Morocco, Africa Travel Guide Fall 2022

The world tour continues (quite literally) and this week I’m checking off a new continent! Yup, you read that right. A major bucket list item was checked off this week as I flew to Africa for the first time! My roommate Olivia and I had the weekend to ourselves and wanted to do something extra fun together—we figured what better study abroad trip to add to our list than Marakesh, Morocco! 

I knew that this would be a whole new experience but nothing could have prepared me for what an out-of-body experience this trip was. To put it simply, it was a life-changing few days. This trip made me realize how truly fortunate we are in America. We have the chance to be whoever we want to be, and to dream all the dreams, and there is a whole side to this world where that isn’t necessarily the case.

I felt this week. I felt real, raw, mixed emotions—excitement, gratitude, sadness, and more. I don’t think I will ever look at the world the same way. 

Today, I am so excited to sit down and recap our weekend in Morocco complete with restaurant recommendations, itinerary, and packing list. Hope you enjoy! 

Transportation

When I mentioned that we were going to Africa, many of you were concerned about whether or not it was “safe” to do so. There was not one point during the trip where I felt unsafe, however, it’s definitely not a trip I would have felt confident enough to make on my own. We actually booked this through Bus2Alps, a popular travel agency amongst study-abroad students. I’ve booked several of their trips (Cinque Terre, Amalfi Coast, and Croatia) and have had a blast so I knew this one would be no different. 

They handle all of the bookings for you—activities, lodging, and tour guides however you are responsible for getting yourself to and from Morocco. 

Liv and I took the train from Florence Santa Maraia Novella to Rome Termini, then got on a bus at the Rome Termini train station that took us to the Rome Campino airport where we then flew directly into Marrakech via Ryanair. We did the same thing on the way home. It’s definitely a long travel day but it’s well worth it for this experience.

Look into flights and train tickets ahead of time as I was able to get a roundtrip ticket for less than $100! Bus2Alps has a shuttle that gets you from the airport to the hostel so you don’t have to worry about navigating the taxi system at all throughout your trip. 

Where To Stay 

As I said lodging is included in the flat rate you pay for this Bus2Alps trip. We stayed at Unity Hostel which was located about five minutes from the Marrakech city center. This hostel has won numerous awards, ranking as one of the best hostels in Morocco. It was huge, with traditional African architecture meaning lots of twists and turns, the most gorgeous tiling, and unique doorways. This was the central courtyard and as you can tell, it’s beautiful! They have a pool so pack a swimsuit so you can take a dip! 

We had a four-person room complete with two bunk beds, a set of lockers, and our own bathroom which was a nice change of pace. We’ve had communal bathrooms at several of our other hostels which are never fun—it was certainly nice to have our own space and housekeeping came to clean it each day which was life-saving! Definitely not a chic hotel collab, but overall one of the nicest hostels I’ve ever stayed at. 

They also had a rooftop restaurant here where we had traditional Moroccan breakfast each morning. This was a variation of sweet breads and “crepes” with jam and butter along with fresh squeezed orange juice, tea, and scrambled eggs! There are other options to come up here for lunch and dinner too; you just pay additional Durhams when ordering!

What To Do

We had a full itinerary planned for us due to this being a Bus2Alps trip and it was so nice having a guide local to Marrakech who knew all of the authentic spots. Plus, he was in charge of getting us from point A to point B so we didn’t have to worry about all of those nitty-gritty logistics which was amazing! We weren’t even here three full days and yet we managed to pack in all the things! 

Touring a Traditional Barber House 

The first thing we did was ride about forty-five minutes outside of the city, through the mountains, to a traditional Barber house. This little village town is where many people live, including our guide. We were able to enter this family home and see what their living situation is like. We got a tutorial on how the popular Moroccan mint tea is made and were served typical breakfast snacks. 

We even saw the cow that lives inside their house. It was so different from anything I’ve ever seen and such a cool experience. The view from their rooftop was amazing and so so beautiful. We also learned that houses stay in families forever here; when a woman is ready to get married, she goes and lives with her husband and his family, and the cycle continues. 

Camel Ride Through The Villages 

From there we went to ride camels throughout the villages. There are obviously several different places you can go to do this as it is a very popular thing to do as a tourist visiting Morocco. It’s definitely not comfortable but it’s such a fun experience! We rode for about 20 minutes through the villages and saw some incredible views + took lots of photos. For some odd reason, this has always been on my bucket list and I’m so happy I was able to check it off! 

Hike Sti Fadma  

We made it to Sti Fadma where we were told we were going to go on a short hike to see the waterfall that most Baber people go to each morning to get their water. To our surprise, this was no walk in the park, in fact, this was a pretty dangerous, intense six-mile hike.

