The Ultimate Morocco Travel Guide

A Guide to the Home of Adventure Tourism

Morocco holds such an iconic place in the cultural consciousness, often called the ‘gateway to Africa’, the jewel of north Africa is quickly becoming more accessible for budget holidays and mass tourism. With more tourism comes more possibilities, both for the tourists and the locals. We’re able to see parts of the country that would otherwise be too off-the-beaten track or inaccessible, we’re able to go deeper into the smaller towns and villages that make Morocco such a special place to visit. With more tourism there is also more tourism leakage.
Recent studies show that up to 78% of money spent on holidays doesn’t actually end up in the pockets of the local people. This is why we put so much effort into working with local people and locally run businesses, we believe that the money you spend on your Morocco holiday should go to the people that make it so special.

As adventure tourists, when putting together a Morocco travel guide we’ll of course put an emphasis on exciting activities, unique adventures and breathtaking scenery. We don’t just want to visit a destination, we want to experience it, we want to get under the skin of the destination. Our itineraries have been curated by local experts who understand Morocco and what it has to offer, and we create holidays that pack as much fun and excitement as possible, while also having time to relax and enjoy the view. We recently took a group of our agents on a FAM trip to Morocco, where we were reminded of what an incredible destination it is. Newly inspired, we want to let you know how to get the most out of your next Morocco holiday.

Of course, the shortcut to an amazing Morocco adventure is through our itineraries so, if you’re ready, book with Not in the Guidebooks.

When to Visit Morocco

Deciding when to travel to Morocco is so important, as the temperature, prices, crowds and weather all fluctuate throughout the year. So, we’ve broken down the year in a way that we find most helpful for travelling to Morocco.

Travelling early in the year means you can avoid the crowds, which in turn means lower prices for travel and less competition for activities. The weather is cooler this time of year, though that is great for travelling around the desert and for anyone who doesn’t like too much heat. Going into Spring and we start moving into peak season, prices will go up and so will crowds. From about March the weather starts getting warmer and the skies clear up. This is a good time to travel as it still avoids the heavy summer crowds while retaining that good weather. Going into summer the prices hit their peak, the temperature are high as are prices. From then the temperature starts to cool, October is a good time to visit the desert with cooler temperatures too. In December Morocco takes on a festive vibe, with holiday celebrations starting, so if you’re interested in seeing this side of their culture this would be a good time to visit. 

Choosing when to visit is also one of the most important decisions you can make as a responsible traveller. Avoiding peak time means lessening the burden of mass tourism on local industries and infrastructure, allowing the locals to give you a better experience. Travelling off-peak also means availability in sustainable, local-run hotels is more likely. Of course, when travelling off-peak check your activities and make sure they suit the weather but whenever you choose to travel you’ll have an amazing time.

Tips for a Moroccan travel guide

Travel highlights for Morocco: Include tips for anyone visiting Morocco, this might be what clothes to wear, something about the language, something about when to book and stuff.

What to wear – Of course deciding what to wear depends on when you travel and also where you travel. Generally it’ll be warm, so light, breathable materials are ideal. In the colder months it would be a good idea to bring layers, so you can adjust your temperature. Also, it is a good idea to bring a pashmina or something you can use to cover your shoulders in case you want to visit a cultural or religious site.

Bringing cash – Cards are widely accepted in hotels, larger restaurants and other common purchases. However, if you plan on visiting the markets in Marrakech or sampling the delicious street food, it would be a good idea to bring cash with you.

Language – There are quite a few languages spoken in Morocco, the most widely spoken being Moroccan Arabic. While a lot of the people you meet will likely speak English, greeting them and thanking them in their own language can go a long way. 

Food – Morocco food is influenced by so many different cuisines, including Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Berber and Spain all these influences you can imagine just how varied and tasty the food is. From hearty tagines to smoky Zaalouk – if we could give one piece of advice for food in Morocco it would be, try it! If sampling the street food, trust a queue of locals because that probably means the food is good and authentic. Our incredible host Darren offers an exciting cookery holiday to Essaouira, where you will also learn to take the most stunning pictures, if you’d like to hear more than check out our Photography and Cookery holiday in Essaouira.

Customs and etiquettes – As with any culture there are some differences in politeness and etiquette, and while researching these differences can be helpful, don’t get too bogged down in it. Moroccans are generally kind and accommodating, recently at WTM Morocco was crowned ‘the most welcoming destination’ –  so just be sure to reciprocate it.