Morocco is spice stalls and quiet courtyards, snow-capped mountains, golden Sahara dunes and a long coastline facing the Atlantic. It’s close enough to the UK for a long weekend in Marrakech, but distances within the country are greater than most people expect.
So where should you stay in Morocco? It depends on whether you want city life, mountains, desert or beach, and whether you want to travel around or stay in one place. Below are my picks for where to stay in Morocco: seven places, each with good riads and hotels in three price ranges.
Contents
Where to Stay in Morocco: The Best Areas
- Marrakech - best city for first-time visitors and medina life
- Atlas Mountains (Imlil) - best area for hiking and mountain villages
- Sahara (Merzouga) - best place for a night in the desert
- Fès - best city for history, crafts and an ancient medina
- Chefchaouen - best town for blue streets and a slower pace
- Essaouira - best town for coastal life, fish and sea breezes
- Agadir and Taghazout - best area for a beach holiday and surfing
I go through the places in the order they come on a classic tour: Marrakech, the mountains and the desert, then Fès and Chefchaouen in the north, and finally the coast. For each place you get a short overview, transport and three places to stay: the most expensive first, then a mid-range option and finally one for a smaller budget. Driving times are my own estimates unless I mention a source, so always check the specific route before you plan your day.
If you have a week, I wouldn’t try to see everything. Choose Marrakech and add either the mountains or the coast. A tour including the desert and Fès needs at least ten days, as there are many hours on the road between places, and you’ll get the most out of it with two nights in most places. If you just want sun and beach, you can easily spend the whole holiday in Agadir or Taghazout.
The train is the easiest way to get around between the big cities. According to the Moroccan tourist board, the Al Boraq high-speed train runs between Tangier and Casablanca in 2 hours and 10 minutes, and the regular rail network connects Marrakech with most major cities, but not with Agadir. Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Imlil and Merzouga don’t have a railway station either. To get there, you take the bus, a private driver or a hire car. The bus company CTM runs between many of the towns, and tickets can be bought in advance.
Driving yourself gives you freedom on the trip over the mountains and out to the desert, but expect bends, lorries and police checkpoints. You can’t use a car in the medinas, so choose somewhere with parking nearby. If you want to drive, you can compare car hire prices here. The currency is the dirham, and 1 dirham is worth around 8p. You can usually only buy dirhams in Morocco, so withdraw cash from an ATM at the airport when you land.
1. Marrakech - best city for first-time visitors and life in the medina 🕌
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Jemaa el-Fna square is the heart of the medina. The three places to stay below are between about 200 metres and a 15-minute walk from the square.
- 🚕 Getting around: You can get around the medina on foot. For the newer districts and the bus station, take one of the orange taxis. Agree on the fare or ask for the meter before you get in.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is close to the city. Allow 20-30 minutes by car plus a short walk for the last stretch, as many riads are tucked away in car-free alleyways. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. Small riads can be cheap, while palace hotels and riads with pools cost the most.
- 👮 Safety: A safe city for tourists. Watch out for pickpockets in the crowds at Jemaa el-Fna, and politely say no thanks to strangers offering to show you the way.
Marrakech is the obvious place to start, and the city is enough for a whole holiday on its own. Within the medina’s walls you’ll find souks full of lamps, rugs and spices, palaces and little squares, and in the evening Jemaa el-Fna fills up with food stalls, musicians and storytellers. It’s noisy and intense, but that’s exactly what many people come here to experience.
I recommend staying in a riad in the medina on your first trip. A riad is a traditional house built around an inner courtyard garden, and many have now been turned into small hotels with roof terraces. When you step through the door, the noise from the alley disappears, and that contrast is what makes the stay special. In this guide, Marrakech is treated as a single base. If you’re considering Guéliz, Hivernage or a resort in the Palmeraie instead, I’ve written a full guide to where to stay in Marrakech, with five areas to choose from.
