Flights from Barcelona to Morocco

Flights to Morocco from Barcelona

There is no single way into Morocco. Barcelona has direct flights to 6 Moroccan cities, and each one opens onto a different country: the medina and the south, the Mediterranean north, the Atlantic coast and its surf.

Marrakech is a little over 2 hours away by air, and Tangier is closer still. Few destinations offer such a change of scene for so little time in the air, which is why Morocco works even for a long weekend. The decision that really matters is which of the 6 you land in.

What documents you need to travel to Morocco

Morocco is not part of the European Union or the Schengen Area, so a passport is mandatory and the Spanish ID card (DNI) is not accepted. The passport must be valid for at least 6 months from your date of entry, and border officials are strict on this point.

Spanish citizens do not need a visa for tourist stays of up to 90 days. If you are travelling with minors who are not accompanied by both parents, bring the relevant authorisation. If you hold another nationality, check your own situation on the travel documents page before booking.

What to know when you land in Morocco

From the airport into town. Menara is about 6 km from the Marrakech medina, a short taxi ride, and it is best to agree the fare before you get in. The airports at Fez and Tangier are also close to their cities. Agadir is the exception: Al Massira is a good half hour from the beach and from Taghazout, so it pays to have your transfer sorted before you land.

Cash. The dirham cannot be bought outside Morocco, so money is changed on arrival, at the airport or at official bureaux de change. Cards work in hotels and tourist restaurants, but in the souks, in taxis and inside the medinas it is cash only. That is what catches out most people who arrive without planning for it.

What to wear. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country. Covering shoulders and knees in the medinas and mosques avoids awkward moments and is appreciated. During Ramadan the pace of the country changes, with many restaurants closed during the day and cities coming alive after sunset.

Climate by region. Marrakech comfortably tops 40°C in summer and has cool nights in winter. The Atlantic coast, from Essaouira to Agadir, is milder and more settled all year round. Fez, Tangier and the north are wetter in autumn and winter.

Morocco uses type C and E plugs at 230V, and local SIM cards are easy to pick up at any airport. Arabic and Amazigh are the official languages. French is widely spoken in cities and tourist areas, and Spanish will get you quite far in the north.

What to do in Morocco

Marrakech

The medina is a maze of narrow lanes, craft workshops and riads hidden behind doors that give nothing away. Jemaa el-Fna square supplies the rest: food stalls, musicians and an intensity that builds as the sun goes down. It is a quarter of an hour from the airport, so your first day counts in full.

Fez

Fez el-Bali is the largest car-free urban area in the world, and it is home to al-Qarawiyyin, the oldest known university still in operation. The tanneries, the madrasas and the bustle of the markets need 2 or 3 days at the very least. A good way in if you already know Marrakech, or if you want somewhere quieter from the start.

Tangier and the north

Tangier is only a short hop from the Spanish coast, yet the contrast could hardly be greater. The city has changed a great deal in recent years and is the natural base for heading on by road to Chefchaouen or Tetouan. It is also the easiest way in if your trip leans towards the Mediterranean rather than the desert. For the eastern Rif, Nador does the same job.

The Atlantic coast

Essaouira has Portuguese ramparts, a working fishing port and a steady wind all year. Further south, Agadir adds long beaches and almost guaranteed sunshine, while Taghazout has become one of the best-known surf spots on the continent. Life here moves at a completely different pace from the interior.

The desert

Merzouga and the Erg Chebbi dunes are several hours by road from Marrakech or Fez. This is no day trip. Set aside 2 or 3 days, including a night in a desert camp. Most people who go end up going back.

Luggage for your flight to Morocco

What you can take depends on the fare you choose when booking. The simplest fare includes a personal item that fits under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

Few people fly home from Morocco with their bag the way they packed it: crafts, spices, fabrics, lamps. If you are planning to shop, allow space for the return journey when you book. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.