Where to stay in Morocco

Riads

A particular accommodation specific to Morocco, which many visitors come especially to experience, the riad is a traditional Moroccan house designed around a central open-air courtyard or garden. Most are to be found in the medinas of the larger cities, and are popular for their cool privacy and wonderful authentic feature. Many are centuries old and include decorative beam work and original Arabic mosaic tiling.

Holiday resorts

Still one of the most popular choices for a stay in Morocco, especially for those looking for the simple pleasures of sun, sea and sand. Most of the country’s big resorts are to be found along the Atlantic coast. Agadir is still the largest, with an array of hotel complexes to suit all budgets, and its vast beach remains a firm favourite. New all-inclusive luxury resorts in formerly modest seaside towns, such as El Jadida between Casablanca and Rabat, continue to spring up annually.

Self-catering

As the boom in buying property abroad accelerated through the mid-noughties, Morocco appeared as an emerging market with amazing bargains to be had, especially for those willing to do little renovation work on a historic property. Consequently there’s currently a market for self-catering holiday rentals with plenty of choice and competitive deals. Spanning much of the countryside and nearly all the main cities and resorts towns, self-catering is available on a wide range of budgets, encompassing country-villas to beachfront apartments, city riads and private luxury casbahs.

Eco-lodges

Morocco’s terrain may look robust but its eco-system and diverse habitats are delicate. Preserving them as one of the country’s greatest tourists assets with the construction of eco-lodge resorts in the heart of Morocco’s most scenic areas is now a quietly burgeoning part of the tourism industry. Many of the ruined casbahs in the mountain foothills have been restored to create both spectacular and environmentally friendly accommodation, while new buildings have also been erected using ancient and traditional techniques that are entirely sustainable and environmentally sound.

Youth hostels

There are international youth hostels in Asni, Azrou, Casablanca, Fes, Marrakech, Meknes, Rabat and Tangier. Although particularly popular with the young and student groups, these hostels cater to all and are a good way to meet other Moroccans. The Royal Federation of Moroccan Youth Hostels is affiliated to the International Federation of Youth Hostels, and aims to meet the same standards. Membership is required; you are advised to join in your country of residence. One particularly popular Moroccan youth hostel is at 6 Place Abmed Al Bidaoui, Ville Ancienne, Casablanca (tel: (22) 220 551).

Self-catering apartments are available in Agadir, Essaouira, Fes, Marrakech and Tangier. Full details are available from the Moroccan National Tourist Office (see Contact Addresses).