Morocco Travel Guide
Everything you need to plan a trip to Morocco, from a local travel agency in Marrakech: when to go, entry rules, money, safety, where to go and how many days you need.
Morocco packs medieval medinas, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara Desert and the Atlantic coast into one country a few hours from Europe. This guide gathers the answers travellers ask us most before they book, with links to our detailed articles on each topic.
In short: visit in spring or autumn, plan 8 to 15 days to combine the imperial cities with a night in the Sahara, carry some cash for the souks, and use a private driver for the south, where there are no trains.
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Ready-made Morocco trips
8 Days8 Days: Casablanca to Marrakech Imperial Cities & Sahara Tour
A private, driver-guided week through Rabat, Fes, the Sahara dunes at Merzouga and Marrakech — Morocco's essentials in eight days, starting and built around Casablanca.
11 Days11 Days: Casablanca, Chefchaouen, Fes, Sahara & Essaouira Tour
The 8 day essentials plus the Blue City of Chefchaouen and a day trip to the Atlantic port of Essaouira — a fuller loop back to Casablanca with more of the north and coast.
13 Days13 Days Grand Morocco Tour: Tangier, Chefchaouen, Sahara & Coast
A grand loop from Casablanca up to Tangier and Chefchaouen, deep into the Sahara for a dedicated 4x4 desert day, then south through Marrakech to the coast at Essaouira and El Jadida.
15 Days15 Days Full Morocco Discovery: Chefchaouen to Sahara to Coast
Our longest itinerary: Chefchaouen, Fes, a dedicated Sahara 4x4 day, the Dades Valley, the saffron and carpet towns of Taliouine and Taroudant, Essaouira with a full leisure day, then Marrakech.
3 Days3 Days Sahara Desert Tour: Marrakech to Merzouga & Back
A private 3-day round trip from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes: Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley, the Todra Gorges, a sunset camel ride and a night in a luxury desert camp.
Compare at a glance
| Region | Highlights | Time to plan | Read more |
|---|---|---|---|
| Marrakech | Medina, Jemaa el-Fnaa, gardens, riads | 2 to 3 days | Things to do in Marrakech |
| Fes and Meknes | Fes el-Bali medina, tanneries, Volubilis Roman ruins | 2 days | Fes medina guide |
| Chefchaouen and the north | Blue city, Rif mountains, Tetouan, Tangier | 1 to 2 days | Chefchaouen guide |
| Sahara Desert | Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, camel ride, desert camp | 3 days from Marrakech | Sahara Desert guide |
| High Atlas and the south | Ait Ben Haddou, Dades Valley, Todra Gorge | On the way to the desert | Todra and Dades road trip |
| Atlantic coast | Essaouira, Oualidia lagoon, El Jadida | 1 to 3 days | Essaouira guide |
| Rabat and Casablanca | Capital city sights, Hassan II Mosque, arrival airport | 1 day | Rabat guide |
When to visit Morocco
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the best seasons for a full tour: warm days in the cities and comfortable nights in the desert. Summer is very hot inland but pleasant on the coast; winter is sunny with cold nights in the Atlas and the Sahara. See the best time to visit Morocco month by month.
Entry rules, money and packing
Citizens of the USA, the UK, Canada, Australia and most EU countries can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days; always check the latest rules for your passport. The currency is the Moroccan dirham: cards work in hotels and larger shops, cash is needed in the souks and small cafes. Read Morocco visa requirements, money and the dirham, tipping in Morocco and what to pack for Morocco.
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
Morocco is one of the most visited countries in Africa and most trips go smoothly. The usual city precautions apply: watch your bag in crowded medinas, agree prices before a service and use official guides. Our full answer is in is Morocco safe to visit.
Getting around Morocco
Trains link Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech and Fes, with a high-speed line between Tangier and Casablanca. There are no trains to the Atlas valleys or the Sahara, so a car with a driver is the easiest way to cover the south. Compare the options in private driver vs group tour.
How many days do you need?
One week covers Fes, the Sahara and Marrakech; ten days add Chefchaouen and the coast; two weeks show the whole country. Our Morocco itineraries from 3 to 15 days compare the routes day by day.
Travel tips by country
Coming from abroad? Read our guides for travellers from the United States, the UK, Australia and Canada, France, Germany and Spain.
Frequently Asked Questions
Travel guides for this trip
- What Language Is Spoken in Morocco? Darija, Amazigh, French and 20 Useful Phrases
- Morocco Etiquette and Customs: 15 Dos and Don'ts for Visitors
- Do US, UK, Canadian and Australian Citizens Need a Visa for Morocco?
- Moroccan Dirham Guide: Money, ATMs and Currency Exchange Tips
- Tipping in Morocco: A Practical Guide for Drivers, Guides and Riads
- What to Pack for a Sahara Desert Camel Trek and Overnight Camp