Discovering...
Discovering...
Explore the Kingdom on a shoestring. From $25 a day you can experience ancient medinas, Sahara dunes, blue cities, and legendary hospitality.
Morocco sits at the crossroads of Africa, Europe, and the Arab world, offering a cultural richness that few countries can match. For backpackers, it delivers an extraordinary bang for your buck: ancient medinas to explore for free, delicious street food for a few dirhams, and comfortable hostel beds for under $15 a night.
The country is compact enough to see the highlights in two weeks but diverse enough to keep you fascinated for months. In a single trip, you can surf Atlantic waves, trek the High Atlas, camp in the Sahara, wander the world's largest car-free urban area, and photograph the most photogenic blue city on Earth — all for less than a week in most European capitals.
Morocco's backpacker infrastructure has matured significantly. A growing network of social hostels, reliable bus connections, and a well-worn traveler trail means you will always find fellow backpackers and helpful locals along the way. The country is also just a ferry ride from Spain, making it a natural extension of any European backpacking trip.
All prices in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD). 1 USD = approximately 10 MAD.
Hostel dorm beds range from 80-150 MAD. Basic private rooms in guesthouses start at 150-200 MAD. Hostels often include breakfast.
Street food meals cost 15-30 MAD. Local sit-down restaurants serve tagine with bread for 40-70 MAD. Splurge restaurants run 80-150 MAD.
Local buses cost 5-7 MAD. Petit taxis within cities cost 10-30 MAD. Walking is free and often the best way to explore.
CTM/Supratours buses range 50-200 MAD. Trains are 80-200 MAD (2nd class). Shared grands taxis are cheapest at 30-80 MAD.
Many attractions are free or under 70 MAD. Museum entries range 10-70 MAD. Organized tours start at 150-300 MAD.
A comfortable backpacker budget is 300-400 MAD per day ($30-40). Ultra-budget travelers can manage on 200-250 MAD ($20-25).
Dorm beds, street food only, walking everywhere, free activities, cooking at hostels. Possible but tight.
Dorm or shared private rooms, mix of street food and restaurants, occasional bus rides, some paid activities.
Private rooms in guesthouses, restaurants for most meals, taxis when needed, all the activities you want.
Moroccan food is delicious and cheap. Here is what to eat, what to pay, and where to find it. You can eat well on 50-80 MAD ($5-8) per day.
Street stalls everywhere, especially mornings
Street stalls and small restaurants, especially during Ramadan
Sandwich shops near bus stations and medina entrances
Jemaa el-Fnaa stalls, market areas in every city
Morning street stalls and bakeries
Jemaa el-Fnaa and Fes street stalls
Local restaurants away from tourist centers
Local restaurants on Fridays (traditional couscous day)
Small restaurants throughout medinas
Marrakech specialty -- ask at local eateries
Essaouira harbor, Casablanca port area
Coastal cities -- Essaouira, Tangier, Safi
Walk 2-3 streets away from tourist areas for the same food at half the price
Fresh fruit, bread, olives, and cheese from market stalls make great picnic lunches
Many hostels have communal kitchens. Buy ingredients at local markets.
Mint tea (atay) is the cheapest hot drink and offered free in many shops
Many riads and hostels offer filtered water refills. Carry a reusable bottle.
Tourist-facing restaurants often have a cheaper Arabic/French menu
Tried-and-tested hostels with good reviews, social vibes, and fair prices. Dorm bed prices listed per night.
Legendary social hostel in the medina. Rooftop terrace, free breakfast, nightly dinners. The place to meet other backpackers.
Colorful riad-style hostel with courtyard pool. Walking distance to Jemaa el-Fnaa. Excellent staff.
Beautiful riad conversion with pool. More upscale hostel experience with a vibrant social scene.
Budget-friendly riad with dorm beds. Traditional architecture, quiet courtyard, and helpful owner who arranges tours.
Inside the medina walls. Excellent rooftop views of the medina and surrounding hills. Offers Fassi cooking classes.
Traditional riad hostel near the famous Seffarine square. Quiet and authentic Fes experience.
Social hostel with organized medina tours and group dinners. Helpful for navigating the famously confusing Fes medina.
Best budget option in the blue city. Terrace with mountain views. Blue-painted throughout, naturally.
Friendly family-run hostel with home-cooked dinners available. Central location near the main square.
One of the cheapest options in town. Basic but clean, with a nice terrace and kitchen access.
Surfer-friendly hostel near the beach. Board storage and surf lessons arranged. Great rooftop vibes.
Central medina location. Simple but clean with a great communal kitchen. Walking distance to everything.
Newer hostel with modern facilities. Excellent communal kitchen, fast WiFi, and organized group activities.
Modern hostel in the new city. Co-working space, organized day trips, and a good bar scene.
Guesthouse with some budget-friendly rooms in the kasbah. Incredible Strait of Gibraltar views.
Close to the medina and Kasbah of the Udayas. Clean, basic, and well-located for exploring the capital.
Budget riad in the medina with traditional Moroccan breakfast included. Quiet alternative to Marrakech.
Budget base for Sahara trips. Arranges shared desert tours at backpacker prices (250-400 MAD for overnight).
Established Merzouga guesthouse with dormitory option. Pool, good restaurant, and reliable desert excursions.