Needless to say, pack your good shoes if you’re planning on going all the way to the top as it’s definitely a rocky experience and it’s very slippery as you cross over the stream several times. 

Despite being a bit afraid of heights, I really enjoyed this view once we got to the top, and have never seen mountains so vast. It was really cool and certainly a lot of exercise which is always appreciated. 

ATV Ride Through The Desert 

ATV riding was the start of our second day in Morocco and WOW is all I can say. I thought for sure this would be one of those experiences where we were just riding around on a quad-bike, getting dirty but I was so wrong. We spent two and a half hours following our guide through all kinds of rocky terrain, villages, and more.

We passed through homes in the middle of the desert with children so eager to wave at us, bikes with just one wheel, and young kids carrying huge buckets for their families. We saw things you see on the news but never grasp are really real. 

It was the most eye-opening experience. While yes, it can be fun to go fast on an ATV I recommend this experience for so much more than that. I really had time to think during this about the way our world works and left feeling so very fortunate for all that I have. Don’t worry, you do practice before your ride, and are equipped with a helmet, goggles, and an experienced guide. 

Walking Tour Around The City 

We then met up with a guide and he took us on a walking tour around the city. We learned about lots of Moroccan history religion, and politics while popping in and out of authentic shops. We got to see an upholstery loom, how scarves and other linens are dyed and get an in-depth explanation of all of the spices and serums made here. It was nice to be taken to “trusted” spots to shop as we knew we were getting the real deal here. 

Visit Bahia Palace 

We also visited Bahia Palace which was built in the 1860s. I can’t tell you enough how beautiful the architecture, mosaic ceilings, and colorful tiles were. It made me realize how much inspiration we take from their culture in our modern-day home decor.

Needless to say, I quickly added some tiles to my souvenir shopping list. I also really enjoyed all of the greenery throughout this property. There were palm trees everywhere and huge luscious fruit trees, blooming in the center of these courtyards. 

Get Henna-d

Henna is home to Morocco and therefore there are places to get it done on every corner. I’ve never had it done but Olivia convinced me. For just $5 I figured “when in Rome!”. I ended up getting mine done on my foot and the girl’s along their hands. I loved my design and the woman told me it should only last about a week. A fun thing to do after dinner one night that will make you feel like a local! 

Shopping Through The Markets 

The amount of shopping markets here is insane. It’s unlike any city I’ve ever seen in the sense that its blocks and blocks of the same variation of goods just made and sold by different families. While there are tons of souvenir-type of goods, there are also tons of things handmade throughout. You can find everything from a straw tote to an African rug, to an upholstered jacket, to a camel keychain. I got several tile coasters for my future apartment, postcards, a cute clutch, and some oils to use throughout my hair. 

Everything works on a barter basis here and is so cheap. You can almost always get a sale for half the price they initially offer, so make sure to negotiate! They can be very pushy with their sales but Olivia and I found it kind of fun! So much incredible shopping here, especially for the home so if you’re looking to decorate soon, skip Urban Outfitters and just bring an extra suitcase, lol.

You can walk out with throw pillows, poofs, and rugs, for less than half of what you typically see them from + this is where they are handmade!

Traditional Hammam Bath

The last thing we had the chance to do was visit a hammam spa. This was an experience like no other— you strip down to just your underwear and enter a room where buckets of water are thrown at you. From there, you go in the sauna for a few minutes and are then exfoliated from head to toe. I literally watched huge chunks of dead skin come off— it was disgusting and exhilarating all at once. You then go back in the sauna for a few minutes before getting covered in mud and saunaing for another few minutes. 

You then shower, put on a robe, and are brought upstairs for a thirty-minute Moroccan oil massage. I left greased up from head to toe, smooth as a baby’s butt, and all loose. Such a relaxing experience that will leave you feeling brand new. 

Where To Eat

I will be the first to admit, I’m not an incredibly adventurous eater. I will try anything at least once but my palette has never been huge. I did, however, try all kinds of new, interesting, Moroccan cuisine this week! It wasn’t my favorite by any means but it was also important to me to try and immerse myself in their culture as much as possible. Below are a handful of restaurants we ate at! 

(Bus2Alps pays for your breakfast each day, and your lunch + dinner the first day.)

Hotel Case Restaurant La Vallee

We met up here for our first lunch where we were able to choose from a handful of traditional Moroccan dishes. I start with their Moroccan salad which was a mix of tomatoes, cucumbers, and oranges. It sounds weird, but this is a very common mix of ingredients here. I then got their lemon chicken tajine which came topped with french fries and olives (very popular here).

