to Peru and to Morocco, good trips. Recently I booked trips (2) to Portugal, they were late bookings which requred waiting 2 to 4 business days for Intrepid to check for open space. Received an email saying space was not... Show more Trip date: October 2019

Morocco Uncovered (including Ighil Mgoun) reviewer 4

  • AM Anne · 25th September 2019 The itinerary was perfect. It enabled us to really get close to many regions and many aspects of Moroccan life. Youssef was very attentive to our needs. He had a lovely unassuming manner. We were never hassled to buy anywhere. We loved getting to stay... Show more Trip date: August 2019
  • A Karin M · 18th September 2019 This was my 3rd Intrepid trip and I would recommend it to People who are adventurous, open and not too fussy. I called it an ""organized backpacking trip"" that one does not have to do alone Trip date: December 2018 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
  • A Andrew H · 18th September 2019 First time we have travelled and booked an Intrepid tour, we have used many others Exodus, Explorer, Journey Latin America, Imaginative Traveller, GAP and Dragoman. We are very familiar with this style of of tour. We have also been recently been using... Show more Trip date: December 2018 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
  • A Jade H · 18th September 2019 Our tour leader was excellent, thoughtful, and a very good/clear communicator (we always knew what time and where to meet). I think what would have made the trip a 5 instead of a 4 would be for the itinerary to have less ""bus time"".We spent the best... Show more Trip date: December 2018 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
  • A Diana P · 18th September 2019 The guide Abdoul was brilliant.He went out of his way to make sure we were happy.He was interesting and intelligent.He knew every aspect of the country.I can’t fault anything regarding the guide or the bus driver. The accommodation could have been... Show more Trip date: December 2018 Review collected by Intrepid Travel
  • A Laura K · 18th September 2019 The overall trip was well managed, the guide was excellent and the accomodation was good. Trip date: December 2018 Review collected by Intrepid Travel

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  • Friday 27 Dec, 2024 Wednesday 8 Jan, 2025 English Sold Out €1,630 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • Saturday 28 Dec, 2024 Thursday 9 Jan, 2025 English Sold Out €1,630 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • Sunday 29 Dec, 2024 Friday 10 Jan, 2025 English Sold Out €1,630 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • Monday 30 Dec, 2024 Saturday 11 Jan, 2025 English Sold Out €1,630 See Similar Tours For These Dates
  • Tuesday 31 Dec, 2024 Sunday 12 Jan, 2025 English Sold Out €1,630 See Similar Tours For These Dates
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Frequently Asked Questions

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Good to Know

  • Currency د.م. Moroccan Dirham Morocco

As a traveller from USA, Canada, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa you will need an adaptor for types C, E, F.

  • These are only indications, so please visit your doctor before you travel to be 100% sure.
  • Typhoid - Recommended for Morocco. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
  • Hepatitis A - Recommended for Morocco. Ideally 2 weeks before travel.
  • Tuberculosis - Recommended for Morocco. Ideally 3 months before travel.
  • Hepatitis B - Recommended for Morocco. Ideally 2 months before travel.
  • Rabies - Recommended for Morocco. Ideally 1 month before travel.
  • Unfortunately we cannot offer you a visa application service. Whether you need a visa or not depends on your nationality and where you wish to travel. Assuming your home country does not have a visa agreement with the country you're planning to visit, you will need to apply for a visa in advance of your scheduled departure.
  • Here is an indication for which countries you might need a visa. Please contact the local embassy for help applying for visas to these places.
  • For any tour departing before 24th June 2024 a full payment is necessary. For tours departing after 24th June 2024, a minimum payment of €400 is required to confirm your booking with Intrepid Travel. The final payment will be automatically charged to your credit card on the designated due date. The final payment of the remaining balance is required at least 60 days prior to the departure date of your tour. TourRadar never charges you a booking fee and will charge you in the stated currency.
  • Some departure dates and prices may vary and Intrepid Travel will contact you with any discrepancies before your booking is confirmed.
  • The following cards are accepted for "Intrepid Travel" tours: Visa, Maestro, Mastercard, American Express or PayPal. TourRadar does NOT charge you an extra fee for using any of these payment methods.
  • Insurance Unless otherwise mentioned, TourRadar does not provide travel insurance. We do however recommend purchasing it through our tried and trusted partner, World Travel Nomads .
  • Accessibility Some tours are not suitable for mobility-restricted traveller, however, some operators may be able to accommodate special requests. For any enquiries, you can contact our customer support team , who are ready and waiting to help you.
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A country of dazzling diversity, Morocco has epic mountains, sweeping deserts and ancient cities, and it greets travelers with warm hospitality and the perfect glass of mint tea.

