North Africa Travel Guide
The call to prayer drifting over rooftops, cumin and cardamom hanging in the souk air, and a pyramid rising out of the haze. North Africa wakes all five senses before breakfast.
Start exploringThe highlights of North Africa
Marrakech in depth
Marrakech is Morocco’s best-known imperial city: a walled red medina, a vast square that changes character by the hour, and the Atlas Mountains on the horizon. It is also the gateway to desert landscapes within reach.
The medina and Jemaa el-Fna
The medina’s souks sell leather, lanterns, spices and rugs, while Jemaa el-Fna fills at dusk with food stalls, storytellers and musicians. The Koutoubia minaret anchors the skyline, and the Bahia Palace and Saadian Tombs show the city’s craftsmanship.
Good to know: Agree prices before you buy and carry small notes.
Find stays in Marrakech →Riads and gardens
Traditional riads are courtyard houses turned guesthouses, calm inside while the alleys bustle outside. The Majorelle Garden with its cobalt-blue buildings, and the Menara and Agdal gardens, give green relief from the souks.
Good to know: Riads can be hard to find. Ask for a pick-up from the nearest gate.
North Africa guide →The Atlas and the desert
The Ourika Valley and Imlil offer mountain air within a couple of hours, while Agafay is a stony desert about an hour away, popular for sunsets and camel rides. The true Saharan dunes of Merzouga are much farther, usually a multi-day trip via Ait Ben Haddou.
Good to know: Do not underestimate the distance to Merzouga. Build in at least two nights.
Compare flights →More to experience in Marrakech
Hammams and spas
A traditional hammam, with steam, scrub and massage, is a Marrakech ritual. Choose between local hammams and more polished spa versions.Food
Tagine, couscous, grilled meats and mint tea. Pick busy stalls on the square and ask what is freshly cooked.Essaouira
A relaxed Atlantic fishing port with ramparts and a breezy medina, usually done as a long day trip or an overnight.Ouzoud Falls
Roughly 150 km from the city, these waterfalls are home to Barbary macaques. Go early to avoid the heat and the crowds.Dawn balloon rides
Hot-air balloons drift over the palm groves and desert fringe at sunrise, with the Atlas on the horizon.Etiquette
Dress modestly in the medina, ask before photographing people, and expect to bargain in the souks but not in fixed-price shops.Meet the Barbary macaques of Ouzoud
Ouzoud Falls, in the Middle Atlas roughly 150 km from Marrakech, is one of the best places to see Barbary macaques in the wild. These tailless monkeys are native to Morocco and Algeria and are listed as endangered, and they live in the cedar and oak woods around the falls and along the paths to the base.
Visitors walk down beside the cascades through shady groves, where macaque troops groom, forage and watch the crowds. The falls are usually fullest after the spring rains, and the light is best in the morning.
Good to know: Never feed the macaques. Human food harms them and makes them bold, so keep bags closed, stay a few metres back and do not try to touch them.
Find stays in Marrakech →Four ways North Africa gets under your skin
How the trip could unfold
Practical planning
Visa & entry
Egypt offers e-visas and visa-on-arrival for many nationalities; Morocco allows visa-free entry for many nationalities for short tourist stays. Confirm current requirements with each country’s immigration authority.Currency
Egypt uses the Egyptian pound and Morocco the Moroccan dirham. Neither currency is generally available outside the country, so plan to exchange money on arrival. Cards are widely accepted in tourist areas and hotels.Best season
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for both Egypt and Morocco, avoiding the intense summer heat.Frequently asked questions
What is the best time to visit North Africa?
Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) offer the most comfortable temperatures for both Egypt and Morocco, avoiding the intense summer heat.
Is North Africa part of the same trip as sub-Saharan safari destinations?
Rarely in one trip. The distances and flight connections make North Africa and East or Southern Africa better suited to separate trips rather than combining them.
Do I need a guide in Marrakech or Cairo?
Not strictly, but a local guide can be genuinely useful for navigating the medina in Marrakech or the sites around Cairo and Luxor, especially on a first visit.
When is the best time to visit Marrakech?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Summer is very hot, and winter has mild days and cool nights.
How many days do I need?
Three to four nights covers the city well. Add two or three for the mountains and desert.
Is bargaining expected?
Yes in the souks, where the first price is a starting point. Fixed-price shops and restaurants do not bargain.