Get my latest travel guides, tips, and photos to plan your ultimate bucket list trip!

Trimm Travels

Armchair Traveling: 22 Ways to Travel Virtually from Home

Last Updated: September 4, 2024

This post contains affiliate links. At no additional cost to you, I may earn a small commission if you book or purchase through these links. You can read my full disclosure policy  here .

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Armchair Traveling Guide

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

There are 22 ways to guide you in armchair traveling below including travel-themed ideas for kids, adults, families, and couples. From destinations to activities and products, there is something for everyone!

1 | Take A Virtual Destination Tour

Technology is a great thing and thankfully, we have come a long way with it. So, take advantage of that with virtual tours of the following destinations:

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Entrance to Keukenhof Gardens in Lisse, The Netherlands (April 2019)

Tour Keukenhof Gardens-The Netherlands

Tour USA National Parks

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Times Square, NYC (February 2019)

Tour New York City

Tour Chicago, Illinois

Tour Oklahoma, USA

Tour Alaska, USA

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Machu Picchu, Perú (May 2017)

Tour Machu Picchu, Perú

You might also like my Peru posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Floralis Genérica, Buenos Aires (March 2019)

Tour Buenos Aires, Argentina

You might also like my Argentina posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Eiffel Tower, Paris (July 2018)

Tour Paris, France

Tour London, England

You might also like my Paris posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Goðafoss Waterfall, Iceland (October 2018)

Tour Iceland

You might also like my Iceland posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Schönbrunn Palace, Vienna (December 2018)

Tour Austria

Tour Sydney, Australia

You might also like my Austria posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Torii Gate-Chureito Pagoda, Japan (November 2019)

Tour Hong Kong

You might also like my Japan posts !

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Chefchaouen “Blue Pearl”, Morocco (June 2018)

Tour Morocco

You might also like my Morocco posts !

2 | Livestream Destinations

Taking virtual travel to a higher level, many destinations have webcams where you can see what’s going on in real time. Try these out:

Times Square, NYC

Sydney, Australia

Northern Lights-Manitoba, Canada (seasonal)

Trevi Fountain-Rome, Italy

Yosemite Falls, Yosemite National Park

Old Faithful, Yellowstone National Park

CN Tower-Toronto, Canada

Shibuya Crossing-Tokyo, Japan

Niagara Falls, USA/Canada

Las Vegas Strip

Banff, Canada

St. Peter’s Square, Vatican City

The MOON (yes, I’m serious!)

These are just a few of the million more webcams around the world . They even have a most viewed webcams category!

3 | Take a Virtual Library, Museum, or Palace Tour

It’s not just the outdoors we can explore virtually, but we can tour the indoors too. Try the following virtual tours of libraries and museums:

National Museum of Natural History (Smithsonian)

Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum (NYC)

Uffizi Gallery (Florence, Italy)

The Sand Museum (Tottori, Japan)

Palace of Versailles (France)

Ronald Reagan Presidential Library (California)

Austrian National Library (Vienna)

Royal Palace Amsterdam

4 | Take a Virtual Arts Tour

Staying with indoor tours, one of my favorite places to explore when traveling is opera houses. Here are a few of my favorites you can tour virtually :

Sydney Opera House

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Vienna Opera House (December 2018)

Vienna State Opera House

Palais Garnier

For The Family

5 | virtual travel with kids.

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Take time to assist your kids with armchair traveling. There are plenty of options out there to help them virtually travel or bring travel-themed ideas to them:

20 Virtual Field Trips for Kids

Amazing Virtual Tours for Kids

Little Passports (a great monthly subscription service for kids ages 3+ to “travel the world”)

Best Travel Books for Kids

Daily Travel Inspired Itinerary for Kids

Best Around the World Card Games

Printable Travel Games for Kids

6 | Play Travel-Themed Board Games

The olden days of playing board games are olden no more. They have made a huge comeback! Try out these travel-themed games for some family fun:

Ticket to Ride-First Journey

  • Europe version
  • NYC version

Explore the World

Trekking the National Parks-The Family Board Game

7 | Put Together a Travel-Themed Puzzle

Also making a comeback in popularity are puzzles. Satisfy your wanderlust by putting together a puzzle of a beautiful destination:

Sunny Santorini

4D Cityscape Las Vegas

Dreamy Positano, Italy

Route 66-America’s Main Street

Machu Picchu, Peru

London 4D Cityscape

8 | Try Travel-Themed Activity Books

As a way to travel while simultaneously decreasing anxiety and stress, coloring books are great activities for adults. While kids like to color, activity books typically keep their attention longer. 😉 Check out these travel-themed books:

Landmarks of the World Adult Coloring Book

Adventures Around the Globe Activity Book for Kids

Couples and Individuals

9 | make travel-themed dinners.

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Vegan Ramen Bowl at The Fieldhouse in Montana (September 2019)

Food is one of my favorite aspects of traveling. I mean, food is the way to our hearts, is it not? Try out a travel-themed dinner and reminisce about a trip you’ve taken or where you’d like to go next! I will start you out with my own travel-inspired recipe for my favorite Spanish pizza .

Looking for more than just a recipe? Want to learn to cook like an Italian or bake like a champ? These chefs are hosting free online cooking classes .

You might also like my food posts !

10 | Travel the World via Cocktails

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Left: “Swimming Pool” cocktail in Paris (2018)  | Right: Peanut Butter Cup Martini in Montana (2019)

For those who love to try the local drink when they visit a new destination, try these international cocktail recipes .

11 | Virtual Wine Tastings

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Red wine tasting on a food tour in Paris (July 2018)

What? Yep! Wine lovers can actually do these virtual wine tastings that come with tasting kits! Don’t worry about traveling to Napa. Bring Napa to you!

12 | Light a Travel-Scented Candle

Okay, I know what you’re thinking. What is a travel scent? Well, that depends on you. It might be the ocean to take you to the beach, lavender to transport you to France , Mediterranean inspired scents or the smell of the great outdoors . Find your favorite scent and connect your sense of smell to your love of travel!

13 | Plan a Travel-Themed Spa Day

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Spa at Palace Luzern in Switzerland (August 2016)

Transport yourself to a French spa by getting yourself a plush spa robe , spa slippers , lavender bubble bath , a bottle of French wine, and the aforementioned lavender candle .

Another option is to recreate your own spa experience from your travels. My favorites included this Swiss spa , this Austrian spa , and this Canadian spa .

*Disclaimer: Significant Other optional. It’s okay if you just need a moment alone..especially if you have kids!

14 | Watch Travel Movies

Once you’ve had that relaxing bubble bath, carry that glass of wine to the bed or the couch and settle in for a great travel movie off this list .

15 | Watch Travel-Themed Netflix Shows

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Photo Credit: Rafael Henrique | Depositphotos.com

Maybe a movie isn’t exactly what you’re in the mood for. If not, try these travel Netflix shows to satisfy your wanderlust.

16 | Read Travel-Themed Books

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

If you are like me, reading is something you love to do but never have the time. Maybe it’s time to start back. Crawl into bed after your movie or TV show is over and wind down before going to sleep with a good travel read and travel-themed books .

My personal favorite reads aren’t necessarily travel-themed but are set in London. This hilarious nine-book series is stress-relieving chic-lit. When reading these, I always imagine being in London and all of its sites. Penned by a British author , I enjoy the language and the London way of life.

17 | Read TRAVEL BLOGS!

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

My blog’s homepage 🙂

While we’re on the subject of reading, please keep reading travel blogs. You achieve several purposes at the same time: fueling your wanderlust, inspiration for planning future travels as well as supporting small businesses. Like mine, so many travel blogs are small businesses. Just by reading our blogs (which costs you nothing), you can help us greatly and we very much appreciate it!

18 | Bring Broadway Home

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Hamilton at the Richard Rodgers Theater in NYC (February 2018)

Are you a theater lover? Have you always wanted to visit NYC and see a play on Broadway? If you currently can’t travel, bring Broadway to you or see these other 6 ways to enjoy Broadway at home .

You might also like my New York City posts !

19 | Learn a New Language

If you can’t currently travel, use the time to learn a new language. If you don’t already have a favorite, start with the language of the next destination you want to visit. No, learning a new language isn’t easy. Yes, it’s extremely useful. No, you don’t have to be fluent to make a difference. Just learning a few words in the language can make a huge difference when traveling not only in terms of helping you out but it’s much appreciated by the locals!

Maybe you already speak another language but you aren’t quite fluent yet. I fall into this category with Spanish. I’m between conversational and fluent and I am constantly learning especially when I’m not traveling.

My personal tips for learning a new language:

  • Watch TV in that language
  • Listen to music in that language
  • Read your daily news source in that language. ( X-formerly Twitter is good for this because you can follow a news source in another language, read the tweet in the foreign language and view its translation to check your progress)
  • Read books in that language (if you are far enough along)
  • Practice with friends who speak that language
  • Constantly think in that language

My favorite language learning apps:

  • Rosetta Stone

My favorite language learning tools (and what I personally have used) are the McGraw Hill Practice Makes Perfect series. You can get them in Spanish , French , Italian , German , and English for ESL .

20 | Participate in Virtual Travel Run/Walk Challenges

If you can’t travel, you can still be active with a travel theme. Try these virtual travel fitness challenges . They can be running, walking, biking, swimming, etc and you can complete them at your own pace . You can track your progress along the trail and even see a street view.

Sign up (there is a fee to join a challenge), download the app ( iPhone or Android ), connect your favorite fitness tracker and your outdoor activity will be recorded. It’s that easy. Once it’s completed, your medal is sent to you!

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

My Inca Trail Marathon Virtual Challenge t-shirt (April 2020)

I recently completed the Inca Trail marathon through Machu Picchu in Perú . I’m currently waiting on my medal and I even got the shirt (extra purchase). However, if you prefer something different, there is Route 66, Grand Canyon, Great Ocean Road, Appalachian Trail, or create your own !

21 | Drawing Disney

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

My drawing of Disney’s “Bambi” (2015)

Missing Disney World and wanting to visit? How about trying your hand at Disney animation drawing? I love to draw, had the opportunity to draw at Disney, and have both of mine framed on my wall. If you can’t get to Disney right now, this ultimate guide to Disney animation is the perfect tutorial to complete over 60 drawings at home!

22 | Airbnb Online Experiences

Last, but not least, if none of the above have piqued your interest, try one of Airbnb’s online experiences . For a small fee, you can participate in a number of different activities in many different countries. From family baking experiences to tango lessons in Argentina and snuggling with pets in the USA , there is something for everyone!

Sometimes there are circumstances that don't allow you to travel. However, armchair traveling is the solution. Here are virtual ways to travel from home! #armchairtravel #virtualtravel #travelfromhome #hometravel #staycation #travel #destinations #traveltips #travelinspiration #athome #virtualtraveling

Sometimes, due to various reasons, you aren’t able to travel. So when you can’t travel then bring the travel to you! Where there’s a will, there’s a way, right? I hope you have enjoyed this comprehensive list and have already found an activity to try. Happy armchair traveling!

Have you been armchair traveling somewhere cool? If so, please post it below so we can all “travel” there!

‘Til next time…

Trimm Travels,

Similar Posts

Have a traveler in your life and have no idea what to give them? An entire trip obviously isn't the answer, but this gift giving guide is!

2017 Gift Giving Guide for the Globetrotter

Have a traveler in your life and have no idea what to give them? An entire trip obviously isn’t the answer, but this gift giving guide is!

40th Birthday

My 40th Birthday-Tales From a NYE Bicentennial Baby

My 40th Birthday. Already!?! Tales from this New Year’s Eve Bicentennial Baby!! Read on to see photos of me growing up and my thoughts on turning 40!

Remembering Attacks 9/11/01

Remembering 9/11: I Will Never Forget

Do you remember where you were that day? What you were doing? How you felt? This is where I was, what I was doing and why we should never forget!

Hurricane Harvey Help Houston

Lending Love on Labor Day: Help Houston

Has Houston been on your mind lately? Mine too. Wondering what you can do? Here are a few ways to help Houston and show them some love!

I know exactly how hard it is to find the perfect carryon. If you like spinners, check out the best carry on luggage in this review of the Chester Minima! #carryon #luggage #chester #spinner #travel

Best Carry On Luggage: A Review of the Chester Minima

I know exactly how hard it is to find the perfect carryon. If you like spinners, check out the best carry on luggage in this review of the Chester Minima! See how it made a believer out of this huge spinner doubter. Yep, I highly admit I wouldn’t go there…until now!

Trimm Travels' fourth year was a fantastic year just like the three before it. As you'll see, it was different than the previous years but still great! #blogversary #blogbirthday #trimmtravels #fourth

The Fourth Year: Trimm Travels Turns Four!

Trimm Travels’ fourth year was a fantastic year just like the three before it. As you’ll see, it was different than the previous years but still a fantastic one. I definitely can’t complain. Come celebrate my fourth blogversary with me and thank you for getting me here!

10 Comments

Ohh I think so many people are starting to get the travel blues. You’ve got so many great ideas here. My favourite way to stay positive and keep the travel vibes high is to live vicariously through others. Reading a book set in a beautiful location or watching a movie on Netflix is a great way to do that.

Hi Emma-I totally agree! Netflix or TV in general for me has helped a lot. But, I’ve also enjoyed doing the virtual tours and definitely, my virtual destination marathon. Thanks for reading! 🙂

I love how creative people are getting and how we are adjusting to a world where we are traveling from home. These are great virtual tours, many of these places I’ve not visited!

Hi Chelsea-I totally agree. Thankfully we are very adaptable just hoping for a return to normalcy (or something to its effect) soon! Thanks for reading! 🙂

Oh my goodness, there is so much to do, virtually, I had no idea there were so many options these days. Some of these I hadn’t heard of. Virtual marathons, virtual airbnb experiences and livestream the Moon, wow! All such fantastic suggestions. I’m going to give some of these a go to keep me busy until we can travel again. I think I might try the Inca Trail too, as I’ve always wanted to go to Machu Picchu.

Hi Tania-I know!! I couldn’t believe how much there is to do virtually either! I’m going to try some Airbnb experiences as well. I highly recommend the Inca Trail Virtual Marathon. It was SO much fun! When you’re able definitely visit Machu Picchu . Perú is absolutely amazing and in my top 3 favorite countries! Thanks for reading! 🙂

Live streaming destinations sounds interesting, but I wonder if it’s at all planned out or if it’s just a webcam sitting in one location for hours. I love National Parks and I know it won’t be the same as if I were there, but if this continues live streaming may be something I actually resort to 🙂

Hi Candy-I think there’s some of both involved depending on what it is. For example, I think Old Faithful is fixed. However, there is definitely some creativity out there so it’s worth checking out! Thanks for reading! 🙂

You had me at “travel-themed cocktails”! But seriously, as a teacher I am so thrilled with how many museums and national parks have been doing live-streaming and tours. It’s awesome to still be able to take kids on field trips right now, even if it’s not the same. It gives them a nice break from the day-to-day, just like all of your awesome suggestions here!

Hi Dani-Thanks for your feedback. Glad you liked it and especially the cocktails! I am also glad that so many places have provided virtual tours for kids because they need it and the adults need the break but also for the adults who need it too! Thanks for reading! 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

I accept the Privacy Policy

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

WHO DOESN'T LOVE COOKIES?

Privacy overview.

Loading ...

Sidewalk Safari | Part-time Travel Blog

31 ways to be an armchair traveler from the comfort of your own home.

Armchairs at a cafe in Birmingham England

What Does Armchair Travel Mean?

Armchair travel ideas.

  • Watch a travel-inspired movie

Watch a travel-themed TV show

Tune into wildlife on youtube, live vicariously through rick steves, listen to a travel-themed podcast.

  • Create and curate a "Top 10 List" from each of your past trips

Create and print a photo book

Make a travel photo mosaic, reminisce with family over travel photos from past trips, put a travel slide show on your tv, create a travel shrine with souvenirs from past trips, reminisce with the help of your social feeds.

  • Organize your vacation memories
  • Research a trip, just don't book it
  • Create a travel gratitude list

Keep a journal

Play a travel-themed board game, go on a virtual tour, work out to a destination-themed exercise video.

  • Take a photowalk while respecting social distancing
  • Go balcony birdwatching

Read travel blogs

Read a travel-themed book, write a travel story, break out the snacks you brought home from your last trip, cook a meal from your favorite destination.

  • Order takeout of different cuisines from around the world
  • Drink a bottle of wine from your favorite destination or place you were planning to go.

Set-up a call with your travel-minded friends

Organize a travel slideshow virtual viewing party with friends, socialize with like-minded travel-lovers on social media, armchair travel ideas: watch and listen, watch a travel-inspired movie.

