“How to Travel Morocco on a Budget” By Aniss AG – Local Moroccan Guide & Surfer | Founder of BerberWaves
Marhba biik, future Moroccan adventurer! Three weeks ago, I watched a backpacker from Australia complain about spending €200 on a ‘traditional Moroccan experience’—a tourist dinner show that left him hungry. That same evening, I took my German guests Sarah and Klaus to my friend Fatima’s family home. We shopped in the real souk, learned to cook tagine from Fatima’s grandmother, and shared mint tea stories, all part of my journey to discover how to travel Morocco on a budget without missing the magic.
Total cost? €8 per person.
The Australian missed the real Morocco by €192. Sarah and Klaus? They’re still WhatsApping me photos of tagines they’re attempting back in Berlin.
After guiding over 500 budget travelers through Morocco since 2013, I’ve learned this truth: the most magical experiences aren’t hiding behind expensive price tags—they’re sitting right there in local buses, family-run guesthouses, and street stalls where meals cost less than a Berlin coffee.
Your Morocco Budget Breakdown
| Budget Level | Accommodation | Food | Transport | Activities | Total/Day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ultra Budget | €8-12 | €3-6 | €2-8 | €1-5 | €15-30 |
| Backpacker | €12-20 | €5-10 | €5-12 | €3-8 | €25-50 |
| Mid-Range | €20-35 | €8-15 | €8-15 | €5-15 | €40-80 |
Reality Check: Most travelers I guide spend €35-45/day and have incredible trips. Compare this to Spain (€75/day) or France (€120/day).
Why Morocco is Your Wallet’s Best Friend
Value Shock Examples from My Recent Guests:
- Hannah (UK): “I paid £8 for fish and chips in London yesterday. Today I had fresh sea bass, bread, salad, and mint tea for €3.50 in Essaouira.”
- Carlos (Spain): “A Valencia hostel costs €35/night. This beautiful riad in Fez with breakfast? €18.”
The secret? Morocco operates on two price systems—Tourist Morocco (expensive) and Local Morocco (authentic and affordable). My job is teaching you to access Local Morocco while respecting the culture.
Where to Sleep: €8-35/Night
Guesthouses (Your Secret Weapon): €12-20/night Most Moroccans stay in family-run guesthouses, not hotels. You get clean private rooms, home-cooked breakfast, local insights, and often mint tea sessions.
My Proven Booking Strategy:
- Use WhatsApp directly—faster than booking sites
- Ask for “local price”: “Shhal thaman lil maghrib?”
- Stay 3+ nights for discounts
- Book new riads on medina edges for 50% savings
Budget Riads That Don’t Suck: Central Marrakech riad: €80-120/night vs. same quality 10 minutes away: €25-35/night.
Hostels & Surf Camps:
- Taghazout surf hostels: €10-15/night, 2-minute walk to waves
- Chefchaouen mountain hostels: €12-18/night with blue city views
Eat Like Royalty: €3-8/Day
This is where Morocco budget travel becomes magical. While tourists pay €15-25 for mediocre tagine, you’ll feast for €3-5 where taxi drivers eat.
The €1 Breakfast Club:
- Khubz with amlou (argan almond paste): €1
- Fresh orange juice: €0.50
- Mint tea + pastries: €1.50
€2-3 Lunch Heroes:
- Harira soup + bread: €1.50
- Moroccan sandwich: €2-2.50
- Street tagine: €2.50-3.50 (the real deal)
The Aniss Guide to Authentic Eating: Look for: No English menu, plastic chairs, locals eating there, prices in Arabic only.
The €3 Tagine Rule: If you’re paying more than €3-4 for tagine outside tourist areas, you’re getting hustled.
