Visiting Morocco for the first time: 7 questions answered
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Morocco is a fascinating and easily reachable destination in North Africa. It is home to bustling cities, remote villages, and diverse landscapes.
But as someone who has never been to Morocco before, you probably have a lot of questions before your first visit. How do you get around? When is the best time to go? How much time do you need?
In this article, we’ll dive into the whats, wheres, hows, and whens that every first-time visitor to the kingdom of light should consider.
Morocco is a fascinating and diverse destination
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The answer to this question will largely depend on your preferences and what’s possible in terms of time and budget. If you’re planning to visit just one city in Morocco, such as Marrakesh or Fes, you can comfortably do that in two to three days.
Between one week and 10 days is a good amount of time to get a taste of the various cities and diverse natural landscapes of Morocco. You’ll also have enough time to venture into the desert or visit traditional Berber villages or ksars (fortified villages).
The diverse landscapes are the most fun thing about road tripping around Morocco
You can travel the country from north to south and back, or stick to one region and explore it in depth.
This seven-day road trip itinerary encompasses some of Morocco’s most-known spots. It’s a 1600-kilometre loop that will take you from Fes to the dunes of the Sahara desert, and on through Berber villages to the bustling city of Marrakesh and coastal Casablanca.
It’s a great option for first-timers, as it covers many of the country’s highlights as well as hidden gems.
Tanneries in Fes
Dunes of the Sahara desert
For a comprehensive, in-depth experience that lets you enjoy this multifaceted country at a more relaxed pace, you should plan to spend at least 2 to 3 weeks.
With that time, you can add other regions to your explorations, such as the northern area around Tangier, the coastal region around Agadir, or the Atlas mountains.
Morocco may not be the largest country in North Africa, but it’s still large. For comparison: without Western Sahara (a disputed territory that is mostly occupied by Morocco), Morocco is just slightly bigger than California.
There are several ways to cover large distances in Morocco. For one, most of the major cities have an airport and it’s possible to find relatively cheap tickets.
Another option is trains, which connect many of the popular tourist destinations. A high-speed train is available to reach Tangier, Kenitra, Rabat, and Casablanca. Traveling by train in Morocco is generally reliable and affordable.
Traveling through Morocco by car
To cover larger distances, you can also choose to travel by a coach or hire a private driver.
Last but not least, you can rent a car in Morocco. This is the option that gives you the most flexibility to move around and it’s also affordable.
The currency in Morocco is Moroccan dirham. One euro is approximately 10,8 dirham, one US dollar is 10 dirhams.
Prices vary depending on where you’re visiting. For example, you could find restaurants in major cities where the food prices are equivalent to those in Europe. However, you will also find many places where food is way cheaper.
The coastal city of Casablanca has many food options — but they’re not necessarily the cheapest
One thing that you can save a lot of money on is accommodation. As someone coming from Western Europe/North America, you can get very nice options for very affordable prices.
More established/touristy shops accept cards. That is not the case for smaller vendors/markets, so make sure you carry around some cash.
Accommodation in Morocco is very affordable. From boutique hotels to inns and hostels, you can find neat options for extremely friendly prices.
My suggestion would be to go for different types of accommodation in different places to enhance your Moroccan experience.
Accomodation in Aït Benhaddou (upper two images) and a riad in the Medina of Marrakesh (bottom two images)
One thing you should definitely add to your bucket list is staying in a riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses, typically with multiple stories, with an inner open-air courtyard and a garden. In the past, they were homes of wealthy citizens, such as merchants and courtiers.
If you’re visiting the Atlas Mountains, check out Berber homestays, which let you stay with a local Berber family.
Morocco is an incredibly diverse country, and that also goes for its weather. On the North coast, expect Mediterranean climate with warm summers and cooler winters.
As you move inland, the climate becomes more arid. Temperatures can reach well above 40°C in the desert. In the mountains, the average temperatures are around 30°C in the summer.
Aït Benhaddou is located not far from the mountains and can get very warm
To avoid the scorching summer sun in cities as well as on the coast, it is best to visit in spring or autumn. We did a Morocco road trip at the end of May & beginning of June. Depending on the place, the temperatures were between 20 and 30°C.
Note that the sun can be pretty harsh so no matter what time of the year you’re visiting, it’s a good idea to bring sunscreen and a hat.
More than 99% of the Moroccan population are Muslims, so it’s hardly a surprise that you’ll find many beautiful Mosques in every city and town.
However, the majority of them don’t allow non-Muslims to enter. The only exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca — the largest functioning mosque in Africa which stands right by the Atlantic Ocean.
You can visit at specific hours outside prayer times and only with a guide.
Largest mosque in Africa
Beautiful patterns and details
In other places, all you can hope for is a little peak through the door, when Muslims enter or exit the mosques for prayer.
In highly touristic places such as Marrakesh, you’ll see women wearing everything from tank tops and mini shorts to burkas. However, it’s advisable to dress modestly in Morocco, especially when visiting more rural areas.
You want to be respectful of the local norms, but you also want to be comfortable in the warm weather. Loose and flowy clothes tick both these boxes.
Scarf is a great accessory to have in Morocco
Long and flowy clothes are always a good choice
One piece of accessory you should definitely pack is a scarf. You can not only use it to cover your shoulders and back when visiting more conservative areas, but also to protect your head from the heat.
Comfortable sandals and/or sneakers are great for long days of walking around and exploring.
From the best time to visit and ideal transportation to must-experience types of accommodation, there are a number of things you should consider before you visit Morocco. With the right information at hand, you will be ready to start planning your trip!
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Have you been to Morocco? What other tips and considerations do you have? Drop a comment below!