The Kingdom of Morocco is located in North Africa, just below Spain. The Mediterranean Sea is to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west. Contrary to popular opinion, Marrakesh is not the capital of Morocco. And by popular opinion I mean myself. Somehow my highly educated self thought Marrakesh was the capital until I started looking up information for this section of the blog, my bad. The capital is Rabat, this is where the king lives. Rabat is a big modern city and mostly a business area. The official languages are Arabic and Berber. Since Morocco used to be a French colony, a lot of Moroccans also speak French. To my shock, in Marrakesh a lot of them also seem to speak Spanish. I definitely didn’t expect to be spoken to in Spanish on the streets. It was very nice though.
Since I went on a very quick four-day trip to Morocco, I only stayed in Marrakesh and did some excursions to the deserts (I’m sure at this point you can’t tell that I love deserts). I definitely intend on visiting Morocco again and taking my time to explore this beautiful country and different cities in more detail. But for now, I can only give my recommendations on Marrakesh – how to see as much as possible in a short period of time.
When to go
I visited Marrakesh in September. The weather was great. It was sunny and hot (cca. 29/30C), but not too hot where one wouldn’t be able to walk around the city. The weather in the evening/at night was perfect for long pants and a top (women: we’ll get to that part later).
Morocco is a destination you can visit any time of the year. Keep in mind that the summers are hot and dry (up to 35C), the winters are a bit colder and wetter (on average 20C), the rainy season being November-March.
The only time that would not be the best for travelling to Morocco is during Ramadan or other religious holidays, when most things are closed.
Where to stay
Marrakesh is divided into two parts:
- Medina quarter, which is the old city and a part of the UNESCO world heritage
- new part of the city, the “modern” part.
When staying in Marrakesh I strongly advise you to book accommodation at one of the Moroccan Riads instead of a traditional hotel. I stayed at Riad Wardate Rita which I would recommend to everybody and I really want to explain why – see below.
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Riads used to be traditional Moroccan houses of the wealthy families. Riads are known for their enclosed gardens, mosaics, and courtyards. Today they are often used for tourism as luxury guest houses and are the best way to experience the true Moroccan culture and the way the wealthy locals and their wives (yes, wives, not wife) lived. In Marrakesh I would never stay in a regular hotel.
Staying at a Riad, surrounded by traditional Moroccan architecture, eating a delicious breakfast on the rooftop with the incredible hospitality of the local owners is precious and a truly unforgettable experience. Yes, the level of comfort in certain aspects might be a bit (I’m stressing, only a BIT) lower, depending of course on how luxurious the Riad is.
For example, some of the traditional Moroccan bathrooms in the Riads seem to have “doors” with holes in it. A curtain would give you more privacy than this door, through which you can hear and see everything. So, you have to be very comfortable and close with the person you’re travelling with if this is the type of the door you end up having at your Riad. Fortunately, I was travelling with a close friend, and we just took it as a part of a true and authentic Moroccan experience knowing that for the locals these were normal bathrooms and their doors at the time. Anyhow if we wanted a bit more privacy, we just walked downstairs to the bathroom in the Riad’s living room, which had normal doors. For me, this was part of the charm and didn’t bother me in the slightest.
Riad Wardate Rita - Read MoreLess
Riad Wardate Rita is very warm and aesthetically pleasing. It is in the center of the old town of Marrakesh and walking distance to all main spots – this is the reason why we booked it. When staying in Marrakesh, I would come back to the same Riad without hesitation.
Our host Abdel was the nicest, most supportive, and caring host I have ever had. As a disclaimer, I have no collaboration with them, I simply want to express the level of treatment that we have received which was simply unforgettable. Whatever we needed or wanted was provided to us, for free, without an agenda, without even asking. Abdel went above and beyond for us. To name a few examples:
- One night I was a bit hungry but not enough to order the food they had available for dinner in the Riad. I asked him if they maybe had chips or something of this sort, light snacks. Abdel said to give him a moment. Five minutes later he appeared with a large box of Pringles that he went out on the street and bought for me. He didn’t casually have it at home, he WENT OUT and bought them specifically for me. So cute.
- We had an early excursion in the morning, the pick-up point was a three minute walk from the Riad. Since we weren’t sure where this point was, he walked us to the stop and made sure the right people picked us up. He wanted to be sure we would be safe and wouldn’t get lost.
- My friend had a wound on her foot. Immediately after mentioning this to Abdel, his lovely wife who is a nurse appeared and attended her wound, cleaned it and bandaged it up. My friend felt much better after that.
- The last night we wanted to go to the best Shisha bar in Marrakesh, which was in the new part the city, a bit further away from the accommodation. We were concerned about how to get a (trusted) taxi late at night. Abdel and his friend insisted on picking us up. They appeared on two scooters and drove us back home to make sure we stayed safe. He didn’t want us to take a taxi and preferred to pick us up himself.