Best Time to Visit

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Attractions

Must-see attractions.

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle

Gueliz & Ville Nouvelle

French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé bought Jardin Majorelle in 1980 to preserve the vision of its original owner,…

Night view of Djemaa el Fna square, Marrakech

Djemaa El Fna

Roll up, roll up for the greatest show on earth. Everywhere you look in Djemaa El Fna, Marrakesh’s main square (pronounced "jema" – the "d" is silent),…

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

Musée Yves Saint Laurent

This captivating museum, opened in 2017, showcases finely selected collections of haute couture clothing and accessories that span 40 years of creative…

Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace

La Bahia (The Beautiful) is an 8000-sq-metre, floor-to-ceiling extravagance of intricate marquetry, plasterwork and zouak (painted wood), and certainly…

Koutoubia Mosque in the southwest medina quarter of Marrakesh, Morocco; Shutterstock ID 533973463

Koutoubia Mosque

Five times a day, one voice rises above the din of Djemaa El Fna as the muezzin calls the faithful to prayer from the Koutoubia Mosque. The mosque's…

MARRAKECH, MOROCCO. 11 th June, 2017: saadian tombs view, The mausoleum comprises the interments of about sixty members of the Saadi Dynasty that originated in the valley of the Draa River; Shutterstock ID 663962023

Saadian Tombs

Saadian Sultan Ahmed Al Mansour Ed Dahbi was just as extravagant in death as he was in life. After the "golden king" built Badia Palace in the 16th…

Dune at sunset, Sahara

Erg Chigaga

Draa Valley

The area's star attraction is the misnamed Erg Chigaga, not a single dune (erg) but an incredible stretch of golden sand sea some 56km southwest of M…

Maison Traditionnelle

Maison Traditionnelle

Anti Atlas Mountains

The 3-storey granite, palm and argan house, some 400 years old, was inhabited by 20 family members – three generations – until 1982. The owner, Mohammed,…

Top picks from our travel experts

12 of the best things to do in morocco.

Cafe Hafa

A 10-minute walk west from the medina is this beloved sea-facing cafe with what many locals consider Tangier's best view. Opened in 1921, Cafe Hafa mainly…

Main Post Office

Main Post Office

One of the iconic neo-Moorish buildings around this square, La Poste is the work of Adrien Laforgue who took his inspiration from the Grand'Poste of…

Place Mohammed V

Place Mohammed V

This perpetually busy square is surrounded by striking public buildings, such as the Wilaya and its clock tower and the Courts of Justice, resplendent…

Tangier American Legation Museum

Tangier American Legation Museum

This museum, in an elegant five-storey mansion, is a must-see: Morocco was the first country to recognise the United States by opening its ports to the…

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Hassan II Mosque

This opulent mosque, built at enormous expense, is set on an outcrop jutting over the ocean with a 210m-tall minaret that's a city landmark. It's a…

Kasbah Amridil

Kasbah Amridil

One of Morocco’s grandest kasbahs, this 17th-century marvel once appeared on the Dh50 note. Signposted just a few hundred metres from the main road, this…

Planning Tools

Expert guidance to help you plan your trip.

Best Things to Do

Discover the best things to do in Morocco, from mountain to desert, city to coast.

Things to Know

Ready to weave your way through the markets and medinas? Here are 18 tips for what you should know before you go to Morocco.

Transportation

From bustling cities and busy ports to remote mountains and deserts, here's how to get around magnificent Morocco.

