Best Holiday Destinations in Morocco Travel Guide, Vacation in Morocco Planning Tips and Travel Information

The best holiday destinations in Morocco offer fantastic attractions and things to do. The place is vibrant because of the diversity in cultures, religions, traditions, and contemporary trends. Each city has different characteristics and unique selling points. The country has a jaw-dropping architecture which is the mixture of ancient and colonial style. The areas like Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira, and Tetouan are in the UNESCO’s World Heritage list. These cities boast natural and cultural attractions.

Besides the cityscapes, you will also not want to miss Morocco’s landscapes, nature and wildlife, camel-trekking, birdwatching, hiking in North Africa’s highest mountain, and so on. It is one of the best destinations in Africa that you must consider to visit with your friends and family.

Facts and figures of holiday destination Morocco

Area: 710.850 km ²
Population: 36,552,468 (2019 est.)
Language: Moroccan Arabic, Berber, Hassaniya Arabic, French, English, Spanish
Religion: Sunni Islam
Population density: 50.0/km2 (129.5/sq mi)
Administrative Capital: Rabat. Rabat has about 580 000 (2019 est.)
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD)
Vehicle registration: MA
International dialing code for Seychelles: ‎+212
Form of government: Unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy
Largest city: Casablanca
Public holiday destination Morocco:

11 Jan Fri Independence Manifesto Day
1 May Wed Labour Day
5 Jun Wed Eid al-Fitr
30 Jul Tue Throne Day
12 Aug Mon Eid al-Adha
14 Aug Wed Oued Ed-Dahab Day
20 Aug Tue Revolution Day
21 Aug Wed Youth Day
1 Sep Sun Islamic New Year
6 Nov Wed Green March Day
10 Nov Sun Prophet Muhammad’s Birthday
18 Nov Mon Independence Day

Emergency numbers: Police: 190; Tourist Police (Brigade Touristique): 0524384601; Ambulance: 150
Time zone: UTC+1
Entry requirements: Visa and valid passport
Electricity: 220V, 50Hz AC
Driving side: right

History and culture of holiday destination Morocco

No matter what places to go to the best holiday destinations in Morocco, you will never escape from its historical beauties. Most of the historical spots are still up and running nowadays. The architecture in the urban areas showcases the traces of Roman and Islamic occupations that influenced a lot in the modern Morocco culture.

However, the country’s history linked to the story of Berber tribes who fought against Ancient Roman colonialists. The tribes were real survivors. They survived through the cycle of rising and falling of Islamic dynasties as well. Back then, the Berber Istiqlal party contested with the French occupation in the early 20th century. Long story short, modern holiday destination Morocco is one of the safest and cleanest countries in Africa. Therefore, it gives the reasons for international travelers to flock the country every year.

If we talk about religions, Morocco is predominantly Muslim with Jewish, Christian, and Hindu minorities. Despite the diversity, the locals are living in harmony. They share both religious and ethnic traditions which derived from Berber, African, Arab, Mediterranean, and Jewish.

It is fun and easy to interact with the locals. A simple handshake will make you welcomed. Moroccan discourses are easy to understand. They are warm people. No matter where you are from, they will not mind chatting with you. You will want, however, to mind your manners when interacting with the locals. For instance, the shorts, swimsuits, and revealing clothing should be only conducted on the beach or poolside. Smoking is prohibited in public spaces. Drinking alcohol should be indoors or in the proper place.

Morocco languages are Arabic and Berber. Spanish is spoken in the northern regions of the country. French is widely spoken. English is spoken in most the tourist destinations. Having a local guide will help you a lot in your holiday destinations in Morocco travel.

Bahia Palace, Marrakech

Discover the best holiday destinations in Morocco’s major cities on your vacation in Morocco

Our Moroccan highlights are:

• Casablanca
• Marrakech
• Agadir
• Essaouira

Riad

Casablanca

Casablanca is the largest city in the holiday destination Morocco. If you are tagging along with your family and friends, a day won’t be enough to enjoy all it offers. The city is a perfect combination of old, new, medinas, and modern art. Don’t miss the opportunity to visit the Hassan II Mosque, one of the largest mosques in the world.

Marrakech

Marrakech is amongst the beautiful cities in Morocco. Marrakech boasts fun crowds. The city offers tons of excitements from the foods, spices, fruits, and mint tea in every corner of the town. The city never sleeps. Both locals and travelers are enjoying traditional music attractions like drumming, snake charming, and haggling. It also boasts the cultural shows of holiday destination Morocco.

Agadir

Agadir is popular because of its white sand resorts. If you consider that the holiday is all about beaches, then Agadir is the right city for you. But it offers more than that. The excursions and day trip into the southern part of holiday destination Morocco will present you the mountain villages, the sun, and the sea. You will have great memories there.