- On the day of our departure, we had an early morning flight, so we had to leave the Riad in the middle of the night. Abdel woke up very early and walked us to the pick-up point and helped us with our suitcases. He didn’t want us walking around alone on the streets in the middle of the night. He also wanted to make sure that we were in fact going to be picked up and wouldn’t miss our flight.
I really wanted to take my time to explain the level of treatment and care we got at Riad Wardate Rita from the host Abdel and his wife. Apart from the beautiful sights we’ve seen, this was definitely our highlight and will cherish this forever. Thank you Abdel & family!
Transportation
From what I read, renting a car in Morocco is a good idea if you want to explore the country and different cities. However, while staying in Marrakesh I strongly advise against it. Driving in Marrakesh or finding a parking spot is chaos. Most accommodations in the old part of the city are located in narrow streets so there is no parking available at the accommodation. I wish you all the luck in the world finding a parking spot in the old part of Marrakesh. Driving around the old part of the city is also a challenge. I do think driving and parking in the new part of the city is easier.
If you stay in the Marrakesh old town, you will be able to walk almost anywhere, but you can also use a taxi. There is no Uber in this city. So, my transportation tips for Marrakesh: walk or take a taxi.
Agafay desert
My absolute favorite part of this short trip to Morocco was the evening spent in Agafay desert. I’ve travelled quite a bit and have been on many day excursions, this one is for sure one of my favorites that I have ever done.
Our first stop on the way to the desert was at a local shop on the side of the road in the middle of nowhere. We were explained about the local products and their production, while two ladies were sitting on the floor and making argan oil, one of the main products produced in Morocco. At this point I ate so much local delicacy and drank so much tea I barely got my a** back on the bus.
After this we arrived to the most beautiful location in the desert. First, we went on a short camel ride. We were first in the line of camels, so we had a premium view of the most peaceful scenery! After that we had some more tea (I know, it’s shocking, tea in Morocco?!?) while the locals were playing on their drums and singing.
Just as the sun was about to set, we sat down at the most romantic setting ever. Wooden tables and chairs set up in a circle. The dinner we had was soooooo good. One would expect average food at a trip like this in the middle of the desert and really wouldn’t mind it, since I was there for the views and not the food. However, the food was just as good, as you would’ve gotten in one of the best local restaurants. It was so delicious, and every time I thought we were done, they brought out the next dish. Honestly… so stressful guys. And then they were completely surprised that I didn’t have any more space for dessert? Dessert in the desert? Or desert in dessert? I think it’s the first though, no matter how much I love sand, I would prefer not to find it in my dessert.
After this we arrived to the most beautiful location in the desert. First, we went on a short camel ride. We were first in the line of camels, so we had a premium view of the most peaceful scenery! After that we had some more tea (I know, it’s shocking, tea in Morocco?!?) while the locals were playing on their drums and singing.
Aaaah, I also forgot forgot to mention how the toilets looked like. They were so fancy and clean, nothing like what one would expect bathrooms to look like in the desert. Of course I had to take a picture, WOW!
What to see and do
Some personal recommendations on what to see when in Marakesh.
Old town
Explore the old part of the city called the Medina. It’s full of narrow streets, stands, street vendors, cafes and restaurants that are truly unique and represent the local culture, the Moroccan way of life and their aesthetics. You’ll find several different gardens in the Medina, get lost in them. Visit the Bahia Palace, a palace from the 19th century which is a great historic monument today.
Quad bike ride
This is a short and fun activity you can do if you want to enjoy the beautiful and peaceful landscapes of the desert while at the same time experiencing that adventurous quad ride. Passing beautiful rock formations in the middle of the desert, a palm tree oasis and stopping for Moroccan tea is a truly fun experience.
Jardins Majorelle
This is a big botanical garden and one of the most popular tourist points in Marrakesh. There are more than 15 bird species, many fountains, and a beautiful combination of palm trees and cacti. This beautiful garden is walking distance from the Marrakesh old town. Buy the entrance ticket online and choose a time slot, as they have tickets set for a certain hour to prevent crowds. This way you avoid waiting in line and simply arrive at the time that you have purchased the ticket for. Win-win situation for everybody.
Jemaa el-Fnaa
The Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square in the heart of the Medina. It’s full of local street vendors selling food, spices, accessories etc.. There are also various shows going on with snake charmers, monkey trainers or traditional Moroccan music playing in the evening. A tip we got from locals: don’t take pictures of the snakes (at least not in an obvious way), because if the snake charmer sees you taking them, he will want to charge you.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is one of the main attractions and the experience during the day vs. evening is completely different. If possible, do both. The square is crowded and might be a lot to take in, but it’s a true representation of the local culture and is something you definitely want to experience.
You can also find many restaurants and bars around, sit on the rooftop and watch the sunset. The view is breathtaking.
Koutoubia Mosque
The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and is near the Jemaa el-Fnaa market. The mosque as it stands today was built in 1158, the minaret being an important symbol of Marrakech. I don’t know what it is but I find the architecture of mosques so beautiful. Take a picture of the smallest mosque you can find and it will look beautiful and majestic.
