How to plan a trip to Morocco (includes Morocco itineraries & travel tips)

From the lanes of Chefchaouen – Morocco’s blue city
To the palaces of Marrakech that are so elegant & pretty. 
Fes by the mountains, Essaouira town or Casablanca on a cruise ship
Choices to consider when you plan a Morocco trip. 

A travel guide to help you plan a Morocco trip itinerary. Get essential tips on how to get to Morocco, when to visit, visa requirements, best way to get around & what to see on your trip to Morocco.

Morocco has been on my bucket list for a very long time. I had long planned a 10 day travel itinerary for Morocco from India but could not execute it – thanks to the arrival of pandemic. I almost got a taste of the country when I considered a Morocco day trip from Malaga in Spain this year. However, I felt that would just be a mere tick and would not do justice to all that I wanted to see in this beautiful country. Thus, my plans remain unresolved.

However, while planning my recent trip to Spain, I considered extending my vacation to Morocco. Having done indepth research, I even planned a Morocco travel itinerary – that my cousin successfully took forward for her trip last month. She certified it as flawless and highly recommended that I share my tips and suggestions for anyone planning a trip to Morocco. In her words – “It would be a sheer waste if you let your travel plan for Morocco go unseen. Share it as a document that people can use to plan their trips and for your own sake – so that you can refer to it when you finally get there!”

With that motivation, I have put together this Morocco travel guide. This includes my research as well as tips from travelers (including my cousin) on how to plan a trip to Morocco. I have also, added a section on visa for Morocco for Indians and other nationalities. You will also, find a suggested Morocco 10 day itinerary that I have built for myself along with options that you can include or substitute to build your own trip plan. So, let’s get started.

Why do I want to visit Morocco? And why should you?

Located in north-western Africa, just a strait away from Spain, Morocco appealed to me for its versatility. It is a country that offered a multitude of experiences – much needed for my diverse-interests family. I fell in love with Marrakech and Fes for its heritage, cultural and architectural offerings. The exhilarating adventures in the Sahara and Atlas mountains appealed to the entire clan as did the beaches along the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic ocean. The peaceful world of the Hammans lured my hardworking corporate partner while the teen in the family hoped to grab some goodies in the souqs of the various towns.

What makes the Morocco trip even more tempting now is the taste of it that we recently experienced in Andalucia in Spain – Malaga, Frigiliana and Granada in particular. I]hope and keep my fingers crossed that this trip to Morocco happens soon now.

I am sure that you too, are enamored by the place. If you check on the internet, you will find several Morocco trip packages available. Some of them combine a variety of experiences while a few are very specific -like the desert trip in Morocco or a culture trip of Morocco. You can always choose one of them but I prefer a do-it-yourself experience. Read on for more tips on how to plan a Morocco trip on your own.

What is the best way to visit Morocco?

Air travel is almost mandatory for any Morocco travel itinerary. There are several international airports in the country that you can plan into  – depending on your Morocco trip plan. You can even fly into one and exit from another city.

Casablanca, Rabat and Marrakech airports are the most popular with numerous flights – domestic and international landing in. If you are planning a trip to Morocco from India, you will find connectivity from Mumbai, Delhi, Bengaluru, Ahmedabad and Chennai. Though not direct flights, some of them get you to Morocco within 14 hours.

Many visitors do a Morocco day trip to Spain from Malaga. This trip takes you across the Gibraltar Strait into Tangier. I was almost tempted by it. However, I felt it would not do justice to the one place that was so high on my bucket list.

Instead, assuming you have time, you should consider planning a trip to Morocco and Spain for around 2 – 3 weeks. You can use the ferry from Spain to enter Morocco – saving you a few bucks. The time taken is just 1 hour from Malaga or if you are heading out from Barcelona – around 36 hours. These ferries also, allow you to get your car into Morocco – making it convenient to cover many towns on your visit to Morocco from Spain.

Morocco Visa – an important part of your Morocco travel itinerary

If you are a citizen of any of the EU countries, USA, Canada, UK or Australia, then you do not need a visa for Morocco. Just a passport with a 6 months validity is enough to get you an entry into the country (for a maximum of 90 days).

