by One can feel the magic of Morocco, unforgettable and beyond dreamy. A country full of color, hospitality and grace. Falling in love with this place came easy. And at last, has made its way to #1 of my top 5 Destinations! 🙂 This exquisite country has so much to offer from its high tourist attraction, bustling souks to desert wonderlands. The blue city of Chefchaouen is one of the most photogenic and aesthetically dreamy places I’ve visited. Today, Morocco remains one of the most accessible parts of Africa, divided only by the Strait of Gibraltar from Europe — in fact, it takes less than hour to reach Tangier by boat from Spain.
Traveling solo as a woman felt like a dream. Undoubtedly, It’s a great destination for travelers, women in particularly despite what you might read.
Morocco is magic that can only be felt when experienced in real life, when the photos you see come to life. So pack your suitcase and book that ticket!
An amazing destination and experience to visit all year long. With its coastline, mountains, and desert landscapes, it’s an incredibly diverse country offering something unique to see any time of the year.
Feel The Magic of Morocco in Every Step ❤
1. Marrakech
Marrakech effortlessly blends tradition and modernity and is also considered the major city of Central Morocco. Streets painted a gorgeous shade of red, and the buildings to match – hence its well-known nickname, The Red City.
This is a great start, especially for first time travelers to Morocco, or even solo travelers like myself. Depending on where you book your stay you will be minutes away from shopping centers, restaurants, the medina (old town with souks for shopping) and so much more.
Whether it’s exploring the winding streets through bustling souks, discovering archaeological and architectural gems, taking a moment to bask in gorgeous sunsets or escaping the city to the beautiful Atlas Mountains. Every direction more breathtaking than the next. Or spending the night in the Agafay Desert watching the sunset fade into a dreamy starlit sky. Live your BEST LIFE as a prince/princess should and BOOK THE TRIP TO MARRAKECH.
The city life here is what I normally would dislike, with it being too large, the busy streets, it’s intense. But I was wrong! It’s everything I’ve been craving from the gorgeous and vibrant lantern stalls in the Jemaa El-Fnaa, Marrakesh’s medina quarter (old city) to the artwork in the streets, and the midday atay (tea) with views all-around.
Accommodations in Marrakech
I highly recommend booking your stay in Gueliz, the so-called Ville Nouvelle (new town) of Marrakech. As I mentioned before, so many things are within walking distance such as a grocery store (Carrefour) unlimited options of delicious restaurants, and not to mention makes it easy for tour guides and drivers to get to you.
During my time in Marrakech, I stayed at Hotel Safia for $50 USD per night. Meals are not included in the price however, I typically prefer this option because hotels tend to gear their foods and cooking styles towards American tourists. I, on the other hand enjoy street foods and authentic restaurants! This hotel had so many options in very close proximity, restaurants in every direction and they did not disappoint!
2. Tangier & Chefchaouen
You can feel the magic of Morocco flowing through this incredible town
Tangier, the gateway to Africa, the magical coastal city that invites you in with warmth and beauty! I made sure to book a flight in advance from Marrakech for a total of $27USD. Tangier or Tanger, is a breathtaking port city in northern Africa just across the Gibraltar Strait.
I was swept away by all of the beautiful views of the Mediterranean Sea flowing into the Atlantic Ocean. The sounds and colors just ignited a fire in me like no other place in the world. 😉
Most importantly, I knew I had to include Chefchaouen, the blue city. Tourism has led to the whole city being painted blue. A place where many artists and performers have visited to create artwork and to shoot films, thus bringing revenue into the city.
Although a gorgeous destination now, Tangier wasn’t always like this. Morocco’s last king made a point to divert all national investment away from his country’s fourth city. The new king, who took the throne in 1999, believes Tangier should be a great city again. The first city he visited after his coronation was Tangier. It’s exotic, warm, inviting, riveting even.
If you have the time, and luckily I did, Tangier has a colorful, relaxed vibe that invites you to adventure off to explore and unwind. While walking through the medina, I found a cute restaurant where I sat and enjoyed a hot glass of atay (tea) and people watched as families gathered or passed by, some shopping and others dining.
