Ryanair's record Morocco winter: 17 new routes, and Rabat finally gets its moment
5.3 million seats, 156 routes and a fifth Moroccan base. The headline numbers are big, but the more interesting story is where the new planes are going.
Published 21 October 2026 · By the World to Morocco editorial team
For winter 2026–27, Ryanair is flying 5.3 million seats to and from Morocco on 156 routes, including 17 new ones: 7 from Rabat, 5 from Marrakech and 5 from Agadir. Rabat becomes Ryanair's fifth Moroccan base, with two aircraft. New routes named so far include Rabat–Stockholm, Rabat–Kraków, Marrakech–Wrocław and Agadir to Milan, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdańsk.
When Ryanair unveiled its winter programme for Morocco on 6 August, chief executive Eddie Wilson called it "our biggest ever Winter schedule for Morocco". On paper that's easy to believe: 580,000 more seats than last winter, 13 Moroccan airports and connections to 14 countries.
But seat counts don't help anyone plan a holiday. So we went through the announcement to work out what's actually new, who it's aimed at, and what it changes if you're thinking about a few days of North African sun between November and March.
The new routes we know about
Ryanair hasn't published all 17 new routes in one list yet. It has confirmed how they're split (seven from Rabat, five from Marrakech and five from Agadir) and named seven of them:
| Moroccan airport | New route | Country |
|---|---|---|
| Rabat | Stockholm | Sweden |
| Rabat | Kraków | Poland |
| Marrakech | Wrocław | Poland |
| Agadir | Milan | Italy |
| Agadir | Nuremberg | Germany |
| Agadir | Bratislava | Slovakia |
| Agadir | Gdańsk | Poland |
Seasonal routes often fly only two or three days a week. Check the exact days in Ryanair's booking engine before you plan anything around a specific date.
Why Poland keeps appearing
Three of the seven named routes go to Polish cities: Kraków, Wrocław and Gdańsk. That isn't a coincidence. Between January and September 2026, Morocco received 140,172 visitors from Poland, 31% more than in the same period of 2025, one of the strongest growth rates of any European market.
Airlines tend to follow demand rather than create it. When a market grows by almost a third in a year, direct flights from regional cities are the obvious next step. If you're in Poland, Slovakia or Sweden, this is the first winter you can reach Morocco without connecting through a bigger hub.
Rabat gets a base, and that matters more than it sounds
Rabat has always been the host city people skip. Most visitors land in Marrakech or Casablanca and never see the capital. Ryanair basing two aircraft there could change that, because a base means more routes, more frequencies and earlier morning departures.
For travellers, Rabat is a very practical place to land:
- The medina and the Kasbah of the Udayas are calm and easy to walk, with far less hassle than in Marrakech or Fes.
- Al Boraq high-speed trains reach Tangier in about 1 hour 20 minutes and Casablanca in about 45 minutes. See all train times.
- Rabat is a 2030 World Cup host city, with the rebuilt Prince Moulay Abdellah Stadium. Stadium guide.
- Winter days are mild, usually around 17–18°C, so walking the old town is comfortable all day.
Our suggestion: use Rabat as the start of a northern loop, with Rabat, then Tangier by train, then Chefchaouen by road, and back. Five or six days, no domestic flights, and you see the side of Morocco most first-time visitors miss.
Agadir: the winter-sun pick
Four of the seven named routes land in Agadir, and it's easy to see why. In January, Agadir's daytime highs typically reach about 20°C, with long sunny days and a wide, gentle beach. It's the most reliable winter-sun spot among Morocco's host cities.
It also suits travellers who want more than a sunbed. The surf villages of Taghazout and Tamraght are 20–30 minutes north, and winter is the main surf season on this coast. Paradise Valley and the Souss-Massa National Park make easy day trips. Read our Agadir guide.
Marrakech in winter: sunny days, cold nights
Marrakech in winter is one of the best city breaks in the region, with sunny afternoons around 18–20°C and none of the 40°C summer heat. The catch is the nights. Temperatures can drop to around 5–6°C, and many traditional riads are built to stay cool, not warm.
When you book a riad between December and February, ask one simple question: do the rooms have heating? A riad with a fireplace or reversible air conditioning makes the difference between a magical stay and a cold one. Our Marrakech guide covers the neighbourhoods.
Beyond the big three
Ryanair's winter network covers 13 Moroccan airports. Morocco's national tourism office says the programme should also improve access to Fes, Tetouan, Essaouira, Ouarzazate, Dakhla and Nador. Two of those are worth knowing about:
- Ouarzazate is the gateway to the desert. From there, Aït Benhaddou is about 30 minutes away and the dunes of Merzouga are a long day's drive. Sahara guide.
- Dakhla, far to the south, is one of the world's best-known kitesurfing spots, with steady winds through most of the year.
Five things to check before you book
- Days of operation. Many new routes are seasonal and don't fly daily.
- Bags. Ryanair's cheapest fare includes only a small bag. Add the price of a cabin or checked bag before comparing fares.
- Your passport. Morocco is outside the Schengen area. EU, UK, Swiss, US and Canadian passport holders can usually visit for up to 90 days without a visa. Others should check the visa rules.
- Getting from the airport. Marrakech, Rabat and Agadir airports are all a short taxi ride from town. Agree the fare before you leave, or use the official taxi rank.
- Cash. The dirham is a closed currency, so you can't buy it before you go. Withdraw at an airport ATM on arrival. Money tips.
The bigger picture
The new routes arrive in a strong year for Moroccan tourism. Arrivals reached 15.7 million between January and September 2026, up 5% on the same period of 2025. That figure includes Moroccans living abroad who visit home. Tourism receipts rose 9.7% to MAD 97.9 billion in the first eight months.
With the 2030 World Cup approaching and a national target of 26 million visitors by 2030, expect more announcements like this one. For now, the practical takeaway is simple: this winter, Morocco is easier and cheaper to reach from more European cities than ever, especially if you live somewhere that's never had a direct flight before.
Sources
- Ryanair: "Ryanair launches record Morocco winter schedule" (6 August 2026)
- Morocco World News: 15.7 million arrivals by end of September 2026
- TravelMole: Europe drives Morocco's tourism growth
Frequently asked questions
What are Ryanair's new routes to Morocco for winter 2026–27?
Ryanair is adding 17 new routes: 7 from Rabat, 5 from Marrakech and 5 from Agadir. Those named so far are Rabat–Stockholm, Rabat–Kraków, Marrakech–Wrocław, and Agadir to Milan, Nuremberg, Bratislava and Gdańsk.
Does Ryanair have a base in Rabat?
Yes. From winter 2026, Rabat becomes Ryanair's fifth base in Morocco, with two aircraft based there. Ryanair will have 16 aircraft based in Morocco in total.
Is Agadir warm in winter?
Yes. Daytime highs in January are typically around 20°C, with plenty of sunshine, which makes Agadir one of the most reliable winter-sun destinations close to Europe.
Is Marrakech cold in winter?
Days are usually sunny and around 18–20°C, but nights can drop to 5–6°C. Choose a riad with heating between December and February.