Morocco holidays

Sweeping sandy beaches and historic coastal villages mingle with alluring resort towns on the dramatic Moroccan coast, which stretches over 1,800km (1,118 miles) from Saidia in the north to La Guera in the south. Take an all-inclusive holiday package to Essaouira for the golden beaches and thriving foodie scene, or mingle with the Moroccan jetsetters at pristine lagoon-side town Oualidia.

If you’re looking to catch some rays and top up on culture at the same time, then make a beeline for Tangier, where French-style café culture thrives within a medieval walled city – however, as flights to Tangier aren’t cheap, a great (and certainly adventurous) option is to get a flight to Spain then a ferry to Tangier.

The dramatic peaks of Morocco’s High Atlas mountain range are a magnet for adrenaline junkies. Steep-sided red gorges lend themselves to climbing, while the rocky summits around 4,167-metre-high Jebel Toubkal attract serious mountaineers from all over the world.

If you prefer the kind of walking that doesn’t involve crampons, a network of trails criss-crosses the trekking meccas of M’goun, Sirwa, Sahro and Toubkal. Follow nomadic Berber tribesmen up into the foothills to see birds of prey, wildflowers and incredible views. For an adventure of an entirely different nature, commandeer a camel and take a tour of the Sahara’s legendary shifting dunes.

There really is no bad time to holiday in Morocco, thanks to relatively balmy year-round weather and an ongoing programme of festivals and events. Visit in spring for lush landscapes and mild temperatures, perfect for walking and sightseeing. Summer is unbearably hot in the desert and inland cities such as Marrakech can feel the burn as well.

However, on the breezy Atlantic coast the weather lends itself to swimming and sunbathing. Daytime temperatures remain mild throughout the winter, particularly in the south, although snow often covers the High Atlas throughout the colder months. Always compare holiday package prices on TravelSupermarket to get a value-for-money deal.

From magical music festivals to international sporting competitions, Morocco’s calendar is packed with things to see and do. Head to Fes in May for the World Sacred Music Festival, which brings Hindu, Buddhist, Muslim, Jewish and Christian musicians together for a week of eclectic live shows.

Essaouira’s Gnaoua festival in June revolves around entirely different musical themes, showcasing the best in jazz, pop, rock and soul. In December, the International Marrakech Film Festival brings a glittering crowd of A-listers to Morocco for a series of premiers and world cinema showings.

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Currency: Moroccan Dirham

Capital city: Rabat

Language: Arabic

Key phrase to learn: Min ayn anta? (Where are you from?)

Time difference: Morocco is 1 hour behind the UK

Average flight time: 3 hours and 40 minutes (Marrakech)

International phone code: +212

Emergency services number: 19

Public holidays: New Year’s Day (January 1), Proclamation of Independence (January 11), Labour Day (May 1), Eid Sghir (End of Ramadan), Enthronement (July 30), Qued Ed-Dahab Day (August 14), Revolution Day (August 20), Youth day (August 21), Eid al-Adha (10th day of the month of Dhul Hijja), Faith Murharram (First day in the first month of the lunar Islamic calendar), Green March Day (November 6), Independence Day (November 18), Eid al Mawled (either 12th-17th day of the Islamic month of Rabi' al-awwal)

Link to FCO travel advice: https://www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/morocco