Good to know
Morocco is a destination full of contrasts, traditions and unique cultural nuances. Knowing a few key things in advance can make your journey smoother, more enjoyable and even more enriching. From local customs and practical tips to small details that make a big difference – here you’ll find everything worth knowing before and during your stay.
Practical travel information
From travelling to Morocco to returning home
- Visa requirement: No visa needed for European countries. All others should check with your local Moroccan consulate
- Travel documents: Passport
- Passport validity: At least six months from date of arrival (recommended)
The people of Morocco speak Moroccan Arabic (Darija) and a number of Berber languages. French is the country’s second language and is spoken by most Moroccans. In many areas, you will be able to get by in English. However, learning a few Arabic words makes a good impression on the friendly locals and helps you gain a deeper insight into their culture.
Yallah – Let’s go!
Good day – Nhark mbrouk
Goodbye – Bslama
Please – Affak
Thank you – Shukran
Yes – Iyyeh
No – La
Making calls from Morocco to Europe can be expensive, particularly from a mobile! Ask your mobile provider about roaming charges before leaving for your trip. To make cheaper calls, you can purchase phone cards from companies such as Maroc Telecom. These are available from all post offices (La Poste) and can be used in public phone booths. Morocco also has many téléboutiques with coin-operated telephones and internet access. You could also visit an internet café or simply use the Wi-Fi in your hotel.
Note: You will need to enable international roaming on your mobile and connect it to the Moroccan network.
Morocco offers an endless kaleidoscope of captivating images! Always remember that it’s respectful to ask before taking a snap of a Moroccan person. Do not take photos of people who are praying, or anyone in uniform. Official buildings (indicated by the Moroccan flag) and strategically important buildings such as military facilities must not be photographed. If in doubt, just ask!
Stamps and postcards can be purchased from any tobacconist.
Most shops are open every day from morning to evening. Opening times are only restricted during Ramadan and in the week after Eid al-Adha, the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’.
Cash machines are the best option, or you can visit a currency exchange to swap your euros for dirham.
The country’s official religion is Islam, and almost 99% of the population is Muslim. Local customs and practices should be respected in all religious places. Accordingly, options in restaurants and bars will be limited. Opening times at tourist attractions may also change.
Note: Only Muslims are permitted to enter mosques.
In keeping with the local culture and religion, overly revealing clothes should be avoided when you’re sightseeing or strolling around town.
In keeping with the local religion, it is recommended that you do not consume alcohol in public. However, many hotels and restaurants do serve alcoholic drinks.
Do not drink water from the tap while visiting Morocco. You will be able to purchase mineral water wherever you go.
Global health insurance is essential for any trip abroad and can save you from high costs and serious problems. We therefore recommend that you take out an appropriate insurance policy before your trip. Travelling Morocco without insurance isn’t worth the risk. It doesn’t have to be expensive and can be completed online!
You don’t have to have any special vaccinations for Morocco, but we recommend vaccinating against Hepatitis A and B, polio, diphtheria and tetanus. Depending on the type of holiday, it may also be worth getting a rabies jab. Make sure to consult your doctor or pharmacist in good time.
Morocco is a safe country with a high police presence – including on the roads, where they perform frequent traffic checks.
All journeys are run as private, individual tours. You’ll travel exclusively with your own travelling companions and your personal guide.
No. The Agafay is a stone desert, and its appeal lies in its vastness, its stillness and its captivating quality of light. Its scenery differs markedly from the sand dunes of the Sahara.
Yes. Together with your Private Concierge, we tailor the accommodation, experiences and additional services to your personal wishes.
Yes. It combines the cultural highlights of Marrakesh with the stillness of the Agafay, making it ideal for guests who want to discover Morocco in a stylish and relaxed way.
Light, comfortable clothing for the day, along with a light jacket for the cooler evenings in the Agafay desert.
All journeys are conducted as private, individual trips. You travel exclusively with your own companions and your personal guide.
This journey in the heart of the Imperial Cities deliberately leaves room for encounters – with artisans, traders and locals.
Yes. Together with your Private Concierge, we tailor accommodation, experiences and additional services to your wishes – right down to individual luxury upgrades.
Yes. It brings together the cultural highlights of all four Imperial Cities and is ideal for guests who wish to discover Morocco in all its historical depth.
