If you're planning a vacation to Morocco, I'm sure you've fantasized about the country's vibrant walls, elaborate doors, heady spices, the best restaurant in Rabat, and bustling markets brimming with lovely decor. You've definitely put a few Instagrammable places on your to-do list, and maybe even mapped out your ideal schedule.
However, there's a lot more to arrange a trip to Morocco than meets the eye at first look, and I'm here to help you plan the trip of a lifetime and find the best accommodation in Morocco with minimal work by following this easy Morocco trip planner checklist! Basically, I'm assisting you in learning from my mistakes so you can have a better experience than I had.
Morocco is not a country where you should go unprepared. It's not a place to visit if you're still learning to drive. Harassment is constant, whether it's sexual or simply vendors/guides attempting to get you to buy anything. You can't take anything at face value in the medinas; directions are sometimes incorrect, and signage lies to entice you into a specific shop.
In general, you should lower your expectations and mentally prepare yourself for the fact that Morocco is not a delightful location. However, by planning ahead of time, you can alleviate a lot of anxiety and end up enjoying your trip. So, without further ado, here's how you can plan a stress-free trip to Morocco.
In 11 Easy Steps, Plan a Trip to Morocco
Look into the Visa Requirements.
Morocco has a rather lax visa policy. At this time, the following nationalities do not require a visa for stays of less than 90 days (although please check with your country's embassy in Morocco for the most up-to-date information, as rules can change).
All EU citizens, Algeria, Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bahrain, Brazil, Canada, Chile, Gabon, Hong Kong (30 days), Iceland, Indonesia, Ivory Coast, Japan, Kuwait, Liechtenstein, Macau, Malaysia, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Niger, Norway, Oman, Peru, Philippines, Qatar, Russia, San Marino, Saudi Arabia, Senegal, Singapore (30 days), South Korea, Switzerland, Tunisia, Turkey, U.A.E., U.S.A.
An electronic travel authorization is required for citizens of the Republic of Congo, Guinea, and Mali, although they do not require a visa. Citizens of all other countries not listed above must obtain an official visa from a Moroccan embassy, so if you are not from a visa-exempt country, see the Moroccan embassy website for details.
Also, make sure your passport is valid for at least six months. If it doesn't, there's a good chance your plane won't let you board, and even if you do make it to Morocco, they might not let you in if your passport expires in the next six months.
Make a Reservation.
What is the cost of a flight to Morocco? When it comes to budgeting for a trip to Morocco, a major part of the cost will depend on where you are coming from as well as where you fly into. Marrakech (RAK), Rabat (RBA), Casablanca (CMN), and Fes are the main airports in Morocco (FEZ). You may be able to get better discounts if you are flexible with your arrival location.
Unless you get a great offer, plan to pay at least $500 USD roundtrip if you're coming from the United States or Asia. If you're flying from Europe, though, you're in luck: when a sale comes up, airfares to Morocco can often be less than $10 USD each way!
Whether you're looking to save money on a journey, comparing the cost of flying into Europe to a country with affordable flights to Morocco, and then seeing if flying from there on a budget carrier is less expensive. From major French, German, and British cities, there are often good deals with Morocco.
Plan your trip to Morocco.
I'm working on a Morocco schedule that you can follow step-by-step, but you can start with my 3-day Marrakech plan. If you only have a short trip to Morocco, I recommend spending it in Marrakech and booking a room in a family hotel in Marrakech, because it has the most tourist attractions and is often one of the most affordable airports to travel into, particularly from Europe.
If you have additional time, consider adding a trip to the desert to your itinerary. This will extend your trip by three days. So, if you only have one week in Morocco, I'd recommend spending four days in Marrakech (plus one day for a day trip) and three days on a desert tour that includes return transportation from Marrakech.
I'd recommend doing a desert trip that ends in Fes so you can spend 2 days in Fes if you have more time, and then another 2-3 days in Chefchaeouen, my personal favorite Moroccan city. Spend a few days touring the picturesque blue medina and a day trekking in Akchour.
From there, you may either return to Rabat (the capital) and book a room in Story Rabat one of the best hotels in Rabat, Morocco, or Casablanca (one of Morocco's most beloved cities) through Tangier, which is only a 2.5-hour bus trip away. That'll easily keep me occupied for another week or two.
You can travel along the coast to Essaouira if you still have time and Taghazout before returning to Marrakech and flying out. I'd recommend 3 weeks for that itinerary.
Make a Budget for Your Vacation.
Before you start scheduling tours/activities and lodging, I think it's a good idea to figure out how much money you have to spend on your trip so you can build an acceptable Morocco itinerary.
Morocco is a place where you can spend a lot of money. If you're on a budget, you can tour the country for under $30 per day, but you'll be limited in terms of shopping, activities, and lodging alternatives.
