Travel Guide Morocco - get inspired for your trip

Fertile and very scenic, Morocco is the northwesternmost country in the vast African continent and is an increasingly integral part of the Arab world. notable for its cultural richness which few modern travellers can resist, it has long-been a popular destination due to its exotic dining possibilities, long history and bustling souks where the lively trading of carpets, furniture and other high-quality handicrafts has been going on for centuries.

Morocco has always been a first-choice gateway to Africa and few countries offer such enticing ingredients for a fantastic holiday on four wheels. It's potent mix of year-round sunshine, vibrant markets, excursions into the desert, long drives up into the mountains and lazy afternoons spent on some of the most idyllic sandy beaches in the world are very hard to resist, especially for those in search of a top-value destination.

Morocco has long been a crossroads between Europe, sub-Saharan Africa, and the Middle East, and diverse cultural and ethnic groups have migrated through the region and left their mark on it. Bordering Algeria and Western Sahara, it is the only African country with shorelines on both the Atlantic Ocean and Mediterranean Sea, plus the country experiences a typical Mediterranean climate in these parts with mild winters and long dry summers.

Rabat, the country's noble capital, is a peaceful city with many highlights, including a striking 12th-century tower and eye-catching minaret. Cosmopolitan Casablanca is equally appealing for its ancient medina and massive mosque, which still ranks as the third-largest in the world. But it is the two ancient cities of Fez and Marrakech that most travellers want to see, both packed with amazing attractions and fantastic places to visit in their own right.

With a car hire in Morocco you can cover large swathes of this magnificent country, which is worth visiting at any time of the year. Besides all the wonderful towns, cities and villages to see, there are numerous road-trip options to consider, some offering unique cultural experiences even for the most intrepid traveller. Highlights include a visit to the glorious Rif mountain region and a leisurely drive down Morocco's spectacular Atlantic coast road.

Founded in 1954, Auto Europe is one of the world’s best car rental companies that specialises in low prices and the best service for its customers. We work with all the top car hire companies, including Alamo, Avis, Hertz, Dollar, Europcar, Budget, National and Sixt. You can book your car quickly and easily online in just a few clicks by using Auto Europe's state-of-the-art booking engine, or you can ask our rental specialists for assistance if you need help with your reservation.

Please consult our Morocco travel guide for advice on getting around and for things not to miss around this magnificient country. You can also take a look at our Morocco car hire reviews page to find out what previous Auto Europe customers thought about their recent car hire experience in the city.

Look over the Morocco travel guide topics listed below and take a look at each page for information on a specific aspect of travelling in Morocco.

• Morocco Car Hire Guide - This guide offers you a full overview of everything you need to know when hiring a car in Morocco.
• Morocco Driving Information - Learn helpful information about driving in Morocco. From tips and driving laws, to speed limits, parking, and more.
• Morocco Fleet Guide Options - Information about our car hire options for your trip to Morocco.

Road trips with my car hire in Morocco

Once you have picked up your car rental in Morocco, it's always worth getting off the beaten track in order to discover some of the lesser-known jewels in this wonderful country. Our Travel Tip - a Sweet Escape to Morocco highlights a few of the most interesting routes you can take when exploring Morocco by car, each with a succession of fascinating sights, attractions and stopover suggestions that can be enjoyed at any time of the year.

One of the lesser-known parts of the country, the glorious Rif region of northern Morocco is a land of pristine Mediterranean beaches, vast desert landscapes and remote mountain villages. One of Morocco’s most memorable car journeys is the 210-kilometre stretch of mountain road between Chefchaouen and Al Hoceima, much of which runs along crests of the Rif mountains. This is a very scenic part of the country and the road reaches its highest level at Bab Besen (1600 metres) where the landscape is covered in cedar forests and the villages are so enchanting you'll just have to stop and take a photograph!

The road from Marrakech to Fez is a route that incorporates an incredible drive alongside the imposing Atlas Mountains and the vast Sahara Desert. The two cities of Marrakech and Fez are just over 500 kilometres apart if you take the A7 motorway and can be achieved in around 6 hours. Highlights include heady views of the sbow-capped Middle and High Atlas mountains along the Tichka pass. En route, keep an eye out en route for the traditional Berber tribes who often traverse the terrain in this most fertile part of the country.

Morocco’s scenic Mediterranean coast road is another excellent option for drivers looking to enjoy the experience of visiting this superb country with all the advantages of being beside the sea. This six-hour adventure runs along the National Road 16 (N16) for around 350 kilometres from Tetouan to the Spanish city of Melilla. Take time to enjoy a detour to the beach (head for those at Martil or Al-Hoceima) either before or after a nice relaxing lunch in obe of the many little villages dotted along the shoreline, such as Jebha.

