“I come from afar, from an immeasurable land…” With this melody begins one of the stories from 1001 Nights! But, with this, I can also start my tale about Morocco – a kingdom where it feels like you’ve stepped into an Arabian fairy tale. I recently returned from there, and everything was so vivid, colorful, unique, and vibrant! It’s impossible not to fall in love with this country and want to return again.
Let’s imagine we’re riding on Aladdin’s magic carpet and explore this fairytale world, visiting the imperial capitals and experiencing the magic of Morocco.
Marrakech
“The Pearl of the South” – that’s what they call the pink city of Marrakech, the second imperial capital, founded in the 11th century! Here, the tales of One Thousand and One Nights come to life, especially as you stroll through Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. You’ll enjoy the stunning Islamic and Arab architecture, but you’ll also be surprised by the vibrant colors, monkey and snake charmers, storytellers, and water carriers.
In the Medina, you will be immersed in a maze of tents and souks, greeted by countless merchants, and amazed by the variety of goods they will offer. Curious eyes will meet you at every turn, and charm and joy await around every corner! They may even offer you a magic lamp that grants a wish—who knows what luck you might encounter in this enchanting place.
To feel even more exotic, try having your skin painted with henna – the mysterious designs will decorate the palms of the ladies. Once you finish your colorful tour of the market, sit in a café with a nice view to refresh yourself with mint tea and enjoy the view of the largest mosque in Morocco, “Koutoubia”!
All the buildings in Marrakech are in pink-red hues, but hidden in a mysterious garden is an enchanting blue structure! Let’s travel back a few decades to 1920, during the height of the colonial era, when Morocco was under French rule. In the same year, the famous French artist Jacques Majorelle settled in Morocco. The garden he created is magical, blending the artist’s vision of colors and light contrasts and reflecting his love for Islamic art and plants. His goal was to create, as he himself said, an “impressionistic garden”, a “cathedral of shapes and colors.”
All this greenery and vibrancy seem almost out of place, and against the backdrop of the pink Marrakech, you get the feeling that this garden doesn’t quite belong here. But on the contrary – this is exactly where it belongs. Several years later, it gained even more popularity when, in 1980, designer Yves Saint Laurent took over the stewardship of the green oasis and enriched it further.
A little later, a modest Islamic Art Museum was built here, where thousands of visitors admire the vibrant views!
You can get tickets for the Majorelle Gardens here or check the availability of entry times:
Ouzoud Waterfalls
But around Marrakech, there are even more incredible and interesting places that will surprise you! Let’s turn our attention to the Atlas Mountains, located about 150 km from the pink city. The Ouzoud Waterfalls, one of Morocco’s natural wonders, may shock you with the color of their waters! On a clear day, you’ll see a standard waterfall, with white splashes and clear water. However, the day before we visited the waterfall, there had been heavy rainfall, which muddied the waters, turning them brown.
I couldn’t believe my eyes – it looked as if cocoa was flowing down from the top, winding through the green valleys and orchards here! As we descended from the peak to the base of the waterfall, a group of curious monkeys kept us company, enjoying our presence 😊. Be careful – sometimes they may jump onto your shoulder to take a selfie with you! It’s quite fun.
If you’d like to visit the waterfalls too, you can check the options for an organized tour from Marrakech here!
Essaouira
Did you know that one of the few places in the world where the argan tree grows is right here, in Morocco? Let me introduce you to the African pearl of the Atlantic – Essaouira!
Before the rough waves of the Atlantic Ocean greet you, you will be welcomed by the wonderful nature and the small forests of thuya trees – the tree that has become the symbol of Essaouira. You can’t help but notice the numerous argan trees, with goats perched on their branches!
Behind the Arab fortress, you’ll find white houses with blue wooden shutters and windows, as well as numerous fresh and colorful facades of riads that will tempt you to stay in them.
Take a stroll through the Medina, which is part of UNESCO’s cultural heritage. If all of this seems familiar, it’s not déjà vu!
You may have seen the legendary film by Orson Welles, “Kingdom of Heaven”, where a few scenes feature stunning views from the city’s streets.
