Morocco vs The Mediterranean - Where’s Best For Your Holiday?

Sunshine, beauty, history and wonder – it’s all waiting on your next luxury holiday.

Will you choose Morocco, a hub for culture located in North Africa, where you can expect 300 sunny days a year and a myriad of exceptional resorts bordering both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea? Experience the iconic city of Casablanca, the coastal jewel of Agadir or the cultural hive of Marrakesh for the chance to explore lively cities, relax on golden beaches and escape to the Sahara Desert for once-in-a-lifetime adventures. Or perhaps you’ll find holiday happiness in the wider Mediterranean. With luxury resorts across fabulous destinations like Malta, Spain, Greece, Cyprus and Turkey, you’ll have the opportunity to experience stunning surroundings, blissful beaches, ancient histories and deep-rooted cultures. Dine on culinary wonders, quench your thirst with refreshing locally-made wine and beer or let loose in a lively pub or nightclub. Have we piqued your interest?

Search our Morocco and Mediterranean holidays.

Where’s best for beaches?

Sun-kissed expanses await in both Morocco and the Mediterranean. Travel to Agadir, on Morocco’s southern coast, for a 10 kilometre-long seafront. Here, the Corniche d’Agadir boasts a picturesque promenade with cafés and restaurants, while the Bay of Agadir has six miles of pristine sands perfect for family holidays. Another Moroccan beach holiday hotspot is Plage Ain Diab, located in glitzy Casablanca. With pleasant coastal breezes, this area offers amazing water sports conditions. The Mediterranean is synonymous with idyllic beach holidays. With 9,000 different islands and islets, you’re sure to find heaven on a Greek island getaway in the likes of Crete, Santorini or Corfu. Antalya in Turkey is known as the Turkish Riviera – opt for a hotel in Side, Lara, Alanya and beyond for blissful Blue Flag-certified stretches. Or, Escape to the Costa del Sol in Spain for pristine beachfronts in the Mediterranean resorts of Malaga and Marbella.

Where’s best for activities?

If you’re seeking an activity-filled adventure holiday, then Morocco and the Mediterranean are two of the best destinations. Blend thrills with spellbinding scenery to enjoy experiences that will take your breath away. Both are hubs for water sports, with the Mediterranean Sea and Atlantic Ocean offering inviting waters to try your hand at scuba diving, snorkelling, kayaking, paddleboarding, windsurfing and more. There’s also boat trips around the coast – opt for a sunset departure for bundles of romance. Explore Morocco’s Atlas Mountains with biking excursions and ziplining. You can also try caving, rock climbing and 4X4 safaris. For something a little less intense, visit one of the top-class golf courses in Casablanca, Agadir and Marrakesh. Malta promises similar outdoor fun with horse riding, rock climbing and segwaying across its awe-inspiring landscape. For those who want to party, holidays to Cyprus, the Greek islands of Kos and Zante and, of course, Ibiza will exceed all your expectations.

Where’s best for nature?

Enchanting natural wonders can be found across Morocco and the Mediterranean, where you can uncover hidden gems among the varying landscapes. Fondly referred to as the “Land of the Dunes”, Morocco acts as a mesmerising gateway to the Sahara Desert. Take in the vistas of the terracotta sands when you dune buggy, sand board or camel ride. If you want a once-in-a-lifetime bird’s eye view, a hot air balloon ride will surely take your breath away. Similarly, the Atlas Mountains showcase more of Morocco's beauty. Spanning across 1,000km, enjoy hiking and ATV tours while you explore the terrain and uncover traditional Amazigh villages concealed among the cliffs. A Mediterranean holiday to Greece will reveal to you even more magical surroundings. Kefalonia’s lush green mountains dominate the backdrop with their pine-clad slopes that seamlessly blend into vineyards, while Halkidiki’s Petralona Cave is a hotspot for ancient fossils and rock formations.

Where’s best for culture?

Culture oozes from every corner of Morocco, while the Mediterranean has a deep-rooted history of its own just waiting to beguile you. Visit Marrakesh, the cultural capital of Morocco, for jaw-dropping architecture like the Koutoubia Mosque, which boasts a 226ft-high minaret. Walk the streets of Medina, Marrakech’s old town and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, to find the bustling Jemaa el-Fna square. This area is home to the largest souk in the country and you can barter with the locals for clothing, spices, street food and authentic Moroccan souvenirs. Agadir and the capital Rabat are also hubs for culture, with even more opportunities for pure immersion into an intriguing heritage. A Turkey holiday will highlight the rich culture of this Mediterranean destination, especially in Keleici, Antalya’s old town, where you’ll find charming cobblestone streets and the imposing Hadrian’s Gate. Greece and Cyprus are both hubs for ancient mythology where you can discover temples, palaces and shrines.

Where’s best for cuisine?

After reading all of the above, we’re sure you’re already planning your next getaway. But to entice you even further, the Mediterranean and Morocco offer a delicious cuisine enhanced by local produce. For both destinations, seafood features heavily. Morocco’s aromatic national dish, couscous, often accompanies traditional dishes like tagine, stew-like meals slow-cooked in a cone-shaped pot, and pastilla, a pie made with flaky pastry. Across the Mediterranean, you’ll also find delicious staples like wine – local wines are a real delicacy – bread, cheese and olive oil. For scrumptious paellas, tapas and sangria, Spain is the holiday haven for you. Dine in cosy, family-run taverns on your Greek escape, with dishes like gyros, moussaka, souvlaki and baklava the most popular on the islands. A gastronomic journey awaits on a holiday in Malta, where you can taste specialities like stuffat tal-fenek, a rich rabbit stew, pastizzi, a pastry stuffed with ricotta cheese, and qaghaq tal-ghasel, doughnuts filled with treacle.