Comfortable shoes for longer walks in the medinas, light clothing for the day and a light jacket for cooler evenings.
Every itinerary is offered as a private tailor-made journey. You will travel exclusively with your chosen companions, accompanied by your own private guides and dedicated chauffeur.
This itinerary has been thoughtfully designed to balance discovery with comfort. Each destination is given the time it deserves, allowing you to enjoy carefully curated experiences – particularly in Marrakesh and Fes – rather than simply passing through.
Absolutely. Your dedicated Pur Life Maroc Private Concierge can tailor your accommodation, experiences, dining reservations and additional services to suit your individual preferences.
Yes. It is an ideal introduction to Morocco, bringing together all four Imperial Cities and Casablanca in one seamless luxury journey while offering a rich insight into the country’s history, culture and contemporary lifestyle.
Comfortable walking shoes are recommended for exploring the historic medinas, along with lightweight clothing for daytime and a light jacket or shawl for cooler evenings.
All journeys are run as private, individual trips. You travel exclusively with your own companions; transfers and agreed guided tours are arranged individually for you.
It combines significant places with deliberate Slow Travel and insights away from the tourist trail. Scenic legs, encounters and time for sensory experience are as much a part of the journey as guided discoveries.
The legs into and out of the Sahara are longer, but they lead through extraordinary landscapes. They are deliberately part of the travel experience and are broken up by carefully chosen stops. You gather impressions and experience unique contrasts.
Yes. Accommodation, experiences, activity level and free time are tailored individually to your wishes; additional nights at the various stops are also possible.
Sturdy footwear, sun protection and clothing suited to the climate are recommended. In the desert, the difference in temperature between day and night can be considerable. After booking your journey, you will receive a comprehensive packing list.
A Private Concierge or tour guide who accompanies you throughout the entire journey can be added optionally. They coordinate the Private Chauffeur and organise your whole daily schedule.
All Pur Life Maroc journeys are conducted as private, individual trips. You travel exclusively with your own companions. The programme and the guides are curated exclusively for you.
The journey’s programme is curated individually and tailored to your wishes. All included experiences are clearly set out in your personal offer.
No. Safi is deliberately conceived as an unguided leisure stop – with free time for ceramics and craftsmanship, a stroll through town and lunch at your own pace. A guided tour can be arranged on request.
Yes. The journey is designed from six nights and can be extended individually in Oualidia, at the selected Desert Hideaway in the Agafay, or in Marrakech.
Yes. This journey can be enhanced with your chosen experiences and shaped into your personal honeymoon or anniversary dream trip.
You can optionally add a Private Concierge who accompanies you throughout the entire journey. They coordinate the Private Chauffeur and organise your entire daily schedule.
No. Before every drive you are given a briefing, and experienced guides accompany the tour. Route, vehicle and pace are matched to your ability.
Solid basic fitness is enough. The 4×4 and buggy call above all for concentration; the quad bike, e-bike and hike ask more of the body. Together with us, you choose the intensity that suits you.
Both are possible, depending on the chosen activity: at the wheel yourself, taking turns in pairs, or chauffeured with a guide. We clarify the specific requirements before booking.
Autumn, winter and spring usually offer pleasant conditions for activities in Agafay. In the hot summer, we prefer to schedule tours for the early morning and late afternoon.
Yes. The programme can be designed for groups of friends, private groups and teams – from a shared track to the long table in the evening.
A briefing, protective equipment suited to the activity, carefully chosen routes and experienced guides are all part of the concept. Intensity and pace are adjusted to experience, fitness and current conditions. As with any outdoor adventure, a residual risk can never be entirely ruled out.
The journey can be booked from seven nights. We tailor the exact distribution of nights to your travel style, desired experiences and preferred pace.
The route includes several longer stages. The journey towards Merzouga in particular takes time. However, you travel privately with a private chauffeur, can plan individual stops and experience the changing landscape as part of the journey.
Yes, provided age, interests and pace of travel are taken into account. For families, we plan longer stages particularly carefully and can integrate additional stops or nights in the south.
March to May and September to November are generally particularly pleasant. In high summer, the Sahara can become extremely hot; in winter, nights can be significantly cooler.
We select the camp to suit your desired level of comfort and the individual offer. Facilities and locations vary from camp to camp, so the exact category booked is described transparently in your travel proposal.
