A road trip is the best way to explore Morocco. It lets you cover many attractions. Let’s discuss about our Morocco itinerary, where to find exciting experiences, selecting the best route, and the overall cost.
In just ten days, we journeyed from the south to the north of Morocco. We explored the High and Middle Atlas mountains, walked along the ocean, shook off Sahara’s pink sand from our backpacks, and marveled at the vibrant colors, feeling like we descended from a rainbow.
How to choose a route
As we planned our trip, our goal was to explore the best of Morocco’s cities and landscapes. I had my heart set on visiting the Sahara Desert, the stunning arches of Legzira Beach, the High Atlas Mountains, the vibrant city of Fes, and the charming blue town of Chefchaouen.
Recommend to read: Where to live and what to see in Morocco
After researching other travelers’ experiences, it became clear that the ideal route is to travel from the north to the south of Morocco. Or vice versa, to make the most of our journey.
Many travelers follow a circular route, starting in Marrakech, crossing the High Atlas, visiting Aït Benhaddou, exploring the desert, experiencing Chefchaouen, and finally returning to Marrakech via Rabat, Casablanca, and Essaouira.
While this route is popular, it misses out on the beautiful Legzira, located 350 kilometers from Essaouira. Personally, I didn’t find Rabat and Casablanca very appealing. Rabat, as the capital, lacked standout attractions, and Casablanca didn’t offer much beyond its famous mosque and the ocean, which we had already enjoyed in the cozy atmosphere of Essaouira.
I checked out airline options from Europe to Morocco and made my choice. I booked a direct flight with Wizz Air, going from Warsaw to Agadir. For the return trip, I went with Ryanair, flying from Tangier to Krakow with a layover in Bergamo. The cost for round-trip tickets, which included small hand luggage, was 85 euros per person.
We had this route from the south to the north of Morocco:
Agadir (arrival airport, car rental) – Sidi Ifni(Legzira Beach) Essaouira – Marrakech – Ouarzazzate (Aït Benhaddou) – Merzouga (desert) – Fes (leather dyeing workshops) – Chefchaouen (blue city) – Tangier (departure airport).
We journeyed across Morocco in ten days:
- We visited Sidi Ifni, just 10 km from Legzira Beach with its huge natural arch.
- Savored seafood in Essaouira and explored its charming streets.
- Had a day in Marrakech.
- Traversed the High Atlas with thrilling serpentines and panoramic views.
- Explored the Aït Benhaddou fortress and slept in a palm oasis near Ouarzazzate.
- Visited the Gorges du Dades canyon and admired ancient clay fortresses and villages.
- Witnessed sunrise in Merzouga’s Sahara Desert.
- Wove through oases and Middle Atlas mountains, enjoying two nights in Fes. We explored leather-dyeing workshops, meandered the streets, and relished local cuisine.
- Stopped at the ancient Roman city of Volubilis on route.
- Relaxed for two days in Chefchaouen, the blue town.
- Hiked in Akchor Nature Park to view the canyon and God’s Bridge.
- Stayed near Tangier airport for an overnight rest before our return flight.
I advise you to read: The 5 most beautiful routes in Morocco
Features of a car trip in Morocco
An ideal way to explore Morocco is by car.
However, traveling by bus is also an option, especially for solo travelers. Companies like CTM, STCR, and SupraTours offer different routes with affordable tickets.
But it’s worth noting that bus travel may not offer the same level of comfort and flexibility. After considering both choices, I opted for a rental car. This decision allowed us to cover approximately 2300 kilometers and see more than those who chose the bus.
Rent a car in Morocco
We arranged our car rental through Rentalcars.com, specifically seeking a pick-up at Agadir Airport with a return at Tangier Airport. At the time, Hertz provided the most cost-effective international option, but I recommend setting your own criteria during your search to find the best fit for your needs.
We were handed a brand-new Fiat Panda that still had that fresh plastic scent. The rental process at the airport was relatively quick, and the car was ready for our use.
Renting a car with a return at a different airport incurred a daily charge of 20 euros, making the total rental cost 340 euros for the ten days. Additionally, we paid 50 dirhams (equivalent to 5 euros) for a car wash, as was specified in the rental voucher.
