Morocco travel: 100 answers from local guides

Question 1

Should I start my Morocco tour in Marrakech or in Fes?

Accepted Answer

Start where your flight is cheapest: both work. Marrakech is best for the south (Atlas, Ait Ben Haddou, Sahara), Fes for the north (Chefchaouen, Meknes, Volubilis). Many travellers fly into one city and out of the other, crossing the desert in between.

Question 2

How long is the drive from Marrakech to Merzouga?

Accepted Answer

About 560 km, or 9 to 10 hours of driving without stops. That is why the trip is always split over two days, with a night in the Dades or Todra area on the way.

Question 3

How long is the drive from Fes to Merzouga?

Accepted Answer

About 470 km, or 7 to 8 hours of driving through Ifrane, the cedar forest of Azrou, Midelt and the Ziz valley. It can be done in one long day, which is why a 2-day desert trip from Fes is possible.

Question 4

What is the Tizi n’Tichka pass?

Accepted Answer

It is the main road across the High Atlas between Marrakech and Ouarzazate, rising to about 2,260 m. The road is paved and safe with a professional driver, but it is winding: allow about 4 hours from Marrakech to Ait Ben Haddou.

Question 5

Can I travel from Fes to Marrakech through the desert?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it is one of the most popular routes: Fes, Ifrane, Merzouga for a night in the dunes, then the Todra and Dades gorges and Ait Ben Haddou before Marrakech. It takes 3 days at a brisk pace, 4 to 5 days to enjoy it.

Question 6

How far is Marrakech from Casablanca?

Accepted Answer

About 240 km, or roughly 3 hours by road. The train takes a little under 3 hours. Most of our tours from Casablanca start with the Hassan II Mosque before heading north or south.

Question 7

What is a good 10-day route in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

A classic 10-day loop links Casablanca, Rabat, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes, then crosses the Middle Atlas to the Merzouga dunes and returns via the Todra and Dades gorges, Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech.

Question 8

Can I see northern Morocco in one week?

Accepted Answer

Yes. In a week you can combine Tangier, Tetouan, Chefchaouen, Volubilis, Meknes and Fes at a comfortable pace, with a night in the blue city of Chefchaouen.

Question 9

Which places can I visit on the Atlantic coast?

Accepted Answer

From north to south: Asilah, Rabat, Casablanca, El Jadida, Essaouira, Taghazout and Agadir, then Legzira further south. Essaouira is the easiest to add to a Marrakech trip, about 3 hours away.

Question 10

Which route is best in winter?

Accepted Answer

In winter, favour the desert and the south, where days are sunny and mild, and plan warm clothes for nights in the Sahara. Mountain passes can close after snowfall, so keep one spare day in your plan.

Question 11

Which route is best in summer?

Accepted Answer

In July and August, favour the Atlantic coast (Essaouira, Asilah), the Atlas villages and the north, which stay cooler. The Sahara is very hot by day; if you go, plan short camel rides at sunset and sunrise.

Question 12

How many hours of driving per day are reasonable with children?

Accepted Answer

We recommend no more than 4 to 5 hours of driving a day with young children, with regular stops. On long routes such as Marrakech–Merzouga we add an extra night on the way.

Question 13

What is a good honeymoon route in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

A riad in Marrakech, a luxury camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes and a few quiet days in Essaouira is a favourite combination; 8 to 10 days is ideal.

Question 14

Is it better to use trains or a private car?

Accepted Answer

Trains are good between Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Fes and Marrakech. For the desert, the Atlas, Chefchaouen or Ait Ben Haddou there is no train: a private car with a driver-guide is the practical way.

Question 15

Is there a high-speed train in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

Yes, the Al Boraq line links Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca; Tangier to Casablanca takes a little over 2 hours. It is a convenient way to start a northern tour.

Question 16

How many days should I spend in Marrakech?

Accepted Answer

Three days is ideal: two for the medina, the palaces and the gardens, and one for a day trip to the Atlas, Essaouira or the Agafay desert.

Question 17

How many days should I spend in Fes?

Accepted Answer

Two full days: one with a licensed guide in the medina of Fes el-Bali (tanneries, madrasas, souks) and one for Meknes and Volubilis, about an hour away.

Question 18

How big are the Erg Chebbi dunes?

Accepted Answer

Erg Chebbi stretches about 22 km from north to south and its highest dunes reach about 150 m. The village of Merzouga sits at its edge.

Question 19

How do you get to Erg Chegaga?

Accepted Answer

Erg Chegaga is reached by 4x4 from M’hamid el Ghizlane, about 2 hours on desert tracks. It is wilder and less visited than Merzouga.

Question 20

Is Zagora in the real Sahara?

Accepted Answer

Zagora is a palm-grove town in the Draa valley with small dunes nearby. For big dunes, continue to M’hamid and Erg Chegaga, about 2 to 3 hours further.

Question 21

What is the difference between a standard and a luxury desert camp?

