North Africa
Morocco
Marrakech and Fez, the High Atlas, Sahara dunes and the blue city of Chefchaouen.
- Marrakech
- Sahara dunes (Merzouga)
- Fez medina
- Aït Benhaddou & the Atlas
- Chefchaouen
- Essaouira
Morocco packs astonishing variety into one trip — and it's right on Europe's doorstep. Lose yourself in the labyrinthine souks of Marrakech and the medieval medina of Fez, the largest car-free urban area on earth. Cross the High Atlas on the kasbah road to the mud-brick ksar of Aït Benhaddou, then ride a camel into the great Sahara dunes of Merzouga to sleep under the stars. Wander the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen, stand among the Roman ruins of Volubilis, and catch the Atlantic breeze in the walled port of Essaouira. Add mint tea, tagines and some of the warmest hospitality anywhere, and it's a feast for every sense.
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The essentials: Marrakech, the kasbah road over the Atlas, the Sahara dunes of Merzouga, and breezy Essaouira.
Daily budget:≈ €40–90 / day
Lovely riads, restaurant meals, a private driver-guided desert tour and the odd internal flight or fast train.
Day by day
- 1
The buzzing Jemaa el-Fnaa square at the heart of Marrakech.© Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Fly into Marrakech (RAK); transfer to your riad
Arrive in Marrakech, the "Red City", and settle into a traditional riad in the medina. As the day cools, head to the legendary Jemaa el-Fnaa — a swirling open-air theatre of food stalls, musicians, storytellers and snake charmers, with the Koutoubia minaret glowing above it. It's the perfect, sensory introduction to Morocco.
Nothing quite prepares you for Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk — smoke rising from a hundred grills, drums and gnawa music, the call to prayer over it all. It's chaotic, theatrical and utterly intoxicating, and it tells you straight away that you're somewhere truly different.
Our take
Stay in a riad inside the medina for the full experience — and note the address, as the lanes are a maze. Eat at the square's food stalls (pick a busy one), but agree prices first and keep an eye on your belongings.
Highlights
- ✦ Jemaa el-Fnaa
- ✦ Koutoubia Mosque
- 2
A tiled courtyard of the Bahia Palace.© Val Traveler · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The cobalt-blue Majorelle Garden.© Viault · CC BY-SA 4.0 Explore Marrakech by day: the exquisite tilework and carved cedar of the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs, and the cobalt-blue oasis of the Jardin Majorelle, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. Then plunge into the souks — a dizzying warren of lantern-makers, spice mounds, leather, carpets and metalwork.
Marrakech is a feast for the eyes — zellige tiles in kaleidoscopic patterns, pyramids of saffron and cumin, the cool green calm of a hidden garden a step away from the roaring souk. Bargaining for a lamp or a rug over mint tea is a ritual in itself.
Our take
Haggle good-naturedly in the souks — start low and keep it friendly. A hammam and a rooftop dinner overlooking the medina make a perfect end to the day.
Highlights
- ✦ Bahia Palace
- ✦ Jardin Majorelle
- ✦ The souks
- 3
Snow-dusted peaks of the High Atlas.© Mounir Neddi · CC BY-SA 4.0 
The mud-brick ksar of Aït Benhaddou.© Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Drive Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → Dades (over the Tizi n'Tichka pass)
Begin the great desert loop. Cross the High Atlas over the dramatic Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping at Aït Benhaddou — a honey-coloured fortified ksar of earthen towers that has starred in countless films. Continue past Ouarzazate, "the door of the desert", into the rose-tinted Dades Valley.
Cresting the Atlas, the green of Marrakech gives way to a vast, ochre, biblical landscape — palm-filled valleys, crumbling kasbahs, snow on the peaks behind you. Aït Benhaddou rising from the riverbed, all towers and crenellations, looks exactly like the film set it so often is.
Our take
Most people do this as part of a 3-day Sahara tour from Marrakech with a driver — far easier than self-driving and it bundles the highlights. Cross Aït Benhaddou's little river and climb to the top for the view.
Highlights
- ✦ Tizi n'Tichka pass
- ✦ Aït Benhaddou
- 4
The winding road through the Dades Gorge.© Alexander Leisser · CC BY-SA 4.0 The towering Sahara dunes of Erg Chebbi.© Nomadz · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Drive Dades → Todra Gorge → Merzouga; camel trek to a desert camp
Wind through the spectacular Dades and Todra gorges, where sheer rock walls soar hundreds of metres over palm groves and a river. Then drive on to Merzouga and the edge of the Sahara, where the great golden dunes of Erg Chebbi rise from nowhere. Climb onto a camel and trek into the sand to a Berber camp for the night.