  • National Lampoon's Vacation : Watch the comedic (mis)adventures of the Griswolds and their family truckster as they make their way to Wally World on the ultimate American road trip.
  • Honeymoon in Vegas : Suspend your sense of disbelief and get a taste of both Las Vegas and Hawaii as Jack Singer loses his fiancee in a hand of poker and chases her to tropical locales to save her from gangster Tommy Corman. Oh, and there are flying Elvises.
  • Up in the Air : If you are a frequent flyer and miss that gold-plated business/first-class experience, follow George Clooney as he takes to the skies.
  • Romancing the Stone : "Is this the bus to Cartagena?" Follow romance novelist Joan Wilder on a treasure hunt to save her sister in the jungles of Colombia.
  • Dirty Rotten Scoundrels : Steve Martin and Michael Caine always make me smile in this con artist comedy. Bonus points for the sunny French Riviera setting of Beaumont-sur-Mer. 
  • A Place in the Sun : Watch British couples agonize over where to buy that perfect second home in warm sunny climes. You'll get to see some super-cool real estate as well as some really fun sun holiday destinations across Europe and beyond.
  • The Amazing Race : Do you have a competitive streak? If so, the Amazing Race is for you. Watch 10 teams of two face their fears and battle it out for a 1 million dollar prize in a race around the world. 
  • The Love Boat : Transport yourself back in time to when cruise ships were full of romance, not harbingers of doom. 
  • Panama Fruit Feeders : Watch an amazing display of colorful exotic birds stop by for a snack in the jungle in Panama.
  • Namibia Livestream in the Namib Desert : Journey into the African desert and catch a glimpse of the wildlife grabbing a drink at a rare watering hole.
  • Sloth TV : Get a dose of cuteness with this live feed of baby sloths in Costa Rica . 

Armchair Travel Ideas: Reminisce

Create and curate a top 10 list from each of your past trips.

Armchair Travel Ideas: Organize

Plan a trip, but don't book it, create a travel-focused gratitude list, armchair travel ideas: do.

  • beach workout
  • sunset workout
  • virtual scenery
  • workout scenery
  • virtual cycling 

Take a photowalk

Balcony birdwatching, armchair travel ideas: read and write.

  • Roaming Required is written by an Australian couple living in London and focuses on great destinations near and far and goes particularly in depth on places in the UK. If you're a history buff, Roaming Required is definitely for you.
  • Reflections Enroute is written by an American-expat couple living abroad with an adventurous streak. Self-drive in Uganda, anyone?
  • Wayfaring Views shares a lot of amazing street art and book recommendations; two of my favorite things.
  • Hokkaido Highway Blues is a travelogue by Will Ferguson covering his quest to follow the Spring cherry blossoms in Japan clear across the country from South to North.
  • Batavia's Graveyard will take you back to the age of exploration when the Dutch East India Company ship, Batavia, was shipwrecked and the crew marooned on a small island off of Australia. The killing spree that ensued reads like a work of fiction but is even more mesmerizing because this is a work of non-fiction.
  • River of Doubt: Theodore Roosevelt's Darkest Journey shares the story of U.S. President Teddy Roosevelt's scientific expedition to the darkest corners of Brazil.
  • First They Killed My Father will put what we are currently going through into proper perspective and make you realize how much worse things could be. First They Killed my Father is a first hand account of life under the Khmer Rouge in Cambodia.
  • Long Walk to Freedom is an inspiring biography about the life of Nelson Mandela and the quest to abolish Apartheid in South Africa.
  • A Sense of the World: How a Blind Man Became History's Greatest Traveler . This book is truly inspirational. An 18th century blind man didn't let his lack of sight stop him from having some great (and often dangerous adventures). 

Armchair Travel Ideas: Eat and Drink

Order takeout of different cuisines around the world, drink a bottle of wine from your favorite destination or place you were planning to go, armchair travel ideas: socialize at home and online, did you enjoy this post on how to be an armchair traveller when you have to stay at home sharing is caring... .

30 Armchair Travel Ideas

FOLLOW SIDEWALK SAFARI PART-TIME TRAVEL BLOG$type=social_counter

  • twitter|14.8k|followers|follow
  • instagram|10.3k|followers|follow
  • pinterest|4k|followers|follow
  • facebook|835|likes|like

Footer Logo

Featured In

Terms and Conditions

Privacy Policy

Cookie policy

Wanderlust Movement | A South Africa Travel Blog

Armchair Travel: How to Master Travelling the World From Home

April 6, 2020 by Lauren Melnick

Last Updated on January 24, 2023 by Lauren Melnick

Armchair Travel: How to Master Travelling the World From Home

Is cabin fever rife in your household? Are you close to finding a spider, and letting it bite you so you can start climbing up walls??

As a travel blogger who cannot travel, it’s been tough. I’ve been feeling stumped about what content I should be creating and then there’s the repeating thought: “ Does anyone even care anymore!? Should I throw in the towel in and become a food blogger?? ”

Despite all my mental spirals, I’ve found a wee bit of light at the end of the tunnel – armchair travel and I’m kinda obsessed!

As an introvert and a Taurus (shout out to all my fellow bulls who are eating themselves out of house and home ♉), I love discovering new destinations from the comfort of my bed.

Sure, armchair travel doesn’t compare to chasing waterfalls in Bali , but you don’t need to stress about getting to the airport on time, and there are ZERO crowds at the top attractions.

If you want to re-ignite your wanderlust, here’s a guide to armchair travel and nine ways to enjoy travel from home!

Table of Contents

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

The metropolitan museum of art, the vatican museums, kenai fjords national park, alaska, bryce canyon national park, utah, hawai’i volcanoes national park, hawaii, carlsbad caverns national park, new mexico, dry tortugas national park, florida, best travel tv shows, best travel movies, cook your favourite food from around the world, read wanderlust-inducing books, binge your favourite travel blogs & vlogs, start planning your next trip, reminisce about your favourite trip ever, how to master armchair travel.

vatican-in-rome

The iconic Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy!

Marvel at Artistic Masterpieces with Virtual Museums

Are museum visits high on your itinerary for new destinations? You can get your fix without needing to put on pants. Some of the world’s most famous museums have virtual tours that are 100% free!

Here are some of the best virtual museums to check out:

Pretend your summer plans to Paris never got cancelled with a virtual tour through The Louvre . As one of the largest art museums in the world , you can spend hours exploring the rare artifacts like the Mona Lisa and exhibits such as the Egyptian Antiquities and Galerie d’Apollon.

The best part?

You don’t need to muscle your way past crowds and stand on your tiptoes to see the incredible works of art.

The Louvre

The Louvre Museum at night *swoon*

mona lisa in The Louvre

The best part about being a virtual traveller? No crowds!

Visit one of the top museums in the world while you treat yo’ self to a face mask and mani-pedi. The Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History in Washington, D.C. has a  360-degree online tour .

It includes all of the popular exhibits like the Hall of Mammals , Hall of Human Origins, The Sant Ocean Hall, The Last American Dinosaurs and Butterflies + Plants: Partners in Evolution.

Smithsonian National Museum of Natural History

While I possess as much style as Anna Wintour’s left pinky, I still fantasise about attending The Met Gala. Since fashion’s event of the year has been postponed and I won’t get to see celebrities bizarre outfits for another year, The Met’s virtual tours are the next best thing.

The museum is home to over two million works of fine art with collections from Vincent van Gogh and my favourite artist of all time, Jackson Pollock .

The Metropolitan Museum of Art

If you only have time for one museum on this list ( lol kidding, what else would you be doing ), virtually make your way to The Vatican Museums in Rome, Italy .

Flex your armchair travel muscles and tour the museum grounds . See famous exhibits like the Sistine Chapel without thousands of other people and guards telling you to shush.

Read More: How To Visit The Vatican (A Massive Travel Guide)

ceilings in the vatican

Imagine waking up to this level of artistry every single day.

Laocoon and His Sons

You won’t believe how many people I had to squeeze past to get this shot!

Kenai Fjords National Park, Alaska

The majestic Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska!

Explore a U.S. National Park From Your Couch

For all the avid hikers out there who are wearing their boots around the house for nostalgia, experience some of the United States best national parks without the expensive plane ticket or applying for a visa.

Google Arts & Culture lets you explore five national parks that show off the country’s diverse climates and environments and takes you on a virtual great outdoors adventure!

Explore the glaciers, fjords and icebergs of Kenai Fjords National Park in Alaska . The virtual tour isn’t a passive scroll past incredible landscapes. It invites you to take part in one-of-a-kind adventures. Climb down icy crevasses , go kayaking past massive icebergs and watch a glacier melt.

As someone who loves astrophotography, I’m missing my 2 AM missions to capture the milky way. Luckily, I can virtually scratch that itch with an online tour of Bryce Canyon National Park . Starting at Sunset Point, you can gaze through a telescope up at the night’s sky and learn about the different constellations.

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

Utah’s landscapes always get me so excited about climbing mountains!

Bryce Canyon National Park, Utah

I mean, look at these magnificent rocks. They are screaming for me to climb them!

I don’t know about you, but I’ve dreamed of exploring Hawaii ever since that one Baywatch season. With the island’s most popular national park accessible online , I’m one step closer to experiencing that slice of paradise. As a virtual traveller, you can discover the Nahuku Lava Tube , take in stunning coastal vistas and fly over an active volcano .

Love exploring what’s underneath the Earth’s service? Sign up for a virtual tour through the Carlsbad Caverns National Park in New Mexico. It’s home to over 100 caves with incredible rock formations and thousands of bats. If life is getting dull as a human, you can opt to experience the park’s life as a bat simulation .

Dry Tortugas National Park is a remote part of the United States. If you wanted to visit the park in real life, you would need to book a private seaplane or boat to get there. With the virtual tour , you get to save some dollars ( anyone else shook at the Rand to U.S. dollar exchange rate!? ) and dive a shipwreck , swim past the third largest coral reef in the world and see a Civil War-era fort.

Dry Tortugas National Park, Florida

Singapore: The filming location for the wildly successful Crazy Rich Asians

Stream The Best Travel Movies & Series

Like many people around the world, I’ve been making a dent in my Netflix watch list. So much so that I convinced my boyfriend to get a VPN and sign us up for Hulu.

If you’re running out of things to watch and want to fuel your wanderlust, here’s a list of the best armchair travel movies and TV series to watch:

An Idiot Abroad:  One of my favourite travel shows of all time. It’s a hilarious show that follows the misadventures of Karl Pilkinton, a guy who hates travel and has zero interest in learning about global cultures. He is forced to travel the world by his friends Ricky Gervais and Stephen Merchant.

Parts Unknown: Parts Unknown is a delicious adventure around the world with Anthony Bourdain. Join the late chef and TV personality as he gallivants around the world with Barack Obama (season eight, episode two), dines in Libya while investigating the country’s conflict through food (season one, episode four) and travels to the Congo which Bourdain calls “ the most relentlessly fucked-over nation in the world ” (season one, episode seven).

Street Food: As a budget traveller at heart, I always find myself eating plates of street food when I travel. Street Food takes you around the globe to experience the best curbside meals from Thailand ‘s iconic Phad Thai to Singapore ‘s Michelin-rated Hawker Centres.

Planet Earth I & II: Binge-watch Sir David Attenborough’s groundbreaking natural history show. Travel around the globe and learn about the day-to-day life of Tibetan foxes, track down the endangered Ethiopian ibex, and swim with the largest animal in the world – the blue whale.

Gaycation: Gaycation is a TV show hosted by Ellen Page and film director Ian Daniel. It explores what it’s like to be LGBTQ+ around the world. The show explores the gay bars of Tokyo and New York City and travels to destinations like Ukraine and Jamaica where LGBTQ+ locals face discrimination and threats on a daily basis.

street food in portland

The Secret Life of Walter Mitty: The Secret Life of Walter Mitty will have you jumping up and down on your sofa by the time the credits roll-up. It’s the perfect travel movie for those who want to escape the daily humdrum of life and finally chase down the adventure of their dreams. Warning: Iceland and Greenland will suddenly be at the top of your bucket list.

Mamma Mia: ? Here we go again. My, my how can I resist you? ?With the gorgeous backdrop of the Greek Islands, sparkling blue waters and a soundtrack with all the best Abba songs, you’ll dance and sing away the lockdown blues.

The Lizzie Macquire Movie: Are you longing for a sojourn through the streets of Rome ? Stream the iconic Lizzie Macquire Movie and watch Hilary Duff attempt an Italian accent as she explores the Trevi Fountain, Spanish Steps and FINALLY kisses Gordo.

Up: As a Disney addict, I had to include one animated movie on this list. Up is a heart-wrenching film that takes you on an adventure across South America. You’ll need a box of tissues to make it through the movie, but you’ll have a strong desire to make your travel fantasies a reality before it’s too late.

Crazy Rich Asians: Did you know that after Crazy Rich Asians premiered, searches for Singapore travel spiked by 20% ? If you’re looking for a film to inspire your wanderlust, Crazy Rich Asians have the stats to back it up. The movie is ideal for those looking for fun rom-com with delicious food, breathtaking cinematography and an inside look into the lives of Singapore’s elite.

Read More:  Singapore 4 Day Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Travellers

pizza from italy

I don’t know about you, but I am CRAVING some Napoli pizza!

After watching Anthony Bourdain’s Part’s Unknow n and Street Food , let your virtual travels take your tastebuds on a gastronomic adventure.

I know most of us are spending more time than usual in the kitchen. So you might as well use your gluttony (and boredom) to fuel your wanderlust.

Choose a dish from your favourite country, convince your friends to join in on the fiesta and plan a delicious dinner party (via Zoom, of course).

italian food

Take your mind on an Eat, Pray, Love journey to Bali.

Escape from the distressing headlines by curling up with a good book and using armchair travel to transport yourself to your dream destination.

But reading isn’t only a distraction.

Neuroscientists tracking the brain activity of patients have found that the act of reading words like “cinnamon” cause the part of the brain that controls smell to light up.

That means reading about Bangkok , Paris, or Botswana can trigger your senses transport you to take you to the bustling Thai capital, the banks of the Seine river or the flood plains of the Okavango Delta.

Here are some of the best armchair travel books to add to your must-read list:

  • Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas | Hunter S. Thompson
  • The Alchemist | Paolo Coelho
  • Eat, Pray, Love | Elizabeth Gilbert
  • Seven Years in Tibet | Heinrich Harrer
  • Shantaram | Gregory David Roberts
  • The Beach | Alex Garland
  • The Nomad: Diaries of Isabelle Eberhardt | Isabelle Eberhardt
  • Kafka on the Shore | Haruki Murakami
  • Lands of Lost Borders: A Journey on the Silk Road | Kate Harris
  • Travels with Myself and Another | Martha Gellhorn
  • Alone in Antarctica: The First Woman to Ski Solo Across the Southern Ice | Felicity Aston

girl on mokoro safari in the okavango delta

Cruising down the Okavango Delta in Botswana!

Want to support your favourite creators while travelling online? Binge their content!

It’s a tough time for many businesses around the world, but freelancers and small business owners ( like myself who are in the travel industry ) are particularly feeling the pinch.

If you want to help us out, spend a few minutes a day reading a blog post (it costs you nothing and helps us make some ad revenue), watching YouTube videos or supporting us by engaging with our content on Instagram .

While I’m incredibly grateful for you reading this blog post right now, if you want to continue showing me some virtual love (and dabble in some armchair travelling), meander your way through these blog posts:

  • The Ultimate South Africa Bucket List: 40+ Amazing Places to Visit
  • How to Travel Bali on a Budget as a Frugal South African
  • 10 Loved-Up Locations to Visit in South Africa
  • The Perfect Self-Drive Botswana Itinerary for an Epic Safari Trip
  • What It’s Like Staying on Mumbo Island in Malawi
  • The Best of the Panorama Route South Africa: 2-Day Itinerary

girl at maidens cove in cape town

Your next trip doesn’t have to be an international getaway. You can plan a trip closer to home.

For a lot of us, not having an end in sight is making staying inside so much harder.

So why not use the time to plan your first trip when things start to go back to normal?

Hop onto Pinterest and create a board for your dream destination. Scroll through Instagram , stalk some hashtags and create a new saved folder (you might find some new favourite accounts).

Once you’ve decided on a destination and you have a bucket list coming together, head on over to Booking.com and start researching your dream hotel!

Remember, this too shall pass ( yes, I know that’s corny, but it’s also a Lord of the Rings quote ). It’s okay to use this time to take your mind off the state of the world and get excited about your next adventure.

lisbon falls

Chase those waterfalls from the safety of your house.

If none of these tips help you reclaim your wanderlust, take a walk down memory lane.

Look through your travel photos from your favourite trips. Host a Google Hangouts with all your friends that went on that adventure (and don’t forget all the people you met along the way!).

Have a chat about your drunken escapades on Siem Reap’s pub street or that epic Full Moon Party in Thailand. Maybe you hiked to the top of Kilimanjaro, or you spent your gap year backpacking across Europe .

You could also use this time to edit (or re-edit if you’ve recently invested in some presets) your photos and relive those memories by posting some throwbacks on Instagram.

Do you have any more armchair travel ideas? Hit ya gurl up in the comments and let’s get our wanderlust on from the comfort of our couch!

Psst…Want some inspiration for your next trip? Check out some of my most popular posts!

