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Travel and Tour World Morocco Follows Egypt and Others in Fueling North African Tourism With Rising Airline Capacity in 2026Travel and Tour World Morocco Outpaces All Africa Tourism Giants As Visitor Numbers Hit New Highs With Easier Visas, Eco Hotels And Stronger ConnectivityConde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top 10 Hotels in Africa 2026Conde Nast Traveler Top 10 Hotels in Morocco: Readers’ Choice Awards 2026VisaVerge Philippines Confirms Visa-Free Entry for Moroccan Tourists, Requires Etravel RegistrationTravel and Tour World Marrakech Faces Rising Heat as Its Historic Medina Enters a New Climate EraTravel and Tour World Poland Overtakes Germany And More Countries In Strengthening Morocco Tourism With Over 5% Growth As Long-Haul And Mediterranean Demand ClimbsTravel and Tour World Morocco Nears Heritage Travel Milestone as Aït-Ben-Haddou Restoration Advances on Ouarzazate–Marrakech RouteUS Travel Advisories Morocco - Level 2: Exercise Increased CautionAtlas Obscura Musee Industrie Lithique in Laayoune, MoroccoWikimedia Picture of the Day Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for September 25Travel and Tour World Morocco Follows Egypt and Others in Fueling North African Tourism With Rising Airline Capacity in 2026Travel and Tour World Morocco Outpaces All Africa Tourism Giants As Visitor Numbers Hit New Highs With Easier Visas, Eco Hotels And Stronger ConnectivityConde Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards: Top 10 Hotels in Africa 2026Conde Nast Traveler Top 10 Hotels in Morocco: Readers’ Choice Awards 2026VisaVerge Philippines Confirms Visa-Free Entry for Moroccan Tourists, Requires Etravel RegistrationTravel and Tour World Marrakech Faces Rising Heat as Its Historic Medina Enters a New Climate EraTravel and Tour World Poland Overtakes Germany And More Countries In Strengthening Morocco Tourism With Over 5% Growth As Long-Haul And Mediterranean Demand ClimbsTravel and Tour World Morocco Nears Heritage Travel Milestone as Aït-Ben-Haddou Restoration Advances on Ouarzazate–Marrakech RouteUS Travel Advisories Morocco - Level 2: Exercise Increased CautionAtlas Obscura Musee Industrie Lithique in Laayoune, MoroccoWikimedia Picture of the Day Wikimedia Commons picture of the day for September 25
Fes – MoroccoChefchaouen – MoroccoMerzouga – MoroccoEssaouira – MoroccoAït Benhaddou – MoroccoHassan II Mosque – Morocco
📍 Fes📷 This Photo was taken by Timothy A. Gonsalves . Feel free to · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
🌍 Africa🗓️ Best: Mar–May and Sep–Nov

Morocco ✓

Sahara

Medinas, mountains and Sahara dunes

🕒 –:– local time10 stories this week6 sources 6 top placesCapital Rabat

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Morocco📸 Photo album · 7 photos · Ultra-HD
Morocco📜 History of Morocco

The story of Morocco

Morocco has been home to people since the very deep past: fossils found at Jebel Irhoud are among the oldest known remains of Homo sapiens. The Amazigh, or Berber, peoples have lived across North Africa for thousands of years, and their languages and traditions remain central to Moroccan identity. Phoenician and Carthaginian traders founded coastal posts, and later the kingdom of Mauretania became a Roman client state; the ruins of Volubilis still show its mosaics and grand arches.

Arab armies brought Islam in the late seventh century, and in 789 Idris I founded a dynasty that established Fez as a great centre of learning. A series of powerful dynasties followed: the Almoravids, who founded Marrakech, and the Almohads, whose empire stretched across North Africa and into Spain. The Marinids built exquisite madrasas, and the Saadians and then the Alaouites, the dynasty that still reigns, ruled from cities such as Marrakech and Meknes.

Read the full history

In the nineteenth and early twentieth centuries European powers competed for influence, and in 1912 most of Morocco became a French protectorate, with Spain controlling zones in the north and south. Tangier had a special international status for several decades. A national independence movement grew, and Morocco regained independence in 1956 under Sultan Mohammed V, who later took the title of king.

Modern Morocco is a constitutional monarchy and one of Africa's most visited countries. Travellers can explore ancient medinas in Fez and Marrakech, Kasbahs and oases in the south, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara's dunes, as well as the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen. Amazigh, Arab, Andalusian and African influences come together in its architecture, music, crafts and cuisine.

