Why Morocco Is On Every Australian's Travel Radar Right Now
Morocco has been appearing on Australian bucket lists for years, but something has shifted recently. It's moved from the 'one day' column to the 'actually booking it' column, and for good reason. This is a country where a thousand-year-old medina shares a postcode with a design hotel, where you can fall asleep in the Sahara and wake up in a mountain village strung along a UNESCO-listed valley, and where the food alone is worth the flight. Here's why Morocco deserves to jump the queue.
Morocco has been appearing on Australian bucket lists for years, but something has shifted recently. It's moved from the 'one day' column to the 'actually booking it' column, and for good reason. This is a country where a thousand-year-old medina shares a postcode with a design hotel, where you can fall asleep in the Sahara and wake up in a mountain village strung along a UNESCO-listed valley, and where the food alone is worth the flight. Here's why Morocco deserves to jump the queue.
Why Morocco Is One of the Most Rewarding Destinations for Australians
Morocco sits at the northern tip of Africa, just 14 km across the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe — which means it's genuinely accessible as part of a broader trip combining Morocco with Spain, Portugal, or France. For Australians flying into Europe, adding a week in Morocco is more achievable than it might seem from this distance.
The country packs an extraordinary variety into a relatively compact geography. You can stand in a medieval market in Fez, drive across the High Atlas Mountains to sleep in a Sahara Desert camp, and be in a breezy Atlantic port town by the following afternoon. The contrast — sensory overload in the medinas, vast silence in the desert, salt-aired calm on the coast — is genuinely unlike anything else in the world.
A practical reassurance for the undecided: Morocco is one of Africa's most visited tourist destinations and has mature infrastructure for international travellers. The main tourist cities (Marrakech, Fez, Essaouira, Chefchaouen) have well-established guesthouses, tour operators, and transport networks. You don't need to go off-road to experience the country's best although that option exists too.
Top Places to Visit in Morocco
Marrakech — the Sensory Capital
Most Australian visitors to Morocco start in Marrakech, and it's a good instinct — the city calibrates you to the pace and intensity of Morocco in a way that makes everything that follows more comprehensible. The Djemaa el-Fna — the vast main square of the old city — shifts character by the hour: snake charmers and storytellers in the morning, food stalls and musicians after dark. The surrounding souks (markets) are divided by trade: spices, leather, lanterns, ceramics, textiles — each section a different sensory world.
The riads (traditional courtyard houses, many converted to guesthouses and boutique hotels) in Marrakech's medina are some of the most atmospheric accommodation in the world — from the outside, you see nothing but a heavy door in a blank wall; inside, a tiled courtyard, a roof terrace, and a quiet that's startlingly complete given the noise a metre beyond the doorstep.
Allow at least two full days in Marrakech, plus a half-day for the Majorelle Garden (Yves Saint Laurent's extraordinary blue-tiled botanical garden, now a museum) and the Saadian Tombs.
Fez — the Ancient Medina
Fez el-Bali — the old city of Fez — is one of the world's largest, best-preserved medieval urban centres, and it's the place in Morocco that most reliably produces the sensation that you've stepped into a different century. The medina is a labyrinth of approximately 9,400 streets and alleyways, officially listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Mules are still the primary mode of freight transport — the streets are too narrow for vehicles. The Chouara Tannery, where leather has been processed using the same methods and the same stone vats since the eleventh century, is one of the most photographed scenes in Africa.
Fez rewards slower travel than Marrakech. Allow two to three nights if possible — the city reveals itself gradually, and getting genuinely lost in the medina (which you will) is part of the experience.
The Sahara Desert — Merzouga and Beyond
The road trip from Marrakech to the Sahara via the Draa Valley and the Dades Gorge is one of the most spectacular drives in the world — the landscape shifts from fertile valley to dramatic gorge to desert plateau over the course of about eight hours. Most travellers do it over two days in each direction, breaking in Ouarzazate or the Dades Valley.
The Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga are the classic Sahara experience — the dunes rise to 150 metres, and sunset from the ridge with a camel train below is exactly as dramatic as every photo suggests. Overnight desert camps (from basic Bedouin-style tents to genuinely luxurious glamping operations with private bathrooms and stargazing guides) are arranged through operators in Merzouga or as part of organised tours from Marrakech.
Chefchaouen — the Blue City
The mountain town of Chefchaouen, in the Rif Mountains of northern Morocco, is famous for the blue-painted buildings and alleyways of its medina — a tradition dating back to the fifteenth century when Jewish refugees who settled here painted their buildings in the colour of the sky and sea as a symbol of heaven. The effect is extraordinary: wander any direction from the main square and you're in a cascade of indigo, cobalt, and periwinkle that makes every photograph look like a postcard.
Chefchaouen is smaller and quieter than Marrakech and Fez, and a night or two here between the two larger cities is a good way to decompress. The hike up to the Spanish Mosque above the town for the view over the blue medina is non-negotiable.
