Morocco vs Spain for Winter Vanlife: Which One Is Better?
After spending one winter in Spain and another in Morocco, both for around three months in our campervan, people often ask me the same question:
“So, which one is better?”
The short answer? Morocco.
The longer answer is a little more complicated.
Both countries are fantastic winter vanlife destinations. Both offer sunshine, beautiful coastlines, welcoming people, and endless opportunities for adventure. But after experiencing both, I found myself enjoying Morocco much more than I expected.
Winter in Spain: Comfortable and Easy
Spain was exactly what I expected.
The roads were excellent, supermarkets were familiar, and everything felt easy. I never had to think twice about anything. If I needed fuel, groceries, a mechanic, or a campsite, everything was straightforward.
My favorite place was undoubtedly Tarifa.
There is something magical about the atmosphere there. Endless beaches, kitesurfers everywhere, Africa visible across the water, and some of the most beautiful sunsets I’ve ever seen.
Spain felt safe from day one. I knew what to expect, and that familiarity made traveling very comfortable.
The only downside?
For me, reaching truly unique places often required a lot of driving. Spain is beautiful, but many locations felt somewhat similar after a while. The distances between those special “wow” places seemed larger than I expected.
Winter in Morocco: Much More Than I Expected
Before arriving in Morocco, I was nervous.
I had read stories online, heard warnings, and simply didn’t know what to expect.
It took about two days to realize I had worried for nothing.
Morocco felt surprisingly safe.
The people were kind, curious, and welcoming. We never experienced any serious problems and quickly settled into a comfortable rhythm of traveling.
What surprised me most was how different every region felt.
One week we were surrounded by the colorful streets of Chefchaouen.
A few days later we were driving through landscapes that looked like another planet.
Then came the vast desert regions.
Those endless open spaces are still some of my favorite memories from Morocco. There were moments when it felt like we had the entire country to ourselves.
Morocco Is Cheaper – By a Lot
If budget matters, Morocco wins easily.
Fuel was cheaper.
Food was cheaper.
Campgrounds were cheaper.
Eating out was cheaper.
As vanlifers, this makes a huge difference over several months.
A winter budget that might feel average in Spain can suddenly feel very comfortable in Morocco.
Traveling with a Dog
One thing that surprised us was how easy Morocco was with a dog.
Before crossing the border, I spent a lot of time researching requirements and wondering whether it would be difficult.
In reality, everything went smoothly.
People were generally friendly toward our dog, and traveling with her turned out to be much easier than I had imagined.
If you’re planning a winter campervan trip with a dog, Morocco shouldn’t automatically be crossed off your list.
Which One Would I Choose Again?
If I had to choose tomorrow?
Morocco.
Not because Spain isn’t amazing.
Spain is comfortable, easy, and beautiful.
But Morocco felt like an adventure.
Every week brought something completely different. New landscapes, new experiences, new surprises.
Would I want to live there permanently?
Probably not.
Would I happily spend another few winter months exploring Morocco in a campervan?
Absolutely.
For me, Spain felt like a great holiday.
Morocco felt like a journey.
And that’s exactly why I’d go back. 🚐☀️🌴