Best time to visit

When it comes to weather, Morocco and the Mediterranean are extremely similar. Both are blessed with a divine subtropical climate that creates dry and warm summers and milder, slightly wetter winters. The best time to visit either Morocco or a Mediterranean destination would be in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October), often referred to as the shoulder seasons. At this time of year, temperatures remain blissfully in the mid-20s and coastal breezes provide welcome respite from the sunshine. This is perfect for exploring the diverse landscapes, immersing yourself in culture and taking in the spectacular sites. Overall, November is deemed the wettest month. Holidaymakers seeking sun-soaked days on a picturesque beach or poolside in your luxury hotel, when temperatures can breach 40℃, should visit in the summer months of June to August.

“Don’t let being indecisive make you miss out on wonderful holiday experiences. With this detailed guide, we’ve narrowed down the best bits about Morocco and the Mediterranean to help you make the right decision for you.

“Both promise outstanding beaches and glorious weather pretty much all year round and there’s no question that both destinations boast a spellbinding natural beauty.

“While each destination has a slightly different cuisine, there’s a constant theme of wholesome, home-style dishes that fill you with joy and goodness. Morocco promises spices and hearty stew-based meals, while the Mediterranean offers a variety from flavoursome paellas to moreish doughnut deserts – and don’t forget about the tantalising wines made in the Mediterranean vineyards either!

“Adventure awaits, as does the opportunity for utter relaxation and romance. Whether you’re travelling as a family, group of friends or a loved-up couple, Morocco and the Mediterranean are two great locations to consider for your next holiday.”

Barceló Palmeraie Oasis Resort, Marrakesh

Escape to the serene heart of Marrakesh's Palmeraie, where lush gardens exude tranquillity and traditional architecture oozes Moroccan charm. Perfect for couples seeking romance and intimacy, as well as families wanting to make lifelong memories, you’ll find an array of exceptional facilities on offer. Swimming pools, including one that is adults-only, provide respite from the scintillating Moroccan sunshine, the spa and wellness center promise relaxation and the kids’ club offers fun for younger guests. At dinner, you can enjoy cuisines from Morocco, France, Japan and Italy.

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The View Agadir

Lazy days await on your luxury Agadir holiday, located on Morocco’s sun-kissed coast. With access to a private beach and multiple refreshing swimming pools, you can while away the hours in pure bliss, ensuring you feel revitalised and come home with a bronzy tan. Book a treatment at the spa for a pamper session unlike any other or break a sweat in the modern fitness centre. Rooms are spacious and extremely comfortable, with beautifully-appointed furnishings to ensure you have a haven for relaxation after fun-filled days.

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Ikos Andalusia, Costa del Sol

5-star sophistication can be found on Spain's divine golden coast, the Costa del Sol. Expect an unforgettable holiday in this outstanding spot that was named World’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brand 2024. Activities, like swimming, tennis, beach volleyball and cycling, are encouraged to soak up the sunshine, while there’s also spa treatments, yoga, pilates and a fitness studio available, too. Opt for an all-inclusive stay and enjoy a programme filled with delicious dining, tantalising beverages, use of the kids’ club and a fully-stocked minibar daily.

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Constantinou Bros Asimina Suites Hotel, Paphos

Mediterranean bliss awaits in Cyprus’ sunny resort of Paphos. Adult-only luxury is on offer here, making it the perfect spot for a romantic getaway or one-of-a-kind honeymoon in paradise. Lounge by the pool or soak up the sun on the adjacent pristine beachfront, feeling the sand beneath your toes. Guests can also look forward to sumptuous spa treatments and energising sessions in the fully-equipped gym. With four restaurants on site, you can dine on delicious flavours showcasing Mediterranean cuisine.

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Hilton Dalaman Sarigerme Resort & Spa

Family fun awaits in this luxury 5-star hotel in Turkey. Offering unrivalled all-inclusive holidays, guests can expect delicious dining, alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages and a daily refreshed minibar in your accommodation. This wonderful hotel also boasts a 650 metre-long private beach, multiple swimming pools, an aquapark, kids’ club and fitness facilities, including a 24-hour gym and tennis courts. Take a relaxing dip in the jacuzzi, enjoy a rejuvenating spa treatment or make use of the water sports equipment and explore the marine world.

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Mitsis Selection Laguna, Crete

All-inclusive luxury is waiting for you in this 5-star Crete paradise. Venice-style architecture and elegant accommodations will wow you, while the facilities will take your holiday to the next level. There’s multiple swimming pools, including one with water slides, water sports equipment, a serene spa, sleek fitness centre and a variety of exciting activities to fill your days with fun. Families seeking tranquillity will love the kids’ playground and direct beach, as well as the myriad of dining venues offering delectable dishes.

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Ikos Dassia, Corfu

Blissful days can be found on a beach holiday at this one-of-a-kind luxury hotel in Corfu. You’ll want for nothing here, especially as Ikos was named World’s Leading Luxury All-Inclusive Resort Brand 2024. Walk along soft sand on the adjacent Blue Flag beach, get active on the sports courts, enjoy a swim in the refreshing pools or explore the island on a kayak or mountain bike excursion. Visit as a family and find plenty of child-friendly amenities, or as a couple seeking romance and serenity.

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