MOROCCO : 10 DAYS ITINERARY

10 DAYS IN MOROCCO 

 Day 1: Marrakech

We landed in Marrakech the morning. We took a taxi to our riad in the heart of the medina (the old city) (tip: bargain the taxi price at the airport). We received a warm welcome at our riad, Jnane Mogador, with Moroccan tea. It's a charming riad with a lovely staff. Today we planned to visit the Palais Bahia and to walk in the souks of Marrakech. (tip: if you want to buy a souvenir, bargain the price, divide it by 2 or 3). We had a fresh orange juice on Place Jemaa el-Fna, so sweet and so good! And we had lunch at one of the rooftop restaurants overlooking Place Jemaa el-Fna. At the end of the day, we came back to our riad where we booked a hammam and massage – so relaxing, and the prices were fair! The night in the middle of Place Jemaa el-Fna is full of animation and restaurants. We decided to have dinner at one of those restaurants, enjoying simple and authentic food.

Day 2: Desert trip: Marrakech - Atlas Mountains - Ait Benhaddou - Ouarzazate - Dades

It's easier and cheaper to book a desert trip with an agency. It's a lot of driving to do in a few days! They usually offer 2, 3, or 4-day trips to the desert. With 2 days, you won't see the nice desert dunes at all, so we advise 3 or 4 days. We personally chose a 3-day trip with Traces Berbères (we've booked with them more than once; they reply quickly and are reliable). Our first stop was in the Atlas Mountains. It wasn't snowing, but around December, you can see snow. We were at 2260m above sea level – the view was amazing. Our second stop was the village of Ait Benhaddou, a traditional village made famous by cinema, used for example in Game of Thrones. Our third stop was the city of Ouarzazate, the Moroccan Hollywood, with cinema studios. Most movies related to the Middle East are made here! Crossing the Valley of Roses, where they make rose water, we finally arrived at our hotel in Dades Boulemane, a charming hotel called Jardin de la Source with a lovely staff.

Day 3: Desert trip: Dades - Tinghir - Todra Gorge - Merzouga

On the way to the desert of Merzouga, we had two more stops. The first stop was in the village of Tinghir, a Berber village. We were welcomed by a guide who showed us around and explained Berber rug weaving (tip: during your trip, don't forget to give the guides and driver a little something at the end). The second stop was in the Todra Gorge. We felt so small in front of this canyon cliff. Morgane went there when she was younger to climb it. In fact, it's a nice natural climbing spot! We arrived before sunset at the dunes of Merzouga. Our camels were waiting for us for a 1.5-hour ride. The landscape with the sunset was amazing, but riding camels is painful after a while! We finally arrived at our camp for the night. The Berber guide offered us shisha before dinner, and afterward, we were all sitting around the fire singing and listening to traditional Berber songs. The sky was full of stars, and be careful, you can also see shooting stars (tip: in winter, it's really cold in the desert, so bring warm clothes).

Day 4: Desert trip: Merzouga - Marrakech

The next morning, we woke up before sunrise, and we did the way back in the back of a pick-up truck! We first drank tea in a nomad village. And after that, we drove to the highest dune, which we climbed (it wasn't easy!) to see a breathtaking view with the sunrise! A magic moment. Back in the pick-up truck, riding the dunes was thrilling! And now, a 9-hour drive to come back to Marrakech! It was a long trip, but it was worth it!

Day 5: Marrakech

Last night, we changed hotels to stay in the Palmeraie and discover another, more peaceful side of Marrakech. In the morning, we went to visit the Jardin Majorelle, an amazing place that inspired YSL for his creations. I advise you to also visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech; it's really interesting and well done. Both cost around £15, and we advise you to go early in the morning because there is always a queue in front! For lunch, we came back to the hotel to enjoy the swimming pool and relax! And in the afternoon, we did a quad tour. It's an activity that Morgane always did when she was young, and it's so much fun! Daniele loved it too! Don't be scared of the speed and getting dirty because you will eat a lot of sand!

Day 6: Essaouira

On the road between Marrakech and Essaouira, look around because you can see goats in argan trees! We arrived for lunch in Essaouira, a coastal city. We first went to the fish market, an authentic place where you can't be picky about the smell and the cleanliness. You can also see all the blue traditional fishermen's boats. Next to it, there is a square with many restaurants that offer fresh fish from the market on the BBQ – super good and super cheap. We paid £30 for 4 people. After that, we walked to the ramparts of the medina. We got lost in the streets and bought our souvenirs here because they were so much cheaper than in Marrakech. In this relaxing atmosphere, we drank tea in a cafe under the sunset, listening to a street singer. We really enjoyed the simplicity, authenticity, and relaxed atmosphere of the city. After having dinner at a rooftop restaurant, we came back to our cute riad called Chems Bleu.

Day 7: Oualidia

On the coastal road towards Casablanca, we stopped for lunch in the city of Oualidia, famous for its oysters. We advise you to eat at the restaurant L'Araignée Gourmande. Since she was a kid, Morgane has been going there – it's a safe bet! After dinner, enjoy a walk on the beach. You can also take a little boat tour on the colorful and cute boats, and then you can drive to Casablanca.

Day 8: Casablanca

Casablanca is an industrial city, but there are a few things you can visit. You have to see the Hassan II Mosque, one of the tallest in the world. The guide is included in the visit, which costs around £10. Another typical place to go in Casablanca is the Central Market, an old and iconic place where you can find seafood, vegetables, craftsmanship, restaurants, etc. You can do that in a morning. If you have more time, you can also see the Habous quarter and get some pastries at Bennis, eat at La Sqala, walk along the beach, do some shopping at Morocco Mall, etc.

Day 9: Rabat 

In the morning, we took the road towards Rabat. Rabat is the capital, a clean city that blends modernity and tradition. You can visit the Kasbah des Oudayas, the Andalusian Gardens, the Medina, and the Hassan Tower. You can also take a boat tour. Rabat is perfect for a day trip. Usually, low-cost flights are more frequent in Rabat than Casablanca, so you might want to check that airport for your return journey.

Day 10 : Departure or continue north 

If you have more time we advise you to continue north and visit the old town of Fes, the blue town of Chefchaouen, Akchour waterfall and finish with the city of Tanger. 

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Or if you prefer to stay around the beaches and like surf vibes when you are in Essaouira we advise you to go direction south, direction Agadir and to stop in costal village like Imsouane or Taghazout.

P.S.: If you are on a road trip, you should stop at the restaurant Oasis Café, which is at the Afriquia gas station, to eat a super good tagine at a really good price!