Morocco travel guide
Morocco travel guide: Marrakech, the desert, and the High Atlas
Morocco delivers one of Africa's most accessible cultural adventures - the sensory immersion of Marrakech medina, the cooling escape of the Atlas Mountains, and the Sahara that defines the trip for many travelers.
Destinations we cover in Morocco
Country overview
Morocco is hot-semi-arid inland, mediterranean on the northern coast, mountain-cold in the High Atlas. Visa-free for most Western travelers (90 days). Cash-based culture; ATMs widely available.
- Language
- Arabic + Berber (Tamazight); French universal as second language; English increasingly common in tourism but far less than French.
- Currency
- Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Cash is essential; cards accepted in upscale hotels and restaurants.
- Best time to visit
- October-April for comfortable Marrakech and Sahara temperatures. May-September is brutally hot inland (40C+). Atlas Mountains good year-round but snowy in winter.
- Trip highlights
- Marrakech medina + souks + riad rooftops + hammams + Atlas Mountains + Sahara desert extensions + Essaouira coast.
Morocco travel guide
Morocco is a feast for the senses — imperial cities, the Sahara, mountains and the coast.
- Marrakech — the famous medina, souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa.
- Fez — the world's largest car-free medieval medina.
- The Sahara — camel treks and desert camps near Merzouga.
- Chefchaouen — the blue mountain town; plus the Atlas and the coast at Essaouira.
When to go & tips
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are ideal — summer is scorching inland. Stay in traditional riads, bargain in the souks, carry dirham cash, and dress modestly.
Ten days lets you loop Marrakech, Fez, the desert and the mountains.
Morocco Travel Guide FAQ
What's the best itinerary for Morocco?
Marrakech, Fez, the Sahara desert and Chefchaouen or the Atlas Mountains — about 10 days.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November); summer is very hot inland.