Spend your first few days in the medina, then head out to the city’s gardens when you need a breather. The blue villa and cactus garden at Jardin Majorelle are in the newer part of the city, and the queue can be long in the middle of the day, so check ticket sales on the garden’s own website before you go. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs, on the other hand, are inside the medina and within walking distance of most riads.
Three to four nights is about right. Marrakech is also the best base for day trips: the Atlas Mountains are about an hour and a half away, and Essaouira on the coast is roughly three hours by car or bus. Both are estimates. Many people end their tour back in Marrakech, as this is where most flights land and depart.
Choose a riad with clear directions on how to find it. The alleyways all look alike, and taxis can rarely drive right up to the door. Many riads offer to meet you at a pick-up point or at the airport, and that’s well worth the money on your first evening.
Hotels in Marrakech
Riad Dar Al Assad - five-star riad with a pool a few minutes from Jemaa el-Fna
Riad Dar Al Assad is about 200 metres from Jemaa el-Fna, so you can walk to the square in a couple of minutes. It’s a five-star riad with an indoor pool, a rooftop pool, a hammam, a restaurant and a roof terrace.
The décor is what guests praise most, and rooms range from around 16 square metres up to suites of 30. It’s my pick if you want somewhere stylish and right in the centre. The smallest rooms are small for the price, though, and one guest mentions a faint smell from the bathroom drain.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Everything was beautifully designed and decorated.”
See photos and book Riad Dar Al Assad here.
Riad Lyla - large riad with a pool and roof terrace in the Mouassine district
Riad Lyla is in the Mouassine district, about 500 metres from Jemaa el-Fna. There’s a pool, a roof terrace and a lounge with a fireplace, which is lovely on chilly winter evenings.
The rooms are large by medina standards. A Superior room is 30 square metres, and the family suites are 40. It suits you if you want space and a pool without paying five-star prices. According to guests, though, some rooms are a little worn and dark, so it’s worth choosing one of the newer ones.
One guest describes the atmosphere like this on Booking.com: “The riad was like stepping into a place where time had been turned back.”
See photos and book Riad Lyla here.
Dar Taliwint - small riad with a roof terrace near the Bahia Palace
Dar Taliwint is in the Riad Zitoun Jdid district near the Bahia Palace, about a 15-minute walk from Jemaa el-Fna. It’s a small riad with a courtyard garden, a library and a rooftop sun terrace, but no pool or restaurant.
The double rooms are 18-20 square metres, and the King room is 25. It’s my suggestion if you want to stay in a cosy riad at a lower price and don’t need a pool. Breakfast is often included, but check this against the specific rate. One guest mentions an odd smell in their room.
One guest writes after their stay on Booking.com: “We had the most wonderful stay at Dar Taliwint.”
See photos and book Dar Taliwint here.
2. The Atlas Mountains (Imlil) - best area for hiking and mountain villages ⛰️
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Imlil is a small mountain village. Douar Samra is in the neighbouring village of Tamatert a little higher up, and Kasbah Tamadot is near Asni down in the valley.
- 🚐 Transport: You get here by private car, hire car or shared taxi from Marrakech. Out in the mountains you walk, and your luggage is often carried up by a mule or a helper from your accommodation.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Around an hour and a half by car from Marrakech Menara Airport. That’s an estimate, and the last stretch is a narrow mountain road.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. Most guesthouses are cheap, while Kasbah Tamadot is one of the most expensive hotels in the country.
- 👮 Safety: Quiet villages. Don’t go on longer hikes alone, and expect cold nights and snow in winter.
The Atlas Mountains are so close to Marrakech that you can see the snow-capped peaks from the city on clear days. Imlil is the best place to stay if you want to head up into the mountains. The village sits in a valley of walnut trees and terraced fields, and from here the trails lead up to the Berber villages and on towards Toubkal, which at 4,167 metres is the highest mountain in North Africa.
You don’t need to be a mountaineer to enjoy the area. Most people settle for walks of a couple of hours between the villages, lunch on a roof terrace and an evening by the fire. If, on the other hand, you want to climb Toubkal, allow two days with a night in a mountain refuge on the way. The Foreign Office advises against hiking alone in the mountains and desert and recommends using certified companies and local guides. Your accommodation can usually arrange a guide.