Erg Chebbi is a large sand-dune landscape on the edge of the Sahara. Agafay is a dry landscape of stone and hills near Marrakesh. This journey deliberately includes both – as two completely different desert experiences.
Yes. Duration, overnight locations, return route and additional Private Pur Life Experiences are individually arranged. The route defines the character of the journey; your specific itinerary is created in your personal travel proposal.
For a first taste, yes: a camel ride at sunset, dinner at the camp, Gnaoua music by the fire, a star-filled sky and sunrise all fit into one night. However, a second night takes the pressure off the morning departure and allows you to enjoy a dune drive, buggy ride or sandboarding at a more relaxed pace. It is the most frequently booked extension of this journey.
The journey can work very well even with young children because it is planned without frequent hotel changes and with short transfers. We individually tailor suitable activities to age, interests and your family rhythm.
Yes. Child seats and booster seats are arranged with advance notice. Please tell us the children’s ages and weights when making your enquiry so that the appropriate equipment can be reserved.
The minimum age depends on the surf school, supervision, location and current conditions. We select the provider to suit your family and confirm the requirements before booking.
The Atlantic Ocean is cool year-round, with water temperatures of around 17 to 21°C, and is warmest in September. For children, a shorty wetsuit is recommended, allowing them to stay in the water comfortably for much longer.
Yes. Thanks to the Atlantic influence, Agadir is generally considerably more temperate in summer than many inland regions of Morocco. For active excursions, however, we still take the time of day, weather and the children’s needs into account.
No. Dolphins are wild animals and sightings cannot be guaranteed. If dolphin watching forms part of your individual offer, we select a suitable provider and take weather and sea conditions into account.
Depending on the property, family rooms, suites, connecting rooms or private villas are available. The specific selection depends on family size, the children’s ages, preferred meal arrangements and desired level of comfort.
Only the services expressly specified in your individual offer are included. Private Pur Life Experiences such as surf lessons, Crocoparc, Paradise Valley or boat trips are integrated according to your selection and priced transparently.
Every family member needs their own travel document, including infants. Passports and children’s passports are accepted; national ID cards are not. The passport must be valid for at least six months upon entry. No visa is required for tourist stays of up to 90 days. If you are travelling with only one parent, please carry a consent letter from the other parent or legal guardian, a copy of the child’s birth certificate and a copy of your passport. If you have different surnames, you should also carry your marriage certificate.
Salt, Sun & Time for Two can be booked from four nights and extended individually. We tailor the exact distribution between Agadir, Taghazout and possible excursions to your preferred pace of travel.
Agadir is particularly suited to guests looking for resort comfort, spa, golf, a promenade and a wider choice. Taghazout is smaller, more laid-back and more strongly characterised by surf and boutique atmosphere. You can stay in one destination or combine the two.
The Atlantic is comparatively cool throughout the year and can be noticeably rough depending on the season, wind and currents. We therefore always plan swimming and water sports according to current conditions and the chosen stretch of coast.
For this journey, we specifically select properties with an adults-only concept. The minimum age can vary depending on the accommodation and will be confirmed before booking.
Not automatically. Golf courses, tee times and green fees are reserved according to your wishes and shown transparently in your individual offer.
The journey is individually planned for you. Agreed transfers and private excursions are exclusively for your booking; for certain activities, other guests may be at the same location depending on the provider, unless exclusivity has been arranged.
You have a private chauffeur for the agreed transfers and excursions. For selected experiences, we use local guides, coaches or specialists. A private concierge can be added on request.
Yes. Private dinners, spa rituals, picnics, yacht experiences, special room arrangements or other surprises can be added individually.
The journey can be planned from four nights. How much time you spend in Agadir, Essaouira and Marrakesh is individually tailored to your interests, flight connections and preferred pace of travel. Those looking for greater depth rather than speed should plan additional nights.
For the classic route, arriving in Agadir and flying home from Marrakesh is a good option. However, the most suitable combination depends on current flight connections. We therefore plan the journey around your flights, rather than the other way around.
Agadir and Essaouira are around 175 kilometres apart, with Essaouira and Marrakesh a similar distance from one another. Depending on traffic and stops, both stages take several hours. You travel privately with a private chauffeur and can arrange breaks individually.