My Favorite Local Spots:
- Agadir’s Industrial District: Restaurant Populaire—tagine €2.80
- Fez Medina Edge: Chez Hassan—Friday couscous €3.50
- Essaouira Harbor: Fish stalls—grilled fish €4 with bread
Getting Around: Cross-Country for Under €15
Long-Distance Champions:
- CTM/Supratours Buses: Marrakech to Fez €12-15 (7 hours)
- Trains: Marrakech to Casablanca €5-8 (2.5 hours)
- Grand Taxis: Shared rides, Marrakech to Imlil €3-4 per person
City Transport:
- Petit Taxis: €1-3 for most rides (insist on meter!)
- Walking: Free and the best way to discover hidden gems
Free & Cheap Adventures
Completely Free:
- Sunset watching in Imsouane
- Medina exploration in Essaouira
- Paradise Valley hiking
- Beach life in Taghazout
Budget Experiences (€1-10):
- Hammam sessions: €3-8
- Traditional mint tea ceremonies: €2-5
- Local festival participation: Free
Worth Every Dirham (€10-30):
- Desert camping DIY style: €15-25/night (vs €150-200 tours)
- Cooking classes with families: €10-15 (vs €50-80 tourist versions)
- Surf lessons with locals: €12-15 (board rental €5-8/day)
City Budget Snapshots
Marrakech (€30-50/day): Stay away from main square, explore Riad Zitoun neighborhood
Fez (€25-40/day): Get a medina guide €10/day—absolutely worth it
Essaouira (€25-45/day): Perfect for digital nomads, amazing fresh seafood €5-8
Chefchaouen (€20-35/day): Mountain guesthouses, free hiking and photography
Taghazout (€20-40/day): Surf paradise, board rentals €5-8/day
Shopping & Souvenirs: Haggle Like a Pro
Golden Rules:
- Never accept first price
- Start at 1/3 their asking price
- Be friendly but firm
- Walk away—they’ll often call you back
- Don’t haggle for food (disrespectful)
Essential Local Tips
- Taxis: Ask for meter: “b compteur?”
- Friday = Couscous Day: Best time to befriend local families
- SIM Cards: Get “Orange”—best price/coverage balance
- Language: “Shukran” (thanks), “salam” (peace), “bsslama” (bye)
- Stay hydrated: Moroccan sun is sneaky
- Connect with locals: We love sharing our culture and waves
Sample 7-Day Budget Itinerary
Days 1-2: Marrakech—medina exploration, street food, Bahia Palace Day 3: Bus to Agadir → Taghazout—surf town vibes Days 4-5: Taghazout/Imsouane—surf + Paradise Valley hike
Day 6: Essaouira—medina wander, seafood feast Day 7: Return for departure
Total Budget: €150-250 for the week
The Real Morocco Magic
Budget travel in Morocco isn’t about cutting corners—it’s about choosing the right corners. The ones that lead to spice-scented alleys, secret surf spots, and mint tea with new friends.
You don’t need a five-star hotel to have a five-star memory. Just curiosity, kindness, and space in your backpack for dates, beach sand, and stories.
The most expensive tourist activities have authentic, affordable alternatives. The difference? Tourist versions are convenient but sterile. Local versions require effort but deliver genuine cultural connection.
Remember: The Australian missed real Morocco by €192. Sarah and Klaus found it for €8. Which traveler do you want to be?
Budget Travel FAQs
Q: Is Morocco safe for solo budget travelers?
Yes! Especially if you use common sense. Locals are friendly, and petty crime is rare outside big cities.
Q: Can I use credit cards everywhere?
No — carry cash, especially in rural areas and markets.
Q: What’s a good daily budget?
- Bare-bones: €20–30/day
- Comfortable budget: €40–60/day
Q: Should I tip?
Yes, modestly:
- Restaurants: 5–10%
- Guides: 20–50 MAD
- Hammams/taxis: Round up or a few dirhams
Still have questions? Drop me a message at BerberWaves—I’m always happy to help fellow wave riders and wanderers plan their perfect budget trip!
Yalla. Morocco’s waiting.
Aniss AG has been teaching surfing and guiding travelers in Morocco since 2013. When not in the waves, you’ll find him sharing mint tea at Taghazout’s Sunset Point, probably planning the next adventure.