Getting lost in the souks, being ripped off by snake charmers, wandering your beautiful streets, the kindness of your people, the new friends I’ve made, the men telling of the old slave market and then putting chameleons on you, the gorgeous prayers sung aloud for all to hear, the sights, the smells, the pure intoxicating excitement one gets from being in the Jemma-el-Fna square, the tea… my goodness the tea! Marrakech, Morocco, you are a magical place. I love you so. Everyone please go if you get the chance. You will not regret it.
Those were the words that I wrote with my first uploaded photo from my trip. Marrakech definitely got under my skin. It’s exciting, beautiful, adventurous. Everything I was looking for in a travel destination. And to be honest, was not all that expensive.
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Planning My Trip:
When I went to Marrakech, Morocco, it was within my first year of flying as a flight attendant. I wasn’t making a whole lot of money and I was living in NYC, but I sure was trying to take advantage of my flight benefits. To further save on money I stayed in a Riad. Which is basically a bed and breakfast type place with a beautiful courtyard in the center. There’s a hostel too in Marrakech that I looked into and had pretty good reviews. I love HostelWorld.com when searching for hostels. But a Riad can be very cheap. Mine was about $40 a night. I stayed here and loved it.
Booking Day Tours in Marrakech, Morocco:
Food too was pretty affordable. And I really wanted to go see Ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou and Ouarzazate so I ended up booking a day tour from the main square, Jemma el-Fna. Also met two lovely British ladies and we shared some amazing tea and then had some photos with the snake charmers. They were lovely ladies. I’m still friends with them today! Just part of the pure joy of travel. The tour ended up being very affordable. And it was fairly decent. I got to see the places I wanted (the film studio in Ourzazarte – they filmed so many movies here! Check it out if you have time). :). And Ksar Ait-Ben-Haddou is so cool in person. They filmed the first gladiator match here… you know, the whole “Are you not entertained? Are you not entertained?! Is this not why you’re here?” Scene. Yeah. I love that perfect movie.
What To See in Marrakech, Morocco:
Get Lost in the Souks!
I only spent five days here, but I cannot wait to go back. I love the excitement when walking along the alleys, dodging motorbikes. Oh, and you most likely will get lost. I tried to memorize my route from my Riad to the main square – it worked for the most part, but every now and then I got a bit turned around. Which is how I found a nice gentleman at what he told me was the old Slave markets. He said not many tourists make their way back there. So I felt pretty cool for a moment or two. He had a chameleon in his shop he was trying to sell me. He let it crawl all over my hand – such a cute little guy. I had to resists getting a new family member though. Didn’t think I could make him my emotional support chameleon ;).
Jemma el-Fna:
I loved the main square, Jemma el-Fna. And it’s so different at all parts of the day. So definitely visit it a few times. I was pretty much here every day I was in Marrakech. At night it turns into a bunch of food stall places where you can eat in the square. I ended up meeting the sweetest mother and son traveling from Finland. We had so much fun trying to figure out what we were eating. I read before it’s a good idea to clean the silverware as they don’t wash them very well, but I’m sure it’s mostly fine. Just passing along what I read in my guide book.
El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace and Majorelle Garden:
I loved visiting the palaces, El Badi Palace and Bahia Palace. But my absolute favorite place was Majorelle Garden. It was absolutely breathtaking. I could spend hours upon hours there. It’s so peaceful against the chaos that is outside. It’s not the cheapest site, but I do recommend it.
I honestly cannot wait to return. It’s such a magical place. And as a solo female traveler, I had no problems. I felt very safe. And if you’re wondering what to wear, it’s not as strict as say Egypt. But I did cover my shoulders and wore pants and long skirts. I kept a scarf with me so I could cover my head if need be. I felt very safe here. I found Moroccans to be very kind and friendly. And they’ll all offer you some yummy mint tea… take it! You won’t regret it a trip to Marrakech, Morocco! 🙂
Happy Travels! 🙂
And, here’s my podcast for anyone interested about beautiful Marrakech… https://www.buzzsprout.com/1044010/episodes/3586840-episode-01-marrakech
20 COMMENTS
Isowa
4 years agoGosh!! I want to go to Morocco. Thanks for all the information.
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAnytime! Thank you so much for reading! 🙂
Hallie D Sayre
4 years agoGreat post! Your photos are amazing!
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAw thank you so much!! 🙂
Ashleigh Fay
4 years agoso stunning!!!!! it has been on my list for so long. Hopefully I will make it here someday
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORI know you will!!! You will love it 🙂
marae
4 years agobeautiful photos and well written post. I dream of visiting marrocco one day and this post has made me move it up my list
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAw I’m so glad! You will love it there!! 🙂
Logan
4 years agoI’ve always wanted to visit Morocco. Such an incredible experience I bet.
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAw you will love it! And thank you for taking the time to read 🙂
Chelsea
4 years agoI can not wait to make it to Morocco 🇲🇦
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORYou will LOVE it!! 🙂
Charlene
4 years agoGreat photos! I definitely have Morocco on my travel list. It would have been an easy trip from my trip to Spain last year but I’m looking forward to going there in the future.
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAlways a good excuse to travel ;). Spain is super lovely too!!
Haile
4 years agoYes! Take me there!!! I can’t wait to travel again!
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORI can’t wait either!! 🙂
Playful Kale
4 years agoYour photos are beautiful! It would be so neat to travel there someday.
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORAw, thank you so much!! 🙂
Aakansha Jain
4 years agoDang this post makes me want to go to Morocco so bad! My parents went and they rave about it, but your post has definitely upped it in my “places to go” list.
kitcatfilms
4 years ago AUTHORYou will LOVE it!! It’s such a magical place 🙂