Accepted Answer

Standard camps have comfortable Berber tents with shared or simple private bathrooms. Luxury camps have large tents with real beds, private bathrooms with hot showers and electricity. Both serve dinner and breakfast.

Question 22

Can I watch the sunrise over the dunes?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Guests are woken before dawn to climb a dune near the camp and watch the sunrise, before the camel ride back to Merzouga and breakfast.

Question 23

Can I reach the desert camp without riding a camel?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Most camps near Merzouga can be reached by 4x4. Tell us when booking and we arrange the transfer with your luggage.

Question 24

What happens to my luggage during the desert night?

Accepted Answer

Your large luggage stays locked in the car or at the hotel in Merzouga. Take only a small bag with warm clothes, a torch, water and toiletries for the night.

Question 25

What can I do around Merzouga besides the camel ride?

Accepted Answer

You can listen to Gnawa music in Khamlia, try sandboarding, ride a quad or a 4x4 around the dunes, visit the Rissani market and see nomad families.

Question 26

What is special about Rissani?

Accepted Answer

Rissani, near Merzouga, is the historic heart of the Tafilalt oasis and the cradle of the Alaouite dynasty. Its traditional market and the mausoleum of Moulay Ali Cherif are worth a stop.

Question 27

How far is the Agafay desert from Marrakech?

Accepted Answer

About 40 km, or 45 minutes by car. Agafay is a stony desert with hills and Atlas views, ideal for a sunset dinner or a quad ride when you have no time for the Sahara.

Question 28

Is one night in the desert enough?

Accepted Answer

One night gives you the sunset, the camp and the sunrise. A second night lets you explore the dunes calmly, visit Khamlia and rest after the long drive.

Question 29

How cold does the Sahara get in winter?

Accepted Answer

From December to February, nights in the dunes can drop close to freezing even after a sunny day. Camps provide thick blankets, but bring a warm jacket, a hat and socks.

Question 30

Can I visit the Sahara from Casablanca?

Accepted Answer

Yes, but plan at least 5 days, since Merzouga is far from the coast. A 5-day tour from Casablanca crosses the Atlas, spends a night in the dunes and returns via Ait Ben Haddou and Marrakech.

Question 31

Where is the Valley of Roses?

Accepted Answer

Around Kelaat M’Gouna, between Ouarzazate and the Dades valley, on the road to the desert. The roses bloom in spring and are celebrated with a festival in May.

Question 32

Is it worth sleeping at Ait Ben Haddou?

Accepted Answer

Yes, if you can: the ksar is quieter at sunset and early morning, when day-trip groups have left, and the light on the earthen walls is at its best.

Question 33

What is there to see in Ouarzazate?

Accepted Answer

The Kasbah Taourirt, former residence of the Glaoui family, and the Atlas film studios, where many international films were shot. Most travellers stop for a few hours on the way to the desert.

Question 34

What is the Draa valley?

Accepted Answer

The Draa is Morocco’s longest river. Between Agdz and Zagora its valley is lined with palm groves and earthen kasbahs, one of the most beautiful roads to the desert.

Question 35

Is Rabat worth visiting?

Accepted Answer

Yes. The capital is calm and elegant: the Kasbah of the Udayas, the Hassan Tower, the Mausoleum of Mohammed V and the Chellah can be seen in half a day on the way north.

Question 36

Is one day enough in Casablanca?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for most travellers. Visit the Hassan II Mosque, walk the Corniche and the Art Deco centre, and see the Habous quarter.

Question 37

What should I see in Meknes?

Accepted Answer

Bab Mansour gate, the Mausoleum of Moulay Ismail, the royal granaries of Heri es-Souani and the Lahdim square. Meknes is easily combined with Volubilis in one day from Fes.

Question 38

What are the highlights of Tangier?

Accepted Answer

The Kasbah and its museum, the medina, Cap Spartel where the Mediterranean meets the Atlantic, and the Caves of Hercules nearby.

Question 39

When is the best time to photograph Chefchaouen?

Accepted Answer

Early morning, before day visitors arrive, when the blue lanes are quiet and the light is soft. The viewpoint near the Spanish Mosque is best at sunset.

Question 40

How far is Chefchaouen from Fes?

Accepted Answer

About 200 km, or around 4 hours by road through the Rif foothills. A night in Chefchaouen makes the trip much more relaxed.

Question 41

Why is Essaouira so windy?

Accepted Answer

The trade winds blow along this part of the Atlantic coast most of the year, especially in summer. That makes Essaouira cooler than Marrakech and a well-known spot for kitesurfing.

Question 42

Is Agadir good for a beach holiday?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Agadir has a long sandy bay, sunshine most of the year and calm swimming areas. From there you can visit Taghazout, Paradise Valley and the Souss valley.

Question 43

What is special about Tetouan?

