Flights from Bilbao to Morocco from 20EUR*

Flights to Morocco from Bilbao

From Bilbao there are 4 direct gateways into Morocco: Marrakech, Tangier, Agadir and Essaouira. Each one opens onto a different side of the same country, from the Mediterranean north to the surfing coast of the Atlantic, with the medina and the desert in between.

The flight to Marrakech takes around 2 and a half hours, and Tangier is closer because it lies further north. Few destinations give you such a change of scene for so little time in the air. That is why Morocco works even for a long weekend.

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. It 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, carry the relevant authorisation. For other nationalities, check your case on the travel documents page before you book.

As the flight leaves the Schengen Area, you will go through passport control before boarding. Allow for that extra time at the airport.

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 with a fare best agreed before you get in. Tangier airport is also close to the city. Agadir is the exception: Al Massira is a good half hour from the beach and from Taghazout, so it pays to have your transfer arranged before you land.

Cash. The dirham cannot be bought outside Morocco, so money is changed on arrival, at the airport or at official exchange offices. Cards work in hotels and tourist restaurants, but in the souks, in taxis and in the medinas only cash will do. It is what catches out most people who arrive without having planned for it.

What to wear. Morocco is a Muslim-majority country. Covering shoulders and knees in 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 passes 40°C in summer and has cool nights in winter. The Atlantic coast, from Essaouira to Agadir, is milder and windier all year round. Tangier and the north get more rain in autumn and winter.

Morocco uses plug types C and E, at 230V. EU roaming does not apply in Morocco, but local SIM cards are easy to get at any airport. Arabic and Amazigh are the official languages, French is widely spoken and Spanish gets you quite a long way 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 gathers the rest: food stalls, musicians and an energy that builds as the sun goes down. The Koutoubia, the Majorelle Garden and the Bahia Palace complete the short list. The city is a quarter of an hour from the airport, so your first day counts in full.

Tangier and the north

For somewhere so close to the Spanish coast, Tangier feels worlds apart. The city has changed a great deal in recent years and is the natural base for reaching Chefchaouen or Tetouan by road. It is also the easiest way in if your trip leans towards the Mediterranean rather than the desert.

Essaouira and the Atlantic coast

Portuguese ramparts, a working fishing port and steady wind all year, which is what turned it into a kitesurfing spot. It is the calmest of the 4 gateways and the one that best combines beach and historic town, without the large-scale hotels of Agadir.

Agadir and the south

Long beaches, near-guaranteed sunshine and the largest concentration of accommodation in the country. A few kilometres away, Taghazout has become one of the best-known surf spots on the continent. This is also where trips to the desert are organised. Allow 2 or 3 days, with a night in a camp included.

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 goes under the seat in front, and from there you can add cabin or checked luggage.

Hardly anyone comes back from Morocco with their suitcase packed the way it left: crafts, spices, fabrics, lamps. If you plan to shop, factor in space for the return when you book. Check the current conditions in Vueling’s luggage policy.