🇲🇦 Morocco
Morocco offers a unique experience with fascinating culture, Moorish architecture, vibrant markets and diverse landscapes, from the majestic Atlas Mountains to the dramatic dunes of the Sahara. Explore ancient medinas, admire the artistry in Islamic architecture and immerse yourself in the colors of the souks.
Here are some photos from our trip:
Itinerary preview
🗓 10 days
DAY 1: Marrakech
DAY 2: Marrakesh
DAY 3: Ouarzazate - Valle dethe roses - Valle del DHadess
DAY 4: Todra Gorges - Merzouga
DAY 5: Merzouga
DAY 6: Ziz Valley - Midelt - Ifran - Fez
DAY 7: Fes - Chefchaouen
DAY 8: Chefchaouen - Volubilis - Meknes
DAY 9: Casablanca - Rabat
DAY 10: Marrakesh
![Screenshot 2023-08-30 at 20.30.53.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/237283_6d87507ec8944a5a9ba93211a1523da8~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_460,h_323,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Schermata%202023-08-30%20alle%2020_30_53.png)
Features of the trip
Characteristics of this itinerary based on din our real experience:
🔹 10 days
🔹 Road trip
🔹 Organized with local guide (www.fesdaytours.com of Slimane)
🔹 Travel as a couple
🔹 May 2022
In this itinerary you will find:
🔸 List of the places visited every day
🔸 Links to Google images of every place
🔸 Link to daily map on Google Maps or My Maps
🔸 Link to accommodation on Booking.com
🔸 Tips and impressions of every day
🔸 Useful links for this trip
🔸 Total cost of the trip (for two people)
🗓 Day 1
Arrival in Marrakech in the evening with Ryanair.
We organized the trip with a local agency, Fes Day Tours, by Slimane. He himself was our driver who accompanied us safely for more than 2000 km in 10 days.
Upon arrival at the airport, he was waiting for us and accompanied us to our riad in the centre.
🌙 Night at Riad Marana et spa
Tips
💡 Having a private transfer or a driver that takes you from the airport to the center is a very comfortable and convenient option in Morocco: our driver, Slimane, was waiting for us at the airport and accompanied us to the riad.
💡 The Riad Marana et spa was very clean, very close to the main square of Marrakech, Jamaa el Fna Square, (not even 5 minutes on foot), the staff was very kind and the breakfasts and dinners were truly delicious. I would happily return.
💡 In Morocco, it is advisable to dress modestly to be respectful by covering shoulders and knees and avoiding tight clothing.
🗓 Day 2
Places visited in Marrakech:
📍 Medina of Marrakech
📍 Royal Palace of Marrakech (Dar el-Makhzen)
📍 Souk
Tips
💡 Souks: always negotiate the price! However, don't overdo it so as not to be offensive. Usually they increase the starting price about 3 times compared to the real one. If the last price of the deal doesn't interest you, just say no. The trader may call you as you walk away to lower the price further. If this doesn't happen it's because it won't sell for less than the last price offered.
💡 Majorelle Gardens, owned by Yves Saint Laurent since 1980, is an unmissable destination. These botanical gardens, known for their deep blues and exotic plants, were created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle.
💡 Henna women at Jemaa el-Fna Square: be careful not to let them draw anything if they take your hand to show you how it looks. They will use this technique to tell you that they need to finish the drawing by now so they can then ask you for money.
💡 At sunset go to Grand Balcony of Café Glacier at Jemaa el-Fna Square. It is the best viewing point on the square. To go in, it is mandatory to have a drink, but you just need to order a Moroccan tea to enjoy the wonderful view of the square and the sunset.
🗓 Day 3
Tips
💡 Ait Ben Haddou is a charming fortified village in the Sahara Desert of Morocco. This UNESCO site is known for its majestic mud kasbahs, offering an immersion in traditional Moroccan history and architecture, as well as having been the backdrop for numerous famous films such as Gladiator (2000), Prince of the Desert (2011) or My Friend Eric (2011).
🗓 Day 4
Tips
💡 Passage between the Todra gorges and the desert is located Jorf Khettaras, which is an extraordinary historical site in the Sahara Desert, known for its ancient underground water collection systems. A visit reveals the area's hydraulic ingenuity and history.
