Are you planning a trip to Northern Africa and wondering about the main differences between Egypt and Morocco? Both countries are located in Northern Africa and are predominantly Muslim, offering a similar "Arabian" vibe. However, they also have distinct characteristics that cater to different travel preferences. This article provides a detailed comparison to help you decide which destination suits you best.
I don’t believe for a second that neither Morocco or Egypt is better than the other. It just boils down to personal preferences.
First of all, let’s see what Morocco and Egypt got in common.
So, whether you walk through a market in Cairo or in Rabat, you actually won’t notice that much of a difference. You can visit beautiful mosques in both countries and it does have the same general “Arabian” vibe.
Egypt 🇪🇬 vs 🇲🇦 Morocco | Which Country Is Better To Work And Live In?
General Information and Size Comparison
Egypt is a sovereign country in Africa, with a total land area of approximately 995,450 sq km. Egypt is 2.26 times bigger by total area compared to Morocco: 390,121 sq mi vs 172,414 sq mi.
Read also: Morocco Egypt Travel
Morocco, officially the Kingdom of Morocco, is a country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. It overlooks the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, with land borders with Algeria to the east and Western Sahara to the south. The capital is Rabat and the largest city is Casablanca. Morocco spans an area of 710,850 km2 and has a population of over 36 million.
Location of Egypt and Morocco in Africa.
The map above outlines the borders of Egypt and Morocco but is not accurate for size comparison because it's a 2d map with Mercator projection that distorts territories near the poles. The farther a country is from the equator, the more magnified it gets.
Historical and Cultural Highlights
Egypt is home to one of the oldest civilizations on this planet. Just a short ride from Cairo Airport will get you to the Pyramids which were built 4,700 years ago (Saqqara is the oldest). Life in Egypt has always been dominated by the mighty river Nile. Nile Cruises are a popular way to explore the ancient Egyptian temples in Luxor and Aswan. In Cairo and Alexandria in Nile delta, you will be able to explore the Islamic past of the country, which is equally as impressive. Of course, there is also the desert. Places like the Siwa Oasis come to mind or the Wadi Hitan (The Valley of the whales).
Morocco’s ancient Beduine culture didn’t leave behind as impressive temples and tombs. But there are a few amazing places, like Quarzazate and Ait Benhaddou, where the winds haven’t carried away the adobe walls into the desert long ago. Marrakesh is probably the main highlight of the country. The city and it’s gigantic market Jemma el-Fnaa is nothing short of intoxicating and is actually also home to quite a lot of amazing luxury hotels where you can get pampered and enjoy a traditional Haman. It’s much easier to get in contact with the local culture here than in Egypt - especially if you visit the medieval imperial cities of Meknes or Fez. Deep down in the desert, you can follow the winding tracks of ancient caravans, while the rough Atlantic coast is the home of some beautiful fishing towns (like Essaouira or Agadir). It’s not the best for swimming, but perfect for surfing.
Read also: Essential Travel Advice: Egypt & Morocco
Climate Comparison
Here is a detailed climate comparison of Egypt and Morocco:
Daily Maximum Temperatures
The highest daytime temperatures in Egypt are reached in July with an average of 37.2 °C. The coldest month, on the other hand, is January, with an average of just 21.1 °C. In Morocco, August is the warmest month, with 33.1 °C. There, it is coolest in January with an average of 18.9 °C.
Night Time Lows
At night, it cools down to varying degrees depending on the country and altitude. In Egypt, temperatures drop as low as 9.9 °C in January. The warmest nights are in August at 25.8 °C. In Morocco, it is coolest at night in January at 7.6 °C and warmest in August at 20.6 °C. This corresponds to a cooling of 10.9 to 13.0 °C in Egypt and 11.0 to 12.5 °C in Morocco.
Here's a table summarizing the temperature differences:
| Month | Egypt Max (°C) | Egypt Min (°C) | Morocco Max (°C) | Morocco Min (°C) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 21.1 | 9.9 | 18.9 | 7.6 |
| August | 37.2 | 25.8 | 33.1 | 20.6 |
Rain Days Per Month
According to the WMO definition, a rainy day is a day on which at least 1 liter of precipitation falls per m². January brings the most rainy days (1.7) in Egypt. With an average of only 0.0 days, July is the friendliest. In Morocco, it rains most often in March with 6.7 days.
Read also: Transportation: Morocco to Egypt
Precipitation Amount Per Day
The greatest amount of rain in Egypt occurs in January, when about 0.3 liters per square meter fall per day. In Morocco, the average amount of precipitation ranges from 0.0 liters per day in July to 1.9 in March. If you consider that there are only 6.7 rainy days in Morocco in March, each of them accounts for about 8.6 liters.
Sunshine Hours Per Day
With 3,504 hours of sunshine per year, Egypt is in the lead. The most hours of sunshine (12.0 per day) are in July. Morocco falls into second place with only 3,103 hours. There the sun is visible in December for only 6.8 hours per day, so not hidden behind clouds.
Hours of Daylight
In December, the day in Egypt is only 10.5 hours long. In June, on the other hand, it is 13.8 hours.
Travel Preferences: Egypt or Morocco?
Consider Egypt if:
- You love archeology and explore monumental wonders thousands of years old. Standing in front of the Pyramids or climbing down into the colorful tombs of the Pharaohs is incomparable.
- You want to spend some time at the beach & snorkeling or scuba diving.
Consider Morocco if:
- You love to lose yourself shopping in an ancient medina (market), stop for a fresh mint tea (or two).
- You love smaller cities with plenty of colorful and/or old houses.
- You are a big fan of Beduin culture and want to experience contemporary Islamic everyday life.
- You love spa treatments and luxury hotels (Marrakesh is a virtual mecca for spa lovers!)
- You want to go riding on a camel through the Sahara and sleep a night in a tent.
- You love hiking.
Safety Considerations
A lot of people traveling to Islamic countries are worried about their safety. Generally speaking, both countries are perfectly safe to visit. Did terror attacks happen in Egypt and Morocco? Yes, they did.
Living Standards
The living standards in both countries are considerably lower than in the western world. Especially Egypt faced quite some hardships in the past decade and is only slowly on the way of recovery.
Conclusion
Egypt is the perfect place for people who love to explore ancient world wonders and spend time on the beach. Morocco, on the other hand, is perfectly suitable for people who want to explore medieval markets and breathe in the unique vibe of the Beduin culture. I personally couldn’t say what I liked more: Egypt or Morocco. I am a huge fan of archeology, so naturally could think I loved Egypt more.
Egypt will leave you speechless because it is hard to accept these tombs and temples are really 3,000 years old and look like they were built just yesterday. Morocco is more of a place where you can dive into a culture and really experience it. In Egypt, you are a bit more separated from the locals and everyday life.
