Morocco
Walled medinas, kasbah valleys and Saharan dunes, with the High Atlas and the Atlantic between them.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
Ten days covers the classic loop: three nights in Marrakesh, two over the High Atlas in the kasbah country and the Dades or Todra gorges, a night in the Erg Chebbi dunes at Merzouga, then the long drive north to Fez for two or three nights. A week suits one region alone, Marrakesh with Essaouira and the Atlas, or Fez with Meknes and Chefchaouen. Two weeks adds Tangier and the north, or the surf coast around Taghazout.
Do you need a car in Morocco?
Not in the north. Al Boraq, the high-speed train, runs Tangier to Casablanca in just over two hours, and classic trains link Casablanca, Rabat, Meknes, Fez and Marrakesh. No railway runs south of Marrakesh, so CTM and Supratours coaches carry the routes to Essaouira, Agadir, Ouarzazate and Merzouga. A car or a hired driver suits the desert loop: the road over the Tizi n’Tichka pass to Ouarzazate takes about four hours and can close after winter snow.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
March to May and October to November are the most comfortable months. In July and August Marrakesh averages highs around 37°C and the desert runs hotter, while Essaouira and the Atlantic coast stay cool and windy. Winter brings snow to the High Atlas, cold nights in the Sahara and mild, clear days in the cities. Ramadan, expected from about 8 February to 9 March 2027, shortens opening hours, and many cafés outside the tourist quarters close by day.
Is English widely spoken in Morocco?
Less than French. Arabic and Amazigh are the official languages, Moroccan Arabic, called Darija, is what is spoken in the street, and French is used in business, on signs and in the cities. The EF English Proficiency Index for 2025 ranks Morocco 68th of 123, in its low band. English is common among riad staff, guides and younger Moroccans in Marrakesh, Fez and the north.
What currency does Morocco use?
The Moroccan dirham, a closed currency: it is bought inside Morocco, and leftover dirhams are best changed back before departure. Cash machines are easy to find in the cities and larger towns, and cards work in hotels and bigger shops, but the souks, taxis and small cafés run on cash. In the mountains and the desert, cash machines are few, so withdrawals are made in the last town with a bank.
Where do you fly into Morocco?
Casablanca Mohammed V and Marrakesh Menara each handled more than ten million passengers in 2025, of about 36 million across the country. Casablanca is the long-haul hub, with a train station under Terminal 1 for the city. Fez, Tangier, Agadir and Rabat take direct flights from Europe, and Ouarzazate and Errachidia have small airports with domestic links that shorten the way to the desert.
