How much does accommodation cost in Morocco for Australians?

Budget guesthouses run about A$20–45 a night, mid-range riads and hotels A$60–150, and luxury riads or 5-star resorts A$200+. A mid-range desert camp near Merzouga is typically A$80–160 per person including dinner and breakfast.

Is it better to stay in a riad or a hotel in Morocco?

For your first nights in a medina city like Marrakech or Fez, a riad gives you the authentic, atmospheric experience. For a pool, a late check-out and easy parking, a modern hotel in the new town (e.g. Guéliz in Marrakech) is more practical. Many travellers do a mix.

Are desert camps in the Sahara worth it?

Yes — a night in a Sahara desert camp near Merzouga or Zagora is a highlight of most Morocco trips. A mid-range camp with a real bed and an ensuite bathroom is the sweet spot; you don't need the A$400+ luxury version to have an unforgettable night under the stars.

Where should Australians book accommodation in Morocco?

Booking.com has the widest riad and hotel coverage in Morocco, and many riads also take direct bookings (sometimes cheaper). For desert camps, book through your riad or a reputable tour operator rather than online, so it's bundled with your transport.

Where to Stay in Morocco: Riads, Hotels & Desert Camps (2026)

Q: What is a riad in Morocco?

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house built around an interior courtyard or garden, usually tucked inside the old medina. Most have been converted into small guesthouses of 5–12 rooms, run by a family or a live-in host. Staying in one is the most atmospheric way to experience a Moroccan city.

Choosing Where to Stay in Morocco

Here’s the thing nobody tells you before your first trip: where you sleep in Morocco is part of the experience, not just a place to crash. A riad with a fountain trickling in the courtyard, breakfast on a rooftop over the medina, a Berber camp under a sky full of stars — these are the memories people come home talking about.

After seven years living here and putting a lot of Australian friends up in a lot of different places, I’ve learned that the “best” accommodation depends entirely on the city and your travel style. This guide breaks down your real options, what each costs in AUD, and how to choose.

The courtyard of a traditional Moroccan riad — the most atmospheric way to stay

The Three Main Types at a Glance

Type	Vibe	Cost / night (AUD)	Best for
Riad	Historic, intimate, in the medina	A$60–250	First-timers, couples, atmosphere
Hotel / Resort	Modern, pool, easy logistics	A$80–400	Families, comfort, longer stays
Desert Camp	Once-in-a-lifetime, in the Sahara	A$80–160 pp	Everyone — at least one night

You don’t have to pick just one. The classic approach — and what I recommend in my 7-day itinerary — is to mix a couple of nights in a riad with a night in the desert.

Riads: The Authentic Choice

A riad is a traditional house built around an interior courtyard, hidden behind an unassuming door in the medina. Most have been lovingly converted into guesthouses of 5–12 rooms.

Why I send first-timers here:

You’re inside the old city, steps from the souks and squares.
The hosts are usually a local family who’ll arrange airport transfers, desert tours and dinner reservations.
Rooftop breakfasts and courtyard mint tea are the real deal.

The honest trade-offs:

You often can’t drive to the door — porters wheel your bags through the medina lanes.
Rooms can be dark (courtyard-facing windows) and walls are thin.
The cheapest riads skimp on heating, which matters in winter.

Cost: A$60–150 for a lovely mid-range riad; A$200+ for a designer one. For my hand-picked list, see the best riads in Marrakech.

A luxury riad bedroom with traditional Moroccan tilework and lanterns

Hotels & Resorts: The Practical Choice

Modern hotels cluster in the new towns — Guéliz and Hivernage in Marrakech, the Ville Nouvelle in Fez. International chains and Moroccan resorts both deliver pools, lifts, parking and reliable air-con.

When a hotel makes more sense:

You’re travelling with kids who need a pool to burn off energy.
You’ve hired a car and want to park without stress.
You want a break from the sensory intensity of the medina.