We also opted for full insurance at 150 euros for the entire ten-day rental, though, in reality, it wasn’t necessary. Moroccan roads are generally in good condition, and the risk of accidents is mainly in the bustling center of Marrakech, where traffic can be exceptionally fast and chaotic.
Gasoline
Morocco offers two types of fuel: gasoline and diesel. Gasoline prices are not very expensive, at around 1 euro per liter. To cover the 2300-kilometer journey, we spent approximately 200 euros on gasoline. The Fiat Panda, despite not being a high-powered vehicle, proved to be fuel-efficient, providing us with ample fuel for the two of us.
How to pay for fuel
The majority of gas stations in Morocco primarily operate on a cash basis. Even those that do accept credit cards often don’t prominently advertise this option. Consequently, many online reviews mention that credit cards aren’t accepted, and that payment must be made in dirhams. However, as a matter of principle and due to a limited cash supply, we fueled our car exclusively with a credit card over our ten-day journey.
This entailed stopping at various gas stations and inquiring about credit card payment options. If one station didn’t accept one card, we had another card with a compatible terminal. We also made sure to keep an eye on our fuel gauge and avoided running it down to empty, aiming to refuel when there was still about half a tank left.
A piece of advice for traveling through mountainous regions: fill your tank to the brim before entering such areas, as gas stations can be scarce there.
Police and fines
Another crucial aspect of traveling in Morocco is the omnipresence of the police, who may pull you over without apparent reason.
Police officers often position themselves strategically, lurking in ambush, stationed at city entrances or exits, employing radar devices, and monitoring from elevated mountain points to spot potential locations for overtaking. These situations are quite common.
However, the most significant rule to remember in Morocco is to strictly adhere to speed limits, as speeding violations are taken very seriously and can result in severe penalties.
Signs and highways
Throughout our journey, speed limit signs were virtually omnipresent. They served as constant reminders to adhere to the rules, with speed limits set at a maximum of 60 km/h in towns and villages, and 90 km/h in rural areas.
We encountered a highway only once, and the toll was relatively affordable, costing around 1 euro for every 10 kilometers. The toll system was straightforward, with a barrier, similar to those found in Italy. It’s important to note that cash is required for payment at these tolls.
Quality of roads in Morocco
Moroccan roads, for the most part, are in good condition, with the exception of some repair sections, particularly in the High Atlas Mountains during our journey. These areas often required maneuvering and sometimes even waiting for traffic controllers to allow oncoming traffic to pass.
Consequently, when planning a trip between Marrakech and Ouarzazate (or vice versa), it’s advisable to allocate an extra 2-3 hours compared to what guidebooks suggest. Moreover, during the winter, it’s important to consider the possibility of snow and ice on the mountain passes.
Having a contingency plan in case the High Atlas is impassable is a wise precaution.
Local Driving Habits:
Between cities, the roads are relatively peaceful, and drivers generally adhere to speed limits. They are courteous, allowing you to overtake, and often flash their high beams to warn you about police checkpoints. This practice is quite similar to what you’d find in Ukraine or Romania.
It’s worth noting that these warnings are provided well in advance. Remember it and don’t forget to strictly adhere to speed limits. Because the police catch you by surprise only if you’ve let your guard down.
In contrast, city driving can be chaotic, perhaps familiar and understandable to the locals, but a bewildering experience for Europeans. The narrow streets can disrupt GPS signals, and the presence of numerous motorcycles and mopeds, each with its unique driving style, can be quite overwhelming.
To avoid the mayhem, it’s advisable to plan and find parking in a paid lot near your hotel in advance. The cost typically ranges from 20 to 40 dirhams per day (2-4 euros).
When navigating through the old cities, it’s often better to leave the car behind and explore on foot. Each evening, we planned our parking for the next city, marked it on our navigators, and attempted to steer clear of the narrow streets as much as possible, keeping our vehicle unscathed.
Visa to Morocco
Visa regulations for Morocco allow tourists from approximately 70 countries, including the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, the European Union, and the United Kingdom, to enter the country without a visa. Tourists from these countries can stay for a maximum of 90 days, starting from the date of entry stamp and not three calendar months.