Another exciting road-trip in Morocco incorporates Ouarzazate (a city known as the main gateway to the Sahara Desert) and passes through the Dades Gorge and the dunes of Erg Chebbi. There's much to see and do along the way, including visits to the El Mansour Eddahbi dam lake, Jebel Siroua volcano and the Studio Atlas Cinema where scenes of many well-known films such as Gladiator and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed.

The drive from Agadir to Casablanca on Morocco's spectacular Atlantic coast is one of the best road-trips North Africa has to offer. Take the N1 north From Agadir beside the ocean to admire the view and stop in Essaouira, a charming town known for the beauty of its ancient fishing port. Stop for lunch at the Portuguese City of Mazagan (El Jadida) before enjoying a long drive on the A5 to Casablanca where you will find some of Morocco's star attractions, such as Hassan II Mosque, the Habous district and Villa des Arts.

What to do in Morocco

There’s much to see and do in sunny Morocco, not forgetting the vibrant cities of Marrakech, Casablanca and Fez. To get you started on your journey, we’ve listed a few things you might want to consider for your low-cost car rental in Morocco, depending on how much time you have available.

• Casablanca: Morocco's most populous city, cosmopolitan Casablanca is a bustling metropolis of fascinating attractions and absorbing architecture. Dominating the waterfront, the Hassan II Mosque (one of the world's largest) took more than seven years to build and features a 210-metre-high minaret. It is also one of the only mosques that allows non-Muslims into its halls.


• Fez: Morocco's spiritual heart is the ancient and very beautiful city of Fez. Often referred to as the Mecca of the West, its medieval medina is one of the most dynamic urban centres anywhere in North Africa. The city also boasts the world’s largest and best preserved medina, a maze of almost 10,000 narrow alleyways alive with working artisans, food vendors and mosques.


• Marrakech: A city of lofty minarets, bustling squares and picturesque terracotta riads, Marrakech is the destination of choice for a growing number of 21st-century travellers. The first thing to do on arrival is explore its famous souks, many of which are centuries old and a magnet for bargain hunters. Marrakech also lies in the foothills of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains and is a few hours away from the gateway to the Sahara Desert, meaning that it's the perfect base from which to explore some of Morocco's top attractions.


• Atlas Mountains: The giant Atlas mountain range stretches all the way through north Africa and provides excellent hiking and biking. Tiny, clay-built Amazigh villages cling to the red and black cliffs and the valleys are crammed with fruit and walnut trees. You can walk over the mountains through traditional villages for a chance to experience a simpler way of life and some stunning mountain scenery.


• Sahara Desert: The desert has a magnificent beauty all of its own and is definitely worth visiting with your car hire in Morocco. There are numerous entry points (most notably Zagora, Merzouga and Ouarzazate) which provide good access to some of the best dunes, such as Erg Chigaga lying south of Zagora and west of Mhamid. Many visitors choose to ditch the car and walk in with camels, to lose themselves in the Sahara's vast expanse of golden sand and deep blue skies for a few hours.

A bit of history

Morocco's history began around 1,000 BC with the arrival of the Phoenicians who were great traders and founded trading posts all over the country. The Arabs invaded Morocco and by the early 8th century AD had introduced Islam to the country. Fez was made the capital and subsequently became a world centre of culture. Modern Morocco dates from 1912 when it became a French protectorate. During World War II, the allies landed in Morocco and in 1944 the country's Manifesto of Independence was published. The French deposed the Sultan after the war but he returned in 1956, the same year Morocco became independent. In 1999, Mohammed VI became king of Morocco and today the nation is thriving with a fast-developing economy underpinned by several industries, including tourism and textiles.

Frequently Asked Questions about travelling in Morocco

Morocco as a destination has no shortage of road-trip potential, but it’s possible you might have some questions or require further information when planning your travel itinerary or renting your car. For this reason we have compiled the following FAQ section to help get you where you want to go as quickly as possible, whether you’re organising a relaxing beach holiday in Agadir or a fun-filled road-trip with friends or family members in and around Tangier. All you need to know is right here in this section, so scroll down to learn some of the most common phrases in the Spanish language and find out whether or not you’ll need a visa to visit this amazing country. For more information about driving abroad, please consult our special section for more practical advice and useful travel tips.

Useful Links

Morocco Airport Information

Official Tourism Website of Morocco

Gov.uk Morocco Travel Advice