Is Morocco cheaper than Spain? Short answer is yes - significantly cheaper. Spain is known as a fairly expensive country to visit while Morocco is famous for being one of the cheapest and most rewarding countries to visit in Europe's near abroad. If one is on a budget, then certainly choose Morocco.
Both of these countries are traveler paradises and both have stunning architecture and rich cultures to enjoy. They are both very different destinations from each other. One of Spain's top destinations and is the majestic Mediterranean city of Barcelona, while one of Morocco's top destinations is the stuck-in-time oasis city of Marrakesh.
Accommodation Is Cheaper In Morocco
Using hostels as a benchmark, one can see just how much cheaper accommodation is in Morocco than Spain. In Barcelona, the cheapest dormitory accommodation in Barcelona listed on Hostelworld.com starts from around $16.00 but is generally in the $22-26 per night range for the cheapest bed in a shared room.
- Cheapest Dorms In Barcelona: From $16.00 (Mostly $22-26)
By utter contrast, the cheapest dormitory accommodation in the stunning Moroccan oasis city of Marrakesh starts from $3 or $4 per night. And from $4.00 per night, one can expect a great Moroccan breakfast included!
- Cheapest Dorms In Barcelona: From $4.00 - Including Breakfast
Private rooms in better hotels are similarly cheaper in Morocco.
Morocco Is Cheaper With Everything
Some things that indicate just how much cheaper Morocco is than Spain are shown on the Cost of Living Index for Marrakesh and Barcelona. Here is a comparison for some items from Barcelona in Spain and Marrakesh in Morocco.
Inexpensive Meal At A Restaurant:
- Barcelona: $12.70
- Marrakesh: $3.30
Transport - One Way Ticket On Public Transport:
- Barcelona: $2.50
- Marrakesh: $0.40
Rent - One Bedroom Apartment In City Center:
- Barcelona: $1,030
- Marrakesh: $390
Morocco is generally cheaper across the board. Once one converts one's US Dollars into Euros in Spain one will find that one's money buys something similar to what it does in the United States. But as one converts one's money into Moroccan dinars, one will find one's money goes a whole lot further.
The Tours Are Much Cheaper In Morocco
One example of just how much cheap the tours are in Morocco is that Morocco Camel Trekking offers a three-day camel tour in the Moroccan desert. The tour includes a room in a hotel, a standard or luxury tent, camels, a guide, dinner, breakfast, a sandboard, and more. And the price is only from 160 Euros (Around $175) - although the prices do vary somewhat depending on the season.
Three Day Camel Tour In Morocco:
- Price: From 160 Euros (Around $175)
- Includes: Hotel, a standard or luxury tent, camels, a guide, dinner, breakfast, a sandboard
There is no direct comparison to Spain and there aren't any camel tours in the desert with the Bedouins there. But suffice to say that Spain would be much much more expensive.
In Spain, a city by night tour of the old Spanish capital of Toledo starts from $105.00 per person. This tour just guides guests around the city at night and then finishes with local tapas tasting. It includes a guide, two stops for tapas paired with wine or beer, a stop for a marizpan pastry, hams, cheeses, and a Spanish omelet.
It does not include full meals, accommodation, and it is only for 5 hours while the Moroccan camel tour is for 3 days/2 nights (all inclusive).
The Exception - Alcohol More Expensive In Morocco
In general, one is likely to find alcohol to be more expensive (and much harder to come by) than in Spain. All the touristic hotels and restaurants in Morocco should be serving alcohol but outside the touristic areas alcohol can be a little hard to come by.
Alcohol is legal and sold in Morocco, but socially it is also frowned on. So (depending on the city and district in the city) there may not be all that many places selling alcohol.
Imported Beer (0.33 Liter):
- Barcelona: $6.00
- Marrakesh: $3.70
In Spain, the story is very different. It is normal to have a wine during one's lunch break on a workday and alcohol is cheap and everywhere. One can buy a reasonable bottle of wine in Spain for just a few dollars and as cheap as $3, $4, or $5.
Beer at the café in Spain can be as cheap as 1 Euro ($1.10) for a beer (250 mm).