Morocco

A few words to begin with...

Morocco is located on the Northwest coast of Africa and is the only country on the continent that is bordered by the Atlantic Ocean and the Mediterranean Sea. The capital is the enchanting Marrakech where you will find the original character of the city in the old Medina but also the modern new center with shops and luxury hotels.
We traveled in summer with a direct flight from Athens and had planned to stay 4 days in Morocco since we had combined it with a trip to Southern Spain in Andalucia. Below we will talk about how to organize your trip to Marrakech, as well as useful tips if you want to visit other cities in the country...

Basic information about your trip...

Visa Information

To enter the country, Greek citizens will not need a visa but must have a passport valid for 6 months from the day of entry.

Season - climate

The best time to visit Morocco is autumn (September-November) or early spring (March-April). The weather is warm, but you will avoid the extremes of heat and cold nights. Whichever time of year you choose to visit, there is something special about Morocco.

Exchange

The currency of Morocco is the Dirham with a rate of about 1 to 11 (2022). You will find exchange offices all over the city as well as in the hotels where you can exchange foreign currency. We chose to make some money at the airport and then consulted our hotel about the best exchange in town. If you want to save fees, activate a Revolut prepaid card to make payments and withdrawals without fees.

Credit cards work normally everywhere but before you travel inform your bank about the trip and ask how much the fee is for each transaction or withdrawal

Movements

The airport in Marrakesh is very close to the city almost 5km, you will find several buses to take you to the center (11, 12, 18, 20 ,33 ) but the cost for a taxi does not exceed 5€ so we took the taxi option where it took us directly to our hotel in Medina.

Internet - communication

If you want to have internet everywhere  and not only at the hotel, you will have to do data roaming from your mobile company, as the charges will probably be exorbitant, or get Airalo esim with prepaid data volume where you will need to activate it without changing the sim on your mobile phone. Condition that your device supports esim. For information and to purchase a package click ;here.

Accommodation

The accommodation we have to say is really great in Morocco. We suggest you choose to stay in a traditional Riad in the center of the Medina to live a complete experience, the guesthouses are spotlessly clean and in most cases you will find a small pool in the center of the building. We had chosen to stay atRiad Sofiaand we highly recommend it!!! 
You will also find amazing luxury hotels if you want to spend a lot more money with unique gardens that look like an oasis in the desert, such as the famous La Mamounia, Dar Rhizlane, Palais Table;hôtes SPA, Palais Namaskar and many more...

Sights in the city

Almost all attractions are located within the Medina and around the central Jemaa el-Fna square. So if you find a hotel in the center you won't need any means of transportation, stock up on water and keep your bag well because there are many pickpockets in the bazaar...

Jemaa el-Fna

The center of everything for city dwellers. Especially as the sun goes down you will find people gathering and countless food stalls opening. Whoever we asked told us not to eat them even though they look delicious, but we tried fresh juices especially with pomegranate which were very refreshing!!
In the square you will also see many animals (monkeys, cobras, eagles) struggling for a photo, a really ugly sight and be careful not to take a video or photo because they will persistently ask you for money.

If you want to see the whole square and the real chaos, go up to one of the terraces of the square's cafes, a good time is also when the sun sets and the sky takes on magical colors.

To the west of the square you will find the impressive 70m high Koutoubia Mosque built in 1162, entry to non-Muslims is prohibited

pictures from unsplash

Bahia Palace, Badi Palace & Dar Si Said

To the south of the square you will visit the impressive Bahia Palace where the interior decoration is a dazzling display of Moroccan craftsmanship combining geliz tiles, painted ceilings and elaborate wrought iron elements that highlight the opulent life of those who were high in the Sultan's favor at the time

Nearby, combine a visit to Dar Si Said, a magnificent palace with magnificent doors and a magnificent carpet exhibition.

The ruins of the once grand palace of Al-Mansour (Badi Palace) are one of the most atmospheric sights of the Kasbah area. Now sparse remnants of mosaic tile floors, dilapidated pavilions, and high enclosure walls are all that remain. There are excellent views across the Medina from the top of the walls, where the storks have also built their nests.

