Morocco is one of the easiest ways to step into a completely different world with just a short flight from southern Europe. There’s a reason our documentary’s title talks about colors: the red walls of Marrakech, the blue streets of Chefchaouen, the golden dunes of the Sahara and the mounds of spices in the souks. In this guide we’ve tied all those colors together into a single route.
Marrakech: The Red City
Most trips to Morocco start in Marrakech. The city’s beating heart, Jemaa el-Fnaa square, fills with juice stalls by day and smoky food tents and street performers by night. The souks around the square are a maze; getting lost is part of the experience.
Other must-sees: the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the Saadian Tombs, the tile and woodwork of the Bahia Palace and the Majorelle Garden, famous for its electric blue. For Marrakech tours: things to do in Morocco.
The Atlas Mountains and the kasbahs
The road south from Marrakech crosses the snowcapped High Atlas. Along the way, Ait Ben Haddou, a fortified village built of mud brick, is on the UNESCO list and has served as a set for many films. Ouarzazate and the Todra Gorge are classic stops on the way to the desert.
The Sahara: Merzouga
The most unforgettable moment of a Moroccan trip may well be a night among the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga: a camel ride toward the sunset, a sky full of stars over a desert camp and sunrise watched from the top of a dune. Remember that desert nights can get chilly, even in summer.
Fes: A living medieval city
Fes el-Bali, with its narrow alleys, madrasas and craft workshops, keeps a medieval city alive. The leather tanneries (the Chouara Tannery) are viewed from terraces above. Most of these terraces belong to leather shops, so you may be expected to browse afterward. Exploring with a licensed guide on your first day is a good way to avoid getting hopelessly lost in the medina.
Chefchaouen: The Blue City
At the foot of the Rif Mountains, Chefchaouen, with its streets painted in every shade of blue, is the most photogenic stop in our documentary. It’s far calmer than Marrakech or Fes, ideal for resting a few days and exploring the nearby hiking trails.
The Atlantic coast
In Casablanca, the Hassan II Mosque, built out over the ocean, is one of the few mosques you can visit on a guided tour. If you’re after a laid-back seaside town, try Essaouira, with its windy harbor and blue-and-white medina.
When to go
Spring (March–May) and fall (September–November) are ideal. In summer the interior and the desert are scorching; in winter it snows in the Atlas, and desert nights are cold.
Getting around
In the north, a rail line links Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca and Fes, with a high-speed train between Tangier and Casablanca. On other routes, intercity buses and private transfers are the way to go. For flights: flights to Morocco.
Where to stay
Staying in a riad, a traditional house built around an inner courtyard, is part of the Moroccan experience. Since cars can’t enter the medina, ask whether your riad will meet you at the nearest gate: riads and hotels in Morocco.
What to eat
Tagine (a stew slow-cooked in an earthenware pot), couscous, the traditional Friday meal, sweet-and-savory pastilla and the mint tea served at every opportunity.
Sample itinerary: 10 days
- Days 1–3: Marrakech.
- Days 4–6: To Merzouga via Ait Ben Haddou and Todra, with a night in the desert.
- Days 7–8: Fes.
- Days 9–10: Chefchaouen.
Unusual facts
- The old city of Fes (Fes el-Bali) is known as one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world.
- Al-Qarawiyyin in Fes is considered one of the oldest continuously operating universities in the world.
- There are many competing stories about why Chefchaouen’s streets are painted blue; there is no single definitive explanation.
- Morocco has both a Mediterranean and an Atlantic coastline, Atlas peaks above 4,000 meters (13,000 ft) and the dunes of the Sahara.
- Tagine is actually the name of the earthenware pot with a conical lid that the dish is cooked in.
Things to watch out for & tourist traps
- In the medinas, volunteer “guides” who tell you “this street is closed” and offer directions usually end up asking for money or steering you into a shop.
- On Marrakech’s Jemaa el-Fnaa square, snake charmers and henna artists may demand a steep fee after a photo or service; agree on the price first.
- Haggling is normal in the souks; the first price quoted is usually just a starting point.
- In rural areas and religious sites, wear clothes that cover your shoulders and knees, and don’t photograph people without permission.
- Most mosques are closed to non-Muslim visitors; Casablanca’s Hassan II Mosque is a notable exception.
Visas & entry
Citizens of many countries, including the US, Canada, the UK, EU member states, Australia and Türkiye, can currently visit Morocco visa-free for short tourist stays (generally up to 90 days). Requirements depend on your passport and can change, so confirm with official sources before you travel.
Visa and entry rules depend on your passport and change often. Before you travel, always check the latest requirements with the destination country’s official sources and your own government’s travel advisory (for US citizens: travel.state.gov).
Frequently asked questions
How many days do you need in Morocco?
Allow at least 8–10 days for a classic route covering Marrakech, the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, Fes and Chefchaouen.
How do you get to the Sahara?
The most common option is a 2–3 day tour from Marrakech or Fes to Merzouga or Zagora. The drive is long, but the Atlas passes and kasbahs are part of the journey.
Is Morocco suitable for women travelers?
Plenty of women travel around Morocco comfortably. Still, it’s wise to dress conservatively, turn down persistent attention firmly but politely and avoid deserted streets at night.
