Morocco is a colourful, brash, exotic place, from its rugged mountainous interior, bright red desert dunes, spice markets and colourfully tiled buildings. Haggle at the bustling markets of Marrakesh, sample the local dishes and mint tea, take a stroll through medieval Fez or just lap up the exotic scenery. Whatever you choose to do you’re bound to enjoy this enticing country.

Morocco is a country in North Africa with coastlines on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea and is bordered by Algeria and the Western Sahara. Morocco’s capital city is Rabat, with its largest city being Casablanca, the country has a population of around 36 million and has been shaped over the years by European, Berber and Arabic cultural influences.

Morocco’s climate is largely Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters.

Summer

Summer runs from June to August and is generally hot and dry with long sunny days, many of the coastal towns are cooled slightly by Atlantic Sea breezes. The average temperatures in July and August are 29°C (84°F) in the day, but on some days the heat can increase into the late 30’s (late 90’s).

Winter

Winter runs from November to February, in the south of Morocco the temperatures are still mild whereas the north is generally wet and cloudy with higher areas becoming exceptionally cold (such as the Atlas Mountains).

Spring and Autumn

The best times to visit weather wise are Spring (March to May) and Autumn (September to October) when it is dry and temperatures are warm and pleasant.

Tip – Ensure you check when the month of Ramadan falls when planning your trip as although the festive evenings are enjoyable, daytime fasting can be a problem for transport and hiking.

There are plenty of transport options for getting around Morocco, including trains, buses, taxis, renting a car and limited direct flights between major cities.

Trains

The rail network links most of the major cities and can be an affordable and comfortable way to travel. Trains run between Marrakech, Fes, Casablanca, Rabat, Oujda, Tangier and Meknes. (You can’t get to the Atlas Mountains, desert, Agadir or Essaouira via train.) The only way to book tickets online is if you have a Moroccan issued bank card so you will need to wait till you arrive to reserve or purchase tickets at the train station. You should be able to buy any train ticket at any station as long as it is no more than 30 days in advance. The trains run regularly and although you shouldn’t need to book tickets more than a day or so in advance, it is recommended that you do if you are on a tight schedule. Use the ONCF website to find timetables and fares.

Buses

There are four major bus companies operating in Morocco, three are private and the other is state run. CTM is a state-run national company that has an online booking system on their website and fixed departure schedules. Two of the larger private companies are SATAS, which operates mainly in the south and Trans Ghazala, which operates mainly in the north. Supratours are operated by the train company ONCF so are a great option where a train only takes you a portion of the way to your destination.

Taxis

There are two types of taxis in Morocco — Petit Taxis and Grand Taxis. In each city the two different types have specific colours, which make them easy to find, although the colours do change from city to city.

Petit taxis are small cars that can only carry three passengers at a time. If a driver has one passenger they may stop to pick up two more passengers if they are going in the same direction as the original passenger. The taxis are metered and the rates are the same in each city. Petit taxis are not allowed to travel outside of the city limits.

Grand taxis are shared ride taxis in old Mercedes sedans. They take up to six passengers unless you negotiate a price for a private ride.

Renting A Car

The independence of renting a car in Morocco is becoming increasingly popular so several international car hire agencies operate out of all the major cities in Morocco. In addition to all the big names, such as Hertz, Avis and Europar, there are also local companies offering car hire. There are numerous websites where you can pre-book your car hire in Morocco to try to get the best deal.

Air

There are a limited amount of internal direct flights between the major cities in Morocco, such as Casablanca, Marrakesh and Fes, but between any of the other cities you will normally need to change planes in Casablanca. Internal flights are not cheap, but they will save time getting between two cities.

Minibus Taxis

Somewhat crazy at times but they are a cheap, efficient means of getting around. Most come in the form of 14–16 seater minibuses, they can be found on most main roads and hubs such as train stations and taxi ranks. Fares start at R5 upwards depending on the route which are usually shouted out the window or displayed on a sign behind the windscreen.

