Morocco is welcoming, safe for travellers and very different from Europe or America. These tips will help you feel at home from the first day.

Culture and respect

1. Say hello: “Salam alaikum” opens every conversation; “shukran” means thank you.
2. Dress modestly in medinas and villages: shoulders and knees covered is a good rule.
3. Ask before photographing people. Many will say yes; some will ask for a small tip.
4. Use your right hand to eat and to give or receive things.
5. Mosques are generally closed to non-Muslims, except the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which offers guided visits.

Money and shopping

6. Carry cash in dirhams for souks, taxis and tips; cards are accepted in hotels and larger shops.
7. Bargain with a smile. It is part of the culture, and a friendly conversation usually gets a better price.
8. Tipping is customary for guides, drivers and camp staff.

In the medina

9. Getting lost is normal. Medina streets are a maze; a licensed guide saves time and shows hidden places.
10. Politely decline unofficial guides. A firm “la, shukran” (no, thank you) is enough.
11. Watch out for carts and mopeds in narrow streets.

Food and health

12. Drink bottled or filtered water.
13. Try everything: tajine, couscous on Friday, harira soup, fresh orange juice, msemen pancakes and endless mint tea.
14. Slow down at lunchtime in summer, when the heat is strongest.

The most important tip

15. Leave room for the unplanned. An invitation to tea, a village market or a stop for photos is often the best moment of the day.

With a private driver and local guides on all our 7-day tours, you will always have someone to ask.

A week in Morocco often means a city medina in the morning, a 2,000-metre mountain pass at lunch and a desert camp at night. Here is how to pack light and still be comfortable everywhere.

Clothes

• Light, loose clothes that cover shoulders and knees: comfortable in the heat and respectful in the medinas and villages.
• A warm layer – fleece or light down jacket for the mountains and the desert night.
• Long trousers for the camel ride.
• A scarf or shesh against sun, wind and sand (you can also buy one in Merzouga and learn to tie it Berber-style).
• Comfortable walking shoes for medina streets and gorges, and sandals for the riad.

For the desert night

• A small overnight bag – big suitcases stay in the car.
• Head torch, sunglasses and sunscreen.
• A zip bag to protect your phone and camera from sand.

Documents and money

• Passport valid for your whole stay (many nationalities do not need a visa for short visits – check before you travel).
• The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency: you get it on arrival from ATMs or exchange offices. Keep small notes for tips and small purchases.
• Travel insurance.

Useful extras

• A power bank: the desert camp has electricity, but not always in every tent.
• A reusable water bottle.
• Wet wipes and a small hand sanitiser.
• Some space in your bag for carpets, argan oil and ceramics.

Not sure what the weather will be like during your dates? Ask us when you request your price – we will tell you exactly what to bring for your week.

Morocco can be visited all year, but the weather changes a lot between the coast, the mountains and the desert. Because our tours cross all three, the best months are the ones that are pleasant everywhere.

Spring: March to May

Our favourite season. Days are warm in Marrakech and Fes, the Atlas valleys are green, roses bloom in the Dades valley in late April and May, and desert nights are comfortable. It is also a busy season, so book early.

Summer: June to August

Hot inland and very hot in the Sahara during the day. Travelling is still possible: we start early, rest at midday and enjoy the desert at sunset and at night. The Atlantic coast and the mountains stay cooler.

Autumn: September to November

Excellent weather after the summer heat, with warm days, clear skies and calm desert evenings. October is one of the best months for a week in Morocco with a night in the dunes.

Winter: December to February

Sunny, mild days in Marrakech, snow on the High Atlas peaks and cold nights in the desert, sometimes near freezing. Camps provide blankets and many have heated tents. Winter is quieter and the light is beautiful for photos.

Ramadan

The dates of Ramadan move every year. Travelling during Ramadan is easy and can be a special experience: restaurants for visitors stay open, and evenings in the cities are lively after sunset.

In short

• Best overall: March to May and September to November.
• Best for low crowds: January and February.
• Bring warm clothes for the desert night in any season except summer.

Whatever month you choose, our 7-day tours are adapted to the season, with the timing of drives and desert activities planned around the weather.