As remote work reshapes lifestyles worldwide, Morocco is becoming an increasingly popular destination for digital nomads, drawn by its affordability, central location, vibrant culture, and year-round sunshine. As work dynamics are changing, especially after the Covid-19 health crisis, which had millions working from home, working remotely while traveling has gained even more momentum. Many now call themselves digital nomads — with a laptop and a decent internet connection, anywhere can be their office, including Morocco. The Kingdom is increasingly making it onto lists of top, affordable, and attractive digital nomad destinations. Cities like Marrakech, Essaouira, and Tangier are often mentioned as destinations to consider when digital nomading. In 2024, two Moroccan cities made it into Business Insider Africa's Top 10 Most Popular Remote Working Destinations in Africa. Navigating through comments, tips, and tricks across forums, blogs, and websites, Yabiladi is also compiling a list of reasons why Morocco is becoming a digital nomad favorite. Morocco: A Central Location One of the many reasons Morocco is so attractive to remote workers and travel enthusiasts is its proximity to Europe. It's no exaggeration to say that the North African Kingdom lies at Europe's doorstep. By ferry, Tangier serves as the closest entry point from Spain. With direct flights to and from several European cities, Morocco stands as a much closer stop than famous digital nomad destinations like Thailand. Proximity to Europe also offers advantages for working hours. Morocco is on GMT+1 year-round, aligning with working hours in most European capitals. «It is an ideal time zone if you're working European hours», wrote digital nomad Lora Pope in her blog about her experience in Morocco. Even for those working American hours, Morocco remains manageable: it's only five hours ahead of New York. Morocco's central location also makes it an easy stop for digital nomads eyeing different destinations, such as Egypt's beachy retreat Dahab or Tenerife in the Canary Islands. Not to mention the weather: Morocco is sunny almost all year long and generally much more pleasant than Europe's gloomy winters. Affordable Living Digital nomads are not traditional tourists — they stay for longer periods, sometimes months or even a year. This makes living costs a crucial factor, especially for longer stays. While costs vary between big cities, smaller towns, and villages, living expenses remain significantly lower than in Europe or other popular digital nomad hubs. «Snack shops — small fast-food restaurants common across Morocco — are everywhere and offer the cheapest meals. And just because they're affordable doesn't mean they're bad; we had some of the most delicious food from snack shops», wrote hopelesslynomantic in a blog about digital nomading in Morocco. Transportation is also often mentioned as one of the most affordable aspects for digital nomads, especially for travel between towns and cities. The same goes for housing: «You can live comfortably in Morocco for around 1500-2000 USD a month, especially if you stay out of the cities and in smaller towns like Fez and Essaouira», wrote Lora Pope in a blog on her experience as a digital nomad in the Kingdom. A UK family of four who spent time digital nomading in Essaouira's medina mentioned that their two-bedroom house cost around £800 per month: «You can find cheaper, but being a family of four, we needed the space», the mother wrote in a blog recounting their experience. Coliving spaces — designed specifically for digital nomads on a budget — and coworking spaces offering good internet also make Morocco even more attractive and affordable. Great Food Food comes up in almost every positive comment and review about digital nomading in Morocco. «I stayed in Marrakech for a month. I spent a lot of time wandering around the city on foot, ate some good food, and generally enjoyed myself», wrote one digital nomad on Reddit. «I couldn't live somewhere for three months that didn't have good food, and luckily, Morocco did not disappoint!» wrote another nomad, even listing typical Moroccan dishes she enjoyed during her stay. While some prefer street food and local restaurants, others love the daily trips to the souk for fresh produce — especially in small towns. «Fresh breads, eggs, fruit, and vegetables can be purchased around the markets of the medina. But if you need Western food items such as pasta, cheeses, and cereal, there's a large supermarket on the main road into town», wrote another nomad about her stay in Essaouira. Cultural Experience Moroccan cuisine is a major attraction for digital nomads, but so is the rich cultural experience that comes with working remotely from the Kingdom. Many opt for Morocco for all the things they can see and experience when they're not in front of their PCs — the monuments, historical sites, and lively souks of the old medinas. While working from Morocco, digital nomads can travel across the country, visit museums, explore historical sites, head to the Sahara desert, or enjoy road trips through the mountains. If you're more of a laid-back type, the coastal experience is there too, with surfing being especially popular in places like Taghazout, Tamraght, and Essaouira. If you prefer a more modern, nightlife-oriented lifestyle, Rabat or Casablanca might suit you better. Moroccan Cities for Digital Nomads Most digital nomad experiences shared online about Morocco mention Essaouira as a «more relaxed» place, with nice beaches and a medina full of attractions and cafés where nomads can plug in their PCs and work. Marrakech is on the expensive side according to comments. «Marrakech is an 'experience' that you should try. But likely won't want to stay long-term», reads one comment on Reddit. Tangier is also a favorite — praised for its proximity to Europe and its blend of European and Moroccan styles. «The city is calm and also has good infrastructure, including modern coworking spaces and coffee shops with reliable internet connectivity», writes Lora Pope. Taghazout and neighboring Tamraght are also preferred spots, maybe because of their remote yet beach-close locations. Surfing is the local sport, and although small, the towns are well-equipped for nomads. «The village offers a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere, with a growing number of accommodation options, cafes, and coworking spaces», Lora adds.