  • 20+ Most Instagrammable Places in Cape Town
  • The Best of Bangkok: The Perfect 3-day Bangkok Itinerary
  • Singapore 4 Day Itinerary: The Ultimate Guide for First-Time Travellers
  • 10 Day Vietnam Itinerary: The Ultimate Vietnam Backpacking Route

? If you like it, then you should put a pin on it! ?

Escape the four walls of your house by indulging in armchair travel! Here are 10 genius ways to explore the world from home!

About Lauren Melnick

Lauren Melnick is the founder of Wanderlust Movement, Wander to Here and is a South Africa travel blogger. She's been travelling the world as a full-time freelance writer since 2016 and has visited over 40 countries.

When she isn't typing up a storm, you can find her conquering overnight hikes around the Western Cape, rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco.

Reader Interactions

armchair travel to morocco

August 26, 2020 at 5:53 am

True. At this point of restricted travel we are but lest with the virtual visits to all places. Waiting for the day when we could travel again, in person. Till then, I am off to the Smithsonian Museum.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Armchair Travel: 16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Got the wanderlust but you’re not able to travel anywhere at the moment? That’s okay – you can become an armchair traveler and explore all the places you want from the comfort of your bed.

You’ll need a computer or a smartphone, a good internet connection, and an idea of a place you want to explore. Nothing else is required for armchair travel, and if your interest is peaked, you can read all about armchair travel right here in this detailed guide!

What Is Armchair Travel?

Armchair travel is kind of like a staycation, but instead of exploring the local attractions, you don’t even have to leave the house. It’s discovering new places from the comfort of your chair, hence the term armchair travel.

It can include anything from looking over photos from your past trips to spending hours on Google Earth, walking around the streets of a city you’ve never been to. It’s pretty much just detaching yourself from your current surroundings and immersing yourself in things related to a different country so that for a moment you actually feel like you are there.

It’s as simple as reading a book about Paris while listening to Edith Piaf and eating a croissant.

16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

Technology has come far enough to allow us to travel the world from the comfort of your own home. Well, not quite, but it’s almost there – you can explore the streets of any country in the world from the comfort of your bedroom, you can learn about the best restaurants, and you can even do virtual tours of museums and other famous attractions – you just have to zoom in enough on the world map. That’s the beauty of living in the age of virtual reality and 360-degree images.

I’m just getting started, and here are even more armchair travel ideas that will help you explore your dream destination from home!

Read Travel Blogs

Just because you can’t hop on an airplane and head to a new destination doesn’t mean you can’t learn about it and explore it. Reading travel blogs is a good way to explore new countries through the eyes and lenses of other travelers.

It’s a form of virtual travel that allows you to draw from other people’s experiences. The key is to find a travel blogger you can relate to and whose content you enjoy reading. Immerse yourself in their content, and sooner than you know it, you’ll become an expert on a destination you’ve never even visited.

There are thousands of travel blogs run by people from all around the world, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find at least one that you enjoy.

Virtually Explore US National Parks

Most US National Parks offer virtual tours that are absolutely perfect for an armchair traveler. You can explore any national park you want from the comfort of your home, and you can even peek inside museums and other unique attractions that the national parks have.

Of course, it’s not the same as reaping the benefits of a hot spring inside a national park, but it’s a great way to explore nature and get to know more about the national parks. There’s also the added benefit of not having to deal with snakes, bugs, and the changing weather that’s so common in the NPs.

Head to the Google Arts & Culture website to see all the 52 national parks and historic sites from the US that have made their collections available for digital exploration. You can also see loads of other famous attractions from countries all over the world here, but more details on that later.

Read A Travel-Related Book

If you’re a bookworm, this is the easiest way to become an armchair traveler. Find some travel-related books that you enjoy reading and allow yourself to live in their worlds for the next few days.

Also, a travel-related book can be anything. It could be the autobiography of your favorite artist who recounts all the places life has taken him to, a proper travel guide to a different country, or even a fiction novel set in a foreign country.

Travel guides and coffee table books related to travel are the safest options if you’re not an avid reader. From travel guides through the US to detailed exploration of Italy’s best beaches – there are countless travel books out there, and you just need to search for one that’s about the destination you’re most interested in.

Those who prefer fiction have even more options. I can’t help myself and I have to recommend Jo Nesbo’s Harry Hole series – the popular crime novels are set in Norway, primarily Oslo, and the detailed descriptions of the city’s top sights will truly transport you to the Nordics for a moment.

Listen To Travel Podcast

Not a big fan of reading or watching TV? Put on a travel podcast then and listen to other people recount the details of their latest trips. You’ll hear some fun and interesting stories for sure, but you may also learn about the inconveniences that might arise should you choose to travel to the same destinations.

We Travel There is a great podcast hosted by Lee Huffman. He interviews locals from all around the world, so every episode is about a different city. The local attractions and best places to visit are usually highlighted in each episode, making this podcast worth checking out even when you’re planning a travel itinerary.

Where To Go is also a great podcast, mostly because it’s hosted by the team behind DK Eyewitness travel guides. They’re some of the best travel guides out there, and the podcast episodes truly give them a run for their money.

Watch Travel Vlogs On Youtube

There are countless travel vloggers trying to make a living by doing the one thing they love most – traveling. You can support them and help them make their dreams come true by consuming their content and exploring the different countries of the world from the comfort of your own couch.

Finding a travel vlogger you like shouldn’t be too challenging, especially with so many different options out there. The key is to find a person you genuinely enjoy watching, otherwise, you won’t be able to focus on the travel destinations!

You can also find live camera streams on YouTube from countries all over the world. They usually include short snippets from various cameras, but it’s a great way to get a glimpse of distant landscapes and everyday life in foreign countries in just a few minutes. Plus, if you see a stream that you particularly like, you can always just find that specific live camera and refer to it whenever you want.

Enroll in A Travel-Related Course

If you still enjoy learning and you’ve particularly interested in travel, why not enroll in a travel-related course. Working on yourself and furthering your education is always a good thing, and you never know what opportunities may present themselves after you’ve completed the course.

I’m not saying enroll in a five-year college course about tourism, but you can take various online and offline courses on a myriad of topics relating to travel. The best way to get started is to get acquainted with all the different diplomas and certificates that are relevant to the tourism industry.

There are dozens of them, and there are many ways to earn them, from attending free online courses to enrolling in MBA degree programs.

Learn what it takes to become a travel agent, get a certificate that allows you to be a tour guide in your hometown, or complete a flight attendant training program. There are countless travel-related courses you can take, and you just need to see which ones interest you the most. This can also increase your chances of getting a job with one of the travel companies if that’s something you are interested in.

Additionally, you can also enroll in language-related courses. They usually include learning about the culture, literature, and history of the country whose language you’re learning, plus learning a new language is always a great idea.

Cook Your Favorite Dishes From Around The World

Exploring a new country means exploring its cuisine and getting to know all of its different flavors. So, if you’re feeling like traveling somewhere but you can’t actually go to that country, you can try to make it – or at least a tiny bit of it – in your own kitchen.

Turn to YouTube or one of a million different recipe websites, and find a dish you enjoy from the cuisine of the country you want to visit. Tacos will immediately fill the room with staple smells from South America, a good curry can never not remind you of India, and sushi is entirely self-explanatory.

So, if you can’t go on a trip right this minute but you’re desperate to at least feel like you’re traveling, just make your entire kitchen smell like a street full of food vendors from that country!

Watch TV Shows Related To Travel

Sometimes it’s enough for a show to be filmed at the right location for it to become extremely popular. Emily in Paris proved that – despite the fact that the show was criticized for a number of different things, it remained extremely popular and mostly because of the fact that it’s filmed in Paris.

People love to tune in to see Lily Collins strolling down the cobblestone alleys of Montmartre and enjoying croissants with a fabulous view of the Eiffel Tower, and I have to admit I’m also guilty of binging both seasons.

It doesn’t have to be a show about one specific city – there are countless travel shows that will satisfy your wanderlust for a moment, and many of them feature a different city or country in every episode. Put on some of Anthony Bourdain’s classics – No Reservations and Parts Unkown are still some of the best shows that combine food and travel!

The Grand Tour is another gem that covers remote destinations from around the world, and it’s particularly interesting for car lovers. But you don’t have to be into cars to appreciate the humor of Jeremy Clarkson, James May, and Richard Hammond, and you certainly don’t need to know anything about vehicles to admire the spectacular landscapes that are featured in the episodes of this humorous travel show.

Watch Travel Movies

If you don’t want to commit to an entire TV show, you can just put on a travel movie. Into The Wild is a textbook example of a travel movie, and probably the best-known film in the genre. But a travel movie can be almost anything, as long as it’s set in the place that you’re yearning to visit.

I get the urge to travel to Sicily whenever I watch Godfather, and I doubt anyone would consider that a travel movie. But the beautiful landscapes that Al Pacino escapes to are so fascinating that, for a moment, it’s entirely possible to forget you’re watching a movie about mobsters.

The entire Before Sunrise/Sunset/Midnight trilogy showcases the beauty of spectacular European cities – Vienna, Paris, and Greece, in that order. Mamma Mia also depicts the beauty of Croatian and Greek islands, and it’s a great film to put on if you’re dreaming about a beach vacation.

Wild, starring Reese Whitherspoon, follows an inexperienced hiker setting out on the Pacific Crest Trail. The entire movie was shot on location, so it features the actual highlights of the iconic US long-distance hiking trail.

Go On A Virtual Tour of World’s Famous Museums

Some of the most famous museums in the entire world offer free virtual tours, and you should take advantage of that. J Paul Getty Museum, London’s Natural History Museum, and Musée d’Orsay in Paris have all made their collections available for virtual exploration.

Head to Google Arts & Culture again to go through the collections of these museums. You can even browse the various digital collections they have by genre or time period, so finding a collection curated specifically for you is easier than ever.

Learn A New Language

Learning an entirely new language is the best form of armchair travel. Not only does it get you closer to the culture of a country you’re fascinated by, but it’s also a way of developing a new skill that you can use for the rest of your life.

Learning a new language isn’t exactly the easiest thing you can do to satisfy your wanderlust, but it’s certainly the most useful one. You’ll particularly be happy you took up that happy if you manage to travel to the country whose native language you’ve mastered!

Also, keep in mind that learning a new language usually includes learning about the history and culture of that country, as well as reading a few books written by the nation’s most prominent writers. So, you’re not just learning how to talk to locals on your next trip, but you’re also getting a complete guide to the most important landmarks and attractions of the country you choose!

Plan Your Next Trip

Do you already have a destination in mind for your next trip? Then why not start planning it right now. You don’t have to purchase airplane tickets if you’re not sure when you’ll be able to go, but it’s a good idea to start researching other details that will come in handy during your trip.

Look at hotels and AirBnBs to see where you would like to stay and be sure to check out all the top tourist attractions and things to do at the destination. You can even make little maps for any future trip, and you can refer to the map when you actually arrive at that destination.

If you often go on road trips, you already know just how much planning goes into them, if you want things to go smoothly. You can get a head start on your next trip right now – it will get you excited about the trip, plus you can plan out a good chunk of the road trip.

Reminisce About Your Past Trips

Nothing can transport you through time and place quite like a personal photograph. Blow the dust off your online albums and take the time to go through all the 2365 photos you took on that trip to Rio de Janeiro. It can’t be just me that takes a million photos wherever I’m in a new city, and it can’t just be me that never looks at them again.

Take the time to go through the old photos and choose your favorites. You can even print them out if you like and create a travel collage to hang on a wall. Or you can just turn them into a throwback post.

You can also use this opportunity to make room in your phone for photographs you’ll take on your upcoming trips. Delete any blurry shots, images you don’t like, or images that you have a dozen copies of, and create some space for the photographs of places you’re yet to visit!

Create A Travel Scrapbook

Now that we all have amazing cameras in our pockets, it seems like we’re always taking photos, but never taking the time to go through them. Do you remember going through your childhood albums, and how happy you’d be when you saw that one photo you have a great memory of? Or when you looked at images from your travels as a kid?

You can still do that now, even if you’re a full-blown adult. You can even create an album if you want, but a travel scrapbook is a bit more fun. Go through the photos of the last (or any) place you visited, and select the ones you like the most and you want to have in your travel scrapbook.

If you need some travel inspiration, why not dedicate a few pages to every destination you visited. Print out your favorite photos with your friends and family, but also of the landmarks you liked and any places that stood out. Put all the photos in the scrapbook, and be sure to write little captions beneath the photos.

If you do go through with this, two decades from now, when your travel memories start to fade, you’ll be thrilled every time you lay eyes on your little travel scrapbook.

Play A Travel-Themed (Board) Game

Why not try a travel-themed board game to satisfy your itch for a quick trip? Trekking The World is one of the best-selling board games out there, and it’s great for families and friend groups of up to five people. You play the game by racing to visit as many countries in the world as you can and you collect souvenirs along the way. It’s extremely fun, and a great way to learn about some of the most popular destinations in the world.

The World Game is a travel-themed card game for up to five players. It tests your knowledge of geography by asking you to name the capitals of countries, point them out on a map, or guess their flag. It’s a fun card game, but only if you’re into geography.

It’s worth noting that board games aren’t the only types of games you can play that are related to travel. If you’re into gaming, you’ve got even more options when it comes to armchair travel! Many recent AAA games are set in existing cities, and most of those open worlds are incredibly detailed and pretty true to life.

Not all the details will be identical, but it’s important to point out that the reconstruction of Notre Dame will be done with the help of Ubisoft’s drawings that they used to recreate the iconic church in their Assassin’s Creed Unity game.

You can walk through the streets of London, New York, San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo, and many other cities if you’ve got a computer that can run newer AAA games. If not, just try Geouesser – the online game is one of the best things for armchair travel, especially if you want to explore places off the beaten path.

Socialize With Fellow Travel Enthusiasts on Social Media

If all else fails, turn to social media. Go on Reddit, Instagram, or even Facebook and find a group of like-minded travel enthusiasts with whom you can share travel stories and photos. This is also a great way to meet new people and make friends, and you could potentially travel with those people sometime.

But it’s a way of armchair traveling that only extroverts will consider, so it’s definitely not for everyone. You could be one of those people that lurk around the groups and forums, taking in all the stories and images, but not sharing anything with strangers.

About the Author Anna Timbrook

Anna is the co-owner of expert world travel and can't wait to share her travel experience with the world. With over 54 countries under her belt she has a lot to write about! Including those insane encounters with black bears in Canada.

Leave a Comment:

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

  • Overview Guide
  • 1 Week Itinerary
  • Train Journeys
  • Epic Drives
  • Stunning Lakes
  • Historic Castles
  • Lauterbrunnen
  • Grindelwald
  • Chocolate Tours
  • Swiss National Park
  • Majestic Mountains
  • Spectacular Waterfalls
  • Famous Things
  • Tasty Fondue
  • 10 Day Itinerary
  • Cherry Blossoms
  • Tokyo Shrines
  • Dos and Don’ts
  • Osaka Guide
  • Osaka Itinerary
  • Osaka or Kyoto
  • Kyoto Day Trips
  • Matsumoto Castle
  • Tokyo Luxury Hotels
  • Island Hopping
  • Best Campsites
  • Driving Tips
  • Beaune, France
  • Barcelona Itinerary
  • Spain Itinerary
  • Greece Itinerary
  • Italy Road Trips
  • Berlin Day Trips
  • Norway Northern Lights
  • Netherlands National Parks
  • Mostar, Bosnia
  • Best Airlines
  • Midwest Ski Resorts
  • Florida RV Parks
  • Washington RV Parks
  • Oregon RV Parks
  • Utah Camping
  • Texas Camping
  • Chicago National Parks
  • East Coast National Parks
  • Colorado National Parks
  • Joshua Tree
  • Yellowstone
  • Alberta Hikes
  • Flashlights
  • Water Filters
  • Sleeping Pads
  • Solar Lanterns
  • Tent Brands
  • 4-Person Tents
  • 4 Seasons Tents
  • Backpacking Tents
  • Beach Tents
  • Cabin Tents
  • Multi-room Tents
  • Pop-up Tents
  • Truck Bed Tents
  • Underwear (Men)
  • Backpacks Under $100
  • Microspikes
  • Boonie Hats
  • In The World
  • New Zealand
  • Hardisde Luggage
  • Lightweight Luggage
  • Luggage Sets
  • Spinner Luggage
  • Durable Suitcases
  • Duffel Bags
  • Kids Luggage
  • Teen Luggage
  • Space Saving Luggage
  • Business Carry-Ons
  • Garment Carry-Ons
  • Suitcases Under $50
  • Travel Briefcase
  • Zipperless Suitcases
  • Rolling Briefcase
  • Luggage Straps
  • Luxury Brands
  • American Tourister
  • AmazonBasics
  • Delsey Chatelet
  • Anti-Theft Backpacks
  • Backpacks Under $50
  • Baby Carrier Backpacks
  • Cooler Backpacks
  • Backpacking Backpacks
  • Climbing Backpacks
  • Backpacks for Back Pain
  • Beach Backpacks
  • Hiking Backpacks
  • Business Travel Backpacks
  • Laptop Backpacks
  • Backpacks for Tablets
  • Commuter Backpacks
  • Travel Backpacks (Men)
  • Travel Backpacks (Women)
  • Waterproof Backpacks
  • Wheeled Backpacks
  • Down Jackets
  • Down Parkas
  • Fleece Jackets
  • Hardshell Jackets
  • Rain Jackets
  • Softshell Jackets
  • Eco Friendly Jackets
  • Gore Tex Alternatives
  • Heated Jackets
  • Lightweight Jackets
  • 3-in-1 Waterproof Jackets
  • Parajumper Jackets
  • Rain Poncho
  • Ski Jackets
  • Travel Hoodies
  • Travel Jackets
  • Winter Coats
  • Helly Hansen
  • Mammut Jackets
  • Patagonia Nanopuff
  • Survival Jackets
  • Flower Captions
  • Waterfall Captions
  • Tree Captions
  • Sunset Captions
  • Sunflower Captions
  • Rainbow Captions
  • Paddle Boarding Captions
  • Hot Air Balloon Captions
  • Kayaking Captions
  • Airplane Captions For Instagram
  • Forest Captions

The Happy Days Travels

17 Armchair Travel Ideas | Travel Without Leaving Home

The year is 2020 and that’s all I need to say to picture this time and for travellers, it was certainly a time to exercise armchair travel ideas and get creative with ways to travel without leaving home.