Visa Requirements

Find out the visa requirements for visiting Morocco, including whether you can visit the country visa-free and how long tourists are allowed to stay.

Money and Costs

Morocco offers excellent value for travelers of all budgets. Here are our top tips to make your money go further.

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Morocco's undulating roads and breathtaking scenery provide some incredible road trip opportunities. Here are five of our favorites.

Traveling with Kids

From theme parks to safaris, there are plenty of fun things to do in Morocco with kids.

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Experience the real Morocco

Let a local expert craft your dream trip.

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View of Koutoubia Mosque and gardem in Marrakesh, Morocco

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' class=

How long would it take as a scenic drive?

Will parking be a problem in Essouaria, El Jaddida, Safi, or as far South as Sidi Ifni?

Is it prudent to hire a guide with car to drive to Fes from Casablanca and tour the sights there as well as Voubilis,Menekes, and Rabat ?

Is Chefcheoun all its cracked up to be?

Thank u in advance

8 replies to this topic

' class=

Can get driver or self drive to Fes too - train also an option

I like Chefchaouen but it's a long way from Fes so need 2 nights there to make it worth the journey

Chefchaouen is not all it's cracked up to be and is a long five hours from Fes.

There are loads of places to see on the road down from Casablanca to Essaouira . Parking isn't a problem in any of them.

Thank you for your kind reply! New questions

Are the towns of Safi and Ouilada worth a visit or are they in your opinion industrial and therefore trashy?

I’m sure I will have more questions later.

Safi has a phosphates plant to the south which disfigures the scenery for a couple of km, otherwise it's well worth visiting for the pottery industry. Oualidia is situated on a beautiful lagoon with some great seafood.

Recent thread on Sidi Ifni, https://www.tripadvisor.co.uk/ShowTopic-g293730-i9195-k14402942-Sidi_Ifni-Morocco.html

' class=

Ye Oualidia is an under rated stop on that part of the coast - Azemmour also off the beaten track with a unique riverside Medina

Are there any budget accommodations that anyone would recommend for one night stays in El Jadida, Qualidida,Safi? Of course I would like a balcony with an ocean view, I want it all.

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Morocco Hotels and Places to Stay

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  • Morocco's road numbers are being changed (2018)
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  • Al Boraq LGV (Morocco's high speed train service)
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Morocco Tours & Holidays

People standing and laughing at the top of a hill overlooking an ancient town in Morocco

When people throw around the word ‘remarkable’, they’re probably referring to places like Morocco.

In a place where riding a camel over dunes at sunset is not unusual, where tagines spiked with saffron perfume the air and Amazigh people herd goats on the slopes of the High Atlas Mountains, the word remarkable just doesn't cut it. Whether you're wandering the wind-battered port town of Essaouira, exploring the famous Kasbah in Aït Benhaddou or sleeping beneath the Saharan stars , a healthy does of Maghreb hospitality will make a Morocco tour truly unforgettable.

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Morocco at a glance

Capital city.

Rabat (1.9 million)

37.9 million

Moroccan Arabic, French, Berber dialects, some Spanish

(GMT) Casablanca

CALLING CODE

Electricity.

Type C (European 2-pin) Type E (French 2-pin, female earth)

Learn more about Morocco

Best time to visit morocco.

The climate in Morocco varies wildly according to the season and area of travel. In the lowlands, the cooler months from October to April are popular among visitors. This time of year is pleasantly warm to hot (around 30°C) during the day and cool to cold (around 15°C) at night. Winter in the higher regions often brings snow and can therefore get seriously cold, particularly at night. Tourists flock to the coastline from June to September for fun in the sun, with warm mostly rain-free days. Further inland it can get hot and rain is rare, which makes the best times to travel March to June and September to December. As a Muslim country, Morocco observes Ramadan. If you are planning to go on holiday in Morocco during Ramadan, it is important to consider that many restaurants and shops will either be closed or operating at reduced hours during this time.

Read more about the best time to visit Morocco.

Read more about the weather in Morocco.

