Morocco Round Trip Highlights

Morocco is, for me, the absolute gem of North Africa. Since a longer stay abroad in Morocco, I travel to the country at least once a year with my backpack, constantly discovering new highlights that enchant me.

Surrounded by the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, the Sahara, and Algeria, Morocco's landscape is as diverse as its neighbors. For those who want to experience Morocco in all its facets, the best way is to travel by backpack and experience the land, its people, and its culture up close.

The Kingdom of Morocco is located in the northern part of Africa and offers a mix of Mediterranean to desert climates depending on the region, with snow sometimes found in the mountains of the High Atlas. While temperatures can soar to 45 degrees Celsius in the summer months in the interior, mountain areas can experience single-digit temperatures. This makes a trip to Morocco adaptable to temperature and climate preferences.

The Atlas Mountains invite skiing or hiking depending on the season. The coastal regions, on the other hand, attract beach lovers, surfers, and sun worshippers. But for me, the biggest highlight is the desert region of the Sahara with its endless dune formations.

Another advantage for your trip to Morocco is the low cost of living. Life and travel in Morocco are relatively inexpensive compared to conditions in Germany. Therefore, the Kingdom of Morocco offers the optimal travel experience for both budget and no-budget travelers. Additionally, as a backpacker, you can easily get from point A to B using public transport.

Are you traveling to Morocco for the first time and looking for inspiration for your route? In my article, you'll find my personal favorite route for a backpacking trip, including all the highlights.

If you want a true insight into the country and its culture, you should plan at least 2 weeks for a round trip through Morocco, preferably even 3 to 4 weeks. The following route is designed for about 2.5 weeks and focuses on the south and central Morocco.

Morocco has many international airports, including in Casablanca, Agadir, Tangier, Fez, and Marrakech. However, most airlines from Germany primarily fly into Agadir and Marrakech. For my route, Agadir Airport is a good choice as it is located quite far south, providing a perfect starting point.

Agadir is a very touristy spot and can be called the Moroccan Riviera. Apart from a few nice hotels, the beach, and a beautiful promenade, the city has little to recommend.

My tip: Depending on your arrival time, I would head directly to Essaouira by Grand Taxi or bus. The approximately 3.5-hour drive may seem a bit tedious after your arrival, but it's worth it. You'll be rewarded with a long stretch of coastline during the drive, allowing you to recover a bit. Moreover, Essaouira is worth every minute.

Essaouira is a small coastal town right on the Atlantic. The city has a unique vibe and gives you the feeling that time moves slower here. In the 1970s, the town was particularly popular among hippies, and that atmosphere is still palpable today.

What makes Essaouira special is its Medina, the old town. Built right by the sea and surrounded by the waves of the Atlantic, numerous small alleys and markets await your discovery. In addition to the many cafes and restaurants, Essaouira also invites you to explore beautifully and uniquely designed riads (Moroccan guesthouses).

Fish fans will especially enjoy Essaouira's fish market. The city's harbor is still used by both small and large fishermen today. The traditionally painted blue wooden boats bring in the freshest fish daily, which can be enjoyed immediately at the restaurants right in the harbor. The harbor square becomes particularly lively in the evening when street bands and performers start their shows.

Right next to it is the Port d'Essaouira, remnants of the former city fortress. The fortress is walkable and offers you a view of the old town and the two small islands lying in front of the city. Admission costs about 15 Dirham (1.5 Euro).

Immediately in front of the city walls is the expansive beach. In Essaouira, the pleasant temperatures and breezy conditions particularly attract water sports enthusiasts to the sea. The long sandy beach is also perfect for a beach stroll or to end the day with a colorful sunset.

Essaouira is a very special place for me, so I like to stay here longer. However, to get a good feel for the city and a first impression of Morocco, I would recommend planning at least 3 days here.

Here you can find detailed information about the Top Attractions in Essaouira with Useful Tips

From the coast, you will now take a bus for about 3 hours into the interior of the country to Marrakech. La Ville Rouge - which translates to the Red City - got its name from the distinctive red hues of the buildings and the ochre wall of the Medina. With nearly 830,000 inhabitants, Marrakech exudes a distinct big city charm.

Marrakech is especially famous for its unique marketplace, the Djemaa El-Fna. The Djemaa is located right outside the doors of the Medina and is the hotspot for street musicians, artists, street food vendors, and countless orange juice stalls. For around 40 cents (4 DH), you can enjoy a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice, and if you prefer something more exotic, you can mix it with strawberries, melons, or any other fruit of your choice.