Also, the iconic scene from Game of Thrones, where Daenerys meets the Unsullied, was filmed right on the fortress walls, where the massive cannons guard the city!
Check the available options for an organized tour from Marrakech to Essaouira and book an adventure to the pearl of the Atlantic:
Urika Valley
Morocco is also the land of the Berbers, known as the “free people.” If you want to experience their way of life, culture, and cuisine, a walk through the Ourika Valley will reveal their world! It was fascinating to learn about their lifestyle, culture, and food by visiting a traditional home of a local Berber family.
They treated us to mint tea, personally made in front of us, and the hostess was kind enough to share the recipe with us.
While enjoying the views of the terraced gardens and little houses nestled in the Middle Atlas Mountains, you will be surrounded by locals who will start offering you all kinds of handcrafted souvenirs and magical mineral stones and crystals from the Alps.
Casablanca
The pulsing heart of Morocco, or Casablanca – the white city that has been dazzlingly shining for centuries! Located in the western part of the country, it is the largest city and the main economic hub of the Arab nation. Over the years, the city was also known by another name – Dar el-Bayda, but today everyone knows it as Casablanca.
I took a short walk through one of the most famous and expensive neighborhoods, Anfa, where the houses are huge, surrounded by lush greenery, ponds, and fountains. I then continued my stroll down the shopping street, dating back to 1930, which led me to Mohammed V Square. In the center, there is a large fountain surrounded by numerous palm trees and thousands of flying pigeons! Locals will approach you offering grains for a dollar to lure a pigeon to land on your hand for a photo.
If you have some free time, I highly recommend a walk along Boulevard de la Corniche, where you can enjoy incredible views of the coastline and the Atlantic Ocean. For movie lovers, I suggest visiting Café Ricks, whose interior was used as the backdrop for scenes in the iconic film “Casablanca” starring Humphrey Bogart and Ingrid Bergman.
I highly recommend visiting the largest mosque in Morocco and the second-largest in the world after the one in Mecca – the Hassan II Mosque. It was designed by the French architect Michel Pinseau and built in 1993 in honor of the Moroccan King Hassan II.
The mosque can hold up to 25,000 worshippers inside, with an additional 80,000 in the square in front of it. Its minaret stands at 210 meters high, and from its top, a 30-meter laser beam projects, pointing in the direction of the holy city of Mecca. During major prayers, the roof opens to allow fresh air in, bringing the worshippers closer to Allah.
The mosque is literally built on the Atlantic waters, and as you step out of it, a mysterious mist surrounds the minaret, adding to the mystique of the place.
You can purchase tickets to visit the mosque here!
The perfect ending to a day like this was on the ocean shore, where we admired the sunset and sent the sun off to rest!
There are organized tours from Marrakech to Casablanca, so if you’re interested, you can check out the options:
Rabat
We can’t miss visiting the capital, Rabat – the second-largest city in terms of both size and economic importance, with a population of around 2 million people. It is located on the coast of the Atlantic Ocean, at the mouth of the Bou Regreg River. Our first stop here will be the Royal Palace, where the current King of Morocco, Mohammed VI, spends most of his time. He is highly respected and loved by the locals. Unfortunately, I only saw it from the outside, but who knows – maybe one day the king will invite me to visit him 😊 You never know!
It is definitely worth visiting the Hassan II Tower, also known as the minaret of the unfinished mosque. In the late 12th century, the third caliph of the Almohad Caliphate, Abu Yusuf Ya’qub al-Mansur, ordered the construction of the largest mosque with the tallest minaret in the Western Muslim world at the time. However, with his death in 1199, the construction was halted. Today, the minaret stands at 44 meters, and from the mosque, you can still see a few walls and 348 columns.
Here lies the Mausoleum of Mohammed V, which beautifully combines Arab and African art. Its facade is richly adorned with onyx, marble, and intricate wooden carvings. Adjacent to this unfinished tower is the construction site of a new tower, which will be the tallest skyscraper in Morocco and the second tallest building in Africa. This is the Bank of Africa building, which will reach a height of approximately 250 meters.
