Morocco is an African country located in North Africa, with a majority Arab and Berber population, that attracts tourists with its exotic texture. Recently, the most popular city in terms of tourism is Marrakesh. We had planned that we would only visit Marrakech for our trip. However, as we researched, we saw that each city had its own beauty and we added 2 more cities to our travel route. Casablanca and Rabat…
We divided our trip, which will stay 6 nights in total, into 4 nights in Marrakech and 2 nights in Casablanca. The night we stayed in Casablanca, we went to Rabat by train. It was a fairly short distance. The train journey in Morocco was not as bad as we expected, and could even be considered comfortable.
1. Morocco's Authentic City: Marrakech
A travel guide to Morocco wouldn’t be complete without mentioning Marrakech, or as tourists like us call it, the "Red City." From the moment we landed at the airport, the city amazed us. As we explored its vibrant authenticity, we couldn’t get enough of its gardens and souks. Marrakech quickly became our favorite city in Morocco.
When we first got out of the taxi and stepped into its streets, the atmosphere felt intimidating. The way people stared, the extremely narrow and dirty streets, motorbikes rushing from all directions, donkey carts, people speaking loudly in a language we didn’t understand, and everything we had read about Morocco beforehand all contributed to this feeling. Getting used to Marrakech was challenging, but we didn’t encounter any problems during our visit.
Now, I’ll happily share what we did in Marrakech, what we bought, what we ate and drank, and which restaurants we loved the most. 😊
Places to Visit in Marrakech
1. Jardin Majorelle & YSL Museum & Berber Museum
Marrakech is filled with massive, impeccably maintained gardens on almost every street. Among them, the most popular and grandest is Jardin Majorelle. While you’re there, I highly recommend visiting the Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Berber Museum, both located within the garden. These spots perfectly complement the serene beauty of Jardin Majorelle and offer a glimpse into the city’s rich artistic and cultural heritage.
I must say, I fell in love with the lily-filled pond, the massive cacti and succulents, and the stunning use of color within Jardin Majorelle . However, the place that captivated me the most was the Berber Museum. Photography was prohibited inside, but it was a small room showcasing Berber jewelry and clothing. What enchanted me the most? The moment you step inside, the ceiling lights and mirrors create an illusion of being surrounded by an infinite sky filled with endless stars—it’s simply magical.
At the exit of the Berber Museum, there’s a Museum Shop where you can find beautiful posters and YSL postcards. They have some unique and stylish items, but the prices were quite high. The most reasonable souvenirs to take home are the posters and postcards.
Within Jardin Majorelle, there’s also the ‘Love Gallery,’ where large versions of these posters are displayed. Next to the gallery, there’s a boutique, but I didn’t find anything particularly remarkable there.
For lunch, we decided to try the café within the garden. We opted for couscous and lentil salad—more details on what we ate are coming up soon 😊.
After leaving Jardin Majorelle, we walked about 100 meters and entered the YSL Museum. Of course, we couldn’t resist taking a photo in front of the iconic wall before heading inside.
Inside, one hall was screening a documentary about Yves Saint Laurent’s life and work, while another showcased his iconic dresses. It was a fascinating experience to see his timeless creations up close and learn more about the incredible legacy of this fashion legend.
The famous photo spot at the YSL Museum is undoubtedly the striking terracotta wall with the bold "YSL" logo. Its minimalist yet elegant design makes it a must-capture backdrop for visitors. The contrast of the warm-toned wall with the surrounding greenery adds a sophisticated touch, making every photo taken there Instagram-worthy!
Note: Tickets are no longer sold at the counter; they can only be purchased online. The combined ticket price is 300 Dirhams, with a student price of 150 Dirhams. Please note, if your student ID has an outdated date, it will not be accepted.
For more information and to purchase tickets online, you can visit the official websites of Jardin Majorelle and YSL Museum via the link.
2. Le Jardin Secret
Let’s continue with the gardens. Le Jardin Secret was a place I hadn’t come across during my initial research before coming to the city. However, while looking at the map, we noticed it was on our route, so we ended up discovering it by chance. Despite its relatively low popularity, it became one of our favorite gardens.
