Places to Visit in Morocco

Morocco has a climate that changes sharply by region: the Atlantic coast (Casablanca, Essaouira, Rabat) stays mild, the interior cities of Marrakech and Fez reach 38 degrees Celsius or more in July and August, and the High Atlas above 3,000 metres holds snow from roughly December to April. Spring (March-May) and autumn (September-November) are the most comfortable seasons for city and desert travel, and mid-winter suits the south and the coast. The country's main sights are its imperial cities (Marrakech, Fez, Meknes, Rabat), the Atlantic ports, and the Atlas and Sahara routes, linked by the ONCF rail network, including the Al Boraq high-speed line between Casablanca and Tangier, and by long-distance buses and shared taxis. The currency is the Moroccan dirham (MAD), a restricted currency: tourists may bring in or take out only limited amounts (about MAD 2,000 is tolerated) and cannot easily buy it abroad, so withdraw from ATMs on arrival (limits are often around MAD 2,000 per transaction) or exchange at banks and official bureaux. Cards work in hotels and larger restaurants, but small shops, taxis, souks and most monument ticket offices take only cash, and about EUR 1 is roughly MAD 10.7 in 2026. Tipping about 10 percent in restaurants and MAD 5-20 for small services is normal. Islam is the state religion, and the daily call to prayer, Friday prayers and Ramadan shape opening hours: during Ramadan many restaurants close by day, monuments cut their hours, and cities come alive after sunset. Non-Muslims cannot enter most active mosques (the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca is a notable exception with guided visits). Dress modestly (covered shoulders and knees are a sensible default), ask before photographing people, and be aware that same-sex relations are criminalised. Bargaining is expected in souks, official guides carry a Ministry of Tourism badge, and a September 2023 earthquake in Al Haouz province, near Marrakech, damaged parts of the medina and the High Atlas villages; most major visitor sites have reopened, though restoration work continues and some monuments may have fenced areas.