Morocco Travel Guide
Morocco Facts
- Location: Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is the northwestern most country in the Maghreb region of North Africa.
- Official Language: Morocco's official languages are Arabic and Berber. French is widely used in governmental institutions, media, mid-size and large companies, international commerce with French-speaking countries, and often in international diplomacy.
- Capital: Rabat
- Population: about 37 million
- Currency: Moroccan dirham
- Time Zone: UTC +1
Why you should visit Morocco
1. Easy Access to the Sahara
Visit the largest desert in the world for once-in-a-lifetime experiences you’ll remember for years to come. Join in our tour and you will have the opportunity to do activities like sunrise camel rides and camping out in the desert – giving one of the best views of the stars in the world.
2. Exquisite architecture across the country
The cultural diversity of Morocco is reflected in the varied architectural beauties that can be found across the nation. From majestic mosques to traditional riads, brilliant palaces and sublime centers of religious study, Morocco has many fabulous buildings to admire. Some of Morocco’s most beautiful buildings include the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Saadian Tombs in Marrakech, the Grand Mosque in Tangier and the Mosque and the University of al Quaraouiyine in Fes.
3. Gorgeous beaches along stretching coastlines
Visit the coast of Morocco and there are beautiful golden sand beaches, ideal for relaxing or trying out water sports. On many of our Morocco holidays we visit Essaouira beach, including on our Family Atlas Adventure, where young children and teens will love learning to surf.
4.Delicious cuisine to satisfy varied tastes
Morocco is known worldwide for its excellent cuisine. Spices are found in abundance in a typical Moroccan kitchen, adding plenty of flavor to dishes. Bread is a staple food and there are various types, such as khobz, msemen, and baghrir to enjoy.
Meat is a common ingredient in Moroccan dishes, with lamb, mutton, beef and chicken being the most common. Seafood and fish are especially plentiful in coastal areas, with sardines are a particular favorite in Morocco. The most well-known national dishes include couscous and tagine. Pastilla, bissara, harira and brochettes are other key dishes to try. You’ll also find numerous sandwiches and pizzas, as well as a wide array of Moroccan pastries.
The Best Time to Travel in Morocco
The best time to visit Morocco is Autumn (September-November) or early spring (March-April). Spring and fall are the most popular times to visit Morocco because of the pleasant temperatures in many parts of the country. However, there can be spring sandstorms in the Sahara and persistent rain in the north. Demand and prices for accommodations jump around Easter when European families head to Morocco to warm up over the long weekend.
Top Things to do in Morocco
1.Explore Casablanca
Made famous by the film, most people have a bit of a shock when they turn up in Casablanca these days to find a huge modern metropolis filled with people.
Yes, this coastal city is actually the most populated place in Morocco, but spend a few days in the country’s beating heart and the madness of this place soon gets under your skin.
2. Photograph the Famed Blue Alleys of Chefchaouen
Chefchaouen is the most famous village of Morocco's Rif Mountains, with the alleys and walls of its small medina all washed in blue tones, making it one of Morocco's most photographed spots. The main activity in town is simply wandering the skinny lanes and soaking up the atmosphere, though once you've marveled at the colorful streets, there's plenty of hikes in the Rif Mountains to head off on.
3. Shop amid the Medina in Fes
One of the best things about Fez is its thriving cultural scene; it’s filled with everything from artists galleries, history and amazing crafts.
While shopping in Fes medina, it's a good idea to steer away from the well-trodden tourist streets, where shops and stalls mostly sell trinkets or overpriced handicrafts. The workshops of the artisans, hidden down in the back alleys, are where you'll discover the best shopping.
4. Walk the desert at Merzouga
Situated a stone’s throw from the Algerian borders, the Merzouga is nestled in the sand dunes that make this a perfect place to explore the Sahara Desert. If you’re really lucky, you might even spot a few flamingoes too. The drive from Marrakech can be up to 10 hours, so make sure you have a driver/guide that’ll take you. You can usually partner this up with a night in the desert yurts, too.
5. Explore the Colorful Alleyways of Moulay Idriss
Nestled at the bottom of Mount Zerhoun, Moulay Idriss Zerhoun is an important village to locals and Moroccan Muslims, too. This was the first spot where the Idrisid dynasty came to power and brought Isalm to the country.
Around the town itself, you’ll find loads of hiking and walking routes that are great early in the morning. Inside the town, you’ll find quaint little bakeries, olive pressing shops and plenty of coffee spots.
Visa to Morocco
Visa-exempted countries
If you are from one of the following countries, you do not need a visa for Morocco for stays of up to 90 days (except the ones otherwise specified):
Algeria
Andorra
Argentina
Australia
Bahrain
Brazil
Canada
Chile
China
Dominican Republic
European Union countries
Gabon
Hong Kong*
Iceland
Indonesia
Ivory Coast
Japan
Kuwait
Liechtenstein
Macau
Malaysia
Mexico
Monaco
New Zealand
Niger
Norway
Oman
Peru
Philippines
Qatar
Russia
San Marino
Saudi Arabia
Senegal
Singapore*
South Korea
Switzerland
Tunisia
Turkey
United Arab Emirates
United States
*Citizens of Hong Kong and Singapore can only stay in Morocco for up to 30 days.
How to Travel to Morocco if I Don’t Need a Visa?
If you are from one of the countries listed above, then you don’t have to apply for a Morocco visa before you travel. Instead, you can simply travel with:
- Your passport, which must be valid for another six months and has at least one blank page for the entry stamp.
- A return-flight ticket which is within the next 90 days.
- If you want to extend your stay, you may request an extension at the nearest Police Precinct in Morocco.
Morocco COVID-19 Travel Restrictions
What are the steps to be taken by travelers to come to Morocco?
Passengers travelling to Morocco must present a vaccination pass and a negative PCR test result less than 48 hours old before boarding the plane.
It should be noted that all vaccine passes issued by other countries are accepted as long as they are valid in their country of emission.
Travelers wishing to enter Morocco are advised to contact their airlines or embassies for more information on entry requirements.
Before boarding, passengers must present a health form, duly completed including the passengers address and two telephone numbers to locate them during their stay.
Upon arrival at the airports, antigenic tests will be performed randomly on passengers.
If the tests are positive, other preventive measures will be implemented.
What measures are implemented in case of positive cases?
There are two types of positive cases: normal cases and difficult and critical cases. The people who are positive after their arrival with normal diagnosis will have to observe a sanitary confinement in their place of residence with a careful follow-up. As for difficult cases, they will be taken care of in hospitals, public or private, according to the national protocol in application.