Spring and autumn offer the most balanced combination of mild Atlantic weather and pleasant temperatures in Marrakesh. The journey is possible year-round; in high summer, we adapt the programme in Marrakesh to the higher temperatures.
The services expressly specified in your individual offer are included. The guided visits to Souk El Had, Essaouira’s medina, a selected argan oil cooperative and Marrakesh’s medina form the core of the journey. Further Private Pur Life Experiences are added and priced separately.
Yes, but the water is refreshing: around 15 to 18°C in winter and 20 to 23°C in late summer. In Agadir, the bay is sheltered and calm. In Essaouira, the strongest winds occur from June to August – ideal for kitesurfing and windsurfing, but less suitable for relaxed beach days. At unguarded beaches such as Sidi Kaouki and Cap Sim, currents can be strong.
The historic medinas are explored mainly on foot. Surfaces can be uneven and routes sometimes lead through narrow lanes. We adapt the duration, pace and breaks of the guided tours to your needs.
Riads are historic houses and often have stairs, different levels and no lift. If fewer steps or step-free access are important, we select more suitable accommodation.
Light, comfortable clothing and sturdy, flat shoes. In the medinas, more modest clothing is more comfortable – covering your shoulders and knees helps avoid unwanted attention. In Essaouira, you will almost always need a windbreaker, even in summer. For Marrakesh in winter, bring a warmer layer for the evenings.
A passport that is valid for at least six months upon entry and is undamaged. A national ID card is not sufficient. For citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Morocco is visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Please check the latest travel advice from your country’s foreign ministry before departure.
Yes. Natural options include additional nights in Marrakesh, beach days in Agadir, a stay in Agafay or a combination with another Pur Life Maroc journey. The extension is individually integrated into your itinerary.
Agafay is an arid landscape of stone and hills, rather than a sand-dune landscape such as Erg Chebbi. This difference is precisely part of the concept behind Desert Silence & the Sound of the Sea: a stark landscape close to Marrakesh meets the vastness of the Atlantic.
Considerably darker than in Marrakesh, although not comparable with skies deep in the Sahara. Depending on the camp’s location and weather conditions, the glow of the city may remain visible on the horizon.
Depending on the camp and coastal destination, you should allow several hours for the journey. The connection to Agadir is slightly shorter than to Taghazout. You travel privately with a private chauffeur and can arrange stops according to your preferences.
Taghazout is particularly suited to guests looking for surf culture, boutique properties and a laid-back coastal rhythm. Agadir offers more resort comfort, spas, a promenade, golf and urban infrastructure. Together, we select the coastal destination that best suits your travel style.
Desert Silence & the Sound of the Sea can be booked from four nights. We individually determine how the nights are divided between Agafay and the Atlantic according to your preferred pace of travel and planned experiences.
Spring and autumn generally combine pleasant conditions in Agafay with a mild coastal climate. The journey is also possible at other times of year; activities and accommodation are adapted according to temperature, wind and weather conditions.
The quality and facilities of camps and lodges vary considerably. We select accommodation according to your desired level of comfort and clearly specify the exact category and meal arrangements in your individual proposal.
Yes. However, the Atlantic is considerably cooler and more dynamic than the Mediterranean. Surfing and watersports are therefore always adapted to current conditions, experience level and suitable locations.
No. Activities described under Private Pur Life Experiences are optional and are listed separately in your individual proposal.
A briefing, protective equipment suited to the activity, carefully chosen routes and experienced guides are all part of the concept. Intensity and pace are adjusted to experience, fitness and current conditions. As with any outdoor adventure, a residual risk can never be entirely ruled out.
Marrakesh is an ideal arrival point for Agafay; depending on flight connections and your individual itinerary, Agadir or another suitable option can be selected for your return flight. We plan the route around your current flight options – not the other way around.
Yes. Additional nights in Marrakesh or on the Atlantic coast are particularly easy to incorporate. An onward journey to Essaouira or a combination with other regions of Morocco can also be individually arranged.
A passport that is valid for at least six months upon entry and is undamaged. An ID card is not sufficient. For citizens of Germany, Austria and Switzerland, Morocco is visa-free for stays of up to 90 days. Please check the latest travel advice issued by your country’s foreign ministry before departure.
All Pur Life Maroc journeys are operated as private, individual tours. You travel exclusively with your own party, with a private chauffeur and an itinerary individually tailored to you.
