Morocco Holidays 2021 / 2022

Bustling cities, laid-back beaches and historic sights galore; you’ll find all this and more on a holiday to Morocco, served with a generous helping of North African sunshine. Morocco offers all the exotic attraction of a holiday to the Middle East, combined with some unique African character. Souk-filled Marrakech is a popular destination, where you’ll discover a fascinating medina and the towering Atlas Mountains within easy reach. You’re not far from Agadir over on the Atlantic coast, with its long sandy beach and crumbling Kasbah. Or you could choose the chilled-out seaside town of Essaouira if you really want to get away from it all. That all comes together to make a Morocco Holiday a dazzling feast for the senses, and a great spot for some serious sunbathing, too!

Things to do

Looking for the best beaches Morocco has to offer? Head south to discover vibrant resorts and pristine white-sand beaches. You’ll find a 10-km stretch down in Agadir, which is a wonderful place to try your hand at windsurfing or take a leisurely boat trip. You’ll only be a stone’s throw from the maze-like souks and bustling restaurants in the heart of town. If you’re after a traditional Moroccan experience, you’ll love getting lost in the medinas and exploring the ancient sights in Marrakech. And don’t forget to look out for the magnificent minarets and snake-charming street performers.

Places to stay

The southwest coast of Morocco is known for its year-round sunshine, with temperatures rarely dipping below the 20s(°C). It has fantastic beaches characterised by classic white-gold sand and upbeat, modern resorts. The family-friendly hotels are close to the beaches, good shopping and top water sports. Holiday resorts like Agadir are considered the best in the whole country for a beach break. Further north you’ll find the bigger cities, known for being a more traditional place to experience Morocco’s culture and custom. These include cities like Fes and Rabat, with visitor favourite Marrakech a little further down south.

What should I pack?

It’s best to check the temperature before you go, so you know exactly what kind of clothing you’ll need. Sun cream is absolutely essential to protect yourself from the strong sunshine, and you might like to bring a hat along, too.

Out of respect for local customs (Morocco is a Muslim country), make sure you take a headwrap or scarf with you, especially if you’re planning to visit any of the country’s stunning mosques and religious sites. It can also help protect you from the heat and keep you warm when it cools down.

Don’t bother packing jeans; they’ll be uncomfortable when you’re walking around in the hot weather. Loose-fitting cotton trousers are a much better option. If you’re a woman, you’ll also need to make sure you’re covered up if you’re visiting religious sites, so long skirts and maxi dresses can be a great idea, as well as being cool and comfortable.

More Travel Guides

We also have travel guides available for destinations including: Agadir | Marrakech

Map of Morocco

38 ℃

Expect glorious summer highs and year-round sunshine, plus excellent winter skiing weather in the Atlas Mountains.

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4 hours

Al Massira Airport (AGA) or Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK).

Types of holidays in Morocco

Morocco is best for...

Beach lovers: With over 300 days of sunshine and summer temperatures in the late 30s (°C), it’s always time to hit the beach. Don’t forget to pack your sun cream.

Explorers: You’ll be spoiled for choice when it comes to things to visit and explore; expect ancient quarters filled with Moorish architecture, fascinating medinas and glorious scenery, so don’t forget your camera.

Shopaholics: Shopping in Morocco’s maze-like souks is a mesmerising experience. They’re the perfect places to pick up souvenirs, and you’ll have the chance to put your haggling skills to the test here.

Fast facts for Morocco

Language: Arabic, Berber and French. English is spoken in tourist locations, but it’s wise to pack a phrasebook or download our handy language app to help you with a few basic phrases.

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

Local time: Morocco is 1 hour ahead of GMT/UK time.

Fly to: Marrakech Airport, with a 15-minute transfer to Marrakech and Agadir Al Massira Airport for Agadir, around 30 minutes away.

Flight time from UK: The flight time to Morocco is 4 hours.

Tourist information: Read more tourist information can be found at www.visitmorocco.com before heading off on holidays to Morocco.

Visa / health: Don’t forget to visit www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco for visa and health recommendations.

Holiday destinations related to Morocco:

Getting around Morocco

By bus: There’s an extensive bus network running between the main cities and resorts. It’s a really easy way to get out and about for daytrips. And it tends to be cheaper than renting a car.

By train: For longer journeys, trains are a more comfortable option, and they’re still really affordable. All major train networks run to the country’s main cities (like Marrakech).

By caleche: These small, horse-drawn carriages are widely used in Marrakech, and it’s a fun way to see the local sights or get from A to B. Before you hop on, it’s worth confirming a price.

Events in Morocco

Marrakech International Film Festival: This star-studded event is often described as the North African answer to the Cannes Film Festival. It’s held every year in November or December.

Marrakech Popular Arts Festival: Held in July, it’s one of the biggest events on the city’s calendar, promising four days of art, performances and music. You’ll find the main square to be packed with food vendors, snake charmers and street performers.

Morocco safety and security

Do I need a passport?

You’ll need a valid passport to travel to Morocco. Passports need to be valid for the full duration of your stay in the country. But, you don’t need any additional validity beyond this date.

In advance of your holiday to Morocco, you’ll need to check that your passport isn’t damaged or torn, as some travellers haven’t been allowed to enter the country with a damaged passport.

For more Morocco passport information, head to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements.

Do I need a visa?

If you’re a British national with a UK passport, you don’t need a visa to enter Morocco, as long as you’re staying for less than three months. When you arrive in the country, make sure your passport is stamped because some tourists who haven’t, have had issues leaving the country.

For more Morocco visa information, head to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco/entry-requirements.

Do I need any vaccinations?

No vaccinations are required for travel to Morocco. But if you have any prescription medicines, you should bring them with you, along with a copy of your prescription.

Should I get travel health insurance?

It’s always advisable to have comprehensive travel and health insurance before booking holidays to Morocco. This should cover you for overseas medical expenses, such as medical repatriation and legal costs. Be sure to check exactly what’s included in your cover before you decide which insurance to buy. Plus, if you’re planning on doing any activities while you’re away, make sure you’re covered for those too, especially any extreme sports like diving.

Any other tips?

It can be very hot in Morocco, so make sure you drink plenty of water. It’s important to wear sun cream, too, and wear a hat to protect yourself. Don’t underestimate the strength of the sun, especially at midday.
If you’re driving in the sand dunes, be aware that you could experience motion sickness, so it’s best to keep sea sickness tablets on you.
Remember, Morocco is a Muslim country that follows Islamic laws and customs. It’s important to respect these at all times.

For more information and Morocco travel advice, head to https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco.

Morocco weather

Temperature: Enjoy mild mid-20s (°C) in spring and autumn, and scorching peaks of just below 40°C in summer.

When’s the best time to go?

A big part of our Morocco travel advice focuses on the weather, especially as it’s a big deciding factor on the best time to travel. The summer season is extremely hot, as you would expect from a country that bumps up against the Sahara Desert. July and August are the hottest months of the year when temperatures can rise up to 40°C. But it’s good to know that, if you’re heading to a coastal destination like Agadir or Essaouira, you’ll enjoy frequent sea breezes which can take the edge off the heat.

During spring and autumn, it’s still warm but much more manageable. Temperatures hover between 22°C and 28°C at this time of year, so the shoulder seasons are the right time to travel if you like things slightly cooler.

If you’re planning on sightseeing and exploring the souks, winter could be the best time to visit Morocco. Temperatures still rise into the low 20s and there are a few rain showers every now and again. Just remember to bring a jumper or jacket along with you; it can get pretty cool when the sun goes down.

Weather in Morocco for