Why Morocco Should Be Your Next Getaway

More and more people are traveling each year to the African continent. The biggest draws are to sub-Saharan countries for big game safaris and other wildlife, or to Egypt for the ancient wonders. But Morocco, on the northwestern coast, is the hidden gem in an already bountiful treasure chest. Here are 5 reasons why you want to visit Morocco for your next trip:

For budget-conscious travelers, Morocco provides amazing experiences that are heavy on the memories but light on the wallet. At the time of printing, one Moroccan Dirham is equal to about $0.11. Their economy is stable, so you don't have to worry about sudden changes in the exchange rate (looking at you, Argentina). Accommodations are CHEAP, and the food is even cheaper. For example, staying at luxury Taj Hotel in Chefchouen (the blue city), will only cost you around $240 a night, with breakfast. To compare, the absolute cheapest room you can get at the Taj Cape Town is $338 per night, and that's for room only. For average accommodations, you can expect to pay around $100 per night, breakfast included.

In December 2024, I spent 18 days in Morocco for under $3500, including flights and a private driver/guide.

It's Affordable

It Has Something for Everyone

Looking for some adrenaline? Race ATVs over the sand dunes at the edge of the Sahara desert or take a hot air balloon ride at sunrise over the plains west of Marrakech. Surf in the Atlantic Ocean at Essaouira.
If you're a nature lover, there are dozens of hiking and mountain biking opportunities in the Rif and Atlas Mountain ranges. My personal fave? Akchour, or God's Bridge, just outside of Chefchouen. Ride camels in the sand dunes and camp out in the desert.
For that one shopaholic, head to the medinas of Fes for some seriously luxe leather work, expertly crafted metal pieces, or truly the best ceramics in the world. Or, go to the mountains and buy handmade rugs from Imazighen women and support their local economies.
Each city (and even each section of each city) has its own distinct style, designed in part mindful of geographic concerns as well as cultural influence. Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City, is a must for any photographer or architecture nerd. If you're really into architecture, take a tour of the medina in Fes to learn about the difference between Muslim Riads and Jewish settlements; just make sure you book with a guide or you will get lost among the 10,000 streets!
Are you a budding astronomer? Drink in the vastness of the night sky in any of the three deserts of Morocco.

It's a Foodie's Paradise

From my first morning in Casablanca, I knew I was not going to go hungry. In Tangier, the proximity to Spain is present in the food as well as the language. Olive groves can be found in largest concentration in the northeast region of the country, and fresh olives at all mealtimes soon became a habit I felt the need to continue even after returning home.
Since Morocco is a former French protectorate, bread is essential to the culture. Expect to be presented with an entire loaf of bread for yourself at every meal.
French cuisine is more popular in Marrakech, but you will be able to find its influence all over, especially when considering the timing of your meals. Moroccans eat dinner pretty late compared to American standards. I found myself eating my "dinner" at their late lunch times, and then having a late night snack while everyone else was enjoying their dinner.

*A note of warning to my friends without gallbladders; oil is the most common method of cooking, and if you need to take a break from all the fats, be sure to ask for grilled meats.

This was *just* the salad course

Every Location is a New World

In the northwest, you have the Atlantic Coast. To the northeast, Mediterranean. The Rif Mountains are smaller than the Atlas, and more temperate, with lush cedar forests. In the valley between the Rif and Low Atlas Mountain ranges lies Fes, a diverse cultural melting pot. Just west of Fes is Volubilis, the ruins of an ancient Roman city. The southeast borders the Sahara, where large pockets of sand dunes jut up like skyscrapers.
There are gorges, mesas, river valleys, deserts, salt flats, caves, cliffs, and the high Atlas Mountains, where the nomadic Imazighen people have lived for generations. Stunning cities dot hillsides and fill valleys, and the Blue City isn't the only one with a dedicated color.

The People You Meet Will Change You Forever

The Moroccan people are generous, hospitable people, and I made lifelong friends from my time there. They treat their guests like family, and I definitely felt like family. I traveled alone (well, often with my hired guide) and at no point did I feel lonely or unsafe. While the official languages are Arabic and Moroccan Berber, nearly half the population speaks French, so you have a chance to dust off your high school foreign language skills. However, in my travels, I have found that in Morocco, more than anywhere else, connections can develop even when no words are spoken.

Whether you go for amazing (and plentiful!) food, stunning landscapes, adventure, or connection, you will find it in Morocco. Send me a message, and let's plan the trip of a lifetime!

Several members of my new Moroccan 'family'

"To Sleep Under a Sea of Stars"