Cost: A$80–150 for a solid 4-star; A$250–400 for a 5-star resort with full facilities.

💡 Pro tip: My favourite combination in Marrakech is two nights in a medina riad to soak up the atmosphere, then a final night near the airport at a hotel with a pool — a calm, easy end before the long flight home.

Desert Camps: The Unmissable Night

No Morocco trip is complete without a night in a Sahara desert camp, most commonly near Merzouga (the big Erg Chebbi dunes) or Zagora (closer, smaller dunes).

What to expect: a camel trek out at sunset, dinner around a fire, a Berber drum circle, and a sky so full of stars it doesn’t look real.

The tiers:

Basic camp — shared facilities, simple tents. A$50–80 pp.
Mid-range (the sweet spot) — a real bed, an ensuite bathroom, good food. A$80–160 pp.
Luxury — boutique tents with rugs, ensuite, sometimes a plunge pool. A$250–500 pp.

Book it through your riad or tour operator, not as a standalone — it should come bundled with your transport from Marrakech or Fez. I cover the route in the 10-day itinerary.

A camp at the edge of the Sahara dunes near Merzouga

Budget Options: Guesthouses, Kasbahs & Hostels

Morocco is kind to budget travellers:

Dar / guesthouse — a smaller, simpler version of a riad, often family-run. A$25–50.
Kasbah hotels — converted fortress-style buildings, common in the Atlas and the south (Ait Ben Haddou, the Dades Valley). Atmospheric and cheap. A$30–70.
Hostels — Marrakech, Fez and the surf coast have excellent modern hostels with rooftop bars. Dorms A$12–25.

Even on a budget, Morocco rarely feels like you’re cutting corners — see my full cost of travel breakdown.

Where to Stay, City by City

Marrakech — riad in the medina for atmosphere, or Guéliz for modern comfort. (Full neighbourhood breakdown coming in my Marrakech accommodation guide.)
Fez — a riad in Fes el-Bali; the medina is huge, so pick one near a main gate like Bab Boujloud.
Chefchaouen — small guesthouses in the blue medina; everything is walkable.
Essaouira & the coast — breezy riads in the walled town, or surf camps down at Taghazout.
The desert — a camp for the night, with a kasbah hotel in the Dades or Todra on the way.

Booking Tips for Australians

Booking.com has the widest coverage of riads and hotels in Morocco — and free cancellation on most.
Riads often take direct bookings (check their own site or email) — sometimes cheaper, and you can request airport pickup.
Read recent reviews for the words “easy to find” — getting lost hauling luggage through a medina at night is the #1 first-night complaint.
Pay attention to heating in winter (Dec–Feb). Medinas get genuinely cold and not every riad has proper heating.
Desert camps: book through your tour, never as a random online listing — it must be tied to your transport.

A quick note on peace of mind: well-reviewed riads and guesthouses are very safe and welcoming, including for solo female travellers — I cover the detail in is Morocco safe for Australian tourists.

FAQ

What is a riad in Morocco?

A riad is a traditional house built around an interior courtyard, usually inside the old medina. Most are now small guesthouses of 5–12 rooms run by a family — the most atmospheric way to stay in a Moroccan city.

How much does accommodation cost for Australians?

Budget guesthouses A$20–45, mid-range riads/hotels A$60–150, luxury A$200+. A mid-range desert camp is about A$80–160 per person with dinner and breakfast.

Riad or hotel — which is better?

A riad for atmosphere on your first medina nights; a modern hotel in the new town for a pool, parking and a calm break. Most travellers do a mix.

Are desert camps worth it?

Absolutely. A mid-range camp with a real bed and ensuite near Merzouga is the sweet spot — you don’t need the luxury version for an unforgettable night.

Where should I book?

Booking.com for the widest riad and hotel coverage; book desert camps through your riad or tour operator so they’re bundled with transport.

Planning the whole trip? Browse all accommodation guides and the itineraries collection. Last updated: May 2026.