Country guides
Africa
Descriptions often fall short when attempting to encapsulate contemporary Morocco. An enchanting land full of mystery and wonder, travellers are sold on snake charmers, perfumes, and the call of the muezzin. The real Morocco is this and much more, a thriving modern country with a diverse people, an enchanting natural landscape and a complex history. Ten million travellers from all over the globe visit Morocco every year, making it one of Africa's top tourist destinations. The well-trodden paths through the country's bustling medieval medinas bear testament this. However, Morocco still resists the cheap thrills of mass tourism and its riches increase with each return journey.
Morocco lies just under nine miles (14.3km) from Spain across the Straight of Gibraltar, the only place where the Mediterranean Sea mixes with the Atlantic Ocean. The coming together of the two seas that lap Morocco's coast serves as a useful allegory for understanding its rich history. The country is an elaborate weave of Arabic, Berber, French and Spanish culture that has captivated the imaginations of travellers for the better part of the last millennium. It is this heady blend of old and new that makes contemporary Morocco thrive.
The main appeal for visitors to Morocco has always been its balance of the familiar with the exotic. Seaside cities such as Tangiers offer Mediterranean charm; inland Marrakesh thrums with vibrant souks where legendary fine Moroccan crafts are made and sold, and Moorish architectural wonders loom overhead. Casablanca is the economic centre of Morocco and plays host to an energetic business culture and international trade.
Beyond the cities, the real adventures await. In the Rif and High Atlas mountains, snow-capped mountains meet fertile valleys and bursting streams, and travellers can trek, kayak, ski and experience authentic Berber culture. In the south, the most western edge of the Sahara dominates the landscape, and adventurers can feel its might while journeying on camel-back or in a 4x4.
Best time to visit Morocco
Morocco has a varied climate with great differences in temperature across regions. The coastal regions are mild and temperate while the interior becomes increasingly extreme, giving credence to its title as a 'cold country with a very hot sun'. The best time to visit Morocco is in spring (mid-March to May), when the vegetation is lush and vibrant, or during the mild autumn period between September and October.
What to see in Morocco
-Visit Ait Benhaddou, a fairy tale ksar (fortified city) made famous by Hollywood blockbusters such as Lawrence of Arabia and Gladiator.
-Wander the medieval town of Chefchaouen. With its blue-rinsed buildings and charming, winding streets, it's one of the most photogenic places in all of Morocco.
-Head to Marrakech's Djemaa el Fna around sunset, and watch in awe as the evening circus of snake-charmers, fortune-tellers, acrobats and musicians brings the city to life.
-Visit the archaeological site of Volubilis, northern Africa's best-preserved Roman ruins, which are over 2,000 years old.
What to do in Morocco
-Explore the Moroccan sense-scape and take part in one of the many cooking classes held in the major cities.
-Bargain in one of Morocco's many souks (traditional market-places), where fantastic crafts, jewellery and souvenirs can be bought for great prices.
-Book a camel trek into the Sahara for an overnight stay, and marvel at the changing colour of the sand as the sun sinks over the horizon.
-Head to Oukaimeden, and confound friends back home with tales of skiing in Africa.
Getting to Morocco
There are cheap flights to Morocco available from a wide variety of British and American cities. Several low-cost European carriers offer flights, providing great deals, particularly during the low tourist season.
Read
Hideous Kinky by Esther Freud, The Spider's House by Paul Bowles, The Sand Child by Tahar Ben Jelloun, and The Arch and the Butterfly by Mohammed Achaari.
Listen
Cheb Mimoun, Hanino, Lemchaheb, and Hassan Hakmoun.
Watch
Casablanca (1942), Hideous Kinky (1998), and Pegase (2010).
Drink
Mint tea, Flag Beer, and mahia (a locally distilled liqueur made from figs). Visitors should remember to avoid drinking tap water in Morocco. It's also best to stick to bottled water, and avoid ice in drinks.
Eat
Couscous (semolina grains), served with stew that has been cooked for hours in a tagine (an earthenware dish with a conical lid).
What to buy
Tagines, leatherware and jewellery (especially silver and turquoise items), Berber-crafted carpets and kelims, and products such as soap and cosmetics made from Argan oil.
