Morocco Travel Guide
At a glance
Morocco Travel Guide 2026: Honest Guides From Two Trips
Planning a trip to Morocco and trying to decide between a group tour, a DIY route, or a few slow days in Marrakech? I’ve done Morocco both ways, and the difference taught me a lot about how I want to travel here.
My first trip was a 12-day G Adventures group tour from Casablanca to Marrakech in late September and early October, with Fes, Chefchaouen, and a night in the Sahara in between. It covered a lot of ground, and by the end I was exhausted. My second trip was a girls’ trip to Marrakech at the beginning of March, which happened to fall during Ramadan. We stayed in one riad, took our time in the medina, and I finally had the time to see how much there is to do in Marrakech.
Every guide on this page comes from those two trips. You’ll find the hotels I’d book again (and the ones I wouldn’t), what things cost, what surprised me, and what I’d do differently as a solo female traveler who prefers fewer stops and more time in each place.
In a Rush?
Book These First for Morocco
Planning a Morocco trip? A few quick things:
- Currency: Morocco uses the Moroccan dirham (MAD). You’ll generally get dirhams after you arrive, from ATMs or exchange counters, and cash is still the easiest way to pay in the souks, taxis, and small cafes.
- Not sure what to pack? My Europe packing list has a Morocco section on modest clothing and what to keep in your pill box, plus a free printable checklist.
- Spring and fall are the easiest seasons. I’ve visited in late September and early March, and both were comfortable for long days on foot in the medinas. Summer heat in Marrakech and the desert is a different story.
- Check your dates against Ramadan. Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around February 8 and last about a month, depending on the moon sighting. You can still travel, and my Ramadan guide covers what changes.
- Not sure where to start? Skip down to the next section, where I’ve sorted every guide by the kind of trip you’re planning.
Where Should I Start in Morocco? Pick Your Trip.
Nine guides is a lot to sort through. Find the trip that sounds like yours and start there.
First Time in Marrakech? Start Here.
If Marrakech is your first stop in Morocco (or your only one), these three will get you oriented fast.
- 5 Days in Marrakech: The Perfect Girls Trip Itinerary: The day-by-day plan from my March girls’ trip, including where we stayed and how we split up the days.
- 17 Best Things to Do in Marrakech: What to see in the medina and beyond, plus the practical tips that make a first visit easier.
- Hammam in Morocco: What It’s Really Like: I’ve done a hammam twice, and the first time almost ruined it for me. Here’s what to expect so yours goes better.
Planning a Longer Morocco Route?
Thinking about Fes, Chefchaouen, and the Sahara in one trip? Read these before you book anything.
- 12 Days in Morocco: What This Itinerary Got Right (and What I’d Do Differently): My honest group tour review, day by day, with hotel ratings for every stop and what to know about driving the route yourself.
- How to Visit the Hassan II Mosque: One of the few mosques in Morocco non-Muslims can enter, and the one stop in Casablanca I wouldn’t skip.
Spending Time in Casablanca?
Most international flights land here, and most travelers leave right away. If you’re staying a night or two, these cover the basics.
- 24 Hours in Casablanca Solo: A realistic itinerary for your first day in the city.
- How to Get Around Casablanca: My top tips for getting around the city on your own.
- Where to Stay in Casablanca for First-Timers: The three neighborhoods I’d choose from and the hotels in each.
Traveling During Ramadan?
- Morocco During Ramadan: What Travelers Should Expect in Marrakech: What changes during the holy month, from opening hours to evenings after sunset, and how to be a respectful visitor.
Traveling Morocco as a Solo Female Traveler
Morocco felt generally safe to me, but it isn’t effortless. Street harassment does happen, especially in the busy cities, and the medinas can be a lot on your first day. Modest clothing, clear boundaries, and a local guide for your first visit to a big medina like Fes make a real difference.
- 24 Hours in Casablanca Solo: Written from my solo day in the city before the group tour started.
- Getting Around Casablanca as a Solo Female Traveler: The practical side of moving around on your own.
- For broader planning, see my Solo Travel for Women hub.
Would You Rather Go With a Small Group?
My biggest lesson from that first trip was that Morocco works better with fewer stops, more time in each place, and a smaller group. If you’d like to travel with a small group of women, take a look at the group trips I’m hosting.
Morocco Travel FAQs for 2026
It felt generally safe to me, but it takes awareness and confidence. Expect some street harassment in the busy cities, dress modestly, set clear boundaries, and consider a local guide for your first day in a big medina like Fes or Marrakech.
For Marrakech on its own, four to five days gives you time to see the main sights without rushing. If you want Fes, Chefchaouen, and the Sahara too, plan at least 10 to 12 days, and know that 12 days on a group tour still felt fast to me.
A group tour handles the long drives and the desert logistics, which are the hardest parts to arrange on your own. Marrakech and Casablanca are easy to plan yourself. Whichever you choose, look closely at the pace, the group size, and who runs things on the ground.
Yes. My girls’ trip to Marrakech fell during Ramadan. Some cafes and restaurants close during daylight hours, many places that serve visitors stay open, and the evenings get busy after sunset. Out of respect, avoid eating and drinking openly on the street during the day.
Loose, breathable clothing that covers your shoulders and knees is the easiest choice. A light scarf is handy for mosque visits and for sun and sand in the desert.
Most mosques in Morocco are closed to non-Muslims. The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is the well-known exception, with guided tours open to visitors.