Essaouira

Essaouira is a coastal city which offers you the unspoilt sands and soothing place to relax. It offers natural views and attractions. From here, you will be wowed with the authentic Moroccan culture and harbourfront restaurants. It is a tourist-friendly town you will want to spend the time with your friends and family. The impact of tourism has made the locals to grow the place faster than many people can imagine. Nowadays, it is a public place with vibrant communities. You will find a lot of welcoming strangers here. If you prefer a trip to the seaside, you can’t go wrong by visiting Essaouira.

Best holiday destinations in Morocco tourist attractions

Riad in Marrakech

Djemaa el Fna

Djemaa el Fna is the full pack of entertainment. In the daylight, the market square is a fantastic place with the spectacle, restaurants, stalls, souvenir shops, and more. But when the night comes, the place comes with a bunch of entertainments you can enjoy from snake shows, storytellers, acrobats, traditional music performances, and many more! Not to mention that that food stalls are opening and boast the tempting smokes so that you will want to explore the local delicacies.

Famous market square in Marrakech

Jardin Majorelle

If you are looking for a soothing experience with your friends and family, you can’t go wrong with Jardin Majorelle. The park comes with rare specimens like cacti, palms, and bamboo. Le Jardin Majorelle literally means Majorelle Garden. It is a popular artist’s botanical and landscape garden that boasts the beauty of the greens. If you visit Marrakech, don’t miss it.

Famous artist’s botanical and landscape garden

The Museum of African Contemporary Art Al Maaden (MACAAL)

This new contemporary art museum opened in Marrakech. The Museum is dedicated to promote African contemporary art through its continuous support for leading artists from Morocco and neighbouring countries and the public display of their works.

Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech

A museum entirely devoted to the work of the legendary fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in Marrakech, Morocco.

Cascades D’Ouzoud

What do you think about drinking with your buddies in the holiday destination Morocco? It boasts some pubs which you can hang on for a while. Don’t miss to try the spring water there. It is natural and refreshing.

Draa Valley

If you are up to adventures, you can explore Draa Valley. It boasts the lush green in the semi-desert. The valley is a fantastic place to explore. Consider visiting in the evenings, so that you will get the best of it.

Fez

Have you ever tried to play the difficult with your friends? Fez can get you lost in its labyrinthine streets. Fez’s medina is listed in UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Tannery

Marrakech windows shopping

Marrakech is crowded from early morning to midnight. There are many things to see and do there from parks, holiday venues, resorts, and cityscapes. Tourists flock the night bazaar to windows shopping. Don’t miss this opportunity as well.

Top places to visit for nature and wildlife of best holiday destinations in Morocco

Toubkal National Park

Toubkal boasts the highest mountain in North Africa. It is the most popular national park. The cold temperature and crisp mountain weather give the reason why people flock in this area daily.

Ifrane National Park

Ifrane National Park has cold temperature and eccentric aroma of cedar forests. The park also presents a wide array of species that you can see and document. The bird’s species are unusual as well.

Dakhla National Park

Located in the southern part of holiday destination Morocco, the Dakhla National Park offers the amazing creatures sights in the vast and striking lagoon. Spotting beautiful dolphins and porpoises in the water is easy.

Al Hoceima National Park

Al Hoceima is a small and remote park. You can reach it by 4WD vehicle. It features exotic species like fish eagles. The thuya forests are also distinct offers here.

Souss-Massa National Park

It is an excellent place for bird watchers. Although birds sightseeing is the core of the activity, you can enjoy the landscapes including the beaches, wetlands, and dunes.

Discover the best holiday destinations in Morocco’s major cities on your vacation in Morocco

Koutoubia Mosque

Rabat – the Capital – one of the best holiday destinations in Morocco

Rabat is a beautiful modern city which is not too big to explore. However, the Old medina has bazars which you can stroll around. The atmosphere is quiet. You must visit its Hassan Tower, Rabat Archeological Museum, and Saint Pierre Cathedral.

Ouarzazate

Ouarzazate is the city of the cinema. Its population has been significantly increasing because of the booming of the film industry. There are big TV and film studios situated in the city. The city has both old and new center which offers different faces. You could visit its Musee Theatre and Atlas Film Studio.

Tiznit

Folks slate this city as the silver city. It is popular because of the Berber kind of silversmiths in town. You will find a lot of shops offering silver jewelry. You won’t regret to shop in Tiznit.

Tafraoute – one of the best holiday destinations in Morocco

Tafraoute is popular amongst mountain climbers communities since the mountains surround it. For the accommodation, you could try La Maison Traditionnelle. The place is the combination of museum and housing.

Taroudant

Taroudant is like the twin of Marrakech but way smaller. That’s why it is called Little Marrakech. You will find a lot of artisans, leatherworks, as well as unique Moroccan carpets here. It boasts tons of shops in Berber Market and Arabian Market.

