Home › Morocco
Morocco Travel Guide
Curated by Our Guild Explorers · Updated August 2026
Where the Atlantic and the Mediterranean run up against the Sahara — the rose-red walls and hurtling souks of Marrakech, the medieval labyrinth of Fes, Casablanca's ocean boulevards, Tangier looking across the strait to Spain, and the surf and sun of Agadir. Add the snow of the High Atlas and the dunes beyond, and this is the Guild's chapter on Morocco.
Jemaa el-Fna, the great square at the heart of Marrakech, as the evening food stalls light up. Photo: Wikimedia Commons.
Where to stay & when to go
Guild guides to the best places to stay in Morocco's headline destinations — and the best time to plan your trip.
Where to Stay in Marrakech ›
Best areas and hotels — a riad in the medina, the palm-grove Palmeraie, or the smart Hivernage and Gueliz.
Where to Stay in Fes ›
Restored riads inside the ancient medina and comfortable hotels in the Ville Nouvelle — where to base yourself.
Where to Stay in Agadir ›
Beachfront resorts, all-inclusives and spa hotels along Morocco's sunniest Atlantic bay.
Best Time to Visit Morocco ›
Month-by-month weather, crowds and prices — and the spring and autumn sweet spots.
Why visit Morocco
Few countries pack so much into a short flight from Europe: medieval cities, Atlantic beaches, high mountains and the edge of the world's greatest desert.
The imperial cities
Marrakech and Fes, plus Rabat and Meknes — walled medinas, tiled palaces and madrasas, and souks that have traded spice, leather and silver for a thousand years.
The Sahara & the Atlas
Camel treks and nights under the stars in the dunes of Merzouga and Zagora, and the snow-capped High Atlas with Berber villages, gorges and the kasbah of Aït Benhaddou.
The Atlantic coast
Surf and sea breezes from windswept Essaouira to the long, sunny bay of Agadir, and the ocean boulevards of Casablanca — Morocco's mild, modern seaboard.
Food & the art of hospitality
Tagines and couscous, mint tea poured from a height, saffron and preserved lemon, and the quiet luxury of a restored riad with a courtyard fountain.
The regions of Morocco
Each region is its own trip. Full Guild city guides are rolling out; for now, every city links straight to hotels through our Trip.com partner.
The red city and its souks, gardens and palaces, with the snow-topped High Atlas, Berber valleys and the desert kasbahs on its doorstep.
- Marrakech guide
- Ouarzazate soon
The spiritual and craft capital of Morocco, with the world's largest living medieval medina, plus nearby Meknes and Roman Volubilis.
Morocco's ocean seaboard — cosmopolitan Casablanca, the sunny beach resort of Agadir, and the ramparts and surf of Essaouira.
- Casablanca guide
- Agadir guide
- Essaouira soon
Tangier at the mouth of the Mediterranean, the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen, and the beaches of the northern coast.
- Tangier guide
- Chefchaouen soon
How the country divides up
Marrakech & the High Atlas
For most travellers Morocco begins in Marrakech, and it should. The great square of Jemaa el-Fna fills each evening with storytellers, musicians and food stalls; behind it, the souks, the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the serene Majorelle Garden reward days of wandering. Beyond the ramparts rise the High Atlas, an easy day trip to Berber villages and the Ourika Valley, and the gateway to the desert kasbahs and dunes further south.
Fes & the Imperial Cities
Fes is Morocco's oldest imperial capital and its spiritual heart, home to the labyrinthine Fes el-Bali medina, the Al-Qarawiyyin university-mosque and the famous tanneries. Nearby Meknes and the Roman ruins of Volubilis make it the richest region for history, best explored on foot with a good local guide.
The Atlantic Coast
Casablanca is Morocco's economic capital and its most modern face, crowned by the vast seafront Hassan II Mosque and lined with Art Deco boulevards. South down the coast, breezy Essaouira guards its ramparts and fishing harbour, while Agadir offers the country's most reliable beach weather, a long sandy bay and resort comfort.
The North & the Rif
Tangier, long a haunt of writers and artists, looks across the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain, with a revived medina and a breezy corniche. Inland, the Rif Mountains hold Chefchaouen, whose blue-painted lanes are among the most photographed in Morocco.
Top things to do in Morocco
The experiences worth building a trip around.
