Moroccan culture is extraordinarily varied and, to make the most of it, you must come prepared for all scenarios.
One week in Morocco can seem like an eternity, yet still isn’t enough time to see everything this stunning country has to offer. To maximize your trip and see all that this destination can provide, use these tips:
Book Early
Planning a trip to Morocco involves many variables. Weather, season and which areas you wish to explore all have an effect on how much can be accomplished during your vacation.
Booking flights and accommodations early is ideal to avoid unexpected problems or delays that might arise, while giving yourself plenty of time to research other aspects of your trip such as restaurants or activities.
As Morocco is such a popular travel destination, booking accommodations early will ensure that you get exactly the room type and location that suits you while also helping secure competitive pricing. Flight booking should also be completed as quickly as possible to guarantee getting the price that meets your needs.
Morocco’s best time of year to visit is May. Not too hot yet, May offers ideal conditions for outdoor activities – warm temperatures with breezy winds makes hiking and other forms of outdoor exploration all the more appealing at this point! Also important to keep in mind is that spring can see increased risk of sandstorms nearer to Sahara Desert communities and cities.
June is another ideal month to visit Morocco as temperatures tend to be more comfortable and it tends to be less crowded than other months of the year. But it is advisable that accommodations be reserved early since this month is one of Morocco’s busiest travel seasons.
Morocco in October remains relatively warm and sunny, making it a good time for travelers looking to experience its rich culture without crowds of tourists. Temperatures tend to be very warm during the daytime but drop significantly at nighttime in higher mountainous regions – so be sure to pack a light sweater or hoodie as well as an umbrella should it rain!
Stay in the Medina
Staying at the heart of a medina is one of the best things you can do when visiting Morocco, allowing you to hear the call to prayer from mosques, witness everyday life and appreciate Moroccan architecture.
In imperial cities you will find beautiful riads, or traditional Moroccan homes with courtyards, plunge pools, hammams and gorgeous architecture, that have been renovated and turned into guest houses. Riads offer incredible value at very reasonable rates. In mountain villages however you will likely stay at a gite d’etape – usually the guest area of someone’s home that allows them to cook homemade meals and gain insight into Moroccan culture and life!
If you decide to stay in a medina, taking day trips beyond the city to see more of Morocco can be invaluable. For instance, Marrakech visitors can visit nearby mountains like Atlas and Uhud, featuring rock carvings, castles and ancient monuments dating back to Berbers’ last stand against Rome; Volubilis is another gorgeous Roman ruin worth checking out!
Day trips offer the ideal chance to escape from the bustle and noise of the medina and enjoy some tranquillity and peace. A day trip provides the ideal chance for relaxation and recharge, making an incredible break during your travels in Morocco.
Weather in Morocco varies considerably by season. Spring and summer are considered ideal times to visit; during these months the climate is warm but not unbearably so; additionally this is when most major festivals take place.
September is also an ideal time to visit, with temperatures cooling off while crowds remain manageable. September offers ideal hiking, trekking, swimming and exploring historical sites conditions without overheating your skin too much.
Study the culture and language of Morocco prior to arriving. This will enable you to converse more easily with locals while avoiding Touts (tourist traps). Perhaps watch cooking videos or sign up for belly dancing lessons so that when you arrive you can fully take advantage of what Morocco has to offer.
Eat at Local Restaurants
Moroccan palaces and romantic riads have been converted into restaurants that specialize in three to seven course meals with musicians or folk dancers adding an unforgettable experience. But recently a new generation of chefs has begun offering alternative experiences beyond Jemaa el Fna by providing lesser known home dishes or modern interpretations of classic Moroccan fare.
As well as delicious tourist-packed medina food, there are also many delicious, affordable dishes outside it. Makouda, a potato patty with coriander and spices deep-fried, makes an easy quick snack option; or meat lovers might like trying kebab (skewered chicken, lamb or beef grilled on skewers) at one of the many restaurants throughout the city.
Msemen, or “meat-filled crepe”, is another must-try dish, consisting of either sweet or savory cornmeal crepes stuffed with chicken, ground meat and spices and then wrapped in thin pastries such as warqa before being baked. You’ll often find this treat served for breakfast in restaurants. However, making it at home is much simpler and delicious too – typically served up alongside coffee!
Visit Tafraout between mid-February and mid-March to experience its annual Almond Blossom Festival, an enchanting village featuring live music and fragrant almond blossoms! You’re sure to experience Berber culture here with live performances and plenty of sweet-scented blossoms adorning its streets.
Of particular note during any culinary trip to Morocco are its world-renowned couscous restaurants. Menus change regularly to reflect local produce availability and let you sample the best of each region’s produce.
Not only is El Fenn’s cuisine impressive; so is its decor designed by architect Yves Saint Laurent. El Fenn offers an intriguing fusion of Moroccan and European styles as striking as its cuisine; walls covered in ruby red tadelakt are covered with pink flamingoes strutting across them like trompe l’oeil paintings! Even if you aren’t staying at the hotel, stop by just to admire this eclectic space or shop locally produced Moroccan housewares and fashion made right there!
Take a Day Trip
Spending your time exploring Morocco’s historic cities and medinas can be rewarding, but taking day trips into the countryside and going Morroco Hiking provides you with an invaluable opportunity to meet local Berber people while discovering its stunning natural beauty. Plus, learning some language or customs before arrival will allow for easier communication with locals!
Marrakech offers many day trip destinations from Marrakech, with Sahara Desert being one of the most popular choices. Due to the long drive time required (approximately nine hours each way), most visitors opt for three-day tours that include sleeping at a Bedouin camp, camel rides, and climbing Erg Chebbi dunes for stunning desert sunset views.
At Tafraout in Souss-Massa region is held the annual Almond Blossom Festival which offers delicious food, traditional Berber folk music and beautiful sweet-scented almond blossoms. This festival takes place during mid February.
March is an ideal month to take a day trip to the High Atlas Mountains as temperatures begin to warm up and foot traffic in city streets is light, offering beautiful scenes of blooming flowers and lush vegetation as they stroll to iconic landmarks. Additionally, visitors will also get to experience Yennayer, which marks Amazigh New Year festivities featuring communal feasts and dancing to commemorate this eventful event!
April is an ideal month to explore the High Atlas Mountains, as the weather tends to be warm and sunny. Hiking through the hills provides opportunities to discover ourika and Imlil Berber villages as well as beautiful hiking trails in surrounding valleys.
Essaouira’s coastal city setting makes for the perfect way to take a break from Marrakech’s hustle and bustle, offering tranquil beach walks while admiring fishermen tending their nets – you might even try windsurfing if you feel adventurous!