Fez – one of the best holiday destinations in Morocco

Fez is smaller than Marrakech. Therefore, it is easy to explore the city because of its size. But don’t get it wrong, you can get lost if it is your first visit. The whole Median in Fez is in the UNESCO World Heritage list.

Marrakech – one of the best holiday destinations in Morocco

Marrakech is a city of diversity. It boasts tons of bazaars and souks. Nearby the square, you will find affordable stalls with souvenirs, and things that you can bring home.

The best holiday destinations in Morocco have amazing places to visit. The sightseeing can be much distinct and interesting because of the medieval class of cities that subjects to Roman Empire. Some cities were the client of the Roman Empire in 33 BCE. that explains why there are some imperial cities in Morocco including Rabat, Marrakech, Meknes, and Fez.

Top places to visit for nature and wildlife of best holiday destinations in Morocco

The holiday destinations in Morocco has dozens of ecosystems which spread around the country. It has fantastic national park and national reserves which showcase various flora and fauna. To protect nature, the government has built the parks and reserves throughout the country. The Oued Massa Nature, for instance, focuses on preserving the plant and animal, but also offer the activities for birdwatchers. Talassemtane is also an excellent example of conservation and research. Then there is Tazekka National Park that shows the different terrains in the middle of Atlas Mountain Range. Morocco also has distinct features of animals. It has around 210 bird species and 105 mammal species. Some of them are endangered species.

The holiday destination Morocco also has terrific marine wildlife. You can easily spot dolphins and porpoises in the coastline cities like Casablanca. If you’re lucky, you can also place a monk seal.

Also, don’t miss to experience desert wildlife in Morocco. If you are lucky, you can spot Dorcas gazelle and Fennec fox. The mammals that you can find in the desert are antelope, addax, rodents, snakes, lizards, as well as golden jackals. You can also see birds like eagles at the Atlas and Rif Mountains.

In the coastal areas, there are tons of different plants like loquat, acacia, as well as eucalyptus. If you want to explore more about Morocco’s nature and wildlife, a week is probably not enough for you. Extend your trip if possible.

Activities and best places to visit of holiday destinations in Morocco

Hiking and Trekking

If you love outdoors, you must challenge yourself to beat the four mountain ranges. That includes the Atlas chain and Rif mountain range. Invite your folks to enjoy the trekking, climbing, and hiking.

Surfing

The water in the holiday destination Morocco is amazing. You will easily find the waves to surf with the Atlantic permission.

Watersports

Moroccan waters offer various water sports to do. The activities focus on the Atlantic and Mediterranean coast. The water sports include surfing, windsurfing, canoeing, rowing, waterskiing, scuba diving, deep sea fishing, and many more.

Horse Riding

The holiday destination Morocco provides perfect terrains for horse riding. You can find many ideal spots in Casablanca, Agadir, Rabat, Essaouira, Fez, Tangier, and so on. You can enjoy the experience wherever you are in Morocco.

Golf

Golf has been the part of Morocco sports for centuries. You will find a lot of golf courses in Tangier, Agadir, Rabat, Fez, Mohammedia, Casablanca, Marrakesh, and Cabo Negro.

Tennis

Tennis has been one of the most popular sports in Morocco. That’s why it is not surprising that you can find tennis course in almost any resort in the country.

Fishing

Whether you are striking the rivers, lakes, or even the more deep sea, you will have Fishing spots to visit in Morocco. The country offers various species like bonitos, black bass trout, eels, roach, carp, and many more.

Aerial Sports

If you love more extreme sports, try hot air ballooning, gliding, parachuting, and more. Aerial sports are only for those who are not faint-hearted.

Food & drink in the best holiday destinations in Morocco

Morocco has such a long history which shapes the modern world in the country as the vibrant one. Therefore, you can expect the beautiful fusion of dining and drinking across the country. The cuisine grabs the influences from Mediterranean, Persian, West African, Arabic, Jewish, and more importantly, Berber style. The right thing here is that you will find many foods that you’ve never tried before. You can find many things from simple snacks to full courses. You can grab a quick kebab or sandwich from the favorite local stalls, or have an exceptional dining experience in a favorite restaurant.

The spices of Morocco are amazing. A la carte menus revolve around the fusion, modern, contemporary to the traditional cuisine. You will feast for more to satisfy your tongue buddy. Enjoy the specialties like an Andalusian pie with pigeon-meat, or savory semolina dish, and many more.

Being compliant with alcohol drinking rules is essential. Bars in most tourist areas are open later. You can enjoy wines, beers, and other alcoholic drinks in the rooms. Since Muslims are forbidden to drink alcohol, it is essential to respect their culture. Drinking in public is considered unethical. The drinking age is 18. besides alcoholic drinks, you will want to try Moroccan mint tea. The mint tea is also called “Berber whiskey.” It is a strong cup of tea mixed with mint and a little bit of sugar. Waking up in the morning, you could try Turkish style coffee, or pure French espresso if you want to enjoy a familiar taste.