HOW TO GET TO TANGIER
There are multiple ways to get to Tangier. Depending on where your starting point or destination is. I decided it was easiest to fly from Marrakech to Tangier Ibn Battouta Airport (TNG). It will take just about an hour and cost $27USD on Ryan Airlines. You can also catch the train which is about 5.5 hours and from $220-$430 MAD (Moroccan Dirham) which is about $25-$45USD. If you decide to take the train, there will be a couple stops along the way making it easy to travel to different cities such as Fes and Casablanca.
You can get to Tangier by ferry from Spain, France, and Italy. Most ferries arrive at the port of Tanger Med, which is located about 40 km from the city. A ferry from Spain to Morocco typically costs between $75 and $200USD. The cost depends on things such as the route, time of year, and whether you are traveling with a vehicle, etc.
WHERE TO STAY IN TANGIER
There are many pleasant accommodations to choose from in Tangier.
Hotel Continental Featuring views of the Port of Tangier, free grocery shopping service, two on-site restaurants, a library and more.
Pestana Tanger A city center hotel with apartment-like rooms. Only 7 minute walk to Tangier Beach, 1 minute walk to the mall, and 24 minute drive from Tangier (TNG) airport.
I chose to stay at Occidental Tanger because of its close proximity to the beach, but more importantly, the beautifully well-designed room. Taking my time to find the right hotel/resort is very important to me because nothing beats waking up in a comfy, stylish space when then sun beams through your windows in the morning! 🙂
Feel the magic of Morocco in your soul
Tangier is the perfect place to get some peace and tranquility after a long day. A place you’d never want to escape from. So on my first day, I opted to do a one-day guided tour to get the lay of the land and learn a bit of the history of this city.
As my guide and I walked through the medina and around the city, I couldn’t help but be drawn to scenic overlook points (pictured below) which offered some amazing sweeping views over the sea and ocean. This is where I fell more in love, still gives me chills when I think of this place! ❤
Wander through the kasbah, experience the medina, immerse yourself in the deep rooted history. I’d wander around the Medina, relax at Café Tanger. It’s quite easy to get lost as you wind up and down the small streets through the Medina however, you can always ask one of the friendly locals if you’re in need of direction.
HOW TO GET TO CHEFCHAOUEN
The drive from Tangier to Chefchaouen is about 3 hours one way so if you plan on renting a car, I recommend having someone join you on this adventure cause it’s an all-day event! As a solo-traveler, I decided to book a full-day tour with Xauen Tours for $50USD which included pick up and drop off from my hotel and a tour guide upon my arrival in Chefchaouen. The vehicle was very clean and brand new and best of all, offered a TV and free wifi on-board.
My pick up time was about 8am so after an hour and a half drive, we stopped at a local restaurant for tea or breakfast before continuing our journey. I was in a group of about 12 other tourists which made this day trip more enjoyable. Our tour guide was very patient and kind, telling us stories of the history of the town as we made our way through the narrow streets. We had plenty of time to explore, shop and dine before making the long drive back to Tangier. It was worth every penny!
We ended our day trip at the viewpoint at Plage Malabata ❤
The Magic of Morocco Continues❤
3. Essaouira
I Es-swear-a You’re Going to Love It!
From the moment I arrived at Essaouira, I could immediately tell there was something special about this place. Just a 3 hour drive from Marrakech, this chilled-out coastal city is an understandably popular choice with day-trippers.
A port city of about 80,000 people on Morocco’s west coast. Just past the medina’s ramparts towards the sea, is a busy working port and a 2-kilometer sandy beach with a promenade strung with seaside restaurants and cafes. the Medina in Essaouira is by far one of my favorite throughout Morocco. In addition to this being my personal fave, this is another filming location for Game of Thrones. Luckily, these ramparts are open to the public for free from sunrise to sunset. 🙂
Essentials for Essaouira:
A few things to keep in mind while traveling to this amazing coastal town:
It’s 3 hour drive from Marrakech. You can reach by bus, car or tour
Cooler weather, strong winds
Wander / Explore & shop in the lively Medina (or discover it with a local on this popular walking tour)
Visit the city’s many art galleries and museums
See the vibrant fish market (and snap the blue boats)
Eat at Café Berber for a good value local meal, or head to Dar Baba if you feel like something fancy
Grab a sunset drink from Taros
Be sure to carry cash, most vendors here do not accepts credit or debit cards.