💡 Spend a day or two in the Sahara desert it is a unique experience. Led by local experts, hike the spectacular sand dunes, admire the golden sunset and sleep in traditional Berber tentsyeseight a starry sky. We chose the Sahara Tours luxury camp and we had a very good time: clean, genuine and away from the camps closer to the road and consequently more crowded and touristy.
🗓 Day 5
Places visited along the route:
📍 Merzouga Desert
![Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 11.15.16.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/237283_6569a7fcfc7f4fe7868409c09687d7ee~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_274,h_365,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Schermata%202023-08-25%20alle%2011_15_16.png)
![Screenshot 2023-08-25 at 11.16.43.png](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/237283_a00d53bbefb846d8b25d85d08912a46e~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_273,h_364,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,enc_avif,quality_auto/Schermata%202023-08-25%20alle%2011_16_43.png)
🌙 Night at Sahara Tours luxury camp
Tips
💡 There are many excursions that can be done in the Sahara Desert. We chose these:
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Off-road excursions, exploring the desert in an all-terrain vehicle, discovering remote areas and spectacular landscapes
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Visit to a Berber village.
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Sunset and sunrise on the dunes walk to admire the magnificent light on the dunes with an incredible view.
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Dinner with traditional music in the camp around the fire.
In addition to these there are quad biking, sandboarding or bird watching, to mention a few.
🗓 Day 6
Tips
💡 Long travel day but with characteristic stops and destination Fes, which is certainly one of the pearls of Morocco.
💡 You can see monkeys in Morocco visiting the cedar forest near Azrou and Ifrane in the High Atlas. This region is famous for its groups of Barbary monkeys, known as Moroccan macaques, which live freely in the forests. You will be able to observe them playing among the trees.
💡 Ifrane, known as "the Switzerland of Morocco", looks just like a European city. Personally it wasn't one of my favourites, but since I'm passing through it's worth at least taking a quick walk to see the contrast with the rest of the town.
💡 In the evening in Fes, enjoy a nice traditional Moroccan bathroom to the Hammam Mernissi & Spa.
🗓 Day 7
Places visited in Fes:
📍 Medina
Quick visit of Meknes with a local guide and departure towards Chefchaouen.
Tips
💡 Explore the historic heart of Medina of Fes together with a trusted local guide.This way you will be able to better understand the history of one of the largest medinas in the world. After the visit with the guide, stroll through the labyrinths of the streets.
💡 Tanneries, unmissable visit: pay a short visit totanneries Chouara to see the traditional leather tanning process. The smell isn't pleasant but they will give you a sprig of mint so you can smell it while inside.
💡 In the evening a beautiful walk among the alleys of Chefchaouen immersed in blue.
🗓 Day 8
Tips
💡 Chefchaouen, the"Blue City" of Morocco, is an oasis of tranquility and beauty. Its blue-paved streets, surrounded by mountains, create a unique atmosphere. It offers culture, cuisine and incredible landscapes that will enchant you. It's very small, so get lost in the narrow streets of the city and enjoy the calm that reigns.
💡 In my opinion, if you have a few days to visit Morocco, Rabat you could skip it. If you have a few hours to dedicate, take the opportunity to take a walk in the centre. We slept there because we were passing through on our way back to Marrakech. But the riad was beautiful: Riad Dar Rabiaa
🗓 Day 9
Places visited:
📍 Marrakech:
📍 Souks
📍 Small shops in the medina
📍 Hamman
📍 Aperitif at sunset on a terrace in Marrakech
Tips
💡 La Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca it is an architectural icon of Morocco and definitely worth a visit. With panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean, it offers a unique spiritual and cultural experience with its intricate design and ecumenical openness. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims. However, there are some rules to follow during the visit, such as covering yourself properly, taking off your shoes before entering the prayer area and respecting the rules of the place.
🗓 Day 10
✈️ Departure from Marrakech. See you next time, Morocco!
🔗 Useful links
💸 Cost
(for 2 people)
✈️ Flights (Ryanair): €180
🏠 Hotel + driver: €1385
💊 Insurance: €120
💰 Miscellaneous expenses: €500
Total: €2185 (€1092 per person)
✨ Essential
👕 Fresh but moderate clothing out of respect for the local culture
🧢 Hat
🥾 Comfortable shoes
🔌 Universal adapter