To be honest, now that I've done it, I don't recommend going to Morocco as a backpacker; I believe it's far preferable to go as a mid-range traveler. There are a plethora of fantastic activities and day trips that will not fit into a backpacker's budget, transportation between towns can be costly, and staying in a riad is just a must-do in Morocco.
Travelers on a mid-range budget, families visiting Morocco, and luxury travelers will all have a great time in Morocco. For a couple or family traveling to Morocco with children, a lovely riad may be found for around $50-70 USD per night, leaving plenty of cash for shopping, activities, and food.
In Morocco, a daily budget of $100 per person will get you a rather luxurious experience, including living in beautiful riads and 5-star hotels in Morocco, eating as much as you want, getting massages in hammams, going on day trips and activities, and so on.
Meanwhile, if you want to splurge, the sky is the limit because there are so many beautiful luxury homes to choose from, including Story Rabat, which is arguably the best accommodation in Morocco.
Make a Plan of Your Activities.
I strongly advise booking all of your Morocco activities ahead of time to ensure their safety and reputation, as there isn't always a lot of transparency when dealing with tour vendors in the souks, who will often promise you the world and then wait until you're far, far away before revealing their lies.
While Morocco is safe, tourist frauds abound, so do your homework ahead of time to prevent disappointment. You'll spend a bit more, but you'll be far less likely to be disappointed or duped, and that, to me, is well worth it. You can wait until you're in Marrakech to book if you're willing to take a chance in search of a discount, but as someone who has done so, I strongly advise against it.
Make your Hotel Reservations now.
Of course, you can't visit Morocco without spending time in Story Rabat. STORY Rabat is a high-end boutique hotel in Rabat's Ambassadors neighborhood. The crew ensures that every experience and encounter is truly unforgettable, previously known as Villa Diyafa, which is taken from the Arabic term hospitality.
The hotel is known for its personalized service style, thoughtful furnishings, and spacious lodging spaces, and it gives true and discreet tourists a serene experience of unrivaled luxury in Morocco. It has 27 well-decorated guest rooms, ten suites, and a distinctive private villa, as well as an intimate dining experience.
Make a travel medicine kit and research any immunizations you may require.
When researching travel immunizations for different countries, I consult the CDC. They recommend that you get booster shots for the following common vaccinations: MMR (measles, mumps, rubella), tetanus, chickenpox, and polio. Hepatitis A and typhoid, both of which can be contracted through contaminated food or water, are also highly recommended. Hepatitis B and rabies vaccines are two other immunizations to consider.
I usually recommend bringing the following medicines in your travel medicine kit: stomach tablets such as Pepto Bismol, anti-diarrheal such as Imodium, motion sickness drugs such as Dramamine, and pain relievers such as ibuprofen or aspirin.
Bring sunscreen and a strong mosquito repellent, ideally with DEET, as well as some after-care for the bites that will undoubtedly occur. Any bumps or scrapes can be treated with a topical antibiotic and bandaids. More on this in the section of my Morocco packing list!
Learn some basic Arabic phrases and words.
While French is widely used in Morocco and can be useful if you already know it, I recommend studying Moroccan Arabic (Darija) phrases if you only want to learn a few words. Spanish is commonly spoken in the north, and I found it helpful in Chefchaouen and Tangier.
Regardless of your language skills, I strongly advise you to learn a few Darija phrases to show respect for the country you're visiting! It's a tiny gesture, but it shows respect for the country you're visiting, so learn at least a few words: hello and thank you, at the very least.
Get your bags ready!
If you can, I recommend bringing a backpack rather than a suitcase to Morocco. The medinas are difficult to navigate with luggage, and you have a lot more maneuverability with a backpack. I use and adore this Tortuga backpack for travel because it fits all I need for 3+ weeks of travel in a carry-on bag.
Make preparations for your arrival.
To make your life easier, there are a few things you should do before you arrive. Install Google Maps for the city you'll be visiting. To get to your accommodation, book a shuttle. Decide whether you'll use a roaming plan on your phone or whether you'll be able to buy a local SIM card or WiFi equipment. If you have trouble withdrawing money from an ATM, have some cash in US dollars or euros on hand.
Don't forget to take out travel insurance!
Last but not least, and to keep it fresh in your memory, travel insurance is an excellent idea for Morocco and travel in general! For years, I have been a paying user of World Nomads. It's wonderful to have the assurance it provides in the event of an emergency, an accident, illness, theft, or trip cancellation or disruption.
While it is safe to travel across Morocco, there is always the risk of everyday travel, therefore it is best to be cautious. The last thing you want is for your trip to be ruined by illness, crime, or an accident, so it's best to be prepared.