Itinerary (and food) inspiration for your first trip to Morocco!

Every year it feels like one destination seems to blow up in popularity and everyone goes there. You know what I mean – all of a sudden you have multiple friends going there and your Instagram feed is filled with the same pictures! Well it feels like 2022/2023 has been the year of Morocco, with GQ publishing an article titled “Why Marrakech is the new Ibiza”! I was able to visit for a friend’s wedding right when it started soaring in popularity last year and felt like it was time to put pen to paper for a little summary of my trip and some tips and tricks if its on your list this year!

Flying to Morocco / Ground Transportation

Marrakech and Casablanca are actually fairly well connected from the East Coast with United and Delta offering several options. If you are flying from Canada, Air Maroc has a direct option from Montreal. Here are the options we took:

• Boston to Marrakech via Paris: We flew Delta airlines with a 6 hour stopover in Paris Charles De Gaulle
• Casablanca to Boston via Paris: We initially had a 5 hour stopover in Paris but our incoming flight from Casablanca was delayed so we were stuck in Paris overnight. There is only one afternoon flight from Paris to Boston; if you are flying to JFK you have way more options
• Ground Transportation in Marrakech: Taxis are available but it is simpler to arrange hotel transportation through your hotel, they usually charge a fixed price and will have someone waiting at arrivals for you
• Traveling between cities: The train system is great and is what we took to travel between Marrakech and Casablanca. Flights are also available and pretty frequent.

4 days in Marrakech!

Marrakech is a unique blend of Berber, Arabic and French influences and the 4th largest city in Morocco. The city comprises an old fortified quarter and the Medina is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The city is one of the busiest in Africa and has long captured the hearts of celebrities like Yves Saint Laurent! While the city can be overwhelming, find below some tips to make your first trip memorable!

Where to stay in Marrakech

For the most authentic experience, stay at a Riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan homes that are centered around a courtyard and are located in the main market (Medina) in Marrakech. There are usually fewer than 10 rooms and are meant to offer a more intimate experience. This article has a wide range of Riads to choose from.

Because I was there for a wedding, I opted to stay at Le Meridien N’Fis that was outside the Medina to be able to travel with the rest of the wedding party to the venue. I was kind of disappointed by the hotel rooms which definitely needed upgrades and is not reflective of other Marriott properties I have stayed at being a Lifetime Platinum member. There were some nice things about the hotel: the grounds and pool are beautiful, the breakfast buffet is amazing and it was nice to stay outside the hustle and bustle of the Medina which can be overstimulating at times.

Pictures of the grounds at Le Meridien N’Fis, Marrakech

Day 1: Medina and Jemaa el Fna, Koutoubia Mosque

The Medina of Marrakech is the heart of the city and your first stop after checking in! Wander through the winding streets and be mesmerized by the spices, and snake charmers! Marrakech’s main square the Jemaa El Fna is a UNESCO site and comes to life at night with a multitude of food stalls.

Close to the Jemaa is the Koutoubia Mosque and at 253 ft (77 m) is a landmark that can be seen from far away. It is the largest mosque in Marrakech and unless you are muslim you cannot enter it but it is surrounded by lush gardens and a fountain so take some time to stroll around and enjoy the brief respite from the chaos of the Medina!

Day 2: Bahia Palace, Badi’ Palace & Saadian Tombs

Put on your walking shoes because Day 2 is jam packed with sites. Start at the Bahia Palace which was built in the late 19th century by the Alaouites. The palace is still occasionally used by the King of Morocco to receive foreign dignitaries or host events. Get lost in the intricately decorated doors and courtyards!

Your next stop is the Badi’ Palace – often translated to the “Incomparable Palace” it was commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur and fell to decline during the Saadian dynasty. The ruins are still worth walking through and contain an exhibition space that holds the Almovirad minbar that stood in the Koutoubia Mosque.

Finally, stop by the Saadian tombs that are right next to the Badi’ Palace. A historic royal necropolis in Marrakesh, four sultans are entombed here in the mausoleums. My favorite falafel place is right next to here so don’t miss out on it!

Day 3: Jardin Majorelle & Yves Saint Laurent Museum, Menara Gardens

Taking a break from the historic sites for gardens galore today! The Jardin Majorelle is a perfect break from the bustling life of Marrakech. This two acre botanical garden was built by French Orientalist artist Jacques Majorelle and bought & restored by designers Yves Saint Lauren and Pierre Berge in the 1980s. Today, the garden and villas house the Berber museum and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. The blue hue will mesmerize you so take your time and click away! The berber museum is small but a great stop to learn more about the Berber people, their customs and history.

If you are not tired out, stop by the Menara Gardens. They are a little outside the main Medina but still walking distance and frequented by the locals. Built in the 12th century, the gardens are laid around a central reservoir and was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in the 1980s.

Day 4: Day trip to Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert

For your last day in Marrakech, opt to get out of the city! We opted to do a Viator tour that icked us up right from the hotel and had a wonderful day visiting the Atlas Mountain and Agafay desert. The mountains are a great way to escape the heat and see a different side of Morocco.

