MOROCCO TRAVEL TIPS: How to plan a trip to Morocco
More articles at the bottom of the page: Morocco Art and culture: Zellige Tiles |
Morocco is one of the most popular destinations in Africa, and for good reasons. Here you will find ancient and modern cities, colorful mountains, a never-ending desert, and a beautiful coastline.
On top of that, Morocco is a perfect country to experience Africa on a budget and discover traditional cuisine and old traditions.
Use these Morocco travel tips to plan your perfect vacation: find out how to plan a trip to Morocco, the best time to visit, some essential travel tips, what to eat in Morocco, and the best things to do.
Why visit Morocco
Though this country is only a short flight away from Europe, and despite years of French and Spanish colonialization, Morocco kept its unique and vibrant traditions. Therefore, traveling across the country feels like stepping back in time.
You can discover idyllic villages and unique sights. On top of that, the diversity of landscape allows for numerous activities, such as trekking, rock climbing, surfing, and more…
Read on to find out the best things to do in Morocco and some essential Morocco travel tips…
Essential Morocco travel tips
LANGUAGE: the official language is Arabic.
MONEY/ATM: the official currency is the Moroccan dirham. ATMs are common in the big/main cities. Always carry cash with you as not everywhere will accept card payment.
ELECTRONIC APPLIANCES: the socket types in Morocco are C and E, with a standard frequency of 50Hz and voltage of 220V.
VISA: no visa is needed when visiting Morocco for less than 90 days.
Best time to visit Morocco
Generally speaking, you can visit Morocco all year round. Nevertheless, the winter months ( December-February) can get pretty cold, especially if visiting the Atlas Mountains. Traveling in winter can be the best option if looking to do Morocco on a budget.
The best time to visit Morocco is during Spring (March-May) or Autumn (September-October) when the temperatures are warm and pleasant, the days are long and there is very little rain.
This is the perfect time to explore cities and organize trekking and inland adventures.
The summer months (June-August) can be very busy and the temperatures can reach uncomfortable heat levels, up to 40 degrees Celsius.
How much is a trip to Morocco?
Generally speaking, Morocco has reasonable prices, nevertheless, you can use these Morocco travel tips to plan your travel expenses and make the best out of your vacation!
These costs are rough and can change.
Accommodation
A mid-range hotel can be between 40 and 60 dollars per night. Hostels and cheaper accommodations are also available if you are looking to do Morocco on a budget.
More luxury options start from 100/150 dollars per night upwards.
Airbnb is widely used in major cities and a great way to explore Morocco’s real lifestyle.
Food
Street food is extremely cheap (3 to 4 dollars) and widely available.
Eating at a mid-range restaurant will vary from just under $10 to $20.
More high-end meals will start from $20 upwards.
Activities
The price of activities will vary depending on the location and availability. A short city tour will be around $15 while day trips are from $50 to $80. Multi days trips to more secluded locations (such as the Sahara desert and the Atlas Mountains) are between $150 to a few hundred dollars.
What to eat in Morocco
You won’t be disappointed with the quality of food in Morocco. The country prides itself on its large variety of spices, flavours and original combinations of colourful dishes. These are just a few of the best and most popular things to eat in Morocco!
Tajine:
Probably one of the most popular Moroccan dishes. A mix of meat, vegetables, and nuts cooked in a traditional clay pot. You will find this dish in every home as well as in luxury restaurants. It always comes with a side of bread.
Couscous:
Cous Cous is cooked semolina wheat mixed with vegetables and meat. This flavourful dish is rich in spices, such as saffron, black pepper, ginger, and turmeric…A must-try while traveling across Morocco.
Bastilla:
This is a thin dough pie filled with meat, vegetables, and spices. In the past, the pie was made of pigeon meat but today more “conventional” options are available (such as chicken). The top layer is finished off with sugar or cinnamon making this a unique dish in Morocco.
Mint tea:
Drinking tea in Morocco is a culinary experience. Despite being refreshing and having digestive properties mint tea stands at the heart of Moroccan culture and social events. Don’t miss the opportunity to try this sweet beverage.
Dates:
This country offers over 100 different varieties of dates! Moroccan people use dates in many traditional dishes but there is no better way to try this delicious treat on its own. You can find a wide selection in markets and local stores.
Best things to see and do in Morocco
From vibrant streets to snowy mountains and dramatic coastline, Morocco really does have it all!
