Traveling Morocco

Morocco snuck up on me. I only had about 48 hours there squeezed between matches on a Team USA handball trip, and it was enough to fall for the place — the maze of alleys in the medina, mint tea poured from impossibly high above the glass, and market stalls selling everything from leather goods to spices in colors I didn’t have names for. It’s the kind of destination that rewards getting a little lost on purpose.

A few practical things I wish I’d known before landing in Morocco: the currency is the Moroccan dirham, and it’s technically a closed currency, so you’ll want to exchange money after you arrive rather than before. Bargaining is expected in the souks — starting around half the asking price is normal — but fixed-price shops and restaurants won’t expect it. Dress modestly, especially outside beach resorts and away from the main tourist areas, and Friday afternoons can mean shorter hours for shops and offices around prayer time.

Morocco is bigger and more climate-varied than it looks on a map — coastal cities like Casablanca and Essaouira stay mild, Marrakech gets properly hot in summer, and the Atlas Mountains can see snow in winter. Stick to bottled or filtered water, and check the U.S. State Department’s Morocco travel page for current entry requirements and any regional advisories before you go.

Food is one of the best reasons to visit Morocco on its own. Tagines slow-cooked with preserved lemon and olives, fresh-baked khobz bread, and mint tea poured as a ritual rather than just a drink — meals there tend to be unhurried, and it’s worth building extra time into any Morocco itinerary just for sitting down properly rather than eating on the move. Street food in the medinas is generally safe and some of the best value you’ll find.

Getting around Morocco is easier than I expected. Trains connect the major cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Fez, and Marrakech comfortably, while grand taxis and buses fill in the gaps to smaller towns. If you’re heading into the Sahara or the Atlas Mountains, it’s worth booking a guide rather than driving yourself, both for the roads and for the local knowledge of routes and weather.

One more Morocco tip: riads (traditional courtyard guesthouses) tend to be a far better base than standard hotels if you want a genuine sense of place, and many host families can point you toward local spots that never show up in guidebooks. Wifi and cell coverage are solid in cities but patchier in the desert and mountains, so it’s worth downloading offline maps before you head out of town. It’s a small habit that pays off the moment you lose signal somewhere scenic.

Below you’ll find what we’ve written about Morocco so far, including a closer look at that whirlwind 48 hours. If you’ve been and have tips of your own — favorite riads, food you can’t miss — I’d love to hear about it in the comments.