One night is enough for a taster, but two nights give you time for a proper hike. It’s also a good stop between Marrakech and the desert if you’re driving yourself, but the mountain road up to Imlil is a dead end, so you have to come back the same way. If you’ve hired a car, check that it’s up to narrow mountain roads, and drive in daylight. If you’d rather not drive, most guesthouses can arrange transport from Marrakech, and that’s often the easiest option.
Pack for the season. In summer this is where you escape the heat of Marrakech, but in winter there can be snow in the villages, and many guesthouses only have a fireplace or heaters. Also check whether you can order dinner where you’re staying, as there are only a few places to eat in Imlil in the evening.
Hotels in the Atlas Mountains
Kasbah Tamadot - Richard Branson’s luxury hotel with pool and spa near Asni
Kasbah Tamadot is near the village of Asni, on the road from Marrakech up towards Imlil, and the hotel is owned by Sir Richard Branson. There are indoor and outdoor pools, a spa, a hot tub, a tennis court, a restaurant and a bar, and parking is free.
Rooms range from 30 square metres to large suites of over 150, and breakfast is included. It’s one of the most expensive places to stay in Morocco and suits a special occasion, such as a honeymoon. You’re not staying in Imlil itself, so expect to drive to the hikes. One guest mentions noise from the air-conditioning system.
One guest is full of praise on Booking.com: “The place is absolutely stunning.”
See photos and book Kasbah Tamadot here.
Douar Samra - peaceful guesthouse with views in the village of Tamatert
Douar Samra is in the village of Tamatert, a little above Imlil. It’s a traditional-style guesthouse with a garden and a terrace overlooking the mountains, and breakfast is included. Dinner can be ordered on site.
Rooms are 18-25 square metres. This is my pick if you want peace, views and somewhere with more soul than an ordinary hotel. The road up here is poor, and there’s a bit of a walk from the car park, so travel light. One guest had problems with the electricity in their room.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The view is amazing, and it’s really quiet here.”
See photos and book Douar Samra here.
Riad Atlas Toubkal - budget guesthouse with hammam and two terraces in Imlil
Riad Atlas Toubkal is in Imlil itself and has a hammam and two terraces with views over the Atlas Mountains. Breakfast is included, and Moroccan dinner can be ordered in advance.
Rooms are small and simple, from around 12 to 20 square metres, but the price is low. It suits you if you’re setting off early on a hike and just need a bed and a hot meal. Guests mention that there are stairs and an uneven path up to the house.
One guest highlights the view on Booking.com: “The view from the dining room was fantastic.”
See photos and book Riad Atlas Toubkal here.
3. The Sahara (Merzouga) - best place for a night in the desert 🐪
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Merzouga is a small town on the edge of the Erg Chebbi dunes. The hotels sit along the dunes, while the desert camps are out in the sand.
- 🐪 Transport: You reach the camps by camel or 4×4. Most people get to Merzouga by hire car, with a private driver or on an organised tour from Marrakech or Fez.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The nearest airport is Errachidia, about two hours by car. From Marrakech it’s a full day’s drive over the Atlas Mountains, and from Fez around seven to eight hours. All times are estimates.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. At the camps, dinner and breakfast are often included, but transport out into the sand usually costs extra.
- 👮 Safety: Never head out into the dunes alone. Book camel and jeep trips through your accommodation, and expect cold nights from autumn to spring.
For many people, a night in the Sahara is the absolute highlight of a trip to Morocco. At Merzouga, the Erg Chebbi dunes rise suddenly out of the flat stony desert, and at sunset and sunrise the sand changes colour from yellow to orange and red. At night it’s dark and silent, and the starry sky is one of the most beautiful sights you’ll ever see.
