Smart Self-Managed Tours

Country guide

Morocco

A photograph of Morocco
Photograph · Petar Milošević · CC BY-SA 4.0

Morocco is 446,550 km2 with two coastlines, Mediterranean along the north and Atlantic down the west, and the 2024 census counted 36,828,330 people. Rabat is the capital and Casablanca the largest city, but neither is usually what a visitor books. The trip is normally built around the former capitals, Fes and Marrakesh, whose walled old towns are the point of coming and are covered on foot because nothing wider fits down them. Tangier faces Spain across the strait and is the shortest way in from Europe. The Atlas range separates all of it from the desert south.

Cities

Every city catalogued in this country so far, ranked by how much there is to see.

Practical information

Language spoken
Arabic and Amazigh; French is widely used
National practical orientation; regional and minority languages may also be used
Dialling code
+212
International calling code; local area and mobile prefixes still apply
Currency
Moroccan dirham (MAD)
Use the official local currency; card acceptance varies by place
Emergency number
19 police in cities · 177 gendarmerie · 15 fire/ambulance
Use only for an emergency; tourist assistance may use a separate number
Plug type
Type C and E · 220 V
Check that chargers support the recorded voltage before using an adapter
Tap water
Not recorded
No verified nationwide visitor drinking-water statement was recorded

Planning a visit

  1. January: no seasonality data recorded
  2. February: no seasonality data recorded
  3. March: no seasonality data recorded
  4. April: no seasonality data recorded
  5. May: no seasonality data recorded
  6. June: no seasonality data recorded
  7. July: no seasonality data recorded
  8. August: no seasonality data recorded — this month
  9. September: no seasonality data recorded
  10. October: no seasonality data recorded
  11. November: no seasonality data recorded
  12. December: no seasonality data recorded

Top things to see

Ranked by importance — sitelinks, pageviews and heritage status, not editor preference.

  1. Musée Yves Saint Laurent Musée Yves Saint Laurent
    02 1 hr 30 min

    Musée Yves Saint Laurent

    The Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech is a museum dedicated to the work of French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  2. Dar el Bacha Dar el Bacha
    03 1 hr 30 min

    Dar el Bacha

    Musée Dar El Bacha دار الباشا

    Dar El Bacha’s Museum of Confluences occupies a historic palace in the heart of Marrakesh’s medina. Morocco’s National Foundation of Museums presents the building itself as an example of palatial architecture organised around decorated courtyards and gardens.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  3. Marrakech Museum Marrakech Museum
    04 1 hr 30 min

    Marrakech Museum

    Musée de Marrakech متحف مراكش

    The Marrakech Museum occupies the restored Dar Menebhi palace near the Ben Youssef area. This 19th-century aristocratic residence exemplifies traditional Moroccan palace architecture with its courtyard layout, decorative plasterwork, carved cedar ceilings, and zellige tilework.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  4. Musée Dar Si Saïd متحف دار السي سعيد Musée Dar Si Saïd متحف دار السي سعيد
    05 1 hr 30 min

    Musée Dar Si Saïd متحف دار السي سعيد

    Dar Si Said is Marrakesh’s National Museum of Weaving and Carpets, operated by Morocco’s National Foundation of Museums. The museum occupies a historic palace and focuses on textile traditions rather than presenting a general collection of every Moroccan craft.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  5. Slat Al Azama Synagogue Slat Al Azama Synagogue
    06 1 hr 30 min

    Slat Al Azama Synagogue

    Synagogue Laazama

    Lazama Synagogue, known locally as Synagogue Laazama, stands as a historic place of worship within the Mellah, the traditional Jewish quarter of Marrakesh. The Mellah itself forms part of the city's broader visitor core, situated near the medina's central districts.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  6. Musée Tiskiwin Musée Tiskiwin
    07 1 hr 30 min

    Musée Tiskiwin

    Maison Tiskiwin is a museum in Marrakesh dedicated to Moroccan and Saharan arts and crafts. It occupies a traditional riad-style house in the medina, presenting ethnographic collections assembled by Dutch anthropologist Bert Flint.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  7. Mouassine Museum Mouassine Museum
    09 1 hr 30 min