If you have extra time, I would recommend spending a night in the Agafay desert. We couldn’t fit it in the time we had but had friends who stayed at the White Camel Lodge and loved it!

Vegetarian Eats in Marrakech

As a vegetarian I am usually mentally prepared for limited food options but I was pleasantly surprised with the multitude of options I had in Marrakech! Make sure to try the following:

• Msemen: Flat square shaped Moroccan pancakes that remind me of parathas, these are typically served at breakfast
• Amlu/Amlou: a thick peanut butter like paste made of almonds, honey and Argan oil it is delish spread on the afore mentioned msemen
• Mint tea: with the hot weather, a cool mint tea is very refreshing and is considered locally as the drink of friendship and hospitality
• Tagine/Tajine: named after the clay pot in which it is cooked, this savory stew typically consists of poultry or fish mixed with spices and nuts. I was able to find vegetable tagine wherever I went made with fresh local vegetables and I highlight recommend trying it!

Here are some of my favorite restaurants and dishes I tried in Marrakech:

• Mazel Cafe: Hands down, the best falafel I have had in my life – they have a super cute outdoor area and I went there 3 times in 4 days!
• Cafe Des Epices: Set in the midst of the Medina this restaurant has a gorgeous terrace that overlooks the shops and wonderful food. The tajine and hummus were my favorite!
• Nomad: A sister restaurant to Cafe Des Epices, try and get a reservation because this place is popular and is full right when they open. Consider doing snacks at sunset to enjoy their terrace
• Henna Art Cafe: Tons of vegan and gluten free options and they also offer henna on site!
• Clay Oven: I usually start craving Indian food after a few days and this place was walking distance from our hotel and was pretty decent; I would recommend skipping the appetizers as they were meh and sticking to the main courses!

2 Days in Casablanca

We had enough time to do one more city after Marrakech. While it was tough to decide between Rabat, Fez, Chefchaouen and Tangier, we settled on Casablanca based on the nostalgia of Humphrey Bogart. Casablanca is the largest city in Moroccan the country’s economic and business center. You will definitely feel and see the difference with towering buildings and a more modern feel of the city. However, between the Hasan Mosque, the beautiful coastline and a multitude of restaurants, Casablanca is definitely worth a visit!

Where to Stay in Casablanca

There are a ton of budget friendly and luxurious options to stay in Casablanca. Opt to stay either on the waterfront or near the Hasan Mosque to be close to the major sights. We chose the later and stayed at the Sofitel which was a really great property and in a convenient location. If you feel like a splurge, the Four Seasons on the waterfront is an amazing property!

Day 1: Hasan Mosque II and Rick’s Cafe

Start your day with one of the main landmarks in Casablanca. The Hasan II Mosque is the largest functioning mosque in Africa and the 7th largest in the world. Its minaret is the 2nd tallest in the world at 689 ft. Set against the waterfront, this mosque can house 105,000 worshippers and is one of the few mosques that allows non Muslims to visit. You will need to purchase a ticket and go with a tour that are scheduled outside of usual prayer times.

Take the time to walk around the outside and down the waterfront to appreciate the architectural beauty of this Mosque. Next, stroll down to Rick’s Cafe and channel your inner Ingrid of Humphrey for a drink – dinner reservations are tough to come by!

Day 2: The Corniche & Beaches

Take the time to wander the waterfront – La Corniche, filled with restaurants and beautiful beaches. The neighborhood is known for its beach clubs. The waters do get breezy and rough so you might be better off enjoying the view and sticking to the beach club pools!

Vegetarian Eats in Casablanca

Casablanca had the same vegetarian-friendly feel of Marrakech with a few more international options:

• Le Gatsby: right across from the Mosque, their patio has amazing views of Hasan II, get the vegetarian pizza!
• Boca Chica: really cute cafe on the waterfront with a great patio prime for people watching!
• Beach Mama: gorgeous ocean view perfect for watching a sunset
• La Sqala: Located in the old Medina, with a really nice outdoor space
• India Palace: As usual, needed my Indian food fix and this place was amazing! I still dream of their roomali roti. Don’t be fooled by the fact that this restaurant is in a quiet neighborhood, the food is phenomenal!

Additional Tips for your Stay in Morocco

• Proper Attire: Morocco is a Muslim country and women are advised to dress conservatively. This means no crop tops or mini skirts! Think long pants, loose shirts and maxi skirts or dresses (with sleeves!)
• Currency: Morocco’s official currency is the Dirham and it is important to note it is a closed currency meaning you cannot buy, sell or trade it outside the country. Bring cash and change your notes at the airport or your hotel
• Traveling Alone: I had my dad travel with me but the time(s) I wandered alone, I did not feel unsafe. Ensure you take the normal precautions with your belongings close to you and beware of “guides” at the Medina who may try and scam you

I hope this guide allows you to have a magical first trip to marrakech!