Timeline

  1. c. 300,000 years agoEarly Homo sapiens live at Jebel Irhoud
  2. 1st century ADVolubilis flourishes under Roman influence
  3. 789Idris I founds the first Moroccan Islamic dynasty
  4. 1070The Almoravids found Marrakech
  5. 1666The Alaouite dynasty comes to power
  6. 1912French and Spanish protectorates are established
  7. 1956Morocco regains independence
Morocco✨ 10 best things to do in Morocco

Things to do in Morocco

  1. Explore Jemaa el-FnaaJoin the crowds in Marrakech's main square as storytellers, musicians and food stalls come alive at dusk.
  2. Get lost in Fez el-BaliWander one of the world's largest car-free urban areas, a maze of souks, madrasas and tanneries.
  3. Sleep in the SaharaRide a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi and spend a night under the stars in a desert camp.
  4. Hike the High AtlasTrek between Amazigh villages near Imlil or tackle North Africa's highest peak, Toubkal.
  5. Photograph ChefchaouenStroll the blue-painted lanes of a mountain town in the Rif.
  6. Visit Aït BenhaddouClimb through the earthen kasbah that has appeared in many films.
  7. Relax in a hammamSteam, scrub and unwind in a traditional bathhouse.
  8. Surf in TaghazoutCatch Atlantic waves in a laid-back fishing village turned surf hub.
  9. Take a cooking classLearn to make tagine, couscous and pastilla with local cooks.
  10. Watch sunset in EssaouiraWalk the ramparts of a breezy port town known for gnaoua music and fresh fish.
Morocco🗺️ Where to visit in Morocco

Where to go in Morocco

  • 📍
    MarrakechCentral · medina and gardensA sensory city of souks, riads, palaces and gardens with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon.
  • 📍
    FezNorth · medieval medinaA UNESCO-listed medina full of craft workshops, ancient mosques and madrasas.
  • ChefchaouenRif Mountains · blue townA relaxed mountain town painted in shades of blue, great for hiking.
  • 📍
    Merzouga and Erg ChebbiSahara · dunesTowering orange dunes, camel treks and desert camps.
  • EssaouiraAtlantic coast · port townA walled seaside town with a working harbour, art galleries and windy beaches.
  • Aït BenhaddouSouth · kasbahA spectacular fortified village of mud-brick buildings on the old caravan route.
  • 📍
    Todra GorgeSouth · canyonA dramatic narrow canyon with towering cliffs and palm oases.
  • 📍
    Imlil and Toubkal National ParkHigh Atlas · mountainsThe base for trekking and climbing in the High Atlas.
Morocco✨ Must-do experiences
  • Get lost in the souks of the Marrakech medina
  • Ride a camel to a desert camp at Erg Chebbi
  • Hike in the High Atlas villages
  • Relax in a traditional hammam
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Morocco🍽️ Taste of Morocco
  • Tagine – slow-cooked stew of meat, vegetables or fruit
  • Couscous – steamed semolina, traditionally served on Fridays
  • Pastilla – sweet and savoury pie with pigeon or chicken
  • Harira – tomato and lentil soup
Morocco🌦️ Weather & best time to visit Morocco

Best time to visit Morocco

Morocco's climate varies widely, from a mild Atlantic coast to snowy mountains and the hot Sahara. Winter brings most of the rain in the north, while the south and desert stay dry.

BestMarch–May and September–November: warm days and cooler nights ideal for cities, mountains and desert.
ShoulderDecember–February: sunny days, but nights are cold in the desert and snow falls in the mountains.
AvoidJuly–August inland, when Marrakech, Fez and the desert become extremely hot; the coast stays milder.
19°💧Jan
21°💧Feb
24°💧Mar
26°💧Apr
29°☀️May
33°☀️Jun
37°☀️Jul
37°☀️Aug
33°☀️Sep
28°💧Oct
23°💧Nov
20°💧Dec

Typical daytime highs and rain in Marrakech (approximate averages).

Morocco🎉 Festivals & events in Morocco
  • June
    Gnaoua World Music FestivalEssaouira hosts concerts blending gnaoua trance music with jazz and world music.
  • May–June
    Fes Festival of World Sacred MusicSpiritual music from around the world is performed in Fez's historic venues.
  • September
    Imilchil Marriage FestivalAn Amazigh celebration in the Atlas Mountains linked to a traditional marriage gathering.
  • Varies (Islamic calendar)
    Ramadan and Eid al-FitrDays of fasting end in festive evenings and celebrations.
  • May
    Kelaat M'Gouna Rose FestivalA celebration of the Dades Valley rose harvest with music and parades.
Morocco🧭 Morocco itinerary ideas

How many days in Morocco?

