Morocco represents a unique crossroad. You will not find any other place that gives you an opportunity to start your day with the ocean view, to go skiing down the mountain during winter and to end your journey in the middle of the desert under the clear sky, all within one week. It is quite rare to find such a variety of nature within one single destination, which is why today many tourists choose it instead of traditional European routes. The Best Morocco Tour packages demonstrate how much you can see without being stressed about covering long distances. This guide focuses on the true distances between regions, the must-visit cities and the suitable time for travel.
A Country Built On Contrast
The country of Morocco is composed of different landscapes all connected together. High Atlas Mountains that rise more than 4,000 meters and remain snow covered well into spring contrast with the windy and temperate climate near the coastal city of Essaouira. Traveling down from the Marrakech region one finds the rocky plains, followed by the palm oases of the Draa Valley, then eventually desert.
This diversity makes it possible for two individuals visiting Morocco to have two totally different experiences. One individual may spend a week on the coast eating fresh seafood daily in Essaouira. Meanwhile, another individual will cross the 2,260-meter Tizi n’Tichka Pass, which is the highest road in all of North Africa, before arriving at the sand dunes close to Merzouga.
The Sahara Is Farther Than It Looks On A Map
Many first-timers do not know how far the desert is. The location of the famous golden sand dunes of Erg Chebbi is about 560 kilometers from Marrakech and it takes nine to ten hours on the road. This means that it is impossible to undertake this trip in one day. Many tourists are advised to spend at least two days out of Marrakech in a route through Ouarzazate or the Dades Valley in order to enjoy the kasbahs.
Zagora is an alternative that is 360 kilometers from Marrakech, which takes seven hours on the road, but its dunes are much smaller compared to those of Merzouga. While most tourists who lack time will visit Zagora, others prefer the high dunes and a night walk on camels in Merzouga and will plan one more day. It should be noted that there is no train connection to either of the deserts in Morocco, so it is always a road trip.
Cities That Feel Like Different Countries
The four imperial cities of Morocco, which include Marrakech, Fes, Meknes, and Rabat, each have their own unique characteristics because of the different ruling dynasties of these cities. For instance, Marrakech is lively with the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, which becomes an open air theater after dusk filled with food stalls and entertainers. On the other hand, the Fes region is known for the world’s only car-free zone in its medina which has over 9,000 alleys and has not changed since the 9th century.
Rabat on the other hand is known for its government offices and the uncompleted Hassan Tower while Meknes is known for the most grandiose of Morocco’s city gates of Bab Mansour that was built by Sultan Moulay Ismail. Visiting more than one of these imperial cities will help visitors understand how varied the regions of Morocco are and what a visit to just Marrakech alone cannot show them. The two common languages in these four imperial cities include Arabic and French, although English can be spoken in hotels and tourist sites.
Chefchaouen Brings A Different Kind Of Calm
Chefchaouen is situated north of Fes in the Rif Mountains, famous for its blue painted houses. The custom began in the 1930s when Jewish refugees who lived there painted their town in blue colors associated with the sky and introspection. Unlike the hustle and bustle of Marrakech, Chefchaouen takes its time with tiny guesthouses, mountain walks nearby, and a medina that was designed to be walked around rather than shopped in.
Most of the best Top Morocco Tours plan to spend at least one night in this place intentionally because it adds an extra relaxing chapter into your tour between the active medinas and the vast desert. Petty thefts and overzealous street vendors constitute the most frequent complaints among tourists visiting busier cities, while it’s sufficient to turn down the offer politely to stop them immediately. Single tourists, especially women, find Morocco to be safe enough while basic safety measures should still be taken.
When To Go And What It Costs
The seasons between March and May (spring) and September and November (autumn) offer a relatively moderate climate throughout the country. Inland and in the deserts during summers, temperatures can easily exceed 40°C, making it difficult for long-distance driving. Winter nights are very cold in the Sahara region, approaching zero degrees centigrade, although daytime temperatures are comfortable. Coastal cities of Essaouira and Agadir are generally much cooler due to the oceanic breeze.
A desert tour should include months between October and April, avoiding the harsh summer heat. A mountain hiking expedition is generally most suitable between late springs when the snow melts in the lowlands and before the summer rush.
Morocco is also cheaper than other comparable regions of Western Europe. Street food meals are available for only a few dollars and moderately-priced riad hotels in medinas are usually less than $60 per night. However, the Moroccan Dirham is not exchangeable outside Morocco as it is a closed currency.
Entry requirements vary according to nationality, and so a simple check with a government website for travel advisories closer to your travel date is better than following a rule that you may have found posted in some old blog post. Moreover, you should make sure that you have reserved a place to stay for the first night before your arrival.
Conclusion
Travelers in Morocco benefit from taking the time to get their bearings. There are actual distances to cover between the coastline, the urban centers, and the Sahara; the climatic differences vary sharply from one region to another, and a little bit of patience will be rewarded with a rewarding experience. Time the trip realistically, choose the season that suits your interests best, and give the tour the number of days it really deserves. There is more to gain from Morocco than other destinations where there is much less to do.