Culture and customs

Morocco's culture has developed over centuries of influence from far and wide. Contemporary Morocco is a fascinating mix of Berber, Mediterranean, Andalucian and African traditions, which are present in the cuisine, clothing, music, language, customs and lifestyle. As an Islamic country, most Moroccans are Muslim; however, there are small populations of people who practice Judaism and Christianity. Classic examples of Islamic architecture can be observed all throughout the country and tenets of the Islamic religion are carried out in the customs and lives of the people. The 'Call to Prayer' can be heard five times a day, women are expected to dress modestly and alcohol isn't drunk by most of the population. 

Most of Moroccan society can be considered traditional, with respect for elders, connection to family and giving alms to the poor hallmarks of everyday life for many Moroccans. Hospitality is another important element of society, with warmly welcoming people into your home a time-honoured tradition and social responsibility that dates back centuries.

Eating and drinking

Intrepid believes that one of the best ways to experience a country is by eating! Whether you're sampling street food, savouring a cheap eat or indulging in a banquet, there are endless options to choose from wherever you are in the world. 

Believe the hype - Moroccan food is legendary.

Things to try in Morocco

These slow-cooked stews are synonymous with Moroccan cooking. Chicken, olive and citrus are a well-known favourites, but there are endless variations using different meats, vegetables and seasonings.

2. Couscous

Forget instant cous cous and try the real deal in Morocco. Often served with vegetables and meat, regional varieties sometimes also include everything from sweet raisins to spicy harissa or smoky almonds.

3. Fresh fruit

Morocco has an amazing array of fruit available in the markets, shops and juice bars. Choose from bananas, mangoes, oranges, avocados or peaches - eat fresh or get them whipped up in a juice.

4. Mint tea

While travelling through Morocco you'll probably drink more sweet mint tea than ever before. Offered as a gesture of hospitality when visiting someone's home or shop, it's considered impolite to refuse, so accept graciously.

Read more about what to eat in Morocco.

Read more about what to drink in Morocco.

Geography and environment

Located in North Africa, Morocco has the best of many worlds within its boundaries. From the sun-drenched beaches of the coast to the sands of the mighty Sahara and the snowy peaks of the High Atlas and Rif Mountains, Morocco has great variety in its landscapes and terrain. This combination of desert, woodlands, forest, mountain steppe and grasslands ensures a wide diversity of flora and fauna lives within the country.

History and government

Early history.

The land now known as Morocco has been inhabited for centuries, with Moroccan civilisation being known for its richness in history and culture. Centuries of foreign trade, invasion and dynastic rule have given Morocco many different cultural influences that are evident in today's society. From the Phoenicians who entered Morocco via the Mediterranean in the 6th century BC, to the Roman influence of 40 AD and the formation of Islamic Morocco in the years after, Morocco has evolved with the rise and fall of dynasties, formation and dissolution of empires and the birth of new governments, movements and ways of living. Reaching its height under the Berber Dynasties of the 11th and 12th centuries (the Almoravids, Almohads, Marinids and Wattasids), Morocco subsequently fell to Arab tribes in 1559. The current royal family are descendants of the Alaouite Dynasty who have largely ruled since the 1600s, despite enduring a few crises in the 18th and 19th centuries, mainly in relation to European influence in the area and surrounding countries.

Recent history

With the signing of the Treaty of Fez, Morocco was declared a protectorate of France in 1912 with Spain being allocated control of parts of Morocco, mainly in the north and south. European control was generally opposed by Moroccan citizens, with the people of Rif attempting to establish a separatist republic in 1921. Decades of opposition continued, with rioting and protests leading to increased political tension. In 1955, the road to Moroccan independence was paved by Mohammed V who negotiated reforms and the restoration of independence. By 1956, France had relinquished its protectorate of Morocco and in 1957, Mohammed V became king. In 1961, Hassan II assumed the title of King of Morocco and continued to rule until his death in 1999. His son, Mohammed VI, took over the mantle of king in 1999 and continues to rule today.

Top places to see in Morocco

1. marrakech.

Things just happen in Marrakech. One moment you're sitting down to a camel burger, the next you're chatting with a snake charmer. The labyrinthine markets are the perfect place to lose yourself but find a Moroccan memento or three.