6 daysMarrakech and the desert

Day 1-2 explore Marrakech's medina, palaces and gardens. Day 3-5 drive across the Atlas via Aït Benhaddou and the Dades and Todra gorges to the Sahara for a night in the dunes. Day 6 return to Marrakech or continue to Fez.

12 daysImperial cities and the coast

Days 1-3 Fez, Volubilis and Meknes. Days 4-5 Chefchaouen. Days 6-8 cross to Merzouga and the Sahara. Days 9-12 travel to Marrakech and finish in Essaouira by the sea.

Morocco🎒 Backpacking Morocco – tips & hacks

Backpacker budget: about $30–50 a day

  • Trains between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez and Marrakech are efficient, and long-distance buses cover the rest.
  • Riads and hostels inside the medinas offer great budget stays with rooftop terraces.
  • Eat at street stalls and local cafés for harira soup, msemen and grilled kebabs.
  • Shared grand taxis are cheap for short intercity hops; you pay per seat.
  • Haggle politely in the souks and walk away if the price isn't right.
Morocco🛡️ Safety & money in Morocco

Stay safe

  • Morocco is generally safe, but petty theft and persistent hustlers are common in medinas.
  • Ignore unofficial guides offering directions; use maps or ask in shops.
  • Dress modestly, especially in rural areas and religious sites.
  • Check your government's latest travel advice, particularly for remote border areas.

Money

  • The currency is the Moroccan dirham, which is generally obtained inside the country.
  • ATMs are widespread in cities, but carry cash for souks, taxis and rural areas.
  • Tipping is customary for guides, drivers and restaurant staff.

Emergency: 19 police · 15 fire & ambulance · 177 gendarmerie

Morocco🛬 Getting to Morocco

Major international airports include Marrakech, Casablanca, Fez, Tangier and Agadir. Ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar from Spain to Tangier, and there are routes from France and Italy.

✈️ Cheap flights to Morocco: airports, flight times & best time to fly →

Morocco💡 Did you know? 5 facts about Morocco
  • Fossils from Jebel Irhoud are among the oldest known remains of our species.
  • The University of al-Qarawiyyin in Fez is often described as the oldest continuously operating university in the world.
  • Amazigh (Tamazight) is an official language alongside Arabic.
  • Morocco's Atlas Mountains have ski slopes at Oukaïmeden.
  • The Fez tanneries have used similar methods for centuries.
Morocco❓ Morocco travel FAQ

Morocco travel questions

Is Morocco safe for tourists?

Morocco is generally safe for travellers, with millions of visitors each year. Be alert to petty theft and hustlers in busy areas and check your government's latest travel advice.

When is the best time to visit Morocco?

Spring and autumn are ideal for cities, mountains and the desert. Summer is very hot inland but pleasant on the coast.

How many days do you need in Morocco?

Six to seven days covers Marrakech and a Sahara trip. Two weeks lets you add Fez, Chefchaouen and the coast.

Do I need a visa for Morocco?

It depends on your passport – many nationalities can enter without a visa, while others need one. Check the official government site or embassy before you travel.

What should I wear in Morocco?

Light, modest clothes covering shoulders and knees are respectful and comfortable. Bring warm layers for desert nights and mountain areas.

Morocco💰 What a trip costs
$$price level
$30–50backpacker / day
$80–160mid-range / day

Approximate daily cost per person (stay, food, local transport).

Morocco🚌 Getting around

Trains link the main cities, including a high-speed line from Tangier to Casablanca. Buses, shared grand taxis and tours reach the mountains and desert.

Morocco🛕 Sacred & spiritual places
  • Hassan II Mosque – Giant seaside mosque in Casablanca, open to visitors on guided tours
  • Moulay Idriss Zerhoun – Holy hill town with the shrine of Morocco's founding ruler
  • Al-Qarawiyyin Mosque – Ancient mosque and university in the heart of Fes
Morocco🤝 Local etiquette
  • Dress modestly, especially outside beach resorts
  • Non-Muslims cannot enter most mosques
  • Bargaining is normal in souks – stay friendly

📰 Older Morocco stories Everything our agents ever found – keeps loading as you scroll

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