For a comprehensive list of visa-exempt countries and their respective durations, it is advisable to check the official website of the Moroccan Ministry of Foreign Affairs or contact the Moroccan embassy or consulate in your country. Some countries, such as Hong Kong and the Maldives, have a limit of 30 days for visa-free travel, so it’s important to review your passport for any specific travel conditions.
Regardless of the point of entry into Morocco, it is crucial to ensure that your passport has an additional page for immigration entry stamps and remains valid for at least six months after your entry. Upon arrival, make sure your passport is stamped, as the entry date and unique number will be used by accommodation and immigration authorities during your stay.
Who needs a visa to visit Morocco?
For travelers requiring a tourist visa to Morocco, the option is to apply for an eVisa, also known as Autorisation Électronique de Voyage au Maroc (AEVM). The process involves checking eligibility and document requirements, submitting the application, making the payment online, and tracking the visa status through the Access Maroc website.
There are two eVisa options available for Morocco:
- Standard e-Visa: Priced at 770 dirhams, this option takes three working days to process.
- Express e-Visa: Priced at 1,100 dirhams, this option ensures processing within one working day.
Both e-visas have a validity period of 180 days from the date of issue, allowing visitors to stay in Morocco for up to 30 days.
In the case of visa extensions, requests can be made at Morocco’s central police stations, although approval is not guaranteed. Alternatively, travelers can leave the country and return for the next 90 days within the same year.
It’s important to note that if you plan to bring a non-Moroccan vehicle into the country via ferry from Spain, vehicles are allowed in Morocco for a maximum of six months in a calendar year. The driver’s tourist visa aligns with passport rules, so if eligible for a 90-day visa-free stay, you’ll need to either extend your visa or exit and re-enter the country. The vehicle can stay for six months, but the individual’s stay is subject to visa regulations.
How much does a trip to Morocco cost?
When it comes to traveling expenses in Morocco, it’s advisable to journey with at least one companion. If you have reliable travel partners who are comfortable with covering 300-400 kilometers a day, relish adventure, and enjoy a constant stream of new landscapes and experiences, a group of four is ideal for cost reduction. If it’s just a pair of you, expect to spend around 1400-1500 euros for both individuals, including the cost of flights.
Our 10-day trip to Morocco involved the following expenses:
- Flights from Warsaw to Agadir and back from Tangier to Krakow: 85 euros per person (with hand luggage only).
- Transportation from Ukraine, including travel to Warsaw and from Krakow, along with a hostel stay in Warsaw: approximately 75 euros per person (note that prices may vary depending on your departure location; Odesa was our starting point).
- Rental of a small Fiat Panda, including insurance: 350 euros.
- Accommodation in charming riads, with private rooms and private bathrooms, at an average cost of 25 euros per night. Total: 250 euros (all booked on Booking.com).
- Fuel expenses for covering 2300 kilometers: around 200 euros.
- Food and entertainment: 200-250 euros. During our visit, it was Ramadan, so many places were closed during the day. We purchased road trip food from supermarkets and dined at cafes and restaurants in the evenings, while breakfast was provided at our accommodations.
- Visa fees: 20 euros per person, plus transportation costs from Odesa to Kyiv, approximately 30 euros per person (please note that the visa process may have changed since the full-scale invasion, with online options now being available at different costs).
- Insurance: 15 euros per person.
In summary, our 10-day trip to Morocco amounted to approximately 700-750 euros per person, which translates to around 1500 euros for two people. These costs encompassed flights, transportation, accommodation, car rental, fuel, food, entertainment, visas, and insurance.
Instead of conclusions
In lieu of concluding remarks, I would like to emphasize the importance of seeking like-minded fellow travelers and embarking on a journey to Morocco independently. It’s an incredibly cool, fascinating, and unforgettable experience. The vibrancy and richness of every aspect of this trip make it truly worth the investment.
Happy travels!
Useful articles and links:
- Traveling alone to Jordan – visas and rules
- Where to live and what to see in Morocco
- Car trip in Jordan
Car rental – cheap car rental options in Ukraine Rentalcars.com
Green Card and Travel Medical Insurance for traveling abroad – online on the portal HotlineFinance
Booking of hotels and apartments – Booking.com
