Journal · 5 min read
Sufi retreats in Morocco, 2026–2027: the six retreats, when to go and how to book
By Nūr Morocco ·
In short
We run six Sufi retreats in Morocco, of three to six days, each built around the ziyara of great saints, the five prayers, dhikr and time for silence. There are no fixed departure dates: small groups of 8 to 14 guests and private retreats are arranged on the dates you ask for, through 2026 and 2027. Spring and autumn are the most comfortable seasons; Ramadan and the Mawlid are special times to come.
What a Sufi retreat in Morocco is, and is not
A retreat with us is a journey through the living places of Moroccan Sufism: the tombs of the saints, the zawiyas where dhikr is still held every week, and the mountains, cities and oases where the great paths took root. Each day is set around the prayer times, with ziyara in the morning, rest and reading in the afternoon, and remembrance in the evening.
It is not a formal khalwa, the solitary retreat a disciple makes under the direction of a sheikh, and we do not promise a meeting with any particular teacher. A qualified spiritual facilitator leads the sessions agreed in your programme, and gatherings with a zawiya are confirmed for each date.
The six retreats
Every retreat is all-inclusive from the airport and back, and each can be joined to another for a longer journey.
- The Shadhili Path (5 days, from Tangier): Jbel Alam and the tomb of Moulay Abdessalam Ibn Mashish, master of Imam al-Shadhili; the zawiya of al-Harraq in Tetouan; Sidi Ahmad ibn ʿAjiba.
- Atlantic Serenity (3 days, from Rabat, Tangier or Casablanca): the lagoon of Moulay Bousselham, a short and gentle retreat by the sea.
- The Spiritual Heart of Morocco (6 days, from Fez): Moulay Idriss II, the Tijani zawiya, the saints of Fez and Meknes and the sanctuary of Moulay Idriss Zerhoun.
- The Central Morocco Spiritual Journey (5 days, from Casablanca): Moulay Bouazza in the Middle Atlas and the Sharqawi heritage of Boujad.
- The Seven Saints Retreat (6 days, from Marrakech): the traditional ziyara of the Seven Saints, with Imam al-Jazuli and the Dalāʾil al-Khayrāt.
- The Nasiri Oasis Retreat (6 days, from Marrakech): over the High Atlas to the Drâa valley and the Nasiri zawiya of Tamegroute and its library.
Two tracks: devotional and open
Each retreat runs on two tracks. The devotional track is for Muslims: the five prayers in congregation, full participation in the dhikr, and visits inside the sanctuaries open to Muslims. The open track welcomes every seeker, of any faith or none: the same route and places, with guided explanation, quiet attendance at the dhikr where visitors are welcomed, and time to reflect.
How dates work in 2026 and 2027
We do not sell fixed departures. You tell us the retreat, the track and the dates you would like; we check the riads, the guides and the zawiya gatherings for those dates, and reply with your programme and price. Small groups have 8 to 14 guests. Private retreats, for a family, a couple or a circle of friends, run on your own dates.
Some places depend on the season and on their custodians: the mountain road to Jbel Alam can be difficult in winter, and gatherings are confirmed date by date. We check every one before you book.
The best time of year
- Spring (March to May) and autumn (late September to November): warm days, cool evenings, the most comfortable months everywhere.
- Summer (June to August): very hot in Fez, Marrakech and the Drâa valley; the North and the Atlantic coast stay milder.
- Winter (December to February): mild days and cold nights; rain in the Rif and snow on the High Atlas passes in some years.
- Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin around 8 February 2027, depending on the sighting of the moon. Days are quieter and nights are long with prayer: a deep time to come on the devotional track.
- The Mawlid, the birthday of the Prophet ﷺ, is expected in mid-August 2027. Morocco celebrates it with gatherings of ṣalawāt and madīḥ in the zawiyas.
Getting there from the USA, the UK and elsewhere
Each retreat starts at the airport that suits it: Tangier, Fez, Rabat, Casablanca or Marrakech. Casablanca has the most long-haul connections, including direct flights from North America; Marrakech has the most direct flights from the UK and Europe. Citizens of the United States, the United Kingdom and the European Union can visit Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa; travellers on other passports should check Morocco’s official e-visa portal before booking flights.
What is included
Airport pickup and transfers, accommodation, three meals a day, all ground transport with a private vehicle and driver, a local guide, a qualified spiritual facilitator for the sessions agreed in your programme, devotional evenings with Moroccan madīḥ where arranged, and entry to the monuments in the programme. International flights, visas where needed and travel insurance are not included.
Prices depend on the accommodation level, group size and confirmed programme, and are quoted on request. Nothing is paid online: you send your dates from the retreat page, receive a reference at once, and we reply with your programme.
Questions
Are there Sufi retreats in Morocco in 2026 and 2027?
Yes. Our six retreats run through 2026 and 2027 on the dates guests ask for, as small groups of 8 to 14 or as private retreats. There are no fixed departures; each date is confirmed with the riads, guides and zawiyas.
How long is a Sufi retreat in Morocco?
Three to six days: Atlantic Serenity is three days, the Shadhili Path and Central Morocco five, and Fez and Meknes, the Seven Saints and the Nasiri Oasis six. Retreats can be joined into a longer journey.
Do I have to be Muslim to join?
No. The open track welcomes every seeker. It follows the same route as the devotional track, with guided exterior visits where a sanctuary is reserved for Muslims.
Is a retreat the same as a khalwa?
No. Our retreats are journeys with set times for prayer, dhikr, reading and silence. A khalwa is a solitary retreat made under the direction of a sheikh, which we do not offer.
When is the best time for a retreat in Morocco?
Spring and autumn are the most comfortable. Ramadan, expected to begin around 8 February 2027, and the Mawlid, expected in mid-August 2027, are special times for guests on the devotional track.