Accepted Answer

Tetouan’s white medina, listed by UNESCO, shows a strong Andalusian heritage. It is a quieter alternative to Tangier and close to Chefchaouen.

Question 44

Why is Asilah known for its murals?

Accepted Answer

Every summer since 1978, artists paint the walls of the medina during Asilah’s cultural festival. The whitewashed lanes and ramparts by the ocean make it a lovely stop between Tangier and Rabat.

Question 45

What is the Portuguese Cistern of El Jadida?

Accepted Answer

It is a 16th-century vaulted underground hall in the Portuguese fortress of Mazagan, listed by UNESCO. A thin layer of water reflects the columns and the light from the ceiling.

Question 46

Why is Ifrane called the “Switzerland of Morocco”?

Accepted Answer

Ifrane, at about 1,650 m in the Middle Atlas, has European-style houses with sloping roofs, clean parks and snow in winter. It is a short stop on the way between Fes and the desert.

Question 47

How do I get to Dakhla?

Accepted Answer

Dakhla is far in the south: the easiest way is a flight of about 2 hours from Casablanca. It is famous for its lagoon, kitesurfing and wild landscapes where the desert meets the ocean.

Question 48

Can non-Muslims visit Moulay Idriss Zerhoun?

Accepted Answer

Yes, visitors can walk the town and its viewpoints; only the shrine itself is reserved for Muslims. The town is about 5 km from Volubilis.

Question 49

Is a guided tour of the Marrakech medina useful?

Accepted Answer

Yes, especially on your first day: a licensed guide shows the main monuments, helps you find your way in the souks and explains the history, so you can explore alone afterwards.

Question 50

When is the best time to visit Jemaa el-Fna?

Accepted Answer

At sunset and in the evening, when the food stalls open and the musicians and storytellers gather. Watch it first from a rooftop café, then walk down into the square.

Question 51

How do I bargain in the souks?

Accepted Answer

Ask the price, offer a lower amount calmly and meet in the middle; there is no obligation to buy once you have asked. Fixed-price cooperatives are a good way to check fair prices first.

Question 52

How can I see the Chouara tannery in Fes?

Accepted Answer

The tannery is seen from the terraces of the surrounding leather shops; go in the morning when the dye pits are most active. The shops usually give you a sprig of mint for the smell.

Question 53

Is Ouarzazate a good base?

Accepted Answer

Ouarzazate is a convenient overnight stop between Marrakech and the desert, close to Ait Ben Haddou, Skoura and the Draa valley.

Question 54

Which Moroccan dish should I try first?

Accepted Answer

Start with a tagine and a couscous on Friday, then try harira soup, pastilla in Fes and tangia in Marrakech. A cooking class is a good way to learn them.

Question 55

How far is Imlil from Marrakech?

Accepted Answer

About 65 km, or around 1 hour 30 by road. Imlil is the starting point for walks in the High Atlas and for climbing Mount Toubkal.

Question 56

How high is Mount Toubkal and how long does the climb take?

Accepted Answer

Toubkal is 4,167 m, the highest peak in North Africa. Most people climb it in 2 days from Imlil, sleeping at the refuge at about 3,200 m, with a certified mountain guide.

Question 57

How far is the Ourika valley from Marrakech?

Accepted Answer

About 65 km, or 1 hour 15 to 1 hour 30 to Setti Fatma, where a path leads to a series of waterfalls. It is the easiest mountain escape from Marrakech.

Question 58

How high are the Ouzoud waterfalls?

Accepted Answer

About 110 m, in several drops. They are about 150 km from Marrakech, around 2 hours 30 by road, and you can take a boat close to the falls.

Question 59

How high are the walls of the Todra Gorge?

Accepted Answer

The limestone walls rise to about 300 m, and the narrowest part is only around 10 m wide. It is a short walk from the road and a famous climbing spot.

Question 60

What are the “Monkey Fingers” of the Dades valley?

Accepted Answer

They are rounded rock formations in the Dades valley that look like fingers or brains. The valley road also has a famous series of hairpin bends.

Question 61

What is there to see in Tinghir?

Accepted Answer

A long palm grove with kasbahs and an old Jewish quarter, at the entrance of the Todra Gorge. A walk through the gardens of the oasis is a highlight.

Question 62

How long is the walk to the Akchour waterfalls and God’s Bridge?

Accepted Answer

Akchour is about 45 minutes by road from Chefchaouen. The walks to the waterfalls and to God’s Bridge each take a half day; wear good shoes and bring water.

Question 63

Where can I see Barbary macaques in Morocco?

Accepted Answer

In the cedar forest between Azrou and Ifrane in the Middle Atlas. Please do not feed them: human food makes them sick and aggressive.

Question 64

Is Taghazout good for beginner surfers?

Accepted Answer

Yes. Taghazout, about 20 km north of Agadir, has surf schools and beginner-friendly beaches nearby, while its famous point breaks suit experienced surfers.

Morocco travel: 100 answers from our local guides

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