Morocco Travel Guide
- Mary Kate gKing
- Apr 16
- 14 min read
Updated: May 15
Morocco Travel Guide
Morocco is a beautiful country to visit for photographers, foodies, and shopaholics alike. It is especially perfect for those who love experiencing new cultures. With such a diverse landscape, this country has so many options on how to explore it. There were things I absolutely loved about the country and then definitely some things that grew old by the end of our trip. I’m still very happy I went on this trip despite reading some articles cautioning travel to Morocco.
Morocco is a country that has some incredible people but I do recommend doing your research before visiting. This article will take a deep dive into everything from which cities to visit, where to stay, what to eat, and more. For quick-read travel tips for Morocco, click HERE.
Let's start by looking at a map highlighting the most popular destinations to visit in Morocco:
For reference, we visited Marrakech, Draa Valley, Merzouga (Erg Chebbi Dunes, Sahara Desert), Fes, and Chefchaouen during our trip to Morocco (In that order). I’ll include some brief notes on the other popular destinations like Casablanca and Tangier but I would like to note that I unfortunately did not get to visit those cities. The destinations I listed above aren’t very close to one another, specifically getting to the Erg Chebbi Dunes in the Sahara Desert. Unless you organize a private plane or helicopter service, you will find yourself traveling via long car rides stretching over one to two days in order to visit the magnificent Sahara Desert. If just the sound of that long travel deters you, another more convenient location for you to visit is the Afgay Desert. Approximately 45 minutes to an hour from Marrakech, you’ll get a taste of the desert life without all the hassle. I’d like to note that you should do more research about visiting because it is mostly rocks, not sand, so it might not be exactly what you are looking for. If you are still interested in visiting the iconic sand dunes of the Sahara in Morocco despite the distance, jump to the Sahara Desert.
Marrakech
City Details: A perfect city to start our travels in Morocco. Smaller than other popular cities like Fes and Casablanca, we were able to appreciate the medina without feeling overwhelmed by its size. It is still possible to get lost in this medina and we did have people trying to give us incorrect directions so still be mindful when you are “getting lost” in the medina in Marrakech. I highly recommend reading my travel tips for Morocco when planning your trip and definitely before visiting.
How long should I stay here?
Because this is a smaller city, I think two days is more than enough time to visit. After our first full day, we felt like we saw all the key attractions in Marrakech. You could spend as little as one full day in Marrakech, but it would be best to enjoy it over 2-3 days and 2 nights in Marrakech.
Activities:
Souk Semmarine: largest market in Morocco
Known for bags, rugs & lamps (have an idea of prices before going, haggling is common practice in Morocco. If you don’t get the price you want, keep walking because you’ll likely pass 10 more stores selling the exact same thing.)
Stalls typically open between 9–10am and close around 7–8pm (super hot midday, good to go in the morning or evening) Google says its hours are 9am-9pm but if you go around 7pm or later, you’ll have some shops closed up.
Place des Épices:
Square where you can buy spices (9am-8pm)
Koutoubia Mosque:
Largest Mosque in Marrakech
Bahia Palace: Palace in Marrakech
“Bahia Palace is another famous Marrakesh sight (number 2 in TripAdvisor) which is actually worth it.” - we did not visit when we were here because of timing but read good things about it.
El Badi Palace:
Ruined palace in Marrakech
Restaurants:
As far as dining in Marrakech goes, there are so many options. If you are looking for rooftops with cocktails, know you’ll be dining with tourists and paying a premium for alcohol. The views at any of the rooftop restaurants are spectacular and should be enjoyed during sunset.
Le Jardin Restaurant:
1960s riad and hidden garden offering fresh veggie dishes, local specialties, and fruit juices.
Dar El Bacha Palace: Drink coffee in the glamorous palace
Le Bistro Arabe: Listen to live jazz while enjoying a delicious meal or just go for a drink - we did not dine here but it was highly rated on google $$$$
Accommodations:
Riad Anya and Spa: Beautiful Riad in Marrakech with friendly staff who organized our transportation from the airport and greeted us with delicious tea on arrival. We enjoyed a massive delicious breakfast on the rooftop. We did not dine at our Riad but they did have that as an option. The riad was located in the old town walls but not in the medina center, it was about a 10-minute walk to get to the hustle and bustle which did not bother us. Extremely friendly staff. I don’t think they knew the word “no”.
