Tailor-made Morocco vacations shaped around your passions

Morocco is best known for its centuries-old cities and desert stays, but you can also hike among mud-brick ruins in the High Atlas Mountains, spend the day learning traditional crafting techniques in an Amazigh village, taste your way through city street food markets with a local, and so much more.

Our specialists can help craft a trip based around your passions, whether you want to whizz through the narrow streets of Marrakesh on a motorcycle sidecar, take a cookery class with a local family in the old city of Fez, or something else entirely.

Morocco lends itself to characterful stays both in and out of built-up areas, from traditional Moroccan riads in the heart of the city to mud-brick kasbahs nestled in the mountains, as well as luxury tents in the middle of the desert.

You’ll find both simple stays in Morocco and more lavish hotels complete with hammams and private terraces. Our specialists can help you find something to suit your tastes, but in the meantime, take a look at a selection of the hotels we offer in Morocco.

Go to Marrakesh and Fez for intricately adorned souqs tucked down narrow side streets, the Atlas Mountains for rural village culture and hiking trails, Erg Chebbi for a desert retreat, and Essaouira for a fortified coastal town with pre-Roman history.

There are, of course, many other places you can visit in Morocco, and our specialists will help you narrow down destinations so you can explore the country your way.

It takes around 20 hours to fly from either Toronto or Vancouver to Marrakesh, Morocco. We recommend flying with Delta, Air France, KLM, British Airways, American Airlines, and a few other airlines, which we can advise on.

The time zone in Morocco is UTC+1 most of the year, except for during Ramadan when the clocks go back one hour to UTC+0.

The best way to get around Morocco is by private car, or you can travel between some cities by train, such as Fez to Marrakesh, which will be less costly. Domestic flights can be unreliable, so having a private driver is preferable. That said, some of the driving routes can be quite long and bumpy, so we recommend taking anti-sickness tablets with you just in case.

Use our travel tool to find up-to-date visa and passport requirements for Morocco. Enter where you’re traveling to and from (including any stopover destinations en route or flight layovers), along with your intended travel dates and passport details, for a full list of requirements.

• Entry requirements travel tool

You should speak to your doctor about which vaccinations you need for Morocco. You can also take a look at suggested vaccinations for Morocco on the Government of Canada — travel vaccinations website.

Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country, so it’s important to dress fairly modestly to respect local customs. Loose clothing that covers the shoulders and knees is best, and will also help you keep cool in the hot weather. If visiting a mosque or religious site, you should remove your shoes and women may be asked to cover their hair.

You should also bring comfortable shoes and layers, especially if you’re visiting the Atlas Mountains where the trails can be uneven and the weather can reach freezing temperatures.

During the holy month of Ramadan, local Muslims will likely be fasting during daylight hours, and while you don’t need to participate, you should avoid eating, drinking, and smoking in public while others are fasting. Some restaurants and shops may alter their opening hours to help staff members who are fasting and going to the mosque, but you’ll be able to get food at your hotel as normal.

After sunset, the fast is broken with an iftar meal, and celebrations begin. It’s not uncommon to receive an invite to join in, which can make for a special evening immersed in the local culture and festivities.

Never pay the first price that’s given to you at a souq in Morocco because bartering is widespread and encouraged. You should always have a maximum price you’re prepared to pay — we can let you know what’s reasonable for common items before you travel — walk away if it isn’t right. This often leads to significant price reductions, but you’ll likely always pay more for goods than a local person will. Finally, keep negotiations light-hearted and jovial for the best results.