You have two options. You can sleep in a desert camp out among the dunes, where you often ride out by camel in the afternoon and have dinner around the campfire. Or you can stay at a hotel on the edge of the dunes with a pool and ordinary rooms, and head out into the sand from there. Many of the best camps now have proper beds and en suite bathrooms in the tents, so it doesn’t have to be basic.
Getting out here takes time. The journey from Marrakech crosses the Tizi n’Tichka pass in the Atlas Mountains and passes the old mud-brick town of Aït Benhaddou, and I would break it up with a night in the Dadès Valley or at the Todra Gorge. From Merzouga you can carry on north to Fez, so you don’t have to go back the same way. Stay at least one night, ideally two, so you don’t spend your whole visit driving.
Choose your season carefully. In summer the desert gets extremely hot, and in winter the nights can be cold, so check whether the tent has heating and extra blankets. Spring and autumn are the best times. Also ask what the price covers, as transport, camel rides and meals may be included or cost extra.
Hotels in Merzouga
Riad Les Jardins de Merzouga - riad with an infinity pool by the dunes in Hassilabied
Riad Les Jardins de Merzouga is in the village of Hassilabied, just north of Merzouga, a few minutes’ walk from the dunes. There’s an infinity pool with a view, a restaurant, a garden and an outdoor fireplace, and breakfast is included.
The deluxe rooms are 20 square metres. This is my suggestion if you want to see the dunes from the pool and sleep in a proper bed with air conditioning, and you can still take a camel trek out into the sand. One guest experienced building work nearby during their stay.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We can highly recommend this riad!”
See photos and book Riad Les Jardins de Merzouga here.
Merzouga Luxury Camp - desert camp with en suite bathrooms in the middle of the dunes
Merzouga Luxury Camp lies out among the dunes of Erg Chebbi. The tents are 20-50 square metres with en suite bathrooms, and dinner and breakfast are included.
This is the place I would choose for the classic night in the desert with dinner under the stars. The camp has lots of reviews and a high score. However, transport out to the camp isn’t included, and one guest found it expensive, so arrange it in advance.
One guest sums it up like this on Booking.com: “Everything was perfect and well organised!”
See photos and book Merzouga Luxury Camp here.
Ksar Sania - guesthouse with a pool and garden right by the sand
Ksar Sania is just south of Merzouga, a few steps from the dunes. There’s an outdoor pool, a restaurant, a garden and a sun terrace, and breakfast is included.
The rooms are 20-40 square metres, and it’s a good choice if you want somewhere simple and cosy close to the sand and prefer to book your own desert trip. Not all rooms have air conditioning, and it can get hot in summer, so check the room type before you book.
One guest writes briefly on Booking.com: “What a lovely place!”
See photos and book Ksar Sania here.
4. Fès - best city for history, crafts and an ancient medina 🏺
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Bab Boujloud, the Blue Gate, is the main entrance to the old medina, Fès el Bali. Riad Al Makan is close to the gate at Batha, and Palais Faraj is at Bab Ziat on the edge of the medina.
- 🚶 Transport: Inside the medina you can only get around on foot. Taxis wait at the gates, and the railway station is in the new town.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Fès-Saïss Airport (FEZ) is south of the city. Allow 20-30 minutes by taxi to one of the medina gates. This is an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. In my searches, good riads in Fès were cheaper than similar ones in Marrakech.
- 👮 Safety: A safe city, but it’s very easy to get lost. Use an official guide on your first day, and politely turn down strangers who offer to show you the way for money.
Fès is Morocco’s old imperial city and one of the most fascinating places in the country. It was founded in the 9th century, and according to UNESCO the medina is one of the largest and best-preserved historic towns in the Arab-Muslim world. It’s home to Koranic schools, mosques and fondouks, and in the alleyways tanners, coppersmiths and weavers still work just as they have for centuries.
The best-known sight is the Chouara tannery, where leather is dyed in large stone vats. You’ll get the best view from the terraces of the leather shops around it, and you’ll usually be handed a sprig of mint to help with the smell. The medina has thousands of alleyways, and even with a map on your phone it’s hard to find your way, so stay close to a gate if you want an easy first evening.
