Below are the descriptions and perspectives I had on the five wonderful cities I visited during my time in Morocco. Surprisingly each of them was unique and offered a completely different experience. However, I did enjoy Essaouira and Chefchaouen above the bigger cities, as the people were less enthusiastic about selling me everything compared to the bigger cities. I want to point out the culture shock differences that occurred throughout all my travels in Morocco which are fundamental while traveling the country as a tourist.
- You are a tourist and EVERYONE knows this and will treat you as such.
- People from all across the country, no matter where you are, will try and sell you everything. This is common across most touristic destinations, yet in Morocco, it is amplified. Expect getting asked 3-4 times per day if not per trip outside your hotel to buy souvenirs, be invited into restaurants, or if you want some hash.
- The hygiene and sanitation are of an underdeveloped country.
- The city planning for the majority of Moroccan cities does not exist by modern standards. These cities are hundreds if not thousands of years old; thus, city planning especially in the medina truly cannot be changed. This creates the problem of outdated sewer systems and poor hygienics which is noticeable upon arrival.
- Poverty and beggars/panhandlers are a way of life for a significant amount of people
- The truth is that a vast majority of cities in the world produce a certain type of poverty rarely seen in rural areas. An attribute of the people that experience this poverty is panhandling, which is how a majority of these people survive. In Morocco, this attribute is enlarged with many people asking you on the streets, and even during a meal, for the money they know you have. My suggestion is to be kind and pity these people as they are human, but you cannot give money to everyone, as in Morocco it feels like there is no end.
- You are far away from home, so don’t treat it like home
- The biggest complaints that other travelers and non-locals had about the country were the lack of amenities, subpar quality and diversity of food, and the haggling of tourists. These are factors one must consider when traveling to Morocco because it will not be like your home, so don’t expect and treat this country with the same attitude as a western nation.
Marrakech
Out of all the cities I visited, I spent the most amount of time in Marrakech. By the time I was leaving this city to venture north I had fallen in love with the red city and the life it brings. Marrakech is located in the middle of the country and it is a city truly in the middle of nowhere. Surrounding the city is an empty desert for miles, along with smaller little towns in between the main cities. I started my travels in Marrakech and one of the first things I noticed was the extent of how much is happening. This was the first of the densely populated cities I visited and it felt extremely alive. Restaurants, shops, and vendors all culminate in this relatively small part of the city. The main visual difference, that sets Marrakech apart from other Moroccan cities, is the red clay that is the primary building material in the city; thus, the whole city resembles a red sandstone fit for its location. Marrakech houses many gardens, mosques, and picturesque locations that do show the beauty and history of this city. However, my favorite location was the Jemaa el Fna, the big square located in the center of the city. At night the square comes alive with over 150 little street food restaurants fighting for your choice. There are tons of people that fill the horizon playing games and shopping. Similarly, everyone enjoys watching the locals play with monkeys and snakes. The square Is a true highlight of the city.
Essaouira
My second city in Morocco and a breath of fresh air. I recently came from the Sahara and had only experienced Marrakech. This smaller city on the coast of the Atlantic provided much cooler temperatures, compared to the daily 105-degree heat in Marrakech. In Essaouira, I realized that many Moroccans have difficulty traveling to other countries. After speaking with some locals I found that the problems lead to many Moroccans taking vacations abroad. Essaouira provided a beautiful beach along with good weather that the crowds flock to. Nevertheless, the city was much more peaceful and less chaotic than Marrakech. The place that made this city for me was the Atlantic Hostel. I arrived at this hostel and found out shortly that most people staying here were Moroccans. I made wonderful Moroccan friends on the rooftop terrace where there was music and dancing every night. It was a pleasure meeting these people and they showed another traveler and me around the city and traditional Gnawa music. Overall, Essaouira was a relaxing city combined with cheap and delicious seafood and treats. A city that should definitely be on everybody’s Moroccan itinerary for peace and relaxation compared to the more famous cities.
Fez
I had been preparing myself for Fez since the beginning of the trip. Ever since the first night in Marrakech, I heard about the notorious labyrinth that is the Fez Medina. Known as the largest urban area with absolutely no car access, Fez and its Medina is a place not to forget. During the day shops surround you on all sides, as consumerism takes full force. The streets are no more than 6 feet wide with some of the smaller alleyways being only a foot. The underlying fact of the Medina is there is no map of it. Google maps and other mapping services have not made an accurate layout of the Medina because it is nearly impossible; thus, making each time you step outside your accommodation an adventure. I enjoyed Fez mainly because of the people I met in the hostel. The friends I met were amazing and my host Karim was the best. He provided all the information needed about how to navigate this crazy city. Nevertheless, the huge old tanneries are the main highlight of the city. Visiting one of these tanneries puts the rotten smell of the ammonium that leather and hide soak in before being cleaned and dyed. This leather is mass-produced and makes up most of the consumerism in Fez and other big Moroccan cities, as handmade bags, wallets, and belts flood the streets and local’s shops. Although the tanneries are the main attraction of the city, the art and some museums, which are hard to find and not popular, provide a beautiful glimpse into the history and craftsmanship of this area. I enjoyed my time in Fez but I was relieved to leave the Medina after a few days.
Chefchaouen
The blue city on the mountain. Chefchaouen has gained recognition in recent years due to its picturesque location on the foot of a mountain. This recognition is duly deserved. The town is absolutely beautiful and it was my favorite city because of the beauty and the friends I made there. I met a wonderful group of travelers and we decided to take an adventure after our first day exploring the city. We shared a taxi to a little mountain city 45 minutes away from Chefchaouen called Akchour. This small city is known for its natural river that runs down a valley and people can set up camp and swim and chill by the river all day. Likewise, there are local restaurants and food stands dispersed throughout the riverbank. After some time cooling off in the river we decided to go on a hike to see a remote, but an amazing natural bridge. The locals called it God’s bridge and after cresting over a mile of steep hiking we could see why. This natural bridge, over 1000ft from the ground, creates a truly unique landscape and experience. After the hike, we descended back down the trail to grab some local tajine by the river before catching our ride back to Chefchaouen.
Tangier
The European city of Morocco. Tangier felt like I was transported to another country. The city is very modern, the first city in Morocco I saw with skyscrapers. Likewise, Tangier had the most English-speaking people I had encountered in Morocco because of the important geographical location, and the city being a major tourism hub. The city has tons of history primarily relating to the Europeans and their influence and control over northern Africa and specifically Tangier beginning in the 13th century. Throughout its history, the city has had heavy influence from the Spanish, Portuguese, French, and English; thus, the city is divided into quarters with each having its architectural and historical influence from the Europeans. Nevertheless, I enjoyed my time in Tangier, as I prepared to venture into mainland Europe. The atmosphere was wonderful with families enjoying life and picnics on the beach, and tons of kids playing around the big squares. The seafood is one of the highlights of the city, as being on the coast of the Atlantic makes tons of seafood readily available and cheap. In the end, I found myself reminiscing about my time in Morocco and how I found everything I was searching for in this country plus much much more. I miss the craziness and lifestyle of the Moroccans and will definitely be back in the future.
