A land of sweeping sands, rugged mountains and blustery coastlines, Morocco is a country of dizzying diversity. Meander through crowded medinas, admire colourful woven rugs and haggle in the souks with insistent locals over glittering trinkets that can’t possibly fit into your overflowing suitcase.
Inhale the scents of aromatic spices and sizzling tagines. Prepare to eat your weight in dates, olives and bread in between the copious cups of mint tea and nous nous. Whilst popular Marrakesh is a wonderful introduction to Moroccan culture, we would highly recommend venturing further if your itinerary allows. Sleep under the stars among the undulating dunes of the Sahara Desert. Be bedazzled by cerulean, sky and cornflower blues in Chefchaouen and breathe in the fresh sea air in the coastal town of Essaouira.
With its Berber, Arabian and European cultural influences, there are a myriad of cultural experiences and activities for adventurous travellers who come to Morocco. Book yourself into a boutique riad and lose yourself in the sights, smells and sounds of this magical place.
Top Experiences In Morocco
1. Camping in the Sahara Desert
Take a bumpy ride in a 4WD over the silky, sand dunes before watching a spectacular sunset descend into nothingness.
2. Barter in the souks
Wanting to furnish your home with a Moroccan rug? How about an Aladdin-esque lamp? Put on your poker face and get ready to strike up a bargain in the souks.
3. Walk the blue streets of Chefchaouen
Covered in fifty shades of blue, the streets of The Blue Pearl are simultaneously calming and mesmerising. You’re bound to be captivated by this northern town.
4. Be pampered at La Mamounia
For something a little bit more fancy, book a day pass and enjoy a few of life’s luxuries including a nap on the lounge by the indoor pool.
5. Tour the tanneries in Fes
The overpowering smell will hit you even before you’ve laid eyes on the ancient pots filled with coloured dyes.
Before You Go To Morocco...
We toured Morocco for two weeks firstly with Intrepid Travel on their South Morocco Discovery tour and then by ourselves up to the famous photogenic town of Chefchaouen. Between us, we ate a lot of tagines and sipped plenty of mint whilst covering a lot of ground between the seaside and the cities. Read these posts to help you plan your adventure to Morocco.
Planning Your Trip To Morocco
What is the official language of Morocco? What is Morocco’s currency? What is the best way to travel around Morocco? Here’s a quick snapshot to help plan your trip to Morocco.
LANGUAGE
Moroccan Arabic (Darija), Tamazight (Berber), French, Spanish (near Spain)
CURRENCY
Moroccan dirham (Dh)
WI-FI
Limited to cities
TRANSPORT
Private vehicles, public buses, trains, taxis
ELECTRICITY
Morocco operates on a 220V supply voltage and 50Hz. Plug types C and E.
time zone
GMT+01:00
Best Time To Go To Morocco
From the snowcapped Atlas Mountains to the swirling sands of the Sahara Desert, Morocco can go from freezing cold to blistering hot at the peak of their seasons. Be prepared for varying climates across the country and book accordingly.
HIGH SEASON
March – May (Spring) and September – November (Autumn). Pleasant climates around the country make it perfect for exploring Morocco.
SHOULDER SEASON
December – February. The nights are chilly, particularly in the mountains. Embrace the cold or head south where surf camps are popular.
LOW SEASON
June – August. This is in the middle of Morocco’s scorching summers so being outside for long periods is unbearable. Can you handle the heat?
Sound Like A Local
Some basic Darija phrases that will be useful to you when you travel in Morocco.
HELLO
marhabaan
GOODBYE
wadaeaan
PLEASE
raja’
THANK YOU
shukraan
YES / NO
nem / la
ONE, TWO, THREE
wahid, athnyn, thlath