Essaouira — Coastal Morocco
The Atlantic port city of Essaouira, about three hours west of Marrakech by bus or shared taxi, is Morocco's most relaxed city — a blue-and-white medina, a windswept beach, a strong craft tradition in thuya woodwork, and a food scene built around the morning's catch. The wind that makes it one of Africa's top kitesurfing destinations also makes it noticeably cooler than Marrakech in summer.
What to Eat in Morocco
Moroccan cuisine is among the most complex and fragrant in the world, built on a foundation of preserved lemons, argan oil, ras el hanout (a blend of up to thirty spices), saffron, and fresh herbs. The must-eats: tagine (slow-cooked stew of meat or vegetables in a conical clay pot — chicken with preserved lemon and olives is the classic), pastilla (a flaky pastry filled with pigeon or chicken and almonds, dusted with sugar and cinnamon — a startling combination that works), and harira (a thick, fragrant soup of tomatoes, lentils, and chickpeas served everywhere during Ramadan and available year-round). Fresh-squeezed orange juice sold at street stalls for 5–10 Moroccan dirhams ($0.75–1.50 AUD) is the best you'll drink anywhere.
Getting to Morocco from Australia
There are no direct flights from Australia to Morocco. The most common route is via Dubai (Emirates), Doha (Qatar Airways), or a European hub (London, Paris, Amsterdam, Madrid) which connect to either Marrakech Menara Airport or Casablanca Mohammed V International Airport. Total travel time from Sydney or Melbourne ranges from 22–30 hours depending on connection. The routing via European hubs works particularly well for travellers combining Morocco with time in Spain or Portugal on the same trip.
Best Time to Visit Morocco
The best months are April to May and September to November which are warm and dry across most of the country, with comfortable temperatures in the medinas (rather than the punishing 40°C+ heat of July and August in Fez and Marrakech). Spring brings wildflowers to the Atlas Mountain valleys; autumn has a golden, unhurried quality and the date harvest in the Draa Valley.
For the Sahara Desert, any time of year works for the camp experience, but October to April produces the most comfortable overnight temperatures. Summer nights in the desert are still warm but the days in Merzouga can exceed 45°C.
Ramadan, with dates that shift each year, is worth researching before you book. Some restaurants close during the day, and the pace of the cities changes, but it also produces some of the most atmospheric evenings of the year, particularly in the main squares.
Safety and Travel Tips for Australians
- Safety: Morocco is generally safe for tourists. DFAT currently rates Morocco as 'Exercise normal safety precautions' — always check Smartraveller for current advice before you travel.
- Visa: Australian passport holders can enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days.
- Guides: A knowledgeable local guide is genuinely valuable in Fez and to a lesser extent Marrakech. Their labyrinthine medinas can be a little disorientating, and a guide provides both navigation and cultural context. Book through your accommodation or a reputable operator rather than accepting offers on the street.
- Bargaining: Haggling is standard in the souks. Start at around 40–50% of the opening price and work from there. It's a social exchange as much as an economic one — enjoy it.
- Dress: Morocco is a predominantly Muslim country. Both men and women should dress modestly outside of resort areas — shoulders and knees covered is the general guide, particularly in medinas and religious sites.
- Currency: The Moroccan dirham (MAD) cannot be purchased outside Morocco. Use ATMs on arrival — they're widely available in tourist cities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Morocco safe for Australian tourists?
Morocco is one of Africa's most visited tourist destinations and is generally safe for international travellers. DFAT's current advice is 'Exercise normal safety precautions.' As with any destination, apply common sense, stay in well-trafficked areas at night, and book tours through reputable operators. Solo female travellers should be aware that unsolicited attention and touts are common in the medinas — being firm and ignoring engagement is the most effective approach.
How long do you need in Morocco?
Seven to ten days covers the classic Morocco circuit (Marrakech, Fez, Sahara, Chefchaouen or Essaouira) at a reasonable pace. Two weeks gives you time to slow down and explore the Atlas Mountains or the southern coast more thoroughly. A rushed five-day trip to Marrakech alone is worthwhile but doesn't do justice to the country's variety.
What is the best time to visit Morocco?
April to May or September to November. These shoulder seasons offer comfortable temperatures across all regions, lower prices than peak summer, and manageable crowds at the main sites.
Are escorted tours a good option for Morocco?
Particularly for first-time visitors, yes. Morocco's complexity — the medina navigation, the Sahara logistics, the pace of the souks — is significantly more enjoyable when you're not also managing every practical detail. A small-group escorted tour with a knowledgeable local guide delivers depth and removes friction. Flight Centre offers a range of Morocco tours from fully escorted group itineraries to tailor-made private journeys.
Ready to Explore Morocco?
Morocco is one of the world's great travel experiences — and one that rewards those who go with the right guidance. Our Travel Experts can help you put together the right itinerary, from imperial city hotels to desert camp bookings to flights via the best routing from Australia. Get in touch or visit your nearest Flight Centre store.