Address: 149 derb sidi M'barek Quartier Sidi mimoun, 40000 Marrakesh, Morocco
Fes
City Details: Fes is a much bigger city with a modern city outside of the traditional Medina walls. It is the oldest Medina in Africa dating back to the 12th century. I recommend staying inside the Medina, specifically at our favorite accommodation in Morocco, Riad Diamant de Fes. (Not promotional- we just had an amazing experience with the staff). Staying in the traditional Medina allows you to fully immerse yourself in the Moroccan experience and will allow you to walk to almost all of the main attractions in Fes. It can be EXTREMELY confusing to navigate on your own which is why I appreciated the staff at our accommodation so much. We didn’t have to walk alone through the Medina because we had tour Riad staff show us around, they booked tours for us where the guides came to our Riad to pick us up, and had the staff from favorite restaurants walk us to and from our dinner reservations. This Medina in Fes felt like a mega city making Marrakech seem like a doll house in comparison. As mentioned before, I recommend reading my travel tips blog to ensure you are well-informed before traveling.
How long should I stay here?
The length at which you stay here depends on whether you plan on doing a day trip to Chefchaouen, enjoy shopping, or would want to include other activities like a cooking or photography class. Fes is much bigger than Marrakech and Chefchaouen. We pretty much exclusively explored this medina with tour guides or people from our Riad to avoid getting lost and being put in a sticky situation. My husband and I are not huge shoppers so going into rug and leather shops is not high on our list of things to do when traveling. That being said, there are options to go on tours that don’t include this as long as you have the right guide. I think at least two full days would be enough to see just Fes, but 3 full days would make you feel less rushed. I don’t think you’d run out of things to do if you decided to stay 4 days but I don’t think you’d need any more time than that.
Activities:
Chouara Tannery: where they dye leather, infamous picture of Fes
In order to see this tannery, you need to enter through a leather shop, which has an expectation that you buy something or tip them. (Unless you have the best tour guide. Our tour price included entry to the leather shop which did not require us to purchase anything. They also provided us with mint because of the smell). I’d highly recommend our tour guide but unfortunately, I don’t have their information because it was booked by our Riad staff. We had a half-day private walking tour of Fes booked by the staff at our Riad and was reasonably priced at about $30 per person. It wasn’t surprising that our guide was so wonderful because the staff at Riad Diamant De Fes were very particular about who they worked with. Because this tour was at the end of our trip, we emphasized to our guide that we didn’t want to do any shopping and he respected that and was not pushy like other experiences we had.
If you are interested in purchasing leather, I’d recommend doing your research before on how to identify genuine leather and pricing. Before we went to the tannery our guide pointed out some ways to know if it was fake. An example to test if it is real leather is sticking a lighter to it. This is a popular way for leather salesmen to prove to you that it is genuine leather. The prices will vary on the type of leather, they sell 4 types from the tannery in the leather shops. The options are camel, goat, sheep, and cow. Goats and camels are known to be the best and there is a coined phrase of “sheep are cheap”. Sheep and goat are both thinner leathers that you should not have to pay as much for (if you know the difference). All the prices are negotiable for the most part and haggling the price is a part of the culture.
Prior to my visit, what I had read online about the Chouara Tannery was that it was smelly, and many people didn’t feel like it was worth it because it was “not as colorful” and they felt pressured to purchase leather items. Overall, I am glad I was able to see it since it’s a significant attraction in Fes but I think everyone should weigh their interests and select a good guide before visiting. Our tour provided mint and the smells did not really bother me.
Bou Inania Madrasa: 14th Century Koronic School. Many visitors enjoy not only the history but love snapping some instagram-worthy pics.
Exploring the Medina: The old town has incredibly busy streets with lots of shopping. It feels like you are walking through a big maze. Walking around and exploring on your own is an option but just be aware of how to get back to your accommodation and understand the street signs (what symbol is a dead end). I go over some of this information in my travel tips.
Restaurants:
Dar Roumana: French and Moroccan cuisine, elegant dining
Cafe Clock: known for its camel burgers and cooking classes
La Maison Bleue: Located in a riad, traditional moroccan cuisine with live music.
Accommodations:
Riad Diamant De Fes - There are so many beautiful Riads within Morocco, especially Fes. Although there are so many to choose from, Riad Diamant De Fes should be the only Riad you consider staying at. The hospitality & service provided is better than many 5-star hotels I've stayed in. Their amazing hospitality started with their welcome of collecting us from our driver, walking us and all our luggage to our Riad, and then greeting us with tea. During our stay they walked us to the ATM twice so we didn't get lost and felt more comfortable. They also organized our tour guide of Fes and transportation to Chefchouen. They help coordinate someone picking you up from the Riad or will walk you themselves to meet for tours, restaurant reservations, and transportation. We never had to worry about getting lost in this very confusing city and all of this was at no extra charge. If you are not already aware, old town Fes is VERY big with over 9,000 narrow busy, unnamed streets. In Fes and other cities throughout Morocco, people will try to scam you by giving you "free" directions on the streets, then make you more lost & demand money. We experienced this in Marrakesh and were so grateful for the services provided by the Riad so we didn't have to worry about it. Muhammed sat down with us upon arrival and helped explain some "signs" to know if roads were dead ends or not in case we wanted to go out exploring by ourselves. They really cared about our safety and experience in and outside of the Riad.
