Morocco holidays

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. 

Beach fans: Agadir and Essaouira are ideal year-round beach destinations. Even in winter the daytime high is around the 20°C mark. In summer temperatures are normally in the high 20s, but on rare occasions can top 40°C. Add to that an average of just two to three wet days between May and September. Sunseeker heaven!

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.

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 uses Daylight Saving Time (GMT+1), except during Ramadan when it uses GMT. This means for just over half the year the time in Morocco is the same as the UK, and for the rest it’s one hour ahead.

Fly to: Marrakech-Menara Airport or Agadir Al-Massira Airport

Flight time from the UK: The flight time to Morocco is 3.5 to 4 hours.

Checking into hotels: In Morocco sexual relations outside of marriage are outlawed. This means some hotels may not allow a man and woman to share a room unless you can prove you’re married.

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

Holiday destinations in Morocco:

• Marrakech
• Agadir

By bus: These provide a very cheap way of getting around the local area, but they can get crowded at times.

By coach: Journeys from Agadir to Marrakech or from Marrakech to Essaouira take around 3 hours. The luxury bus option costs an additional 40dh and provides an onboard toilet and footrests. 

By train: Marrakech is connected to Casablanca by train, with the journey taking around 2hr45.

By taxi: Only use official licenced ‘Petits’ or ‘Grands Taxis’ and ensure the driver turns the metre on. Unregulated taxis (including those bookable via mobile apps) may be stopped by the police, who could ask you to leave the vehicle.

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, starting in late November.

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?

It’s advisable to check the latest advice from the National Travel Health Network and Centre (NaTHNaC) at least eight weeks before travel.

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

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, the UK government’s Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office website.