    Mouassine Museum

    Musée de la Musique

    The Mouassine Music Museum, known locally as Musée de la Musique Mouassine, is a cultural institution located in Marrakesh's historic Mouassine district. It occupies a traditional Moroccan house, or riad, reflecting the architectural heritage of the medina.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  8. Dar Bellarj Dar Bellarj
    10 1 hr 30 min

    Dar Bellarj

    Dar Bellarj دار بلارج

    Dar Bellarj is a restored historic building in Marrakesh, Morocco, located near the Ben Youssef area. It was formerly known as a stork hospital, a facility dedicated to caring for injured storks.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  9. Marrakech Museum of Perfume Marrakech Museum of Perfume
    11 1 hr 30 min

    Marrakech Museum of Perfume

    Musée du Parfum

    The Marrakech Museum of Perfume, known locally as Musée du Parfum, occupies a traditional riad in Marrakesh. This intimate museum dedicates itself to Moroccan perfumery heritage, exploring the cultural significance of scent in Moroccan society.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  10. Musée de la Palmeraie
    12 1 hr 30 min

    Musée de la Palmeraie

    Musée de la Palmeraie is a garden museum situated within Marrakesh's famous Palmeraie, the vast palm grove that lies northeast of the city centre.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  11. Marrakech Museum of Culinary Arts
    13 1 hr 30 min

    Marrakech Museum of Culinary Arts

    Musée de l'Art Culinaire Marocain

    The Marrakech Museum of Culinary Arts, known locally as Musée de l'Art Culinaire Marocain, is a specialized museum located within Marrakesh's historic medina. It is devoted to preserving and presenting Moroccan culinary heritage.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  12. Foundation Montresso - Jardim Rouge
    14 1 hr 30 min

    Foundation Montresso - Jardim Rouge

    Jardin Rouge is a contemporary art foundation and sculpture garden located within metropolitan Marrakesh. Known locally as Foundation Montresso - Jardim Rouge, this cultural institution operates as a creative space dedicated to modern artistic expression.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  13. CM Art Gallery CM Art Gallery
    15 1 hr 30 min

    CM Art Gallery

    CM Art Gallery is a contemporary art gallery located in Marrakesh, Morocco. It operates as a cultural venue dedicated to presenting modern artistic works within the city's evolving arts scene.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh
  14. Galerie Sinya 28
    16 1 hr 30 min

    Galerie Sinya 28

    Galerie Sinya 28 is a city art gallery in Marrakesh, Morocco. It represents one of the visitable local places that contribute to the cultural landscape of the city.

    • Must see
    • Museum
    • Marrakesh

Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·

Common questions

How long should a first trip to Morocco be?

Eight to twelve days can join Marrakesh with one Atlantic, imperial-city or Atlas route. A desert extension needs dedicated road time and should replace, not simply be added to, another distant region.

What entry documents are needed for Morocco?

Morocco’s Accès Maroc service is the government channel for electronic visa and travel-authorisation checks. Eligibility is passport-specific; verify the required route through that portal before committing to transport.

What is the best way to travel around Morocco?

Casablanca and Marrakesh are the largest air gateways. ONCF trains serve the main northern and Atlantic cities, whereas mountain, desert and smaller-town journeys depend on coaches, cars or organised transfers.

When is a practical time to visit Morocco?

March to May and September to November avoid the strongest heat on many city and inland routes. Atlas conditions, Atlantic weather and desert temperature swings require separate checks for the planned circuit.

What money and payment basics apply in Morocco?

Moroccan dirhams (MAD) are the local currency. This record does not state nationwide card coverage or exchange costs; agree the amount and method before a taxi, market or remote accommodation transaction.

What practical safety details should I save for Morocco?

Morocco distinguishes 19 for city police, 177 for the gendarmerie and 15 for fire or ambulance. Power is 220 V through Type C and E sockets, while tap-water guidance is Not recorded.