A short flight from Europe lies the seductive charm of Morocco. Haggle your way through the colourful souks of Marrakech, Fez or Essaouira. Or let our personal shopper steer you to the best of the best, whilst being sure of paying the right price. We can arrange for a trusty Berber guide to accompany you through deep gorges, across the Atlas Mountains or to your private campsite in the Sahara Desert – the adventures are endless.

  • One of the first things that springs to mind when talking of Morocco is Humphrey Bogart’s ‘Casablanca’. With the exception of the Hassan II Mosque, Casablanca has its merits, but it is merely a scratch on the surface of what this wonderfully diverse country has to offer. The highest peaks in north Africa, rolling sand dunes in the Sahara Desert and a wild coastline, make Morocco a superb destination for both culture and relaxation.

    Morocco is steeped in history with everything from the incredible Roman remains at Volubilis to some of the most important Islamic sites in the world. The heady mix of Arabic and African and Berber cultures with a twist of French colonialism gives this north African Kingdom an added curiosity.

    The Imperial cites of Fez, Marrakech, Meknes, and Rabat are just the beginning and we encourage you to dig deeper into the blue city of Chefchaouen, the fiery hues of the Sahara and the seductive aromas of the souks.

    Wix Squared has some exceptional guides to get you under the skin of the country including:

    • A professional photographer to capture Morocco’s ever-changing light
    • A professor of architecture in Marrakech
    • A Berber mountain guide in the Atlas Mountains
    • A perfume maker to create a bespoke scent
    • A gastro guide to teach you about the local lesser-known Moroccan delicacies in the souks
    • A private yoga instructor
    • A head chef to teach you to cook delicious Moroccan food
    • Plenty of excellent masseurs/masseuses
    • Personal shoppers to navigate you through the souks
    • A professor of English and cultural studies from the Karaouine University in Fez
    • A leader and volunteer at the Peace Corps in Rabat
    • An author, international consultant, and President of the south-north centre for intercultural dialogue and migration studies, based in Marrakech

  • Itinerary Starting Price

    From £2,500 per person, for 5 days including accommodation, private guiding, entrance fees and private transfers (not including flights).

    Random Fact

    ‘Berber whiskey’ isn’t alcoholic. It is made from gunpowder green tea, fresh mint, and large sugar lumps. There is a real skill to serving it as well.

    Festival

    Fez’s Sufi Festival (April/May) lasts 8 days with spiritual performances, poetry, music, and workshops.

    What to Eat

    Couscous (seksou) is Morocco’s national dish, traditionally eaten every Friday. Granules of semolina are steamed and served with a vegetable or meat stew.

    What to Read

    ‘The Last Storytellers’ by Richard Hamilton. A collection of stories from the ancient, now disappearing tradition of storytelling.

    What to buy

    Argan oil is produced from the kernels of the Argan tree. Best sourced from a co-operative near the coast and delicious when drizzled over salads. It also has cosmetic benefits.

  • Morocco

    Luxury Riads

    Hidden deep within the winding maze of souks lie some of Morocco’s most peaceful and luxurious hotels. Traditionally based around a courtyard, some of our favourite medina Riads include the elegant Le Farnatchi in Marrakech, the traditional Riad Fes in Fez, the understated Dar Shaan in Rabat and the vibrant colours of Salut Maroc in Essaouira. For the ultimate indulgence take a private riad at the Royal Mansour in Marrakech.

    Retreats

    Relaxing Retreats

    Scattered along the north Atlantic coastline are several interesting places to explore, from L’Heure Bleue in the quaint fishing village of Essaouira to the beautiful La Sultana in Oualidia and La Fiermontina Ocean just south of Tangier. There are also many stunning inland private houses and boutique hotels such as Dar Ahlam, Ezzahra and Dar Zemora. Not forgetting La Mamounia, The Mandarin Oriental, Amanjena and The Oberoi – a stone’s throw from Marrakech.

    Desert Camps

    Desert Camps

    There are many shared luxury camps just a short hop from Marrakech in the Agafay Desert (stony desert) where we can also arrange a private camp for our guests and amazing event spaces. However, for the dramatic Saharan sand dunes, head east towards Zagora or Merzouga from where you can camp under a blanket of stars in comfortable tents or in a luxury private set-up.

    Atlas Mountains

    Atlas Mountains

    We work with trekking lodges, Kasbahs, guesthouses and luxury mountain retreats in the Anti-Atlas, the High Atlas, and the Middle Atlas Mountains. Some of our favourite places to stay include Kasbah de Toubkal situated in the gateway to the High Atlas, Kasbah Bab Ourika in the beautiful Ourika valley, Olinto in the stunning Ourigane region, Kasbah Tamadot close to Asni and The Michlifen in the Middle Atlas.

  • Moroccan Cuisine

    There is so much more to Moroccan food than tagine and couscous. Learn to make bread in a traditional medina oven, visit a saffron farm in the Ourika Valley or enrol in the sophisticated Maison Arab cooking school. We can also arrange a medina tasting trail by night in Fez and book dinner at the best table in Jemaa el-Fna (the famous main square in Marrakech). In the winelands be surprised by Morocco’s excellent vineyards where we can organise a wine paired lunch as well as olive oil and cheese tastings. Explore the middle Atlas and learn to roll cous cous from scratch.

