The Ultimate Morocco Road Trip

So, why choose Morocco for your next road trip? Well, for starters, it's a land of contrasts, where bustling cities collide with serene oases, and ancient fortresses stand against a backdrop of rugged mountains. Every twist and turn of the road reveals something new and unexpected, whether it's a hidden waterfall, a charming Berber village, or a sweeping desert vista. Plus, the warm hospitality of the Moroccan people will make you feel right at home, whether you're sipping mint tea with locals or sharing stories around a campfire under the stars. With its endless opportunities for exploration and discovery, road tripping in Morocco is an adventure you'll never forget.

While Morocco is lovely all year round, the prime time for road tripping is during the spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) months. Why? Because the weather is just right – not too hot, not too cold, with clear skies and pleasant temperatures perfect for exploring. Plus, you'll avoid the scorching heat of summer and the chilly nights of winter. Just remember, everyone else might have the same idea, so be prepared for a bit of company on the road!

If you're heading to Morocco to chase the waves, the best time to visit is the winter season (October to March). It's during this season that you will experience the most consistent swell. We would recommend having a wetsuit as the Atlantic sea can be very cold.

If you're heading to Morocco to chase the waves, the best time to visit is the winter season (October to March). It's during this season that you will experience the most consistent swell. We would recommend having a wetsuit as the Atlantic sea can be very cold.

Before you rev up your engines and hit the Moroccan highways, you'll need to make sure you've got all your travel documents sorted. This includes a valid passport with at least six months validity from your date of entry, and depending on your nationality, you may need to arrange a tourist visa in advance. But don't worry, it's not as daunting as it sounds – just a little paperwork and you'll be on your way to adventure! If you hold a UK passport, you are elligable to 90 days in the country before applying for a visa.

In order to import your vehicle into Morocco you will need your V5c registration document and if you have campervan insurance that covers you in Morocco you will need your green card. Alternatively, you can buy third party insurance at the border (more on that later).

The final thing to consider is travel insurance. We recommend Travel Insurance 4 medical who were able to give us the best price and cover for our annual trip or Safety Wing which provides great cover for digital nomads. Make sure you have a photocopy or digital copy of all essential travle documents. If you live in the UK, you are able to apply for a FREE GHIC card. This allows you necessary state healthcare in EU countries, and some other countries, equal to a local. These last for 5 years, after which you apply for a new one.

While traditional cars are suitable for navigating Morocco's highways and urban streets, campervans offer the ultimate freedom and flexibility for adventurous travelers. Some people, particularly yhose continuing their journey further into Africa, consider a 4x4 overlanding vehicle.

We travelled around Morocco in our self converted 2 wheel drive Citroen Relay. We did get stuck in the sand once and got towed out by a lovely local man! A 4 wheel drive vehicle would certainly allow you to get to more places but it's not essential. We would suggest changing to all terrain tyres before getting there (these are super expensive to buy in Morocco) and having a tow rope handy...just in case!

Planning your budget is essential for a successful road trip in Morocco, ensuring you can make the most of your adventure without breaking the bank. A good place to start is by estimating your total expenses, including fuel costs, accommodation, meals, and any additional activities or excursions.

Fuel prices in Morocco are relatively affordable compared to other countries, but long distances between destinations and varied terrain can impact fuel consumption. Fuel prices vary but as of writing this, diesel is 14.06 MAD per litre (£1.11/€1.30). Campsites were on average 80-120 MAD (£6.80-10.30/€8-10) but this was without electric hook up. Guarded parking was 20-40 MAD/24 hours (£1.70-£3.40/€2-4).

When it comes to meals, sampling Moroccan cuisine from local eateries and street vendors is a must, but budget-conscious travelers can also save by cooking meals in their campervan or opting for budget-friendly restaurants. An average weekly food shop from local souks cost 250 MAD (£21/€25) but we shopped as and when we found the food. This doesn't include alcohol.

As a rough idea, we spent four months in Morocco, cooked all of our own food, wild camped the majority of the time and did every excursion we wanted (hikes in the atlas, water park in Marrakech, 2x cooking classes and weekend in the desert). We spent a total of £2,207.