I’ve been armchair travelling, staycationing in the UK and planning my future trips since I was forced to return home because of Covid-19 in March 2020 and I’ve compiled this list of 17 armchair travel ideas.

I literally dream of travel all day long and I’m not exaggerating! These are some of the ways I’ve been doing that since being home like reading travel novels, learning about great railway journeys, listening to interviews with Anthony Bourdain and finally making yearly travel scrapbooks.

Disclosure: This blog post may contain affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I may earn commission if you click through and make a purchase. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. When you see a link, this could take you to that product/service website. For more information, see my Privacy Policy and Terms & Conditions.

Contents (jump to)

What is Armchair Travel?

When you search what is armchair travel, you won’t find an official definition of armchair travel, not even in Urban Dictionary, but there are a few definitions around the web that basically say the same thing.

Armchair travelling meaning is learning about travel and the world through activities such as reading, watching television, playing, listening and more without actually visiting the places. An armchair traveller (or armchair traveler in US) will dream of far away places, know a lot about geography and travel without having to leave home.

Stay Home Postit Note on a White Globe

18 Armchair Travel Ideas So You Can Travel Without Leaving Home!

Some of these ideas are free, others cost, some you may find lying around your house and others you may have to totally make from scratch but whatever you choose, here are the best travel activities without leaving home. This list isn’t just during Covid, this could be for anyone who’s just got back from a trip and suffering with travel blues, those awaiting their annual trip or if you love things to do with travel!

1. Google Earth

Google Earth is a fun and free tool that lets you travel the world from your home. When you hit the ‘I’m Feeling Lucky’ button it takes you to random destinations around the world. My first few times took me to a mountain in Spain, a lake in Ethiopia, a museum in USA and a town in Kazakhstan. Alternatively, you could armchair travel with Google Maps too!

2. Live Cams Around the World

If Google Earth isn’t quite doing the wanderlust justice, try the live webcams that have been set up around the world so you can pretend you’re on a beach in the Maldives , driving on a safari in Africa , or exploring Antartica .

Person with binocular between books

3. Virtual Tours – Travel Without Leaving Home

Virtual Travel has taken front seat due to the World pandemic and companies have set up some gems for us to be adventurous armchair tourists! Some armchair travel ideas include:

Virtual Museum Tours

  • Google have partnered to create free online virtual tours such as the Musee d’Orsay in Paris and British Museum in London.
  • Learn in LA at the Getty Museum through Google.
  • Virtually visit Luxor in Egypt known as an open-air museum and learn through a local guide.

armchair travel to morocco

Other Virtual Tours

  • How about taking a Virtual Wine Safari ,
  • Or explore street art of Lisbon .
  • Why not tour a city like Beijing or do a city tour with a guide like this in Istanbul or in Cartagena .

Virtual Reality Headsets

With VR headsets you can download free apps or buy tours/games and use your headset to see the world as if you’re there, go under the sea, explore national parks, climb to the top of Everest or to space! See below some of the best VR Headsets to experience virtual reality at its best. 

  • DJI Goggles
  • Oculus Go on Amazon
  • Oculus Quest on Amazon
  • Standard VR Headset for iPhone and Android on Amazon

4. Disney Travel From Home

Get out your photos from Disneyland, make a cuppa in your Disney mug, subscribe to Disney+ to watch your favourite Disney films then read about the real life Disney locations that inspired those films. This is how you Disney travel without leaving home!

Here are two of my favourite Disney travel from home accessories. Click on the image to order from Amazon:

armchair travel to morocco

5. Travel Decor

Since you’re at home, why not surround yourself with old travel souvenirs or get creative by making travel scrapbooks , globes, maps (see more next point), travel frames , coasters, ornaments and just about anything else.

You could also completely redecorate your home/car with travel-inspired decor. A famous vlogging family from the States teamed with a decorating show to create a travel-themed house! This episode on YouTube is worth a watch for some inspo.

Travel Decor for Armchair Travel Ideas

6. Scratch Maps Travel Style

This is probably the best gift to get your travelling friend who can’t travel right now or secret Santa gift as it’s under £10, fun, small and a sort of ‘tick list’ for travellers who count countries! On Amazon you can get all sorts of travel scratch maps like:

  • The world scratch map by country
  • A scratch grid for 100 places to visit for a Bucket List
  • The food map of Europe
  • Scratch Map by area such as a UK Map to scratch
  • A hobby scratch list like football grounds in Europe to visit
  • The wonders of the world scratch map (this one’s just £3)!

7. Travel Trivia

One of my favourite websites is Sporcle and just about the only quizzes I do are to do with Geography, Friends or Harry Potter . Get on there to see how much you know, share with friends or get inspo for your own armchair travel quiz.

Throughout lockdown, quiz nights took over and I always asked to be in charge of the Geography rounds as I was reading about travel anyway and wanted an excuse to discuss countries/flags/cities/world wonders, etc.

8. Travel Blogs

You can spend hours browsing through travel blogs because there’s so many personal photos, stories and videos out there! When I think of a random city/country I’d like to know a bit more about, I go onto Google and quite often go to the maybe the second or third page and look for a travel blog about that place.

There’s so many small travel bloggers out there with great content and after browsing a few, you’ll get your faves!

Want to read one of mine?: My Epic Wildlife Safari in Borneo or A Weekend in Bordeaux, France

Travel Momentos for Armchair Travel

9. Vloggers To Take You Travelling Without Leaving Home

The blogging world has fabulous travel articles but if you want to see them in life form, head to YouTube! Here’s some of my go-to vloggers:

  • Kinging It doing the Mongol Rally . They are from my hometown and one of the funniest travelling couples on the web! Their drone shots are breathtaking.
  • Drew Binsky in Pakistan . He really does make the best travel documentaries on YouTube.
  • Kara and Nate in Antartica for some of the best armchair travel videos following their quest to visit 100 countries.
  • Migrationology in Jamaica for delicious dishes filmed in an unique way that makes you feel like you’re there.

armchair travel to morocco

10. Read the Best Adventure Books

Ah, the ultimate source of armchair travel is the best travel books because books and specifically, travel book reviews , take you places, books make you feel like you’re travelling and these armchair travel books will take you around the world! These are some of the best armchair books I’ve read.

  • Europe: Imagine European countries like France, Netherlands and Italy through one of 2019’s best travelogue books with US by David Nicholls. A couple on the brink of divorce try to savour their marriage by visiting the wonders of Europe with their rebel son. Buy on Amazon here .
  • North America: Venture around the USA with Not Tonight, Josephine by George Mahood. Mahood relays his travel road trip through the States with funny travel stories and is exactly what you expect American travel books to be. I read this in one sitting. Buy on Amazon here .
  • South America: Get a travel scare in Bolivia by reading Marching Powder by Rusty Young. This is a true story about a man locked up in La Paz on a drugs charge and details the story of how Young come to write about it. If you want frightful armchair travel books, just look for any that is about being banged up abroad! Maybe won’t inspire wanderlust but will certainly make you stay on the right path! Buy on Amazon here .

Read about when I went off the beaten path (literally): Scary Encounter in Penang Hill, Malaysia

Travel without leaving home - Picture of Bookcase, speaker, tables, chairs in home

More Good Travel Books

  • Africa: Here’s an option for a quick-ish read yet packed with history, conflict, survival and heartbreak. A Long Walk to Water by Linda Sue Park weaves together two stories between 1985 and 2008 in Sudan based on a true story. Buy on Amazon here .
  • Asia: I couldn’t write a travel books to read list without including one of the most famous travel books turned films, The Beach by Alex Garland proves not everything is as it seems. Or is it in this travel novel about a backpacker in Thailand who ponders the real price of paradise. Buy on Amazon here .
  • Oceania: One for lovers of historical fiction, The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman transports us back to WW1 following a couple who are faced with tough decisions when a baby is washed ashore Janus Rock off Australia, the island inhabited by only those two. Buy on Amazon here .

Read More: My Literary Travel Posts

Related Post: Why You Need a Kindle

11. Pinterest

The digital mood board for every scenario but epitomised for travel planning! Pinterest is where you can get the best armchair travel websites. Every Pinterest site has boards for organisation so you can quickly find topics like coffee of the world boards or how to travel and work in Australia .

Please Pin this Post to Your Pinterest Boards!

pin image for travel without leaving home

12. TV Shows

Here’s my list of the best TV shows related to travel that you can watch from your travel armchair and trigger wanderlust!!

  • Race Across the World – Two seasons follow various pairs who have to get between points by land only, with the price of a flight only and without any internet and the winners get a cash prize. First season goes from London to Singapore and second season from Mexico City to Ushuaia. LOVE this show.
  • Anthony Bourdain: Parts Unknown – It’s Bourdain, need I say more? Okay, okay there’s 12 seasons and this ex-chef travels EVERYWHERE. It’s supposed to be about food but it’s really about the people and place. Mention-worthy episodes include Iran, Jerusalem, Congo and Beirut!
  • And while we’re on the subject, another MUST is The Layover with Anthony Bourdain. This series highlights what to do with just the layover time in a city (up to 48 hours) and it’s great for quick stops on travels and to think about when booking flights with long layovers.
  • Street Food Asia and Latin America – Mouth at the ready because the saliva will be forming watching this Netflix original! My absolute fave is the India episode because Indian street food just looks like top-dog of this culinary branch.
  • An Idiot Abroad is one of the funniest travel shows around. Karl Pilkington moans his way around the world in a programme that will make you laugh while yearning to visit the very places Karl dislikes. Buy the series on Amazon here .

Image of Netflix TV and Mug

13. Films for Armchair Travel Activities

Nothing quite beats armchair travel like watching the big screen! Movies set on location are amongst the best ways to journey around the world without leaving your house so get your best armchairs and cwtch in ( read here for what cwtch means ). To watch the following films always check streaming sites, Sky movies or follow the links to buy the DVD on Amazon.

  • Eat Pray Love can be found on every best travel films list because it follows a woman’s journey to Italy, India and Indonesia and every scene makes you want to book a flight! Buy the DVD on Amazon here .
  • The Darjeeling Limited is a fun railway travel film following three brothers on a train journey across India. Buy from Amazon here .
  • Under the Tuscan Sun transports you to Italy’s region of Tuscan for a heartfelt love story. Buy here .
  • A good film I watched on Netflix was called Holiday in the Wild starring Kristin Davis from Sex and the City where she moves to Zambia for a period of time and exercises her vet skills.
  • Have you seen Blended on Netflix/Sky? It stars Adam Sandler and Drew Barrymore and follows two families on an African safari filmed in one of the most amazing hotels which you can actually book the hotel to stay in South Africa!!
  • How can I write this without included Mamma Mia and Mamma Mia 2 ?! Filmed on the Greek island of Skopelos and Croatian island of Vis with complete soundtrack of ABBA, this film will fly you on holiday from home.

14. Armchair Travel Podcasts

For when you’re on a walk, doing your daily exercise, washing the dishes, cooking breakfast, having a bath or wherever you listen to your podcasts.

My absolute favourite podcast of all time is Counting Countries by Global Gaz where Gaz interviews people who have completed or are on a mission to travel to every country. It’s inspiring, harrowing and fun to listen to and certainly the best armchair travel activity.

Other great listens to feed the travel bug are The World Nomads, What the Pho, The Food Blogger Pro, and Travel Eat Explore.

Podcast Pexels Picture

15. Cooking or Takeaways

Food is the best way I connect to a local culture when I travel. I love eating local food and love writing about them afterwards. Here are many ways you can learn, cook and eat by bringing global cuisines right into your home.

Online Virtual Cooking Classes for World Cuisines

  • Let’s start here in Europe with this private online cooking class for 1.5 hours to learn how to make Paella from Spain.
  • Another private tutored class takes us to Argentina for an empanada online class !
  • To learn a bit about Moroccan cuisine while making Tagine with a local, try this private online Moroccan cooking class .
  • Jump on the Brunch wagon in this online Eggs Benedict class with Bri (a former Masterchef contestant) from Dallas, USA. Note: class is not private.
  • Tune in to Jude’s Kitchen on YouTube for authentic, vegan, Middle Eastern recipes/tutorials. She adds stories from her childhood and family to her videos that gives it a likeable, personal element.
  • Last but certainly not least, join this Thai Online Cooking Class to learn how to make my favourite street food of all time: Khao Soi , a Northern Thai dish that doesn’t have a single flaw! The class is located in Chiang Mai (of course) and will guarantee your next holiday is to Thailand.

Two crepes in Amsterdam covered in chocolate sauce

For all of these, don’t forget the time difference.

Best Cook Books for World Cuisine

For a cook book dripping with British faves, go for the national treasure Nadiya’s Kitchen . Try Jamie’s Italy by Jamie Oliver which includes his take on my favourite meal in the entire world (seafood linguine). Or maybe Rick Stein’s Road to Mexico to learn about authentic tacos and tamales. I also loved John Torode’s Sydney to Seoul . Two of these I’ve read from my mum’s shelf the others I’ve picked up on my own.

Next: Read my food blogs here 🙂

Best Cooking TV Shows

  • A fab tv show I stumbled upon in lockdown was called A Cook Abroad and featured several chefs who travel to different countries and learn the cuisines with recipes to follow. The best for me were Tony Singh in Amritsar, India and Rachel Khoo in Malaysia.
  • Speaking of, BBC has a great show called The Little Paris Kitchen with Rachel Khoo.
  • An oldie but goodie has to be Man Vs Food with Adam Richman following food challenges around USA.
  • The number one cooking show for me though is one of my mum’s favourite: Long Weekends with Rick Stein where he travels to off-the-beaten-path city breaks in Europe finding local food and cooking it up at home. My friend and I are planning future city breaks based on this show alone.

16. Learn a Language

Not only is this a great armchair travel activity but it’s also a useful life and travel skill! There are many ways you can learn a language such as through a podcast (the 3 minute ones are great and I started to learn German in lockdown), go old school with DVDs like Rosetta Stone, keep modern with apps such as Duolingo or Babbel, sign up to online websites such as Speekify or get personal with online classes and an online tutor.

Armchair Travel Photo. Chair Globe Shelf for travel inspo

17. Plan a Staycation

We’re all loving staycations at the moment and I’ve discovered gorgeous places in my home country of Wales! Plan yours by booking that train, renting that car, finding accommodation on booking.com , picking the best times to travel and planning your itinerary all from the comfort of your armchair!

Some UK Staycation Inspiration:

  • Ultimate Weekend in The Cotswolds, England
  • Visit the Most Independent Town of Narbeth in Wales
  • 13 Things to do in Cardiff, Wales
  • Stay at This Isolated Log Cabin in Taunton, England
  • 12 Ways to Explore London, UK
  • How to Spend 2 Days on Barry Island, Wales
  • The Best Gavin & Stacey Guide Written by a Local
  • Explore Tenby and Saundersfoot in West Wales
  • An Afternoon in Bath (UNESCO Heritage City in England)
  • Freshwater West Beach in Wales to Visit Dobby (Harry Potter)

Use all of the above and plan where you want to travel to next in the world. I wrote a post about where I want to visit after lockdown and I don’t know when that’ll be but I’m saving money for when the opportunity arises. For now, I’m armchair travelling and loving it.

Hope you’ve got some good inspo to become an armchair adventurer!

More Travel Posts:

  • Melbourne Travel Posts
  • Thailand Inspiration
  • Why You Need to Visit Malaysia

Like this? Please Share it for Armchair Travel Meaning and Ideas! 🙂

Pin image for the best ways to travel without leaving home. Globe with post it note saying stay home.

Wow, this is amazinig. Thanks for the great ideas.