As you enter, the entrance hall welcomes you with a mesmerizing atmosphere, thanks to its fountain pool. The green marble of the garden gives off a modernized vibe, making you feel like you’re in a contemporary space. As we continued deeper into the garden, we noticed the Hellenistic columns, which, although straying from traditional Moroccan architecture, still managed to enhance the garden’s charm in an unexpectedly captivating way.
In the garden, orange fish swimming in the mini ponds and the turtles living harmoniously with them warmed our hearts . We were quite tired, so we decided to have a bite at the café. However, there wasn’t anything particularly noteworthy food-wise at the café.
3. El Badi Palace
El Badi Palace is a 15th-century palace that, though now in ruins, still holds incredible historical significance. The palace is divided into three main areas: the entrance, the terrace, and the ground level.
At the entrance, you’ll find rooms displaying historical Moroccan artifacts, offering a glimpse into the country’s rich past. In the center of the palace, there are mandarin orchards and pools, adding a touch of tranquility amidst the ruins.
When we descended to the lower level, the heat of 44°C was almost unbearable, yet the tunnels felt like air-conditioned passages, offering a welcome break from the intense heat. The terrace, however, was scorching—walking around in the summer heat here was truly challenging. Despite the discomfort, the palace’s history and beauty made the experience unforgettable.
4. Jemaa el-Fnaa
One of the places in Marrakech where you need to be most cautious is Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. With snake charmers, street vendors, and all the hustle and bustle, it’s easy to get lost in the chaos. Situated right in the heart of the city, it’s equidistant to almost every major tourist spot.
Be especially careful around the snake charmers—before you know it, you might find a snake in your arms! The vibrant energy of the square is captivating, but staying alert is key to fully enjoying the experience.
5. Dar El Bacha Museum
One of the museums we unexpectedly discovered and absolutely loved for its tiles, the garden inside, and its stunning architecture was this one. If you visit this museum, I highly recommend sitting at the café inside. It has a wonderfully inviting atmosphere, and the staff is incredibly kind. Don’t forget to make a reservation! It’s the perfect spot to relax and take in the surroundings after exploring the museum.
6. Musee de La Femme (Women Museum)
This was the first time I had encountered a museum dedicated to women, and especially in Morocco, so we were eager to visit. There was an exhibition by the artist Hafida Zizi, and we ended up purchasing a poster from the collection. Inside, there were photographs and paintings representing women, but the ones by Hafida Zizi were by far our favorites. Her works truly stood out, offering a unique and powerful perspective that captured the essence of femininity.
Shopping in Marrakech
Marrakech is a paradise for shopping enthusiasts, offering a wide range of unique items from local handicrafts to high-end designer goods. The city's souks (markets) are filled with vibrant stalls selling everything from spices and textiles to leather goods and pottery. It’s a perfect place to pick up souvenirs or indulge in the rich craftsmanship of Morocco.
1. What to buy from the souks and what to watch out for?
The souks are filled with authentic cushions, poufs, rugs, mirrors, wicker baskets, and clothing that you won’t find anywhere else. The clothing, while beautiful, is both expensive and incredibly traditional, so we decided to skip that. What really caught our attention were the home décor items, which we found to be unique and perfect for adding a touch of Moroccan style to our space.
Wool rugs, leather cushions, and poufs are unique items you can only find in Morocco, so we decided to fill our suitcases with home décor pieces. It's definitely worth negotiating the prices. Vendors can be quite persistent, but you just have to say no and shop around from store to store. For example, we were initially quoted 750 Dirhams for a pouf in the first shop, but we ended up buying the same one for 300 Dirhams in another store.
2. YSL Museum Shop
My favorite items I bought from Marrakech were the postcards and posters from the YSL Museum. The postcards were priced at 10 Dirhams, and the poster cost 150 Dirhams. It's also worth mentioning that these items are unique to the museum and can only be found there, making them even more special as souvenirs.
