A vibrant, energetic country that is a blend of traditional and modern, culture and religion, Morocco has been referred to as the "gateway to Africa."
Moroccan cities, such as Tétouan, Essaouira, Fes and Marrakesh, all boast a mixture of ancient and colonial style architecture but each has its own distinct character.
These ancient, walled cities are traffic free and filled with tiny lanes, riads and, in the case of Fes, still have donkeys delivering goods.
Trek across the desert by camel or 4x4, visiting the shifting dunes of Erg Chebbi, various oases and nomad settlements.
Visit Asilah, Essouira or Agadir on the Atlantic coast or spend time walking in the national parks of Souss-Massa, also on the Atlantic, or Al Hoceima on the Mediterranean.
Go to Azrou in the Middle Atlas for day hikes or take a 3 day trek to the highest point, Jebel Toubkal, in the High Atlas.
Morocco can be visited all year around, but the best times are autumn (September – November) and spring (April – May). The coastal areas benefit from more temperate weather, while inland there are more extreme temperatures, especially in the mountains and desert areas.
Holders of British and USA passports need to have a passport valid for the duration of their stay in Morocco, while Canadian, EU and Australian passports need to be valid for at least six months after date of departure from the country. There is no need to have a visa to visit for a period of up to 90 days.
The most popular international airports in Morocco are in Marrakesh, Casablanca and Fes. Buses and taxis run regularly from Menara Airport in Marrakesh to the town center and cost around 30 MAD (3 USD) and 70 MAD (7.30 USD), respectively. There is a train service linking the airport in Casablanca to the center of the city.
A bus service runs from France and Spain to various cities in Morocco and is operated by Eurolines in conjunction with Compagnie de Transports Marocains. Tickets from Malaga to Casablanca cost in the region of 970 MAD (100 USD).
Morocco can be accessed by ferries from Spain and France and cruise liners, which stop at Casablanca, Tangier and Agadir. Ferry operators, such as Grimaldi Lines and Grand Navi Veloci, offer both car and passenger ferries to the ports of Nador and Tangier, among others.
Accommodation in Morocco ranges from beach resort hotels and eco-lodges to traditional Moroccan riads and mountain casbahs. Vacation resorts in Agadir are extremely popular with visitors and there are youth hostels in the more touristic towns of Azrou, Casablanca, Rabat, Marrakesh and Tangier, among others.
Public transport exists in the form of bus services in the main cities and towns, while Casablanca boasts a modern rapid transit tramway that has fares of around 6 MAD (0.60 USD) per trip.
The train network in Morocco (ONCF) has regular services that operate in the north of the country linking Oujda to Rabat and Casablanca, and Tangier to Fes and Marrakesh. The train company also operates a bus company, called Supratours, that takes rail passengers to destinations, such as Agadir, where there are no train stations.
There is an extensive bus service in Morocco, which services destinations that trains and planes cannot. CTM has the largest network and the coaches are modern and comfortable.
The main domestic airline in Morocco is Royal Air Maroc and all flights operate from the hub at the airport in Casablanca – Mahommed V International Airport. Flying can be more costly, with a one-way flight from Casablanca to Marrakesh costing around 900 MAD (93 USD) as opposed to around 100 MAD (10 USD) by bus.
Eating out can cost 30-160 MAD (3-17 USD), depending on the restaurant. A 0.2 gallon of milk and a dozen eggs cost around 19 MAD (2 USD). Credit cards, such as Visa and MasterCard, are accepted in hotels and larger restaurants and stores. ATMs provide cash to use in the souks and are available in the larger towns and major hotels.