Marrakesh has few accessible facilities, but the city is not necessarily out of bounds for travelers with a physical disability and a sense of adventure. Narrow medina streets and rutted pavements can make wheelchair access difficult; the neighborhood of Gueliz is easier to navigate. Buses in Marrakesh are not wheelchair friendly, but the City Tour Marrakech is wheelchair accessible and an excellent way to get between many of the city's top sights. Petits taxis in Marrakesh are too small to accommodate wheelchairs, but grands taxis should be able to – they typically cost about 50% more per journey. With great fish and seafood – the town is renowned for its oysters – and a range of accommodation options, it's a popular weekend and summer retreat for Marrakshis and Casablancais, and the perfect destination for those in need of a break from the city hubbub. Expect to pay anything from Dh270 to Dh7500 per day, including unlimited mileage. All the major rental agencies, such as Budget, Hertz and Avis, are at Casablanca’s Mohammed V Airport and also have branches in most major cities. Make sure you record any existing damage and get comprehensive insurance. Buses are a wallet-friendly way to crisscross the country. The two major national bus companies offer a reliable, comfortable service – you’ll even get wi-fi and extra leg room if you go for the “luxe” option.

At the Majorelle Garden, gates open earlier than usual at 8am so you can beat the heat and the crowds. You can book online for easy access, too. In the garden, the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Art has just reopened after a period of renovation. Make your first stop on the scenic R203 (the A3 is a newer, faster, and tamer route to the Souss Valley and Agadir) in the pretty Ouirgane Valley, where you could while away a few days hiking and cycling, or just relax at Ouirgane Ecolodge. Then follow the sinuous road to the architectural wonder of the 12th-century Tin Mal Mosque, 18km (11 miles) from Mouldikht and the start of the pass. Research the places in Morocco you’d like to visit but leave wiggle room for changes along the way and enjoy the spontaneity that Morocco allows. While it’s possible to pre-book tours and activities, it’s usually just as easy to reserve them when you arrive in the country. 2. Take public transport, especially in citiesThe High Atlas is a hiker’s paradise, running diagonally across the country for around 1000km (620 miles), from the Atlantic coast to northern Algeria. Imlil, sitting in the foothills of the High Atlas 90 minutes from Marrakesh, is the jumping-off point for scaling Toubkal, North Africa’s highest peak at 4167m (13670ft), a two-day ascent.

Toolkit - all of the planning tools for solo travellers, LGBTQIA+ travellers, family travellers and accessible travel The Moroccan dirham is a closed currency, which means you cannot use or get it outside the country. Morocco’s rural areas still operate on a cash economy, but cards are widely accepted in towns and cities. 7. Learn some of the lingoThe holy month of Ramadan and the celebrations of Eid offer a different cultural experience, and during these times many places will be closed. 9. Things to know before going to Marrakesh I am originally from the UK and have been living in Morocco since 2018. There are things I wish I'd known before jumping headfirst into the seemingly lawless world of Moroccan taxis and bargaining in the souqs. Avoid driving after dark – thanks to poor road conditions, inclement weather, or just stopping to explore, journeys will often take longer than you think. Marrakesh to Taroudant; 230km (143 miles), around 5 hours with no stops (the pass itself is 49km/30 miles long and takes around 75–90 minutes) Longer treks at Jebel Siroua (3,305m) include a dramatic volcano for those hardy hikers looking to spend several nights wild camping.