Morocco: Africa just south of Spain
Morocco lies in North Africa, only 14 kilometres across the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain. Yet the difference is huge. The cities have old medinas, walls and souks, the landscape runs from the Atlantic coast to the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara, and the food, with tagine, couscous and mint tea, is a reason to go in itself.
Most people start in Marrakech, and many settle for a long weekend there. With a week or more you can see the desert, the mountains and the other imperial cities. The currency is the dirham.
Morocco lies in Africa. In winter it has mild, sunny days, see winter sun destinations.
Best places to visit in Morocco
In short: for a long weekend, stay in Marrakech. With a week or ten days, add the Atlas Mountains, Aït Benhaddou and a night in the Sahara at Merzouga, then finish in Fes. For the coast, Essaouira is a calm counterpoint to the cities.
1. Marrakech: the medina and the square
Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks and riad hotels with quiet courtyards behind plain doors. The medina is easy to get lost in, which is part of the point. Read our Marrakech guide and about Royal Mansour.
2. Fes: the oldest medina
Fes el-Bali is a UNESCO-listed maze of thousands of lanes, with the leather tanneries and old religious schools. A local guide saves a lot of time on the first day.
3. Chefchaouen: the blue town
A small town in the Rif Mountains painted in shades of blue, calmer than the big cities and good for walks in the hills. It is a long drive from Marrakech, so combine it with Fes.
4. The Sahara at Merzouga: the dunes of Erg Chebbi
High orange dunes, camel rides at sunset and a night in a desert camp. Read about desert camps in Merzouga.
5. Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate: the kasbah road
A fortified earthen village on the UNESCO list and a familiar film location, on the road between Marrakech and the desert.
6. The High Atlas: Berber villages and Toubkal
Mountain villages such as Imlil, walks between valleys and Jebel Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa at 4,167 metres. Snow is common in winter.
7. Essaouira: the windy harbour town
A whitewashed medina on the Atlantic, also on the UNESCO list, with fishing boats, grilled fish and steady wind for kitesurfing.
8. Todra Gorge: a canyon in the south
Rock walls hundreds of metres high on either side of a narrow river, a good stop on the way between the mountains and the desert.
9. Rabat: the calm capital
The capital is on the UNESCO list for its old and modern quarters, with the Kasbah of the Udayas above the river. It is quieter than Marrakech and Fes.
10. The Agafay desert: a desert near Marrakech
A stony desert about an hour from Marrakech, with camps for a night under the stars. It is not the dunes of the Sahara, but it works well on a short trip.
Where to stay in Morocco
Stay in a riad, a traditional house with a courtyard, in the medinas, and in a desert camp or kasbah out in the country.
Royal Mansour Marrakech: a palace of riads
One of the best-known hotels in the world, built as a small medina of private riads with their own courtyards and roof terraces.
La Sultana: riads in the kasbah
A luxury hotel of joined-up riads in the kasbah quarter of Marrakech, with a roof terrace and pool in the heart of the medina.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring, from March to May, and autumn, from September to November, are best for cities, mountains and desert. Winter brings mild days in Marrakech but cold nights, especially in the desert and mountains. Summer is very hot inland. Check the current entry rules before you travel.
A night in the Sahara
At Merzouga you can sleep in a desert camp among the Erg Chebbi dunes. Read our guide to Merzouga desert camps.
Where to stay in Morocco
Our pick
Royal Mansour Marrakech: private riads with rooftop terraces and plunge pools
Private riads with rooftop terraces and plunge pools, gardens full of flowers and a spa in white carved stone.
Frequently asked questions about Morocco
When is the best time to go to Morocco?
March to May and September to November are best. Winter has mild days and cold nights, and summer is very hot inland.
How long should you spend in Morocco?
A long weekend is enough for Marrakech. With ten days you can add the Sahara, the Atlas Mountains and Fes.
What is a riad?
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an inner courtyard or garden. Many have been turned into small hotels in the medinas.
Can you visit the Sahara from Marrakech?
Yes, but it is a long way. The drive to Merzouga takes a full day each way over the Atlas, so allow at least three days. The Agafay desert near Marrakech is a shorter, stony alternative.
What should you wear in Morocco?
Light clothes that cover shoulders and knees are wise in the cities and countryside. Bring warm layers if you are sleeping in the desert or the mountains.
What is the most beautiful place in Morocco?
Many would name Chefchaouen or the dunes at Merzouga. For cities, Fes and Marrakech are the most rewarding.
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