Fès is the natural base in the north and sits handily on the route between the desert and Chefchaouen. The train from Marrakech runs via Casablanca and Rabat and takes around seven hours, so it’s a full day of travel. Check the timetable and buy tickets from the Moroccan railway company ONCF. From Fès it’s roughly four hours by car to Chefchaouen. This is an estimate.
Two to three nights is about right. That gives you a day in the medina with a guide, a day on your own and perhaps a day trip to Meknès and the Roman town of Volubilis. If you’d rather stay in a modern hotel with parking, you’ll find them in the new town, but I’d choose a riad in or by the medina. That’s the whole reason for coming here.
Hotels in Fès
Palais Faraj Suites & Spa - five-star palace hotel with a pool and views over the medina
Palais Faraj is at Bab Ziat on the edge of the medina, and you can drive right up to the entrance. It’s a five-star hotel in a former palace with an outdoor pool, spa, hammam, two restaurants and a bar, and guests rave about the views over the medina.
Rooms range from 26 square metres up to large suites, and breakfast is served every day. It’s my pick if you want to stay somewhere elegant with a view and avoid dragging your luggage through the alleyways. It’s quite a way to Bab Boujloud, so plan on a taxi or a walk down through the medina. Some guests find the décor a little too showy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The attention to detail was amazing, and the staff were skilled, always clear in their communication and efficient in everything.”
See photos and book Palais Faraj Suites & Spa here.
Riad Al Makan Fes & Spa - riad with a spa and roof terrace close to Bab Boujloud
Riad Al Makan is at Batha, about 100 metres from the square and close to Bab Boujloud, so a taxi can drop you off nearby. There’s a spa, a restaurant and a terrace with views over the medina, and breakfast is included.
Rooms are 25-45 square metres. It’s my suggestion if you want somewhere beautiful and easy to reach at a mid-range price. Choose a room in the main building, as guests mention that the rooms in the annexe feel more worn.
One guest says on Booking.com: “The building is beautiful, and the staff were very helpful and friendly.”
See photos and book Riad Al Makan Fes & Spa here.
Riad El Ouedghiri - popular, budget riad with a roof terrace in the medina
Riad El Ouedghiri is inside Fès el Bali and has a restaurant and a roof terrace overlooking the medina. Breakfast is included, and the staff will help you find your way.
Double rooms are 16 square metres and family rooms 25. It’s one of the cheapest of my suggestions in Morocco, and the riad has almost a thousand reviews with a high score. The communal areas are small, so it suits you best if you’re out for most of the day.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The roof terrace is beautiful and has a fantastic view over the city.”
See photos and book Riad El Ouedghiri here.
5. Chefchaouen - best town for blue streets and a slower pace 💙
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Uta el-Hammam square with the kasbah is the heart of the medina. The three places below are between one and about five minutes’ walk from the square.
- 🚶 Transport: You can get around the medina on foot, but there are lots of steps and steep alleys. Taxis stop at the medina gates.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: The nearest major airport is Tangier Ibn Battouta (TNG). Allow two to two and a half hours by car. From Fez it’s about four hours. Both times are estimates.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The town is smaller and cheaper than Marrakech and Fez.
- 👮 Safety: A calm, relaxed town. You may be offered hash in the streets. Say no thanks, as it’s illegal in Morocco.
Chefchaouen sits in the Rif Mountains in northern Morocco, and the town is famous for its blue-painted houses, steps and doors. After the crowds of Marrakech and Fez, it feels like a breather. There are fewer hawkers, fresh mountain air and little cafés on the square in front of the kasbah, where you can sit for hours.
Most of your time here is about wandering the blue streets, which is a real pleasure early in the morning before the day-trippers arrive. In the afternoon you can walk up to the small Spanish Mosque on the hillside and watch the sunset over the town, and from the Ras el Maa spring on the edge of the medina, trails lead out into the mountains. Remember to ask before photographing people, as many locals don’t like it.
