Morocco
Labyrinth old towns, the Atlas mountains and the Sahara, all within a few days of one another.
Icons
The medinas, the desert, and the mountains.
- A square that becomes a restaurant at nightJemaa el-FnaaMarrakesh
Stalls and performers by day, food stands after dark. The square is inscribed as intangible heritage.
- An old city cars cannot enterFes medinaFes
Thousands of lanes tangled together, where a map alone will not save you. Its tanneries are famous.
- A town painted entirely blueChefchaouenRif Mountains, north
Walls and even stairways are washed in blue. It sits on a slope, so the walking is steep.
- A night among the dunesErg Chebbi and Erg ChigagaSoutheast
The standard trip rides camels into the dunes to sleep in tents. It is at least two days from Marrakesh.
- A fortified village built of earthAit Ben HaddouSouth-central
A citadel of mud and straw, often used as a film location. It sits on the route over the Atlas.
- Snow-covered peaksHigh AtlasCentral
The highest range in North Africa, holding snow through winter. Villages at its foot are a day from Marrakesh.
World Heritage
Mostly historic towns.
- A medieval city in its original formMedina of FezFes
Among the largest car-free urban areas in the world. An ancient university and working craft workshops remain.
- A city of red earth wallsMedina of MarrakeshMarrakesh
Walls, gardens and the square are inscribed together. The whole city holds to one red tone.
- The showpiece of earthen architectureKsar of Ait Ben HaddouSouth-central
A fortified village left from the Saharan trade routes. Earth building is vulnerable to rain, so repair is constant.
- Roman ruinsVolubilisNear Meknes
A Roman city in North Africa with well-preserved mosaics. It stands alone in open farmland.
- A windy port townMedina of EssaouiraAtlantic coast
A walled port whose layout mixes in European design. The wind is strong enough to have made it a surf town.
Where to go
Each city has a clearly different character.
- MarrakeshThe southern gatewaySouth-central
Medina, square and gardens together. Desert and Atlas trips start from here.
- FesThe oldest medinaNorthern interior
Craft workshops and narrow lanes still in use. A guide makes navigation far easier.
- ChefchaouenThe blue townNorth
Reached by bus, and closer to a large village than a city. A day or two is enough.
- EssaouiraOn the AtlanticWest coast
About three hours by bus from Marrakesh. Many come simply to escape the heat.
- MerzougaThe desert gatewaySoutheast
A village right at the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. Desert camping trips depart from here.
When to go
Inland summers are extreme, and desert nights are cold.
- SpringMarch to MayNationwide
Comfortable temperatures and green countryside. Widely considered the best time to come.
- SummerJune to AugustNationwide
Marrakesh and the desert pass forty degrees. The coastal towns stay bearable.
- AutumnSeptember to NovemberNationwide
The heat eases and desert trips become pleasant. Late autumn nights turn cold.
- WinterDecember to FebruaryNationwide
Snow in the Atlas and desert nights that can drop below freezing. The cities stay mild.
Before you go
Bargaining, etiquette, and how to get around.
- EntryVisa-free short stay for Korean passportsNationwide
Short tourist stays need no visa. Confirm the permitted length and conditions before departure.
- MoneyDirham, with export restrictionsNationwide
It can only be exchanged locally and taking it out of the country is restricted. Medina shops work in cash.
- BargainingStandard in the marketsThe medinas
Prices are often unmarked, and negotiating is the convention. If you are not buying, it is better not to ask the price.
- GuidesUse a licensed oneThe medinas
Unofficial guides may lead you somewhere and then demand a fee. If you want a guide, arrange a licensed one through your accommodation.
- Getting aroundTrains and intercity busesNationwide
A high-speed line runs between Casablanca and Tangier. In the south it is buses and shared taxis.
- Emergency numbers190 police, 150 ambulanceNationwide
Rural areas have a separate gendarmerie number. French is widely understood.
Opening hours, fares and schedules change from year to year and by season. Check the official guidance for each site and operator before you travel.