3. Argan Oil-Cosmetic Products
When we think of Morocco, the first beauty product that comes to mind is undoubtedly argan oil. You can find argan oil in almost every shop here, and its price is generally the same across the market. If you buy in bulk, vendors often offer discounts.
Another popular cosmetic product you can find in Morocco, especially in recent years thanks to TikTok, is Moroccan lipstick. Although it doesn’t look like typical lipstick, when mixed with water, it transforms into a tint-like product that’s surprisingly long-lasting. This unique product has gained a lot of attention for its vibrant color and durability, making it a must-try for beauty enthusiasts visiting Morocco.
4. Food Products
When we were heading to Morocco, we were really excited about the food, especially the spices. However, seeing everything being sold uncovered and open, where people could touch and handle the items, made us a bit hesitant about buying food and spices. We did purchase mint tea, which is sold in sealed packages, as a safer option. Additionally, we bought orange blossom water, which is used in almost every dish in Morocco, to add to our cookies back home..
Marrakech Restaurants and Moroccan Cuisine
When I think of Moroccan cuisine, the first things that come to mind are the heavy use of spices and the combination of sweet and salty in the same dish. It took us a while to get used to the flavors during our week-long stay. You can still see the influence of French cuisine, and one of the more unique street foods we saw was snails being sold.
As for breakfast, coming from a Turkish breakfast tradition, we found it a bit underwhelming and not very filling. Typically, they serve granola, fruit, and their own unique version of pastries. The granola was definitely our favorite.
One of the signature dishes is Tajine, a variety of stews cooked in a cone-shaped clay pot. You can think of it as similar to the Turkish casserole. Tajine is made with either chicken or meat and is prepared with lots of spices and vegetables.
Another famous dish is Couscous, which is typically made from fine bulgur rather than the traditional couscous grains. At every restaurant, we expected to get couscous, but it was always served with bulgur instead.
As for drinks, orange juice and mint tea are the most popular. Freshly squeezed orange juice is sold on almost every street corner. It was the best orange juice I’ve ever had, almost like a syrup. We drank it 2-3 times a day. If I’m not mistaken, it costs between 10-15 Dirhams. Mint tea was served everywhere we went. They prepare it very sweet, but when we asked for it without sugar, they happily made it for us that way. The unsweetened version was much more to our liking.
Now, I’ll share my list of restaurants I visited in Marrakech with you. 😊
1. Nomad
The popular Nomad is a three-story restaurant, with tables both inside and outside. The atmosphere is lively, with music playing—sometimes a bit too loudly for dining. The tables are quite cramped, and the place is mostly frequented by tourists, so you’ll hear a mix of languages around you. We opted to dine on the terrace, which was nice, but due to the tight spacing between tables, we couldn’t fully enjoy our meal.
2. Terrasse des Epices
Here’s my favorite restaurant in Marrakech in terms of concept! It mainly attracts a tourist crowd, but the staff is very attentive and polite. Since a film festival is held here every year, many celebrities have visited, and their photos line the stairs. Compared to the other restaurants we visited, it was a bit more expensive. It was also a terrace restaurant, but the tables were not cramped, so we could enjoy the space. To get over the disappointment from the meals we had, we tried a burger, but unfortunately, it wasn’t very impressive.
3. YSL Museum Cafe
The YSL Museum has two cafés. One is located inside Jardin Majorelle, and the other is on the way from Jardin Majorelle to the YSL Museum.
At the café inside the garden, we had couscous and lentil salad for lunch, along with smoothies. While we weren’t too fond of the smoothies, the couscous was the best we had in Marrakech. The lentil salad, with sliced avocado added on top, was a nice surprise, even though it was something we weren’t used to. The prices and the food were average.
The café on the way was also decorated in the same style, offering a spacious and airy atmosphere. We tried sorbet here, but unfortunately, it didn’t meet our expectations.
4. Soul Food
While wandering around Marrakech, we discovered this charming little restaurant after being drawn in by the boutique at the entrance. It also had a terrace and a spacious, airy atmosphere. We opted for couscous and a goat cheese salad.