See hotels in Chefchaouen here.
Two nights is enough for most people. One night is too short, because getting up here takes time and the town is at its best in the evening and morning. Chefchaouen is handily placed between Fez and Tangier, and from Tangier ferries cross the Strait of Gibraltar to Spain. If you want to combine Morocco with Andalusia, I’ve written guides on where to stay in Cádiz, where to stay in Seville and where to stay in Granada.
Travel light if you can. The alleys are steep, and most riads are up flights of stairs with no lift. Ask your accommodation where the taxi can best drop you off, and whether someone can help with your luggage for the last stretch.
Hotels in Chefchaouen
Lina Ryad & Spa - riad with indoor pool and spa a minute from the square
Lina Ryad & Spa is in the Andalusian quarter of the medina, about a minute’s walk from Uta el-Hammam. There’s a spa with a heated indoor pool, hammam and hot tub, plus a restaurant and roof terrace, and breakfast is included.
The suites are around 40 square metres, and several rooms have their own terrace with views over the town. It’s the most luxurious place to stay in Chefchaouen and a good choice for couples. There are lots of stairs and no lift, and one guest mentions that it can be noisy.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “We had a room on the third floor with a fabulous terrace and a beautiful view over the town.”
See photos and book Lina Ryad & Spa here.
Dar MD - guesthouse with terrace and family rooms in the medina
Dar MD is in the medina, about five minutes’ walk from Uta el-Hammam. There’s a terrace and family rooms, and breakfast is included. Taxis can stop nearby, and there’s parking by a mosque close by.
The family suites are around 26 square metres, so it suits families and friends travelling together. It can be hard to find the first time, and one guest mentions that the owners aren’t always around, so arrange your arrival in advance.
One guest gives this advice on Booking.com: “The place was a bit hard to find, but I’d advise you to call before you go.”
See photos and book Dar MD here.
Casa La Hiba - budget apartments with terrace and mountain views
Casa La Hiba is in the medina, about five minutes’ walk from Uta el-Hammam. It offers apartments from 20 to 60 square metres with a shared sun terrace, and breakfast with pancakes is included.
It’s a good choice if you want more space for a low price, and it has over a thousand reviews with a high score. Guests mention stairs and some street noise.
One guest singles out the terrace on Booking.com: “The terrace was excellent and a perfect place to relax with views of the Rif Mountains around the town.”
See photos and book Casa La Hiba here.
6. Essaouira - best town for coastal life, fish and sea breezes 🌊
- 📍 Distance to the centre: The medina is small and sits right by the harbour, and the town beach starts just to the south. The three riads below are a 7-9 minute walk from the beach.
- 🚶 Transport: You can get around the medina on foot. Cars stop outside the town walls, and at the gates there are often porters with handcarts who will wheel your luggage to your riad for a fee.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Essaouira has a small airport south of the town. Most people come from Marrakech, around three hours by car or bus. That’s an estimate.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€. The town is usually cheaper than Marrakech.
- 👮 Safety: A relaxed and safe town. It’s often very windy, so bring a jacket, even in summer.
Essaouira is Morocco’s most laid-back town. The medina lies behind white ramparts facing the Atlantic, and the houses have blue shutters and doors. The town was founded in the 18th century as a royal port, and according to UNESCO it was designed by a French architect following European principles for fortified towns. That’s why the streets are wider and easier to find your way around than in Marrakech and Fes.
Take a stroll along the Skala de la Ville bastion with its old cannons and down to the fishing harbour, where the blue boats come in each morning. At the stalls by the harbour, you can pick your fish and have it grilled on the spot. The medina has plenty of art galleries and shops, and the sellers are far less pushy than in Marrakech.
The beach is long and wide, but the wind makes it better for kitesurfing and windsurfing than for swimming. If you mainly want to lie by the water, Agadir further south is a better choice. Essaouira is for you if you want a seaside town with good food, a gentle pace and cool evenings after the heat inland.
