Morocco, a land of attraction to many tourists, is exuberant and full of exoticism. Having recently experienced that in the country and having made a lot of research on it, we agreed to share tips about how to organize a trip to Morocco.
It’s a country full of various attractions to see. Everything is monumental in scale. Nature is lush, architecture detailed, distances long, and the climate intense!
In view of the fact that Morocco is a multicultural country with immense scenic value, one should have a preplanned route. Therefore, let us see what all needs to be known to plan a trip to Morocco.
Morocco Itinerary
The first step in organizing a trip to Morocco will be to think about the itinerary. You must take into account the available time, the pace of traveling, estimate the budget, and select places of interest.
What are the main cities to visit in Morocco?
Morocco has four imperial cities, which throughout history were capitals of the kingdom: Fez, Meknèz, Rabat and Marrakech . It is definitely worth planning to visit them.
The small villages along the way, with Berber culture (Moroccan nomads) are other places of tourist attraction, such as the blue city of Chefchaouen.
Beaches and mountain towns are cinema-worthy! Indeed, movies like Gladiator and series like Games of Thrones were filmed in Ait Benhaddou and Essaouira, for example.
The choices are numerous, and we would suggest selecting a region to get the most out of it. For a better comprehension of the country, we split Morocco into a few tourist regions:
- North: Asilah, Tangier, Tétouan and Chefchaouen
- North-Central: Fez, Meknèz, Rabat , Casablanca
- Central-South: Marrakech , Essaouira , Ait Benhaddou, Ouarzazate
- South: Agadir and Sahara Desert (Merzouga, Zagora)
Tickets and Attractions
Hot air ballooning and windsurfing, camel or quad bike rides, shopping malls and souks, palaces and spas, the country never ceases to amaze with its attractions!
We tried some activities such as the camel ride through the Marrakech Palm Grove, the City Tour through the Old Medina of Marrakech, a luxurious lunch at the Hotel La Sultana and a relaxing bath at the Hammam de la Rose.
When Visit Morocco?
Every area in the nation has a unique climate. However, the greatest seasons to visit are usually those with warmer weather. This should be taken into account while organizing a vacation to Morocco.
In the summer months (June to August) the heat is intense, making the days almost unbearable. Sometimes, some tours to the Sahara Desert are cancelled. However, it is a time to enjoy the coast, with the beaches packed with tourists. Essaouira is at its peak during these months.
In the winter months (November to February), the temperatures are mild. We recommend packing a warm winter jacket in your backpack, as it may be necessary. During these months, climbing the Atlas Mountains can be quite cold and it can rain a lot in the north of the country. We visited at the end of January and the weather was wonderful, with not many tourists.
But the best time to travel is during the intermediate seasons: spring and autumn. The fields are greener, the weather is very pleasant, the cities are not too crowded and prices are a little lower. During these months, any city will be a good destination.
Ramadan
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, a sacred period of fasting and prayer. Despite this, tourist activities continue. It is only recommended to be empathetic towards the residents and not to indulge in restrictive eating and activities.
Where to stay in Morocco?
The best places to stay are Riads. Whether authentic or renovated, they are small traditional houses in urban centers that have some characteristics in common. For example, they have an architecture that is closed to the outside, with an internal open-air courtyard, a central water fountain, gardens with orange trees and rooms on the sides.
They are small oases in the middle of the urban chaos. From the outside there is usually little or no advertising, but upon entering, the space is transformed. It is a mix of tranquility, privacy and beauty. Without a doubt, it is worth finding a Riad within your budget and enjoying special treatment.
To book your Riad, use Booking’s filters. In Marrakech we chose Riad Zehar and in Rabat Riad El Bir . Both are more affordable and are very well located within the Old Medinas.
Travel insurance
It’s really a country with a public hospital system that leaves a lot to be desired, besides being a land of scamming unsuspecting tourists. We have therefore recommended travel insurance, even though it is not mandatory in Morocco.
What to pack for Morocco?
Packing a suitcase is always a challenge. For Morocco, packing a suitcase is just one of those challenges! We have to think in advance about where we are going, what we are going to visit, local rules and the climate of the region to plan everything. So here are some basic tips.
Clothes
While packing your suitcase to Morocco, put on light, comfortable clothes covering your shoulders and knees. One must dress oneself conservatively to get into some attractions, but on the streets, it’s just about being more respectful—not standing out in crowds. An interesting fact: it is not a custom to wear black color in Morocco. Colorful clothing will be very welcome and scarves and shawls are an excellent choice.
Footwear
Bring along some comfortable shoes that will hold up to long walks in the heat. Tennis shoes and flip-flops are a must in your luggage, and flat sandals are highly suggested.
Hygiene
We go through a lot of sunscreen, moisturizer, hand sanitizer. There are places where you even have to bring toilet paper because the public restrooms are not well equipped at all. We also recommend taking wet wipes for day trips, as cities move a lot of sand and dirt around, which can leave your skin quite dirty.
Medicines
It’s a good idea to pack a travel bag for Morocco with some essential medications. For stomach aches and headaches, you can’t go without them. We also took a band-aid, which helped to relieve the pain on our heels.
It is difficult to find pharmacies in cities and they are often homeopathic, so some medicines are harder to find. If you need something specific, bring it from home and have peace of mind during your trip.
Practical information about Morocco
Boarding procedures
Before boarding your flight to Morocco, you must stamp your boarding pass, so arrive at your departure airport in advance. Even if you are not checking in your luggage, ask for instructions at check-in to get this stamp and better organize your trip to Morocco.
Vaccine
No vaccinations are required to enter the country.
Language
The official languages are Arabic and Berber, but French is often spoken on the streets. Most shopkeepers also understand English.
Maps
Finally, access to tourist maps is limited. We recommend downloading maps of the cities you will visit in advance and planning the main routes in advance. In the posts about the cities we visited, we shared some maps with the main tourist attractions.