Morocco
Marrakech short breaks and tours to the Merzouga desert, from riads in the Medina to nights beneath the Erg Chebbi dunes.
Three hours' flight from Lisbon, Morocco changes landscape with every day on the road: the Marrakech Medina, the Todra gorges, the kasbahs of Ait Ben Haddou and the silence of the desert.
Trips
Climate and seasons
Best time to visit Morocco
Sunshine almost all year. What changes is the heat inland and the cold of desert nights.
Mar · Apr · May
Spring
18 °C – 29 °C
The best time: warm days, mild nights, snow still on the Atlas peaks and gardens in bloom.
🌸 gardens · 🐪 desert · 🚶 Medina on foot
Jun · Jul · Aug
Summer
30 °C – 40 °C
Very hot inland. Good for low prices and riads with pools; visit the Medina early in the morning and late in the afternoon.
Sep · Oct · Nov
Autumn
20 °C – 32 °C
The heat eases and it is once again great for the desert and for wandering the souks.
🐪 desert · 🛍️ souks
Dec · Jan · Feb
Winter
6 °C – 20 °C
Sunny, pleasant days but cold nights, close to 0 °C in the desert, and possible snow in the Atlas.
Temperatures for Marrakech. In the Merzouga desert the days are hotter and the nights much colder.
Before you go
Practical information for travelling to Morocco
Where to stay in Marrakech: riads in the Medina
We stay in riads: traditional houses with an inner courtyard, inside the Medina and a few minutes' walk from Jemaa el-Fna square. In the desert, we sleep in a Berber tent (khaima) by the dunes.
How we get around
Airport transfers are included. The Medina is explored on foot. The desert tour is by vehicle with a driver, along the High Atlas road.
Documents for travelling to Morocco
A valid passport, ideally with 6 months' validity. Portuguese citizens do not need a visa for up to 90 days; check the rules for your nationality.
Money in Morocco
The currency is the dirham (MAD), which can only be bought in Morocco. There are ATMs in every city. In the souks you pay in cash and haggle.
What to eat in Morocco
Try tagine, Friday couscous, pastilla, harira and mint tea. Always drink bottled water.
A trip to Morocco is one of the most intense you can take less than two hours from Portugal: the souks and riads of Marrakech, the kasbahs of the Atlas and a night under the stars in the Sahara dunes. In this guide we explain what to see, how many days you need, the best time to go, how much it costs and what to watch out for, and we present our two Morocco tours.
Our Morocco tours
- Marrakech 4-day city break in a riad in the Medina — 3 nights in a boutique riad, Moroccan breakfast, transfers, a guided tour of the Medina with an official guide and 24-hour assistance. Ideal for a long weekend. Flights are extra, from Lisbon, Porto or Faro.
- Marrakech and Merzouga desert: 6 days and 5 nights — Marrakech, the crossing of the High Atlas, the Dades Valley and a night in a Berber tent in the Merzouga dunes, with dinner and entertainment.
What to see in Marrakech
Marrakech is the gateway to almost every trip to Morocco. The Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is explored on foot, but with an official guide you avoid getting lost and fake guides. The must-sees:
- Jemaa el-Fna square: the heart of the city. By day there are orange juice stalls and snake charmers; in the late afternoon it fills with food stalls, musicians and storytellers.
- The Medina souks: alleys of spices, leather, rugs, lanterns and ceramics. Haggling is part of the culture.
- Koutoubia Mosque: its 77-metre minaret is the city's landmark (entry is reserved for Muslims).
- Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum: the cobalt-blue garden restored by the designer. Buy tickets online, as they sell out.
- Bahia Palace, Saadian Tombs and Ben Youssef Madrasa: the best of Moroccan art and architecture.
- A hammam: the traditional steam bath and scrub, perfect at the end of a hot day.
Sahara desert tour: Merzouga
Heading to the desert from Marrakech is the experience that leaves the biggest mark on a trip to Morocco. The road crosses the High Atlas via the Tizi n'Tichka pass, passes the kasbah of Aït Ben Haddou (a World Heritage Site and the setting for many films), Ouarzazate and the Dades and Todra valleys, all the way to the dunes of Erg Chebbi, in Merzouga, over 150 metres high. You reach the camp by dromedary at sunset and sleep in a Berber tent. It is many hours on the road: in under 3 days it is not worth it, which is why our tour takes 6.
How many days and which itinerary
- 3 to 4 days: Marrakech at a relaxed pace, the Medina, the gardens and a hammam. You can add a day trip to the Ourika Valley or to Essaouira, on the coast.
- 6 to 7 days: Marrakech and the Merzouga desert, via the Atlas and the valleys.
- 8 to 10 days: add the imperial cities (Fez, Meknes, Rabat) and Chefchaouen, the blue city.
Best time to visit Morocco
The best time to visit Morocco is spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November): warm days, mild nights and bearable temperatures in the desert. In summer, Marrakech often goes above 38 °C. In winter the days are pleasant and sunny, but desert nights drop close to 0 °C and there may be snow in the Atlas. During Ramadan, some restaurants close during the day and the city's rhythm changes.
How much does a trip to Morocco cost?
Morocco is an affordable destination. Flights from Portugal to Marrakech usually cost between €60 and €250 return, depending on how far ahead you book. A 4-day break in a riad with transfers and a guided tour costs far less than a European capital. A meal in a local restaurant costs between €8 and €20. Save some money for shopping in the souks: it is hard to resist.
Flights, visa and time zone
- Flights: there are direct flights to Marrakech from Lisbon, Porto and Faro, about 1 hour 40 minutes long.
- Visa: Portuguese citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days; check the rules for your nationality. A passport is enough, ideally valid for 6 months.
- Time zone: Morocco is 1 hour ahead of Portugal in winter and on the same time in summer. During Ramadan, the country puts the clocks back one hour.
- Currency: the Moroccan dirham (MAD). It cannot be bought outside Morocco: exchange at the airport or withdraw from an ATM on arrival.
Is Marrakech dangerous?
No. Marrakech is a safe city and very used to tourists. The most common nuisances are fake guides offering to show you "the right way", henna tattoos done without asking and pickpockets in crowded areas. Go with an official guide in the Medina, always agree the price before any service, wear clothes that cover shoulders and knees and use taxis with a meter or an agreed price.
Frequently asked questions about travelling to Morocco
Do you need a visa for Morocco?
No, for Portuguese citizens on tourist stays of up to 90 days. You only need a valid passport. Check the rules for your nationality.
How long is the flight from Lisbon to Marrakech?
About 1 hour 40 minutes non-stop.
When is the best time to visit Morocco?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). Summer is very hot inland and winter nights in the desert are cold.
How many days do you need to go to the desert from Marrakech?
At least 3 days for Merzouga and back, but ideally 5 to 6 days to do the route at a relaxed pace.
Does Marrakech have a beach?
No. The nearest beach is Essaouira, about 3 hours by road, on the Atlantic coast.
What to buy in Marrakech?
Spices, argan oil, Berber rugs, lanterns, leather goods, ceramics and mint tea. Haggling is normal and expected.
Book your Morocco tour
Choose the Marrakech city break in a riad or the Marrakech and Merzouga desert tour, or contact us on +351 937 045 579 or info@vamosfugir.pt for a tailor-made trip.