Travel to Morocco, The Complete Guide

Travel to Morocco, The Complete Guide

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: Are you dreaming of a holiday with family or friends to discover the famous country of Morocco? You’ve come to the right place because in this article, we’ll help you organize your trip to Morocco. From accommodation to cultural and sporting activities, as well as visits to organize, you’re in for a real treat.

When to go to Morocco? First step to organizing your vacation

Morocco’s unique geographical location means that its climate is influenced by the Mediterranean Sea, the Atlantic Ocean, and mountain and desert areas. You’ve decided to take the plunge and spend your next holidays in Morocco, but you’re not sure about the ideal period.

The best time to discover this beautiful country is in spring or autumn. Although it’s not impossible to travel there during the other seasons, you’ll be able to make the most of your stay at these times.

Nevertheless, some destinations such as Marrakech, Agadir and Dakhla are very pleasant in winter. Many Europeans take refuge here in winter.

Spring and autumn

Spring and autumn bring more pleasant temperatures to Morocco. This season spares you the stifling heat of summer, even though Morocco has different regions with different temperatures. Even if some people think that winter doesn’t show off the country’s charms enough, Ifrane, Azrou and the mountains in general have an extraordinary charm in winter. Mid-season is therefore the best time to travel in Morocco. The climate is conducive to a multitude of activities, such as hiking in the Sahara desert and all the Moroccan mountains, surfing, kitesurfing, windsurfing, rafting, canyoning, parachuting, hot-air ballooning, golf, cycling, quad biking, etc., as well as relaxing in swimming pools or hammams, on beaches and so on. At this time of year, Morocco also offers the most gorgeous greenery.

Morocco in summer

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: Temperatures can rise to 40°C during the summer in Marrakech and many other Moroccan cities. Agadir, in summer, is an exception, with all 4 seasons in a single day. Agadir is known as the city of 300 days of sunshine.

On the other hand, if you can stand the heat well enough, you can always take the opportunity to swim in the infinity pools of some of the seaside resorts, or just relax on the beaches. On the other hand, it’s not a good idea to go hiking in the middle of the desert in summer, although that’s when the desert really comes into its own.

Morocco in winter

Paradoxically, the temperature in summer can drop below 0°C in winter. The disadvantage of going to Morocco at this time of year is that you won’t be able to enjoy the pool or the beaches. However, the cooler season is also ideal for hiking.

All in all, Morocco is a destination that can be visited all year round, thanks to its abundant sunshine, as each season has its own advantages.

Evaluating length of stay and finding plane tickets

In Morocco, the length of stay for tourist purposes is limited to three months for foreigners exempt from visa requirements. For those subject to it, it corresponds to the period of validity of the visa. All you have to do is choose the length of stay that suits you best. To buy a ticket at the best price, there are three main factors to consider. These are your destination city, the time of departure and the time of booking. You should be aware that ticket prices will be higher in high season.

To get the cheapest ticket, it’s best to book at least two to three weeks before departure. We also recommend using an online flight comparison service. Depending on the itinerary you choose, you can land in Agadir, Marrakech, Ouarzazate and many other cities. You can find a list of all Moroccan airports on the Onda website.

How to choose accommodation and where to sleep in Morocco?

Morocco offers a wide range of accommodation options, so it’s easy to choose the right one for the type of holiday you’re planning. You can choose from hotels, riads, homestays, gites, bed & breakfasts, youth hostels and campsites. In all cases, you’ll always receive the warmest welcome. However, we advise you to book at least your first two nights in advance. This will save you a lot of hassle once you’ve arrived and are looking for accommodation.

For a tour in Morocco

Choosing hotels

Hotels are, of course, the most classic place to stay on Moroccan soil. Just like anywhere else, hotels in Morocco are graded by star according to the service they offer and their level of comfort. From the most luxurious to the most outdated, Morocco offers a wide range of choices to suit all tastes and budgets. If you’re looking for maximum comfort with top-quality services, five-star hotels are the perfect choice. Generally speaking, this range of offers includes several suites, a restaurant, a swimming pool and sometimes a spa.

Hotels and bed & breakfasts charge a tourist promotion tax per night and per person. In most cases, this tax is already included in the advertised price, with the exception of some of the more upscale establishments. To this TPT is added the municipal tourist tax, but these often do not exceed 35 dirhams.

