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Morocco is a truly unique holiday destination that captivates all
of your senses. From the scent of cumin and rose water drifting across the souks, to the call to prayer echoing
across a centuries-old medina, Morocco's rich history and culture quickly draw
visitors in. And with breathtaking landscapes, sumptuous cuisine, and fantastic
shopping experiences, Morocco’s greatest appeal is arguably the variety it
offers.
Within a single trip you
can move from imperial city to mountain pass, from desert camp to Atlantic
coastline, each part feeling entirely distinct from the last. To help you make
the most of it, our specialists at DW Travel have put together a recommended
itinerary, covering the must-sees, in the sequence that makes sense.
Start in
Marrakech, the sensory gateway (3-4 days)
Marrakech sets the tone
for any Morocco itinerary. This city is loud, beautiful and completely unlike
anywhere else. Plan for three to four days. Jemaa el-Fnaa, the great central
square, is best experienced across different times of day: quiet over mint tea
in the morning, chaotic and joyful by evening when the food stalls fire up and
the square fills with musicians, storytellers and smoke.
The souks that radiate
outward are an education in craft, each quarter given over to a different
trade, from leather workers to silversmiths to vendors of hand-painted
ceramics.
Beyond the medina, the Yves
Saint Laurent Museum, built adjacent to the Jardin Majorelle that YSL and
Pierre Bergé rescued and restored, is one of the most quietly stunning small
museums in Africa. The permanent collection traces the designer’s relationship
with Morocco, while the garden itself, with its electric-blue pavilion and
dense planting of cacti and bamboo, is worth the visit alone.
Marrakech’s riad scene is
one of its great pleasures and staying in a traditional courtyard property in
the heart of the medina is an experience in itself. For drinks and a rooftop
moment,
El Fenn is hard to beat. The art-filled property has terraces
that look out across the rooftops of the old city and remains one of
Marrakech's most stylish places for a sunset drink
Dining throughout is well
suited to UAE travellers with halal food being the norm across the city, from
street stalls serving harira soup and msemen flatbreads to refined restaurants
offering slow-cooked lamb tagines, pastilla and whole-roasted mechoui.
Continue to
Fes, the medieval heart of Morocco (2-3 days)
Travel north to Fes, by
overnight train or domestic flight, and prepare for a complete shift in
atmosphere. Where Marrakech can feel theatrical, Fes is quieter and more
studious. The Fes el-Bali medina is one of the largest car-free urban areas in
the world, a UNESCO World Heritage Site where the street plan has barely
changed in a thousand years.
The medina’s thousands of
alleyways are genuinely labyrinthine and enlisting the help of a local guide is
recommended. The Chouara Tanneries are the visual centrepiece: viewed from the
leather merchants’ terraces above, the great circular stone vats, dyed saffron
yellow, poppy red and indigo blue, are one of Morocco’s most iconic sights.
Many consider Fes
Morocco’s culinary capital too. Look for pastilla, the sweet-and-savoury pie
dusted with icing sugar, and slow-cooked lamb from the wood-fired communal
ovens.
A detour to
Chefchaouen, the blue city (1 day)
From Fes, a
two-to-three-hour drive northwest brings you to Chefchaouen, a detour that
earns its place. Nestled in the Rif Mountains, the town is instantly
recognisable for its medina washed in shades of cobalt, powder and indigo.
Walk the stepped streets
before the day-trippers arrive, take coffee in Plaza Uta el-Hammam, browse
locally woven textiles, and if time allows, take the trail to the Spanish
Mosque viewpoint for views back across the blue-washed rooftops and the valleys
below.
South through
the Atlas Mountains to the Sahara (2 days)
