Morocco

Spring (March–May) and autumn (September–November) are the most comfortable for imperial cities and the coast. Summer is very hot inland (Marrakesh, Fes, desert edges); the Atlantic coast stays more moderate. Winter can be cold at night in the mountains and desert, with snow on high passes, while days in the south stay mild. Ramadan dates shift each year and affect opening hours—worth checking before you go. Desert nights are cold even after scorching days—pack a layer. Local festivals and school holidays can shift crowds even inside a “good” month, so a quick check of dates for your year is worth it.

A classic circuit is Marrakesh → High Atlas or Essaouira → Fes, sometimes with the desert (Merzouga or similar) as an overnight add-on, or Casablanca as a gateway. Distances look short and take longer on mountain roads. Guided day trips help if you prefer not to drive. Two bases beat a new medina every night. Official guides in medinas can help if you dislike bargaining for every turn; agree the price first. Leave one unscheduled half-day in each base; the best finds are rarely on the first draft of an itinerary.

Medina alleys are a maze of shadow and colour—expose for highlights and shoot in open shade. Desert dunes are all about sunrise and sunset; midday heat is punishing. Blue streets in Chefchaouen are iconic but busy—early helps. Respect privacy around homes and ask before photographing people. Dust is constant; keep a cloth for the lens. GPS distinguishes kasbah stops on long drives so similar mud-brick towns do not blur together later.