Chefchaouen
City Details:
This beautiful blue town is perfect for photographers and anyone who wants to enjoy a slower pace while strolling down beautiful blue streets. This city had a different energy than the rest of the cities we visited in Morocco. While some of the other bigger cities can feel overwhelming, especially with the salesman in the medinas, Chefchaouen had a relaxed and calming energy to it. It was a perfect way to end our trip after being tired from the hustle and bustle in the rest of the cities.
How long should I stay here?
I’d like to note that it is pretty small and can easily be explored in a single day. We did a day trip from Fes here, but staying at least 1 night and 2 days is a nice way to embrace the easygoing pace while exploring the town.
Activities:
The best thing to do in Chefchaouen is just getting lost in the beautiful blue streets and visiting the medina. One thing I’d like to flag is to be mindful when taking pictures down the streets. Many locals put extra effort into making the streets instagram-photo ready and may ask for donations or small payments to take photos in front of aesthetically pleasing spots they have set up.
Grand Mosque in Chefchaouen: Oldest Mosque in Chechaouen
Kasba Museum: Overlooks the city, entrance fee is 60 Dirhams
Restaurants:
It's easy to stumble into small local restaurants if you commit to just walking around and exploring the city. But here are some specific recommendations:
We ate at Cafe Clock for lunch and enjoyed our food on the rooftop but knew we were eating with all the tourists when we sat down. There is actually multiple Cafe Clocks, another located in Fes. They are known for their camel burger which was pretty good and a nice change from
Restaurant Beldi Bab Ssour- traditional Moroccan
Cafe Restaurant Sofia - All women-run establishment, Moroccan cuisine
El Cielo Restaurant, upscale, variety menu
Accommodations:
Lalla Ghayta: breakfast included
Dar Meziana: breakfast included
Riad ALHAMBRA: breakfast included
Casablanca
City Details: Casablanca is the largest city in Morocco with a population of approximately 3.7 million. It is located on the coast of Morocco and has the biggest airport in Morocco.
How long should I stay here? Most people recommended 1-2 days in Casablanca to sightsee and an additional day or two if wanting to visit nearby beaches at a more relaxed pace.
Activities:
Hassan II Mosque: oceanfront mosque, one of the largest in the world
Corniche Ain Diab: A scenic seaside promenade with beaches, cafes, and nightlife. (reminder that drinking alcohol is not super common in Morocco and prices of alcohol are more expensive because of that).
Old Medina: Like most Moroccan cities, there is a colorful, bustling medina to explore.
Villa des Arts: contemporary art museum
Restaurants:
Rick’s Café: A famous restaurant inspired by the 1942 movie Casablanca.
La Sqala: “A charming restaurant set in an old fortress, serving delicious Moroccan dishes and a famous breakfast selection.”
Le Riad: “A hidden gem in the city offering authentic tajines and couscous in a traditional setting.”
Accommodations:
Tangier
City Details: Tangier is located at Morocco's northern tip where the Mediterranean Sea meets the Atlantic Ocean and is 20 miles from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar.
How long should I stay here? General recommendations suggest spending 2-3 days in Tangier with 3 full days to explore at a relaxed pace.
Activities:
Kasbah Museum (Dar el Makhzen): Moroccan history and art museum.
Cap Spartel Lighthouse: Lighthouse with the view of the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Old Medina: Like most Moroccan cities, there is a colorful, bustling medina to explore.
Grand Socco: A lively square serving as a central meeting point, surrounded by cafés and the gateway to the Medina
Restaurants:
Le Saveur du Poisson: Renowned for its fixed seafood menu, offering fresh, flavorful dishes in a rustic setting.
Le Nabab: Set within the Medina, this restaurant serves Moroccan specialties in a charming, traditional setting
Accommodations:
Aux 3 Portes: views of the ocean, breakfast included
Kasba Blanca: rooftop with ocean views
Merzouga: Sahara Desert
City Details: Erg Chebbi and Erg Chigaga are the iconic orange sand dunes of the Sahara Desert that everyone craves to see when visiting Morocco. Visiting the desert is a main attraction for people going to Africa, especially when visiting Morocco. What people don’t realize is that it is not as easy to get to as many people think. If you want to avoid long car rides there are options to take private planes and helicopters but the nearest private airport (Errachidia or Zergoa).