Many people visit Essaouira as a day trip from Marrakech, but I wouldn’t. With six hours of driving there and back, you only get to see the town in the middle of the day. Two to three nights is better, and Essaouira is a good place to end your tour before driving back to Marrakech or carrying on down the coast to Agadir.
Hotels in Essaouira
Riad Chama - four-star riad with a roof terrace and sea views
Riad Chama is in the medina, about an eight-minute walk from the beach. There’s a roof terrace with sea views, a lounge and a shared kitchen, and breakfast is served every day.
The rooms are 25-29 square metres, which is large for Essaouira’s medina. It’s the most expensive of my three suggestions and a good choice for couples who want space and a view. Some guests mention noise and shortcomings in the cleaning.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The location was close to everything, and the room was a good size.”
See photos and book Riad Chama here.
Riad Le Khan Mogador - riad with a restaurant and breakfast on the roof terrace
Riad Le Khan Mogador is in the medina, about a nine-minute walk from the beach. There’s a restaurant serving Moroccan and European food, a roof terrace and massages, and breakfast is served on the roof.
The rooms are 15-21 square metres. This is my mid-range pick, especially if you want good food without having to go out. Guests mention smells from the bathroom and noise between the rooms.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The best part was actually the breakfast on the beautiful roof terrace, with plenty to choose from.”
See photos and book Riad Le Khan Mogador here.
Riad Azul - simple riad with a roof terrace in the heart of the medina
Riad Azul is in the heart of the medina, about a seven-minute walk from the beach. There’s a roof terrace and a lounge, and breakfast with local specialities is included in the price.
The rooms are small, from 14 to 20 square metres, but the price is low and the riad has over a thousand reviews. It suits you if you want to stay centrally and cheaply. Some guests find the beds hard and the rooms smaller than expected.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “The riad is inside the medina, so you can just walk around and see everything.”
See photos and book Riad Azul here.
7. Agadir and Taghazout - best area for a beach holiday and surfing 🏄
- 📍 Distance to the centre: Agadir has a long town beach with a promenade. The surf town of Taghazout is about 20 km north of Agadir, and the Taghazout Bay resort area lies just south of the village.
- 🚕 Transport: In Agadir, you take the red petits taxis. Taxis and buses run between Agadir and Taghazout, and the resorts often have a shuttle to the beach.
- ✈️ Time from the airport: Agadir Al Massira Airport (AGA) is south-east of the city. Allow around 30 minutes to the beach in Agadir and 45-60 minutes to Taghazout. Both times are estimates.
- 💰 Price level: € to €€€€. From surf camps and small hotels to large resorts and all-inclusive.
- 👮 Safety: A safe holiday town. The Atlantic has big waves and strong currents, so only swim where there’s a lifeguard and respect the red flags.
Agadir is Morocco’s big beach resort. The city was rebuilt after an earthquake in 1960, so you won’t find an old medina here, but wide boulevards, a long sandy beach and a promenade lined with cafés and restaurants. On the other hand, it’s easy, the sun shines for most of the year and the winters are mild. It’s the obvious choice for a beach holiday with children.
If you’d rather have surfing and a more laid-back atmosphere, stay in Taghazout. The small fishing village has become one of the best-known surf spots in North Africa, with surf schools, yoga and cafés along the coast. Just south of the village is Taghazout Bay, with new resorts, a golf course and a long beach, if you want luxury close to the waves.
From Agadir, you can take a day trip to Paradise Valley in the mountains, with palm trees and natural pools, or drive up to the ruins of the Agadir Oufella kasbah and look out over the bay. Essaouira is about three hours to the north, and it’s a nice way to combine city and beach. If you’re considering winter sun, Agadir is more like the Canary Islands than the rest of Morocco, and if you’re comparing, I’ve also written a guide on where to stay in Fuerteventura.
A week is about right for a pure beach holiday. Choose Agadir if you want lots of restaurants and everything within walking distance, and Taghazout if you want to surf or prefer more peace and quiet. The hotels along the beach in Agadir are often large and built for package holidays, so read the latest reviews before you book.