HOW TO GET TO ESSAOUIRA
Essaouira is a popular getaway from the winter blues so your bound to find a cost-effective flight to get here. Essaouira is serviced with budget-friendly flights from Transavia, RyanAir and more. I however, decided to book a full-day trip which included a pick up and drop off to and from my hotel. With a 3 hour drive each direction, I was able to enjoy a peaceful ride and sleep part of the way haha! We also stopped at a local convenience store for breakfast that offered eggs, sandwiches, msemmen (a traditional Moroccan flatbread that is so delicious) and coffee/tea and more.
If you’re planning to stay in Essaouira a few days, it can cost about $60USDpp for 2 nights in a 5* hotel. For reference, about $10USD more than the day trip alone.
WHERE TO STAY
A couple days spent in Essaouira can give you ample time to explore this beautiful city! Below are some cost-effective stays that will absolutely blow your mind!
Salut Maroc – Art based Boutique Hotel has 180 degree sea views over the Atlantic Ocean and located in the old medina of Essaouira. With gorgeous rooms that accentuate beautiful artwork and design.
WHEN IS THE BEST TIME TO VISIT ESSAOUIRA
There’s no wrong time to visit Essaouira! The best months to visit are between October to April. Although its winter in Morocco, the weather is enjoyable year-round, making it a top tourist destination. During these months, the weather is hot during the day, but not unbearable. Furthermore, there are fewer crowds. So if you’re an avid travel like myself, this is kind of a big deal! 🙂
BEST THINGS TO DO IN MOROCCO
1. Travel to Chefchaouen (The Blue City)
A place where joyous kids run and play through narrow streets, souks all around that can satisfy anything from a sweet tooth, to silk scarves. Choose from guided excursions that will take you up into the Rif mountains or plan a solo trip. A place where everything is blue and full of life. This was a dream destination that 8 year old me was so happy to see! ❤ Not to mention, how delicious all the restaurants here are, and every turn you take is more gorgeous than the last!
2. Agafay Desert
The Agafay Desert is located in Marrakech, Morocco and its stunningly peaceful. Not only is this a good place for camel riding, its a great way to escape the noise and traffic from the bustling city life. With a 30 minute drive from Marrakech, you can clear your mind in the tranquility of the valleys in the Agafay Desert.
3. Trip To The Atlas Mountains
Just a short drive from the Agafay Desert, the Atlas Mountains are a mountain range in the Maghreb in North Africa which separate the Sahara Desert, the Mediteranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. In fact, it’s so close to the desert that the tour package can be combined for just under $30USD. The mountains extend some 2,500km across northwestern Africa, spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. The highest peak is 4,167m Toubkal, which lies within Morocco’s stunning Toubkal National Park. Filled with diverse climate, wildlife and terrain, the Atlas are filled with Berber villages and riven with canyons and ravines.
I’ve met some of the sweetest people through my hike up the mountain, which took about an hour and a half.. I definitely enjoyed it, as we hiked across mini bridge-like structures over riverbeds, thanks to my guide, Mohammed who held my hand when going over them. However, If you’re planning to hike Mount Toubkal, (Jebel Toubkal) it’s typically climbed in 2 to 4 days. So please be prepared! 🙂
4. Day Trip to Agadir
A phenomenal city along Morocco’s southern Atlantic coast, in the foothills of the Anti-Atlas Mountains. With breathtaking views in every direction, restaurants lined on the promenade along the coastline and so much more! It’s also the capital of Agadir-Ida Ou Tanane province. A place where the hilltop kasbah original old wall remains standing after it was was destroyed in the 1960 earthquake. Agadir is unquestionably a tourist destination that you don’t want to miss. Day trips from Marrakech make it easy and cost-effective, however you’ll want to spend more time so staying in one of the hotels can be a great option.
Shukran (thank you in Arabic) ❤
