Steeped in culture and mysticism, Morocco holds an immediate and enduring fascination for many Western travellers including me! Though it was located not too far from Europe once I visited it seemed a world away in both tradition and scenery.
I discovered a land with a powerful identity, where history was woven into every mosaic tile, where every souk told a story, and a rich cultural heritage ran so deep that it inspired UNESCO’s Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Masterpiece project, celebrating centuries-old traditions.
As a backdrop to all this, I found the country’s physical makeup extraordinary: from the Mediterranean coast through sprawling mountain ranges to the seemingly endless sands of the Sahara.
I were lucky enough to spend a week exploring the highlights of this incredible country, and from Marrakech to beyond, here is my incredible journey….
1. My Stay in a Traditional Riad
My, my Riads are just beautiful! I learned that a Riad is a traditional Moroccan house centered around an interior garden or courtyard, designed to uphold the Islamic principle of privacy, with high surrounding walls creating a secluded sanctuary. The transition from the lush courtyard to the interior spaces was intentionally designed to inspire reflection and tranquility.
I found out that it was common to find lemon and orange trees growing, a fountain, and the walls of the Riad decorated with quotes from the Quran in calligraphy and traditional mosaic tiling.
When I stayed in one at the heart of the medina, I was struck by its extraordinary beauty and serene, zen-like atmosphere, which not only enriched my Moroccan experience but also provided a peaceful escape from the bustling city noise just beyond its walls.
2. Marvelling at the beautiful mosaic architecture
I fell in love with the doors in Marrakech! I found the mosaic architecture in Marrakech to be stunning with swirling colours and images with embossed porticos, window arches and pathways, like the calligraphy of a nation!
I learned that the craft, known as “Kelliji,” is a painstakingly slow process passed down through generations, blending mathematics, art, and history to create intricate designs that beautifully showcase the most important facets of Moroccan culture in their most complex form.
I loved just wandering around the city with my camera in hand as I was always stumbling across an awe-inspiring subject or extra-special and very ornate door!
3. Haggling at the Souks
I have to be honest—I felt completely overwhelmed in the souks of Marrakech, with hawkers calling out, the air thick with the scent of spices and fruit, the occasional snake uncoiling from a charmer’s basket, and the chaotic hustle of people navigating the narrow streets.
Still, in my opinion, it was an essential part of visiting Morocco and one I would not recommend missing! They’re not tourist markets while it sells everything from saffron to kohl, it predominantly serves the city’s people instead!
I quickly learned to keep my dirhams close when it came to haggling—those vendors were true masters! I honestly thought it was impossible to leave this sprawling Aladdin’s Cave of Wonder without snagging a bargain, whether it was a vibrant scarf, a gleaming copper lantern, or a beautifully handcrafted bag.
In the end I just learnt to absorb the chaos and go with the flow—literally!
4. Visiting a Mosque
I saw that life in Morocco was influenced by the stern call to prayer by the Muezzin five times a day and I thought the mosques that dot the country were just beautiful.
The Hassan II mosque in Casablanca was the largest in Northern Africa and the seventh largest globally. I saw that it stood on a promontory looking out to the Atlantic Ocean with its glass floor and handcrafted marble walls.
The Koutoubia Mosque, towering over Djemaa el Fna Square, was not only the largest mosque in Marrakech but also one of the city’s most iconic landmarks.
While non-Muslims are generally not permitted inside mosques in Morocco, I found there were a few rare exceptions, including the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, the Great Mosque of Meknes, and the Al Quaraouiyine Mosque in Fes.
I visited one but I had to obey house of prayer and obey the traditions by removing my shoes, washing my face and hands, covered my legs and hair and I also refrained from excessive photo taking, talking and videoing as a mark of respect.
5. Wandering the Medina Square at night!
I found this experience to be wow-inducing! During the day Medina Square it was predominantly occupied by stalls – especially purveyors of the most gorgeous orange juice but by night the bustling market stall transformed into a UNESCO Heritage Site or, more accurately, a UNESCO Oral and Intangible Heritage of Humanity Masterpiece site!
I loved that the formerly dusty square came alive with traditional music, Chleuh dancing boys, snake charmers and Berber storytellers.
As darkness fell over the square, the shutters on the stalls began to lift, and the square was filled with the potent aroma of spices as traditional dishes were served to the mingling locals and tourists.
6. Spending an afternoon at Jardin Majorelle
I absolutely loved this tranquil beauty spot – somehow, through an incredible feat of engineering, 300 different species of flora thrive within just one hectare at Jardin Majorelle in Marrakech, alongside a fascinating museum dedicated to Berber culture.
I found out it was bought by Yves Saint Laurent (of Paris fashion fame) in 1980. When he died in 2008, his ashes were scattered here, and some of his sketches and illustrations still remained at the attraction. Saint Laurent amassed a vast collection of North African textiles and artefacts, which I saw where exhibited in the museum there too.
I loved how the gardens offered a zen-like oasis away from the craziness of the city and I really enjoyed strolling along the wooden pathways, listening to the call of the birds, feeling the rustle of the breeze, and savouring the smell of the fragrant flowers – it was a blissful experience!
7. Trying the food
I discovered that Morocco’s incredible diversity is beautifully reflected in its cuisine, which blended influences from its Arabic heritage, Mediterranean flavors, and deep-rooted Berber traditions.
Although spices have been imported for centuries, I saw that the home-grown saffron, mint and olive were the foundation of most dishes in the country, with zesty hints from lemons and oranges.
The old national delicacy is couscous which is served with most dishes (and courses!), but I saw that it was the tagine that was the country’s most popular dish.
The food in Morocco was good that I wanted to bring the recipes home with me – the spice ingredients I could have easily picked up at the local souk as well as the clay tagine dishes which I saw everywhere!
8. Exploring the Atlas Mountains
I loved the Atlas Mountains, and in my opinion, they contain some of the most beautiful and intriguing scenes in the whole country.
The views from their summit were spectacular and took my breath away! I found the peaks and valleys were some of the most remote areas of the country and seem a world away from bustling Marrakech, Casablanca, and Fez.
For the non-experienced hiker or mountaineer I found that there were well-trodden paths, quaint traditional villages to meet the Berber locals and of course, the Toubkal National Park which was home to stunning views, ancient petroglyphs and intriguing wildlife.
9. Visiting an ancient fortress town
I loved visiting the incredible fortress towns of Kasbah of Taourirt, Quarzazate, and Ait Benhaddou. It was actually my favourite parts of my trip – I felt like I was in Game of Thrones!
Many of the buildings had actually been used for filming in Game of Thrones, and I also felt like I had stepped onto the Laurence of Arabia set.
I found Quarzazate was nicknamed the door to the desert, and the sand-dashed walls and terracotta was a stark reminder that the Sahara was nearby.
Ait Benhaddou was my favourite though, it was featured in the Gladiator and Babel movies, but seeing it in the flesh was an entirely different experience. There was an eerie stillness, and seeing the imposing buildings seemingly etched into the mountainside felt like an almost otherworldly experience.
10. Staying overnight in the Sahara Desert
This is where I felt I experienced the Morocco and I trekked into the vast sprawling area in a sandstorm.
I watched as endless golden dunes stretched before me, a stunning sunset painting the sky, while the only sounds were the gentle snorting of camels beneath the colorful canopy of my Bedouin tent, as the sun dipped behind the dunes, casting a fiery red glow across the panorama! I actually felt like I was on a completely different planet!
