First thing you must know about Morocco is that it would require more than one trip to get the true essence of it, and to visit it all as Morocco is so diverse in a way that you wouldn’t possibly imagine until you go there; the first trip will be for discovery during which you will decide where you must go again, where you must have stayed longer or shorter, and where you must skip.

In 9 days, my friends and I visited Fès-Meknes-Chefchaouen-Tangier-Marrakech, which was way too much in one trip 😀

Our 10 hours Sleeping-Train from Tangier to Marrakech at Marrakech Station

VISA INFORMATION & REQUIREMENTS

• No appointment is needed, the embassy accepts papers everyday from 9AM till 12PM
• Takes a week (5 working days) to be issued, and passports are received from 2PM till 4PM
• Address: 10 Salah El-Dine Street, Zamalek
• 1 passport photo 4×6
• Bank statement for the last 6 months
• Flight booking
• Hotel booking
• HR letter
• Travel insurance, but for those holding a valid Schengen Visa there is no need for travel insurance
• Visa application that you will fill in on the spot

DISTANCES BETWEEN CITIES

• Casablanca – Fez: 5 hours by bus, 4 hours by train, and 3 hours by taxi
• Fez – Meknes: 45-60 MIN by taxi & +/-1 hour by bus or train
• Fez – Chefchaouen: 5:30 hours by taxi, and 6:30 hours by train or bus
• Chefchaouen – Tangier: the best way is via taxi which take up to 2:15 MIN passing through scenic Tetouan
• Tangier-Marrakech: 10 hours by sleeping train

Road-trips are to-die-for as the scenery is so diverse!

WHERE TO STAY

Don’t think twice it’s Riads all the way; there are luxurious ones, semi-luxurious, mid-range, budget, and even Hostel-Riads.

Riad-Hostel

Tip: Make sure to splurge at least for a night at a luxurious or semi-luxurious Riad, the experience is totally worth it!

Semi-luxurius Riad

BEST TIME TO GO

It depends on where you are going; north or south;

• April till early June & September till October: are the best times to go -shoulder seasons falling after/before the high season- with moderate summer climate in the south, and in the mountains and reasonable prices too, however the closer you get to the north -to Europe- temperatures drop, and can get chilly at night
• July & August: are the best for coastal cities -busiest as well-, but the hottest in Marrakech, & the desert -southern Morocco- but a good time to visit the north
• November till March: is the high season and the most popular time to visit, the climate in Marrakech and the south is nice but gets chilly at night, and pretty cold in the north

GETTING THERE

• Direct: flying direct from Cairo to Casablanca via Egyptair or Air Maroc, there aren’t direct flights from Cairo to Marrakech
• Indirect 1: via another airline carrier; just make sure to check if a visa or a security permit are required for your transit
• Indirect 2 -only for Schengen Visa holders: you can fly to/from most European airports via low cost carriers such as Air Maroc, RyanAir, Vueling, EasyJet, Transavia, and many more to Marrakech, Fes, Agadir, Essaouira, Rabat, etc.

GETTING AROUND & BETWEEN CITIES

Beware of transportation in Morocco as it might eat up a large portion of your budget, also take care of touts, pickpockets, and don’t ever leave valuables in your stored or checked-in luggage

AROUND

• Public Buses: ALSA but not covering all cities
• Taxis: agree on the fare before hopping-on & haggle

BETWEEN CITIES

• Buses: CTM, Supratours, and SATAS -which doesn’t have the best reputation compared to the other two companies, however it travels to more cities & towns, specially remote ones.
• Train: Moroccan trains are clean, convenient, and leave on time
• Grand-Taxis: the most convenient option specially for groups, yet the most expensive one

THE PEOPLE

Are extremely friendly to Egyptians, once they know you’re Egyptian they will ask you about Adel Emam, and Yosra, and will sure recite some “afashat aflam”.

You will most probably have hard time understanding the Moroccan dialect -a big percentage can at least understand Egyptian dialect-, English is spoken only in cities frequented by tourists however on a small scale, French comes as a second language.

LANGUAGE ESSENTIALS

• Wakha: means ok, or agreed
• Safi: means mashi
• Thank you very much: Alah yer7am waldeek
• Enjoy your meal: Bse7a w ra7a

THE FOOD

Moroccan cuisine is delicious! Carnivores will be having a blast as the cuisine is highly carnivorous :D, those who also like to eat sweet & sour stuff will be indulged.

Tip: out of 5 Moroccan cities I’ve been to Fez & Meknes offer the best food, Marrakech’s is so good, Chefchaouen’s and Tangier’s are bad compared to the other 3.