Best time for visiting the best holiday destinations in Morocco

holiday destination Morocco are visitable all-year round, thanks to its tourist-friendly climate. Most of the time, the atmosphere is subtropical. The coolness happens because of the breezes from the Atlantic and Mediterranean. The temperatures can be more extreme in the winters. The summers can be sweltering. The key to being in the friendly climate zone is to get as close as possible to the beaches and ocean.

How to get to your best holiday destinations in Morocco

Arrivals and departures:

Morocco Airports

Agadir Al Massira Airport
Angads Airport
Beni Mellal Airport
Cherif Al Idrissi Airport
Dakhla Airport
Essaouira-Mogador Airport
Fes-Saiss Airport
Goulimime Airport
Hassan I Airport
Marrakech Menara Airport
Mohammed V International Airport
Moulay Ali Cherif Airport
Nador International Airport
Ouarzazate Airport
Rabat-Sale Airport
Sania Ramel Airport
Tan Tan Airport
Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport

Travelling in Morocco: bus, train, ferry and flight

When you visit Morocco, you will have plenty of transportation options across the country. You can quickly put yourself on the right network of transportations with cross-platforms that will get you to the destinations at affordable rates.

Getting around Morocco by plane

Most international travelers will arrive at Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport or Menara Airport located in Marrakesh. If you want to save more time to go from one destination to other, you can’t go wrong with the primary carrier of holiday destination Morocco. Royal Air Maroc is the primary carrier. Finding cheap flights to Morocco or domestic flights from one city to another is easy. Keep in mind that the airlines might have different rules with your country’s airlines. Check the baggage restrictions, regulations, and so on.

Photo: Courtesy Of Aéroport Casablanca Mohammed V

Getting around Morocco by bus

Buses are accessible transportation because these are much cheaper than cab or taxi. The bus is also an alternative to training network. It is an effective solution if you are traveling between smaller towns or cities. The top operators are Supratours, CTM, SATAS, and Trans Ghazala. There are some other companies as well, but you might find a bit task since their schedule is not the same. To be safe, you could focus on the reliable bus operators.

Getting around Morocco by train

Morocco has a quality and reliable network of trains. The ONCF train services operate in major cities including Casablanca, Marrakesh, Fez, Rabat, and Meknes. High-speed train “Al Boraq” connects Tangier to Casablanca, which is very important because it helps folks save the time in commuting and travelling. If you want to cover all the primary tourism objects of Morocco, traveling by train is an excellent option for you. A traffic jam won’t intervene the high-speed service.

Africa’s first high-speed train

The fact is that Morocco has become the first African country that provides the high-speed train service. It is a good pick in high season.

Ferry

Morocco has channeled the country with many ports in Europe. Tangier has multiple ports. The trips can be much faster if you get on the trustworthy companies. You can get to Morocco by ferry from France or Italy. The journey can take a day or two depending on the speed of the transportation or the route.

Self-drive or taxi on your vacation in Morocco?

If you plan to rent a car and drive around holiday destination Morocco by yourself, you might need to think twice. The road is war. The local drivers are mostly driving carelessly. Morocco’s major cities have pretty high accident rates. But if you plan to visit some places which public transports can’t encourage you to, self-driving will be a great option. Basically, the navigation app can help you a lot in finding the best routes in Moroccan cities. Just make sure you update your app the most recent version since it is possible that the cities, towns, and villages have made few changes in their infrastructure and roads. There have been cases where the travellers got lost because they used old-version of Gmap app. So, it is better to be safe than sorry.

You will want to get on the taxi if you are not sure about the routes. You can literally find the taxi services in almost any city in Morocco. However, it might be harder to find the services in rural areas.chances are the locals can help you with the transportation. If you are booking your tour through trustworthy and reliable travel agent, you won’t need to worry at all since all your transportations are taken care of.

Entry requirements of holiday destinations in Morocco

It is essential to understand the rules of your current country. Just like any other country, the Moroccan authorities must enforce the rules for entry. Chances are you book the tour through the reliable tour agent. You will need reassurance to make sure that you have fulfilled all of the requirements. Cross-check with your tour agent if there is any slit in the entry requirements.

Some countries might not need a visa to enter Morocco because of the bilateral relationship with the state. For instance, if you are British, you don’t need a visa to visit holiday destination Morocco for up to 3 months. Each should check on the stamps in their passport. It can be a problem if you want to leave the country without a stamp in your passport.

Your passport should be valid for at least three months. Before traveling, make sure that your passport is valid. Also, mind about your Morocco travel documents as well.