Morocco — find the right stay, from deciding to booking
“Marrakech markets, the Sahara, and the blue city”
Morocco is an enchanting gateway to Africa — the souks and Jemaa el-Fnaa square in Marrakech, the blue city of Chefchaouen, the Sahara with Bedouin camps under the stars, the maze-like old town of Fez, paired with hidden riads, mint tea, and fragrant spices.
Morocco at a glance
Choose a city in Morocco
Each city has its own things-to-do and food guides plus in-depth ranked hotel reviews with real photos and price comparison — start with the city that fits your trip.
Decide — is Morocco right for you?
Why people love Morocco, how it compares to its neighbors, and which travel style suits you
Markets and medinas
Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the souks, and the maze of Fez's old town.
The Sahara
Ride a camel over the Merzouga dunes and sleep at a Bedouin camp under the stars.
The blue city
Chefchaouen, a mountain town painted entirely blue — beautiful from every angle.
Kasbahs and ksars
Aït Benhaddou, a World Heritage earthen fort and the backdrop of many famous films.
Gorgeous riads
Traditional courtyard houses with mosaic tiles and rooftop city views.
Food and mint tea
Tagine, couscous, and sweet, fragrant Moroccan mint tea.
Morocco vs its neighbors
| Morocco | Egypt | Turkey | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Daily budget (per person) | $45–90 | $45–85 | $45–100 |
| Visa (Thai passport) | Free 90 days | Apply for an e-Visa | e-Visa online |
| Getting around cities | Trains and taxis · medinas on foot | Trains and Uber | Trains, metro and bus |
| English | Some in tourist cities (French is widespread) | Some | Some at tourist sites |
| Known for | Markets · desert · the blue city | Pyramids · the Nile | Hagia Sophia · Cappadocia |
Figures are rough per-person, per-day estimates — your real budget depends on your travel style.
How do you travel?
Imperial cities
Marrakech, Fez and Rabat — markets, palaces and World Heritage medinas, a classic 5–7 day culture route.
See this plan → 🏜️Desert and kasbahs
Marrakech → Aït Benhaddou → the Merzouga Sahara, riding a camel and sleeping at a camp under the stars — for the adventurous.
See this plan → 💙The north and the blue city
Chefchaouen the blue city, seaside Tangier, and Fez — for the photo-loving and laid-back.
See this plan →Plan — stay, eat, see
Start with where to stay (the heart of the trip), then add food and sights, and gauge your daily budget.
Find the stay you want
2 ranked reviews
Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Casablanca, Morocco (2026) — Corniche and Anfa Picks
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Reviewed10 Best Hotels in Marrakech, Morocco 2026: Riads & Resorts
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- 1🍲
Tagine
A stew in a conical clay pot — meat or chicken with vegetables, dried fruit and spices.
📍 Nationwide - 2🍚
Couscous
Steamed semolina with vegetables and meat — the traditional Friday dish.
📍 Nationwide - 3🍵
Mint Tea
Sweet, fragrant green mint tea, served as a welcome everywhere — 'Berber whisky'.
📍 Nationwide - 4🥧
Pastilla
A crisp pastry pie filled with pigeon or chicken, dusted with sugar and cinnamon — sweet and savory.
📍 Fez - 5🍢
Kebab & Mechoui
Grilled skewered meat and whole roast lamb at feasts.
📍 Nationwide - 6🍩
Sweets and dates
Honeyed chebakia pastries and dates, paired with mint tea.
📍 Nationwide
- 1🕌
Jemaa el-Fnaa
A market square that comes alive at night with performers, snake charmers and food stalls — World Heritage.
📍 Marrakech - 2💙
Chefchaouen
A mountain town painted entirely in blue, with photogenic lanes at every turn.
📍 Chefchaouen - 3🏰
Aït Benhaddou
A World Heritage earthen ksar, the backdrop of Gladiator and Game of Thrones.
📍 Near Ouarzazate - 4🏜️
Erg Chebbi
Golden sand dunes, camel rides, and a Bedouin camp for stargazing.
📍 Sahara - 5🧶
Chouara Tannery
Ancient dye-filled leather-tanning pits in the heart of the largest medina maze.
📍 Fez - 6🕌
Hassan II Mosque
A giant mosque on the ocean's edge, with the tallest minaret in the world.
📍 Casablanca
🚆 Getting around Morocco
The Al Boraq train
A high-speed line from Tangier to Casablanca, plus ONCF trains linking the main cities — comfortable and punctual.
Grand / petit taxis
Grand taxis run between cities and petit taxis within them — agree the fare or meter first.
Desert tours
2–3 day tours from Marrakech or Fez out to Merzouga, including transport, camp and meals.
Car hire
Good for the kasbah-and-desert route; drive on the right and take care in small towns.
On foot in the medina
Cars can't enter the old town, so you walk — expect to get a little lost (it's part of the fun).
🛂 Etiquette & culture in Morocco
A Muslim country
Dress modestly, covering shoulders and knees, especially away from tourist cities and during Ramadan.
Bargaining in the markets
In the souks you must haggle — start at about half the asking price and stay relaxed.
Ask before photographing
Ask before photographing locals; some will want a small payment.
Guides in the medina
The Fez and Marrakech medinas are mazes — beware of people who volunteer to lead the way and then ask for money.
Limited alcohol
Sold only at licensed hotels and shops; don't drink in public.
💸 Daily budget — a rough guide
Budget
🛏️ Riad / hostel $20–40
Eat tagine at local spots, take 2nd-class trains, and haggle in the markets — excellent value.
Comfortable
🛏️ Pretty 3–4★ riad $45–85
Stay in a riad with a rooftop, take a 2-day desert tour, and eat at restaurants with city views.
Premium
🛏️ Luxury riad / desert resort $145+
Sleep at a luxury desert camp, in a private riad, and with a private guide.
🗓️ When to visit Morocco
Spring
Mar – MayLovely weather and flowers in bloom — great for the cities and the desert; the best time of all.
Autumn
Sep – NovComfortable weather and fewer people — good for the desert and kasbahs, on par with spring.
Summer
Jun – AugScorching inland and in the desert — best to escape to the coast (Essaouira or Tangier).
Winter
Dec – FebCities are warm by day and cool at night; the desert turns very cold after dark, so pack warm layers.
Book — hotels our team picked
Hand-picked from the highest guest-rated hotels we've reviewed in Morocco — compare prices across 3 sites.
★ 9.7💑 Great for your trip
★ 9.6💑 Great for your trip★ 9.6👑 Great for your tripWant to see every option in Morocco?
Browse all our ranked stay reviews — every budget and area, with real photos and price comparison.
View the top city guide →FAQ — visiting Morocco
How many days should I spend in Morocco?+
7–10 days — three nights in Marrakech plus a 2–3 day desert tour (Aït Benhaddou–Merzouga) plus Fez and Chefchaouen.
Do Thai passport holders need a visa?+
No — Thai travelers can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days.
Is a desert tour worth it?+
Very much — a 2–3 day tour covers transport, accommodation, meals, a camel ride and a camp under the stars, an experience you shouldn't miss.
How do I bargain in the markets?+
Start at about 50% of the asking price, smile, stay calm, and be ready to walk away if they won't lower it — you'll usually get a good price.
Tips before you go to Morocco
- Always haggle in the souks, starting at about half.
- Book the Merzouga desert tour ahead and pack warm clothes for the cold nights.
- Stay in a riad at least one night for the authentic atmosphere.
- Carry cash in dirhams — markets and small towns don't take cards.
- Women should carry a shawl and dress modestly away from tourist cities.
- Beware of people who volunteer to guide you in the medina and then ask for money.