Old town
Explore the old part of the city called the Medina. It’s full of narrow streets, stands, street vendors, cafes and restaurants that are truly unique and represent the local culture, the Moroccan way of life and their aesthetics. You’ll find several different gardens in the Medina, get lost in them. Visit the Bahia Palace, a palace from the 19th century which is a great historic monument today.
Quad bike ride
This is a short and fun activity you can do if you want to enjoy the beautiful and peaceful landscapes of the desert while at the same time experiencing that adventurous quad ride. Passing beautiful rock formations in the middle of the desert, a palm tree oasis and stopping for Moroccan tea is a truly fun experience.
Jemaa el-Fnaa
The Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square in the heart of the Medina. It’s full of local street vendors selling food, spices, accessories etc.. There are also various shows going on with snake charmers, monkey trainers or traditional Moroccan music playing in the evening. A tip we got from locals: don’t take pictures of the snakes (at least not in an obvious way), because if the snake charmer sees you taking them, he will want to charge you.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is one of the main attractions and the experience during the day vs. evening is completely different. If possible, do both. The square is crowded and might be a lot to take in, but it’s a true representation of the local culture and is something you definitely want to experience.
You can also find many restaurants and bars around, sit on the rooftop and watch the sunset. The view is breathtaking.
Jardins Majorelle
This is a big botanical garden and one of the most popular tourist points in Marrakesh. There are more than 15 bird species, many fountains, and a beautiful combination of palm trees and cacti. This beautiful garden is walking distance from the Marrakesh old town. Buy the entrance ticket online and choose a time slot, as they have tickets set for a certain hour to prevent crowds. This way you avoid waiting in line and simply arrive at the time that you have purchased the ticket for. Win-win situation for everybody.
Koutoubia Mosque
The Jemaa el-Fnaa is the main square in the heart of the Medina. It’s full of local street vendors selling food, spices, accessories etc.. There are also various shows going on with snake charmers, monkey trainers or traditional Moroccan music playing in the evening. A tip we got from locals: don’t take pictures of the snakes (at least not in an obvious way), because if the snake charmer sees you taking them, he will want to charge you.
Jemaa el-Fnaa is one of the main attractions and the experience during the day vs. evening is completely different. If possible, do both. The square is crowded and might be a lot to take in, but it’s a true representation of the local culture and is something you definitely want to experience.
You can also find many restaurants and bars around, sit on the rooftop and watch the sunset. The view is breathtaking.
Women – what to wear
Before travelling to countries where the predominant religion is Muslim, I always google what is the appropriate and advisable way to dress. Especially for women. Firstly, to make sure I’m respecting their culture and religion (in some destinations even laws) and secondly, so that I feel comfortable as a woman of different culture and don’t draw too much attention.
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If you ask the locals, there’s no dress code and you can technically dress as a tourist whichever way you want without any restrictions (for any complaints – please take it up with my dear friend Samia, she’s the expert here). However, if you’re a woman and dress the way we tend to dress in Europe/Americas when the temperatures are high, you have to be prepared for people staring at you. Locals aren’t used to see so much skin. For this reason, I advise the following for you ladies.
Bring long pants (loose ones, they also look very nice in pics – hint hint) or long skirts/dresses. I was mostly wearing long loose pants, but since I don’t actually own any normal shirts, only cropped tops, that’s what I was wearing 🙂. Local people were looking at me quite often, but since I travel quite a lot I’m already used to this, so it doesn’t really bother me. If you own a normal shirt, preferably one that covers your shoulders, that would be the best option. I guess if you’re travelling with a man, you would feel less uncomfortable, but if you’re on a girls trip or alone, I don’t recommend short skirts or dresses.
To sum up my advice for packing for the girls:
- long pants or skirts/dresses that cover your knees,
- shirts that preferably cover your shoulders,
- if you intend on going to the desert, keep in mind that it can get pretty chilly in the desert at night (yes, even during the summertime), so you’ll need a hoodie or a jacket and a scarf. Don’t underestimate the wind in the desert!
Safety
Unfortunately, there is a stigma when it comes to safety in Muslim countries. If you use basic human logic and safety rules, you have absolutely nothing to worry about. Moroccan people are very nice and hospitable. Of course, don’t go wondering into a dark ally in the middle of the night where you see no tourists and the neighbourhood looks sketchy. Use basic common sense.
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Stick to more populated areas, especially during the night. If you girls are alone, I personally didn’t feel comfortable walking around at night except in the old town of Marrakesh where there was always a lot of people and tourists. Use a trusted taxi if you are somewhere late at night and wish to get home. This is my opinion and observations. As a rule, wherever you travel, ask the locals which rules to oblige by and which areas to stick to, to make sure you stay safe and have the best possible experience. The locals will have the best advice. My point is: when someone says “oh really, you’re going to Morocco? Is that safe?”, don’t let that turn you away from travelling. Be responsible when it comes to your safety, but also – enjoy!