Hotels in Agadir and Taghazout
Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay - five-star resort with two pools in Taghazout Bay
Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay is in the Taghazout Bay resort area, about 3 km from the surf town. There are two outdoor pools, one of them heated, a spa, a restaurant and a free shuttle to the hotel’s beach, which is about 2 km away.
The standard rooms are 35 square metres, and the breakfast buffet is included in many of the rates. It’s my pick if you want luxury and pool life close to the surf beaches. You’re not right on the beach, and guests find the food at the hotel expensive.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “A beautiful hotel that felt very luxurious. The pool area is fantastic.”
See photos and book Hyatt Place Taghazout Bay here.
Dunes d’Or Ocean Club - large beach hotel with pool and kids’ club in Agadir
Dunes d’Or Ocean Club is in Agadir’s hotel zone, about 100 metres from the beach and a short walk from the city’s restaurants. There’s an outdoor pool, sauna, hot tub, restaurant, bar and kids’ club, and breakfast is included in the price.
The standard rooms are 22 square metres and the family rooms up to 44. It’s a good choice for an easy beach holiday with children. Some guests were unhappy with the room they were allocated and mention noise from the pool area.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “All in all, a really good experience! The hotel has sea-view rooms and a perfect location.”
See photos and book Dunes d’Or Ocean Club here.
Locals Taghazout Surfcamp - surf hotel in the heart of Taghazout with restaurant and surf school
Locals Taghazout Surfcamp is in the middle of Taghazout, about 500 metres from the beach. There’s a restaurant serving Moroccan food, surf lessons and both dorms and private rooms, and a simple breakfast buffet is included in the price.
It’s my suggestion if you want to learn to surf and stay cheaply with other travellers. Guests mention noise from the surroundings and shortcomings in the cleaning of the shared bathrooms, so choose a private room with en-suite bathroom if there are two of you.
One guest writes on Booking.com: “Clean and modern place with a hotel feel, really good value for money!”
See photos and book Locals Taghazout Surfcamp here.
Where not to stay in Morocco?
I wouldn’t use Casablanca as a base. Many people land here, and the Hassan II Mosque by the sea is worth a visit, but the city is first and foremost a big business city, and one night is enough. I also wouldn’t stay in the new districts of Marrakech or Fez if it’s the medina you’ve come to see. You’d end up spending your time in taxis instead of in the alleys.
Don’t try to do the desert as a two-day return trip from Marrakech. You’ll mostly be sitting in the car, and Merzouga deserves at least one full night. Also, don’t choose a riad deep inside the alleys if you’re travelling with heavy luggage or have difficulty walking. Finally, the UK Foreign Office (FCDO) advises against all but essential travel to the area close to the border with Algeria, so check the travel advice before planning trips far to the east and south.
If you have a week, I’d spend three or four nights in Marrakech, one in Imlil and two in Essaouira. With ten days to two weeks, you can do a road trip: Marrakech, Imlil, one night in the Dades Valley, two nights in Merzouga, three in Fez and two in Chefchaouen. If you want to finish with the beach, add a week in Agadir or Taghazout.
Spring and autumn are the best times for a tour. In summer, it gets very hot in Marrakech, Fez and the desert, while the coast stays cooler thanks to the sea breeze. In winter, the days are mild in the cities, but the nights are cold in the desert, and there may be snow in the mountains. During Ramadan, which shifts slightly every year, some restaurants stay closed during the day. As a British citizen, you can normally enter as a tourist without a visa, but check the current rules with the Moroccan authorities, and remember to get good travel insurance before you go.
Travel ressources & websites I use all the time 👇
• Booking.com has the best offers on hotels and unique places to stay
• GetYourGuide is the best place to book tours & activities with free cancellation
• Welcome Pickups is the best & safest place to pre-book airport transfers
Psst 👀 Have you subscribed to my Youtube channel and my Instagram where I provide more useful travel tips?