It was super flavorful however I tried some of Olivia’s chicken kebabs and wish I had gotten those as they also came with french fries, rice, and tomatoes. For dessert you typically get oranges with cinnamon. Very fresh and yummy! 

✈ Menu // Directions

Street Food At The City Center

At night the city square comes alive with hundreds of street vendors setting up. They all serve the same types of food so although I can’t remember the name of the one we were at, literally anyone will do! We got a variation of sweet bread and sauces to start.

We then had a variation of kebabs—chicken liver, lamb, more chicken, peppers, onions, and more. Lots of new things to try. We also got a box of mixed “sweet treats” which were mostly cookies filled with figs!

✈ Directions

Bougaimillier

The next day we went to a restaurant that served a mix of Moroccan food, pizzas, and pasta. Liv and I split their pesto pasta and a four-cheese pizza with goat cheese. This was my first time trying goat cheese and it’s very popular here. I was shocked at how flavorful it was. Yummy but different! 

✈ Menu // Directions

Cafe Arabe 

On our last night, we went to Cafe Arabe, which was such a chic spot. This three-story restaurant had a rooftop view of the entire city and several different mosques. With a live DJ, bar, and moody lighting this place was such a vibe. It’s known for having a large menu with pizza, pasta, and Moroccan dish options so it’s perfect to please everyone.

I got a pasta that I, unfortunately, didn’t read correctly and wasn’t a huge fan of. Just too much garlic for my liking! I also tried the four cheese egg rolls and they were very good— they had pears and raisins mixed in. A very interesting combo but surprisingly a good one! I also loved my Pina Colada and Amaretto Sour that I got from here. 

✈ Menu // Directions

What To Pack

Typical Moroccan culture is much more modest than we Americans are used to. It’s considered a sign of respect to have your shoulders and legs covered at all times. Although you do not have to keep your head covered, many people choose to so it’s always a good idea to have a scarf on hand when traveling here. Even in mid-October temperatures were still in the high eighties so lightweight, breathable linens will be your best friend. 

Pinterest wasn’t much help when searching for “Morocco Outfit Ideas” so I had to take matters into my own hands. To my surprise, I killed it on this trip. I’ve put together a separate outfit guide with all of the outfits I wore and links to shop but am sharing a mini packing list here to make your life a little bit easier! 

• Fanny Pack: This is a fanny pack type of trip. You’re on the go quite a bit, doing active things that require your hands. It’s best to have a fanny so you can keep everything strapped to you and easily accessible at all times! My Lulu was a lifesaver although the white definitely got dirty. Thankfully, I can just toss this into the wash! 
• Lightweight Linens: As I said, it’s hot here but shoulders and legs need to be covered. Reach for something easy, breezy, and made out of cotton! This is a must for keeping cool. Bonus points for these pieces because they are so comfortable and very easy to mix and match. Opt for light colors as they don’t attract as much heat! 
• Scarf: Whether you choose to keep your head covered or not, I recommend bringing a scarf. These are ideal for tossing over your shoulders, wearing around your bag, or tying around your head if need be. Many travel guides I read prior to coming here said that doing so helped them attract less male attention. I will say, they are particularly wordy towards blondes so covering up definitely helped quiet them down.
• Sneakers AND sandals: This is one of those trips you’re going to want both sneakers and sandals. I wanted my feet covered for some of our more active activities and sandals for walking around the city as it was incredibly hot. It’s very dusty here as many streets are not paved— take that into consideration when packing!

Things To Note Before Traveling To Morocco 

A couple of things to note before traveling to Morocco—they use their own currency called Durhams. 10 Durhams is equivalent to $1 so basically just take off a zero when negotiating prices. There are several ATMs throughout the city but make sure you double-check before withdrawing money as some of them have hefty international fees. Cash is necessary at almost all shops here however some restaurants do accept cards.

This is also a place with a large blend of languages. While many people do speak some sort of broken English, their languages are typically Moroccan, Arabic, and sometimes French.

Watch The Weekend

Want to see my trip to Morocco on camera? Sharing this incredible experience + all of the real emotions that came with it in this vlog. Hit the subscribe button so you don’t miss out on more travel content coming your way soon. 

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If you’re on the fence about booking a trip to Morocco, this is your sign to do so! You can use my code STYLEDBYMCKENZ to save 5% on your next Bus2Alps trip.

I am going on one more with them this semester to Budapest, Vienna, and Salzburg. Looking forward to it and will, of course, be sure to share that experience with you when the time comes. Until then, make sure you’re following me on Instagram @styledbymckenz to stay up to date with my travels in live time. 

With love, McKenz

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