Morocco Vacation Travel Tips

Morocco claims to be one of the most diverse countries in Africa, and that may undoubtedly be true. Vibrant and varied landscapes like the High Atlas and the Rif Mountains lead you to the seemingly endless desert.

Wander through the narrow alleys of the souks in the medinas of Marrakech or Fez. Let yourself be enchanted by the spectacle at Djemaa el-Fna in Marrakech. Enjoy breathtaking views from the High Atlas or visit a saffron farm in the Ourika Valley. Take a trip to the Western Sahara and visit Essaouira, Agadir, and Casablanca. I immediately fell in love with the country, even though haggling can sometimes be quite exhausting.

Whether you're taking an individual road trip with a rental car, traveling by bus, or even exploring the country in your own campervan.

Here you will find the important questions and answers about a vacation in Morocco. Topics such as entry requirements, money, safety, or transportation: I've listed everything here.

Even if your French isn't the best, Morocco is ideal for exploring on your own! The country is perfect for a short trip (only 3 flight hours from the United States) or a road trip.

?? Check out the highlights of a backpacking trip in Morocco here!

Morocco is one of the most diverse countries in Africa. A hint of the Orient, the Sahara Desert, combined with the winding streets and vibrant hustle of the souks in Marrakech, Agadir, or Essaouira.

Morocco is suitable for a short trip (e.g., Marrakech) or a road trip. Package tourists will also find great hotels to relax in this safe travel destination.

Surfers love Morocco's coast, which you can travel all year round! Ideal, right? Read on for our tips for your Morocco vacation!

Find inspiration for a Morocco road trip here

The best time to visit Morocco is in the spring or autumn. In summer, it gets way too hot and dry. During these times, the climate in Morocco is pleasant. In summer, temperatures in Marrakech can even exceed 50 degrees Celsius. For most Americans, that's way too much.

The coolest months are in winter (December, January, and February). In the Atlas Mountains, temperatures can drop below 0 degrees Celsius, and it often snows. I found November to be ideal.

See more details: Best Time to Visit Morocco (Climate & Weather)

Morocco has several international airports. You can easily and quickly reach Marrakech and Agadir (3 hours) from your departure city.

BOOK FLIGHTS ✈️ We always look for cheap flights on Kayak. Here are my tips for booking cheap flights. Make sure to specify checked baggage, as basic flights only include carry-on luggage. This can initially distort the price and make it look cheaper.

Do you love road trips in your own vehicle? Then take the ferry from Tarifa to Tangier. The distance is only 35 km and it goes quite fast. The ferry runs regularly and several times a day. However, be sure to book your ticket in advance.

Alternatively, you can travel from Barcelona to Tangier or Nador. This journey takes 30 hours and is significantly longer.

Warning: Tangier has two ports: Tangier Ville and Tangier Med. Tangier Med is located 40 km east of Tangier. Many of the ports get busy and crowded in summer. Book your ticket in advance!

A ticket for a motorhome (up to 6 meters) costs approximately 148 euros for a round trip. You can also book an open return ticket if you're unsure when you want to return.

Here are the key facts about the visa and your entry into Morocco:

On the plane, you will receive a form you must fill out. This entry card also serves as your pass for departure. So don't lose it! The documents are available in English and French. Instead of getting an entry stamp, you will receive a number in your passport. You must show this number at every accommodation.

When departing, you must submit the exit card.

On some ferry routes from Spain to Morocco, passport control is conducted during the trip onboard. This helps avoid long waiting times upon entry.

I know that many traveling with campervans have children, so here's the information: Children need a child passport.

Morocco is one of the safest travel countries in Africa. The people are open and friendly. Of course, as everywhere else, caution is needed: Be careful when withdrawing money at ATMs, on the markets, and in the souks. Don't display expensive jewelry openly or leave anything in the car.

I never felt unsafe in Morocco. It is safe. Get used to seeing police and security everywhere, in front of hotels, attractions, or busy places. This is completely normal.

Just be cautious in the maze of the souk alleyways. Pickpockets can easily operate in the crowds. It's a global problem that isn't unique to Morocco.

Otherwise, you should firmly but politely say NO if merchants in the medinas try to pull you into their shop. Visiting the Western Sahara? Especially here, you will often find checkpoints where your papers and travel documents will be checked.

It is completely normal for women (I'm also blond with blue eyes) to be approached by Moroccan men. However, this is never meant to be rude. The people are respectful; a Blue Man from the desert wanted to take me away (of course in a joking manner) and gave me a kiss on the cheek as a farewell. Always show respect and avoid overly revealing clothing. Then everything will be fine.

Consult your doctor before your trip. Generally, I can tell you that there are no special vaccinations required for Morocco. I prefer to have the standard vaccinations against tetanus, hepatitis A and B, rabies, and typhoid.

Additionally, I always pack basic supplies in my travel pharmacy. I don't have any special insurance except the ordinary travel insurances you can find here.

Traveling around Morocco is easy. There is a well-functioning bus and train network. Sophia has written down her best tips and highlights for a Morocco road trip by bus and backpack.

Buses from Marrakech go to Agadir, Essaouira, and Casablanca. Ideal if you don't want to drive yourself.

Personally, I would choose my own campervan or a rental car.

For Morocco, I had two travel guides and can recommend the following for each type of journey:

For Morocco, you will need a travel adapter. Hotels often have our sockets, but if you leave the tourist path, you will need a Type E plug. The plug looks like ours, but the pins are slightly thicker. If you want to be on the safe side, get the appropriate travel adapter (for example, from Amazon).

Remember, you're on vacation! Usually, your accommodation has Wi-Fi, so you don't need a local SIM card for your phone. However, since we are traveling longer and are self-sufficient, we bought a Moroccan SIM card.

In Morocco, there are three major telecommunications providers: Maroc Telecom, INWI, and Meditel. Each region may have a different provider for better reception.

After asking friends who have traveled in Morocco with a campervan, we also decided on Maroc Telecom. This provider has the greatest network coverage and easily top-ups.

The official currency of Morocco is the Dirham (MAD, 1 € is approximately 10.5 MAD). You will find ATMs everywhere (ATM). Withdraw cash directly at the airport with your no-fee travel credit card (check out my tips) so you don't have to withdraw cash in a busy street. Most hotels also have ATMs.

Never exchange money in Germany beforehand, as there will be fees. This often costs a lot and adds up.

Currently, the best no-fee credit cards for travel are the DKB Bank Debit Card, GenialCard (Hanseatic Bank), and the TF Bank Mastercard Gold. With a setup of at least 2 of these cards, you can nearly always withdraw cash for free at ATMs abroad and pay on site without incurring foreign transaction fees on foreign currencies!

-> Here you will find all tips with my experience for the best travel credit cards in comparison.

Tipping in Morocco is mandatory. Generally, 10% is the norm, whether at the restaurant or while taxiing. If you participate in a tour, you should also give a tip, which usually ranges between 5 - 20 Dirhams. Ask locals or fellow travelers what they give.

If a local shows you the way out of the souk alleys (you will definitely get lost), these guides also expect a tip.

Something I wasn't born to do is to haggle. My friends love to negotiate prices at markets. I do not have the patience for that. In Morocco, it is the order of the day. When someone gives a price, calmly respond with half of the offer. If the seller refuses to go down, turn away and walk away. Either he will make a counter-offer or you can look for another stand.

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