Along each road trip route in Morocco, travelers will encounter a treasure trove of historic cities, scenic viewpoints, and cultural landmarks waiting to be explored. Along the Atlantic Coast, historic cities like Essaouira and Agadir offer a glimpse into Morocco's maritime history, with bustling medinas, ancient fortresses, and vibrant souks to explore. Scenic viewpoints along the coast provide breathtaking views of the Atlantic Ocean and rugged coastline, while charming beach towns like Taghazout and Mirleft beckon with their laid-back atmosphere and surf-friendly waves. In the Atlas Mountains, travelers can immerse themselves in the rich culture and traditions of the Berber people, visiting historic kasbahs, traditional markets, and picturesque mountain villages. Scenic viewpoints offer panoramic vistas of the mountain landscape, while hiking trails lead to hidden waterfalls, lush valleys, and alpine lakes. And in the Sahara Desert, cultural landmarks like the fortified village of Ait Ben Haddou and the lush oasis of Tinghir provide insights into the desert's rich history and heritage. Scenic viewpoints offer sweeping vistas of the desert landscape, while camel treks and desert camps offer opportunities for immersive cultural experiences under the desert sky.

When planning a road trip in Morocco, flexibility is key to embracing the unexpected and making the most of your journey. While it's essential to have a rough itinerary outlining your route and major destinations, leave room for spontaneity and serendipity along the way. Allow yourself the freedom to veer off the beaten path, follow intriguing signposts, and explore hidden gems that may not be found in guidebooks. Keep your schedule loose and open-ended, allowing for detours, extended stays, and impromptu adventures. Embrace the unexpected discoveries and experiences that arise during your travels, whether it's stumbling upon a lively local market, meeting friendly locals in a roadside cafe, or discovering a hidden waterfall off the beaten track. By remaining flexible and open-minded, you'll create memories that last a lifetime and truly experience the magic of road tripping in Morocco.

When embarking on a campervan road trip in Morocco, packing the right gear and equipment is key to a comfortable and enjoyable journey. The days are warm but the nights can drop very cold - especially in the Atlas mountains. Ensure you have essential camping gear for cozy nights in your campervan. Don't forget cooking supplies like a portable stove, utensils, and cookware for preparing meals on the go. Additionally, stock up on camping essentials like chairs, and a cooler to keep food fresh. As for photography enthusiasts, check out our travel photography kit with our top recommendations for a lightweight and versatile kit to capture Morocco's stunning landscapes and cultural treasures. With the right gear packed, you'll be ready to hit the road and make unforgettable memories in Morocco.

On first glance, driving in Morocco can look chaotic, disorganised and down right scary! But the best advice we got is to 'drive like a Moroccan'. Hesitation can cause accidents and if you're moving slow, cars will move around you. Stay calm and focused, especially in busy urban areas such as Marrakech, and you'll be absolutely fine.

A few key points to remember are:

We bought our tickets at the harbour which was relatively pain free...until we met a fellow traveller in Morocco who said "didn't you book your ferry tickets with Carlos? He can get them for half of that price". Ouch.

No we didn't and we'd never heard of him! So...who is this Carlos chap? He's everyone's favourite ferry ticket agent based in Algeciras; booking your tickets with him often results in an unbeatable price and comes with a bottle of booze and a cake of some description.

Lesson learnt - Go to Carlos! Here's a map to help you find his office or you can follow this google maps link:

Yes, you can but there are a few documents and tests that you will need to have done before you can cross the border with your furry friend. Firstly, you will need to get an EU pet passport to record all vaccinations that your dog recieves. Secondly, you need to get your dog a rabies jab, they are then checked for antibodies with the titre test 30 DAYS afterwards. This titre serology test MUST be done in an EU clinic and sent to an EU laboratory. They will not accept a test completed in the UK. This certificate can take up to 10-14 days to be sent to you via email. Finally, you need to get an animal health check in Spain 24 hours before you travel. There are plenty of vetinary clinics in the area who can do this for you - Vetinary Clinic Europe in Tarifa is a popular choice. They will then book an appointment with the PIF office at the ferry port to ensure you have all of the export documents required for your doggo to leave and re-enter into Spain. After that...you're good to set sail!

