For many travellers, the allure of Morocco lies in the fantasy of riding camels through the Sahara Desert, the sun setting behind the sand dunes, and a scarf fluttering lightly around their head. Morocco is a beautiful assault to your senses with an incredible culture and rich history to discover.
Everything about the country is mesmerizing, from losing yourself in the intoxicating chaos of the souks as you barter for colourful scarves, to sleeping under billions of stars in the middle of the desert. Stroll through colourful Old World medinas that burn gold in the afternoon light and sample flavours you’ve never even imagined.
Morocco is all about losing yourself in the intoxicating chaos of the souks as you barter for colourful scarves (and fielding the occasional offer to “buy you” for 200 camels); sleeping under billions of stars in the middle of the desert; strolling through colourful Old World medinas that burn gold in the afternoon light; and sampling flavours you’ve never even imagined, everything about the country a beautiful assault to your senses. There’s an incredible culture and rich history to discover here too, and every moment spent in Morocco promises to mesmerise you further.
Morocco can rise to swelteringly hot temperatures, especially in the Sahara, so the best time to visit the country is during the cooler months in spring (March to May) or autumn (September to October). That being said, it’s still possible to enjoy a wonderful trip in summer, you’ll just need to prepare to do a lot of sweating. It’s also worth noting that the country, now a major tourist draw, tends to be busier during the European and North American summer holidays from June to August.
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Starting in Marrakech
For this itinerary, fly into Marrakech through the large Marrakech Menara Airport. Marrakech is a great place to begin your Moroccan adventure, as flights into the large Marrakech Menara Airport are frequent and inexpensive from Europe- just don’t expect the city to go easy on you.
From Marrakech Menara Airport, the best way to get into the medina is to take a taxi, which can be hailed on arrival and shouldn’t cost more than 150Dh. Upon entering the medina (Old City), you’ll be in for quite a culture shock as narrow, winding lanes give way to chaotic souks overflowing with people, sounds, and foreign smells.
As you explore Marrakech, be sure to venture into Jemaa al-Fnaa, a large square in the Medina that is home to more shops, snake tamers, and plenty of restaurants. Try your first chicken tajine at one of the restaurants overlooking the square, and then shop around to find a good deal on a Sahara Desert Tour departing from Marrakech.
Sahara Desert Tour
You’ll be retrieved from your riad in Marrakech early on the first morning of your Sahara Desert Tour, driving first through Tizi n’Tichka Pass and the Atlas Mountains that, in winter, receive a beautiful dusting of snow. You’ll stop to admire the view in a few spots before reaching the walled city of Aït Benhaddou, a picturesque terracotta-coloured fortress that often provides a backdrop to action films set in ancient Persia or other parts of Arabia.
After a bit of driving the following day, you’ll spend the bulk of the morning exploring a Berber village with a local guide who will tell you all about the history of the area and the Berber way of life. Walking through the fields and the little village, you’ll finish with tea at a rug shop, where you’ll learn all about how the pieces are made using camel hair and natural dyes (and also be somewhat pressured into buying a rug, but don’t feel obligated).
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The afternoon brings more beautiful scenery in Tinghir and the impressive Todra Gorge, whose chilly waters are practically medicinal on a hot day, and then you’ll finally arrive in Merzouga to begin the much-anticipated Sahara Desert portion of the tour.
Leaving the bulk of your things behind in the van, you’ll ride out into the desert on camels (dromedaries, actually) and spend nearly two hours moving slowly across the sand towards an extremely remote camp in the Erg Chebbi dunes where an enormous Moroccan feast awaits.
Waking up in the middle of the Sahara, scramble up the nearby dunes to enjoy the sunrise over a sea of golden sand before cruising back towards Merzouga either via camel or exhilarating 4×4 ride (a 4D/3N tour will stay an extra night in the desert before returning). A large breakfast is waiting in Merzouga, as well as hot showers, but this is where you’ll say goodbye to at least some of your group.
Getting there: Your Sahara Desert Tour will include transport from your riad in Marrakech all the way to Merzouga (where the guide can help you organise transportation through to Fes). For about €20 each, you should be able to hire a driver to take you from the Sahara Desert all the way to Fes, stopping at several points of interest along the way.
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Fes: Morocco's Cultural Heart
When you do arrive in Morocco’s oldest city, you may find that the 9th century Medina lacks some of the colour and sparkle that makes Marrakech’s network of souks, with their overflow of filigree lanterns and rainbow of scarves, so enchanting. Yet, Fes feels somehow more authentic.
Locals buzz around you with hardly a second glance in many parts of the walled city, the hassling and harassment from shop owners a mere fraction of what you likely experienced in Marrakech. In many ways, our time in Fes was much more pleasant, as we were finally able to relax enough to enjoy our surroundings (and, more importantly, the street food), but I still loved the (albeit stressful) experience of wandering through Marrakech’s narrow lanes and being entirely inundated with sights, smells, and sounds.
Getting there & away: The guide from your Sahara Desert Tour will be able to help you organise transport from Merzouga to Fes. A private driver only costs about 200Dh per person, and usually includes plenty of interesting stops.
Where to stay: Riad Rocco offers large double rooms and amazing Moroccan hospitality at 200Dh/night.
Things to See and Do in Fes
- See the Blue Gate: The traditional Medina entrance.
- Explore the shopping streets: Rue Talaa Sghira and Rue Talaa Kebira.
- Al Attarine Madrasa: A beautiful historical building said to be the oldest university in the world.
- Visit Place Seffarine: The traditional metalwork plaza in the city.
- Chouara Tanneries: The most famous tanneries in Morocco and the biggest in Africa.
