One of the things I love about Morocco is that there’s something quintessentially Moroccan about everything you see. Whether it’s the ancient medinas or the more neighbourhoods, whether it’s in the desert or the mountains, or somewhere on the road between them – you never forget where you are.
Morocco has a particular style, and it’s a style that the world has embraced – whether it’s the intricate tilework of the madrasas, the carpets hanging in the souks, the architecture of the mansions, or the tagines that cook your food.
Travelling through Morocco can feel a bit like stepping back in time, because the country’s heritage is still so intertwined with daily life. But there are also hip new businesses putting a fresh face on traditional food and drink, as well as the luxurious riads where you can sleep at night.
But there’s also variety here, which is fantastic. If you’re planning a longish trip to Morocco – perhaps the only one you’re likely to ever do – I would recommend trying to see a range of cities and other experiences. Each is a little different.
But, if you think you’ll come back to Morocco, maybe just concentrate on the north or the south and explore in as much detail as possible. There are so many things to do in Morocco, it can feel like a rush trying to squeeze them all in.
Although parts of Morocco can get quite chilly in winter, it’s actually a nice time to visit because you avoid the heat of summer and the crowd numbers are really low. Morocco in summer is beautiful with the blaring sun, but also very (and I mean very) hot.
Spring or autumn are perfect for the weather, but it does get quite busy because of this. If you can avoid holiday periods, though, it won’t be too bad and is probably the best time to come.
Morocco is considered to be a fairly safe country, although pickpocketing and other petty crime can happen. You also need to be aware of scams – so check prices in advance and be wary of anyone offering to help.
You will likely have issues with touts and other people hassling you for business in the big cities. It can be very annoying, but if you stay calm and ignore them, you’ll be fine. Women may get more attention than men, however.
The currency is the Moroccan Dirham, written as either dh or MAD.
Morocco uses the C (or E) power plug, with two round prongs.
The main language is Moroccan Arabic (and Berber), but English and French are common.
There is a train network in Morocco and it can be quite fast and comfortable. However, the trains are often delayed and it only connects the major cities.
One of the easiest ways to get around Morocco is by luxury bus, and there are regular departures between most of the main sights you’ll want to visit.
For some of the out-of-the-way parts of Morocco (such as the Atlas Mountains and Sahara Desert) I would recommend taking tours if you don’t have a car.
World Heritage Sites
See all of Morocco’s World Heritage Sites, or check out these highlights:
Interesting attractions
Along with the famous landmarks in Morocco, there are some cool smaller sights.
More top stories from Morocco
With such a variety of sights in Morocco, you can spend as long as you like here – from a short city break to weeks exploring the cultural and natural wonders.