Introducing to Morocco
Morocco is a vast country, extending from its Mediterranean shores in the north to the desert wonderland of the Sahara in the south. Spend an afternoon sipping tea on Marrakech rooftop, take a camel ride through the desert, or hike in the snow-topped High Atlas mountains; whatever you choose, you will love experiencing everything Morocco has to offer.
Where should I go in Morocco?
From the hustle and bustle of Marrakech and Fes to photogenic Chefchaouen and the dunes of the Sahara Desert, Morocco has incredibly diverse blend of geography, climate, and culture. Each region has its own unique array of activities for travelers to choose from, as well as specific weather patterns to be aware of
Main regions of Morocco
Expending from the Mediterranean shores and Rif Mountains in the north to the Atlantic Shores the west to the hot desert lands of Sahara in the south Morocco is a vast country with a huge range of landscape regions. Cutting across its midline are the Atlas Mountains, with the Sahara on one side and the more lush, coastal regions on the other.
Overview
Each region Morocco has own scenery, climate, traditions, customs and modern day developments. All are captivating in their own way. Morocco certainty offers a variety of options for every kind of traveler, where you can create a tailor-made itinerary to include the regions and activities that interest you most.
The north
In the north of Morocco, you will find the coastal cities of Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and El Jadida. All offer charm as well as lengthy pleasant beaches, Inland are the historical cities of Fez and Meekness, ancient Imperial Cities. You will also find the Rif Mountains in the north, beautifully scenic area and home to the now protected macaque monkeys.
The south
Farther south _ and now very much the hub of Morocco’s present-day tourism popularity_ is Marrakech. This ”Rose City” (so named due to the pink hue to its buildings) is exotic and captivating and is an ideal base from which to start or finish your trip. Time in the city offers an exciting bustle of activity, tradition, and color whilst, not so far away, are the tranquil foothills of the High Atlas Mountains, the Marrakech Plain, and the surrounding Jiblet mountains and Atlantic coastline
Western coast
West of Marrakech, on the Atlantic Ocean seaboard, is the delightful and very active traditional finishing port of Essaouira. White and blue building colors add great charm to the town, its Medina and sea defense walls. Morocco’s unique argan trees grow inland, providing argan oil, much revered for its culinary and cosmetic benefits. North and South of Essaouira are other lovely coastal places and charming villages.
Atlas Mountains
South from Marrakech are the High Atlas Mountains. Toubkal is the highest peak (13,671ft/ 4,167 m). To explore the deep mountain valleys, amongst towering peaks, either on atrek or in 4*4 vehicles, opens up a fascinating word of the berber peaple, their activities, and customs. their remarkable ingenuity, hard endeavor, and understanding how to work with the environment has allowed communities to thrive here for many centuries.
The Sahara
Farthest south, but still readily accessible, is the Sahara, Think oasis, palm trees, sand seas, and camels silhouetted against the sunset. The Sahara consists of rocky desert and sandy desert. Watching a glorious sunset over the sand sea of Merzouga, for example, is very beautiful. Spending a night ”under the start
When is the best time to visit?
Morocco is a year-round destination, though each of its regions has an ideal time to go. Tangier in northern Morocco, for example, has a pleasant Mediterranean climate year-round, while travelers interested in experiencing the Sahara will want to stick to a trip in Spring or Fall to avoid extreme temperatures
Best time to visit Morocco
Morocco stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the dunes of the Sahara, with lots of varied geography in between. As a result, climate and weather vary greatly depending on where you spend your time. September through May works well for most travelers, and those prioritizing a trip to the desert should stick to winter and spring. If you are traveling in summer months and want to beat the heat, Tangier in the north and Essaouira on the Atlantic Seaboard are great options.
Fast facts
⦁ Mid-September through the end of May id the best time to visit Morocco
⦁ In March and April, days are warm, peaks are snowy, and wildflowers fill the plains.
⦁ Avoid the Sahara from mid-June to med-September when temperatures are high.
⦁ Nights can be surprisingly cool in the mountains and desert at any time of year
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Morocco can be visited year-round as long as you take into account the climate of its different regions and plan your trip accordingly. The Sahara for example, should be avoided from June to September when the temperatures can be searingly high. But this is a great time for visiting the imperial cities of Northern Morocco, the Atlantic Coast , or hiking at high altitude in the Atlas Mountains. Pack accordingly, and you can comfortably visit at any time of year. For trip planning inspiration, check out our tours and itineraries.
