Morocco Holidays

Let’s start with the magnificent Marrakech. Lose yourself in the labyrinth of souks, where getting a little lost is inevitable and all part of the experience. Haggling is the name of the game here, so be prepared to barter for the artisanal crafts and culinary delights on offer. 

The ‘Medina’, which is essentially the old part of the city, usually surrounded by walls, is both sprawling and spectacular - 19km to be exact! Here, you can get your fill of snake charmers and ‘magic’ carpets, watch the bustle from one of the rooftop bars with a refreshing drink, or simply bask in the glow of the blush pink walls as the sun sets over the medina. 

Many of the hotels in Marrakech and indeed throughout Morocco have a ‘Riad’ within them, which is an integral part of Moroccan architecture - think of an interior courtyard, usually adorned with a pool or fountain, with traditional tiling that radiates the exotic. 

Marrakech has its own airport - conveniently linked to many cities throughout Europe. Aside from being a must-see city in its own right, Marrakech is also the best airport to fly into if you were wanting to visit several parts of Morocco. If you are wanting to partake in a trek to the highest point in Morocco for example, Mount Toubkal - Marrakech would be the closest airport for this and you can book your trek with one of our suppliers in advance. You can access the High Atlas Mountains from the road from Marrakech, but this is a lengthy journey and less-travelled, so to do this, it would be best to have a guide. Todra Gorge, which is essentially a series of river canyons, is popular with climbers and another beautiful spot to snap a great photo, or to test your adventurous side. 

The biggest fishing port in Morocco has become increasingly popular with sun-worshippers. The weather here is generally warmer, and with its lengthy coastline, promenade and easy access to bars and restaurants, Agadir is a gem of a place to have a beach escape. If you are travelling with children, Agadir is perhaps your best bet, as you will get family-friendly beach fun, without the hustle of the more bustling cities. Agadir has an airport with less traffic than Marrakech, but is still accessible from the UK. 

The ‘Windy City’ of Africa - Essaouira is famous for its coastal, Atlantic winds. Relaxing on the beach might be a tad breezy, but this is an excellent spot for windsurfers! At around 175km north of Agadir, it’s a fair distance, but if you get the time, it is a fantastic spot to experience a touch of coastal charm. 

Roughly 20km north of Agadir, lies Taghazhout. This is another fishing port, but much smaller in scale to Agadir. If you want to try your hand at surfing, this is the place to be.

If it’s history you seek, then look no further than Fes. The oldest imperial city in Morocco, Fes is awash with old-world charm, from its medieval mosques, to its striking Kasbahs. Fes Medina is a UNESCO world heritage site, and it’s colourful tannery is one of the oldest in the world. Tip: the leather-softening process can be a tad pungent, so you may want to hold your nose as you take in the striking visuals! 

Fes does have an airport, but it does not have as many incoming flights as Marrakech or Casablanca - many people visiting Fes choose to fly into Casablanca and travel overland to Fes, so that they can see both!

If you have been browsing pictures of Morocco in preparation for your holiday, there’s a high chance you will have spotted the beautiful Chefchaouen. Instantly recognisable by the blue-washed buildings of the Andalusian Quarter, this mountain village is sure to captivate you. Chefchaouen is located in Morocco’s Northwest (close to Gibraltar) so it can sometimes be missed out as it is quite a distance from popular destinations with holiday makers. For those that manage to venture up there however, you will surely be in for a treat. 

The economic hub and largest city in Morocco, Casablanca can often be overlooked as a holiday destination in favour of cities with a more exotic flair such as Fes and Marrakech. However,if you want to get a feel for modern Morocco and explore the Art-Deco architecture, Casablanca is worth the visit. If it’s good enough to make a movie about, then it deserves to be explored! Casablanca also has an easily accessible airport, so if you are planning to visit other key places on that Atlantic Coast, such as the capital, Rabat, then this would be a good spot to fly into. 

Morocco is a country that permeates the senses. With its striking imagery, from the ‘Blue City’ of Chefchaouen to the explosions of colour within the souks and medina of Marrakech, there is no escaping the exotic views to be explored. Arguably though, the most scintillating depiction of Morrocan imagery is the Sahara Desert. 

The span of the Sahara does not cover as much of Morocco as other countries in North Africa, and to access it you will need to venture to the Southeastern portion of the country, close to the Algerian border. To get here, you will be best to travel with a group with a guide, and the journey here is much more remote than other parts of Morocco. The reward is outstanding. Sand dunes as far as the eye can see are bathed in a vibrant orange glow, and the view is not only striking, it is other-worldly. Camels complete the picture, and you can opt to spend the night at a desert camp or sleep beneath the stars - surely a sight that is never to be forgotten. 

No trip to Morocco is complete without sampling the quintessential Moroccan cuisine - a Tagine. 

Named after the conical clay pot in which it is cooked - this is a Berber dish that is similar to a stew, and is eaten by locals for any meal throughout the day. The pots themselves can easily be purchased at a local Souk, so that you can try your luck with replicating the dish at home. 

Also on the menu is couscous, and lots of it! This is a North African staple and the accompaniments that adorn the dish vary throughout the country. Make no mistake however, the meat or vegetables that are served alongside it are secondary - the couscous itself is the main event! 

For UK, EU, and US citizens, a visa is not required for Morocco for a stay up to 90 days currently. This should always be checked on the FCO for Morocco, in case of any updates.

The currency in Morocco is the Dirham. ATMs are easy to find in cities and popular destinations, but in rural areas they may be a struggle to locate. Euros and USD can be used if accessing Dirham’s is not a possibility. 

Morocco has a strong bartering culture, particularly at the Souks and Medinas, so be sure to practice your haggling skills in order to get the best price!

Morocco is a great year-round destination, but generally speaking, spring and autumn are the best times to visit. 

If you are visiting the Sahara, it is best to avoid the summer months as temperatures can exceed 45 degrees celsius. 

If you’re a solo traveller but looking for a group holiday, we can help. We have some small group guided tours, don’t worry! They’re not the traditional stuffy tours of the 1980s! These are modern cycling or trekking tours with plenty of free time, other solo travellers and a guide. Contact our team to find out more.