To finish, we’ll take a calm and leisurely stroll through the Old Fortress of Rabat – the Kasbah of the Oudayas. Green and shady gardens, small streets immersed in the atmosphere of the fortress walls, and an incredible view of the Atlantic Ocean await you there.
To enjoy the idyll and tranquility, sit in a café and order a mint tea and a pastry – you won’t regret it!
From Casablanca, there are plenty of organized tours to Rabat, so you can check out the options:
Fes
Fes – We just had to stop here, even if only for a short while! Founded in 790 AD during the reign of Moulay Idriss II, Fes is one of the oldest imperial cities and ranks as the third largest after Casablanca and Rabat. Over the years, the city has become a religious and cultural center of Morocco. It is divided into three parts: Fes el Bali, the old part hidden behind fortress walls, and listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site; Fes Jdid, the newer part, including the Jewish Quarter; and Ville Nouvelle, the newest part of Fes, built by the French.
I was especially impressed by the medina of Fes, which is the largest in Africa. There are more than 9,000 narrow streets, filled with shops, stores, and more. One thing is certain – you’ll definitely get lost here, and you might even feel a bit dizzy! Don’t be alarmed if you see a camel’s head hanging outside some of the shops – it’s a specialty that costs a lot, and I was in shock when I saw it!
But to be honest, the atmosphere and energy here are incredible – scents, colors, foods, spices, carpets, jewelry, and so much more catch the eyes of tourists. Bargaining is an inevitable part of the experience, and if you don’t agree on the price, it will be seen as disrespectful to the merchant!
Another interesting place here is the leather processing factory, whose history dates back almost 1,000 years. To reach the factory, you need to pass through a maze of small and narrow streets, and only when you sense the smell of cow urine and quicklime will you know you have arrived!
To process the leather, it needs to be soaked in a solution of the aforementioned liquids and left to sit for 2-3 days to allow excess fats to break down and soften the tough leather, after which it is prepared for dyeing.
The factory has a large terrace that offers an interesting view of the stone vessels, which are filled with dyes and liquids, resembling a palette of colors like an artist’s tools! It is in these containers that the leather of cows, sheep, goats, and camels is dyed, allowing the skilled seamstresses to later transform them into bags, jackets, shoes, and slippers. The production process has not changed since the Middle Ages, and here you won’t see the typical modern machines – everything is handcrafted and processed, which is truly worth seeing 😊
Chefchaouen
To conclude our exciting and colorful adventure in Morocco, I’ve left you with a hidden gem nestled in the slopes of the Rif mountain range! This town is magical and, most of all, blue – let me introduce you to Morocco’s blue city, Chefchaouen. Its appearance is a blend of Berber, Arab, and Mediterranean architecture, with numerous shades of blue. The reason for the buildings being painted in this color is unknown – some say it’s to keep it cooler during the summer, while others claim it repels mosquitoes. However, it is incredible, and walking through its narrow streets makes you feel as if you’re transported to another dimension and reality!
Don’t be alarmed if mysterious voices whisper “hashish” – this area is known for growing a lot of it 😊 How legal or illegal it is – no one can say…
Най-лесно и бързо се стига до Шеф от Фес! Има доста опции за организирани турове, така че ви препоръчвам да разгледате тези
I was wondering how to conclude my story about Morocco, as I was deeply impressed by this land of fairy tales! A lot has been said and written, so I’ll end my adventure with an Arabic proverb:
Two friends were walking through the desert. At one point, one of them slapped the other. Filled with pain and frustration, the one who was slapped wrote in the sand: “Today, my best friend slapped me!” They continued walking and eventually reached an oasis with a few palm trees and a lake. Tired from the journey, they took off their clothes and went in to bathe in the water. The one who had been slapped started to drown. His friend grabbed him by the arms and pulled him out of the water, saving his life. Then, the one who had been saved took out a knife and carved the following on a nearby stone: “Today, my best friend saved my life!”
Ancient Arabic proverb
The conclusion is that the wind will erase the bad written in the sand, but good deeds should be remembered forever, and nothing should be able to erase them from our minds and hearts! That’s why I wrote this short story about Morocco, because it will always be in my heart.