Northern Morocco: Mediterranean Climate All Year
Tangier has Mediterranean climate with warm/hot summer with much sunshine and little rain. July is the warmest month, where the highest daytime temperatures are around 83F/28C. Winters (October to March), are mild and warm but cloudier. January is the coldest month with average highest day temperatures pf around 60F/16C
Marrakech and south central Morocco: Best in late Winter, Spring, and Fall
Marrakech has a continental climate (fare from the ocean). This beans that overall rainfall amounts are low and hours of sunshine very high. July is the warmest month with average highest day temperatures of at around 98F/ 38C. October and November and March, April and May have very pleasant temperatures for the traveler. The coldest months is December with average highest day temperatures of around 65F/19C. At night, it can be quite cold in the mid-winter months. Winter is when most rain falls, October to March; November is the wettest month.
Atlantic Seaboard: Best in summer
Essaouira has a maritime climate given its proximity the ocean. August the warmest month with average highest day temperatures of at around 84F/29C. January is the coldest month with average highest day temperatures of around 65F/18C. Winter is when most rainfalls November is by far the wettest month. The months of June and July have low rainfall amounts.
Moroccan Sahara: Best in Late Fall and Early Spring
Merzouga has a hot desert climate. There is a surprising temperatures variation, however, between summer and winter. August is the warmest month with average highest day temperatures of at around 104F/40C. December is the coldest month with average highest day temperatures of around 60F/15C. March, April and May along with October and November are very pleasant months for temperatures.
Rainfall amounts are low throughout the year. However, there can be the occasional rainy day and November has the greatest chance of this. On very hot days, there can be a risk of heavy convectional storms but they are usually short-lived.
Things to do in Morocco
Morocco is full of opportunities for both adventure and relaxation. Take a kitesurfing lesson on the Atlantic Coast, go mountain biking in the high atlas mountains, or spend a day shopping for rugs and antiques in the fantastic markets of Marrakech.
Best things To Do in Morocco
Morocco has activities for travelers of all ages and interests. With such a diverse landscape-from plains to mountains to coast and desert -Morocco is a great place for both adventure and relaxation. Check out our list of favorite things to do below.
Hiking in the Atlas Mountains
If you are looking for action and enjoy (either easy, moderate or demanding and for short/long duration0, then the High Atlas Mountains await. And of course, there is always the option of ascending Toubkal, the highest summit in the High Atlas. Overnighting in Riads, gites, tents are all options, as is staying in a Berber home.
Camel trekking the Sahara Desert
For a more tranquil experience of the desert environment, a camel trek provides just that. A camel trek can be for a short duration, it may be used as a way to ascend a high sand dune for a sunset viewing (or indeed a sunrise) and/or it may be taken over a day or two(or more) if you truly want to become enveloped by your desert experience and traditional way of life.
Exploring Souks and Medinas
The Medina area of many towns and cities in Morocco are the old, often walled, city center areas. Here there is a jumble of narrow streets and alleys that are hives of activities and a feast of colors, sounds, and smalls. In Marrakech, for example, the Jemma El Fna is the central area of its medina, an open area filled by day with musicians, snake charmers, fortunetellers, Henna painters and much more; by night, outdoor restaurants are set up so that traditional Morocco foods can enjoyed in an enthralling atmosphere.
The Souks lead off from the Jemma El Fna and they are a labyrinth of fascination where stallholders are selling their wares, haggling over prices; it is much fun to enter into haggling when you are tempted to purchase. As well as sellers, there are many small workshops too, woodworkers, metalworkers, shoe repairers, tailors. A visit to a traditional a apothecary is very interesting, learning about herbs and spices and their culinary and medical used.
Ait Benhaddou Kasbah
A Kasbah is a fortified stronghold, like a castle, in which the chief landowner lived. Most are now decaying, falling into disrepair due to being built of mud bricks. The buildings, with their four corner tall lookout towers, are everywhere to be seen whilst traveling in the High Atlas e.g. the valley of a thousand Kasbah in the Dade’s Valley.
One outstanding example of a Kasbah, with its fortified village around it, is Ait Ben Haddou, located on the old camel train trade route between Ouarzazate and Marrakech. Now a World Heritage Site it is a beautifully conserved Kasbah and to wander around its building gives a real sense of history and how life once was. Often used a Film set (e.g. ”Gladiator” with Russell Crowe), this is a Moroccan gem well worth seeing.