Get lost in the souks
The covered markets of Marrakech and Fes — carpets, lanterns, leather and spice — are a sensory overload and the best place to practise the friendly art of haggling.
A night in the Sahara
Ride a camel over the dunes of Merzouga or Zagora at sunset, then sleep in a desert camp under a sky thick with stars, far from any city light.
Jemaa el-Fna after dark
Marrakech's great square comes alive at dusk with grilled-food stalls, gnaoua musicians and snake charmers — theatre you watch over a bowl of harira soup.
The Hassan II Mosque
Casablanca's colossal seafront mosque, with its 210-metre minaret and a hall for tens of thousands, is one of the few in Morocco open to non-Muslim visitors on guided tours.
Stay in a riad
Sleep in a restored courtyard house in the medina — tilework, a plunge pool, a rooftop for breakfast — the quintessential Moroccan luxury, at every price level.
The High Atlas & kasbahs
Drive the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the mud-brick kasbah of Aït Benhaddou, a film-set favourite, and hike among Berber villages and walnut groves.
Best time to visit & getting there
When to go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the sweet spots: warm, comfortable days for Marrakech, Fes and the desert, and pleasant evenings.
Summer is hot inland — Marrakech and the Sahara can be fierce — but the Atlantic coast at Casablanca, Essaouira and Agadir stays mild. Winter is cool, with snow in the Atlas and fine coastal days.
See our month-by-month guide to the best time to visit Morocco for weather, crowds and prices through the year.
Getting there
Casablanca Mohammed V (CMN) is the main international gateway, with direct flights from Europe, the Gulf and North America, and the national carrier's main hub.
Marrakech Menara (RAK) is the busiest tourist airport, with plentiful budget and charter links from Europe; Tangier (TNG), Fes (FEZ) and Agadir (AGA) add handy regional entry points, and fast trains connect Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and Marrakech.
The currency is the Moroccan dirham. Carry cash for souks, taxis and tips; cards work in hotels and larger venues. Most Western visitors enter visa-free for up to 90 days — confirm the current rules with the official Moroccan authority before booking.
Morocco travel FAQ
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the sweet spots — warm, comfortable days for Marrakech, Fes and the desert, with wildflowers or harvest light. Summer is hot inland, especially in Marrakech and the Sahara, though the Atlantic coast at Casablanca, Essaouira and Agadir stays pleasantly mild. Winter is cool and can be cold at night, with snow in the High Atlas, but it is fine for the coast and the imperial cities by day.
What currency is used in Morocco?
The Moroccan dirham (MAD, often written DH). It is a closed currency, so you generally buy it once you arrive, at banks, ATMs or exchange offices. Cards are accepted in city hotels, larger restaurants and shops, but carry cash for the souks, taxis, tips and rural areas. When a machine or terminal offers to charge you in your home currency, decline and pay in dirhams to avoid a poor built-in rate.
Do I need a visa to visit Morocco?
Citizens of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, the EU, Australia and many other countries can enter Morocco visa-free for stays of up to 90 days for tourism. You need a passport valid for the duration of your stay. Rules can change, so always confirm the current requirements with the official Moroccan authority or your nearest consulate before you travel.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
For a first trip, seven to ten days is ideal: two or three nights in Marrakech, a couple in Fes, and time for either a desert excursion into the Sahara or a few relaxing days on the Atlantic coast at Essaouira or Agadir. With two weeks you can add Tangier and Chefchaouen in the north, or slow down and travel the imperial cities and the Atlas at an easier pace.
Is Morocco safe for travellers?
Morocco is one of the more settled destinations in the region and welcomes millions of visitors a year; the main tourist cities and resorts are generally safe. Take normal city precautions against petty theft and pickpocketing in crowded souks, and expect firm but good-natured haggling with vendors and guides. Women travellers may attract some attention; dressing modestly and using licensed guides helps. Check your government's current travel advisory before you go.
Ready to plan your Morocco trip?
Compare hotels, flights and tours across Morocco — booked through Trip.com.
Search Morocco hotels Find flightsDestinations Guild © 2026 · A Division of Guild Companies USA Destinations Guild may earn a commission when you book through our partner links, at no extra cost to you. Always confirm visa, entry and passport requirements with the relevant official authority before you travel.