Thanks for reading Donna. Glad I could help 🙂

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Terms and Conditions

Morocco Accessible Travel

Explore Majestic Morocco

Accessible travel matters because you matter. Hand-crafted, accessible journeys throughout exotic Morocco.

Discover Accessible Morocco

From authentic accessible tours and an adapted camel saddle to mobility equipment rentals and airport transfers – accessible travel has never been easier in Morocco!

So whether you are looking for a luxurious, stress-free vacation touring the exotic landscapes of Morocco or need to reserve a beach wheelchair for your coastal getaway in Agadir – accessibility solutions are at your fingertips.

Since we live, play, and travel in Morocco, we spend countless hours every year assessing hotels, transportation, and excursions all over Morocco.

Discover. Accessible. Morocco.

Accessible Morocco Itineraries

Designed for those who want to truly experience Morocco, these hand-crafted and diverse itineraries will give you a taste of it all .

Royal Morocco

14 Days/13 Nights

Magic of Morocco

11 Days/10 Nights

Southern Morocco

10 Days/9 Nights

armchair travel to morocco

Imperial Cities

8 Days/7 Nights

armchair travel to morocco

Saharan Serenity

5 Days/4 Nights

With mountains, desert, ancient cities, and beaches – what doesn’t Morocco have?

First ever accessible camel Saddle

armchair travel to morocco

Advocating for Accessible Bathrooms

by Erik Neufeld | May 24, 2019 | Accessibility , Excursions , Safety

Jeremy sees another gas station. We are on our way to Merzouga doing development for our iconic accessible desert excursion. Next to the gas station is a mini-mart with ramp - steep as the mountain slopes we have been driving past - but we decide to stop anyways....

7 Reasons Why We Chose Morocco for an Accessible Travel Company

7 Reasons Why We Chose Morocco for an Accessible Travel Company

by Jeremy Schmidt | May 16, 2019 | Accessibility , Excursions , Safety

We have lived in Morocco for several years now and though we speak the local language, try to adapt to local customs, have learned culturally appropriate responses to life situations, we still stick out sometimes!  We don't always fit into the box that a lot of people...

5 travel hacks traveling to Morocco with kids

5 travel hacks traveling to Morocco with kids

by Bethany Schmidt | Apr 23, 2019 | Accessibility , Excursions , Travel with Kids

Traveling through a foreign country is a great experience to share with your kids. It is a great opportunity to see how big the world really is, and also how small it can feel at the same time. Your kids will continue to remind you of their adventures for months to...

What others are saying

Alan Early

Definitely Recommended

This group arranged our tour of Morocco and did a great job. I am physically handicapped so it is often a challenge for us to travel to foreign countries. They set up everything... Read More

Josue Acaron

Outstanding Costumer Service!

This company specializes in accessible travel with a personalized service that ensure you’re able to accomplish and see everything you expecting from a trip. My onl... Read More

Vimi and Sanjay Mattoo

Our trip to Morocco was thoroughly enjoyable from beginning to end.  Thanks to our driver, organized itinerary with appropriate equipment (scooter & wheelchair), beautiful accommodations particul... Read More

Kelly Narowski

I had an excellent experience with Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants and highly recommend them! They were professional, thorough, and I love that they actively advocate for accessibilit... Read More

Mark Hudgell

Really Customer Focused Company

We travelled from England to Agadir in Morocco with our son who is a bilateral amputee through the knee which means he replies on his wheelchair to get around. This oft... Read More

Marie Dowd

Saved Our Holiday

I genuinely thought i had arranged a mobility scooter through my hotel. No they thought it was a bike scooter. I was trapped and stuck in my room. I came across this company who were... Read More

James McQuillan

Best Travel Company

We had a fantastic trip to Morocco, I couldn’t recommend this company highly enough. Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants were very thorough in planning our trip and catering to... Read More

Sofia Zises

Great experience

We just finished a 10 day tour in Morocco with Youseff as our guide. We rate both agency and driver as 5 stars. We could not be more pleased with the service and support that the agen... Read More

Jane Romm

Yes! Really Accessible!

My husband is confined to a wheelchair. From the time we were picked up at the airport until we were reluctantly returned for our fight home my husband, and all 6 of us were tr... Read More

Jody F.

Highly Recommended

Firstly, I would like to thank you for all your hard work in organizing our trip. I think I described it once as herding cats. I know it was not easy trying to get something that wo... Read More

Joe Bernardi

Exceeded our Expectations

We had a fantastic trip to Morocco in July 2019. Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants did a great job organizing our visit. Their communication was quick and responsive. The... Read More

Mansoor Siddique

Wonderful Experience!

Dealt with ERIC and JEREMY. Wonderful experience, highly recommended.

Tania Piñeiro Prieto

Great service!

My experience was actually very satisfying. My mother had an accident and needed a special bed, Jeremy took care of everything from the very first moment until the very last, worrying f... Read More

Andrew Fone

You Won’t Be Disappointed!

If you’re traveling with people who have physical challenges and still want to see one of the oldest and most interesting countries in the world … then Morocco... Read More

Ben Levinson

Wheelchair through Morocco

Japie Swings

Good Service

Very good service, top.

Catherine Campisi

Visiting  Morocco  is Possible for Persons with Disabilities!

We had been interested in visiting Morocco for sometime although we did not know if it would be possible to visit since I use a motorized ... Read More

Farah Sagin

Ten Out of Ten!

Jeremy and Erik put in the legwork and research, so you can relax, and rest assured that your trip to Morocco will be well-worth the investment! Not only have they first-hand and metic... Read More

Terry Norris

Ideal Wheelchair Rental

It was not easy to find somewhere in Marrakech to hire a wheelchair. However when I did and contacted Morocco Accessible Travel Consultants everything went well. I explained wh... Read More

Gene McCall

We Will Return!

Morocco is a very special place, and Morocco Assisted Travel Consultants can make it even more special. If one, or more, people in your party has special needs MATC will relieve the tr... Read More

armchair travel to morocco

What are you waiting for?

LET’S DO SOMETHING AMAZING TOGETHER

Connect with your accessibility expert living in morocco now.

First and Last Name

Email Address

Service of Interest Service of Interest Multi-day Private Tours Equipment Rentals Airport Transfers Other Services

Select Tour Type Select Tour Type Magic of Morocco - 11 Days Royal Morocco - 14 Days Southern Morocco - 10 Days Custom Tour Design Not Sure Yet

Select Location Select Location Agadir Al Massira Airport Casablanca Mohammed V Airport Fes–Saiss Airport Marrakech Menara Airport Rabat-Salé Airport

List Desired Equipment

Privacy and Terms of Service Privacy and Terms of Service I accept Morocco Accessible Travel Consultant's Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

How did you hear about us? How did you hear about us? Search Engine Google Ad Social Media (i.e. Facebook, Instagram, Youtube, etc) Other Blog/Website Article (please indicate below) Direct Referral Other

Please indicate other...

Keep in Touch

Subscribe to the Morocco Accessible Travel Blog and never miss valuable information that will help you encounter Morocco in the fullest. Whether it is general accessible travel information or Morocco specific tips, we want you to encounter life to the full.

Yet another way to Discover. Accessible. Morocco.

Subscribe Now!

Pin It on Pinterest

Just added to your cart

There is limited availability of this item. Please reduce quantity, or get in touch for special orders.

Perfect for you

travel notes

ARMCHAIR TRAVEL: How to Escape To Marrakech in Your Own Home

Meryanne Loum-Martin is a Morocco-based hotelier whose book on Marrakech interiors, published by Rizzoli, gives an intimate look into the vacation-favorite city. She sat down with Industrie Africa to share her love of the Red City and her tips on how to bring its sensibilities into your own home.  

By Amelia c. Diamond

Mar 1, 2021.

For a writer such as myself, few remedies cure the incessant taunting of a blank page quite like travel. Escape to somewhere layered, intoxicating, rich with culture, and suddenly, fingertips can hardly keep up with the deluge of inspired ideas that charge forward. Of course, it’s never that easy. One can’t just travel before every deadline, amid every rut, on the inner artist’s every whim—and needless to say, it’s especially impossible right now. Therein lies the transportive magic of a great book. Choose one set in Marrakech, such as Meryanne Loum-Martin’s Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens , with its focus on beguiling home interiors that fuse Moroccan design with motifs from around the world, and you’d better hope you have an empty suitcase lying around to fill with the outpouring of creativity.

I had the great pleasure of speaking with Meryanne Loum-Martin, author, designer, founding proprietor of the Jnane Tamsna in Marrakech, about the ancient Moroccan city’s ability to intersect with its admirers’ modern lives—whether they’re visiting Marrakech, or reading about it from the couch, as I am doing.

armchair travel to morocco

Jnane Tamsna, Marrakech. Photo: via Jnane Tamsna

armchair travel to morocco

Jnane Tamsna. Photo: Courtesy of Meryanne Loum-Martin

armchair travel to morocco

Dining Room Detail. Photo: Courtesy of Meryanne Loum-Martin

What design elements feel inherently “Marrakech” to you?

The communal thing is a sense of layers, and a sense of perspective. It's just this sense of: you don't discover everything at the first... It's not like walking in a very modern house where you're in the massive sitting room, and you see the staircase, and you have the pool in your face, and you have an open kitchen, no. It's spaces which open onto spaces. And they often open through a statement, [like the keyhole arches]. It's a celebration of privacy, of dream, of poetry. What I love about it here is that it is rooted in a very ancient culture. And even though we have very modern things in town, the local culture is very resilient. What I think is wonderful about Marrakech is that it can balance: [it can] be the resilience, and the restoration, and the conservation of probably one of the most—apart from Egypt—one of the most ancient civilizations in Africa, and at the same time, [speak to] modern times.

“And Marrakech is an easy, inspiring place. It's a very welcoming place. It's someplace where you can find a way to be in intersection instead of juxtaposition.”

armchair travel to morocco

Inside Marrakech. Photo: Jean Cazzals

armchair travel to morocco

Jnane Tasmna. Photo: via Jnane Tamsna

armchair travel to morocco

Arrival to Party. Photo: Courtesy of Meryanne Loum-Martin

If someone wanted to apply some of the elements in your book as they relate to the home, and that you apply to your hotel, and your own practice in life, what are the main things to try? 

I think what could, how do you say, “heal people” these days would be hosting friends as if they were in Morocco:

First of all, they would dim the lights to the maximum, and have candles everywhere.

Have a low table covered with candles, [Place in] glass if you don't want to have the wax [spill].

Take out the pillows [from your sofa] and stack two on each other (so you don't sit too low), and then have a table covered with a very rich fabric…petals or foliage, if you have a tree not too far, you can use foliage, and do some kind of exotic dinner. So already it would be [a] Marrakech mood.

You could put incense—or the trick, when I was living in Paris, what I would do when we had bulbs, (now most people have cold bulbs because of LED, but if you have bulbs which get a little hot, electrical bulbs) you put one drop of perfume when it's cold, and then you turn the light on and then the heat spreads a beautiful smell in the room. Perfume the room and then you are transported!

You can wear something to host your friend, or have an evening with your fiancé, something which is kind of flowery or a bit looking like a kaftan, or it can even be beautiful pyjamas. But then you put jewelry around it, a big necklace, and it looks very special.

The one thing which has always struck me about Morocco is the sensuality of the experience. It's about what you see, about what you smell, about what you eat—it could even be about what you touch if the tablecloth is a bit silky. It's about creating a sensual experience.

armchair travel to morocco

Marrakesh Museum, Marrakech. Photo: Guy Vanderelst

armchair travel to morocco

Menara Gardens, Marrakech. Photo: David Santiago García

armchair travel to morocco

Jnane Tamsna Dinner Party. Photo: Courtesy of MeryAnne Loum-Martin

How can one channel some of the learnings from your book, of Marrakech, to help them inspire their creativity at home?

I would do things connected to smells. I would burn candles, I would burn incense, and I would dim the light, because I think that the light is something very important on your mood. And if you're in a room which is too bright, you cannot disconnect. I think if you want to bring Marrakech, in your surroundings, it's about disconnecting. People need not only to escape physically— it's almost like a healing quest. People, couples, or couples with children, they need to have a break from their daily lives. And so our mission at J nane Tamsna is to make the break as heavenly as possible. It’s not about selling rooms. I never went to hospitality school; I don't know that. Our place is about creating an experience for people to leave enriched, transformed. This is what we are about, and this is our mission: to create a soothing moment in people's lives. [Editor’s note: Follow Jnane Tamsn a on Instagram to keep an eye out for the gift box that Loum-Martin is putting together to help bring the Jnane Tamsna to you, wherever you are.]

Meryanne Loum-Martin. Photo: Elana Torgonskaia

And how do you create that “soothing moment” in your own life, especially as someone who's as busy and nonstop as you?

We built this hotel in 11 months and three weeks. It's like a world record because I had accepted clients after I had bought the land, and before building it. I thought I had enough time, and then a few things happened and I had 16 months to build it, and at the end I only had 11 months and three weeks, and we were ready—but it was intense. And when we finished, my son, who was 11 then, who has always been a very intellectual person, told me, "I need to speak to you, maman." He said, "Now you have to promise to the family that never again, you will accept clients before having built the place." And so I realized that, I'm wholly so active and it might be a bit too much for [my family] sometimes. So I don't know how I would do it myself, except having good wine and good champagne and relaxing through good cocktails and things like that. I'm not good yet at relaxing myself.

Well, you put it towards others, and maybe being busy is the way that you relax.

Yes, because I love what I do. I used to be an attorney in France before. It was going fine, but I always felt that I was here to do something much more creative. And so I'm very happy. I love designing, I love creating, and I would like to be more and more into creativity and designing things. If I'm into designing furniture, I'm very happy.

Do you remember the feeling that you had the first time you ever came to Marrakesh?

I remember very well that it was love at first sight. I came for the first time in December ‘85. In December, the sky is dark blue, and you could see Palm trees, and you could see the snow-capped Atlas mountains…and from the moment I set foot on the tarmac at the airport, I knew the place would change my life. It was just obvious. And it was funny because six months later, I met my husband in Oaxaca, Mexico. The first day I met him, I said to myself, "If I ever get married, [it will be] to this guy." So within six months, I had two loves—at—first-sight in my life. And I'm still with both 35 years later.

"I still feel like this. It is a place—and I think that all the people in the book feel the same: It's a place where you don't get blasé. In many places you live, you love it, but after a while, it doesn't surprise you. Marrakech is like an intense passion. It never ceases to amaze and enchant me.”

To learn more about ‘Inside Marrakesh: Enchanting Homes and Gardens,’ Written by Meryanne Loum-Martin, Photographed by Jan Cazals, Published by Rizzoli,  click here .

in the spotlight

AFRICA AND THE ORIGINS OF LUXURY, ACCORDING TO IAMISIGO

Mar 3, 2023

culture conversation

WHY WE NEED AN AFRICAN FASHION RENAISSANCE

Feb 24, 2023

5 LUXURY SPAS IN AFRICA PERFECT FOR A SOLO RETREAT

Feb 16, 2023

THE NEW ROMANCE: THE BEST PIECES TO LOVE YOURSELF IN THIS VALENTINE’S DAY_

Feb 13, 2023

THESE AFRICAN BRANDS ARE LEADING THE CHARGE IN CIRCULARITY AND TEXTILE INNOVATION

Feb 2, 2023

NIGERIA’S LAGOS SPACE PROGRAMME IS CREATING NEW AFRICAN NARRATIVES USING HISTORICAL CRAFTS AND ARTIFACTS

Jan 27, 2023

This website uses cookies to personalize and deliver appropriate content, analyze website traffic and display advertising. To learn more about our cookies policy and change your preferences at any time, please visit our Terms and Conditions. By clicking "Accept," you agree to our terms and may continue to use industrieafrica.com .

Join our community to get free shipping on your first order and insider access to the latest style edits, must-reads, and industry news.

You have successfully registered! 🛍️ Welcome to our community.

25 Essential Morocco Travel Tips, What To Know Before You Go!

Morocco Travel Blog

25 Essential Morocco Travel  Tips for Your  Morocco Private  Tour

Planning a Morocco Private Tour or Family Vacation? Curious to know more about Morocco? Our 25 Essential Morocco Travel Tips and Information Guide will answer all of your questions. Morocco is culturally diverse. Visiting Morocco will guarantee an encounter with ancient historic traditions, customs, architecture, monuments and sites that have permeated Moroccan society for centuries. Morocco is home to 36 million people and primarily a homogenous country. The populous shares the Islamic faith yet given the country’s rich history and Jewish past remains open and unified. You can anticipate a unique Morocco tour and up an up close Morocco travel experience engaging with a people who are devout, generous, hospitable and kind.

Your Morocco travel experience would not be complete with out a reference guide to answer some of the most important questions and provide travel tips.

Majorelle-Gardens-Morocco-Travel-Blog

What is the Best Time to Travel to Morocco?