Buses

Golden Arrow Buses cover over 1300 routes that mainly serve the outer areas of the city, they aren’t the most tourist friendly but they are a good way of getting around certain areas and suburbs, with a one-way fare costing R10-R15.

The MYCITI BUS system is fairly new and the buses are efficient and easy to use. The buses don’t cover as bigger area as the Golden Arrow buses but they are an easy way to get around town, into the city centre, as well as to a host of nearby landmarks. The system also offers an affordable Airport route, as well as routes to Hout Bay, Table View and the Blouberg coastline. If you’re going to use these buses it’s best to purchase a pass for R35 which you can get from kiosks and certain retailers.

Metrorail

Unpredictable, with trains being on time one day and hopelessly delayed the next, however they do offer access to much of Cape Town and beyond for a reasonable price with a first class fare costing around R10. The trains are known to be dangerous at certain times of the day so it’s safest to travel between the hours of 7:00 am–9:00 am and 4:00 pm–6:00 pm.

Car Hire

A popular option for people staying in Cape Town for more than a couple of days as it is both convenient and affordable. There a huge number of car rental companies to chose from with many different types of cars on offer. A car can be collected from Cape Town International Airport or from one of the offices around the city. Due to the keen competition you will be able to find a good deal on car hire, especially if booked online in advance. Due to many of the popular sights in and around Cape Town being quite spread out this is a recommended option.

Taxis

There are metered taxis and Uber taxis in Cape Town. Uber taxis are booked using the popular app, whereas the metered taxis are restricted to designated taxi ranks so you either need to book them in advance or find one of the designated areas. Many of the taxi companies now offer online bookings, which can also be used when getting from airport into the city, with many offering a set fare depending on the destination. It is also worth saving a trusted taxi companies number in your phone for when you can’t get internet.

The currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD or dhs) and note denominations are 20, 50, 100 and 200.

There are ATM’s available around Morocco, mainly in the cities and large towns, but it’s really best to carry cash as both credit and debit cards aren’t widely accepted outside tourist areas.

The currency isn’t available to buy outside of Morocco, but there are plenty of places to exchange money in the large cities.

Average Costs (in Moroccan Dirham)

• A three course meal for two in a mid-range restaurant 150–200
• A basic lunch 30
• A beer 25–40
• A regular coffee 13–16
• Pot of mint tea 5–20
• Bottle of water 5
• 3 star hotel 400–800
• Upmarket riad in the city from 1000
• Petit taxi ride from airport to central Marrakesh 50–100

Jemaa el-Fnaa

A large public square in Marrakesh’s medina quarter with merchants, hawkers and entertainers. At night the square comes alive with a bustling and vibrant atmosphere.

Ouzoud Falls

The falls are situated a 2 and a half hour drive from Marrakesh in the Atlas mountains and are the highest falls in North Africa. They are 360 feet (110 metres) high and are a spectacular sight.

Majorelle Garden

A two and a half acre botanical garden in Marrakesh created in the 1920s by the French painter Jacques Majorelle. The entrance fee is 70 dirhams and it is open daily. From October to April – 8:00 am till 5:30 pm, from May to September – 8:00 am till 6:00 pm and during the month of Ramadan from 9:00 am till 5:00 pm.

Hassan II Mosque

The largest mosque in Morocco is situated in Casablanca. You can view this esquisite building via a guided tour Saturday to Thursday at 9:00 am, 10:00 am, 11:00 am and 2:00 pm (subject to change during Ramadan). Guided tours cost 120 dirhams.

Kasbah des Oudaias

This peaceful, quaint neighbourhood in Rabat is the prettiest corner of the capital. There are picturesque, narrow streets lined with white and blue houses, attractive gardens and scenic views over the river and ocean.

Volubilis

This hilltop Roman ruin is a UNESCO World Heritage Site with mosaics, crumbled columns and temple remnants. This attraction can easily be visited as a day trip from Meknes or Fez. The entrance fee is 20 dirhams.

