Destinations · Africa

Morocco.

The kingdom in North Africa.

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The country

Morocco is a land of stunning contrasts and captivating beauty, with a rich, vibrant culture deeply rooted in its history and traditions. From the bustling streets of Marrakech to the serene dunes of the Sahara, this North African kingdom offers a wealth of experiences for the curious traveler.

Explore ancient medinas and marvel at the intricate tilework of historic mosques and palaces. Wander colorful markets filled with spices, fabrics and treasures, haggle in the bustling souks, or ride a camel across the dunes at sunset.

Morocco is also known for a delicious cuisine that blends African, Arabic and European influences: tangy tagines, savory couscous and spicy harira soup, finished with sweet pastries and fresh-squeezed juice.

Capital: Rabat
Currency: Moroccan dirham
Ideal trip: 7–10 nights
Best for: Culture & desert

When to go

The best time to visit Morocco.

Morocco is really three climates at once — the medinas, the High Atlas and the Sahara — and the trick is timing the loop so none of them is at its worst. This is the calendar as we'd sketch it across the desk.

Prime season Shoulder Quieter & better value

March–May

Mild, sunny days and wildflowers across the valleys, with the desert pleasant before the summer heat. Our favorite window for combining the cities, the mountains and the dunes.

September–November

The heat eases after summer, the light turns golden over the medinas, and desert nights are crisp but comfortable: an ideal stretch for the full north-to-south journey.

June–August

High summer is very hot inland and in the desert, so we lean toward the breezy Atlantic coast at Essaouira and the cooler heights of the Atlas, saving the Sahara for cooler months.

December–February

Winter brings mild, clear days in the cities and snow on the High Atlas peaks. Desert nights turn cold, so we pack accordingly and choose camps with proper heating.

Where to go

The regions of Morocco.

Morocco rewards travelers who let the landscape change beneath them, from imperial cities to mountain passes to the edge of the Sahara. These are the regions we weave together most often, each with its own rhythm, table and welcome, and we shape the route around the pace you have in mind.

Region

Marrakech

The Red City and its walled medina: the souks and spice markets, the gardens and palaces, and the great square of Jemaa el-Fnaa coming alive at dusk over mint tea and tagine.

Region

Fes & the Imperial Cities

Fes guards the world's largest car-free medieval medina, a maze of artisan workshops and tanneries, alongside the imperial capitals of Meknes and Rabat and the Roman ruins of Volubilis.

Region

The Sahara

The great dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga, reached over the High Atlas: camel treks into the sand, nights under vast skies, and the silence of the desert at dawn.

Region

The Atlas Mountains

Snow-capped peaks, terraced valleys and Berber villages of pink earth, with the dramatic kasbah of Aït Benhaddou guarding the old caravan road to the south.

Region

Essaouira & the Coast

A breezy, whitewashed port on the Atlantic, with weathered ramparts, a working fishing harbor, fresh seafood and an easygoing pace that balances the intensity of the inland cities.

Region

Chefchaouen & the North

The blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen tumble down the Rif Mountains, a photogenic, laid-back town within reach of Tangier and the green hills of Morocco's north.

Signature experiences

Our favorite ways to experience Morocco.

A sample journey

One way to spend a week in Morocco.

1

Days 1–2
Marrakech

Settle into a medina riad, then explore the souks, gardens and palaces, finishing with the theater of Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk over mint tea and grilled specialties.
2

Days 3–4
The Atlas Mountains & Aït Benhaddou

Cross the High Atlas by the Tizi n'Tichka pass, stopping in Berber villages, and reach the great earthen kasbah of Aït Benhaddou on the old caravan road.
3

Days 5–6
The Sahara at Merzouga

Continue through gorges and palm oases to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, with a camel trek into the sand and a night at a desert camp beneath an enormous sky.
4

Days 7–8
Fes & the Imperial Cities

Lose yourself in the labyrinth of the Fes medina with a local guide, among tanneries, workshops and madrasas, with Meknes and Roman Volubilis within reach.
5

Days 9–10
Chefchaouen & the North

Finish in the blue-washed lanes of Chefchaouen in the Rif Mountains, a relaxed, photogenic close to the journey before the onward route home.

Every itinerary we build is bespoke: this is a starting point, not a package.

Getting around

By private driver-guide: For the cross-country legs and the road to the dunes we pair a comfortable vehicle with a driver who knows the passes. The journey through gorges and palm oases is half the experience.
On foot in the medinas: The old quarters of Marrakech and Fes are too tight for cars, so you walk them with a local guide. A bewildering tangle of lanes becomes an unfolding story.
By rail: The modern train links Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier, with Africa's first high-speed service up the Atlantic coast. An easy, comfortable way to cover the longer hops.
Into the dunes: At the edge of the Sahara you trade the vehicle for a camel and ride into the sand at golden hour, the old caravan way, to a tented camp among the dunes.

Where to stay

Marrakech: We favor a restored riad inside the medina for its courtyard calm and rooftop views, or a garden hotel in the Palmeraie or Hivernage for more space and a pool.
Fes: A traditional riad within the old medina puts the artisan quarters and the great gateways on your doorstep, with the hum of the city giving way to quiet inner courtyards.
The Sahara: A tented desert camp near Merzouga, from comfortable to genuinely luxurious, for dune sunsets, dinner under the stars and a sky full of them once the lamps go down.
Essaouira & the Atlas: A characterful guesthouse within Essaouira's ramparts for sea air and seafood, or a mountain lodge in the High Atlas for valley views and Berber hospitality.

The driver-guides, rail tickets, medina guides and desert-camp logistics are all arranged as part of every itinerary — the connections are settled long before you arrive.

Good to know

Morocco travel questions.

How many days do you need in Morocco?

Seven nights lets you pair Marrakech with the High Atlas and a night in the desert, or focus on the imperial cities of Fes and Marrakech. Ten to twelve nights is the sweet spot for the classic loop: Marrakech, the Atlas and Aït Benhaddou, the Sahara at Merzouga, Fes and the north.

When is the best time to visit Morocco?

Spring, March to May, and autumn, September to November, are ideal, with mild days for the cities and comfortable desert nights. Summer is very hot inland and in the Sahara, so we favor the Atlantic coast then, while winter is pleasant in the cities but cold in the desert at night.

Is Morocco comfortable for first-time visitors?

Yes, especially with a private guide and driver, which is how we arrange most trips. Local guides handle the language, the navigation of the medinas and the logistics between regions, so you can relax into the experience while traveling at your own pace and comfort level.

What is a night in the Sahara actually like?

You reach the dunes near Merzouga in the late afternoon, often by camel, then settle into a tented camp for dinner under the stars and a sky full of them. Camps range from comfortable to genuinely luxurious, and nights can be cold outside the warmer months, so we choose camps with proper bedding and heating and pack layers.

What should we wear, and are there customs to respect?

Morocco is welcoming and relatively relaxed, and there is no need to cover your hair. We suggest modest, breathable clothing that covers shoulders and knees, especially in the medinas and smaller towns, with a layer for cool evenings and the desert. A little Arabic or French goes a long way, and asking before photographing people is always appreciated.

From the journal

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