Morocco Travel Guide
Before booking your trip, it helps to know a few practical things about the country: when to travel, how to get around, and what to expect from the desert, the culture and the food. This guide gathers the basics so you arrive with a clear picture.
Practical Guides
Topics
Planning Morocco
The best time to travel is usually March to May and September to November, when temperatures are milder both in the cities and in the Sahara. For one- or two-week itineraries, combining one or two imperial cities with a desert trip is the most common approach. Book accommodation and transfers in advance during high season.
Sahara Desert
Merzouga is the village beside Erg Chebbi and fits routes from Marrakech or Fez. Erg Chigaga lies in another part of the south near Zagora and requires a different approach. Choose according to the whole route, then confirm the meeting point, luggage and camp access separately.
Culture
Morocco combines Berber, Arab and French influences visible in its architecture, crafts and cuisine. Covering shoulders and knees is appreciated in the medinas and required at religious sites. Bargaining is common in the souks, and learning a few words of Arabic or French helps with everyday interactions.
Transport
The train connects the main northern cities well (Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fez, Marrakech). For rural areas, the desert or mountain routes, a private vehicle with a driver is the most flexible option. Road journeys between the cities and the Sahara usually involve roughly several hours of driving per day.
What to Pack
Comfortable, modest clothing, footwear with good grip for medinas and gorges, sun protection and a warm layer for desert or mountain nights. In winter, cities can be pleasant by day but cold at night, especially at altitude.
Food
Tagine and couscous are the best-known dishes, but Moroccan cuisine also includes soups such as harira, freshly baked bread and a wide variety of sweets made with honey and nuts. Mint tea is commonly offered as a gesture of hospitality.
Family Travel
When travelling with children, review continuous driving time, breaks, overnight luggage and whether camp access is by camel or 4x4. Plan Morocco with children.