The first sight of Erg Chebbi stops the breath — a sea of enormous, sculpted dunes glowing apricot and gold, utterly silent. Swaying out on a camel as the sun sinks and the sand turns to fire is the stuff of every Sahara daydream, and it more than lives up to it.
Our take
Bring a scarf for the sand and warm layers — desert nights are cold even after blazing days. Climb a dune for sunset, and don't miss the astonishing stars once it's dark.
Highlights
- ✦ Todra Gorge
- ✦ Erg Chebbi dunes
- ✦ Camel trek
- 5
A camel caravan crossing the dunes.© Sergey Pesterev · CC BY-SA 4.0 
A Berber camp among the Sahara dunes.© cattan2011 · CC BY 2.0 Getting there: Camel back at dawn, then the long drive Merzouga → Marrakech
Wake before dawn to watch the sun rise over the Sahara — a magical, silent spectacle of shifting colour — then ride your camel back across the sand. It's a long but scenic drive back over the Atlas to Marrakech, past kasbahs, oases and film studios, arriving in the Red City by evening.
Sitting on a cooling dune as the desert lightens from violet to gold, with nothing but sand to every horizon and total silence, is one of those rare travel moments that lodges in you for good. The long drive back is a reel of Morocco's greatest landscapes.
Our take
It's a big driving day — settle in and enjoy the scenery, with stops along the way. If you'd rather not backtrack, the 15-day route instead pushes on from the desert to Fez.
Highlights
- ✦ Sahara sunrise
- ✦ Kasbah road
- 6
The ramparts and port of breezy Essaouira.© Ahmed.magdy · CC BY-SA 4.0 Getting there: Day trip or overnight Marrakech → Essaouira (about 2h30 each way)
Escape the heat with a trip to Essaouira, a laid-back, white-and-blue walled port on the Atlantic. Wander the ramparts and the relaxed medina, watch the blue fishing boats unload at the harbour, eat just-grilled seafood, and feel the famous wind that draws kitesurfers from around the world.
After the intensity of Marrakech and the desert, Essaouira is a deep breath — salt air, screeching gulls, weathered ramparts and an easy, artsy calm. The grilled sardines straight off the boats, eaten by the harbour, are unforgettable.
Our take
Essaouira works as a long day trip, but an overnight lets you enjoy the medina once the day-trippers leave. It's much cooler than Marrakech — bring a light layer for the wind.
Highlights
- ✦ Essaouira ramparts
- ✦ Harbour & seafood
- 7
Heading home... already planning the next trip.© Tobias1984 · CC BY-SA 3.0 Getting there: Fly home from Marrakech (RAK)
A final wander through the medina for last-minute treasures — a lantern, some argan oil, a stack of spices — then the flight home. Want more? The 15-day route keeps going to the medieval medina of Fez, the blue city of Chefchaouen and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.
A week in Morocco is a whirlwind of colour, flavour and contrast — souks and silence, mountains and dunes, mint tea and starlight — that leaves you buzzing and already plotting a return for the north.
Our take
Buy argan oil, spices, leather or a lamp as souvenirs, and keep small notes for tips. Leave plenty of time for the medina-to-airport transfer.
Highlights
- ✦ Last souk shopping
- ✦ Fly home from Marrakech
Where to stay
The best neighbourhood to base yourself in each area, by budget. We point you to the right zone — then you pick and book the place that fits.
Marrakech
- Backpacker · Medina
- Budget riads and hostels in the old city, walkable to Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Mid-range · Medina riads
- Beautiful courtyard riads in the heart of the medina — the classic Marrakech stay.
- Comfort · Medina / Hivernage
- Luxury riads in the medina or smart hotels and resorts in leafy Hivernage and the Palmeraie.
Fez
- Backpacker · Fez el-Bali (medina)
- Budget riads and guesthouses inside the medieval medina.
- Mid-range · Medina riads
- Restored riads with rooftop terraces in the heart of old Fez.
- Comfort · Medina / Ville Nouvelle
- Grand palace-riads in the medina or upscale hotels in the new town.
Sahara (Merzouga)
- Backpacker · Merzouga village
- Simple auberges at the edge of the dunes, plus basic desert camps.
- Mid-range · Desert camp
- Comfortable Berber tented camps out in the Erg Chebbi dunes.
- Comfort · Luxury desert camp
- Plush "glamping" camps with en-suite tents and fine dining under the stars.
Chefchaouen
- Backpacker · Medina
- Cheap guesthouses among the blue lanes of the old town.
- Mid-range · Medina
- Charming small riads with rooftop views over the blue rooftops.