The goat cheese salad was above average, though the cheese itself was more like a cream cheese (labneh) rather than the typical goat cheese we expected.
5. Le Jardin
This restaurant was the one that made us feel the most like we were in Marrakech in terms of concept. The chaotic mirrors in the entrance corridor, green ceramics, rattan furniture, and the fans they place on the tables in the mornings created a distinctly Moroccan atmosphere. We had the chance to experience it both in the morning and at night. In the evenings, it has a romantic vibe with candlelight. Mornings are much quieter compared to the evening rush. The food was good, though we weren’t too impressed with their crème brûlée and smoothies.
Where to Stay in Marrakech?
In Marrakech, most hotels follow the riad concept, and while there aren’t many ultra-luxury hotels, they do exist. There aren’t many chain hotels, with Ibis being one of the very few. If you’re looking for luxury, La Mamounia is one of the most popular hotels in the city. Even if you’re not staying there, you can visit the hotel for a day pass to enjoy the pool.
If you’re not in search of luxury, I highly recommend staying in a riad. We stayed at Riad Agathe, which was an affordable option with incredibly helpful staff. They gave us great tips about Marrakech. The rooms were decorated with authentic Moroccan cushions, rugs, bedspreads, mirrors, and other items, creating a wonderfully traditional atmosphere. Despite the authenticity, the riad felt refreshingly modern and fresh.
I made the reservation through Booking. You can also use the link on Booking to make your reservation.
2. Rabat: The Blue Capital of Morocco
Rabat, the capital of Morocco, is often considered the "Blue City" by tourists, and in my opinion, it’s the most modern city in Morocco. You can easily reach Rabat from Casablanca in about 1 hour by train, and a day is usually enough to explore the main attractions. In terms of food and drink, the city doesn’t offer an overwhelming variety, but there’s still plenty to enjoy.
For our trip, we created a route based on four main stops: Modern Art Museum, Hassan Tower, Oudayas Kasbah, and the Andalusian Gardens. We chose to explore the city on foot, as everything is within walking distance.
Must-See Places in Rabat
1. Rabat Modern Arts Museum
Müzenin dış cephesine resmedilen insan boyutunun 3 katından bile büyük resimler sayesinde müzeye büyük umutlar ile giriş yaptık. İçerisindeki eserler de bizi dış mekanı kadar mutlu etti. Müzenin giriş katında çağdaş modern sanat eserleri, üst katında ise Afrika kültürünü anlatmaya yönelik eserler vardı. İki konsepti de çok beğendik ama ilk Afrika seyahatimiz olduğu için Afrika temalı eserler daha ilgimizi çekti.
2. St. Peter Cathedral
After leaving the museum, as we walked towards Hassan Tower, we came across St. Peter’s Cathedral. Inside the cathedral, we found frescos that were more modern and caricatured, a style we weren't accustomed to. They were beautiful and quite different from the traditional frescos we had seen before, offering a unique artistic experience.
3. Hassan Tower
Hassan Tower is actually the unfinished minaret of a mosque. The surrounding columns were initially built to support the mosque’s roof, but construction was left incomplete after the death of the sultan at the time. Before entering the mosque, there’s of course a garden 😊. Around the garden, horse riders take tours, and you can even snap some photos with them. This garden is called Jardin Tour Hassan.
4. Oudayas Kasbah (Old Town)
Old Town or Kasbah, also known as the medina, is exactly what you’d expect from Morocco, with its blue-and-white walled houses and the charm of an old town. Inside the kasbah, there’s a lovely terrace with a view of the Atlantic Ocean, where people even go to dip into the sea. There’s also a café within the kasbah offering a scenic ocean view. However, the shops here are quite touristy, so the prices tend to be a bit high for shopping.
5. Andalusian Gardens
The Andalusian Gardens, located within walking distance of Oudayas Kasbah, are definitely among the must-see gardens in Morocco. Like every garden in Morocco, it was impeccably clean and well-maintained, but what set this one apart was its uniquely peaceful and calming atmosphere.
