Morocco    - a country rich in nature!

Nature is never far away in Morocco. Desert, mountains, valleys and sea - the country has plenty to offer fans of the outdoors!

Hikers of all levels will love walking the Moroccan mountains. Among the temperate peaks of the Rif mountain range, its cliffs jutting out into the Mediterranean make this under-explored region magical. VIDEO 

The lakes are packed with trout waiting for amateur fishermen. The more sporty will want to tackle the challenges of the Middle and Upper Atlas mountains on foot, by mountain bike or in a paraglider, or to practice mountain climbing, canyoning or pot-holing. Its summits can reach 4000m high. Ifrane, the little Moroccan Switzerland, may come as a pleasant surprise with its summer coolness, winter snow and traditional "mule-ski" trails.

Nothing is as indescribable as a stay on the edge of the desert... Head to Ouarzazate to discover its immensity and colours. At night, opt for an encampment in the desert, a chalet in the mountains and, wherever you are, bed and breakfast with the locals for an unforgettable and authentic experience. These are at the heart of the Moroccan identity, like palmtrees, argan oil and the honey from its lavender.

Looking out over the Atlantic, you will be enchanted by the turquoise waters of Dakhla bay! There you will meet migratory birds and pink flamingos.

In Morocco, every taste is naturally catered for!

Destination Guides for Morocco

• Fez
• Marrakesh

Typical Costs

Accommodation – Dorm rooms are, on average, between 70-100 MAD in the big cities like Marrakesh and Fez, and about 50 MAD on the outskirts. Private rooms in hostels range from 120-350 MAD in the cities, and are much cheaper in smaller, less touristy areas. Budget hotels begin around 200-400 MAD per night for a double room. Accommodation in Marrakesh and Fez will be pricier as they are the main cities. For specific accommodation recommendations, see the individual city guides!

Food – Eating in Morocco can be extremely cheap, especially if you eat at the many markets. A pot of mint tea will cost between 8-10 MAD, you can indulge in local food, including the popular tagine, a meat and vegetables dish  for about 35 MAD. Sandwiches, pizza, and most other dishes range between 30-50 MAD. You’ll find more expensive, inside restaurants with table service to cost around 100 MAD. Fish in coastal cities like Essaouria cost about 100-150 MAD while a lobster is about 350-400 MAD. Seafood dinners come with drinks, salad, and bread. For more expensive touristy and Western restaurants, you’ll looking at around 150 or more for a main dish. There’s no need to buy groceries here as the food is pretty cheap and it’s far easier to eat out! Beer and wine range up to 70 MAD for a drink.

Transportation – The best way to travel around Morocco is via train. They are comfortable, inexpensive, easy, and they reach most of the major cities along the central line. A train ticket will cost around 30 MAD per hour of travel for 2nd class, or 45 MAD per hour for 1st class. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the view. When going shorter distances, consider going by bus or taxi. The buses usually cost around 4 MAD, but may be overcrowded and follow different routes. Grand (shared or collective) taxis will be a bit more, but still cheap, and will be faster and more reliable.

Activities – Popular tourist destinations, like Marrakesh, offer guided group tours which include a car that will take you to the most interesting attractions, shops, and around themedina (quarter). A full day tour costs about 900 MAD, while a half day will be about 500 MAD. A visit to the local hammam (bathhouse) for a soak and spa treatment can cost as little as 10 MAD (low-end) and can reach 500 MAD (high-end). Specific attraction prices will range widely in price depending on activity and location.

Money Saving Tips

Eat from street stalls – It’s extremely easy to eat well for cheap while in Morocco. While restaurant meals can typically cost as little as 30 MAD, street food is even cheaper. For just a few dollars, you can indulge in delicious kebabs, sausages, barbecued corn on the cob, hot roasted chicken, and huge sandwiches, among many other tasty options. Stick to eating at the local markets in the medina and you’ll spend little money on food.

Negotiate your cab fare – Be sure to negotiate a price before you get into the taxi. There aren’t set prices and you’ll need to bargain hard.

Avoid faux guides – Faux guides (or false guides) will linger in the medina and offer you tour services. Be forceful in saying no and keep walking away, eventually the guy will give up.

Be careful of thieves – Petty theft, mostly involving wallets, watches, and cameras, is prevalent in the crowded medina. Stay alert and keep your valuables in secure places. Don’t wander with any valuables and try to avoid walking alone at night.

Avoid drinking – Even though drinking is frowned upon in the country, you can still find plenty of drinking establishments. They are overpriced (since alcohol is not common here) and the drinks aren’t that good. Avoid drinking during your visit, save money, and align yourself closer to local norms. Your liver will thank you.

Buy your drinks from a supermarket – If you must drink, buy your alcohol from a supermarket and drink before going out to save money.

Top Things to See and Do in Morocco

Explore Marrakesh – Spend some time in the Djemaa el-Fna (“Assembly of the Dead”), where you can find exotic street performers of varying talents including snake charmers, monkey owners, tattoo artists, musicians, and chefs. After that, wander around the medina, explore the souks, eat in the market, see the old city, and enjoy Morocco’s most international city. Marrakesh has it all and was by far my favorite city I visited in Morocco. I especially loved getting lost in the never ending streets of the old city.

