🧳 Your Ultimate Guide to Exploring Morocco: A Backpacker's Dream
- Mark Phipps
- Sep 25
- 5 min read
Updated: Oct 12
🕌 Introduction: Why Morocco?
Morocco is one of those rare destinations that feels like stepping through a portal. It’s part North Africa, part Middle East, part Mediterranean, and yet entirely its own. One day you’re wandering through Marrakech’s chaotic souks, straight out of Indiana Jones. The next, you’re hiking snowy Atlas peaks, then surfing Atlantic waves in Essaouira, and finally stargazing in the Sahara desert.
For backpackers and adventurers, Morocco is a feast for the senses. You’ll find color, flavor, and raw energy at every turn. This guide gives you everything you need to explore Morocco with confidence: top destinations, when to go, packing tips, food to try, safety essentials, culture hacks, itineraries, FAQs, and more.
📖 Quick Morocco Basics
Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD). £1 ≈ 12–13 MAD (cash is king).
Language: Arabic and Amazigh (Berber) are official. French is widely spoken, and English is common in tourist spots.
Religion: Islam (expect mosques, calls to prayer, and modest dress in rural areas).
Time Zone: GMT+1 (same as Spain most of the year).
Visa: British travelers get 90 days visa-free.
Fun Fact #1: Morocco has been a backdrop for Game of Thrones (Essaouira = Astapor, Ouarzazate = Yunkai).
Fun Fact #2: Morocco has both desert sand dunes and ski slopes in the Atlas Mountains.
Fun Fact #3: The official drink is mint tea — nicknamed “Moroccan whisky.”
🏙️ Top 5 Destinations in Morocco
1. Marrakech: The Red City
The chaotic heart of Morocco — noisy, colorful, overwhelming, and utterly unforgettable.
Don’t Miss: Djemaa el-Fna square at sunset (snake charmers, street food, chaos, and charm rolled into one).
Culture Hit: Jardin Majorelle (Yves Saint Laurent’s garden escape).
Pro Tip: Stay in a riad (traditional guesthouse with courtyard). It’s an experience, not just a bed.
2. Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl
Instagram heaven — the entire town is painted in 50 shades of blue.
Vibe: Laid-back, artsy, backpacker-friendly.
Hike: The Rif Mountains nearby are perfect for day treks.
Pro Tip: Stay at least 2 nights — one to wander the alleys, one for the mountains.
3. Sahara Desert: Merzouga & Zagora
Sleeping under Saharan stars is a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Do: Camel trek or 4x4 ride across the dunes.
Stay: Berber-style desert camp (budget to luxury options).
Pro Tip: Merzouga has higher dunes (Erg Chebbi); Zagora is closer to Marrakech if you’re short on time.
4. Essaouira: The Hippie Seaside Escape
Bob Marley, Jimi Hendrix, and Cat Stevens all chilled here. Now it’s surfers, yoga travelers, and seafood lovers.
Surf: Great for beginners.
Eat: Fresh grilled sardines at the port.
Pro Tip: It’s windy — bring a hoodie, even in summer.
5. Fes: The Cultural Time Capsule
Older and less commercial than Marrakech, Fes is Morocco’s cultural soul.
Highlight: Fes el-Bali medina — a maze of 9,000+ alleys.
Spot: The University of Al Quaraouiyine (oldest in the world, founded in 859).
Pro Tip: Maps don’t work in the medina. Accept getting lost — it’s part of the fun.
Lost In Paradise secret location: Ben Haddou
Aït Benhaddou is a historic, fortified village (ksar) in Morocco, located along the former caravan route between the Sahara and Marrakech. Known for its earthen clay architecture, it has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1987. The village is a stunning example of pre-Saharan construction and has served as a filming location for numerous movies and TV shows.
This place is pretty far from the usual tourist trail and easily missable when road tripping. The town surrounding it is pretty quiet, and we managed to secure a really cool, family-run hotel at a very fair price for us and them. They were so happy to have the custom, and we hung out drinking tea while watching the sunset over the ksar. It's an amazing place to visit and super special. Just come, you'll feel it.
🗓️ When to Visit Morocco
Spring (Mar–May): Perfect for hiking and sightseeing. Flowers blooming, weather mild.
Autumn (Sept–Nov): Golden season — not too hot, not too cold. Ideal for Sahara trips.
