The Best Morocco Travel Books in 2023
Introduction
Morocco is one of the most mesmerizing countries in the world, and it’s a perfect destination for travelers looking for adventure and culture. As someone who lives here, I love learning about Morocco and its fascinating history. There are several Morocco travel books that I’d highly suggest to anyone planning to move (or visit) the Maghreb.
Keep in mind, with the ubiquity of the internet, travel books are becoming somewhat passe. Everything you need to know about the geography of Morocco is right on your phone’s map app, so old-fashioned guidebooks seem somewhat irrelevant in the modern age. But, if you’re like me and love a paperback, these may be right up your alley. And there is plenty written in books that cannot be found online (in my humble opinion).
If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, check out these awesome Morocco travel books.
(Please note, some of these are affiliate links, and if you buy a book, I may get a small commission at no cost to you.)
Moon Morocco (Travel Guide)
The Moon Morocco (Travel Guide) by Lucas Peters is a great resource for anyone who wants to travel to Morocco. It’s written by an experienced travel writer who has traveled throughout (and lived in) the country, so you can trust that he knows what he’s talking about. He also has a lot of helpful tips and tricks for navigating Morocco
The cool thing is, I actually know the author! Lucas is an exceptionally helpful expat who I’ve had the pleasure of speaking with in various groups, so I highly recommend his book and experience in this beautiful country.
The Caliph’s House by Tahir Shah
Okay, this isn’t a guidebook per se, but it is one of my favorite Morocco travel books because it’s such an accurate insight into Moroccan culture and communication, particularly with outsiders.
“The Caliph’s House” is a memoir by Tahir Shah, published in 2005, about his experiences renovating a dilapidated mansion in Casablanca, Morocco. The book is a personal account of Shah’s adventures as he and his family move from London to Morocco and undertake the massive project of restoring the mansion known as Dar Khalifa.
Throughout the book, Shah writes about the challenges and joys of living in a foreign country and tackling a major renovation project. He also delves into the history and culture of Morocco, exploring the country’s diverse and rich traditions.
If you’re interested in memoirs, travel writing, or Moroccan culture, “The Caliph’s House” might be a worthwhile read. I highly recommend it, and it is one of my favorite Morocco travel books.
- Buy the book here
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- See my full review here
Humor and Moroccan Culture
This is another one of those recommendations that seems a little odd because it’s not a bona fide travel guide, but it is a really interesting look at Moroccan culture through the perspective of Moroccan humor and language. Morocco is such a unique study in contrasts: ancient and modernizing, East and West, rural and urban, and this book does a great job of capturing that dichotomy through humor.
Humor and Moroccan Culture is probably the shortest of the Morocco travel books on this list, but it packs a punch. Plus, it’s actually funny! The book is about a foreigner in Morocco attempting to learn the culture through the various common jokes told in Morocco. Humor is often a remarkable insight into a community.
Again, it’s quite short but really good!
The Rough Guide To Morocco
The Rough Guide to Morocco is a more traditional Morocco travel book than the other ones on this list. It is a comprehensive travel guide to this beautiful North African country. This Morocco travel book covers a wide range of topics, including history, culture, geography, and practical information for travelers.
The guide begins with an overview of Morocco’s history, including its ancient origins and its more recent colonial past. It then delves into the country’s diverse culture, including its rich traditions, art, music, and cuisine. This incredibly useful Morocco travel book also provides detailed information on Morocco’s geography, including its varied landscapes, climate, and top attractions, including its bustling cities, such as Marrakech and Fez, and its beautiful beaches and desert landscapes.
In addition to providing valuable information on how to get around, where to stay, and what to see and do, the guide also includes helpful tips on safety and etiquette in Morocco. The Rough Guide to Morocco is one of our favorite Morocco travel books for detailed and reliable information.
Lonely Planet Morocco (13th Edition)
I have the paperback version of the Lonely Planet Morocco guidebook and have been extremely impressed with the level of detail and helpfulness of the information provided. The book is well-organized and easy to navigate, with clear maps and detailed descriptions of all the top sights and attractions in Morocco. Of course, we never use the maps because we have Waze, but I imagine it would be useful if our phones died or something.
One of the things I appreciate most about this guidebook is the cultural information provided throughout. It’s obvious that the authors have a deep understanding and appreciation of Moroccan culture, and they do an excellent job of explaining customs, traditions, and cultural norms to the reader. Plus, the guide is regularly updated (the 13th version is from 2021) so you know that they aren’t going based off information that is no longer accurate. However, many things in Morocco are “off-the-grid” still, so advice should always be taken with a grain of salt as things may change by the time you get here.
The section on practical information, such as transportation and accommodation options, is also incredibly helpful. The authors provide recommendations for a range of budgets and preferences, and there are detailed descriptions of each option to help you make an informed decision. I recommend the Lonely Planet Morocco 13 guidebook to anyone planning a trip to this amazing country.
Conclusion
There are a ton of great travel books about Morocco, not to mention tons of online resources as well.
If you’d like to learn more about Moroccan Arabic, see our guide.
If you’d like to learn how to stay safe as a solo female traveler, we have a guide for that, too!
Lastly, if you have a Morocco travel book you’d like us to read and review, send us an email and we’d be delighted to check it out and possibly add it to the list!
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