Morocco sits less than two hours from London by flight and gives you a completely different world. The medinas of Marrakech, Fes, and Chefchaouen are genuinely unlike anything in Europe. The food is extraordinary. The coastline at Essaouira and Taghazout draws surfers and people who want to do nothing at all. The Sahara is reachable in a day from Marrakech. For a short trip or a longer one, Morocco delivers.
This is the guide I wish I had for my first visit. Where to go, what to eat, what to be aware of, and how to get the most out of the country.
Visa: Do Nigerian Passport Holders Need One?
Yes. Nigerian passport holders require a visa for Morocco. Apply at the Moroccan Embassy in London. You will need your passport, UK residence document, recent photos, bank statements, flight booking, and hotel confirmations. Processing typically takes 5 to 10 working days. Budget around £50 to £60 in fees. The application is straightforward and the embassy processes applications efficiently.
UK passport holders (including British citizens) enter Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days.
Where to Go
Marrakech is the obvious starting point and for good reason. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the souks are genuinely incredible for shopping (metalwork, leather, textiles, ceramics), Djemaa el-Fna square becomes something else entirely at night, and the food scene has exploded in recent years. Stay in a riad inside the medina for the full experience. Prices are reasonable compared to European cities.
Chefchaouen (the Blue City) is in the Rif Mountains and looks exactly like you have seen in photos. It is smaller and quieter than Marrakech, better as a 2 to 3 night stop than a full base. The hike up to the Spanish Mosque at sunrise is worth waking up early for.
Fes is Morocco's oldest imperial city and the medina is the largest car-free urban area in the world. It is more intense than Marrakech but also more authentic in the sense that it is a working city, not primarily a tourist one. The tanneries are a must-see.
What to Eat
Tagine, couscous on Fridays (traditional), pastilla (a sweet-savoury pastry of pigeon or chicken with almonds and cinnamon that sounds strange and tastes like nothing else), harira soup, briouats, fresh-squeezed orange juice from street stalls for 5 dirhams a glass. Morocco has one of the best food cultures on the continent and you will spend very little eating incredibly well.
What to Know Before You Go
Bargaining is expected in the souks. The opening price is not the final price. If you are not comfortable negotiating, go in with a price you are willing to pay and stick to it. Guides (official and unofficial) will approach you constantly in the medinas. Official guides can be arranged through your riad or the tourist office and are worth it for the context they provide.
As a woman travelling in Morocco, particularly as a Black woman, you will attract attention in some areas. It is manageable and does not need to stop you going. Walking with purpose, wearing clothes that cover shoulders and knees in medinas, and staying in well-reviewed riads rather than budget guesthouses makes a significant difference to the experience.
Getting There
Ryanair, easyJet, and Royal Air Maroc all fly to Marrakech from multiple UK airports. Return flights regularly come in at £80 to £150 if you book 6 to 8 weeks ahead. Direct flights to Fes and Agadir are also available from London.