2. Sahara Desert

The endless dunes of the Sahara will call to your inner explorer. Jump on a camel and start riding out over the sandy waves. At sunset, the desert glows rich and red and at night the stars turn the sky crystal.

The desert is calling! Add a 3 day Sahara Mini Adventure to your Morocco trip itinerary.

3. Essaouira

The name 'Essaouira' means image, appropriate since its charm is undeniable. Within the stone ramparts, you'll find art galleries, wood workshops and whitewashed houses with bright blue shutters. Portuguese, British and Jewish influences all mingle in this artist's town.

Explore this windswept coastal city on our 11 day Premium Morocco Highlights with Essaouira trip, or make it a quick journey on our Five Days in Morocco tour.

Fes is the cultural heart of Morocco and home to some of its most iconic sights. Feel every sense come alive in the medina. Shops, dye pits and mosques all vie for space and you're as likely to see a donkey as a car.

5. High Atlas Mountains

The mountains are best explored at the ground level by foot or bicycle. Travel through Amazigh villages, up along crop terraces, down through lush valleys and past orchards, goats and Moroccan rural life. The seriously fit can tackle Mount Toubkal for incredible views.

Join a 7 day Mount Toubkal Trek or a Mount Toubkal Long Weekend Trek for those short on time.

6. Todra Gorge

This is a rock climber's heaven or the ideal place for beginners to get a taste. It's a tight squeeze in some places but a sparkling river, the odd palmeraie, Berber villages and high cliff walls make it worth breathing in for.

7. Moulay Idriss

The small Medina of ancient Moulay Idriss was once forbidden to non-Muslims. Now it is a pleasure to explore as the faithful gather to pay homage to the founding father of Islam in Morocco at the 8th-century mausoleum.

8. Ait Benhaddou

Perfectly preserved, this is one of Morocco's most picturesque kasbahs. Centuries ago it was a stop for caravans as they carried salt across the Sahara. Today, it is inhabited only by a handful of families and the odd film crew.

Visit Ait Benhaddou on our 8 day Classic Morocco tour .

9. Casablanca

The very name conjures up images of war-time romance. But the real romance of Casablanca must be its French influences and the beautiful Hassan II mosque, the largest in Morocco.

10. Volubilis

Do some time travel and visit the ancient hilltop city of Volubilis, one of the Roman Empire's most remote bases. The ruins here are beautifully preserved and it's easy to believe you've stepped into the 2nd or 3rd century.

Rabat is Morocco's lively capital. Its history is long and colourful, having been host to Roman settlements, pirates, and more recently the Moroccan parliament. Stroll through the old quarter or enjoy views over the Atlantic Ocean from Kasbah des Oudaias.

12. Chefchaouen

You might recognise this city from the famous photos of its bright blue buildings. S et against a wide valley and tucked between two peaks in the Rif Mountains, much of Chefchaouen was recreated by Andalusian refugees escaping the Reconquista, so it might remind you of the hills of Spain.

Get a chance to wander around this striking blue city on our 18 day Morocco Encompassed tour .

13. Tangier

T he coastal town of Tangier is the gateway between the Mediterranean and Africa. Enjoy fresh seafood by the port, watch the sunset over the Atlantic or visit the Caves of Hercules.

Explore the Gateway to Africa on our 9 day North Morocco Adventure.

Morocco has one of the oldest retail cultures in the world. From bargaining in age-old souqs to swiping your credit card at a modern gallery, it's all possible in Morocco. But to experience brilliant bargains, exciting finds and a dose of history, you can't go past the souqs.

It's a good idea to check with your local customs officials to ensure that you are able to bring certain items back into your home country.   Australia   and New Zealand generally have strict quarantine laws.

Things to buy in Morocco

1. Silver jewellery

Jewellery fiends will love Morocco's affinity with silver jewellery. Chunky rings, elaborate necklaces and patterned earrings can all be found for great prices, especially if you're willing to haggle.

Save room in your backpack for an iconic silver teapot and some delicate tea glasses. Morocco's silversmiths have this ancient art running through their veins, with centuries of craftsmanship being passed from generation to generation.