- Comfort · Edge of the medina
- Boutique hotels with terraces and mountain views just above the old town.
Essaouira
- Backpacker · Medina
- Budget riads and surf hostels within the walled medina.
- Mid-range · Medina / seafront
- Stylish riads in the medina or hotels along the beach.
- Comfort · Beach / outskirts
- Boutique beach resorts and spa hotels just outside the walls.
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At a glance
Best time to go
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are ideal — warm days, cool evenings and comfortable conditions for the cities, the Atlas and the desert. Summer is very hot inland (Marrakech and Fez regularly top 40°C, the Sahara hotter still), though the Atlantic coast stays mild. Winters are pleasant by day but cold at night, with snow in the High Atlas.
Currency
MAD (Moroccan dirham, dh)
Language
Arabic (Moroccan Darija) and Berber (Tamazight) are the official languages, and French is widely used in business and tourism. English is common in tourist areas, and Spanish is widely understood in the north. A few words of Arabic — "shukran" (thank you), "salam" (hello) — are warmly received.
Visa & entry
Many nationalities (including the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia) can visit Morocco visa-free as tourists, commonly for up to 90 days; others can use the official e-Visa. Always confirm the current rules and any e-Visa requirement for your nationality before you travel.
Daily budget
Morocco is good value. Plan roughly €40–80 per person per day for a nice riad, restaurant meals, a guided Sahara tour and transport; backpackers spend far less, and the country runs on a bit of tipping and haggling. Figures are approximate.
Getting around
Comfortable trains (ONCF) link Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Tangier, including the Al Boraq high-speed line on the Tangier–Casablanca route. CTM and Supratours run good intercity buses, and shared "grands taxis" cover shorter hops. For the Atlas and the Sahara, most people join a multi-day tour or hire a car and driver, as distances are long and roads wind. Use cheap "petits taxis" within cities.
Safety
Morocco is generally safe and hugely welcoming, but the medinas come with persistent touts, "faux guides" and pressure to buy or tip; be politely firm and agree prices upfront. Petty theft happens in crowds, the old cities are easy to get lost in, and solo women may face hassle. Drive cautiously and keep your wits in the souks — it's all part of the (intense, rewarding) experience.
Connectivity
A local SIM (Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi) is cheap with good coverage in cities and towns, or use a travel eSIM. Wi-Fi is common in riads, hotels and cafés. Signal thins out in the High Atlas and the deep desert.
What to pack — Morocco
Our recommended gear for this trip — country-specific picks first, then the travel essentials we never leave home without.
- 🧣Scarf (sun, sand & mosques)→
- 🧴High-SPF sunscreen→
- 🥾Comfortable walking shoes→
- 🧥Warm layer (desert & Atlas nights)→
- 🔌Universal travel adapter→
- 🧳Packing cubes→
- 🔋Power bank→
- 🎒Packable daypack→
- 💧Filtered water bottle→
- ⛑️Travel first-aid kit→
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Frequently asked questions
When is the best time to visit Morocco? ＋
Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are best — warm days, cool nights and comfortable conditions for cities, mountains and desert. Summer is very hot inland (often over 40°C), though the Atlantic coast stays mild; winter is pleasant by day but cold at night, with snow in the High Atlas.
Do I need a visa for Morocco? ＋
Many nationalities — including the EU, UK, US, Canada and Australia — can visit visa-free as tourists, commonly for up to 90 days; others can apply for the official e-Visa. Always confirm the current rules for your nationality before you travel.
How long do I need for the Sahara from Marrakech? ＋
The classic Merzouga desert trip from Marrakech is 3 days / 2 nights, taking in Aït Benhaddou, the Dades and Todra gorges and a night in a desert camp. It's a lot of driving but covers the highlights; with more time, a second desert night is well worth it.
Is Morocco safe, and how do I handle the souks? ＋
Morocco is generally safe and welcoming, but the medinas come with persistent touts, "faux guides" and pressure to buy or tip. Be politely firm, agree prices upfront, haggle with good humour, watch your belongings in crowds, and consider a licensed guide in big medinas like Fez. Solo women may face some hassle.
Sources
Last reviewed on June 5, 2026Facts in this guide were checked against the following sources.
- Moroccan National Tourist Office (visitmorocco.com) — Destinations and travel basics
- Morocco e-Visa (official) — Visa & entry requirements
- ONCF — national railways — Trains & getting around
- UNESCO World Heritage — Morocco — Heritage sites (Fez, Marrakech, Aït Benhaddou, Volubilis)
⚠️ Prices, opening hours and transport times change — always verify the latest details before you travel.
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