Morocco on a Budget: How to Travel Cheaply Without Missing Out

Morocco on a Budget: How to Travel Cheap Without Missing Out

Morocco is one of the most affordable travel destinations in the world, and with a little planning you can have an extraordinary experience without spending a fortune. From cheap riads hidden in medina alleyways to free UNESCO monuments and subsidised local transport, the country rewards budget-conscious travellers generously. Here is how to make the most of every Dirham.

Accommodation: Cheap Riads and Budget Stays

Riads — traditional Moroccan houses built around a central courtyard — come in every price range. Budget riads in the medinas of Marrakech, Fes, and Chefchaouen can be found for as little as 150–250 MAD per person per night (approximately 15–25 USD), often including breakfast. These are not luxury properties, but they are characterful, central, and part of the authentic Moroccan experience. Book via booking platforms and read reviews carefully. In the south (Ouarzazate, Merzouga), basic but clean guesthouses are even cheaper.

Food: Eat Where Locals Eat

The biggest food savings come from avoiding tourist restaurants in souk districts and instead finding the small, unlabelled neighbourhood restaurants that locals frequent. A bowl of harira soup costs 5–10 MAD; a plate of couscous or tagine at a local restaurant is 30–50 MAD. Street food — msemen flatbread, makouda fritters, brochette skewers — is cheap and delicious. The food stalls on Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech are tourist-priced; the stalls on side streets one block away are half the price.

Free and Cheap Sights

• Medinas: Wandering the medinas of Fes, Marrakech, Chefchaouen, and Essaouira costs nothing and provides hours of entertainment
• Beaches: All Moroccan beaches are public and free — Agadir, Essaouira, Asilah
• Aït Benhaddou: The UNESCO kasbah charges a very modest entry fee
• Todgha Gorge: No entry fee — walk into the canyon for free
• Hassan II Mosque exterior: Free to view from outside; guided interior visits cost approximately 120 MAD

Transport: Cheap Car Hire with OunizzCars

For groups of two or more, car hire is often cheaper than buses or shared taxis, especially when you factor in the time saved and the flexibility gained. OunizzCars offers competitive rates with no security deposit required — a significant advantage over international rental companies that freeze large amounts on your credit card. Search available cars at OunizzCars and compare rates for your travel dates. For tips on driving costs, see our Morocco driving guide.

When to Visit for Best Value

Shoulder season (October–November and February–March) offers lower accommodation prices and thinner crowds than the peak spring and summer periods. Avoid major European and Moroccan holiday periods — Easter, July–August, and school holidays — when prices spike at popular destinations.

General Budget Tips

• Bargain in souks — initial prices are rarely final prices, but be respectful and do not bargain if you do not intend to buy
• Use petit taxis (small city taxis) rather than tourist coaches — insist on using the meter
• Carry cash in small denominations — many medina shops and stalls do not accept cards
• Buy water in large bottles from supermarkets, not small bottles from tourist shops
• Free mint tea is offered everywhere — accept it without obligation

For family budget travel, see our Morocco with kids guide. Morocco is extraordinarily affordable — the main challenge is fitting everything you want to see into the time available.