Morocco is situated on the far northwestern corner of Africa and has an expansive shoreline that stretches from the Atlantic Ocean to Gibraltar .  The  Best Time to Travel to Morocco  should be ideally the considered by season. One of the best times to visit Morocco is spring or fall .  Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are perhaps the best overall time to take a Morocco Tour.  Morocco has over 300 days of sunshine. During the peak summer months (June – Mid-September) it can get particularly hot. Temperatures in summer can reach as high as 120 degrees Fahrenheit. As a dry and temperate climate Morocco experiences very little humidity making the heat less intense. Moroccans typically take vacation time during summer months and typically head for the coast where it is cooler. Winters in Morocco (Mid-November – February) are typically mild and temperatures can reach down to 40 degrees Fahrenheit. In Morocco it often snows lighting during winter in some regions. The High Atlas region receives allot of snow therefore it is the perfect destination for skiing and enjoying other winter sports. Morocco has a summer climate in the south and in the mountains, as well as on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts. Winter can be perfect by day in the south, though desert nights can get very cold. If you’re planning to hike in the mountains, it’s best to keep to the months from April to October unless you have some experience in snow conditions.

What Languages are Spoken in Morocco?

Most Moroccans in the cities speak French as well as Arabic or the Moroccan dialect Darija. The French Protectorate was established in Morocco in 1912 and lasted until 1956. French remains the language of business whereas Darija is spoken in the street and at home, Darija itself is a mixture of languages including French words and Moroccans happily switch from one language to another in conversation. Spanish is spoken in the north and south, as there was also a Spanish protectorate. However there has been a marked increase in the number of young people speaking English as it is taught in schools. Those working in tourism will probably speak good English and the business centers of Casablanca and Tangiers also has more English speakers.

Moroccan-Languages-Arabic-Calligraphy-Bahia-Palace-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Morocco Travel Tips on Culture & Etiquette:

Moroccans in general are hospitable people. The Heritage of Moroccan people stemming from colonization and tourism has resulted in an open minded and easy going population. The country’s official religion and the majority of Moroccans are Muslims. The culture is made up of a combination of Berber and Arab, Moroccans who live peacefully together alongside a large expatriate population. The majority of Moroccan women wear a headscarf and very few wear a veil. It is recommended when traveling to Morocco to air on the conservative side and dress modestly. Wearing skimpy clothing, kissing and cuddling in public is not recommended and can be seen as a form of disrespect.

How should I Dress when traveling to Morocco:

Visitors to Morocco are often surprised about the range of ways that Moroccan women dress. Most dress modestly, in keeping with Islamic custom, many wearing the  jellaba  (a hooded, ankle length robe) and headscarf. In cities, many wear Western dress with or without a headscarf. You will see few  burqas  of the type associated with the Gulf region or Afghanistan. In order to avoid stares or unwanted attention, it is best for visitors also to dress modestly. Keep your swimwear for the beach and always cover at least your shoulders. Women will find their visit much more pleasant if they also avoid revealing necklines and cover up down to the knees. A scarf or pashmina is also handy for moments when you feel the need to conceal your head or shoulders from unwanted stares, the hot sun or over-zealous air conditioning. In the evenings in the winter months (and even more so in the mountains or the desert), sunny days become chilly nights and you will need to bring a sweater or even a jacket.

Travel Tips for Updating your Passport:

Make sure that as a traveler to Morocco you have a passport that will be valid for a further 6 months after you enter Morocco. We advise that you also carry an original or photocopy of your identification card or driver’s license. Passports can be renewed at your local consulate or passport office. For more information about travel tips on updating your passport to visit Morocco check with the Moroccan Embassy in your home city.

Safety-Tips-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Morocco Travel Safety Tips:

Your national government will provide travel and security advice for visitors intending to visit Morocco. In general, the risk of international terrorism is no greater than in major cities of Europe or the US. Like in those cities, there is a risk of petty theft. Morocco is a developing country and the wealth gap between local people and tourists can drive a small minority to crime. Be sure to exercise the usual precautions on your visit regarding cash, jewelry and other valuables. Do not carry them around in large or visible quantities and make sure you are aware of the potential for pickpockets in crowds.

Overall,  Morocco is one of the safest  countries in Africa or the Middle East and North Africa region. You will be welcomed with a smile and great hospitality by virtual strangers. Enjoy your trip!

Morocco Travel Health Tips:

Morocco one of the few countries in Africa where it is not necessary to get vaccinations in order to travel. Nevertheless, if you have not received Typhoid or Hepatitis A shot in the past, it is advisable to get them. Please also inquire with your doctor to make sure you are up to date with your polio and tetanus vaccines. If you are from a country where cholera is prevalent, an anti- cholera vaccination certificate may be required. Morocco is a country where your health is not in danger when you travel. As long as you follow  Morocco Travel Tips  with regards to traveling safely in our  About Morocco  section the worst you can anticipate experiencing is an upset stomach or dryness, due to weather conditions, if you have sensitive skin.

Morocco Travel Tips on Gratuity:

Gratuity is a gift of money that is granted for service or a show of appreciate given without claim or demand. Gratuity is one of the best ways you can demonstrate appreciation for the services provided to others. Gratuity is part of Moroccan culture and appreciated by those providing a service. During a Morocco Tour what is generally recommended is to provide gratuity at restaurants, at Boutique Hotels and Riads, to drivers, licensed historical guides and also women servicing at public restrooms. It is a considerate way to thank those providing a service to you as a traveler. Our recommended gratuity is outlined below.

Restaurants : 15% of the Total Bill

Restrooms : 5 Dirham Coin (0.70 Cents)

Licensed Historical Guides : 50/ $60 Per Person/ Per Day

Drivers:  $35-$40 Per Person/ Per Day

Morocco Private Tour Gratuity: The total gratuity offered to those hosting you on a private or group tour should be approximately 10% of the rate paid to your Morocco Travel Agency.

Where to I Exchange Money in Morocco?

Moroccan Dirhams are necessary to travel in Morocco. US Dollars and Euros are widely accepted in major hotels, but only very occasionally with shopkeepers. Otherwise, we recommended that you carry Moroccan Dirhams.

The Bureaux de Change can be found in most Moroccan banks, major hotels, airports, and ports. Most currencies are accepted, including US Dollars, Euros, and British Pounds, however others, including the Australian Dollar, are not accepted. Check with your consulate or local bank to see if your currency is accepted for exchange in Morocco.

ATM machines are the quickest and easiest way to obtain Moroccan Dirhams. ATM’s accept most major debit and credit cards. Depending on your bank, you may be able to withdraw up to 4,000 Dirhams (about $500 US Dollars) per day. Contact your bank for your daily withdrawal limits.

BMCE and Credit du Maroc (CDM) do offer cash advances on Visa and MasterCard, however this process may take several hours to complete and is also quite costly.

Exchange your cash when you arrive at the airport bank exchange, or use local banks and currency exchanges in the cities and medinas as you travel. The majority of cities have banks where you can obtain money 24 hours a day from your bankcard or credit card. Bank exchanges are also located near banks and most currencies are accepted with favorable exchange rates available. Use ATM machines at the airport and in metropolitan areas and medina’s, but they are rare in rural areas. When traveling outside of the cities be prepared to have enough cash, as ATM machines are not always an option.

What is the Water Situation in Morocco?

Drink only bottled water when in Morocco and avoid ice cubes made from tap water. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, too.

Moroccan-Sfjenj-Fried-Doughnuts-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Can I Eat Street Food in Morocco?

Moroccan street food is safe to eat provided that the meat is fully cooked and vegetables and fruits are peeled. We particularly recommend discovering street food on a pre-arranged Moroccan Food Tour in Fes or Marrakech. This will enable you to enjoy local eats with little concern.

What Type of Internet Access in Morocco Should I Anticipate:

Internet access can be readily found at internet cafes and in hotel lobbies. Your riad and hotels will all have Wifi. Given you will most likely be staying in boutique properties that are restored palaces or villas during your trip you may find that Wifi is stronger in public areas. Occasionally, you can find free wi-fi in public places. While it is not easy to find internet access in rural areas, a smartphone with the proper plan will access the internet almost everywhere.

Morocco Travel Tips on Coverage of Mobile and Cell Phones:

Cell phone coverage is excellent in Moroccan metropolitan areas, with coverage in rural areas being more erratic. Check with your cell phone plan before you leave to make sure you have global coverage.

If you would like to enjoy using a Moroccan Mobile phone during your trip, then we recommend you purchase a cell phone SIM chip at the airport or request your driver take you to the local provider, Maroc Telecome. You will then be able to obtain a SIM chip for approximately $60 USA dollars and cards ranging from 100 MAD – 200 MAD ($12 – $25 of which will each provide you with approximately 10 + minutes of speaking time to the USA or other foreign countries.

Moroccan-Currency-the-Dirham-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Morocco Travel Tips on Banks and Money Exchange:

The main banks in Morocco are Banque Marocaine du Commercial (BMCE), Banque Marocaine due Commerce et de L’Industrie (BMCI), Banque Commercial du Maroc (BCM), Banque Populaire, and Credit du Maroc (CDM).

Banking hours in Morocco are from 8:15am – 3:45pm, however during Ramadan the hours are reduced to 9:00am – 2:00pm.

Where and How to Exchange Currency in Morocco:

BMCE and Credit du Maroc (CDM) do offer cash advances on Visa and Mastercard, however this process may take several hours to complete and is also quite costly.

We recommend on arrival that you bring with you approximately $500 Per Person for meals, gratuity and incidentals. You can then continue to visit ATM machines for additional cash or use credit cards.

Will I have ATM Access in Morocco?

Use ATM machines at the airport and in metropolitan areas and medinas, but they are rare in rural areas. When traveling outside of the cities be prepared to have enough cash, as ATM machines are not always an option.

Can I Use Credit Cards in Morocco:?

Major credit cards are welcomed at the larger stores, hotels, and restaurants, but use cash at the smaller shops and stalls.

Master Card & Visa are widely accepted. American Express is accepted only at certain locations. We advise you to bring more than one credit card with you.

What are the Foods to Avoid when traveling to Morocco?

Do not drink the tap water while in Morocco and avoid ice cubes made from tap water. Be sure to brush your teeth with bottled water, too.

Morocco Travel Tips About Doctors:

You can find doctors in the major cities in both the public and private sector. Please consider acquiring traveler’s insurance for your trip if your regular health insurance does not cover you overseas. If you are traveling to Morocco on a Private Tour, then consult your travel agency as they will be able to offer a complete list of authorized and approved public and private hospitals.

What is the Climate in Morocco?

Morocco has a Mediterranean climate along the coast, with more extreme temperatures and weather in the mountains and desert. Temperatures are high in the summer, mild in the spring and fall, and cool in the winter.

Can I Take Photographs in Morocco?

Most Moroccan do not enjoy being photographed by strangers. Some have recognized that travelers like to capture the different, exotic and attractive aspects of Moroccan life on film and will sell the right to photograph them. It is your choice whether you go along with this. In any case, try to be discrete in your photography (a phone camera is much less obvious than a large SLR) and ask if you would like to take a direct portrait. Don’t be surprised if your request is refused, and if so, please respect this decision. At times people will request for a small fee such as 10 Moroccan Dirhams ($1.00) if you want an up close photograph. It is best to request permission before taking a photograph. Given Morocco is a moderate, Muslim country, women in particular within rural communities and many in cities do not like to be photographed. For the best results when traveling to Morocco whether you are a novice or a professional photographer it is best to ask your subject first or have your private guide assist.

Moroccan-Cocktail-Alcohol-in-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Can I Consume Alcohol in Morocco:

Alcohol in Morocco is available in the majority of touristic restaurants, at most boutique riads and hotels along with local bars. Wine and beer can be easily purchased at supermarkets and at several of the local wine markets in Morocco’s Imperial cities.

Although most Moroccans claim they do not drink alcohol due to religious prohibitions both locals and foreigners consume much of the country’s production of wine and beer. Morocco provides a home to groups of ex-patriots and foreigners from France, England, America, Spain, Germany and Italy who enjoy healthy alcohol consumption. The most popular beers made and consumed in Morocco are Casablanca and Special.

Morocco has been a leading wine producer for several years and its bold red and white grapes have become popular among the French, Americans and within Modern Moroccan households. When the French colonized Morocco, like the Romans centuries before them, they realized Morocco’s possibility of being a wine country. The French developed the Moroccan Imperial City of Meknès into a wine region. Today 30,000 acres of land in Morocco contribute to wine production and Morocco sells over 40 million bottles within Morocco and abroad. Moroccan wine is in a state of revival and wine producers are taking advantage of the country’s sunny, mild temperate climate, and high altitudes. Wine Tours are also available at designated wineries in the region of Meknes, Volubilis and Essaouira.

Morocco Travel Tips on Public Holidays:

Moroccans celebrate Muslim holidays and national holidays throughout the country, and more local festivals are held throughout the year in the Imperial Cities and small villages. The dates of religious holidays are based upon the lunar calendar and change every year. Plan your trip to Morocco during festivals and holidays for a real inside look into Moroccan daily life. Celebrations ranging from rural harvest feasts to music and film festivals in Morocco’s cultural centers demonstrate Morocco’s commitment to sustainable agricultural and artistic achievement. (Please note that the dates for Muslim holidays change annually as they are based on the lunar calendar. The following dates are accurate for 2019.)

  • New Year’s Day is on Tuesday, January 01
  • Independence Manifesto Day is on Friday, January 11
  • Milad un Nabi is on Thursday, January 24
  • Labor Day is on Wednesday, May 01
  • Throne Day is on Tuesday, July 30
  • Eid al-Fitr is on Thursday, August 08
  • Oued Ed-Dahab Day is on Wednesday, August 14
  • Revolution Day Morocco is on Tuesday, August 20
  • King Mohammed IV’s Birthday is on Wednesday, August 21
  • Eid al-Adha is on Tuesday, October 15
  • Fatih Muharram (Islamic New Year) is on Monday, November 04
  • Green March Day is on Wednesday, November 06
  • Independence Day Morocco is on Monday, November 18

Morocco Travel Tips when Visiting During Ramadan:

Ramadan, considered as the most important holiday in Islam, happens on the ninth month of the twelve-month lunar calendar followed in Islam. During Ramadan all Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset for one month, only eating after sundown. Non-Muslims are not expected to observe Ramadan, but should be sensitive about not breaking the fast in public. As a Morocco Traveler it is important to respect those fasting and make best efforts to not eat in public places such as city and medina streets. Dining in touristic restaurants and those open to Westerners is advised. Drinking water and other beverages in public is also not advised for reasons of respect. If you are visiting Morocco during the summer, which is the warmest season, it is advised to make best efforts to drink water and beverages discretely.

Koutoubia-Mosque-Marrakech-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Can I Visit a Mosque in Morocco?

Mosques are closed to non-believers but you can visit the impressive Hassan II mosque in Casablanca, the Berber mosque at Tin Mel outside Marrakech on the way to Ouarzazate, the former Islamic college the Medersa Ben Youssef in the Marrakech Medina and the old Medersas in Fés Bali, the Bou Inania and the El Attarine. These sites will give you some idea of the glories of Moroccan Islamic architecture.

Morocco Travel Tips on Charity for Elderly & Children:  

As a foreigner traveling in a Muslim country, following the five tenants of Islam- and offering a small amount of charity is an option but not required. If you wish to offer charity to an elderly person, to children or a poor person on the street that moves your heart, please consider the following:

Giving anywhere between15 -20 Dirhams ($2.00 – $2.50) is a considered gracious and will not place a dent in your wallet but perhaps leave you with an experience in your heart. Sometimes the reciprocity you may receive as a result of giving a small amount of charity in a Muslim country like Morocco comes in the form of a big smile, a hand shake, an invitation for tea or even a hug from the recipient.

Follow Travel Exploration Morocco for Travel Tips and Information about Visiting Morocco

45 Morocco Packing List Essentials: What to Bring

Agafay desert luxury glamping and lodge experience.

Tangiers-Hidden- Gems-Morocco-Travel-Blog

Unveiling Tangier’s Hidden Gems: Discovering the Jewish Heritage Sites

Discover- Morocco-Luxury-Tour-Expert-Guides

Top 5 Reasons to Discover Morocco on a Luxury Tour with Private Guides

Jben, the northern moroccan cheese born in the town of two horns.

La-Mamounia-Hotel-Art-Deco-Gueliz-Morocco-Travel-Blog

An Art Deco Guide to Gueliz, Marrakech’s Trend Setting New Town

armchair travel to morocco

Marrakech Voted World’s Top Holiday Destination by Trip Advisor

Moroccan-Tagine-Morocco-Travel-Blog

13 Moroccan Holiday Gift Ideas, Shop with Inspiration 

armchair travel to morocco

Getting to know Morocco for the first time, Your Morocco Tour Guide

18 things to know before traveling to Morocco

Sally Kirby

Sep 5, 2024 • 7 min read

Traditional houses framed by palm trees in Oumesnat, Morocco

Get ready to weave your way through the markets and medinas of Morocco. Getty Images

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.

Morocco reveals the full spectrum of real life: the good, the bad, the ugly and the oh-so beautiful. For some visitors, Morocco can be a huge culture shock. But with some awareness and understanding, it is possible to appreciate these differences, connect more deeply and see the country through a different lens without trying to change it.