Summer (Jun–Aug): Hot in cities/desert (40°C+), but coast & mountains are great.
Winter (Dec–Feb): Cool, even snow in Atlas; Sahara nights can be freezing.
🎒 What to Pack
Year-Round Must-Haves:
Trackable passport cover (your lifeline if your passport wanders off).
Light scarf/shawl (sun, dust, modesty).
Power bank.
Good walking shoes.
Spring/Autumn:
Layers.
Rain jacket for mountain treks.
Summer:
Loose cotton/linen clothing.
Wide-brim hat + sunscreen.
Refillable water bottle.
Winter:
Warm jacket, hat, gloves.
Sleeping bag liner if desert camping.
🍲 Top 5 Foods You Can’t Leave Without Trying
Tagine – clay pot stew (chicken & lemon, lamb & prunes).
Couscous – Friday family tradition.
Pastilla – sweet-savory pie with chicken, almonds, cinnamon.
Harira – hearty soup (especially during Ramadan).
Mint Tea – poured high, sweet enough to knock your socks off.
🚐 5 Tips for Getting Around
Trains – ONCF trains are comfy & cheap (great between Casablanca–Rabat–Fes–Marrakech).
Buses – CTM & Supratours are reliable for cross-country trips.
Grand taxis – shared long-distance taxis (an experience).
Haggling – start low, end in the middle, always with a smile.
Offline maps – Medina alleys will chew up your sense of direction.
🌍 Cultural Differences to Note
Dress modestly: Shoulders/knees covered in rural areas.
Greetings matter: “Salaam Alaikum” with a smile goes far.
Time is fluid: Inshallah = maybe today, maybe tomorrow.
Photos: Always ask before snapping locals.
Friday: Holy day, expect a slower pace.
Pop Culture: Essaouira = Game of Thrones vibes, Marrakech = Aladdin marketplace.
🔒 Safety in Morocco
Morocco is generally safe, but use common sense:
Watch valuables in souks.
Stick to lit streets at night.
Be polite but firm with over-eager “guides.”
Carry your passport in a trackable passport cover [insert product link here].
Female travelers: expect stares and comments, but they’re mostly harmless. Dressing modestly helps.
📅 Suggested Backpacker Itineraries
One Week: Highlights
Day 1–3: Marrakech
Day 4–5: Sahara Desert trip
Day 6–7: Essaouira
Two Weeks: Culture + Adventure
Marrakech → Atlas Mountains trek → Sahara → Fes → Chefchaouen → Casablanca → Essaouira
One Month: The Full Journey
Add Rif Mountains hikes, coastal chill in Taghazout, Ouarzazate (Hollywood of Morocco).
❓ FAQ: Morocco Travel Questions
1. Is Morocco safe for solo travelers? Yes, but stay street-smart, especially in medinas. Solo female travelers get more attention but rarely face unsafe situations.
2. Do I need a visa for Morocco? UK citizens get 90 days visa-free.
3. Is Morocco expensive? Budget-friendly!
Hostels: £6–10/night.
Meals: £2–5.
Splurge if you want, but backpacking is cheap.
4. What’s the WiFi like? Decent in cities, patchy in rural areas. Buy a SIM card (Maroc Telecom, Orange).
5. Do I need to cover my head as a woman? Not required, but modest clothing is respectful. A scarf comes in handy for mosques.
6. Can I drink alcohol? Yes, but not everywhere. Found in licensed restaurants/bars, not in street cafés. It can also be pretty expensive in bars and restaurants but affordable in supermarkets. Just be mindful and respectful.
7. What’s the best SIM card in Morocco? Maroc Telecom has the widest coverage, Orange is reliable.
8. What’s the best month to visit Morocco? April–May or September–October for a balance of weather and crowds.
🎉 Final Thoughts
Morocco is a country of contrasts: chaos and calm, mountains and desert, old traditions and modern life. It’s not a place you just see — it’s a place you feel.
Backpackers and adventurers will find Morocco endlessly rewarding. Whether you’re bartering for lanterns in Marrakech, sipping tea on a blue rooftop in Chefchaouen, or lying under the Sahara stars, you’re in for a treat.
So grab your bag, keep your essentials safe in a trackable passport cover, and get ready for a journey that’s part storybook, part adventure film, and all unforgettable.
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