Morocco travel guides – The Historian Traveller

To visit Morocco is still like turning the pages of some illuminated Persian manuscript all embroidered with bright shapes and subtle lines.
Edith Wharton

Morocco is per excellence one of the most diverse lands I have ever explored. From bustling cities, filled with vibrant markets and historical value, to majestic golden dunes that stretch as far as the eye can see. The landscapes of Morocco are a captivating tapestry of beauty and wonder. Journeying through this enchanting country, one can discover lush forests and hidden oases, tucked away in the folds of spectacular high canyons. Morocco truly embodies the essence of diversity, with each corner offering a unique treasure waiting to be uncovered.

For a long time, Morocco was to me that mysterious exotic land seen through the eyes and words of Edith Wharton, Paul Bowles and, lately, Suzanna Clarke. They took me with them to the pirate city of Sale’, discovered the lost markets of Marrakesh and live through the everyday challenges of building a riad in Fes, with the possibility of loosing a donkey or two along the way. It was exciting seeing this country through their writings and loving it already even before stepping a foot on it. My expectations were high and, thanks to a careful organisation of my trip, these weren’t disappointed. In this blog page, you will find some essential information and travel guides to plan a fantastic trip to Morocco.

Morocco Travel Information

Morocco’s capital is Rabat. Is located on the region of Rabat-Salé-Kénitra and it’s the 7th largest city in Morocco.

Morocco has several spoken language. However, the main ones are Darija (Moroccan Arabic) and French. In the Atlas Mountains regions, the Berber Languages are widely spoken. These are known as Amazigh.

Morocco currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD). Same as Egypt, the Moroccan Dirham is a closed currency. This means you can’t obtain cash out of the country as well as you can’t take cash out of the country. Therefore the best thing is taking some cash at the the airport from any ATM. The maximum amount one can withdraw per transaction is 3000 MAD.

Morocco has two different types of plugs. These are Plug C and plug E. These are the same typologies used in France and Italy. If you are travelling from the UK, you’ll need to buy and adapter. I always use an universal adapter so that I don’t need to buy one for every destination I visit.

Booking your hotel in advance is essential to avoid last minute scams and stay at your preferred accommodation. I always get the best rates on Booking.com and I booked here all my stays in Morocco.

As you will walk a lot in crowded places, particularly in Marrakech and Fes, I recommend to place your passport and cash in a Invisible Money Belt. My best suggestion is to keep on your wallet only small pieces of cash and hide the rest in the money belt. Indeed, this is very discrete and will ensure you can go around safely and without gaining unwanted attention.

Where is Morocco?

Morocco is a Northern African Country. It’s on the edge of northwest Africa, separated from Europe just by the 13 Km of the Strait of Gibraltar. Morocco border also borders the North Atlantic Ocean to the west, and the western Mediterranean Sea to the north. It has borders with Algeria and disputed Western Sahara. It is crossed by the by the Atlas Mountains that divide into the country generating multiple types of climate.

Do I need a Visa to visit Morocco?

Depends where you are coming from. Currently, citizen of EU, UK, Australia, New Zealand, US and Canada do not need a visa to enter Morocco. Indeed, you can do the 90-days visa on arrival once you arrive at the airport. This is free of charge. So, if anyone is asking any money for it, it’s a scam.

Note you might need to show a return ticket on your arrival (at least that’s what they asked us).

For all those countries that need a visa, they can request this online at the Moroccan Consulate.