1. Plan your itinerary loosely and allow for changes

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 cities

Driving in cities such as Casablanca and Marrakesh is best left to the locals. Getting around Morocco is easy, even without a car. An excellent train network links many cities, including Africa’s first high-speed train , Al Boraq, between Casablanca and Tangier . A comfortable and reliable bus network connects towns big and small. Book train and bus tickets a day or two in advance to ensure the travel time you'd like.

Surfer walks towards the rocky shore with his surfboard during sunrise in Taghazout

3. Book professional guides

To get the most out of your trip to Morocco, use a guide who has in-depth expertise and speaks your language. In cities, check with the local tourism office or your accommodations for recommendations for licensed guides in the area. If you’re surfing, check ISA’s directory of certified instructors .

Hiking guides are mandatory for climbing Mt Toubkal in the High Atlas. Check with Bureau des Guides .

4. Understand the written and unwritten rules of the road

In Morocco, you drive on the right side of the road and seatbelts are mandatory, even though some taxis don't have them. Car horns are used often – not in an aggressive way, but as a means of communication. 

Watch out for people, bicycles, motorcycles and animals coming from all sides. Avoid driving at night because some vehicles do not have or use their headlights. Take notice of the speed limits and the roundabouts that have stoplight systems. If you’re stopped for speeding – police speed checks are common – or other penalties, having cash on you to pay fines – usually between Dh150 and Dh300 (US$15 to US$30) – is preferable to going to a local police station.

5. Cash or card?  

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.

6. Learn some of the lingo 

A mixture of French, Arabic, Amazigh and English is spoken in Morocco, depending on where you are in the country. Don't expect everyone to speak English. Apps like Google Translate can be useful, but learning some basic Arabic phrases will reward you with feeling more connected and engaged with people you meet.

A couple talks to a shop owner while shopping in the markets of the Marrakesh medina in Morocco

7. Practice the art of haggling 

Haggling is a game and part of the shopping experience in Morocco . Try not to get frustrated – the ideal scenario is that both sides come away feeling like they got a fair price. 

For big purchases, do your research, have a price in mind or shop around until you do. Sometimes vendors say to pay what you feel like, so if you don't have a price, ask some questions: how many hours did it take to make? Where did the materials come from and at what price?

Souqs are filled with fake tennis shoes, which are just that: fakes. Many Moroccans don't care whether their Nikes are original; they just want the best price for the latest styles.

8. Respect the motto of "God, king and country"

These words are etched on hills around the country. Islam is the state religion, and the rules of Islam are applied to personal matters in the same way that state law works in other countries. It is illegal to speak disrespectfully about religion or the king. Non-Muslims are not permitted to enter mosques or cemeteries, except the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca . Friday is a holy day across the country, and most people take a few hours off in the afternoon to go to the mosque and eat couscous with their families afterward. Check business opening times before you visit if you're heading to a particular place on a Friday.

The 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

Marrakesh is the most popular city in Morocco for visitors, so pre-book entrance tickets to major attractions such as Jardin Majorelle and Musée Yves Saint Laurent online to avoid waiting in line. The Marrakesh medina comes to life around 5 pm, but the "pink city" is more than just the medina – spend time exploring Gueliz and step off the main boulevards onto the leafy side streets to discover pretty street cafes, bistro restaurants and small indie boutiques.

A woman in black stands in front of ornately decorated doors in Fez, Morocco

10. The dress code depends on where you are

To visit the Hassan II Mosque and other religious sites, visitors – both men and women – must cover to their shoulders and knees. Dress modestly in cities and towns to avoid unwanted attention. At bars and nightclubs, almost anything goes, but in rural areas, cover up and be respectful of the local customs. 

At the beach, you can wear shorts, dresses, vest tops and swimwear including bikinis. Pack comfortable footwear that’s suitable for uneven roads and a scarf to cover your shoulders.

11. Ask before taking photos of people 

No matter where you are in the world, it’s best to ask permission before taking someone’s photo. Many people are fine with it, but others aren’t. Some may ask for money. Do not take photos of military or government buildings. Drones are not allowed in Morocco without special permission. 

12. Learn how to deal with the hassle

Simply ignore people who offer goods that you do not want. There's no need to be polite to everyone who wants to sell you something. By not reacting, they'll get bored and walk away. 

In some places you may receive comments and, at worst, inappropriate behavior, but shouting "Police!" will send these people away. In Marrakesh, there's also a high chance you will alert the undercover tourist police.

A couple is served mint tea by a waiter in the courtyard of a riad in Marrakesh, Morocco

13. Can you drink alcohol in Morocco? 

Even though alcohol is forbidden by Islamic law, it is widely available and sold in licensed wine shops and international grocery stores. Not all bars and restaurants serve alcohol. 

14. Eat with your right hand

Moroccan cuisine such as tagines and grilled fish are traditionally eaten with bread using your right hand. The left hand is considered unclean because it’s typically the hand used when going to the toilet. 

15. It’s okay to get lost

Getting lost is part of the joy of exploring Morocco with its unmarked roads, the maze of souq alleys and areas of no cell phone reception. Relax but be aware of your surroundings and ask for help if you need it.

In medinas, it’s helpful to know that if the street sign is a hexagon, it's a dead end. If it’s a square, it’s a through street.

16. Don’t drink the tap water

Morocco’s tap water is not safe to drink. Bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying plastic.

17. Bring tissues for public toilets

Some public toilets do not have toilet paper. Unless you are comfortable using water to clean yourself, keep a pack of tissues and some anti-bacterial hand gel or wipes on you.

18. Street cats and dogs are everywhere and part of the community 

It’s best not to feed street animals from your table because they might not leave, but you can keep leftovers and feed them elsewhere on the street. If you're an animal lover, find out if there is a rescue center where you're staying and show your support with a donation or by volunteering your time.

This article was first published Oct 15, 2023 and updated Sep 5, 2024.

Explore related stories

Majorelle Garden, Cubist villa designed by Paul Sinoir and purchased by fashion designers, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé.

Tips & Advice

Sep 6, 2024 • 7 min read

Morocco is a country of dazzling diversity with mountains, deserts, beaches and ancient cities. Here are the best places to visit in Morocco.

armchair travel to morocco

Sep 4, 2024 • 14 min read

armchair travel to morocco

Aug 16, 2024 • 9 min read

Luxor's Karnak Temple or a camel ride in the Sahara

Jun 26, 2024 • 6 min read

Where-Locals-Go-Spain-Tarifa.png

May 20, 2024 • 5 min read

A camel driver leads camels in front of sand dunes in Morocco

Mar 11, 2024 • 5 min read

Bounding-Box---Franchise-Badge---A-Reason-To-Go-To.jpg

Feb 7, 2024 • 5 min read

Editorial-Templates.png

Jan 31, 2024 • 6 min read

Young adult woman in black swimsuit walking into sea between rocks cliff in Croatia

Jan 17, 2024 • 8 min read

Chefchaouen-hike-1.jpeg

Jan 17, 2024 • 6 min read

armchair travel to morocco

Private Tours

Your People. Your dates.

  • Trip Finder

armchair travel to morocco

Travel Blog

  • Email Signup
  • Request Catalog
  • Guest Portal

Passport to Morocco: How to keep traveling virtually

armchair travel to morocco

We’re taking to armchair travel to satisfy our wanderlust, and this week we’re whisking you to Morocco. Here’s how to explore this magnificent nation from the comfort of your own home.

Make yourself a Moroccan tea

Moroccan green tea in Marrakech

What You’ll Need: 8-10 fresh mint leaves, 3 tablespoons of green tea leaves (or a green tea bag), 3 tablespoons of sugar, boiling water.

How to make and pour Moroccan green tea

Have a Hammam At Home    As soon as we land in Marrakesh or Fes, the first thing many of us at Classic Journeys do to overcome the fatigue and stress of jetlag is to head straight for the hammam!

Originating in Morocco, the ancient bathing ritual of the hammam aims to cleanse your body with pampering baths and massages set in a peaceful environment. This easy DIY five-step process will help you cleanse, nourish, and rehydrate your skin, while being profoundly relaxing and rejuvenating. You can recreate the hammam experience today, by simply following these easy steps to enjoy the bathing experience of a lifetime in your own home.

STEP 1: Get steamy Start by creating steam room-like conditions in your bathroom by insulating windows and door gaps with towels so no steam can escape. Run a hot shower and drench yourself in the water, which will help relax any tension in the muscles. Feel the steam soften your skin.

Rituals Hammam Scented Candle for DIY Hammam

STEP 2: Soap up Apply a thin layer of black soap all over your body and let the product work its magic for about 10-15 minutes before rinsing it away.

Moroccan black soap for DIY Hammam at home

STEP 3: Scrub away Prepare your kessa glove prior to the bath by soaking it in warm water for about 30 seconds and letting it dry. Rub the glove in circular motions all over your body to remove dead skin cells. Don’t rub too hard, though – kessa gloves are abrasive and over scrubbing can hurt your skin.

Zakias traditional Moroccan kessa glove for DIY hammam at home

STEP 4: Clay time Are you the potter or the clay? Time to find out! Add Moroccan red clay powder, also known as rhassoul clay. Mix it with a splash of water and apply it to your whole body, including your hair. Leave it to dry for 15 minutes and rinse off. Fun fact: rhassoul clay can be used as both hair mask and shampoo.

Moroccan red clay powder for DIY hammam by Shea Moisture

STEP 5: Oil it up Liberally apply argan oil to your skin while it’s still moist to allow full penetration of oil goodness. Massaging your body with oil helps combat dehydration and will keep your newly soft skin smooth and supple.

The Ordinary argan oil for DIY hammam at home

Morocco was the first country to recognize the U.S. as a sovereign nation. On December 20, 1777, the Kingdom of Morocco became the first country in the world to recognize United States independence, only a year and a half after the U.S. Declaration of Independence was issued.  

Goats climbing trees in Morocco on luxury Classic Journeys tour

Morocco is roughly the size of California and has about the same number of people: 36 million in Morocco to 39 million in California.  

The oldest university in the world is in Morocco. Education is hugely important to Moroccan people. In fact, the Karawan mosque in Fez is the oldest university in the world, built in 859 AD by Fatima al-Fihri.

Cook a traditional tagine

Authentic Moroccan tagine

Meet a Moroccan 

Luxury walking and tour guide Saida

And here’s her account on what life is like in Morocco right now:

“In Morocco, social distancing is like torture to us. We love to be together and hug each other all the time, even if we don’t know each other. When walking with a friend, we are close to each other a lot, to the extent sometimes, we hold hands with each other like lovers, even when we are not.” 

Travel through the TV

Watching netflix in coronavirus lockdown

On the Netflix show “ Breakfast, Lunch & Dinner ,” Episode 2 follows David Chang and Chrissy Teigen as they explore the foodie wonders of Marrakech. 

Amazon Prime has the movie classic Casablanca , which follows the story of American ex-pat and nightclub owner Rick Blaine (played by Humphrey Bogard) as he decides whether or not to help his former flame and her husband escape Morocco during WWII. The same streaming service shows Gladiator — parts of which were filmed in Ouarzazate which you can visit on our Morocco family tour  or Fez to Marrakech culture + walking tour .

Watch (or re-watch)  HBO ‘s Game of Thrones. The Moroccan city of Essaouira was used as the filming location of Astapor, home of the Unsullied. You can visit this as part of our Marrakech, Coast & Desert Multisport trip .

Call friends and family with our   Zoom Travel Backgrounds   While people all over the planet are practicing social distancing, video conferencing tools like Zoom and Facetime have become a lifeline.

Zoom virtual background camel in desert Morocco

2. Once you’re video chatting in Zoom (make sure you have the most up-to-date version), select the small arrow to the right of the “Stop Video” button on the bottom control bar.

3. Click “Choose Virtual Background,” select the “+” button, and upload your saved background image from your desktop. Un-check the “Mirror Video” button.

Zoom Virtual Background by Classic Journeys morocco market

Visit a Moroccan Museum

Face a Picasso tour in Mohammed VI Museum Morocco

More in our Passport To The World series: USA National Parks , New Zealand , Canada

Related Blog Posts

armchair travel to morocco

This “Happy Island” in Tuscany: Villa le Barone

armchair travel to morocco

Talk About Your Life-Changing Travel Experiences; The Amalfi Coast!

armchair travel to morocco

How and Why You Can Still Travel to Cuba Legally

Privacy overview.

BUDGET WAYFARERS

Backpacking to Morocco: Budget Travel Guide

armchair travel to morocco

traveller Supriya

Morocco budget travel guide will make exploring the fascinating African region easier for curious travellers. Planning a good trip requires methodical planning, a reasonable itinerary and most importantly, a doable budget.

I have spent a good amount of time exploring the enchanting cities of Morocco. My quests have taught me the utter significance of a decent budget. It helps travellers explore a large number of places without creating holes in their pockets.

So then, in my current blog on Morocco budget travel guide, I will let my experience do the talking. I’ll share all the necessary budget travel tips for a safe and fun vacation to this African wonder.

Morocco

Almost no other country compares to the vivid landscapes that Morocco will treat you as a traveller. Beaches, deserts, snow-clad mountains, you’ll find it all in this wonderland. There wasn’t a day on my trip, that I was not left breathless by its beauty.

Morocco Budget Travel Guide – Cost per Expense

If you’re planning a trip to Morocco, it is important that you plan a budget travel guide to this country in advance. Consequently, you can avoid the ‘in the moment’ expenses that pop up during most trips.

The overall Budget for taking a trip to Morocco should be between 3500 – 5000 MAD. This should include accommodation, food, internal transport, external transport and sightseeing.

The currency of Morocco is the Moroccan Dirham (MAD).

1 USD = 9.5 MAD; 1 EUR = 10.73 MAD; 1 INR = 0.14 MAD (as per the exchange rates at the time of my trip).

As per my Morocco budget travel guide, the following figures under a different type of expenses should suffice for travellers visiting Morocco on a 10-14-day-long trip.

As a traveller, it is important for you to save money on things that don’t matter as much and spend money on actual travel. This is where travel tips come in handy.

Morocco Budget Travel Guide for Saving Money – Top Tips

Morocco is not very expensive as a travel destination. As per my Morocco budget travel guide, I highly insist you follow the subsequent tips at all times.

Bunk in Hostels

Bunking in hostels is one of the best ways to save money. Most of your day will be spent out, exploring. Therefore, there’s no point wasting money on a luxury stay. All you would need is a clean and hygienic room to come back to at the end of the day.

Embrace Public Transport

Morocco has a host of shuttles, buses and trains to various cities and towns. Use them freely. I personally used the Souk to Surf services to book taxis and shuttles . They were professional, reliable, safe and on time.

Save on Flights

In order to save money on flights, book early. If you are not restricted by a time crunch, book flights with stopovers.

Shop Moderately

Try and keep your shopping impulses under control. Sure, buy a souvenir every now and then, but that should be about it.

Morocco budget travel guide

While in Morocco, try to avoid frivolous shopping. If at all, go for unique souvenirs and native utensils. Check out these tagines.

Eat from the Streets

In Morocco, orange juice and eggs are nominally priced. So, for eggetarians (vegetarians that eat egg), maintaining a budget should not be an issue.

Sometimes, salads and bread come in as add-ons. Look out for those options. Also, breakfast in most hotels and riads will be free.

Avoid Drinking

Although a number of restaurants in Morocco serve alcohol, drinking is not a key part of their culture. This leads to it being charged at hefty prices.

Walk away from Faux Guides

Morocco is known for confusing alleyways. Thus, many guides take advantage of this and fool travellers. As a practice, always ask your hotel to recommend a guide if you need one.

Morocco Budget Travel Tips

These are the top five tips for saving money on your Morocco Trip. Keep reading on to find out more about planning your budget travel to Morocco. If you are on Pinterest, do not forget to pin it to your Pinterest board for later reference.

A little cautiousness will be more than enough to help you maintain a budget.  Also, the next time someone asks you if a Morocco budget travel guide exists, Go ahead and say, ” yes.”

Morocco Travel Blog – 10 Affordable Places to Visit in Morocco

If you’re visiting Morocco for the first time, you simply cannot miss out on these beautiful and cheap destinations.

1) The Blue City of Chefchaouen

A hidden hippie spot for Instagrammers until a few years back, Chefchaouen is a sleepy, friendly and cheap town. Walls here are washed with vibrant blue paints, and pots of colourful flowers line its alleyways.

Travellers often omit Chefchaouen while in Morocco. But as per my Morocco budget travel guide, make your way here if you’re looking out for a cheap, and peaceful getaway.

morocco budget travel guide

Chefchaouen is a sleepy, friendly and cheap town. Walls here are washed with vibrant blue paints, and pots of colourful flowers.

2) Essaouira

Essaouira is a bright and breezy beach town on the Atlantic coast of Morocco. One can spend hours wandering around its picture-perfect medinas.

