Ancient medinas, Atlas peaks and Sahara dunes
Morocco sits at the northwest tip of Africa, a short hop from Spain. Its old walled medinas in Fez and Marrakesh are full of souks, riads and craftsmen, while the Atlas Mountains and Sahara dunes are a few hours away. The Atlantic coast offers surf towns like Essaouira and Taghazout. It suits culture lovers, food fans and anyone wanting adventure close to Europe.
Tap a card or a pin. Add a place to a day of your trip, or look for tours.
The main square of Marrakesh fills each evening with food stalls, musicians and storytellers. It is the heart of the UNESCO listed medina.
Fez's old medina is one of the largest car free urban areas in the world, with tanneries and madrasas. It feels medieval.
High orange dunes on the edge of the Sahara, reached by camel for a night in a desert camp. Sunrise over the dunes is memorable.
A mountain town of blue washed lanes in the Rif. It is calm and good for hiking.
A fortified mud brick village on the old caravan route, used in many films. It glows at sunset.
One of the largest mosques in the world, built over the Atlantic with a very tall minaret. It is one of few mosques open to non Muslims on guided tours.
A breezy walled port town with a fishing harbour and artists. Windsurfers love the beach.
Berber villages and trails below Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak. Treks range from day walks to summit climbs.
A narrow canyon with sheer rock walls, popular for walks and climbing. Palm groves line the river below.
Roman ruins with fine mosaics and a triumphal arch on a plain near Meknes. Olive groves surround the site.
A garden with bright blue buildings and cacti, once owned by Yves Saint Laurent. A Berber museum is inside.
A 19th century palace with painted ceilings, tiled courtyards and gardens. It shows the style of a grand vizier's home.
A valley of kasbahs, rock formations and a famous hairpin road. It is a stop on the road to the Sahara.
A blue and white fortified quarter above the river mouth in the calm capital. The Hassan Tower is nearby.
A surf village north of Agadir with breaks for all levels. Surf camps are numerous.
Everything above is open to read. A Hodolog account lets you build the trip around it: pick cities, add places to days, see the weather for your dates.
Each city with a guide opens its own page: map, where to stay, what to eat.
Souks, gardens and Atlas trips.
culture, food · Open the city guideThe great medieval medina.
history · Open the city guideBlue town in the Rif.
relaxation · Guide comingSahara dunes.
adventure · Guide comingCoastal port town.
beaches, culture · Open the city guideMain airport and Hassan II Mosque.
gateway · Open the city guideCalm capital.
history · Guide comingKasbahs and film studios.
gateway · Guide comingA quieter imperial city near Volubilis.
history, gateway · Guide comingFez, Meknes and Rabat.
Fez el Bali, Volubilis, Rabat
Red city and mountains.
Jemaa el Fna, Imlil, Jardin Majorelle
Kasbahs, gorges and dunes.
Merzouga, Aït Benhaddou, Todra Gorge
Rif mountains and Mediterranean.
Chefchaouen, Tangier, Tetouan
Ports and surf towns.
Essaouira, Taghazout, Casablanca
Medina life and mountain villages within a short drive.
Marrakesh, Imlil, Ouzoud Waterfalls
Choose how long you have, then add the whole route to a trip as places and nights.
Best: March to May, September to November. Spring and autumn are warm without extreme heat.
The desert is very hot in summer and cold at night in winter; the coast stays mild year round; the clock moves back during Ramadan.
January. Quiet season. Lower prices, fewer crowds.
62°F daily high, 50°F average, 1.4 in
Average of past years from NASA POWER, worked out at each city's position. A place far from these cities can be quite different.
The US State Department rates Morocco Level 2: Exercise Increased Caution due to terrorism; hustling and petty theft are common visitor issues.
Trains, including a high speed line, and good buses connect major cities.
Riads, food and transport are good value.
Entry rules depend on your passport. Members see the rules for their own passport here.
Passport and visa rules change often and without notice. Always check the official pages before you book and again before you travel.
| Entry | Rules change, so check the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs consular portal (consulat.ma) and your own government's travel advice before you book. |
| Plugs | Type C, E; 127 V and 220 V |
| Tap water | varies |
| Tipping | Small tips for guides, porters and waiters are customary. |
| Payments | Cash in dirhams is king in medinas; cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops. |
| Emergency | 150 ambulance and fire, 190 police, 177 gendarmerie |
| Etiquette | Greet people and haggle with patience and humour in souks. Ask before photographing people. |
| What to wear | Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially in rural areas and religious sites. |
| Driving | On the right |
| Between cities | ONCF trains link Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Fez and Tangier, with a high speed line on the north. CTM and Supratours buses go elsewhere. Desert trips are usually by private tour or rental car. |
| Main airports | CMN, RAK, FEZ, TNG, AGA |
| Ride apps | inDrive |
Berber (Amazigh) peoples have lived here for thousands of years, and Romans ruled the north from cities like Volubilis. Arab dynasties brought Islam from the 7th century, and great empires such as the Almoravids and Almohads ruled from Marrakesh. France and Spain held protectorates from 1912 until independence in 1956. Morocco is a kingdom ruled by the Alaouite dynasty.
Researched 2026-10-13. Check official sources and recent changes before you go.