For the two longer stages between Marrakesh, the Atlantic coast and Agafay, allow up to approximately four hours of driving time, depending on the route and traffic. The changing landscapes along the way make the drive itself part of the journey.
Yes. The duration, length of stay and itinerary are individually tailored to your preferences. Each destination can be extended flexibly and combined with additional Private Pur Life Experiences.
The journey ideally begins and ends at Marrakesh-Menara Airport (RAK). We tailor the exact route and transfers to your individual flight times.
For very early departures, we adapt the itinerary accordingly and can arrange the final night in Marrakesh on request. This ensures a relaxed end to your journey.
No. Agafay is a stone desert characterised by stark plains and gently rolling, ochre-coloured hills. It does not have the classic sand dunes found in the Sahara. If you would like to experience Morocco’s great dune landscapes, these can be found on our desert journeys to the south of the country.
Yes. Outside the city, the night sky is considerably darker than in Marrakesh. How clearly the stars can be seen depends on cloud cover, the phase of the moon and prevailing atmospheric conditions.
Yes. Taghazout and the surrounding coastline offer surf spots suitable for different levels of experience. The best conditions for beginners depend on the season, swell, wind and individual surf spot. We select the most suitable surf school and session individually.
Yes. However, Marrakesh and Agafay can become very hot during July and August, while the climate on the Atlantic coast is generally considerably milder. We schedule sightseeing and activities during the more comfortable times of day accordingly.
Your journey takes place with a private chauffeur. At selected destinations, Private guides or local guides accompany you according to your individual travel programme. A private concierge can also be booked to accompany you throughout the journey and take care of organisation and the daily itinerary.
No. The journey combines art, traditional craftsmanship, architecture, nature and Moroccan culture. It is particularly suited to travellers who enjoy looking a little closer and discovering the stories behind places, people and creative traditions.
No. Like all Pur Life Maroc journeys, this route is individually planned. We tailor the length of stay, accommodation and additional experiences to your interests and preferred pace of travel.
Precisely because of the contrast. After the visual intensity of Marrakesh and ANIMA Garden, Agafay’s pared-back landscape creates space and stillness before the journey reveals another creative side of Morocco in Essaouira.
No. Agafay is a stone desert with arid plains and gently rolling hills. You will not find the vast sand dunes of the Sahara here.
The spectrum ranges from traditional craftsmanship and historic architecture to contemporary African art, photography, design and selected galleries. We tailor the focus individually according to your interests.
Visits to selected artists’ studios and artisan workshops can be arranged subject to availability. We place particular emphasis on authentic encounters and carefully selected partners.
ANIMA Garden is generally open throughout the year. We check opening hours and any potential closure dates for your specific travel dates.
The port city has long had a vibrant art, craft and music scene. Its Medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 2001, and Essaouira has also been a UNESCO Creative City of Music since 2019.
The Medinas of Marrakesh and Essaouira are primarily explored on foot. Routes may include uneven paving and narrow streets. We adapt tours and daily itineraries according to your preferred activity level.
Yes. Additional days in Marrakesh or Essaouira, more time in Agafay or an extension along the Atlantic coast can all be individually incorporated into your journey.
No. The route, length of stay, accommodation and additional experiences are individually tailored to your preferences. However, due to the distances between the Sahara and the Atlantic, the complete route requires sufficient travel time.
This is one of our more driving-intensive journeys. Several stages cover longer distances. In return, you experience the transition from the High Atlas through kasbah landscapes and the Sahara to the Atlantic first-hand. You travel privately with a private chauffeur and can arrange individual stops along the way.
The Draa Valley connects the Sahara with the landscapes of the south and is historically closely linked with the caravan routes. At the same time, the stop breaks up the longer journey towards the Souss and makes the drive itself part of the landscape experience.
Yes. Erg Chebbi is a large dune region on the edge of the Sahara near Merzouga. Unlike the stone desert of Agafay, here you experience extensive sand dunes reaching up to 150 metres in height.
No. The dromedary ride is an optional experience. If you would prefer to explore the dunes on foot or by 4×4, we can plan the desert experience accordingly.
For the complete route, we particularly recommend October to April. Spring and autumn generally offer the most balanced conditions. During the height of summer, temperatures in the Sahara can become extremely hot.