The quality (and price) of leather in Morocco is pretty phenomenal. Handcrafted handbags, wallets, belts and purses can be found in almost every souq around the country.

Festivals and events

Ramadan and eid.

The ninth and holiest of months in the Islamic calendar, Ramadan is observed by most in Morocco and is thought to be a time of spiritual rejuvenation. For this month, Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset - refraining from eating and drinking during daylight hours. Eid marks the end of fasting with 3 days of feasting and celebration.

Gnaoua World Music Festival

Seaside Essaouira hosts this world-famous festival that celebrates the mysterious music of the Gnaouas, brought to Morocco centuries ago via the African slave trade. Jazz, rock, blues and pop music add a contemporary flavour, although the drums of the Gnaouas are the true soul of the festival.

Casablanca Festival

Touted as a 'celebration of all things Moroccan', this annual festival includes local and international music performances, dance, art installations, theatre, workshops and street parades. This fusion of history and modernity, innovation and tradition is a shining example of what it means to be a citizen of cosmopolitan Casablanca.

Read more about festivals in Morocco.

Similar destinations

We have a variety of similar destinations, trips and routes that you could consider! Tie another trip into your holiday, or, see how we can help you get from A to B. We have tours departing from a variety of locations around Africa. The options below may be of interest:

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Further reading

Morocco travel faqs, do i need a covid-19 vaccine to join an intrepid trip.

Trips from 1 January 2023 onwards

From 1 January 2023, Intrepid will no longer require travellers to provide proof of vaccination against COVID-19 (excluding all Polar trips and select adventure cruises).

However, we continue to strongly recommend that all Intrepid travellers and leaders get vaccinated to protect themselves and others.

Specific proof of testing or vaccination may still be required by your destination or airline. Please ensure you check travel and entry requirements carefully.

Do I need a visa to travel to Morocco?

  • Australia: No - Not required 
  • Belgium: No - Not required 
  • Canada: No - Not required 
  • Germany: No - Not required 
  • Ireland: No - Not required 
  • Netherlands: No - Not required
  • New Zealand: No - Not required 
  • South Africa: Yes - in advance (in general, visa processing can take approximately 20 working days)
  • Switzerland: No - Not required 
  • UK: No - Not required 
  • USA: No - Not required 

Visas are the responsibility of the individual traveller. Entry requirements can change at any time, so it's important that you check for the latest information.

Please visit the relevant consular website of the country or countries you’re visiting for detailed and up-to-date visa information specific to your nationality. Your consultant will also be happy to point you in the right direction with acquiring visas.

Visas can take several weeks to process, so familiarise yourself with any requirements as soon as you have booked your trip to allow for processing time.

Australians, New Zealanders, Canadians, Americans and British citizens do not require a visa to visit Morocco for stays up to 90 days. All other nationalities should check with the Moroccan Embassy or Consulate in their country for up-to-date visa information.

Is tipping customary in Morocco?

While tipping isn't mandatory in Morocco, rounding up the bill and leaving spare change at restaurants and cafes is generally standard practice. Taxi drivers and porters will also accept tips, 10 dirhams is usually sufficient in this case.

What is the internet access like in Morocco?

Morocco's cities have internet access available in internet cafes and hotel lobbies. In some cases, free Wi-Fi can be accessed in public places. Less internet access is available in rural areas, so be prepared to 'disconnect' when travelling out of Morocco's big cities.

Can I use my mobile phone in Morocco?

Mobile phone coverage is generally very good in Morocco's cities and metropolitan areas, although coverage can be limited in remote or mountainous areas. Ensure you have global roaming activated with your carrier if you wish to use your phone while in Morocco.

What are the toilets like in Morocco?

Morocco's toilets are a mixture of modern flushable toilets and squat toilets, so be prepared to encounter both. Carry your own supply of toilet paper and soap, as these aren't always provided.

What will it cost for a…?

Morocco's unit of currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). Here's what you can expect to pay for a:

  • Mint tea = 6-10 MAD
  • Fresh juice = 18 MAD
  • Basic meal = 100 MAD
  • Expensive meal = 200 MAD

Can I drink the water in Morocco?

