MOROCCO TRAVEL GUIDE: TOUR AND TIPS
DISCOVERING THE OSPITALITY AND TRADITIONS OF MOROCCO
Morocco is the perfect destination for those who are preparing for the first time to venture into a nation with a culture very different from the western one, it is a nation able to satisfy the tastes and desires of various types of travelers, thanks to the great diversity of landscapes, from deserts to snow-capped mountains, huge waterfalls, lush green oases, cities full of ancient charm on one hand and modern cities full of services and high fashion boutiques on the other; to those who love to relax and be pampered to those who do not like to stay still and always want to try something new. Thanks also to its proximity to Europe and the French, Arab, Spanish, Portuguese, and Berber influences, it is a melting pot but at the same time jealously preserves its traditions and ways of doing
HOW TO MOVE AROUND:
The best way to move around Morocco with complete autonomy without missing anything, enjoy landscapes, and allowing you to make all the stops you want along the way is definitely by car. Driving in Morocco is really simple, thanks to the fact that the roads are kept in perfect condition. That being said, there are a few things to consider before getting behind the wheel:
Drive by ALWAYS keeping the speed limit, checkpoints are everywhere even where you least expect it and you don't realize it until it's too late.
In most tourist cities such as Essaouira and Marrakesh parking is not free but you have to pay a few dirhams;
in many places scams are not unusual, especially in Marrakesh, you could be stopped with the pretext of doing a transgression, so always follow the highway code and stay below the speed limit, if you get stopped, and it will happen, if you know you have not done any offense, keep calm, be smart, and do not come to terms;
If you decide to drive your car inside the walls of the medina, well, good luck! Driving in there will test your cool blood.
As for how you can rent a car, and where to, probably my experience will be useful.
If you decide to rent a car before departing you will always be required a security deposit that exceeds 1000 euros, if you want to avoid this unnecessary sum, my advice is to rent one, once you land at the airport. I did so both times I visited Morocco and never had any problems. Finding someone to rent you a car at Marrakesh airport is quite simple, in fact, most of the time they will be the ones finding you.
As soon as I landed, I went to one of the many offices in the outdoor parking lot, asking if they had a car to rent without a card holder, and there I was approached by two guys from a local agency and so we rented the car from them. Remember to do your research before hand, on how much is usually the prices of car rentals and always bargain, 9 times out of 10 the initial price they will tell you will always be double the original price.
AGADIR
Agadir is known for being a tourist city famous for its oceanic beaches, bars, and cafes and for being a favorite spot for surfing, despite being quite a tourist it is much quieter than its counterpart, Marrakesh, thanks to the vast beaches that make you feel peace and calmness. It is the ideal place to relax and slow down.
Among the beaches not to be missed are Agadir Beach and Taghazout Beach. Agadir Beach or Plage de Agadir is a classic oceanic beach full of services, private beaches, restaurants, and cafes.
Its exact opposite is the beach of Tamraght, much quieter; while if you are looking for adrenaline, Banana Beach, is the perfect spot to surf or even simply enjoy this sport as a viewer.
A must is Taghazout Beach, located in the homonymous fishing village, perfect for a glimpse of maritime and everyday life, I absolutely recommend stopping in one of the many places on the side of the road, perpetually surrounded by clouds of smoke from the exquisite fresh grilled fish that is cooked, on the spot, delicious and extremely cheap, is the perfect stop after relaxing on its beaches or after a dip in the cool ocean waters of Taghazout.
Agadir is not just beaches, visit the souk El Had, located inside the medina of Agadir, It contains about 6000 shops and stalls, from food to spices, craft workshops, clothes, technology, and much more. It is a real experience and a labyrinth in which to get lost and get a glimpse of the daily and commercial life of the city. A small recommendation, remember where you park your car as this labyrinth of shops can make you lose the sense of orientation, but you just have to get out of the walls to retrace your steps.
You can't come to Agadir without visiting Paradise Valley. Venture on mountain roads that will take you in front of a movie set scenery; Large palm trees and green vegetation surround grand canyons and natural pools of water in which to dive. Before visiting the valley of paradise, ask to some local if it has recently rained, in fact in periods of drought all you can find will be stagnant water not really inviting to dive in.
If you are looking for a place to sleep in Agadir my suggestion goes to Hola Surf Morocco 5 minutes walk from one of the best and peaceful beach in Agadir, i’ve really enjoyed the diverse and very abundant breakfast on the beautiful terrace not to mention the hospitality of the owners.
MARRAKESH
Marrakesh has a completely different vibe from Agadir, it is a city ready to surprise you and leave you dizzy. The best way to fully enjoy its soul is to lose yourself among the twisted streets of the medina. Marrakesh is the perfect mix between modernity and tradition, with its haute couture boutiques, restaurants, and trendy cafes on one hand and the noise and daily life inside the medina, on the other hand; It's also the perfect starting point for various excursions near the city.