- The Royal Palace in Fez: The grand doors are incredibly beautiful to see and photograph.
- Jewish Quarter: Wander around here, eating pastries and looking in stores.
- Jnan Sbil: Gardens not far outside of the Blue Gate.
Chefchaouen: The Blue Pearl
Blue City of CHEFCHAOUEN: The "Blue Pearl" of MOROCCO
I asked my friend Hind, a Chefchaouen native, about the history of all this blue, and she told me that it is closely tied to Jewish settlement of the medina, beginning during the Middle Ages and continuing through WWII. These Jewish settlers painted many of their homes blue, a colour meant to represent the sky and, therefore, heaven, but the bright blue walls and doors also had the unfortunate side-effect of highlighting the residents who were non-Muslim.
Hind told me that the rest of the community later chose to paint their homes blue to prevent the easy identification of Jewish families and limit religious persecution. While you’re in town, be sure to walk up into the hills and look down on the sea of blue below from the Spanish Mosque or Hotel Atlas Chaouen, both of which are fabulous (and free) viewpoints.
For even more blue photo-ops, check out the Outa el Hammam & Kasbah and Plaza Uta el-Hammam.
Getting there: You can reach Chefchaouen in about 3 hours via the CTM bus, departing several times per day from the bus station in Fes (8am, 11am, 12pm, 4.15pm, 11.45pm) for 75Dh. If tickets are sold out, which is common in the busier months, you can still reach the Blue City via a taxi for 600Dh (departing from the bus station).
Things to See and Do in Chefchaouen
- Walk up into the hills and look down on the sea of blue below from the Spanish Mosque or Hotel Atlas Chaouen
- Check out the Outa el Hammam & Kasbah and Plaza Uta el-Hammam
- Visit the Kasbah - located in the main town square, this is a 15th century fortress and spanish-style gardens.
- Climb up to the Bouzaafar Mosque to see sunset over Chefchaouen
- Eat at Bab Ssour for authentic and cheap food in Chefchaouen.
- Head to colourful Place El Haouta - this colourful plaza is on the western side of the Medina and has lots of local activity.
Photo locations and Instagram spots in Chefchaouen
- The paid set - look up Le Reve Bleu on Google Maps
- For the blue steps with colourful plant pots, this is called Derb El Assri on Google Maps. Walk along Hassan 1 street to get to the bottom of Derb El Assri.
- Completely blue stairway - this is the entrance to someone’s house, so please respect that.
Cascades d’Akchour
While in Chefchaouen, take a break from all the blue and venture out to the incredible Cascades d’Akchour, a destination that was recommended to me again and again by locals (and that still exceeded my expectations). There are a number of different short hikes in the area, and all are reportedly amazing, but it’s usually a good idea to get advice from a local as to which ones will be best during your visit.
One of the falls was dry in August, for example, so we were advised to do two separate walks to the Lower Falls and God’s Bridge, the latter of which is an impressive rock arch that was one of my absolute highlights. In asking for advice on the hikes, you might find that few people in Akchour speak English (although some speak Spanish or French), but they are incredibly friendly and willing to help, even if it means spending several minutes trying to understand your question.
Getting there & away: It is possible to take a tour to Akchour, but I didn’t see any groups while we were there. Instead, have your riad organise a taxi for you, which should only cost around 250Dh total for the 45min drive from Chefchaouen.
Top tips: Bring a camera, several bottles of water, a bit of cash, and a hat with you to Akchour, but don’t worry about hiking boots.
Oued Laou: A Relaxing Beach Escape
For a relaxing end to what has undoubtedly been a whirlwind trip through Morocco, travel from Chefchaouen to nearby Oued Laou via an inexpensive bus and enjoy a few days at the beach. This is a popular destination for local families on holiday, so you’ll likely be sharing the sand with masses of excited children, but that’s half of the fun anyway.
Take time to check out the variety of open-late cafes and restaurants, serving up plenty of traditional cuisine alongside hot-weather favourites like smoothies and ice-cream.
Getting there: A 1hr bus from Chefchaoeun should only cost around 20Dh.
Where to stay: Try one of the great Airbnbs near the beach in Oued Laou.
Transportation Options from Marrakech to Chefchaouen
Embarking on a journey from the bustling city of Marrakech to the serene blue streets of Chefchaouen is an adventure that promises breathtaking landscapes and cultural discoveries. The primary transportation options from Marrakech to Chefchaouen include bus, train, car rental, and private transfers.
Bus: The bus journey from Marrakech to Chefchaouen typically takes around 10 to 12 hours. CTM and Supratours are the main bus companies that operate between Marrakech and Chefchaouen.
Train: No, there is no direct train from Marrakech to Chefchaouen.
Car Rental: Yes, renting a car is a feasible option for traveling from Marrakech to Chefchaouen. The most scenic route involves driving through the Middle Atlas Mountains and the Rif Mountains.
Private Transfers: Yes, several companies offer private transfer services between Marrakech and Chefchaouen.
Safety: Yes, traveling from Marrakech to Chefchaouen is generally safe.
Packing Essentials: It is recommended to pack snacks, water, a travel pillow, a blanket or warm clothing (especially for air-conditioned buses), and entertainment such as a book or music.
Additional Tips for Traveling in Morocco
Stay Cool: While the temperature can get very high and it can be slightly uncomfortable to walk around in the heat, the narrow streets and blue-painted buildings are in place to combat the sun.
Caution: If someone comes up to you and offers “help” you will need to give a few dirhams if you accept.
Sustainable Travel: Consider using public transportation or opting for a fuel-efficient car rental to minimize your environmental impact.
Hidden Gems: Venture beyond the main square (Place Outa el Hammam) and explore the intricate alleyways of the medina.
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