Shopping in Rabat
As you leave Old Town and start walking, you’ll find yourself entering a Souk. Here, prices were more reasonable compared to Marrakech, and there was a much wider variety of products, especially in leather poufs. The shops were larger, and the vendors were much friendlier. The only disappointment I had with shopping in Morocco was not being able to find a store that sold the authentic jewelry I was looking for.
3. Casablanca
Casablanca – when we think of this city, the famous movie instantly comes to mind, right? The city gained fame through the movie Casablanca, and its name, which means "White House" in Spanish, has an interesting backstory. Despite being a former French colony, the name actually comes from the 15th century when the Portuguese and Spaniards settled here. Today, tourists often refer to it as the "White City."
As for our experience in Casablanca, it was the city we liked the least out of the three we visited. We're not sure if we'd return, but we don’t regret spending 1-2 days there.
Places to Visit in Casablanca
1. Hassan II Mosque
The most famous tourist landmark in Casablanca is Africa's largest mosque and the 14th largest in the world. The mosque is very large and magnificent, and its garden is equally impressive. The architecture is not the traditional dome and round minaret style; instead, it features a massive rectangular minaret. We waited at the mosque’s entrance until the evening call to prayer, but as women, we were not allowed to enter the mosque. Even the garden was very beautiful.
Shopping-Food-Drinking
1. Souk
As in every city in Morocco, we also chose the souks for shopping here. We bought souvenirs like magnets, argan oil, and Moroccan lipstick. Just like in the rest of Morocco, the people here were very friendly towards us Turks. In fact, in one of the shops we entered, a sales assistant even told us about the Turkish TV shows she watches .
2. Rick’s Cafe
Inspired by the Casablanca movie, this cafe, which opened in 2004, is the most touristy cafe in the city. It’s a good idea to make a reservation before going, as dinner service starts at 6:30 PM, and the place is closed until then, so you'll be asked to wait in line. The cafe has a dress code, but it's not too strict.
As for the food, the most satisfying meals and the best cocktails I had in Morocco were here. We chose a shrimp and cream steak, along with a mango and pineapple starter. For dessert, we ordered fried pineapple, and it was absolutely delicious.
The interior of the place is romantically decorated. The balcony on the upper floor gets bathed in beautiful golden hour light in the evening, creating a perfect photo-worthy atmosphere. You can enjoy a drink, come here after your meal, and have a little moment of relaxation while watching the view. Note: The piano performance only happens on Tuesdays and Sundays. We didn’t know this, but fortunately, it was Tuesday when we visited .
Cost of Morocco Trip
Yes, let's get to that question! :)
The cost of a trip to Morocco depends on the type of accommodation you choose. If you're staying at luxury hotels like La Mamounia or Club Med, the nightly rate can go up to $1500-2000. If you prefer something more affordable and authentic, riads in Marrakech are a great option. Prices for riads vary widely, ranging from $100 to $500 per night. For Rabat and Casablanca, chain hotels are also excellent choices.
Next, let’s talk about flight tickets. Turkish Airlines offers direct flights from Istanbul to Marrakech, and Pegasus flies to Casablanca. Both airlines have daily direct flights. If you book in advance, the round-trip tickets for both airlines typically cost between $400-500.
The final category of expenses is sightseeing, food, and shopping. For example, the entry fee to El Badi Palace and other palaces is generally 100 MAD. You can expect daily expenses for entrance fees and public transportation to be around 200-300 MAD. Food costs can vary depending on your preferences, but here are some examples: a freshly squeezed orange juice sold on the street costs about 15 MAD, and a nice meal at a restaurant may cost up to 200-300 MAD per person. For shopping, Morocco is a boho heaven with amazing home decor products, from leather and wool poufs to bed covers, mirrors, and pillow covers. For example, poufs start at around 500 MAD.
In summary, Morocco offers both affordable options for budget travelers and luxury experiences for those seeking more upscale accommodations. Whether it’s worth it? Definitely, yes!
Comments