When my wife (who was still my girlfriend at the time) went to Sweden to study for a year, about six years ago, I flew over quite often to visit her and started sharing pictures of my trips online. I gathered a small amount of followers that was large enough for a hotel in Prague to reach out to see if I was interested in a stay, in exchange for pictures and publicity.
That was the moment when I started to focus on photography for luxury hotels and tourism boards. I then created my own blog: Ben Goes Places. Now, I work as a travel content creator and explore the world in search of exotic new destinations to experience. It’s been an incredible journey so far.
What Inspired me to Visit Morocco
Morocco was on my bucket list for a while. Although, I must say that my bucket list is rather lengthy! Last year, in November, my wife and I were craving sun and we started looking for a destination that wasn’t too far.
On the other hand, we were searching for a country that had a different culture and featured different kinds of landscapes than what we are used to back home in Europe. Morocco ticked those boxes (and more) for us!
Seven Incredible Days in Morocco
We spent a total of seven days in Morocco. Firstly, we stayed for two days in Marrakech to get to know the city and opted for riad-style hotels that were located within the traditional medina. This turned out to be a fantastic choice as it was an explosion of colours that we experienced in Marrakech!
After that, we booked a three day excursion in the countryside – including a stay at a desert camp. Then it was back to Marrakech to get some rest in a riad before we flew back home. It was seven amazing days in Morocco!
My Favourite Places: Atlas Mountains & Dades Valley
The extraordinary Atlas Mountains and Dades Valley were my favourite places from our amazing seven days in Morocco. From Marrakech, you can see the barren mountaintops in the distance which is such a thrill. Driving towards them and seeing the landscapes change made me very excited.
Looking out the window while driving, you see vast landscapes and many scenes of local life along the way. This gives you an opportunity to see the impressions of everyday life in Morocco – how people live and work.
Why Seven Days is Perfect for First-Time Visitors
I think the trip I did was the perfect itinerary for first-time visitors to Morocco. It’s the perfect mix of experiencing the souks, crossing the Atlas Mountains, driving through valleys, reaching the desert and sleeping in a tent under the stars. This one week gives you everything.
After spending seven days in Morocco, you can decide if you want to return to explore more of the country. I can’t wait to go back and spend more time up in the north in cities such as Casablanca, Fes and Rabat.
Meeting the Locals of Morocco
If you plan on visiting Morocco you should definitely focus on the beauty of the country and try not to get distracted with too much shopping. I wouldn’t consider Morocco a big shopping destination anyway as the haggling and attempts at up-selling can be quite intense, even though you can find some beautiful artefacts there at places like Anitan Rugs.
This gorgeously curated store near Jardin Majorelle is worth a visit even if you’re not into shopping. I believe it’s important to be aware of this before you go. If you plan on socialising with locals, do so in a fixed setting such as getting to know your hotel staff, restaurant waiters and guides. This way you can meet the locals and stay safe at the same time.
Enjoying the Colourful Cuisine of Morocco
Our seven days in Morocco weren’t really focused on food. Although, I did enjoy the local cuisine. Food in Morocco is delicious and represents the country well – an explosion of flavours and colours in the shape of couscous and tagines with chicken/lamb supplemented with veggies and dips.
If you are not too sure about jumping head first into the local cuisine then you can always try a place like Nomad Restaurant in Marrakech which is more Moroccan meets Western. I would still recommend eating like a local!
Beautiful Riads of Morocco
Starting your seven days in Morocco in Marrakech means you should stay in a riad. This is what my wife and I did as mentioned before. All of the luxury resorts, while beautiful and dazzling, lack a local atmosphere since they are located outside the city. A riad is more like a small boutique hotel.
72 Riad Living and Ksar Kasbah & Spa were the two ones we stayed in. They lived up to expectations. Staying in these two riads made our stay unforgettable. Both had a lovely interior space to seek shelter from the hustle and bustle of the city. They also had awesome rooftops!
These riads are luxurious and cosy at the same time. Staff will make you feel at home immediately. For those who like to take dips in pools and fear that isn’t possible in a riad-style hotel, don’t worry: Ksar Kasbah has a pool!
Favourite Memory from Morocco
During our trip, we aimed to sleep in the desert. That is why we booked a desert camp. What was so amazing was that it took eight hours to drive from Marrakech to Merzouga. This is the last village before the desert.
From there we opted to do a camel ride from Merzouga to the desert camp during sunset. How rewarding it was to finally see the desert camp rise up from behind the sand dunes while the last few rays of sun hit the ground.
We chose a luxury tent with private sanitary facilities. At night, you can gather around a campfire with guests and staff to share stories. Waking up before sunrise the morning after was not my favourite thing ever, but getting rewarded with a sunrise over the dunes was definitely worth it.
Need to Know Before you Go
During high season, Marrakech Airport gets crowded and the entry process can be time-consuming. That’s why I recommend booking a fast-track service at the airport. A guide will be waiting for you once you step off the plane. They will escort you and you can skip the line.
The guide can also give you tips on finding the cheapest currency exchange office or the best taxi service. In Morocco, it’s best to get a local guide or driver. When walking in the city accompanied by a local, you won’t get haggled as much by local salesmen trying to sell products.
And if the guide can drive you around that’s even better. Driving in Morocco is different from what you’re used to back home and it’s not for the faint hearted. A driver will know about traffic jams, roadworks, speed limits and checkpoints. They will get you into the city in no time!
Thanks for reading and enjoy your seven days in Morocco 🙂
