Morocco holidays

For families

Fun and breezy Essaouira on the northwest coast is a little more laidback than Marrakech, but still brimming with culture and activities for kids. The medina is traffic-free and wide, making it a stress-free place to pick out colourful souvenirs without fear of getting lost. There’s a wide sandy beach for sandcastle building, with camel riding and kite surfing opportunities, too.

While most riads in Marrakech aren’t ideal for children, you’ll find lots of resorts and hotels outside the city that are an oasis of gardens, large kid-friendly pools and kids’ clubs. You can pop into Marrakech with little ones to soak up the culture and entertainment, then escape the frenetic bustle.

For cheap holidays

With lots of wallet-friendly riads serving home-cooked tagines, Marrakech is a top budget choice. Riads within the medina are often small, independently run and full of personality – giving you a real taste of Morocco.

Elsewhere, Tangier – also known as “the gateway to Africa” – packs in a lot of adventure and culture without a hefty price tag. Stay in the old medina or neighbouring Marshan, which is close to the centre. There are hotels and bed and breakfasts – all a little cheaper. This coastal city brings travellers across the Strait of Gibraltar every day, giving the city a cosmopolitan and creative vibe.

For a weekend break

Head to Casablanca for a taste of modern Morocco. A sprawling city of shopping, grand mosques and French colonial architecture, Casablanca shows a different side to the country. Stop off for a drink at Rick’s Cafe, an unashamedly touristy but undeniably fun tribute to the timeless movie.

The capital Rabat is also an excellent alternative for a city break. It’s a compact and handsome city with pretty beaches. Discover world-class museums, a striking medina and architectural treasures like Tour Hassan, a 12th-century unfinished mosque with intricately carved panels.

For an all-inclusive break

Most all-inclusive resorts in Morocco are around Marrakech or along the beaches of Taghazout and Agadir. Riu Palace Tikida Agadir is a popular luxury all-inclusive resort right on the beach – you can go from lounging at the beautiful pool to a dip in the sea in moments.

Alternatively, kids will love whizzing down the curly slides into the waterpark at the all-inclusive Aqua Mirage Club in Marrakech. You can hop on the shuttle bus to get to the city centre.

For culture

Considered the cultural capital of Morocco, Fes is beguiling. Watch artisans make beautiful pottery, tiles and wood carvings in the ancient medina. Visit religious schools, haggle in sensory souks and stay in riads within the medina walls. For something a little more modern, book a hotel overlooking the old town.

The Atlas Mountains are another cultural highlight, as is the red-walled town of Ait Benhaddou near Ouarzazate in the foothills, where you can learn about ksar history.

For a beach holiday

Agadir is Morocco's main beach resort with lots of accommodation choices along the wide expanse of beach. You’ll find budget, luxury, family-friendly and adults-only options; many hotels and resorts have a private stretch of sand where you can lounge in a cabana.

You’ll also find a growing number of hotels and resorts popping up along the coast of Taghazout. The beaches here are a surfer’s paradise and it’s a quieter area with fewer tourists – ideal if you’re looking to unwind in peace.

From the markets of Marrakech to the sweeping dunes of the Sahara, Morocco is bursting with memory-making moments. Your to do list starts here.

Jemaa El-Fnaa

At sunset, join the street performers, fortune tellers, storytellers and acrobats at Jemaa El-Fnaa, Marrakech’s iconic night market.

If you’re a foodie, follow your nose to the heart of the action, where street food stalls and smoky barbecues fuel the carnival atmosphere. It’s Marrakech at its marvellous, manic best.

Jardin Majorelle

Jardin Majorelle is one of Morocco’s most popular tourist destinations – and for good reason. The 12-acre cactus garden, which was designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle in the early 20th century, is unlike any garden you’ve ever seen before.

Towering cacti and exotic botanicals surround a bright blue villa, the former residence of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, who bought the property in 1980. It is a calm escape from the bustle in Marrakech.

​​Erg Chebbi Dunes

At the edge of the Sahara Desert lie ​​the Erg Chebbi Dunes, a landscape of vast, rippling sand dunes. Camel trekking at sunrise and sunset, dune bashing in 4x4 vehicles and camping overnight are all popular activities on the golden sands.

You can book as part of a tour from Marrakech. A night under the stars at a desert camp is well worth the travel to get here.

Fes medina

The warren-like medieval medina in Fes is vast and almost impossible not to get lost in. Stumble across souks, tanneries, 14th-century mosques and palaces among elegant riads and old-world artisan workshops.

Thousands of people live within the medina walls but it’s totally free from vehicles (besides the occasional donkey kart, that is) adding to its ancient allure. Find a cafe and people watch over a cup of mint tea, then try to remember how to get back to your accommodation!

Souk shopping

Meeting places, food markets, cultural sites… souks are a huge part of the soul of Morocco. Souk El Attarine in Fes is as authentic as they come. Traders sell spices, incense and‌ traditional crafts from stalls and even inside beautiful riads.

In Marrakech, different souks specialise in different products. Souk Semmarine is the largest and you’ll find stalls selling pottery, textiles, jewellery and antiques. Be prepared for a friendly haggle. It’s expected and part of the culture.

Chefchaouen

Dubbed "The Blue Pearl", Chefchaouen is a stunning city tucked away in the Rif Mountains. Most of its medina has been painted in shades of blue; needless to say, wandering the streets at your own leisure is one of the best ways of experiencing Chefchaouen. Highlights include the medina and Kasbah Museum.

Mid-March to May and September to October, are Morocco’s high seasons when the temperatures are at their best (expect average highs between 26C and 28C) and popular destinations are at their busiest.

The Easter holiday is popular with families, so it can get crowded. Winter sun is possible, with average highs of 20C. Just remember to pack wisely – you’ll need to wrap up for colder nights.

When is the cheapest time to visit?

Find cheap flights to Morocco in November. Package deal prices tend to be lower from November through to early March. Try in early December to find the lowest accommodation prices.

There are also budget holidays to Morocco throughout the year, including in the hot summer months when temperatures soar into the mid-30s, so search and compare deals in advance to get the best price.

When should I go for the best weather?

Morocco enjoys a sub-tropical climate, so expect hot summers, mild winters and plenty of sunshine year round. July tends to be dry, while August is typically the hottest month. Temperatures can easily hit 35C during the summer.

For warm sunny days visit in spring and autumn. February is the rainiest month in Morocco.