What to pack
Visitors should take plenty of sunscreen along, even if travelling during the winter, and remember that Morocco's climate can be changeable, meaning it's best to have at least one warm jacket. Travellers should dress more conservatively than they might back home. Unfortunately, this is especially necessary for women.
What's on in Morocco
The Marrakech Popular Arts Festival (July) brings a myriad of colourful performances to public spaces around Marrakech. Morocco has also fashioned itself as a destination for internationally renowned music festivals such as Gnaoua, which takes place in late June and early July.
Did you know?
-Morocco is the world's largest exporter of hashish, and some estimate that this illicit trade brings in more money per year than tourism.
-The University of Al-Karaouine, located in Fez and founded in 859, claims to be the world's oldest university.
-Between 1922 and 1956, Tangier was an International City, ruled by representatives of eight different European countries.
A final word
Loud and colourful, beautiful and chaotic, Morocco is in many ways the ideal exotic holiday destination, tailormade for travellers with an adventurous spirit and a desire to immerse themselves in a rich and exotic culture.
Things to do in Morocco
Steeped in history, spanning miles of Mediterranean and Atlantic coastline, and boasting exciting attractions, Morocco is a sightseer's paradise. Part of the appeal is the inviting climate but there is so much more to this diverse and historically rich country than meets the eye. Within the enchanting medieval medinas of Fez and Marrakech, where snake charmers blow their hypnotic melodies amid the smell of the tanners' yards, and the hustle and bustle of the open-air markets, the fascinating and exotic soul of Morocco can really be glimpsed. With Phoenician, Hellenic, Carthaginian and Roman civilisations all having passed through Morocco, it's also worth revelling in the immensity of the country's past by exploring its countless museums, palaces, mosques, tombs and ruins.
Adventurous travellers can also head south to wander the hot desert sands of the Western Sahara, and see breathtaking landscapes that are a privilege to behold. Or for a completely unexpected holiday experience, visitors could head deep into the High Atlas Mountains for a skiing holiday. There are exciting 4x4, horseback and camelback treks to enjoy as well as lovely coastlines to see.
Many of the sights around the cities are best traversed on foot, but for those planning on crisscrossing the country, trunk-line trains run through the heart of Morocco, connecting over one hundred stations spread out over 1,184 miles (1,907km) of track. Bus travel is also a popular mode of transport.
Morocco travel info
Electricity
The electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round plugs are in use.
Language
Arabic is the official language, but eight other languages are also spoken, including Berber, French and Spanish. English is generally understood in the tourist areas, but French is more widely used.
Money
The unit of currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), which is divided into 100 santimat. ATMs are available in the larger cities and towns, but can be unreliable; currency can be exchanged at banks or official bureaux de change, which are also widespread in major towns. Dirhams cannot be obtained or exchanged outside Morocco and receipts must be retained as proof of legal currency exchange, in addition to being the only way to re-exchange money when departing. Major credit cards are accepted in larger shops, hotels and restaurants.
Tipping
A tip of 10 to 15 percent is expected in the more expensive bars and restaurants, though some establishments do include a service charge. Most services are performed with the aim of getting a few dirham, but aggressive hustling shouldn't be rewarded.
Health
No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco, although travellers should consider vaccinations for hepatitis A, hepatitis B and typhoid. It is wise to only drink bottled water and to avoid eating uncooked meat. Rabies is present, so travellers should contact a doctor if bitten. Medical facilities are decent in all major cities but can be extremely limited in rural areas, meaning health insurance is recommended. All required medications should be taken along in their original packaging, and accompanied with a prescription from a doctor.
Safety
Travellers should watch out for petty crimes such as bag snatching, pickpocketing and scams, particularly on beaches and in medinas and market areas. Violent crime is not a major problem and most visits are trouble-free, though there have been some incidents of theft at knife point in major cities and on beaches. Sensible precautions such as avoiding badly lit streets at night should be adhered to.
Guides offering their services should display an official badge from the local tourist authorities. Touts and merchants can get quite pushy and confrontational so visitors should be firm but polite when refusing goods or services.