Riads

These are large middle-class houses in the medina, sometimes built around cool courtyards in summer. A Riad always has an interior courtyard and patio. Some have a small fountain inside.

Communication between the different rooms is usually via this patio, which you’ll always have to pass through. These Riads can be identified by the fact that there are no openings on the walls facing the street. Instead, windows open onto the interior space. This type of accommodation is very popular with couples in love who appreciate typical architecture. Most of them are located in the major cities of Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira and so on.

Kasbahs

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: KASBAHS are fortified buildings, once the residence of lords. Their architecture keeps the air cool and the ambient temperature in contrast to the heat outside. Located in the south of France, these buildings are open to holidaymakers. They combine modern services and comfort with traditional Moroccan know-how.

B&Bs and youth hostels

There are many different types of B&B available to travelers. Some are located in Riads, others in private homes. The owner of the house welcomes you into his home, and you share the same kitchen. A guest house generally has no more than 5 or 6 rooms. For youth hostels, you’ll need to take out a membership card before you leave. The advantage of these is that you can meet many people traveling in the same conditions as you.

Campsites

Mukhayeem campsites are the cheapest form of accommodation. Caution is advised, however, as you can’t be sure of getting the best facilities. Most of them are basic, consisting only of showers and toilets.

For a stay in a single establishment

Apartment rentals are a good choice when you’re traveling with several people and staying in one place for several days. This very economical formula is widespread in seaside resorts such as Essaouira and in major cities.

Getting around Morocco

If you’re coming to Morocco, it’s undoubtedly to indulge yourself and explore the city center, as well as the more remote areas. And there’s no shortage of means of transport. Road conditions are relatively good.

Getting around in Morocco

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: Once you’ve arrived in Morocco, you can choose from a number of ways to get around. These include buses, cabs, car rentals and, in some cities, streetcars and trains. If you choose the latter, be sure to follow the rules.

Renting a car for a trip to Morocco

Renting a car is the first choice for travelers who want to make the most of their stay. However, it is impossible to leave the country with a rental car, even just to spend a day in the Spanish enclaves of Melilla and Ceuta.

To rent a vehicle, you must be at least 25 years old and have held a driving license for at least 2 years. When booking, you must indicate a credit card in the name of the main driver, failing which the car cannot be collected. When booking from abroad, be sure to ask for as much information as possible in the e-mail. This includes price including VAT, mileage limits, cleaning, etc. In any case, renting a car in Morocco is a tricky business. Insurance policies, for example, are no longer guaranteed once you leave a tarmac road and take to the track with a passenger car.

Cabs

Cabs can be found all over Morocco, and there are two types. The “big cabs” are often parked in front of hotels, and in most cases only serve journeys outside the city. They have a large monopoly, especially at airports. They are generally sedan-type, and their journeys are longer and more expensive.

Then there are the “petits cabs”, small cars that can be found just about everywhere and are usually equipped with a taximeter. Prices are modest, with a fare of between 8 and 15 dH. However, when night falls, a legal surcharge of 50% is applied to the price displayed on the meter. These small cabs are not allowed to leave the city, and no more than three people, including children, may ride in them.

Buses and coaches in Morocco

In some cities, you can use buses to get from one district to another.

For more remote areas, you can always opt for coaches, which take you there at reasonable fares. Ask for your receipt each time you travel, as these are often subject to inspection. There are three major bus companies in Morocco, all of which have bus stations in major towns. But there are also a number of small local companies serving the same destinations, but at an obviously lower fare. Comfort, service and reliability are not the same, however.

Hitchhiking

Hitchhiking is a common practice among Moroccans, but often not for tourists. It involves asking at a service station or from other motorized tourists. If you’re a motorist, you may well be able to pick up hitchhikers, but you must always be vigilant. Beware: hitchhiking in Morocco, as in other countries around the world, is not recommended for single girls.

Trains

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: If you want to travel between the country’s main roads, the train is also an interesting and inexpensive means of transport in Morocco.

Driving in Morocco

When driving in Morocco, you must comply with the Highway Code. In particular, you must respect all speed limits. On the road, the speed limit is 100km/h, in built-up areas 60km/h and in the city center 40km/h. There are, however, some freeways where the speed limit is 120 km/h. In any case, Morocco’s road network is satisfactory, despite some unpaved roads.