You are allowed to stay in Morocco for a maximum of 180 days in a year, however, you can only stay for 90 consecutive days per visit unless you apply for a visa, an extension or reset your days by doing a visa run. You can do this in the following ways:

Most campervans will be allowed to be imported for 6 months but you must check the carte grise (import document) which they issue on arrival. Do not lose this card!!! You will need it to take your vehicle back out of the country.

Campsites are plentiful in Morocco and are a popular option. They offer amenities such as electricity, water hookups, and shower facilities, along with the opportunity to socialize with fellow travelers. Don't arrive here expecting European standards or you will be disappointed. They are often rough and ready but usually have what you need.

The water is safe to drink in Morocco is it's chlorinated, however, when we tried it, it tasted really salty so we stuck to bottled water. Better yet, get a water filtration system to remove any impurities.

Wild camping was one of our favouriate part of travelling around Morocco. There are so many places to pull in with views of the snow capped atlas mountains, on the edge of expansive lakes or silent spots underneath the starry sky. Wild camping is not illegal in Morocco and we were welcomed bythe locals the majority of the time.

There have been increasing reports of police moving you on. We had this happen once in four months but they gave us 2 hours to finish our dinner. They told us that "it's for our safety"but it has since transpired that they receive commission from the campsite owners for bringing them customers.

Guarded parking is when a man in a high vis jacket will request money to help you park and then look after your car whilst it's parked in either a car park or on a stretch of road. This has worked well for us with stops on average costing 20 MAD for 24 hours. You will have to haggle this down and make sure to check if there is a separate day and night guard so they don't charge you twice!

This is a huge area of contention for the locals in Morocco as most of these people are opperating illegally and charging extortionate prices (often for the to park outside of their own homes). Parking on the street should be no more than 2 MAD. You do not have to pay these people if you do not wish, however, there have been reports of damage to vehicles so that's up to you to decide.

We used a mixture of park 4 night and google maps (satelite view) to find our park ups. Parking spots are not hard to come across. One night, we asked some armed policemen if we could sleep for the night in a patch of argan trees near to where they were patrolling. They were super welcoming and said "be our guest".

These can differ across Morocco depending on mow liberal each town/village is. Generally, when visiting someone's home or entering a mosque, it's respectful to remove your shoes and it's polite to accept food and drink offerings/shake hands with your right hand, as the left hand is considered unclean.

It is quite common to see people of the same sex hugging and holding hand but public displays of affection between opposites sexes is not allowed. Homosexuality remains illegal.

It is useful to know that Fridays are the day of prayer (often shops in small villages will close for this) and it is a day that families will share plates of cous cous - the national dish of Morocco. Sunday's are a day to spend with family and you will often see large groups of people in parks or eating together outside their homes.

The country is predominantly Islamic and they follow the five pillars which create the core beliefs of this religion: profession of faith, prayer, alms, fasting and pilgrimage. Fasting takes place during Ramadan (the 9th month of the islamic lunar calendar) whereby Muslims will abstain from food and drink from sunrise to sunset. The end of ramadan is marked by Eid-al-Fitr, a celebration of food and officially breaking fast.

There is also Eid-al-Adha, which is their feast of sacrifice. Animals are offered in sacrifice to commemorate the Prophet Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in the name of God. The meat from the animal is then portioned between 3 distinct groups; the faimly, friends/relatives and those in need.

When we first got to Morocco, I (Sarah) was very conscious about what to wear to ensure I was being respectful of local customs. I asked multiple Moroccans about what is appropriate dress and all of them said to wear what I liked. They weren't bothered about how the tourists dressed.

That being said, I always tried to cover my shoulder and wear a long skirt/trousers when walking around the towns/souks. Demin shorts and bikinis were perfectly acceptable at the beach.