Also, Essaouira has had a long-term relationship with music. Lots of travelers are drawn to its music festival, in the month of June.

morocco budget travel guide

You can try out one of Moroccan’s delicacies in Essaouira – snail soup. It might seem weird to you but is actually a delicacy here.

Fez is considered to be the cultural capital of Morocco. Although Fez is often seen as a mere alternative to the touristy Marrakech, it is much more than just that. It’s a major town and has both – a railway station and an airport.

While it is said that 24 hours in Fez are enough, its medieval lifestyle and ancient ways of living are going to make you stay for longer.

morocco budget travel guide

This is the Chouara Tannery in Fez. Although tourists are not allowed inside the tannery, its view from nearby shops is beautiful. If you wish to know more about how to spend 24 hours exploring the city of Fes, you can read one of my other blogs here .

Tangier is a port town on the northern coast of Morocco, and Europe’s getaway into Africa. Furthermore, it has a literary and artistic past, that appeals to romanticists.

morocco budget travel guide

Tangier is a port town on the northern coast of Morocco, and Europe’s getaway into Africa. What a beautiful place to explore. 

Contrary to popular belief, Casablanca is not the capital of Morocco. It’s Rabat – a tourist-friendly, modern, and open-minded city. Likewise, Rabat makes for a great place for travellers to experience Moroccan culture on a budget.

morocco budget travel guide

This is one of the Medinas in Morocco. There’s something happening in every nook & corner of these by lanes. So colourful.

The worst earthquake that ever hit Morocco, destroyed the beach town of Agadir in 1960. The entire city was then reconstructed, due to which it has a brand-new feel to it, unlike most of Morocco. Seems like, locals from Marrakech flock to this coastal city for a relaxing weekend.

What’s best about Agadir is that you don’t have to spend big bucks to have a good time here. It’s a welcoming and hospitable city, attracting travellers and locals alike.

Morocco budget travel guide

Even though Agadir was hit by an earthquake a few years ago, it’s up & running now. Rent a pair of binoculars and enjoy the view.

7) Marrakech

Marrakech is an old medieval city and a major economic centre, thereby making it a popular travel destination in Africa . It caters to both backpackers and those desiring a luxury trip. From hostels to 5-star hotels, and from street-side vendors to sit-down restaurants, Marrakech has something for everybody.

While Marrakech can prove to be extremely heavy on the pocket, a little cautiousness and planning will help you stick to a conservative budget.

morocco budget travel guide

This is my herbal tea at a cafe in Marrakech. Jemaa el Fna – the crowded market square can be seen at a distance from here. 

8) Aït Ben Haddou

Aït Benhaddou is a small village popular for the centuries-old ksar, built by the Berbers ages ago. It was recently used as a set by the American television series ‘Game of Thrones’.

Consequently, this location has come into the limelight. Seems like, it’s much more than just a world heritage site now.

Since Aït Benhaddou is a tourist spot, finding accommodation and food will not be tedious. Most of them are similarly priced, but it would be a good idea to do some comparison nevertheless.

morocco budget travel guide

If you’re a Game of Thrones fan, this exact location is where the kingdom of Qarth was shot. Aït Benhaddou is just spectacular.

Finally, you could request your host to arrange a car that will take you to Ouarzazate. Hereon, you can proceed to Tinghir.

Tinghir is a wonderful mix of different shades of green and brown. Consisting of 40,000 inhabitants, Tinghir is a beautiful town in Eastern Morocco.

morocco budget travel guide

Todra Gorge attracts travellers from around the world. It is one of the most beautiful natural wonders that Morocco has to offer.

Asilah is so off the beaten track, that most Morocco budget travel guides would make no mention of it. If you want to experience a little bit of Spain in this African country, there’d be no better place to go.

Morocco has so much to offer, that I’ve left out a number of cities and towns in this list. This list is not exhaustive. But, it is a guide to some of the most affordable cities to see in Morocco.

morocco budget travel guide

Even though most travellers forget to add Asilah to their Morocco itinerary, I suggest you visit it. It offers a Spain like experience.

Morocco Budget Travel Guide for Local Tours

Local tours are a reasonable way of exploring different places in Morocco. Whether you’re in a group or travelling solo, locally provided tours can be an excellent way of exploring different Moroccan locales without compromising on your budget. Most of these tours even have a guide. Having a guide in Morocco helps you connect with the region better.

Below are some of the most pocket-friendly tour that I would suggest:

  • Marrakech Medina Walking Tour: Half-Day Guided Tour – It’s a 3 hour guided walking tour that you on an exploratory tour of the Marrakech medina. 

Fes Guided Tour – In about 4 hours, a tour guide will take you through the best of Fes including the Chouara Tannery, Attarrin Islamic old School, Nejjarrin Museum, Seffarrin, Al- Batha Museum, Arms Museum, The Batha Palace.

Private City Tour Agadir – This half-day tour includes a professional guide who takes you through the city of Adagir.

  • Day Trip To Atlas Mountains and Three Valleys & Berber Villages from Marrakech – This tour takes you to Atlas Mountains, Imlil Valley, Asni Valley, Amizmiz Valley, hike to the waterfalls and wonderful views. You also get to visit Argan women’s cooperative. The tour also includes the costs of camel ride, lunch and tea. I highly recommend this trip. 
  • Day Trip to Essaouira from Marrakech – This full-day trip from Marrakech will take you through the souks, the beautiful Moulay el Hassan square, and the old medina. I would recommend this tour if you’re looking for a quick day trip to Essaouira.

Paradise Valley Guided Day Trip from Agadir – This is a day trip to paradise valley. The valley is luscious with steep-sided canyons of the Oued Tamraght lined with palms, argan trees, oleanders and wild thyme.

(Note: The prices of the tours may vary from season to season and by the number of people. Compare carefully when picking one.) 

Morocco Budget Travel Guide: Experiences that Cost Nothing

If you still think you need to spend a fortune to explore Morocco, read on. There’s always going to be thousands of things you can spend a fortune on, just to have fun. In contrast, there’s also experiences that you need to pay nothing for.

As per my Morocco budget travel guide, keep an eye out for the following treats. Try squeezing the most out of your trip to Morocco.

Enjoy a local Hammam

A hammam is a traditional Turkish bath, closely associated with the Islamic world. Now, while you’d get multiple opportunities to experience one, chances of them being expensive are very high. If you do not want to spend a lot, go for the local bath in Marrakech. You’d be charged an entrance fee of just 10-20 MAD (1-2 USD), as against 300-500 MAD.

Tip: Carry your own soap and towel to avoid extra costs. Furthermore, try visiting on a weekday for fewer crowds.

Appreciate Craftsmanship

The souks (markets) of Morocco are most visited by travellers wanting to shop. However, there’s much more to make your way through a souk. Spend a day observing and learning about the process of manufacturing these goods. You’d be amazed to see how talented these artisans are and how hard they work just to pierce together a pair of shoe.

Tip: Ask for permission if you want to film or photograph them.

Free Cultural Performances

Morocco is a country rich in culture. People love their music, their dance, and their theatre. Lots of cities in Morocco feature cultural performances that can be enjoyed for free. You could witness Moroccan storytelling (in both English in Arabic), folk dances and live band performances to inch closer to their culture.

Tip: Ask around in your hostel for events of the sort. Alternatively, ask them about Facebook pages that could keep you updated.

Exhibitions

Stay updated on happenings of cultural institutes, language schools, and English learning centres. Most of them host movie nights, talk shows, debates and open-minded discussions about topics to do solely with Morocco. It is also a great way to make a friend or two, and make further travels shared and cheaper.

While these are just a few suggestions, you will definitely stumble upon more experiences of the sort. After all, Morocco is pretty generous.

Morocco Budget Travel Guide: Couchsurfing your way through Morocco

Today, everybody wants to travel. Everybody wants to see the northern lights in Norway. Everybody wants to trek the mountains in Alaska. Fortunately, money is no longer as crucial a factor to define your travels.

If you’re looking for ways to make your trip cheaper, my Morocco budget travel guide recommends Couchsurfing. In simple words, ‘couch surfers’ ditch hotels and other forms of accommodation for a spare room or a couch in hosts’ homes.

This is kind of a win-win situation. Travellers get to travel cheap, and sometimes, be shown around by their hosts. Additionally, hosts are happy to expose themselves to people from countries and cultures around the world. Most importantly, however, it’s one of the best ways to meet like-minded individuals around the globe.

Tips to find a Couchsurfing Host while travelling to Morocco

Before you start looking for Couchsurfing options, read the following tips. These will be useful:

If you manage to follow these simple tips, a memorable Couchsurfing experience will ensue. And, who knows. Maybe you could host them in your home country someday.

Morocco on a Budget – It’s Possible

No matter how expensive a destination is for a traveller, there are always ways to cut down all frivolous spending. I hope that this Morocco budget travel guide helps you plan a budget trip to this Arabic country. There are, of course, more cities to see, more dishes to try, and more stereotypes to be challenged. Head to this magical land, and share your stories.

Happy wayfaring

THIS POST IS AN EXCLUSIVE PROPERTY OF BUDGET WAYFARERS. ANY INDIVIDUAL OR ASSOCIATION INDULGING IN PLAGIARISM WILL BE DEALT WITH STRICTLY . IF YOU WANT TO USE INFORMATION FROM THE ARTICLE ABOVE, KINDLY QUOTE THE SOURCE.

armchair travel to morocco

IMAGES

  1. Armchair Travel: Exploring Morocco's Mystique [Photos]

    armchair travel to morocco

  2. Armchair Travel: Exploring Morocco's Mystique [Photos]

    armchair travel to morocco

  3. 20 Things to Know Before you Travel to Morocco

    armchair travel to morocco

  4. Armchair Adventure

    armchair travel to morocco

  5. Armchair Travel Series: Morocco

    armchair travel to morocco

  6. Armchair Adventure

    armchair travel to morocco

COMMENTS

  1. Armchair Travel to Morocco

    How Can. Many thanks for making our life so much easier. Otherwise designing these activities would take forever! This comprehensive armchair travel activity includes everything you need for a full day of travel to MOROCCO. Fact files, trivia, quizzes, music, food, posters, craft and more! We hope you enjoy MOROCCO travelog!

  2. Armchair Travel: A Sensory Experience for Seniors

    Lynette. Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. This is a wonderful activity for seniors living in nursing homes and suitable for people with dementia.

  3. Armchair Travel

    Armchair Travel takes people to faraway places without leaving home. It provides a sensory experience and the opportunity to learn about exotic lands and important past events in a meaningful manner. ... Armchair Travel Morocco 2977 18. Armchair Travel to Finland. This comprehensive armchair travel activity includes everything you need for a ...

  4. Armchair Traveling: 22 Ways to Travel Virtually from Home

    Take time to assist your kids with armchair traveling. There are plenty of options out there to help them virtually travel or bring travel-themed ideas to them: 20 Virtual Field Trips for Kids. Amazing Virtual Tours for Kids. Little Passports (a great monthly subscription service for kids ages 3+ to "travel the world")

  5. 31 Ways to Be an Armchair Traveler from the Comfort Of Your Own Home

    Here are just a few of my favorite travel-focused TV shows that are perfect for an armchair traveler: A Place in the Sun: Watch British couples agonize over where to buy that perfect second home in warm sunny climes.You'll get to see some super-cool real estate as well as some really fun sun holiday destinations across Europe and beyond.

  6. Armchair Wanders: Morocco

    Experience the wonders of Morocco from the comfort of your home. Indulge in our favorite Moroccan books, movies, recipes, and virtual experiences aimed to bring the highlights of Morocco straight to your doorstep.

  7. 75+ Armchair Travel Experiences: Virtual Tours & More!

    UK & Ireland. Explore London every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday with a 20-minute virtual tour with LookUpLondon live on Instagram. Take a peek inside the Queen's house with this virtual tour of Buckingham Palace. Wander where giants once roamed on this virtual tour of the Giants Causeway in Ireland.

  8. The Art of Armchair Travel

    This one isn't strictly armchair travel. You'll have to venture as far as the kitchen or, if you're lucky, the garden to recreate the flavours of your travels. I planted some seeds last weekend; chilli, mint, basil, coriander and tomatoes amongst others. They're doing well. The flavours will remind me of past travels.

  9. Armchair Travel to Morocco 8/14/23

    Chateau Madeleine Assisted Living and Memory Care residents shared their experiences while traveling to Morocco then boarded Chateau Air for a virtual tour! ...

  10. Armchair Travel: How to Master Travelling the World From Home

    Here are some of the best armchair travel books to add to your must-read list: Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas | Hunter S. Thompson; The Alchemist | Paolo Coelho; ... rock climbing, and hosting sold out group travel trips around South Africa, Namibia and Morocco. Reader Interactions. Comments. DoiBedouin || Travel Blogger says. August 26, 2020 ...

  11. Armchair Travel: 16 Ways To Travel The World From Home

    Virtually Explore US National Parks. Most US National Parks offer virtual tours that are absolutely perfect for an armchair traveler. You can explore any national park you want from the comfort of your home, and you can even peek inside museums and other unique attractions that the national parks have. Of course, it's not the same as reaping ...

  12. Accessible Holidays In Morocco

    Morocco. Follow your nose through bustling medinas, discover the mountain valleys and soaring peaks of the High Atlas and immerse yourself in Arabic and Berber history when you visit irrepressibly atmospheric Morocco. While the bustling streets of Marrakech capture the imagination of every visitor that makes their way through the labyrinth ...

  13. 17 Armchair Travel Ideas

    1. Google Earth. Google Earth is a fun and free tool that lets you travel the world from your home. When you hit the 'I'm Feeling Lucky' button it takes you to random destinations around the world. My first few times took me to a mountain in Spain, a lake in Ethiopia, a museum in USA and a town in Kazakhstan.

  14. Travel to Morocco with a Disability

    7 Reasons Why We Chose Morocco for an Accessible Travel Company. by Jeremy Schmidt | May 16, 2019 | Accessibility, Excursions, Safety. We have lived in Morocco for several years now and though we speak the local language, try to adapt to local customs, have learned culturally appropriate responses to life situations, we still stick out sometimes!

  15. Armchair Travel: How To Escape To Marrakech in Your own Home

    Meryanne Loum-Martin is a Morocco-based hotelier whose book on Marrakech interiors, published by Rizzoli, gives an intimate look into the vacation-favorite city. ... ARMCHAIR TRAVEL: How to Escape To Marrakech in Your Own Home. Meryanne Loum-Martin is a Morocco-based hotelier whose book on Marrakech interiors, published by Rizzoli, gives an ...

  16. 25 Essential Morocco Travel Tips, What To Know Before You Go!

    The Best Time to Travel to Morocco should be ideally the considered by season. One of the best times to visit Morocco is spring or fall. Spring (April and May) and Fall (September and October) are perhaps the best overall time to take a Morocco Tour. Morocco has over 300 days of sunshine.

  17. Planning a Trip to Morocco: Your 11-Step Travel Checklist

    Step 2: Book your tickets! How much is a flight to Morocco? When planning a Morocco vacation, a large part of the cost will depend on where you are coming from, obviously, as well as where you fly into. The main airports in Morocco are Marrakech (RAK), Rabat (RBA), Casablanca (CMN), and Fes (FEZ).

  18. 43 Best Armchair Travel Websites: Virtual Tours & Wildlife Streams

    Armchair travel opens up a whole new world of behind the scenes wanderlust experiences from the comfort of your home. From virtual museum tours to live stream wildlife encounters and so much more. We have put together the ultimate list of armchair travel inspiration to turn your lounge room into a virtual adventure!

  19. Forum

    Hi Anita, I have done an armchair travel to Morocco, but I have done quite a few to a number of places. The last one was to Vegas and I am currently working on one to Romania. We have visited other places at the resident's request. For this activity I print out the passports, boarding passes and the stamps.

  20. 18 things to know before going to Morocco

    In medinas, it's helpful to know that if the street sign is a hexagon, it's a dead end. If it's a square, it's a through street. 16. Don't drink the tap water. Morocco's tap water is not safe to drink. Bring a water bottle with a filter to avoid buying plastic. 17. Bring tissues for public toilets.

  21. Passport to Morocco: How to keep traveling virtually

    We're taking to armchair travel to satisfy our wanderlust. This week we're whisking you to Morocco. Here's how to explore from the comfort of your own home. 800-200-3887 Contact Us Email Signup Request Catalog Guest Portal By Destination. Europe; Africa; Latin America ...

  22. The Ultimate Morocco Travel Guide: All You Need to Know

    The summer months of July and August are usually the hottest and driest, with temperatures soaring into the triple digits. This can make sightseeing and outdoor activities difficult. Similarly, winter can be cold and wet in many parts of Morocco as well, making travel more difficult during this season.

  23. Backpacking to Morocco: Budget Travel Guide

    Morocco Budget Travel Guide - Cost per Expense. If you're planning a trip to Morocco, it is important that you plan a budget travel guide to this country in advance. Consequently, you can avoid the 'in the moment' expenses that pop up during most trips. The overall Budget for taking a trip to Morocco should be between 3500 - 5000 MAD.