Outside major cities such as Marrakech, driving is not too complicated. During your stay, night-time driving is not particularly advisable, as almost all cycles have no lighting. Outside the city, donkeys, sheep, cows, dromedaries, etc. are the main hazards. You also need to pay particular attention to the huge, overloaded trucks you’re likely to come across.

Planning a trip to Morocco: the activities and visits stage

Here we come to the most important step of all: preparing your activities and visits. As you probably know, Morocco is a country brimming with cultural heritage. The country is a perfect illustration of how water and desert can coexist. Among the country’s main attractions are the magnificent cities of Fez, Casablanca, Marrakech and many others, which you can discover on the site

Morocco’s most beautiful cities

The major cities allow you to travel Morocco region by region. They are rich in history and cosmopolitan life, attracting more and more tourists. Among the most beautiful are the famous cities of Fez and Marrakech, all brimming with history and full of sights to see.

The must-see city of Fès

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: Visit Fès: this emblematic city, 180 km east of Rabat, is a must-see when visiting Morocco. Its status as a cultural and spiritual metropolis reinforces its appeal to tourists. Fès is a colorful city steeped in history, which has long retained its traditional character. The city is divided into three zones: the medina, the royal enclosure and the new town. In terms of accommodation, Fès offers a wide and varied range, with an incredible quality of welcome.

The Medina

Morocco’s Medina has been a Unesco World Heritage Site since 1981. To this day, it remains one of the most sumptuous and best-reserved in the Arab world. Its appearance has remained virtually unchanged since the 12th century. During your trip to Morocco, be sure to stroll through the medieval streets of its Medina, and contemplate the magnificent architecture of the Bou Inania Medersa. You can also visit the Karaouyine mosque, one of the city’s most glorious and ancient. As for art, explore the Dar Batha Museum. The work of the city’s many artisans is sure to impress you as you wander through the narrow streets of the Medina souk.

Leatherwork

Inevitably, there’s the tanners’ quarter, where visitors are treated to an unparalleled spectacle of leatherworking. The Chouara tannery, located between the two banks of the medina, is one of the most impressive, and if you’re visiting Morocco, take the time to admire the skill of the workers who carry out the various stages in the manufacture of the material. Be prepared, however, for the smell, which is likely to be unbearable for the most sensitive and to detract from the charm of the visit. But a nice mint drink on the way out will help to dispel the smell a little.

Marrakech

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide: A true land of change, Marrakech is one of the most popular cities for travelers in Morocco, thanks to its many attractions. Among the most popular sites is Jamaâ El-Fna square, where you can discover a host of attractions. You can also learn about Gnawaou music and make argan oil.

If you decide to stay in Marrakech, take a dip in the swimming pools, or take a look at the Majorelle garden if you prefer to relax in a special spot. This tourist botanical park covers 1 ha and features a central building painted blue by the French painter Jacques Majorelle.

Afterwards, you can set off to discover Ouarzazate. A scenic drive of several hours from Marrakech takes you over the Tizi n’Tichka pass. The region around Ouarzazate is magnificent, with visits to the Ait Ben Haddou fortress, the film studios, the Valley of the Roses and the Todgha gorges.

Ouarzazate is often the gateway to the desert: Merzouga and M’Hamid.

Cultural activities in Morocco

Morocco offers a wide range of cultural festivals, from music and literature to cinema, painting and folk art. The country’s main aim is to democratize art and culture for a very wide audience, and above all to raise awareness among the younger generation. These include

The Gnaoua festival, which showcases the authentic, ancestral sound of this music;

The Essaouira World Music Festival;

The Marrakech Popular Arts Festival;

Tangier’s Spring of Books and Arts;

The Mawazine festival in Rabat, Africa’s biggest music event;

Marrakech International Film Festival.

Travel to Morocco The Complete Guide

There’s also the famous Marrakech du rire, created by Jamel Debbouze, featuring incisive humor and African and European comedians. The Agadir Documentary Film Festival illustrates the thematic diversity of contemporary documentary cinema. In all cases, these diverse cultural activities are designed to enhance Moroccan culture and anchor it in today’s world.