Morocco holidays
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Morocco holidays

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 attractions of a holiday to the Middle East, combined with some unique African character. Souk-filled Marrakech (or Marrakesh if you prefer) is a popular destination, where you’ll discover a fascinating medina and the towering Atlas Mountains within easy reach. The city’s not far from the Atlantic coast, where Agadir holidays promise a 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 Morocco holidays a dazzling feast for the senses, and a great spot for some serious sunbathing, too!

Things to do

Looking for the best beaches the country has to offer? Visiting them tops the list of things to do in Morocco! Head south to discover vibrant resorts and pristine white sands. You’ll find a 10km stretch 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 nightlife in Agadir town centre, too. There are also some great nightclubs in Marrakech, but if you’re after a traditional Moroccan experience, you’ll love getting lost in the city’s medina (old town) and exploring the ancient sights. And don’t forget to look out for the magnificent minarets and energetic street performers while you’re there.

Where to go

Morocco’s southwest coast is known for its year-round sunshine, with temperatures rarely dipping below 20°C. It has fantastic beaches characterised by classic white-gold sand and upbeat, modern resorts. Holiday resorts like Agadir and Essaouira are considered the best in the whole country for a beach break. You’ll find a range of family-friendly hotels, plus some great shopping and top water sports. Up in the northwest, dip your toes in the Mediterranean at Tangier, where there’s a more multicultural vibe. Meanwhile, the famous bustle of Jemaa El Fna square makes Marrakech holidays a must for a more traditional place to experience Morocco’s culture. There are other alluring cities, too, including Fez (aka Fes) and coastal Rabat. Wherever you stay, make sure you pack some kind of cover-up - Morocco is a Muslim country that follows Islamic laws and customs, and it’s important to respect these at all times.

More travel guides

Ready to find out more? Check out our other Morocco holiday guides: Agadir | Marrakech

Map of Morocco

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38 ℃

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

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4 hours
Agadir Al-Massira Airport (AGA) or Marrakech-Menara Airport (RAK).
Types of holidays in Morocco

Morocco is best for...

Beach fans: With plenty of sunny days all year round and summer temperatures reaching the top 30s (°C) on the coast, it’s always time to hit the beach. Don’t forget to pack your sun cream!

Explorers: Expect ancient quarters filled with Moorish architecture, fascinating medinas and glorious scenery, so make sure you’ve got lots of space on 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: Moroccan Arabic, Berber and French are the main languages. English is spoken in popular locations, but it’s a good idea to download a language app to help you with a few useful phrases.

Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

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

Fly to: Marrakech-Menara Airport or Agadir Al-Massira Airport, depending on where you’re staying.

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

Tourist information: You can find more information about Morocco holidays from the Moroccan tourism office.

Holiday destinations in Morocco:

 

Getting around Morocco

By bus: A really easy way to get out and about for day trips, there’s an extensive bus network between the main cities and resorts. You might need to reserve your seats a couple of days ahead but it’s usually 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 between 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

Essaouira’s Gnaoua & World Music Festival: Morocco’s answer to blues, gnaoua (or gnawa) is part of an exciting bill of local, national and international musicians at this free festival. Held on open-air stages in June, it’s one of Morocco’s most impressive music events.

Marrakech Popular Arts Festival: Taking place in July, it’s one of the biggest events on Morocco's calendar, promising four days of art, performances and music. You’ll find the main square is packed with food vendors and street performers.

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.

Morocco safety and security

Do I need a passport or visa?

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. It’s also recommended that you have at least three months’ validity left on the date you arrive, or you might have issues entering or leaving Morocco.

You’ll also need to check that your passport isn’t damaged or torn, or you might not be allowed to enter the country.

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 you may have issues leaving the country otherwise.

For more information on entry requirements for Morocco, please visit the FCDO website for UK government advice.

Do I need any vaccinations?

No vaccinations are currently required for travel to Morocco but you should check for the most up-to-date advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC).

If you have any prescription medicines, make sure you bring them with you, along with a copy of your prescription.

It’s also a good idea to pack some sea sickness tablets, as you might want to head out on one of the amazing trips into the sand dunes, which can cause motion sickness. It’s worth it, though!

Should I get travel health insurance?

We recommend you take out comprehensive travel and health insurance before booking holidays to Morocco. Make sure it covers 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, you’ll need to be covered for those too - especially any extreme sports like diving.

For more information and Morocco travel advice, head to the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website.

Morocco weather

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?

Morocco’s hot, hot, hot! You can look forward to summery temperatures in spring and autumn, while the summer season itself is extremely hot - as you’d 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 a toasty 40°C. Thankfully, if you’re heading to a coastal destination like Agadir or Essaouira, the sea breezes can take the edge off the heat. Just make sure you drink plenty of water! And, yes, it’s important to protect yourself with high-factor sun cream and a hat, too. Don’t underestimate the strength of the sun, especially at midday.

During spring and autumn, it’s still lovely and warm but much more comfortable. Temperatures hover between 22°C and 28°C at this time of year, so these 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.

What should I pack?

It’s best to check the temperature before you pack for Morocco, so you know exactly what kind of clothing you’ll need. Sun cream is absolutely essential to protect yourself from the strong rays.

You’ll need a hat or other head covering, too - and not just for the sunshine. Out of respect for local customs, you’ll need to cover your head 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. For women, a headwrap or lightweight scarf is useful.

It’s not just your head you’ll have to cover if you’re visiting religious sites - long-sleeved shirts, lightweight trousers, long skirts and maxi dresses are a great idea, as well as being cool and comfortable, so add them to your packing list.

Don’t bother taking jeans, though; they’ll be uncomfortable when you’re walking around in the hot weather. Loose-fitting cotton trousers are a much better option.

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