Only if your travel dates fall within the short harvest period. Around Taliouine, saffron is generally harvested from approximately mid-October to mid-November, depending on weather conditions. The flowers are picked by hand early in the morning. As the season varies from year to year, we check the possibilities for your specific travel dates.
Yes. The coastline around Taghazout offers surf spots suitable for different levels of experience. For beginners, we select an appropriate beach and surf school according to the wind, season and conditions.
Accommodation is selected individually. Depending on your travel style, we combine riads, characterful kasbah hotels, lodges, a comfortable desert camp and a resort or boutique hideaway on the Atlantic.
Yes. Additional nights can be added at individual destinations or on the Atlantic coast. Further desert experiences, a longer stay in Marrakesh or an extension along the coast can also be individually incorporated. Every journey can be planned as individually as your wishes.
No. The length of stay, accommodation and additional experiences are individually tailored to your preferences. However, the distances between Marrakesh and the Sahara create a sensible minimum timeframe for the route.
The route includes several longer driving stages. However, the journey across the High Atlas, through oases and gorges and onwards to Erg Chebbi is an essential part of the experience. You travel privately with a private chauffeur and can plan individual stops along the way.
Because it is one of the best places to understand the journey’s central theme. In the palm grove, water channels, fields, palms and traditional earthen buildings sit side by side. A guided exploration of the oasis reveals how this cultural landscape functions.
For the complete route, we particularly recommend October to May. Spring and autumn generally offer especially pleasant conditions. During the height of summer, temperatures in the Sahara can become extremely hot, while winter nights in the south can become considerably cooler.
Depending on the weather, flowering and harvesting are concentrated into just a few weeks in spring, typically during April and early May.
No. We adapt the tour to your activity level. It can be enjoyed as a relaxed walk or – depending on planning and availability – as a guided bicycle tour.
No. The dromedary ride is an optional experience. If you would prefer to explore the dunes on foot or by 4×4, we can plan the desert experience accordingly.
The Dadès Valley is broader and characterised by winding mountain roads, rock formations, villages and fields. Todra Gorge feels narrower and more monumental, with the rock walls drawing closely together at its most striking passage.
Accommodation is individually selected. Depending on your travel style and preferences, we combine riads, characterful kasbah hotels or lodges, and a comfortable desert camp at Erg Chebbi.
Yes. Additional days in Marrakesh or Skoura, more time in the Sahara or an extension towards the Draa Valley or Atlantic coast can all be added individually.
No. Accommodation, length of stay and additional experiences are individually tailored to your preferences. However, the complete Grand Tour covers considerable distances, so the route requires a realistic timeframe.
For the complete route, we recommend at least twelve nights. Additional time is particularly worthwhile in Fès, Marrakesh, Essaouira or the Sahara.
T-014 is one of our most extensive touring journeys and includes several longer stages. However, the changing landscapes are a central part of the experience. You travel privately with a private chauffeur and can plan individual stops along the way.
September to May. The most balanced conditions for the complete route are generally from March to May and from September to early November. The journey combines the Atlantic coast, Sahara, Atlas and Rif – regions with significantly different climatic conditions.
Because it creates one of the journey’s most striking landscape contrasts while also connecting the Sahara with the north. After the dry desert landscapes, you experience highlands, forests and a considerably cooler climate.
No. We observe the animals from a distance and do not feed them. Scientific research from Ifrane National Park indicates that tourist feeding can negatively affect the health and behaviour of wild Barbary macaques.
No. The dromedary ride is optional. The dunes can also be explored on foot or as part of a private 4×4 desert tour.
Fès provides a powerful cultural finale after the route’s dramatic landscape changes. Its UNESCO-listed Medina is one of Morocco’s most important historic urban environments and deserves sufficient time to explore.
We individually determine the most suitable departure airport according to your travel dates and international flight connections.
Yes. Additional nights at any of the destinations, the addition of Meknès and Volubilis, or a longer stay on the Atlantic coast can all be individually incorporated.
A labyrinth of alleyways, colours and scents
#1 insider tip for Morocco. Adored by locals and tourists alike, medinas – Morocco’s traditional, historic old towns – are the reason many people choose to visit the country. The royal city of Fez boasts northern Africa’s largest medina. It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1981. Those in Marrakesh, Meknes, Essaouira and Tétouan are also long-standing World Heritage Sites. Why? Because of their beauty and their historical importance (medinas are often surrounded by imposing city walls designed to protect against invasion).
