- British visitors don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days
- Marrakech is the easiest introduction, with Fes, Chefchaouen and the Sahara for a longer tour
- Spring and autumn avoid the fierce summer heat inland
- The dirham is a closed currency, so change money on arrival
- Airports
- Marrakech (RAK), Agadir (AGA), Fes (FEZ), Tangier (TNG), Casablanca (CMN), Essaouira (ESU)
- Flight time
- about 3h40 from London to Marrakech
- Best time to go
- March-May and September-November; November-March for Agadir winter sun
- Currency
- Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Morocco feels a world away from the UK, yet it's less than four hours by plane. Step off the flight and you're among the scent of spices and orange blossom, the call to prayer echoing over medina rooftops and snowy mountains on the horizon. In a single trip you can haggle in the souks of Marrakech, trek between Berber villages in the High Atlas, sleep under the stars in the Sahara and finish with a few days by the Atlantic.
It's also one of the best winter sun destinations within easy reach of Britain. Here's how to plan your trip.
Where to go in Morocco
Marrakech
The Red City is Morocco's most popular destination and an ideal first taste of the country. Marrakech has a maze-like medina, beautiful riads to stay in, the hypnotic square of Jemaa el-Fna and the cobalt-blue Jardin Majorelle. New to the city? Read our Marrakech first-timer's guide.
Fes
Fes el-Bali is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world, a medieval medina of thousands of lanes, ancient madrasas and the famous leather tanneries. It's more traditional and less polished than Marrakech, and hiring a licensed guide for your first day is well worth it.
Chefchaouen and the north
Tucked into the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen is famous for its blue-washed streets and relaxed pace. Tangier, on the Strait of Gibraltar, has a fascinating literary history and a fast train south to Rabat and Casablanca.
The Sahara
The great sand dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are the classic desert experience, with camel treks and nights in desert camps. They're a long way from Marrakech (most tours take three days), so allow time. Closer options include the stony Agafay desert, about an hour from Marrakech.
The High Atlas and Aït Benhaddou
The village of Imlil, around 90 minutes from Marrakech, is the base for walks in the Atlas and for climbing Jebel Toubkal, North Africa's highest peak. Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass lies Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO-listed fortified village that has starred in countless films.
Essaouira and Agadir
Breezy Essaouira is a whitewashed fishing port with ramparts, a laid-back medina and steady winds for kitesurfing, around three hours from Marrakech. Agadir is Morocco's main beach resort, with a long sandy bay, big hotels and some of the most reliable winter sunshine near Europe; nearby Taghazout is a surf hotspot. See our best winter sun destinations from the UK.
Best time to visit Morocco
- Spring (March-May): warm days, green valleys and wild flowers. One of the best times for cities, mountains and the desert.
- Summer (June-August): very hot inland, with Marrakech and Fes often above 35-40°C. The Atlantic coast stays fresher.
- Autumn (September-November): pleasant temperatures return and the desert is comfortable again. Another prime time.
- Winter (December-February): sunny days of around 18-20°C in Marrakech and Agadir, but cold nights, and snow in the mountains. Riads can be chilly, so pack layers.
Ramadan in 2027 is expected to run from about 8 February to 9 March, depending on the moon sighting. You can still travel, but some restaurants close by day and opening hours change. Evenings, after the fast is broken, are especially lively.
Getting to Morocco from the UK
Direct flights from London take about 3h40 to Marrakech and around four hours to Agadir, with routes from many UK regional airports and to Fes, Tangier and Essaouira too. Morocco uses GMT+1 for most of the year but switches to GMT during Ramadan.
British citizens can visit Morocco without a visa for up to 90 days for tourism. Your passport must be valid for at least three months after the date you arrive and must not be damaged; make sure it's stamped on entry. Morocco isn't in the EU, so your GHIC won't cover you; take out comprehensive travel insurance before you go (see our travel insurance and GHIC guide). Check the latest UK government travel advice before booking.
Getting around
Trains run by ONCF link Marrakech, Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier, including the high-speed Al Boraq between Casablanca and Tangier. CTM and Supratours buses serve most other towns comfortably and cheaply. Shared grands taxis cover shorter routes. Driving is possible but can be challenging in cities; many visitors hire a car with a driver or join a small-group tour for the desert and mountains.
Money and costs
The Moroccan dirham (MAD) is a closed currency, so you can't buy it in advance in any meaningful quantity: withdraw cash from ATMs or change pounds on arrival, keep your receipts and change leftover dirhams back before you leave. Cash is king in the souks and smaller places, though hotels, riads and larger restaurants take cards.
Day-to-day costs are low: a mint tea or a tagine lunch costs a fraction of UK prices, though boutique riads and desert camps can be pricey. Haggling is expected in the souks, and tipping is customary for guides, drivers and restaurant staff. A small per-person nightly tourist tax is usually added to hotel and riad bills. Dress modestly away from the beach, particularly in rural areas and religious sites, and remember that alcohol is served only in licensed venues.
Top attractions in Morocco
LandmarkJardin Majorelle
A cobalt-blue villa and botanical garden created by painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent…
LandmarkJemaa el-Fna
Marrakech's main square, a theatre of storytellers, musicians, juice sellers and smoking food stalls that comes alive…
Morocco on the map
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a visa for Morocco from the UK?
No. British passport holders can stay up to 90 days for tourism without a visa. Your passport needs at least three months' validity from the day you arrive.
Is Morocco safe for tourists?
Millions of British visitors travel to Morocco each year without problems. The main annoyances are persistent touts, unofficial guides and petty theft in busy medinas. Check the latest UK government travel advice before you go.
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
March to May and September to November offer warm, sunny days without the extreme summer heat. Winter is sunny and mild by day but cold at night.
How many days do you need in Morocco?
Four days suits a Marrakech break with a day trip. A week to ten days lets you add the Atlas, the Sahara or Fes, and two weeks allows a full loop with time on the coast.
Written by
Anna Beach, family & practical travel editor
Anna knows which beach has shade at 3pm and which car hire excess is a rip-off. She covers sun, islands, family trips and practical travel tips.
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