A year ago, I visited Morocco to track down the most exciting luxury travel opportunities. I have been to more than 40 countries (many of them in Africa), so I thought I knew what to expect. However, Morocco came as quite the surprise .. It was even more authentic and exotic than I was expecting!
Thinking of Morocco, many envision blue doors and belly dancing, bustling markets and medinas, camelback safaris and sand dunes and starry nights. Morocco is all of this ….. and so much more. And to help you get the most out of a journey there, I’d like to share a few tips with you.
You need a guide in Fez
Fez is absolutely fascinating. It provided me with some of the most unique experiences of Morocco. Visiting Fez is like going back in time to a whole ecosystem encircled by dusty walls and cracked tiles that have stood for thousands of years. I’ve never experienced anything quite like it.
However, you need a really good guide otherwise you will end up overwhelmed, harassed and hopelessly lost in the maze of tiny alleys. Even my husband, who really likes to be in control and hates guides concurred: “Oh my god, a guide is worth everything.” We love to drive to places ourselves, but having a driver in Fez was a lifesaver.
As exciting as Fez is visually, the culture and food and history are extraordinarily rich, and without a guide much will be missed. And a good guide just makes it all more fun. For instance, our guide could see that we wanted to immerse ourselves in the culture, so instead of having a fancy lunch, he led us to a simple stall in the medina where we bought grilled lamb skewers (including heart and liver) that we ate on a bench under an ancient tree. We followed lunch with a stop for Moroccan coffee, which combines a blend of delicious spices. It’s the ultimate pick-me-up! Ideally, spend a day focusing on the history and another day eating your way through the market.
Be a tourist in Marrakesh
Marrakesh has been a popular tourist destination since the 1960s and is more modern than Fez. The nightlife is now a big part of the city’s charm. And unlike Fez, you don’t really need a guide in Marrakesh. I recommend exploring the old city by day – exquisite gardens, ornate mosques, towering minarets, and, of course, the Medina of Marrakesh, a UNESCO World Heritage Centre. Have fun bargaining in the souks, but be sure to check out the higher-end retail boutiques (some within the souks, others outside its walls). In the evening, leave the old city for drinks and dinner in the ville nouvelle (new town).
I highly recommend more experiential activities in Marrakesh, such as a photo tour or cooking classes with a local family or in one of the top restaurants. I love the photography museum (Maison de la Photographie de Marrakech). Jemaâ El Fna, Marrakesh’s main square and open-air theater, is a little touristy but in a good way. If you’re adventurous, join the eating tour of Marrakesh. Our tour guide was truly impressive and brought us to a market where we ate the freshest and best bread imaginable. The food in Marrakesh is unbelievably good! The ideal combination of French and Berber taste! A great addition to the amazing culinary experience is the music. Listening to traditional Gnawa music over dinner adds a whole other dimension.
Day trip to Meknès from Fez
I really enjoyed my day trip to Meknès, a historic city founded in the 11th century. It’s very non-touristy… It felt like I was all by myself there. It’s the most modest of the four imperial cities and overshadowed by its proximity to Fez, but Sultan Moulay Ismail (1672–1727) harmoniously blended Islamic and European styles that are still evident today. It’s a half-day visit and takes about one hour to get there by car and well worth the drive. Meknès is on the way to Casablanca, so another option is to stop on your way to Casablanca or even if you’re flying out of the Casablanca airport. It’s an experience you won’t soon forget. Fun fact: The Royal golf course of Meknes is a nine-hole golf course set in the heart of the imperial city, with the roofs and minarets of the medina as a background.
Experience the Tuareg troupes in the Moroccan Sahara
When you go to the desert, there are a lot of different places you can stay. So finding a place that offers a really authentic experience is important. The place where I stayed did an amazing job of incorporating the local Berber culture and community in a very real way. One of the highlights for me was seeing and hearing one of the most famous Tuareg troupes. I will always remember listening to the music of the Berber people after dinner by firelight. Other memorable moments include: camelback safaris straight into a sea of sand, riding Quad Bikes across the ever-changing dunes and special lunches near the gorges.
The Atlas Mountains are fantastic
The Atlas Mountains are not to be missed. I loved going through the Berber villages where people are exceptionally welcoming and nice. Many of the Kasbahs and camps in the Atlas Mountains are used as bases for trekking. The highest peak is Jebel Toubkal (with an elevation of 14,000 ft!) in southwestern Morocco – a desirable destination for hardcore hikers. Less expert hikers can enjoy easier forays, particularly in the summer. Just let your guide know your pace. Fun fact: Most of Kundun, the 1997 epic biographical film directed by Martin Scorsese about the life and writings of the 14th Dali Lamai, was shot at the Atlas Film Studios in Ouarzazate.
To summarize
Morocco is a country rich in history and culture, filled with good food and adventure. From bustling souks in Marrakesh to shifting miles of sand in the Moroccan Sahara, there really is something for everyone – great food, beautiful accommodation, stunning scenery, history and warm and hospitable people who seem genuinely glad that you are there.