In Morocco, the most widely used languages are Arabic, French and English. One important part we quickly picked up on is greetings – it's customary to greet others with a handshake and a friendly "Salam alaikum" (peace be upon you) in Arabic to which you reply "Alaikum Salam".

Other helpful phrases are (in Arabic and French):

1. Hello - Marhaba / Bonjour

2. Goodbye - Ma’a as-salamah / Au revoir

3. Good morning - Sabah al-khair / Bonne matin

4. Good evening - Masa’ al-khair - / Bon soir

5. Please - Min Fadlak / S'il vous plait

6. Thank you - Shukran / Merci

7. Yes - Na’am / Non

8. No - La / Oui

9. Excuse me - Afwan / Excusez-moi

10. Sorry - Asif / Desole or Perdon

11. Do you speak English? - Hal tatakallam al-ingliziya? / Est-ce que vous parlez Anglais?

12. How much does it cost? - Bikam yakuluf? / C'est combien?

As you're walking around, there will be lots of people begging and it's an encounter that will definitely raise an internal moral dilema. We had so many conflicting thoughts such as "These people clearly don't have as money as we do, however we were on a strict budget to be able to travel for a year". Everyone we spoke to dealt with this very differently and here are our reasons for not giving money out on the streets:

I have no problem with donating money. I do have a problem with agressive behaviour towards us as tourists and children missing out on their education. Therefore, unless the person is obviously emmaciated and in need of help/food/water, we prefer to donate our money through official channels so as not to reinforce this behaviour.

Haggling is a way of life in Morocco and shopkeepers will expect you to barter for your souvenirs. We found that food was fairly priced with very little difference between the locals and the tourists. When buying gifts however, it's game on!

We were advised that whatever price is initially given, you should try to haggle down to pay one third of that. Sometimes the shopkeepers will offer you green tea and let you sample the products before you buy them and if you go on a tour, expect to be dropped off at a friends' shop somewhere along the route.

The travel health pro website states that most people need hepatitis A, tetanus and typhoid. Whilst some people will also need hepatitis B, rabies and tuberculosis (check on the website to see if you'd fall into this group). You can also check the UK government website for further travel advice.

Ensuring you have adequate travel insurance is essential, providing peace of mind and financial protection in case of unexpected emergencies or mishaps. While travel insurance is not a legal requirement for entering Morocco, it's highly recommended to have coverage for medical expenses, trip cancellations or interruptions, and emergency evacuation. We used Travel insurance 4 medical which provided adequate cover for us or another good alternative is Safety Wing. Remember to carry your travel insurance policy details and emergency contact information with you at all times during your road trip so it's easil accessible.

I had the unpleasant experience of getting a dog bite whilst in Morocco. Well, it was just a tiny scratch but I was taking no risks! It's important to clean the bite under running water and get yourself a rabies jab within 72 hours at the latest. You have to have a course of 3 injections and these are free in Morocco. They often do not stock these in the hospitals, you have to find a Centre de Santé Communal.

Moroccan food is typically very sweet and they use a lot of fruit in their dishes. A trip to morocco wouldn't be complete without trying a tagine (our favourite was chicken and prune) or a plate of cous cous. Their signature dessert is the msemen, a square pancake, delicious when served with honey or amlou (Moroccan almond nut butter). This will all be sevred with a delicious mint tea which is a mix of green tea, mint leaves and LOTS of sugar!

The easiest and cheapest way to stay connected whilst in Morocco is to buy a local SIM card. We decided to get 2 different SIM cards to ensure that we had good signal throughout the country. Our Maroc Telecom SIM cost €25 for 20 GB per month for 2 months (bought at the van insurance kiosk at Tangier Med ferry port) and we found an INWI deal for unlimmited data and local calls/texts for €20 per month for 3 months (bought in Tangier town from an official INWI shop).

You could also consider an eSIM or universal SIM with Drim SIM. So what's the difference between an eSIM and a universal SIM? An eSIM is a digital SIM that allows you to activate a phone plan from your own carrier without having to use a physical SIM card whereas, a universal SIM is a physical SIM card which connects to local carriers. These are great if you don't require lots of data.