Discover Morocco
Morocco is one of our favorite travel destinations, with its intoxicating blend of ancient traditions and vibrant modernity. Wander through the winding alleys of Fez's medina, where artisans craft intricate leather goods and the air is perfumed with spices. Climb the golden dunes of the Sahara at sunset, then spend a night under the stars in a Berber camp. In Marrakech, lose yourself in the sensory overload of Djemaa el-Fna square, where snake charmers and storytellers captivate crowds. Sip mint tea in a quiet riad courtyard, feeling centuries of history around you. From the blue-washed streets of Chefchaouen to the dramatic gorges of Todra, Morocco offers endless opportunities to create unforgettable memories and connect with a culture that's both exotic and welcoming.
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Morocco
Our Travel Book Recommendations - Morocco
Travel Writing & Culture
Dreams of Trespass, by Fatima Mernissi
In Dreams of Trespass, Moroccan writer Fatema Mernissi returns to her childhood in 1940s Fez, where she grew up in a large family household organized around a central courtyard and separated from the city beyond its guarded front gate. Through stories of her mother, grandmother Yasmina, rebellious cousin Chama, and the other women who shaped her early life, Mernissi explores what it meant to live within a traditional Moroccan harem—not the fantasy imagined by outsiders, but a domestic world governed by rules about where women could go and how they should behave. The women stage plays, tell stories, debate politics, visit the hammam, listen to Egyptian singer Asmahan, and dream about lives beyond the walls, even as World War II and Morocco’s changing society begin to reach into the courtyard. Warm, funny, and sharply observant, the memoir offers an unusually intimate view of family life in Fez and of Moroccan women questioning the boundaries they inherited.
For Bread Alone, by Mohamed Choukri
In For Bread Alone, Mohamed Choukri recounts a childhood shaped by famine, poverty, and violence in northern Morocco. Driven from the Rif, his family moves through Tangier and other coastal cities in search of food, but Choukri soon escapes an abusive father and begins surviving largely on his own. He sleeps in streets and cafés, works a succession of small jobs, steals, drinks, and moves through the ports, markets, brothels, and poorest neighborhoods of colonial-era Tangier. The book is often brutal and sometimes graphic, but its power comes from Choukri’s refusal to soften what he experienced. Remarkably, he remained illiterate until his twenties, when he began learning to read and write in prison and eventually transformed his memories into one of Morocco’s most important autobiographical works. For Bread Alone is not an uplifting portrait of the country, but it is an authentic and unforgettable account of a Morocco rarely encountered by travelers.
The Caliph’s House, by Tahir Shah
InThe Caliph’s House, Tahir Shah offers an entertaining and revealing glimpse into Moroccan life through the story of his family’s move from London to Casablanca. Shah, his wife, and their two children take on the restoration of Dar Khalifa, a once-grand mansion that comes with crumbling walls, complicated renovations, strong-willed local craftsmen, and persistent rumors of troublesome spirits. Like Under the Tuscan Sun or A Year in Provence, the book follows the pleasures and frustrations of starting over in another country, but Shah’s story is distinctly Moroccan—filled with humor, superstition, family life, and the daily negotiations that come with trying to understand a culture from the inside. It is funny, warm, occasionally chaotic, and far more revealing than a conventional expat memoir. Read our full review of The Caliph’s House here.
The Sheltering Sky, by Paul Bowles
Paul Bowles’ 1949 novel The Sheltering Sky is a haunting story of three Americans traveling through North Africa as their journey becomes increasingly disorienting and dangerous. Although Bowles spent decades living in Tangier, the novel’s desert setting is deliberately vague, and its portrait of the region is filtered almost entirely through the fears and alienation of its foreign characters. It should not be read as a representative account of Morocco. It remains here because it is an important, atmospheric novel with a deep literary connection to the country—and a powerful exploration of travel, cultural distance, and what can happen when visitors remain outsiders to the world around them.
Guides for the Journey
Lonely Planet Morocco
Our recommended guidebook for Morocco is Lonely Planet. This comprehensive guide offers the most up-to-date advice on this amazing travel destination. From wandering through the bustling Marrakesh medina to exploring the enchanting blue alleyways of Chefchaouen, and relaxing on picturesque Mediterranean beaches, this guide has you covered. Packed with local insights, colorful maps, and essential phrases, it helps you uncover the heart of Morocco's rich culture, history, and cuisine. Whether you're a solo traveler, part of the LGBTQIA+ community, traveling with family, or seeking accessible options, Lonely Planet's Morocco provides tailored information to ensure your trip is both seamless and extraordinary.
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Marrakech
DK Eyewitness Top 10 Marrakech is a really good choice for anyone planning to explore the enchanting city of Marrakech. Set against the backdrop of the majestic Atlas Mountains, this pink-walled city captivates visitors with its winding alleys, grand mosques, and centuries-old charm. The pocket-sized book offers a wealth of information, featuring top 10 lists of must-see attractions like Jemaa el Fna and Koutoubia Mosque, as well as recommendations for the best restaurants, nightlife, and day trips. With easy-to-follow itineraries, themed lists, and a laminated pull-out map, this guide ensures that travelers make the most of their Moroccan adventure, whether it's a day trip or a week-long stay. From the vibrant souks to the serene Majorelle Gardens, DK Eyewitness Top 10 Marrakech helps you uncover the magic of this timeless city with ease and confidence.
Food, Design & Culture
The Food of Morocco, by Paula Wolfert
Paula Wolfert, winner of the James Beard Foundation's Lifetime Achievement Award and dubbed the "queen of Mediterranean cooking," presents The Food of Morocco, a definitive guide to Moroccan cuisine. This lavishly photographed cookbook, praised by culinary experts like Anthony Dias Blue and Craig Claiborne, offers tantalizing recipes and helpful preparation techniques for chefs, home cooks, and culinary enthusiasts alike. A perfect companion to Wolfert's classic Couscous and Other Good Food from Morocco, this extraordinary culinary journey across Morocco's colorful and exhilarating land is sure to delight fans of renowned food writers and Mediterranean cuisine experts.
links to Amazon
Marrakech Flair, by Marisa Berenson
In Marrakech Flair, actress, model, and longtime Marrakech resident Marisa Berenson presents a lavish visual journey through the city she now calls home. Across more than 200 photographs and illustrations, the book moves from the ochre walls and crowded passageways of the medina to intricate zellige tilework, spice-filled souks, leather babouches, peaceful riad courtyards, and tables set with mint tea and tagine. It also explores the creative figures and celebrated places that have helped shape Marrakech’s modern image, including Yves Saint Laurent and the Jardin Majorelle, the legendary La Mamounia hotel, and the city’s museums, gardens, palaces, and distinctive blend of Moroccan, Islamic, Andalusian, and international influences. More visual escape than traditional travel guide, this beautiful Assouline volume captures the color, craftsmanship, glamour, and sensory richness that make Marrakech unforgettable. For anyone drawn to the color, craftsmanship, and atmosphere of Marrakech, this is a book to linger over—and a beautiful introduction to the wider world of Assouline travel books.
Interested in learning more about Morocco? Check out our recent blog sharing more reviews and recommendations on the best books to help prepare for your Moroccan travel experience.
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Staying in a riad offers one of the most memorable ways to experience Marrakech. Hidden behind the walls of the medina, these traditional Moroccan homes combine beautiful courtyards, personal hospitality, rooftop views, and a calm retreat from the energy of the old city.