Spiritual retreats in Morocco from the UK: a practical guide

Few countries keep their Sufi heritage as visibly as Morocco. Zawiyas still hold weekly gatherings of dhikr, the tombs of saints are visited every day, and the Shadhili path, one of the great Sufi paths of Islam, began on a mountain in the north of the country, where Abu al-Hasan al-Shadhili found his master, Moulay Abdessalam Ibn Mashish.

A retreat here is not a resort with a meditation room. It is a journey through living places of prayer: the darih of Moulay Idriss II in Fez, the Seven Saints of Marrakech, the mountain of Jbel Alam. Days are set around the prayer times, with time kept for reading and silence.

Each of our six retreats starts and ends at the airport that suits it, and every retreat includes the airport pickup and the transfer back.

Direct flights from London take roughly three hours to Tangier, Fez and Rabat and three and a half to four hours to Marrakech; from Manchester, Birmingham, Bristol or Scotland allow a little longer. Marrakech has the most direct flights from UK airports. Fez, Tangier and Rabat have fewer, and some routes run only in certain seasons, so compare a direct flight with a connection through Casablanca or a European hub. Schedules change often: check the airlines’ current timetables before you choose your dates, and tell us your flights so we can meet you on arrival.

British citizens do not need a visa or an e-visa to visit Morocco for up to 90 days. Your passport must be valid for the whole of your stay.

If you live in the UK on another passport, the rule depends on your nationality, not your residence: some nationalities need a visa or can apply for an e-visa. Check Morocco’s official e-visa portal before you book flights.

Entry rules can change. Before you book flights, read the UK government’s foreign travel advice for Morocco on GOV.UK, which also covers health, local laws and safety. We ask every guest to travel with insurance that covers medical care and cancellation.

Spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November) are the most comfortable months: warm days and cool evenings. Summer is very hot in Fez and Marrakech, though early mornings and evenings stay pleasant for ziyara; the North is milder. Winter brings cold nights, rain in the Rif and, in some years, difficult mountain roads to Jbel Alam, which is why we check access for every date.

Ramadan changes the rhythm of the day: shorter visiting hours, the breaking of the fast at sunset and long nights of prayer. For guests on the devotional track it can be a very special time to come. Tell us if you would like to travel during Ramadan.

Each day turns around the five prayers. A typical day starts with Fajr and breakfast on the riad roof, continues with a morning of ziyara, keeps the afternoon for rest, reading and silence, and ends with Maghrib and an evening of remembrance, ṣalawāt or Moroccan madīḥ. Gatherings with a zawiya are confirmed for each date.

You choose between two tracks. The devotional track is for Muslims: the five prayers in congregation, full participation in the dhikr, and the interiors open to Muslim visitors. The open track welcomes every seeker: the same route and places, with guided explanation, quiet attendance at the dhikr where visitors are welcomed, and time to reflect.

Dress modestly: covered shoulders and knees for everyone, and a headscarf for women inside sanctuaries. Shoes come off where indicated. Photography inside shrines is allowed only when a custodian permits it, and never of people at prayer.

Some mosque and shrine interiors in Morocco are reserved for Muslim visitors. Where that applies, open-track guests have a guided visit outside.

Prices are calculated from the accommodation level, group size, transport and confirmed programme, and quoted on request. Every retreat is all-inclusive: airport pickup and transfers, accommodation, three meals a day, ground transport, a local guide and a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme, and devotional evenings where arranged. Small groups have 8 to 14 guests; private and family retreats run on your own dates. Flights and insurance are not included.

To book, choose a retreat and a track and send your dates from the retreat page. You receive a reference at once, and we reply with your programme and price. Nothing is paid online.