WHERE TO STAY: Marrakesh is famous for its characteristic Riads, but my advice is to choose an accommodation outside the medina or in its immediate vicinity, as, in the center of it, the loud noises of the streets could become very annoying.
Marrakesh and its surroundings have so much to offer, emblematic is certainly Jemaa El Fna square, a unique experience on its own, it is the beating heart of Marrakesh and you will soon find out why. It is a sensory experience, you get invested by the sounds of songs, dances, screams, and music and by the smells that come from the food stalls in the center of the square, where each seller will do everything to lure you inside. If in the morning the plaza seems still sleepy, at evening, it completely changes, becoming an outdoor stage where thousand and thousand of people gather.
Some advice: beware of scams, when choosing where to eat, opt for a place where there are locals in it, also restrain yourself from photographing snake charmers, dancers, or others as they will demand from you a fee for photos and will not let you go until you pay.
Moreover, if the insistence of the various sellers can become too much for you, learning a few Arabic words to make them stop, will work like magic, try to believe. And when the buzz and the swarm of people or the morning-hitting sun get too much, there is no better way to enjoy the square as a distant spectator from one of the many panoramic terraces while sipping mint tea.
OUZOUD WATERFALLS
Marrakesh is also the starting point for several excursions; such as the impressive and beautiful waterfalls of Ouzoud which attract foreigners and visitors from other parts of Morocco. The route to get there is simple and is about 2h 30 from Marrakesh. Once you reach one of the many parking lots, you can start your walk to reach the waterfalls, bring with you lots of water, comfortable and anti-slip shoes; the walk can be a bit tiring but the view that opens in front of you has no equal, and if you start your walk from the top, you will be accompanied by wild macaques, accustomed to the presence of human and who have made these waterfalls their home.
IMLIL VILLAGE
A small Berber village about 1h 20 from Marrakesh located in the High Atlas Mountains, is the starting point for reaching Mount Jbel Toukbal, the highest peak in North Africa; But even for those who do not intend to embark on this excursion, it is still an interesting half-day trip to enjoy the fresh and pure mountain air, enjoying a good Tajine in one of the many kiosks. In Imlil village, you can breathe a much quieter, calmer, and more authentic atmosphere. During your trip to reach this berber village, you will be accompanied by the smell of apples of which these mountains are producers.
AGAFAY DESERT
If like me you can't make it to do a tour of at least 3 days in the famous desert of Merzouga but still want to savor the unique charm that the desert offers, you can opt for the nearby desert of Agafay just 30 minutes from the medina. Do not expect massive dunes of fine sand; the Agafay desert is a predominantly rocky desert, almost martian but that definitely has its own charm. There are many activities that you can do: from a quad bike tour to a camel ride or spending a night admiring the stars, enjoying absolute silence away from the noise of the city.
ESSAOUIRA
About 3h from Marrakesh; be careful of the many checkpoints and speed cameras along the way.
Essaouira is a vibrant port city, with its blue and white houses, that give a Greek island vibe, its souk, and its fish market. The best way to visit this city perched on the sea is to start your visit near its medina, where you can park your car for a few dirhams.
WHAT TO DO AND SEE:
Like any other city in Morocco, Essaouira also has its own charm and distinctive features that are only it's own.
MEDINA: Essaouira has its own medina, which like any other is a maze of narrow streets full of cafes, boutiques, and souks; stroll through its souks or inside the vibrant open-air markets or enjoy the view relaxing in one of the many cafes.
PORT: Essaouira is first and foremost a port city and its port with the fish market is its beating heart. It is a very unique experience, noisy and pungent, that shows another side of this town.
Its maritime culture emerges, also from the excellent food.
Near the beach are gathered numerous food stalls where you can sit, choose the seafood that you prefer, and it will be cooked or grilled on the spot for you to enjoy.
WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE LEAVING
Unfortunately, Morocco is not exempt from numerous ad hoc scams for tourists, there are several of them, so my suggestion is to never stop on the street if someone asks you to pull over and in general not to trust if someone offers to accompany you to the place where you have to go. In general, be smart and do not trust blindly. That said, Morocco is still one of the countries with unique hospitality, so be respectful and do not be cynical so to fully enjoy the hospitality and conviviality typical of this country.
Checkpoints and speed cameras are everywhere, so be diligent to the rules and NEVER exceed the speed limit
Rent a car to drive freely.
The official currency is the Moroccan Dirham. Always carry cash with you, especially in small villages, it will be very difficult to pay with a credit card.
If you need internet on your phone, especially for using online maps and gps, the best option is to buy a sim card directly on your arrival at the airport, 10 euros for 10 gigabytes which lasted me for 2 whole weeks.
In addition to Arabic, the most widely spoken language is French.