Morocco is located in North Africa, at the northwest corner of the African continent. It is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the west, the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Algeria to the east, and Mauritania to the south — and it sits just about 14 km (9 miles) from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar, the narrow channel where Africa and Europe almost touch.
I’m Soufiane. Elhoussian and I run Happy Morocco Travel, and this is the country we call home — from the Atlantic coast where we drink our coffee to the dunes of Merzouga where we grew up, on the edge of the Sahara. People picture Morocco as far away and hard to reach. It isn’t. From Tangier you can stand on the shore and watch the lights of Spain across the water, and there are direct flights from New York. Here is exactly where Morocco sits, and how close it really is.
Morocco Location at a Glance
- Continent: Africa (North Africa, in the region known as the Maghreb)
- Coordinates: roughly 32° N latitude, 6° W longitude
- Capital: Rabat · Largest city: Casablanca
- Land borders: Algeria to the east; Mauritania to the south
- Coastlines: Atlantic Ocean to the west, Mediterranean Sea to the north
- Nearest point to Europe: about 14 km (9 mi) to Spain, across the Strait of Gibraltar
- Size: about 446,000 km² (172,000 sq mi) — a little larger than California
- Time zone: GMT+1 year-round (it drops back one hour during Ramadan)
What Continent Is Morocco In?
Morocco is in Africa — specifically North Africa, the northwest tip of the continent. It is one of the five countries of the Maghreb, alongside Algeria, Tunisia, Libya and Mauritania.
People sometimes ask whether Morocco is in the Middle East. Geographically, no — it is firmly in Africa. But culturally Morocco belongs to both the Arab world and the Amazigh (Berber) world, and it shares language, food and history with the wider region, which is why it can feel like a crossroads of Africa, Europe and the Arab world all at once. That mix is a big part of what makes it special.
Morocco’s Borders and Coastlines
Morocco is one of the few countries with coastline on both the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. Here is what surrounds it:
- West: the Atlantic Ocean — home to Casablanca, Rabat, Essaouira and Agadir
- North: the Mediterranean Sea and the Strait of Gibraltar, facing Spain
- East: a long land border with Algeria
- South: Mauritania, where Morocco’s southern Saharan provinces stretch deep into the desert
Between the two coasts, the land rises into the Rif and Atlas Mountains and then drops into the desert. That same Sahara stretches south and east — if you have ever wondered where the Sahara Desert is located, Morocco is one of the easiest places in the world to reach its dunes.
How Close Is Morocco to Europe?
Closer than most people think. At its narrowest, the Strait of Gibraltar is only about 14 km (9 miles) wide — so Morocco and Spain are practically neighbours. On a clear day you can see the Spanish coast from the hills above Tangier, and ferries cross from Tarifa or Algeciras in Spain to Tangier in under an hour. By air, Morocco is just a 1.5 to 3.5 hour flight from most major European cities. It really is the point where Africa and Europe meet.
Morocco’s Main Regions
For such a compact country, Morocco packs in an incredible range of landscapes. Knowing where they sit helps you plan a trip:
- The Atlantic coast: Casablanca, the capital Rabat, and the breezy surf town of Essaouira.
- The imperial cities: Marrakech and Fes, with their famous medinas and souks.
- The mountains: the High Atlas, with Berber villages, valleys and North Africa’s highest peak, Toubkal.
- The Sahara: the southeast, where the dunes of Erg Chebbi rise near Merzouga and Rissani — our home, and the heart of our Sahara Desert tours.
Not sure which corner to start with? Our guides to the best places to visit in Morocco and the best cities for first-time visitors break it down.
How to Get to Morocco (From the US & Europe)
Getting here is easier than its “far-off” reputation suggests:
- From the US: Royal Air Maroc flies direct from New York, Washington DC, Boston and Miami to Casablanca (CMN) — around 7 to 8 hours. From Casablanca it’s a short hop or scenic drive on to Marrakech, Fes or the desert.
- From Europe: short, frequent flights (1.5–3.5 hours) into Marrakech (RAK), Casablanca, Fes and Tangier — or take the ferry across from southern Spain.
- Once you land: on every Happy Morocco Travel trip we meet you at the airport with a private English-speaking driver-guide, so you never have to figure out the roads yourself.
When you’re ready to plan, our first-timer’s guide to Morocco and our advice on the best time to visit are the place to start — and yes, Morocco is safe to visit.
Where Is Morocco? FAQ
What continent is Morocco in?
Morocco is in Africa, in the northwest corner of the continent known as North Africa or the Maghreb.
Is Morocco in Africa or the Middle East?
Geographically, Morocco is in Africa. Culturally it is part of the Arab and Amazigh (Berber) world, which is why it is often associated with the Middle East — but it sits on the African continent, not in the Middle East.
What is the capital of Morocco?
The capital is Rabat, on the Atlantic coast. Casablanca is the largest city and main economic hub, while Marrakech and Fes are the best known for tourism.
Can you see Spain from Morocco?
Yes. From Tangier and the northern coast you can see Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar on a clear day — the two countries are only about 14 km (9 miles) apart at the narrowest point.
How far is Morocco from the USA?
It is roughly 3,600 miles from the US East Coast. Direct flights from New York to Casablanca take about 7 to 8 hours, making Morocco one of the closest African and Arab-world destinations to the United States.
Come See Where We Live
So that’s where Morocco sits — the northwest shoulder of Africa, a short hop from Europe and a direct flight from the US, with the Atlantic on one side and the Sahara on the other. It’s a small country that somehow holds the sea, the mountains and the desert all at once.
If you’d like to see it for yourself, that’s what Elhoussian and I do. Browse our Morocco tours, start dreaming with a private, tailor-made itinerary, or just send us a message with your dates. The first glass of mint tea is on us.
— Soufiane & Elhoussian, Happy Morocco Travel
And if the desert is the reason you are coming, our guide on how to visit the Sahara Desert in Morocco covers the routes, distances and camps in full.