Drinking tap water isn't recommended in Morocco. Your leader will advise where filtered water can be found, and some hotels provide it. For environmental reasons, we suggest bringing a carrying a reusable water bottle to cut down on plastic waste.

Are credit cards accepted widely in Morocco?

Major credit cards are accepted by most large shops, hotels and restaurants, although smaller vendors and market stalls often only accept cash.

What is ATM access like in Morocco?

ATMs are easily found in large cities and airports, although are less common in rural and remote areas. When travelling out of the city, be prepared by having enough cash, as ATMs aren't always an option.

What public holidays are celebrated in Morocco?

  • 11 Jan: Independence Manifesto Day
  • 1 May: Labour Day
  • 26 Jun: Aid al-Fitr / End of Ramadan
  • 30 Jul: Throne Day
  • 14 Aug: Oued Ed-Dahab Day
  • 20 Aug: Revolution Day
  • 21 Aug: HM Mohammed VI's Birthday
  • 1 Sep: Aid al-Adha / Feast of Sacrifice
  • 22 Sep: Islamic New Year / Muharram
  • 6 Nov: Green March Day
  • 18 Nov: Independence Day
  • 1 Dec: The Prophet's Birthday

Please note: Morocco public holidays may vary.

Is it safe to travel to Morocco?

Morocco is an extremely safe country to travel to as long as you abide by the local culture and customs.

Is Morocco a safe destination for LGBTQIA+ travellers?

We recommend LGBTQIA+ travellers exercise discretion when travelling in Morocco as homosexuality is not widely accepted in the community. Homosexual acts (including kissing) are illegal in Morocco and can attract a fine or even a jail sentence for offenders. That said, some towns (such as Marrakech and Tangier) are considered more gay-friendly than others. As long as travellers use discretion and avoid public displays of affection, travel in Morocco should not be a problem.

For more detailed and up-to-date advice, we recommend visiting  Equaldex  or   ILGA  before you travel.

If you are travelling solo on an Intrepid group tour, you will share accommodation with a passenger of the same gender as per your passport information. If you don’t identify with the gender assigned on your passport, please let us know at the time of booking and we’ll arrange the rooming configuration accordingly. A single supplement is available on some tours for travellers who do not wish to share a room.

What should I wear in Morocco?

While Moroccan days are generally mild-to-hot or hot-and-humid, they can give way to cooler nights – outside of the summer months, anyway. Packing layers and sensible footwear to deal with Morocco's changeable climate, uneven paths and conservative culture is always a good idea.

F emale travellers aren't expected to dress as conservatively as local women, but it’s still a good idea to pack clothing options that will allow you to cover up.

Where will I stay in Morocco?

Travelling with Intrepid is a little bit different. We endeavour to provide travellers with an authentic experience to remember, so we try to keep accommodation as unique and traditional as possible.

When travelling with us in Morocco you may find yourself staying in a:

Admire beautiful arches and tiled mosaics while staying in a traditional Moroccan riad. The riad is the Moroccan traditional house, normally with two or more storeys around an Andalusian-style courtyard that contained a fountain. Riads were the stately city homes of the wealthiest citizens such as merchants and courtiers.

How will I get around Morocco?

Intrepid believes half the fun of experiencing a new country is getting there, and getting around once there! Where possible, Intrepid uses local transport options and traditional modes of transport - which usually carry less of an environmental impact, support small local operators and are heaps more fun.

Depending on which trip you're on while in Morocco, you may find yourself travelling by:

Board an iconic ‘ship of the desert’ and amble off across desert sands for a quintessential Sahara experience.

Does my trip to Morocco support The Intrepid Foundation?

Yes, all Intrepid trips support the Intrepid Foundation. In fact, we make a donation on behalf of every traveller. Trips to Morocco directly support our foundation partners, Education For All and High Atlas Foundation. Intrepid will double the impact by dollar-matching all post-trip donations made to The Intrepid Foundation.

