Morocco holidays travel facts Climate: Morocco's Weather & Climate (opens as a pop-up) Airports: Agadir Airport (AGA) or Marrakech Airport (RAK) (opens as a pop-up) Flight time from UK: Between 2.5 & 3 hours Currency: The unit of currency is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD), which is divided into 100 centimes. ATMs are available in the larger towns, but can be unreliable; currency can be exchanged at banks or official bureaux de change. Dirham cannot be obtained or exchanged outside Morocco. Major credit cards are accepted in the larger shops, hotels and restaurants. Travellers cheques can be used in tourist areas. Time: Local time is GMT. Language: Spanish is the official language, but English is widely understood in areas frequented by tourists. Electricity: Electrical current is 220 volts, 50Hz. Two-pin round plugs are in use.
Entry requirements for UK nationals: British citizens require a passport, but no visa for a stay of up to three months, providing the passport is endorsed British Citizen.
Health: No vaccinations are required to enter Morocco, but most travellers to Morocco will need vaccinations for hepatitis A and typhoid fever, as well as medications for travellers' diarrhoea. It is advisable to drink bottled water outside the main cities and towns, and avoid street food. Medical facilities are good in all main towns. Health insurance is essential.
Customs: Morocco is a Muslim country and it is preferable to keep the wearing of swimsuits, shorts and other revealing clothing to the beach or poolside. Smoking is practised widely, and it is customary to offer cigarettes in social situations. Religious customs should be respected, particularly during the month of Ramadan when eating, drinking and smoking during daylight hours should be discreet as it is forbidden by the Muslim culture. Useful contact information: Moroccan Embassy, London, United Kingdom: (0)20 7581 5001/4.
British Embassy, Rabat: +212 37 63 3333 |
Morocco is just a step away from Europe, across the narrow straits of Gibraltar, but it is a world away in culture and experience, brimming over with contrasts, colour and mystery. This is due partly to its geographical position, sited at the crossroads where the East meets the West, Africa shakes hands with Europe, and the Mediterranean merges with the Atlantic. Whether you visit Morocco for the sunshine, or to trek through the mountains or the hot desert sands, it is a sure bet you will also be enchanted by the timeless Medieval medinas of the cities, particularly in Fez and Marrakech, where the souks and squares plunge visitors into a fascinating foreign world. Snake charmers weave their magic; the stench of the tanners' yards pervades the air; and the call of the muezzins wafts from the ancient minarets. The overall memory will be one of sweetened mint tea, brightly coloured slippered feet and big smiles. Marrakech offers a different type of holiday and with low-cost flights now on offer from Luton & Gatwick it has never been cheaper to visit.