Female travellers may attract unwanted attention from Moroccan men, and should take advice before deciding to travel to the country on their own. Travellers should avoid the Berm (border regions of Western Sahara), Western Sahara, as well as the borders with Algeria and Mauritania for reasons such as the risk of kidnapping and the presence of unexploded landmines.
Local customs
Morocco is a Muslim country and it is best to keep the wearing of swimsuits, shorts and other revealing clothing to the beach or hotel poolside. Women travelling alone will generally be hassled less if dressed conservatively. The country has many smokers, and it is customary to offer cigarettes in social situations. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan, when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. The giving and receiving of things, and the eating of food, should only be done with the right hand, as the left is considered unclean. Homosexuality is a criminal offence, and sexual relations outside marriage are also punishable by law.
Doing business
Business in Morocco has been influenced by France so it tends to be conducted formally, with an emphasis on politeness. Dress is formal, and women in particular should dress conservatively. Most business communication takes place in French, though some English is spoken. It is best to ascertain beforehand what language the meeting will be in, and to arrange an interpreter as needed. Visitors are expected to be punctual but meetings may not start on time. Moroccans are friendly and enjoy socialising; trust and friendship are an important part of business dealings so foreigners should be prepared to engage in small talk. A handshake is common when arriving and departing. Women may encounter some sexism in business, though this is starting to change. Most businesses are closed on Fridays, and some are also closed on Thursdays.
Duty free
Travellers to Morocco over 18 years do not have to pay duty on 200 cigarettes or 50 cigars or 400g tobacco; 1 litre spirits and 1 litre wine; and 150 ml of perfume and 250 ml of eau de toilette.
Communications
The international access code for Morocco is +212. The outgoing code is 00 followed by the relevant country code (e.g. 0044 for the United Kingdom). Hotels can add a hefty surcharge to their telephone bills so it is best to check before making long international calls. Public WiFi is readily available in most major cities; visitors should purchase a local SIM on arrival or use eSIMs if their cellular providers support it on their networks.
Passport & Visa
Generally, travel to Morocco does not require a prior visa application; however, travellers should enquire about the specifics from their nearest Moroccan embassy. Also, all foreign passengers to Morocco must hold proof of sufficient funds to cover their expenses while in the country. It is highly recommended that travellers' passport have at least six months' validity remaining after the intended date of departure from their travel destination. Immigration officials often apply different rules to those stated by travel agents and official sources.
Entry requirements
US citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their intended departure date. No visa is required for tourism stays of up to 90 days.
UK citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond the date of arrival. No visa is required for stays of up to 90 days.
Canadian citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least six months beyond their expected date of departure. No visa is required for tourism stays of up to 90 days.
Australian citizens must have a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. No visa is required for visits shorter than 90 days, but travellers should check validity requirements as some airlines or countries may expect more.
South African citizens must have a passport that is valid for the duration of their stay. A visa is required prior to arrival.
Irish citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond arrival. No visa is required for tourism stays of up to 90 days.
New Zealand citizens must have a passport that is valid for at least three months beyond arrival. No visa is required for tourism stays of up to 90 days.
Useful contacts
Moroccan National Tourist Office, Rabat: www.visitmorocco.com.
190 (police and medical emergencies)Climate in Morocco
Morocco's climate is moderate and subtropical, cooled by breezes off the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean. The weather is unpredictable and can be changeable, swinging from extreme heat to unexpected cold. The climate is also highly variable according to region and terrain and travellers are advised to check the conditions for the exact destinations they will be visiting. The climate of the northern Moroccan coast and central areas is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters.
In the interior the temperatures are more extreme: winters can be fairly cold and the summers very hot. Marrakech has an average winter temperature of 70F (21C) and an average summer temperature of 100F (38C). In the Atlas Mountains temperatures can drop below zero in any season and mountain peaks are snow-capped throughout most of the year. The winter, between December and February, is wet and rainy in the north of the country; while in the south, at the edge of the Moroccan Sahara, it is dry and bitterly cold. Summer is the driest season.
Weather-wise, the best time to visit Morocco is generally in the spring and early summer, between March and May. Alternatively, autumn, occurring between September and November, is also mild and pleasant.