The Magic of Morocco in Two Weeks
Our trip was going to be just Spain and Portugal, but every time I looked at the map, the land below the blue strip of the Mediterranean called to me. The idea of going to Morocco took hold slowly, in small, incremental steps. I was intrigued by way the curve of land in Spain mirrored the curve of Morocco, and the more it looked as if two faces were exchanging an airy kiss. I entertained the idea that we could hop over the Strait of Gibraltar for a night. Then I realized I couldn’t go that far and not touch the mighty Rock of Gibraltar. The spreadsheet wiggled and wobbled as I rearranged dates and squeezed time from one place and added to another. Midway through our trip, we revised the trip again. Once I stepped foot in Morocco, I knew our two-week itinerary was going to be magical.
Two Week Itinerary
There so many routes through the highlights of Morocco, but if you’re not sure how to get started, my two-week itinerary will give you some ideas. I’ll also mention some places we missed that I’d visit if we had had more time. I used Lonely Planet Morocco and internet searches to plan based on our interests of history, culture, nature, and outdoor activities.
We traveled by train for long distances, taxis within towns, and a private car with a driver a couple of times. Most of our lodging was in mid-level hotels with a couple of splurges.
Basic Itinerary
· Tangier (1 night)
· Fez (2 nights)
· Marrakech (1 night)
· Sahara Desert Tour (2 nights)
· Marrakech (1 night)
· Imlil (2 nights)
· Marrakech (3 nights)
Detailed Itinerary
· Tangier (1 night): We arrived by ferry from Algeciras, Spain, following a visit to Gibraltar. We loved our quick visit to the medina in the late afternoon on the day we arrived. The contrast between the gleaming new town vs the old town was dramatic. A highlight was learning about the American Legation Museum, the only U.S. National Historic Landmark located in another country. A little known fact is that Morocco was the first country to recognize the independence of the United States from Great Britain in 1777. We stayed at an Ibis Hotel and took the train to Fez. If we had another day, we would have hired a driver to take us to Chefchaouen, the blue city.
· Fez (2 nights): The clean and efficient train took four hours to this historic city that used to be the capital of Morocco. It was a quick walk to the Ibis Hotel adjacent to the train station, which had a lovely pool. We spent one full day exploring the wonderful old medina on our own. If you have two days, take a day trip to Meknes and Volubilis to see the Roman ruins. We took the train to Marrakech, which offered contrasting views of farmland, coast, and the leading edge of the High Atlas Mountains.
· Marrakech (1 night): The long train to the heart of the Berber culture in Marrakech took six hours. We stayed at Angsana Riads Collection, a luxurious riad in the medina, for one night. We had little time to explore as we had an early morning pick-up the next day for our Sahara Desert tour. We didn’t mind because the riad was so lovely and our large room was so comfortable. They had a top-notch restaurant that served dinner and breakfast. There were a few museums within walking distance of the riad I would have liked to explore if I’d had more time.
· Sahara Desert tour with Berber Camp Merzouga (2 nights): Seeing the Sahara Desert, riding the camels, sleeping in the luxury tent, and viewing many interesting sights along the way were highlights of our trip. I would have chosen a four- or five-night tour if I’d realized how much there was to see and do.
· Marrakech (1 night): This was another repositioning stop as we were scheduled to travel to Imlil the next day. I do not recommend the Ibis at the train station until it is renovated, as our room needed multiple improvements.
· Imlil (2 nights): The Kasbah du Toubkal sent a driver to pick us up for the hour-long drive into the High Atlas Mountains. It was a beautiful drive through small villages and apple orchards. If we had more time, we would have enjoyed doing some day or overnight treks in the area. We were so tired after the desert trip that we relaxed at the kasbah, enjoyed their hammam (steam bath) and garden, took a stroll around town, and bought a rug (of course).
· Marrakech (3 nights): Our driver from the Kasbah du Toubkal dropped us off at the Riad Arbre Bleu, which is at the opposite end of the medina from our previous stay at the Riad Angsana. It was a pleasant place with wonderful staff, and it was easy to walk to nearby shops and restaurants. They served a hearty breakfast, and it felt homey there. This would have been the perfect opportunity to see more of Marrakech, but unfortunately, my husband got sick and our activities were curtailed. We were able to visit the tiny but impactful Women’s Museum Marrakech in the medina. We would have done the following if we had time: La Maison Arabe Cooking Class (Cookly.me), Bahia Palace, Musee Yves Saint Laurent, Moroccan Culinary Arts Museum, Musee Berbere (indigenous focus) and the Djemaa El Fna main square. These will have to wait until our next visit.
Places We Missed
Suggestions for places we missed: Chefchaouen (blue city near Tangier) and the coastal towns such as cosmopolitan Rabat, Agadir with its beach resorts, and Essaouira, an artsy seaside town. All three of the coastal towns have surfing beaches.
Dress
There are always questions about how to dress in Morocco. There is no official dress code, so it’s based on your personal preference and philosophy. I prefer to dress modestly in Muslim countries. For me, that means shoulders and knees covered. I wore loose long pants that were comfortable in the heat and a short-sleeved top. I carried a white linen long-sleeved shirt for when it was chilly with too much air conditioning or when I wanted to cover up more.
Good Start
It wasn’t enough time, but it was a good start. Each place was unique and provided fascinating opportunities for learning about the forces that shaped the country over time. Our two-week itinerary in Morocco was magical.
To read more about Morocco and the places we traveled to, visit Inga’s Adventures.