Le Jardin Secret, Souk Medina, Marrakesh Museum, Ibn Youssef School

To the north of the square you will find all three of the above attractions.

The word ''Souk'' means bazaar and almost the entire Medina is a bazaar of small objects, carpets, spices and fruits. Secure your belongings and walk through the wonderful narrow streets in the bazaar, the market in some places is covered and in some it is open air and if you want to shop be ready for a lot of haggling on the price!

One of the most beautiful sights was the gardens in the Medina (Le Jardin Secret) with an entrance fee of 80 dirhams you see an excellent example of Islamic art and culture, you will be able to discover its wonderful gardens and buildings.

Be sure to visit the Moroccan museum as well as the Ben Youssef Madrasa which is the largest and most important Islamic college in Morocco.

Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Mansion

It is one of the most photographed attractions, the gardens of the painter Majorelle, where they are full of palm trees, cacti and ferns. Characteristic is the intense blue color in all the buildings which is known as Majorelle blue. After Majorelle's death in 1962, French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent bought the property and after his death in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the gardens.

Within the grounds, Majorelle's old painting studio now houses a wonderful museum dedicated to Berber art.

Right next to the entrance to the gardens is a museum dedicated to the life and fashion legacy of Yves Saint Laurent, which also hosts a program of temporary exhibitions.

(Garden : Dhs 70 Museum : Dhs 30)

Excursions from Marrakech

Excursion to the Sahara desert and accommodation in a camp under the stars!!!

This is the most typical excursion if you visit Morocco. There are 2 options, the first is to take the 2-day tour where you will visit the Zagora desert and has one night and the second tour with 2 nights in the Merzouga desert.

Both tours pass and see the stunning villages of Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou where so many films have been filmed, as well as passing through the Atlas Mountains. The main difference is that on the 3-day Merzouga excursion you will cross the magnificent Todgha Gorges and the dunes at the Erg Chebbi camp are truly magnificent compared to the dunes in Zagora.

Transportation, accommodation as well as breakfast and dinner are included in the price of any excursion you choose from the following. For reservations and more details, click on the excursion.

If you wish to visit only the villages of Ouarzazate and Ait Benhaddou on a one-day trip without accommodation in the desert click here

Beware of other very cheap tours where there are no toilet facilities and sleeping is on mattresses on the ground.

One-day excursion to the Agafay desert and guided tour of the Berber villages on the slopes of Mount Atlas.

Details & bookings here

Visit Ouzoud Falls from Marrakech. Join a guided hike and enjoy a boat ride to admire the falls up close.

Details & reservations here

Enjoy a camel ride through the palm trees of the Oasis Palmeraie on a private tour. Explore the villages of Palmeraie, taste local tea and admire the incredible scenery outside Marakes.

Details & reservations here

Απολαύστε μια ημερήσια εκδρομή στην Essaouira, στην ακτή του Μαρόκου. Δείτε τη Μεδίνα, την παραλία και επισκεφθείτε έναν σύλλογο Βερβερίνων γυναικών που παράγουν λάδι αργκάν.
Λεπτομέρειες & κρατήσεις εδώ(από 25€)

Food - Restaurants

The food in Morocco was not something that worried us much... It is a place where Mediterranean vegetables, fruits, almonds and plenty of olive oil dominate their food.
Wherever you sit down to eat traditional dishes such as "Tazin" (which is also a traditional cooking utensil) served with chicken or lamb, couscous amazing wherever we ate it and certainly plenty of variety with soups dominated mainly by legumes ( chickpeas - lentils)

The place also has an abundance of fish so you will find restaurants serving seafood surprises.

Although it is a Muslim country, we must say that in most restaurants they serve alcohol normally, and you will also find several cocktail bars that really left us stunned.

We will find our personal opinions and recommendations on where to try food !

Cafe Árabe, the most delicious tazine we ate
Nomad, careful dishes combined with fruit and a wonderful terrace
Cafe Medina Rouge, next to Koutoubia Mosque quality fast food with great view
 Kafé Merstan et restaurant sur terrasse , nice roasts and tazins with also amazing terrace
Baromètre Marrakech, one of the best cocktail bars we have ever visited
Pointbar Marrakech, we did not visit it but we have been told good things about it