However, the other nationalities will have to apply for a Morocco visa. Morocco visa for Indians can be got through BLS International (same agency that does the Spain tourist visa in India). Alternatively, there is an option for the Morocco e-visa for Indians on the official website. The visa requirements for Morocco for Indian citizens are similar to the Schengen visa.

Morocco tourist visa for Indians is valid for 30 days. The typical visa processing time is 5 – 10 business working days. E-visas I am told, are easier to get and take 24 – 72 hours. As I always advise, good to get it as early as possible.

What is the best time to visit Morocco?

I had planned my visit to Morocco in early April – which I believe is one of the best times to travel. My cousin visited it in May, which she says was a “tad hot but not too bad.” The months of March to May are believed to be pleasant for a trip to Morocco. However, make a note of the Ramazan months. You might want to avoid travel at this time as many places – especially food outlets are closed during the day and open only at night.

The other alternative is the autumn season which falls between September to November. One more thing to note is that central and south Morocco is hotter (or colder) as compared to the coastal part. It might be an important consideration for how you plan your Morocco itinerary.

How many days do you need in Morocco?

I recommend that you plan at least a 10 day travel itinerary for Morocco. This will allow you to travel at a fairly leisurely pace. Given the distance between various places, I felt 1 week in Morocco was too less. The best, of course, is if you can manage a Morocco two-week itinerary.

Getting around Morocco

One of the most important considerations when planning Morocco itineraries is the mode of transport that you are going to use to travel between the various places. This is not just a cost consideration but also, the time that you have to factor in when planning a Morocco trip itinerary.

Here are the options –

• Trains – There is a good connectivity between the major towns but the time taken is almost similar to buses or cars. Also, be sure to book in advance so that you don’t waste time when you are actually on the trip. You can book through the official Moroccan railways website or here.
• Domestic flights – A little expensive but saves time. There are two airlines that are recommended – Royal Air Maroc and Air Arabia Maroc.
• Buses – Public buses are always available for those on a budget. However, it becomes a bit difficult as they tend to be crowded. Language too, can be an issue. There are also, private buses that run between the cities which are a bit more comfortable and can be reserved online.
• Cabs- There are app-based taxi services available for your transfers between the Moroccan cities. Besides Uber, you have the services of Careem and Heetch that are highly recommended. Alternatively, you can book transfers through GetYourGuide or Viator. The cabs are not very expensive and work out well if you are a group of three to four people.
• Self–drive – The joy of road trips is best experienced with a self-drive or a private cab option. There are plenty of places to stop on the way, which is possible only if you have the car at your disposal. You can always hire a car using Discover cars.

For my 10 days in Morocco itinerary, I plan on using a combination of trains and cabs. This is based on recommendations from my other traveler friends.

Places to include in the Morocco travel itineraries

Now comes the actual dilemma of where to visit in Morocco. There are just so many places that appealed to me for my vacation in Morocco. I wanted to see them all but well – time and costs are the constraints. Here are the ones that I considered, along with the key highlights of each.

1) Marrakech – the uncompromisable destination of my Morocco trip itinerary

For a long, I have been enamored by this town that is well-known for its vibrant souks, stunning palaces and the legendary Koutoubia Mosque with its golden globes. It is a great base to explore the Atlas mountains – either as a day trip or as a night over. The Medina or the town center is well known for its food stalls and shopping.

 In fact, this was the city that attracted me the most and got me delving deeper into Morocco as a travel destination.

2) Fes

Home to one of the world’s oldest universities, Fes or Fez is considered to be the cultural capital of Morocco. The walled medina of the city encloses buildings like the Al-Attarine Madrasa that showcases the vibrant Moroccan architecture. You have various tombs, palaces and museums to satiate your heritage lust as well as options for your desert trip in Morocco. For me, again, this is an unmissable destination.

3) Chefchaouen – the blue city of Morocco.

The striking blue-painted buildings reminded me of the Indian blue city of Jodhpur. Both cities have their reason for this color. That aside, Chefchaouen is a picturesque mountain town with a unique blend of Berber and Spanish influences. It is just 3.5 hours by car from Fez.

4) Merzouga – the desert stay in Morocco.

