I just wrapped up my last day in Morocco after spending 7 wonderful days exploring this country. Myself along with 9 others (some old friends and some new) ventured to Morocco to celebrate my dear friend Racheal’s 40th birthday. We visited 3 cities during our trip – Marrakech, the seaside town of Essaouria and the Agafay desert, each was more magical than the last! I plan on writing specific posts for each one, but I thought I’d kick things off with some general impressions and tips. So, keep reading for my first timer’s guide to Morocco!
GETTING THERE
There are several options for reaching Morocco. Most flights from the U.S. depart from JFK and all require a stop in either Europe or Casablanca.
Paris, Lisbon, Amsterdam, Madrid and Malaga all have direct flights into Marrakech. Tap air, Air Moroc, KLM, Iberia and Air Europa all service Morocco.
I flew from New York into Lisbon and spent a few days exploring Portugal before flying Tap Air into RAK Airport in Marrakech. My return flight routed me through Madrid and then back to New York. If you fly back through Europe, you’ll likely have to overnight in your connection city because you’ll arrive too late to connect back to the States.
SAFETY
It’s unfortunate, but the reality is there is a stigma surrounding travel to predominantly Muslim destinations and certain African countries. Several people on the trip mentioned being told to “be safe” and “don’t get murdered” while there.
Morocco is incredibly safe, but depending on the amount of experience you have as a traveler and exposure to certain cultures and customs, what feels comfortable to some may feel make others feel uneasy.
I personally felt at ease the entire time. Even walking alone through the bustling souks of Marrakech where you’re constantly being approached to stop in someone’s shop or “just have a look” at their wares.
As a general tip, I encourage everyone to keep an open mind and practice common sense while traveling regardless of the destination! If you plan on traveling solo, these tips can help you prepare.
RELIGION
Morocco is a predominately Muslim country. There are mosques scattered throughout and you’ll hear calls to prayer echoing over loud speakers during the day regardless of where you are.
ATTIRE
Morocco is quit conservative. Although the younger generation tends to be a bit less traditional, local women typically wear long, loose fitting dresses with hijab head scarves. Some from the more conservative religious sects wear Niqabs and burqas so they faces and eyes are covered.
As a visitor, it is recommended that you avoid short, tight or revealing clothes out of respect for the culture. I plan on doing an entire post on what I packed for this trip later, but it consisted of a lot of longer flowy dresses and loose fitting pants with tanks and t’s. I still felt cute and stylish even though I was dressed much more modestly than I usually do.
CLIMATE
Morocco is located in northwest Africa and it’s HOT! Although it does experience cooler temps during rainy season from November to January. Temperatures range from the upper 90’s in the summer and can drop into the the 50’s in the colder winter months.
Temperatures can also vary widely depending on where you stay. While on the coast, I was glad to have a light sweater to throw on during chillier evenings.
Also keep in mind that aside from showers during rainy season, Morocco is quite dry. I found myself needing extra moisturizer to keep my skin hydrated.
MONEY
Morocco’s local currency is the Dirham. The general exchange rate to go by is 10 to 1 (with 10MAD equaling 1USD). Some shops and restaurants will accept Euro, but I think your money goes farther if you pay with Dirham.
I withdrew money from ATMs and exchanged some cash while I was there and didn’t have any issues doing either. Several places also accept credit card. (Unfortunately, not American Express!)
Aside from meals and fancier shops, almost nothing has a fixed price in Morocco. You’ll have to get very comfortable haggling and have a sense of what you’re willing to pay before you even glance at an item. The general rule is to cut the first price offered by half and go up from there.
ELECTRONICS
You’ll need a two pronged adapter (same as in Europe) for your electronics. And if you plan on using styling tools on your hair, don’t forget your converter!
ACCOMMODATIONS
We had some pretty amazing accommodations throughout our trip. In Marrakech, we stayed inside the Médina (old city) at two separate riads. Riads are essentially homes that have been converted into boutique type hotels that serve as a peaceful oasis away from the chaos of the Médina.
I highly recommend this over a modern hotel in the new city. You can stay at a Marriott anywhere, but the riads are so unique and the Médina is filled with so much flare that you simply should not miss it!
During our time on the coast in Essaouria, we stayed at a boutique hotel overlooking ocean. The Hotel Madada featured a spa and excellent restaurant on the first floor. There was also a beautiful terrace up top, which was great for enjoying breakfast in the morning and sipping wine in the evening.
For our final night, we stayed at a desert camp in Agafay. This was the highlight of the trip for me. We spent the evening riding camels into the sunset, enjoying a candlelit dinner then sleeping in our tents under the stars. Talk about magical!
DESTINATIONS
Depending on the length of your stay, I recommend visiting multiple cities on your trip.
Marrakech
Marrakech is a MUST! You’ll be thrown right into the culture and it’s a great place to start. It can be overwhelming at first, but once you acclimate to the hustle and bustle, I have no doubt you’ll love the energy there!
Fes
From what I’ve heard, Fes is similar to Marrakech. It’s very authentic and incredibly beautiful and is definitely on my list when I return!
Chefchaouen
Four hours away from Fes is the city of Chefchaouen. Also known as the blue city. I’ve heard mixed reviews with some saying it’s a contrived tourist trap to those who love the unique small town vibes. I would still like to visit on my next trip even if it’s just for the day.
Essaouira
If you like the beach and a slower pace, check out Essaouira. It’s much calmer than Marrakech, but there is still a TON to see and do!
Casablanca
Casablanca can be skipped! This was the universal opinion. Unfortunately, Morocco’s most famous city is also its least desirable. It’s typically just used as a connection city to get to your final destination, but if you do choose to stay and explore don’t budget more than 1 day there.
The desert
When in Morocco, a night or two at a desert camp should be mandatory! It’s so incredible to see the sprawling sands and rolling hills with small villages scattered as far as the eye can see. There are several throughout the Sahara, but the Agafay desert where we stayed was only 40 minutes away from Marrakech. We bumped into a couple who was just spending the day there. They went to enjoy a bottle of wine and some lunch before heading back to their hotel in Marrakech. So if you’re short on time, you can still squeeze it in!
FOOD
Before my trip, I didn’t know what to expect when it came to Moroccan cuisine. But I quickly learned that it was DE-licious! Olives, dates, nuts and bread (lots of bread!) was served before each meal.
The signature dish is the tagine (pronounced ta-sheen). It’s prepared in a clay pot of the same name and is much like a stew. Vegetables, seasoning, broth and a protein (typically chicken or beef) is placed raw in the base of the tagine, covered with the cone shaped top and baked in the oven (you can see some lying on the ground in the photo above). It is served hot out of the oven and often paired with couscous.
I lost count of how many we ate, but each was better than the last!
There are also several vegetarian dishes, soups and seafood (especially on the coast) should you tire of tagine!
SHOPPING
Even if you’re not typically a souvenir shopper, I guarantee you cannot visit Morocco without buying something. The souks are filled with thousands of incredible textiles, housewares, jewelry, leather goods, woodwork, spices and so much more. It is a bit overwhelming, but also a feast for the senses!
I recommend just browsing your first day. Soak it all in, get inspired and then go back later to make your purchases. We had members of our group leave with multiple handbags, shoes, clothes and of course rugs!
It may be a good idea to bring an extra duffle with you just in case you end up with more loot than you planned!
There you have it. The basics to get you started on the right foot on your first visit to Morocco! I’m sure I left a ton out, so if there’s something I missed feel free to shoot me a comment below!
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