Lonely Planet Morocco: Perfect for exploring top sights and taking roads less travelled (Travel Guide)

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Detour: From Ouarzazate, follow the N9 southeast through the remote oasis outposts of the Draa Valley to M’Hamid on the fringes of the Sahara, where you can climb aboard a camel – or drive – to a desert camp among the dunes of Erg Chigaga. Tips for driving in Morocco If you have more time, the week-long Toubkal circuit follows centuries-old trails between remote Amazigh villages, crossing fertile valleys, rugged massifs and panoramic passes. Closed for renovations now is the Batha Museum in Fez but a sparkly new version is due to open its doors again in January 2023, located as before in the old summer palace of the sultan with its lovely garden. The Heri Es-Souani granaries in Meknes are also being restored and are scheduled to reopen sometime in 2023 (insha'Allah). And slated to open in September this year is the spectacular, Zaha Hadid-designed Grand Theatre in Rabat.

Morocco has declared an end to the latest wave of the Omicron variant and cases of COVID have dropped substantially to single-digit figures of positive cases. That's not to say it's over, though, and there are still requirements, such as wearing a mask on public transport and when you enter a hotel or restaurant.Morocco is a fantastic year-round vacation destination, but choosing the best time of year to travel will depend on your interests and holiday needs. Marrakesh to Taroudant; 230km (143 miles), around 5 hours with no stops (the pass itself is 49km/30 miles long and takes around 75–90 minutes) Buses are a wallet-friendly way to crisscross the country. The two major national bus companies offer a reliable, comfortable service – you’ll even get wi-fi and extra leg room if you go for the “luxe” option.

You can find these authors and more in the historic bookstore Librarie des Colonnes, which opened its doors in 1949 and was frequented by the likes of Tennessee Williams and Truman Capote. 12. Ride the rails on Africa’s first high-speed trainI am originally from the UK and have been living in Morocco since 2018. There are things I wish I'd known before jumping headfirst into the seemingly lawless world of Moroccan taxis and bargaining in the souqs.

Keep your papers to hand for any dealings with the police. There’s no legal drunk-driving limit, so drivers should strictly abstain. Research the places in Morocco you’d like to visit but leave wiggle room for changes along the way and enjoy the spontaneity that Morocco allows. While it’s possible to pre-book tours and activities, it’s usually just as easy to reserve them when you arrive in the country. 2. Take public transport, especially in cities The holy month of Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid offer a different cultural experience, and during these times many places will be closed. 9. Things to know before going to Marrakesh A mixture of French, Arabic, Amazigh and English is spoken in Morocco, depending on where you are in the country. Don't expect everyone to speak English. Apps like Google Translate can be useful, but learning some basic Arabic phrases will reward you with feeling more connected and engaged with people you meet. 8. Respect the motto of ‘God, king and country’

During May and October, you can travel comfortably to Morocco’s portion of the Sahara Desert, avoiding the intense heat of summer and the cold nights of winter. If you come in summer, expect to find most desert camps closed from June to August due to the excessive heat, which soars over 100°F . Conversely, days are shorter during the winter months from December to February and the nights and early mornings can be freezing, particularly when sleeping under canvas. Make the most out of every adventure with help from our weekly newsletter delivered to your inbox. 1. The Dadès Gorge Along the beach you'll find restaurants serving fish, some with playgrounds for kids. Take a dip to cool off, or rent a jet ski or paddleboat from the marina to mix things up. At night, beach clubs bump and shimmer for the party crowd. 5. Sfiha The award-winning Yves Saint Laurent Museum Marrakech reopens on September 17 after the summer break with a new temporary exhibition that will feature paintings of Morocco by French artist Théophile-Jean Delaye. Local insights give you a richer, more rewarding travel experience - whether it's history, people, music, landscapes, wildlife, politics

Within easy reach of Europe, many come to Morocco for the year-round sunshine, all-inclusive beach vacations and a rich cultural heritage with historic cities so well preserved that it seems time travel is possible. Travel a little deeper to discover wilderness areas and a sense of remoteness. To avoid a squeeze or unpredictable delay, offer to pay for more than one place or even take the whole vehicle – an inter-city trip is around Dh50. You can also negotiate to rent out a grand taxi and driver for a country-wide itinerary.So if you're one of the tourists planning to visit Morocco soon, what do you need to know before you go? A 10-minute drive south of the Riffian city Al Hoceima, Plage Sfiha curves along the shore. It's a popular beach, with families lounging under umbrella seating and eating at restaurants during the summer, but its most remarkable aspect is the white-washed island just off the coast: El Peñón de Alhucemas, a Spanish-controlled post-colonial relic. From golden sand dunes to the lofty peaks of the High Atlas mountains, Morocco is an adventurer's dream. Epic landscapes carpet this slice of North Africa like the richly patterned rugs you’ll lust after in the souqs.