You can get a taste of the Sahara desert with a desert stay at Merzouga. Numerous Morocco trip packages from Marrakech and Fes take you to Merzouga desert camps. These include a stay along with activities like camel trekking, dune bashing and a cultural evening. The arrangements seem to be similar to a Dubai desert camp or the Jaisalmer desert stay. But of course, this is the Sahara desert we are talking of and I for one, definitely don’t want to miss seeing the largest desert in the world.

5) Casablanca – the white city of Morocco

Known as the white house of Morocco owing to its white-washed buildings, this is one of the largest cities of the country. Located on the Atlantic Ocean, you can experience a different culture here owing to its erstwhile French colonization. The architecture is a mix of European and Moroccan styles. There are stunning mosques and cathedrals to be visited as well as a gorgeous beach.

6) Essaouira – the coastal town

Again on the Atlantic coast, this old port combines a classic arts and cultural scene with stunning beaches. The 18^th century historic ramparts along with architecture that is a blend of Portuguese, Berber and French styles is something that I would want to see. The place is just 3 hours from Marrakech.

7) Rabat – the capital of Morocco

Rabat is a blend of modernity and history, with attractions like the Hassan Tower, the Royal Palace, and the beautiful Kasbah of the Oudayas. It is close to Casablanca – just one hour by road.

8) Tangier – the day trip town from Malaga, Spain

A city that blends African and European influences, Tangier boasts a rich history, beautiful beaches, and vibrant markets. Its location near the Strait of Gibraltar adds to its allure as a cultural crossroads. This is a town on the Mediterranean coast – just an hour and a half from Spain.

A sample 10-day itinerary for Morocco

Having done my research on various Morocco itineraries, I settled down on this one. This Morocco itinerary was tried and tested by my cousin and she says it was just perfect for her. I crafted this keeping in mind the time and costs involved. I did have to drop a few cities from the list above but you can always add or delete something based on your preferences.

• Day One – Casablanca – the port of my entry
• Day two – Explore Casablanca
• Day Three – Head to Chefchaouen by train. Stay the night.
• Day Four – Head to Fes
• Day Five – Enjoy Fes
• Day Six – Head to Merzouga for the desert stay
• Day Seven – Arrive in Marrakech. Enroute stop at Ouarzazate known for its Kasbah
• Day Eight – Enjoy Marrakesh
• Day Nine – Head to Essaouira for a day trip
• Day Ten – Either do a trip to Atlas mountains or just relax in Marrakech.

I plan to fly into Casablanca and fly out from Marrakech. Well, at least as of now, that seems to work out in terms of cost. I might alter it depending on when the flights are booked.

Where should you stay in Morocco?

I am quite fascinated with Riads – which in simple terms is a heritage homestay like the havelis of Rajasthan. I am told that they provide an authentic Moroccan experience and are quite comfortable. Plus they are a bit easier on the pocket.

Of course, there are always options for BnBs and hotels that you can book online. I generally prefer booking my stays beforehand – and in the currency of my country.

Things to know when traveling to Morocco

Here are some practical tips that will help you better with your Morocco trip planning.

• Stay connected when in Morocco. Airtel in India has good international roaming offers that might be handy for your travel. Alternatively, you can pick up a pre-paid SIM card from Morocco airport. There are four options  – Orange, Maroc Telecom, and INWI.
• You will need your internet not just for Google Maps but for Google Translate too as most locals do not speak good English. The official language of Morocco is Arabic.
• Forex is one important part of your Morocco travel planning as cash is the preferred option in the country – especially in smaller towns. You can withdraw Morocco Dirhams from ATMs in the big city. Forex cards are only accepted in bigger establishments.
• Given the weather conditions, plan to carry cotton wear with light shawls. As a rule, avoid shorts and sleeveless dresses. Flowy outfits that end below the knees and cover your shoulders will be the best.
• Morocco has plenty of vegetarian local food options. You should definitely give the local fare a try – at least once a day during your 10-day trip to Morocco.
• Beware of touts and pickpockets when roaming around the public spaces – especially in Marrakech.

Well, that I think is enough to get you going to Morocco. And I hope I tick this place off soon.

Common FAQs on how to plan a trip to Morocco

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