Sleep in the Sahara Desert – The Sahara is exactly how it is portrayed in the movies – vast, empty, and absolutely spectacular. Visit with a guided tour and explore the desert via 4×4 (or camel!). You can spend the night in a simple tent in the dunes, or splurge a little for a luxury one. This was my favorite activity while in the country and I highly recommend it. The stars go on forever and there’s no light pollution to block them out. (The camel ride isn’t that comfortable though!)

Visit Fez – This old and powerful city is definitely worthy of a visit. The medina of Fès el-Bali, or “Old Fez”, is the most visited part. Its narrow streets are filled with wonderful aromas, mosques, craft shops, and crowds upon crowds of people. Though Fez can be a bit overwhelming, once you get used to the pace of the city, you’ll enjoy its charm and charisma. It’s a great city to shop in too.

Trek the High Atlas – The rugged and beautiful Atlas Mountains stretch over 1,500 miles, from the West Coast of Morocco all the way to Tunisia. This mountain range is home to Jebel Toubkal, North Africa’s tallest peak at 13,671 feet. You can hike all year round, but the best time is from April to May.

Visit the Hassan II Mosque – The Hassan II Mosque, located in Casablanca, is a population attraction among tourists. It took thousands of Moroccan artists a total of five years to build this detailed architectural masterpiece. Its mosaics, plaster moldings, marble and stone columns and floors, and wood ceilings are utterly impressive. It is big enough for 105,000 worshipers, making it one of the largest mosques in the world! I was awed.

Relax in a traditional hammam – A hammam is a steam bath popular in North Africa. It used to be the only place where people could bathe, because private bathrooms were a luxury only few could afford. They are usually found near mosques or toiletry shops, and can be upscale or public (traditional). Visit a no-frills traditional one for an authentic and enlightening experience. You will leave feeling cleaner than ever before. Public hammams cost about MAD 10 MAD, while hotel hammams can cost 300-500 MAD.

Learn to cook traditional food – Traditional Moroccan food is a blend of Berber, Arabic, Turkish, Middle Eastern, and French cuisine. Many riads (Moroccan house or palace) offer cooking classes in the big cities like Marrakesh and Fez. You’ll be able to buy fresh produce from the local market and then make a traditional dish. Cafe Clock offers some of the best classes.

Wander thru Kasbah les Oudaias – Located in Rabat, this Kasbah is found in the oldest part of the city. Its tranquil, picturesque with its narrow streets of white houses, and a great place to wander around. Its elevation offers beautiful views of the river and ocean.

Explore the blue streets of Chefchaouen – Chefchaouen, also known as Chaouen, is located in the middle of the Rif Mountains. It is very relaxed, offers reasonable accommodations, and is visually stunning. The streets and buildings are painted a vibrant sky blue, and the mountains in the backdrop are rugged and dramatic. It’s a great place to wander, shop, and sip mint tea.  Don’t forget your camera!

Catch some waves – Morocco is extremely popular among surfers. The best time to go is during the winter months when the waves are bigger and more consistent, and the air and water temperature is mild. Head to Taghazoute, the most popular surf town, to catch some waves and browse the surf shops.

Visit Tangiers – This major city in northern Morocco is located on the North African coast at the western entrance to the Strait of Gibraltar. The history of Tangiers is very rich, due to the historical presence of many civilizations and cultures. Almost 100 years ago, Tangiers was considered as having international status by foreign colonial powers, and became a destination for many European and American diplomats, businessmen, writers, and spies. Today it’s a hip must-see city.

See Atlas Studios – Named for its proximity to the Atlas Mountains, Atlas Film Studios in the city of Ouarzazate, is the largest film studio in the world covering more than 322,000 sq ft of desert. Many big films have been shot here including: Lawrence of Arabia (1962), The Last Temptation of Christ (1988), The Mummy (1999), Gladiator (2000), Kingdom of Heaven (2005), Hanna (2011), and part of the TV series Game of Thrones.  Be sure to visit the nearby Ksar of Aït Benhaddou kasbah too! It plays into what people think a ksar should look like. I enjoyed roaming the streets and climbing to the top for the view. It’s used in all the movies listed above.

See the Ancient City of Volubilis – A major trading center and the southernmost settlement during Roman times, Volubilis is one of the best preserved (and least frequented) such ruins in the world. I found it empty of tourists, not built up, and open in a way that really lets you get up close and see the structures without being behind ten feet of barriers and jostled by crowds. Most of the city is still unexcavated so the site has a very raw feel to it. I’ve been to a lot of Roman ruins in my travels, but I love this one the best. It’s a lovely day trip away from the crowds and noise of Fez. Entrance is 20 MAD.

Enjoy the Meknes Medina – Pleasantly stroll the Medina in Meknes without being pestered. This authentic market sells handicrafts made in Meknes such as the hand embroidery and Meknes “Damascene” ironwork. If the Medinas of Fez and Marrakesh overwhelm you, this is the place to go.

Explore Essaouira – Essaouira is located a few hours from Marrakesh on the Atlantic coast and is a popular beach destination for tourists, especially Brits. I loved the relaxed atmosphere of the city, the lack of pushy touts, the sea air, and all the fresh fish. Be sure to visit the wonderful fish market in town, where all the small fisherman sell their day’s catch. Afterward, check out the small fish stalls nearby in the main square where you can enjoy fresh seafood grilled really cheap. Try stalls #5 and #11 for the best fish!