Great things are on the horizon

Citizens of many countries, including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and most of the European Union, can enter Morocco without a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. Other nationalities need a visa or electronic authorisation in advance. Rules can change, so please confirm with the Moroccan consulate or your government's official travel advice before you book.

Your passport should be valid well beyond your stay and have at least one blank page for the entry stamp. Official sources vary between three and six months of validity, so we recommend six months from your arrival date to be safe. Immigration may also ask to see a return or onward ticket.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are ideal for combining cities, mountains and desert, with warm days and comfortable evenings. Summer is very hot inland and in the Sahara, while the Atlantic coast stays cooler. Winter is mild in Marrakech and good for the desert by day, though nights are cold and the High Atlas can be snowy.

Ten to fourteen days lets you enjoy the imperial cities, the mountains and the desert at a relaxed pace, which is why our featured journeys run 12 and 15 days. Shorter trips work well when focused on one or two regions. Distances are long, so we avoid rushing between places.

Morocco welcomes millions of visitors every year and tourist areas are well policed. As anywhere, keep an eye on your belongings in crowded souks, agree prices before you buy or ride, and politely decline unofficial guides. Check your government's latest travel advice before you go. Travelling with your own driver and guide makes everything easier.

Yes. Because every journey is private, we pace the days around your group, from children's energy levels to a solo traveller's preferences, and choose accommodation to match. Solo women often find a trusted driver and guide reassuring, and dressing modestly helps you blend in comfortably.

No vaccinations are compulsory for most visitors, apart from a yellow fever certificate if you arrive from a country where it is present. Ask your doctor or a travel clinic about routine vaccines and others such as hepatitis A and typhoid. We recommend travel insurance with medical cover, especially if you plan to trek or visit the desert.

Tap water is treated in cities but quality varies, so we suggest bottled water for drinking and brushing your teeth. It is inexpensive and available everywhere. Moroccan food is generally safe and delicious, especially freshly cooked dishes in busy restaurants. Tell us about any dietary needs and we will plan around them.

You travel only with your own party, with your own driver and local guides, on an itinerary shaped around your interests, dates and pace. We select accommodation for character and comfort, and leave room for the unplanned moments. Plans stay flexible as the journey unfolds.

You do not need to have everything figured out. Send us an enquiry with your approximate dates, number of travellers, preferred trip length, where you are flying in and out, and how you want to feel on your trip. We will suggest a journey and refine it with you until it feels right.

The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It is hard to buy outside Morocco, so most travellers withdraw cash from ATMs on arrival; they are common in cities and towns. Cards are accepted in many hotels and restaurants, but cash is needed for souks, small cafes and taxis, so keep small notes. There are limits on taking dirhams out of the country, so spend or exchange them before you leave.

Tipping is customary and appreciated, and there are no strict rules. A few dirhams suit small services, around 10 percent is usual in restaurants when service is not included, and guides and drivers are typically tipped a little more at the end of a trip. We are happy to advise you on what is usual.

Yes, prices in the souks are usually negotiable. Keep it friendly, start well below the asking price and be ready to walk away politely if it does not feel right. Your guide can point you to trusted shops and cooperatives where prices are fixed.

Dress comfortably and modestly, with shoulders and knees covered, especially outside big tourist areas and when visiting religious sites. Pack light layers, warm clothes for evenings, the desert and the mountains, and comfortable shoes for medina cobbles. Most mosques are closed to non-Muslims, though the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca offers guided visits.

Arabic and Amazigh (Berber) are the official languages, with the Moroccan Arabic dialect, Darija, spoken day to day. French is widely used, and English is common in the tourism industry. Our guides speak English, and a few words of Arabic, such as shukran (thank you), are always appreciated.

Morocco is a Muslim-majority country. Alcohol is served in licensed hotels, restaurants and some bars, but it is not available everywhere and it is not appropriate to drink in public places. If you would like to enjoy a glass of Moroccan wine, tell us and we will recommend suitable places.

The dates of Ramadan move each year. Many Moroccans fast from dawn to sunset, so some local restaurants close during the day and opening hours change, while evenings are lively and welcoming. Travel is still very rewarding and we will plan your days around it. Please be discreet when eating or drinking in public.

Yes, but distances are long. Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are roughly 560 km from Marrakech, around nine to ten hours of driving, so we recommend at least two or three nights with stops on the way, such as Ait Ben Haddou and the Todra Gorge. Zagora is closer if time is short. Read our guide to Zagora versus Merzouga.

Local SIM cards from the main Moroccan operators are sold at airports and in town, and you will need your passport to register one. Many travellers also use an eSIM. Wi-Fi is available in most riads and hotels but can be patchy in the mountains and desert. Morocco uses 220V sockets with Type C and E plugs, so bring an adapter if you need one.

Photography is welcome in most places, but always ask before photographing people, and avoid military and government buildings. Some people may ask for a small tip. Drones are restricted and need authorisation, so check the rules before you pack one.