Education For All

Education for All allows girls in remote areas of Morocco to access education and prepare for successful careers. Donations from our trips help girls in the High Atlas Mountains through secondary school, bringing a generation of women out of the cycle of illiteracy, poverty and early marriage.  

Find out more or make a donation. 

High Atlas Foundation

The High Atlas Foundation helps communities in Morocco implement human development initiatives such as organic agriculture, women's empowerment, youth development, education and health initiatives. Donations from our trips directly support their sustainable agriculture programs, which fund fruit tree and wild medicinal plant nurseries, irrigation infrastructure, organic certification, technical skills-building, carbon sequestration, and commercialisation.  

Do I need to purchase travel insurance before travelling?

Absolutely. All passengers travelling with Intrepid are required to purchase travel insurance before the start of their trip. Your travel insurance details will be recorded by your leader on the first day of the trip. Due to the varying nature, availability and cost of health care around the world, travel insurance is very much an essential and necessary part of every journey.

For more information on insurance, please go to: Travel Insurance

How do I stay safe and healthy while travelling?

Intrepid takes the health and safety of its travellers seriously and takes every measure to ensure that trips are safe, fun and enjoyable for everyone. We recommend that all travellers check with their government or national travel advisory organisation for the latest information before departure:

From Australia?

Go to: Smart Traveller

From Canada?

Go to:  Canada Travel Information

From the UK?

Go to:  UK Foreign Travel Advice

From New Zealand?

Go to:  Safe Travel

From the US?

Go to:  US Department of State

The World Health Organisation also provides useful health information.

What is it like travelling on a small group tour?

Whether you’re a seasoned traveller or you’re about to embark on your first trip, travelling can be as intimidating as it is exciting. That's the beauty of a small group tour. From handling the logistics and organising amazing cultural activities to local leaders who know each destination like the back of their hand (like which street has the best markets and where to get the most authentic food), travelling on a small group tour with Intrepid will give you unforgettable travel experiences without the hassle that comes with exploring a new place. Plus, you'll have ready-made friends to share the journey with. All you have to do is turn up with a healthy sense of adventure and we’ll take care of the rest.

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Ryanair is offering flights to this North Africa beach town for just £12.99

The budget airline’s 24-hour ‘clear-out’ sale ends in just a few hours, article bookmarked.

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Essaouira is a popular coastal resort in Morocco

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Budget airline Ryanair is running a 24-hour April “clear-out” flash sale, which includes flights to North Africa for just £12.99 and tickets to popular European cities – including Venice , Barcelona and Copenhagen – for under £15.

This includes flights from London Stansted to Moroccan coastal resort Essaouira, a port city popular for kitesurfing, 18th-century ramparts and a sandy beach.

Other Moroccan destinations listed in the deal include flights to Agadir from Edinburgh Airport for £12.99, or £15.99 from Bournemouth. Similarly, there are discounted flights from Bristol Airport to Marrakesh available from £12.99.

Meanwhile, you can plan a European city break for less this April, with £12.99 flights to Spanish coastal destination Malaga , from UK airports including Cardiff and Exeter.

If you’re hoping to soak up some sunshine and sightseeing, Ryanair is offering flights to Alicante and Barcelona from £12.99, departing from numerous UK airports including Belfast International, Bristol, Leeds Bradford, Liverpool Glasgow, Manchester and Newcastle.

Additional European flight options include Birmingham to the likes of Corfu, Seville, Faro, Rhodes and Madrid from £12.99; East Midlands to Budapest, Lanzarote, Malta , Menorca and Milan from £12.99; and Liverpool to Porto, Rome, and Ibiza for under £15.

Further destinations with flights on offer starting at under £15 include Paris, Warsaw, Gdansk, Ibiza, Pisa and Copenhagen .

There are UK city break bargain flights to book too, such as London Gatwick to Cork, Dublin or Shannon from £12.99, and Manchester or Glasgow to Dublin from under £15.

These offers are in place for 24 hours only, and there are just 500,000 seats available to bag. Tickets need to be booked today for travel between 19 April and 30 April.

Browse the full list of reduced-price flights at Ryanair now .

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