Use these Morocco travel tips to find out some of the best things to do while traveling across this beautiful country.
Atlas mountain
The Atlas Mountains are a breathtaking mountain range spanning Morocco, Algeria, and Tunisia. This is the perfect destination for adventure pack holidays, including hiking and trekking across traditional villages.
Here you will find the highest peak in North Africa, Jebel Toubkal (4,167 meters).
Visiting the Atlas Mountain range is a great way to discover and explore the Moroccan minimalistic lifestyle.
Furthermore, this area is well known for challenging rock climbing and hiking near Taghia town, mountain biking, and skiing/ice climbing in winter.
Marrakech
Marrakech is conveniently located at the foothill of the Atlas Mountains, making this the perfect spot to start and finish day (or multi-day) trips.
The combination of European, African, and middle easter culture made Marrakech a unique and vibrant city! Old and modern architecture mix together creating a labyrinth of twisty roads and colorful chaos.
Marrakech is an iconic city full of history, innovative museums, local markets, modern mansions, and rooftops. Therefore make sure you allow yourself plenty of time to explore and enjoy everything Marrakech has to offer.
Some of the most popular attractions are Saadian Tombs, El Badi Palace, and Jardin Majorelle.
Casablanca
Although not as popular as Marrakech, Casablanca remains one of the best places to visit in Morocco due to Arab culture mixed with french influence from the old colonization days.
The city features stunning mosques, great architecture, and sophisticated hotels. Therefore, visiting Casablanca can be a perfect opportunity to unwind and relax in luxury villas and expensive shopping centers.
Fez
The city of Fez is a UNESCO world heritage site and probably one of the most popular destinations in Morocco and for good reasons.
Fez’s old Medina is still based on traditional industries, such as textile, leather, soap making…
Here it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the smell of drying leather and colorful dyes. Fez’s tanneries have been in operation since medieval times, today they create a stunning and unique sign, a perfect way to witness history in action.
Fez is considered the cultural capital of Morocco and it’s home to the world’s oldest university established in 859AD. It’s also the birthplace of intricate and beautiful tile work known as Zellige, a staple of Moroccan art and culture.
Chefchaouen Town
Situated in the Northern part of Morocco, this colorful town is one of the most photographed sights in the country.
Chefchaouen was founded in the 15th century but today is known and recognized all over the world for its bohemian atmosphere.
The buildings are a pastel blue with rusty red roofs and the occasional colorful doorway and staircase. The story behind the many shades of Chefchaouen is fascinating, according to locals, the color blue symbolizes the sky, heaven, and spiritual life.
A short stay in Chefchaouen is a must when traveling across Morocco. On top of that, hotels are cheap, locals friendly and the food is amazing.
Finally, this town is located near the Rim Mountains, a great place for multi-day hiking trips across waterfalls, valleys, and hills.
Sahara Desert
The Sahara Desert is, without a doubt, one of the best places to visit in Morocco. Witness sunsets and sunrises over the golden sand dunes and experience firsthand the Moroccan nomadic lifestyle.
Traveling to the Sahara requires a long road journey and a guided tour is recommended due to the harsh conditions of the desert.
Spending a few days in this surreal landscape will allow for numerous photographic opportunities as well as a wide range of activities, such as quad biking and sandboarding. After dark, bright stars will cover the sky, unspoiled by the pollution of civilization, creating a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Essaouira
The port city of Essaouira is a great way to explore the Moroccan coastline. Here you can still find a “small town” feeling and “lay back” atmosphere despite being a popular destination amongst Europeans.
Essaouira’s medina is a labyrinth of intricate roads and colorful shops and restaurants, surrounded by fortified walls.
Furthermore, this city is a surfer’s paradise due to its location on the Atlantic Ocean.
Secret Dakhla
Isolated from the rest of Morocco, Dakhla is part of Western Sahara (This is not a recognized country and is currently controlled by Morocco). Despite being difficult to reach due to its location, Dakhla deserves its spot as one of the best places to visit in Morocco.
A small paradise between the Sahara desert and the Atlantic ocean, a spectacular coastline with secluded beaches and white sand.
Dakhla is a hidden gem perfect for water activities such as kitesurfing and surfing as well as relaxing on the beach and enjoy food and drinks in one of the many resorts.
In conclusion
Morocco is an incredible country, with a dramatic landscape, adventure-packed holidays, colorful towns, and modern cities. Use these Morocco travel tips to organize your perfect vocation!
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