    Desert Journeys

    The Agafay desert is a stone’s throw from Marrakech whilst the magnificent copper-coloured sand dunes of the Sahara are 10 hours away by car. Of course, we can get you there in a flash by helicopter, but the road trip incorporates some of the most beautiful landscapes in Morocco. Let us take you via the valley of the roses, past medieval Kasbahs and through the Todra Gorge before you travel the last stretch of the journey by camel to reach your tent in the depths of the Sahara Desert. We work with a handful of camps to suit all budgets.

    Atlas Mountains

    The Atlas Mountains are the perfect canvas for trekking, skiing, camel riding, horse riding, mountain biking, quad biking, and electric bicycles. We have some expert Berber guides to help you discover hidden waterfalls and untrodden paths but also to welcome you into their humble village homes for a glass of traditional mint tea and fresh Moroccan pastries. Mount Toubkal is the highest mountain in northern Africa, and it takes 2 days to climb with one of our trusty mountain guides. He has summited it more times than he can count, so you will be in great hands.

    Cultural Cities

    Moroccan cities don’t need bringing to life, they are already a hive of activity and can often be an assault on the senses. Haggle your way through the vibrant souks and tanneries. Hear the call to prayer echoing from every minaret day and night. We can arrange walking tours to focus on the striking Islamic architecture and even teach you to create your own zellij ceramic design or point out the best shops for rugs, leather, spices, and lanterns with a personal shopper or by creating a tailored treasure hunt just for your party. A unique way to absorb Marrakech is from the height of a hot air balloon or in amongst the traffic by side-car.

    Relaxation

    In search of sunshine, spa, and relaxation? Indulge in a private hammam with Argan oil and black soap scrubbed off with a kessa glove, leaving your body silky smooth and ready, perhaps, to absorb the African rays on a roof top sunbed or next to an infinity pool. Marrakech has over 10 golf courses designed by top international players where we can reserve tee-times and professional instructors. We also work closely with a number of yoga instructors, and we can gain exclusive access into some of Moroccan’s beautiful gardens for a leisurely picnic or afternoon stroll.

    Coastal Activities

    The Moroccan coast is no beach paradise but the crashing waves in the south provide a fantastic opportunity for surfing, kitesurfing, and windsurfing. The charming fishing port of Essaouira has a wonderful arts scene with gnaoua music reverberating through the medina. Oualidia is on the edge of a stunning lagoon home to delicious oysters and is the perfect place for birdwatching and fishing. Near Agadir, goats can be seen climbing in Argan trees and we can take you to the best co-operative to sample the purist Argan oil.

  • Morocco has some amazing hidden palaces, abandoned sugar factories, flat topped mountains, deserts, beaches, private gardens, and roof tops that lend themselves perfectly for any number of different events, be it for 15 or 1500. As a company Wix Squared has an extremely good knowledge of Morocco. James Wix has been based there since 2010 and has built up an unrivalled list of venues and contacts on the ground.

    There is always the possibility of booking exclusive use of some of the country’s best riads, private villas or desert camps to ensure that you and your guests can celebrate in style. Here we can coordinate belly dancers, fire jugglers, local musicians and international DJ’s to bring the party to life.

    Find out more about Events by Wix Squared

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Weather

The best time to visit Morocco is September-November and February-June.
The cooler winter months of December-January can still offer lovely daytime sunshine but you will need to have something warm to wear at night when the temperature can drop to low single figures.
The baking temperatures in July-August can reach 50°C/122°F inland, so we would generally stick to the Atlas Mountains or the coast where the heat is much more agreeable and a cooling breeze is a regular feature.

  • Despite the temperatures being a little cooler at this time of year, it rarely rains, and it is warm in the sunshine. The views of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains are spectacular, and we highly recommend getting scrubbed clean in a steamy hammam in the souks.
  • There is still a chance of rain in February but now is a lovely time to explore the Imperial cities of Marrakech and Fes or trek in the Atlas Mountains. You may also catch the end of the ski season in Oukaïmeden or Ifrane for the novel experience of skiing in Africa.
  • Spring starts in March and the Yves Saint Laurent Gardens (Majorelle Gardens) come into bloom. This is also the perfect month to travel to the Sahara whilst the temperature is not too hot.
  • This is one of the most popular months to visit Morocco, particularly around the Easter holidays when you can learn to kite surf in Essaouira, have tea with a Berber in the mountains or indulge in a traditional hammam in the souks.
  • May is a pleasant and usually dry month and you could time your visit with the Gnaoua Festival in Essaouira or the Sacred World Music Festival in Fez whilst also practising your bargaining skills in the souks.
  • Enjoy the glorious sunshine poolside or on the coast with a sea breeze as it will be too hot to venture to the desert in June-August.
  • Escape the heat by heading to the Atlas Mountains or the Atlantic coast or book into a hotel with a large swimming pool in the palmeraie on the outskirts of Marrakech.
  • August is best avoided as the temperatures can be unbearable, that said, for guaranteed sun and a dry heat, Morocco ticks both boxes.
  • As the temperatures drop in Europe, Morocco stays hot, and it is rare to see rain at this time of year, making it a wonderful time of year to explore this country.
  • This is Morocco at its best with good weather spanning the entire country. The desert is not too hot, the mountains are not too cold, and the Imperial cities are the perfect temperature for sightseeing.
  • The first half of November is often still lovely and warm, whilst the second half will experience some rain and a drop in temperature. This is a great month to camel ride, quad bike, or dune bash through the Sahara Desert.
  • This is a less popular time of year to visit Morocco due to the onset of cold weather, however it is still a lot warmer than Europe and you can coincide your visit with the Marrakech International Film Festival.