Ait Ben Haddou

A traditional mud-brick city with its striking orange-hued turrets sits on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and has been featured in several movies.

Erg Chebbi

These grand and rippling sand dunes in the eastern Sahara region offer an amazing experience. You can go dune bashing, camel trekking or simply admire the sun setting below the dunes and sleep under the stars.

Marrakech

This former imperial city, sitting at the edge of the Sahara Desert in Western Morocco was founded almost 1000 years ago. The medieval, walled Medina dates back to the Berber Empire and is now a UNESCO World Heritage site. This ancient, buzzing Medina has a main square and narrow, winding alleyways and souks to be explored. Outside of the Medina there are elaborate mosques and charming gardens to be explored.

Fez

Morocco’s oldest imperial city is best known for its walled, UNESCO protected Fes El Bali Medina that will transport you back in time. This colourful, historic city has an old world atmosphere with vibrant souks and fascinating architecture.

Essaouira

This port city on the Atlantic Coast is laid back, bright and breezy and enchanting. Its traditional, blue and white Medina is protected from the waves by 18th Century seafront ramparts (sand coloured stone walls) lined with old cannons. Beautiful beaches on the edge of the city are perfect for windsurfing or kite-boarding due to the strong coastal winds named Alizee.

Agadir

This busy port and beach resort was completely rebuilt following an earthquake in the sixties, making this the most modern city in Morocco. Although you can still find remnants of its past, one of these being the medieval Kasbah atop of a hill in the cities oldest district. The renowned stretch of beach is one of the areas biggest draws and is more idyllic for sunbathing than nearby Essouira as there are no strong coastal winds.

Rabat

Morocco’s capital has Islamic and French-colonial heritage and a rich history. It is a clean and inviting city that is easy to navigate. The well-preserved 12th-Century Kasbah of the Udayas is surrounded by beautiful gardens and overlooks the ocean. There are cafes lining the streets, an old maze-like medina and a long stretch of beach to enjoy in the city.

Casablanca

The country’s largest city and main port is the most cosmopolitan and populous of Morocco’s cities, and due to it’s size the hidden gems are harder to find amongst the more industrial neighbourhoods. There is a diverse array of buildings, from Art Deco to Gothic, as well as those that are incredibly modern. The Hassan II Mosque, the largest mosque in Morocco, took thousands of Moroccans, years to complete and is a must-see on any trip to the city.

Tangier

This port town in North Morocco is separated from Spain by the 20 miles of the Strait of Gibralter and has a unique mix of cross-cultural influences from North Africa, Spain, France and Portugal. The medina dates back to the 14th Century and has stalls selling everything from meat to textiles. Tangier also has a thriving cafe culture and long stretches of beach to enjoy.

Chefchaouen 

This enchanting city is situated in the Rif mountains in Northwest Morocco. It is famous for its striking blue-washed buildings and is the prettiest town in Morocco. The surrounding landscape of mountains is also a sight to behold and there are many hiking trails to choose from if you want to exlore outside outside the town and admire it from above.

Atlas Mountains

High Atlas is North Africa’s greatest mountain range and has various hiking trails, whether you are looking for a day hike or one taking several days. These beautifully mountains are home to remote Berber villages and the landscape can change dramatically depending on which season you visit in.

• It is considered rude to decline meat while dining, as is eating with your right hand.
• White is the colour of mourning — a Moroccan widow will wear white for 40 days after her husband dies.
• Green mint tea was introduced in 1854 by British Merchants. It is Chinese green tea brewed with a handful of mint leaves and lots of sugar.
• Morocco is only 8 miles (13 km) from Europe across the Straight of Gibraltar.
• Traditionally the liver, not the heart, is considered to be the symbol of love in Morocco.
• The Moroccan weekend is Thursday and Friday.
• The oldest human remains were found at Jebel Irhound, a former barite mine 62 miles (100 km). west of Marrakesh, they are approximately 300,000 years old.