How long should I stay here? I had read mixed reviews on how long to stay in the desert but ultimately decided to stay 2 nights instead of one to not feel rushed and in order to properly appreciate the beautiful dunes of the Sahara desert. Our trip from Marrakech to Erg Chebbi dunes to Fes was 4 days and 3 nights. We were picked up early in the morning from Marakech and drove to Draa Valley where we stayed at this incredible hotel. We made multiple stops along the way to sightsee. Minus stops, it is a 5.5 hour drive from Marrakech to Draa Valley. After our wonderful stay at Dar Hini in Draa Valley, we continued on to the desert with day 2 consisting of a 4 hr drive to the desert. We arrived in the desert just in time for sunset and appreciated the breathtaking landscape. The next day we enjoyed sandboarding, riding camels, and relaxing by the pool. ATVs were offered but we declined. We got to enjoy 1 more night at our glampsite right on the edge of the Ergg Chebbi Dunes. (pro tip, wake up for the sunrise for the best colors of the sand dunes and breathtaking views). On our 4th and final day we had a LONG 8hr drive (excluding stops) to Fes. Overall, the trip was worth it in order to see the beautiful dunes. I highly recommend weighing your options and travel preferences before booking this type of travel. I can’t imagine staying just 1 night in the desert since there is so much travel to get there and then you’d only arrive at sunset and leave in the morning. (Another pro tip, consider what time of year when planning to visit the desert due to extreme weather and windstorms).
Activities:
Camel Ride: We opted for two camel rides when we were there. One at sunset on our first day, and the other was a longer mid-day camel ride. Riding the camels once would have been fine. They can be very painful to ride and you can end up very sore. I had been warned about this and to make sure to wear comfortable clothing that did not chafe. People are advised to bring muscle relaxers or ibuprofen to help with the discomfort. While we didn’t need any medication, I still felt very sore in my hips from riding the camel. It also is an intense experience getting on and off of them. Overall, I’m happy I checked this off on my bucket list but not sure if i’ll be seeking out more camels in the future.
Sandboarding: This is something we had done before but was offered for free by our accommodation. You’ll get tired quickly so plan for this activity not to take too long if you are doing it at your accommodation.
ATV Rides: We did not end up doing an ATV ride but this is an option offered by most accommodations at an additional cost.
Stargazing: We decided to enjoy the stars in the privacy of our own location but there are companies that offer formal trips.
Accommodations:
Make sure you choose your accommodations wisely. Many of the desert camp names are similar so make sure to confirm reviews and pictures of the destination you pick. Things to consider are if you want access to in-tent toilets, hot water, private showers, and bathrooms when looking at accommodation options. We really enjoyed our stay with Desert Luxury Camp and paid extra to stay in their Royal Camp. It is important to book your accommodation first then plan the tour / transportation to and from the desert with your accommodation. This will ensure you have an accommodation you are happy with staying at. We did not love the tour company our accommodation used, “City Guides”. I gave feedback directly to the person we were working with at our accommodation, Janna. The staff, accommodation, and experience we had at both Desert Luxury Camp and at Dar Hnini in Draa Valley was wonderful. We had issues with our driver being pushy with shopping throughout our 4-day journey and that was our only complaint from the trip. My more detailed reviews on the accommodations we stayed at can be found HERE.
Morocco General Tips
Make sure you visit a travel clinic, contact your doctor, or visit the CDC website for the up-to-date health concerns for Morocco. CDC Guidelines For Traveling To Morocco: Make sure your typhoid is up to date!
It is not possible to obtain Dirhams outside Morocco. There is an ATM and a Bureau de change at Marrakech airport. Taxi drivers accept euros from the airport - €15 but have €20 handy. ATMs are readily accessible in Morocco.
You advised to cover from the knee to above the elbow. From late summer through to late spring pack layers and a warm jacket; in summer a light-weight fleece or similar.
ALWAYS APPLY BUG SPRAY AFTER SUNSCREEN APPLICATION
For more helpful travel tips for visiting Morocco, click HERE.
For a quick-read 10-day Morocco itinerary, click HERE.
For a more detailed 10-Day Itinerary, click HERE.
For the highs, lows, unexpecteds, and learned, click HERE.
For more information about Morocco Accommodations, click HERE. (In excel format, best viewed on a computer).
Want more assistance planning your trip? Contact me for personalized itineraries, full travel service bookings, or questions.
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