Nothing could go wrong with Moroccan Cuisine

• Pastille/Pastilla -the double L are mute- a.k.a. Bastela: puff pastry stuffed with vegetables, pigeons, or chicken and sometimes with some noodles as well, sugar and cinnamon are sprinkled on top
• Meshoui Lamb: slow roasted leg of lamb usually ordered at least 24-48 hours in advance as it takes time to be prepared
• Mrouzia: Moroccan lamb tagine with almond, raisins, and honey
• Ka3b El-Ghazal & Chebakkiya: Traditional desserts
• Ras El-Hanout spice:
• Couscous: Not a fan of Moroccan couscous to be frank as it’s usually drier than the Tunisian and Algerian -sorry Moroccans no offense
• 7arira soup
• Gree tea with mint <3

VISITED CITIES

FEZ

Recommended Number Of Days: 2 days

Where To Stay: near Fes El Bali in the Old Medina

What To Buy: Leather goods

Sights

• The Old Medina (Fes El Bali): is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, get literally lost in Fez’s labyrinth, where it’s advisable to first discover it alone to get a feeling of it and photograph it, then join a guided tour to learn all about its interesting sights such as; schools -medrassa-, mosques, shops, and many more

• Chouara Tanneries: is one of Morocco’s most iconic sights, you cannot miss it!

Was unlucky to find it Chouara Tanneries closed for renovation :'(

• University of Al-Karaouine

• The Blue Gate of Fez known as Bab Boujeloud

Courtesy of: Dan Lundberg

Places To Eat

• Berrada: the ultimate local experience in Fes El-Bali where you are served what was cooked for the day
• The Ruined Garden: better go right before sunset to see it in the light, the best dish was Meshoui
• Riad Palais Bahia: The best Pastilla

MEKNES

Recommended Number Of Days: 2 days

Sights

• Bou Inania Medrassa

• Dar Jmai Museum

• Mausoleum Moulay Ismail

Courtesy by: eatswords

• Bab Al-Mansour

Courtesy of: Chris Ford

• The Medina: that is much easier to navigate compared to Fez’s, and less touristic as well

El-Hedim Square which is the entrance to the old medina

• Volubilis: Ancient Roman ruins 29KM from Meknes

Courtesy of: Matteo Martinello

Places To Eat

• Riad Selma: Mrouzia

CHEFCHAOUEN (A.K.A. CHAOUEN)

Recommended Number Of Days: 2, but if Akchour waterfalls and Qantarat Rabbi are included then 3 days

Where To Stay: it doesn’t really matter as the city is pretty small, and walk-able

Sights

• Strolling through the city

• Akchour & Qantarat Rabby: for hikers, outdoors, and nature lovers

Courtesy of: commons.wikimedia.org

• Moroccan Hammam: go for an authentic public hammam experience in one of Chefchaouen’s two hammams

TANGIER

Recommended Number Of Days: I wouldn’t go there again, didn’t find it interesting, however it could be your starting point to get a ferry-boat to Spain, or to the strait of Gibarltar. It’s also interesting to see the Mediterranean meeting the Atlantic Ocean.

• Hercules Grotto: the drive to the grotto is scenic
• The tomb of legendary traveler Ibn Battuta

MARRAKESH (THE RED CITY)

Koutoubia Mosque at sunset

Recommended Number Of Days: 2 – 3

Where To Stay: near Djmaa Al-Fna

Sights

• Djma Al-Fnaa: An Agrabah-like market; a place where you can still see snake and monkey charmers, street games are played at night, and stalls are sending all sorts of goods

• Jardin Majorelle: those incredible shades of yellow & blue <3! It’s a park that was bought by Yves Saint Laurent.

• Ben-Youssef Medrassa

• Palais de la Bahia (Bahia Palace)

Courtesy of: POTIER Jean-Louis

• Moroccan Hammam: you will come out with baby skin! Hammam Ziani which is semi-public had the best massages, however Mille Et Une Nuit had the best scrubing, and a more private experience!

Places To Eat

• La Mamounia: an expensive dinner at La Mamounia is a must!

Tourist Trap -specially for Middle Easterns: Chez Ali Restaurant & Show

TOPS MY LIST FOR MY NEXT MOROCCO TRIP

• Ouarzazate: nicknamed the “Door of the Desert” is your starting point to explore southern Morocco’s desert
• Merzouga: also in the desert, a secluded area to camp and go on a camel ride
• Ait Ben Haddou: a famous movie location where The Gladiator, and Lawrence of Arabia were filmed
• Les Cascades D’Ouzoud: Ouzoud Waterfalls is a day trip from Marrakech
• Ifrane: known as Europe of Morocco,  a heaven for hikers and outdoor recreation
• Essaouira: hub for young locals and water-sports

Have we got you excited for Morocco if it isn’t already on your list, and made you feel like wanting us to plan you your trip right away?!!

Or have you been to Morocco, and want to share with us your recommendations in the comments below…?!

*Images without photo credits are courtesy of Passainte Assem

About the Author

Passainte Assem

A former lawyer, travel junkie and adventurer from head to toe. Whether broke or out of vacation time, always on the lookout for the next destination. Keen to share her travel stories, planning tips and photographs to give you a real sense of place.