How to get around Morocco cheaply and comfortably.
The most reliable intercity buses. CTM and Supratours (run by ONCF railway) have fixed schedules, air conditioning, and assigned seats. Book online or at stations.
Morocco has a decent rail network connecting Tangier, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, Fes, and Meknes. Second class is comfortable and budget-friendly. First class costs only 20-40% more.
Shared Mercedes sedans that run fixed routes between cities. They depart when full (6 passengers). Cheapest intercity option but can be cramped. An authentic Moroccan experience.
Small metered taxis for getting around within cities. Each city has a different color (red in Marrakech, blue in Rabat, beige in Fes). Insist the meter is running.
Every major city has local bus networks. They are extremely cheap but can be crowded and confusing for tourists. Marrakech and Casablanca have newer bus fleets. Casablanca also has a tram.
You do not need to spend much to have incredible experiences in Morocco. Most of the best experiences cost nothing at all.
The classic Morocco loop hitting all the highlights. Adjust based on your interests and pace.
Estimated total: $350 - $600 for 14 days (excluding international flights)
Arrive, visit Hassan II Mosque (130 MAD, interior tour), explore Habous Quarter and corniche. Take the train to Marrakech (100-140 MAD, 3 hours).
Explore the medina, souks, and palaces. Join a hostel group for a day trip to Ouzoud Falls (200-300 MAD) or Atlas Mountains. Cook at the hostel one evening to save money.
Supratours bus from Marrakech (80 MAD, 3 hours). Beach days, rampart walks, fresh seafood at the harbor (25-40 MAD for fried fish). Try surfing at Sidi Kaouki.
Bus or train from Essaouira via Marrakech to Fes (200-300 MAD total). Long travel day. Evening arrival and first medina exploration.
Get lost in the world's largest medina. Visit tanneries, madrasas, and the blue gate. Take a cooking class (150-250 MAD) at your hostel. Eat at local restaurants in the medina.
CTM bus from Fes (75 MAD, 4 hours). Photography walks through the blue streets, hike to Spanish Mosque for sunset. Day trip to Akchour waterfalls (shared taxi 30-50 MAD).
CTM bus from Chefchaouen (60-80 MAD, 3 hours). Explore the Kasbah, medina, and Cafe Hafa where the Rolling Stones once hung out. Walk the Corniche at sunset.
Last morning in Tangier or travel to your next destination. Ferries to Spain depart from Tanger Med port (200-350 MAD). Or fly from Tangier airport.
Not everyone has two weeks. Here are routes optimized for different interests and time frames.
For those who want to include the Sahara. Marrakech > Ait Benhaddou > Dades Gorge > Merzouga (Sahara) > Fes. The 3-day shared desert tour from Marrakech costs 400-700 MAD per person and includes transport, accommodation, meals, and a night in a desert camp.
Focus on the north for easy access from Spain. Tangier > Chefchaouen > Fes > Meknes > Rabat. Perfect if entering from Europe via ferry. Meknes and Rabat are often overlooked but both have UNESCO sites and far fewer tourists.
Atlantic coast route for surfers and beach lovers. Essaouira > Taghazout > Agadir > Mirleft > Legzira. Morocco's Atlantic coast has world-class surf breaks and some of the cheapest beach living in the Mediterranean region.
See it all. Tangier > Chefchaouen > Fes > Merzouga > Ouarzazate > Marrakech > Essaouira > Rabat. Requires 3-4 weeks but covers every highlight. Budget about $700-$1,200 total for the full loop.
Pack light, travel far. Everything you need and nothing you don't.
Stay connected on a budget. Morocco has surprisingly good mobile data coverage.
Morocco is safe, but a few common tourist scams are worth knowing about. Being aware makes them easy to avoid.
Someone offers to "help" you find your riad or a specific shop, then demands payment. They may also lead you to shops where they earn commission.
Taxi drivers refuse to use the meter or claim it is broken, then charge 3-5x the normal rate.
Women in Jemaa el-Fnaa grab your hand and apply henna before you can refuse, then demand 200+ MAD.
You are invited for "mint tea" which turns into a high-pressure carpet sales pitch.
Someone tells you an attraction is closed today and offers to take you somewhere else (usually a shop).
Sellers claim items are genuine leather or pure saffron when they are synthetic or mixed with other spices.
You order from a menu with one price, then receive a bill with higher prices. Or no menu at all, and the price is inflated.
Morocco's backpacker community is friendly and social. Here is how to connect.
Moroccan hostels are social hubs. Rooftop dinners, group excursions, and communal kitchens naturally bring travelers together. Waka Waka in Marrakech is legendary for its social scene.
Join group desert tours, cooking classes, or day trips through your hostel. These 1-3 day shared experiences create instant friendships. Desert tours especially bond groups quickly.
Cafe culture is huge in Morocco. Rooftop cafes in medinas are natural meeting spots. Sit, order mint tea, and conversations happen organically.
Many Moroccan students attend language cafes to practice English or French. These are great for meeting locals and fellow travelers simultaneously.
Join Facebook groups like "Backpacking Morocco" and "Travel Morocco" or use apps like Couchsurfing hangouts and Hostelworld's social features to connect before you arrive.
Explore our detailed city guides, transport information, and budget tools to plan your backpacking adventure.