They are also beloved for the fine craftsmanship displayed in the alleys and shops. The medina is a living, breathing blend of colours, sounds and people. And the next souk, the centre of social life and Moroccan culture, is never far away.
Morocco’s magical, mystical marketplace
A market, a commercial district, and the hub of Middle Eastern and Arab cities: the souk is the home of aromatic spices, colourful fabrics, traditional Moroccan handicrafts and touristy souvenirs. Whether in the alleys of UNESCO-protected medinas or on the main square in Marrakesh, souks are usually divided into different areas and prove as fascinating to Moroccans as they do to tourists.
One section is dedicated to food, another to clothes, while others are traditionally the terrain of jewellers and other businesses. Visit the souk to gaze in amazement and haggle for a bargain.
A Moroccan Hideaway
In Arabic, riad simply means ‘garden with trees’. But a riad is much more than that: a traditional Moroccan town house or palace with a courtyard or interior garden featuring trees, exotic plants, fountains and refreshing pools of water. A place of unique tranquillity. An oasis. A sanctuary.
And often the epitome of luxury accommodation in Morocco – many of these exclusive, exquisitely furnished houses have been converted into hotels. A true insider tip!
Experience Morocco’s bathing culture for yourself
A trip to Morocco wouldn’t be the same without visiting a hammam! Often decorated in vibrant zellige tiles, these public bathhouses are not just a place to retreat, relax and feel good – they have been an integral part of the Moroccan lifestyle for centuries, during which time the hammam rituals have barely changed. Visitors remove their clothes (simple swimwear is permitted) and cover their bodies with towels before being thoroughly pampered by the staff.
Moroccan cuisine for fans of meat and fish
Who makes the best tagine? What is its secret? What are the latest culinary trends for Morocco’s national dish? There are many myths surrounding tagine. In essence, it is a hearty dish of meat or fish and vegetables in which all ingredients are cooked together in a round earthenware pot over a charcoal fire.
The tagine pot is characterised by its domed (Berber) or pointed (Arab) lid. Make sure to try Moroccan cuisine’s most irresistible dish!
Sociability and simplicity are as much a part of tagine as saffron, coriander, caraway and cumin.
Mud castle on the edge of the desert
Centuries old castles and fortresses built from mud, straw and fine gravel in shades of red and brown: kasbahs perch above fertile river oases, between green palm groves and before shimmering gravel deserts and rock formations that reach up to the sky. Above or within the medinas, Morocco’s historic centres, kasbahs were once where governors and kings resided to keep an eye on the coast and maintain an overview of the restless hinterland. Today, these impressive mud castles on the edge of the Moroccan desert seem to have come from another world.
Our tours
Route of a Thousand Kasbahs from 5 Nights: Marrakech, Skoura & Sahara
Marrakesh meets the peace of the Agafay desert: luxury riad, desert camp & private chauffeur
Back to your natural rhythm at the Silent Nature Retreat – Adults-only
Desert Drive Agafay – 4x4, buggy, quad and e-bike meet authentic Amazigh encounters, individually arranged near Marrakesh.
Agafay & Atlantic from 4 Nights: Experience the Stone Desert and Coast in Private
Saints of Agafay Retreat in Morocco's stone desert near Marrakech: desert hikes, Lalla Takerkoust and starlit nights – for calm, balance and new perspectives.
Experience Morocco's four Imperial Cities authentically: craft, encounters, history & a personal chauffeur.
Art Journey Morocco from 4 Nights: Marrakech, Agafay & Essaouira
Adults Only beach holiday in Agadir & Taghazout: unforgettable experiences on the Atlantic.
A private culinary journey through Morocco from 6 nights: fine dining in Marrakech, oysters on Oualidia’s lagoon and a panoramic dinner in the Agafay
Experience a private round trip through kasbahs, oases and the fascinating vastness of the Sahara.
Luxury round trip from 7 days: Experience Morocco’s four imperial cities plus Casablanca in luxury
A city trip that makes the diversity of a Morocco holiday tangible. From Agadir over to Essaouira to Marrakesh.
Grand Tour of Morocco from 12 Nights: Atlantic Coast, Sahara & Imperial Cities