From the Djemaa, countless smaller and larger alleys lead into the Medina. I always recommend finding a riad around the marketplace, but not too far in the Medina. Because while the Medina of Marrakech is a dream from 1001 nights, it is also a labyrinth made of countless alleys. Even though I have wandered through the Medina dozens of times, I have never managed to not get lost. Still, it is definitely worth exploring as it houses many markets and shops in addition to cafes and restaurants.

One thing I always like to mention about Marrakech is that the people are very open and communicative. Especially around the Jemaa, it is part of their daily business to sell their goods, art, or tours. So please don't be put off by the fact that they are eager to engage you in conversation. My tip is to always remain friendly but firm.

If you need a break from the bustling activity of the Medina, you should settle down with a typical Moroccan mint tea on one of the rooftop terraces of the restaurants around the marketplace. A little insider tip from me is Café El Wafa. Located in a tower bordering the city wall, this café stretches over several levels and offers you the highest view over the Djemaa el-Fna.

The café is easily recognizable from the Djemaa, and one might think it is always crowded. However, the entrance to the tower and the café is a bit hidden, so you always have an excellent chance of securing a spot on the highest terrace with the perfect view. The tower is located on the right side of the Djemaa, next to it is a small city gate. You have to walk through this first, then keep your eyes open. On the right side, you will find a small, inconspicuous but labeled entrance.

The Koutoubia Mosque is another highlight of the royal city of Marrakech. It is one of the oldest mosques in Morocco. Located not far from the Djmaa, it is surrounded by a beautiful garden. Mosques in Morocco are open only to Muslims. The only exception is one that I will introduce you to in the section about Casablanca.

A little outside lies the public and free Menara Garden. The pavilion and the water basin in front of it are surrounded by a large olive grove. On clear days, you get a breathtaking view of the snow-covered Atlas Mountains that visually extend directly behind the pavilion and the water basin.

Another treasure of the city is the Jardin Majorelle. The botanical garden was once designed by Yves Saint Laurent. The blue garden is an oasis for many exotic plants. Admission is 100 DH/20 DH (about 10 Euro/2 Euro) for adults/students.

In the new city of Marrakech, you will find all types of Western shops, restaurants, and fast-food chains.

If you are coming to Marrakech for the first time, you should plan about 3-4 days, depending on how much you want to see and shop. Due to Marrakech's central location, you can easily head north to the coast or south towards the desert. If you have the time, make sure to book a desert trip.

Read here the detailed article with all the highlights & attractions in Marrakech

In Morocco, there are two ways to admire sand dunes. The most popular option leads to Merzouga, a place east of Marrakech. Over the centuries, Sahara sand has been blown here by the wind. In Marrakech, you'll find countless offers for excursions that offer multi-day tours to the dunes in Merzouga. Personally, I have never been to Merzouga; I prefer option 2: M'hamid.

M'hamid is the last town before the Sahara. To get there, you'll need endurance and patience. The way into the desert leads as follows:

From Marrakech, you'll first travel about 4.5 hours over the Atlas Mountains to Ouarzazate. This city is known as the doorway to the desert and has been a filming location for many international films. At this point, you can take a day off the bus and spend a night in Ouarzazate. There, you can visit the Kasbah or the film studios.

Continuing to M'hamid takes about 3 hours by bus or 4x4 towards Zagora and then another 100km to M'Hamid. Upon arriving in M'hamid, you'll be welcomed by desert sand blowing through the streets. Depending on the camp and excursion you booked, you'll now be taken to the desert camp either in a 4x4 or on camels. There, you can marvel at the stunning nature of the Sahara, go sandboarding down the dunes, or try a camel ride.

The most important thing, however, before you set off on your desert adventure is to buy water. After M'hamid, the Sahara begins. So it's better to have one more canister of water than you might need. A typical desert excursion lasts about 4-5 days, including the journey to and from.

The further journey back is along the same route. Marrakech serves as the central hub of Morocco, and if you're heading from the south to the north, you'll inevitably pass through here again. I suggest taking a one-day break in Marrakech after the desert tour to relax with a glass of orange juice and then continue on to Casablanca.

The approximately 3.5-hour journey from Marrakech to Casablanca can be taken either by bus or train. However, after so much bus and car travel, I prefer the train ride for this stretch. Here you can choose between first and second class.

My tip: For just a few euros more, book a first-class ticket to secure a guaranteed seat. Especially towards the weekend, the train can become packed. You wouldn't want to spend the 3.5-hour ride sitting on your backpack and squeezed into the aisle at high temperatures.

During my time in Casablanca for an internship, I came to know and love the city. Many travel guides say there's nothing to see apart from the Hassan II Mosque. However, the city has its own charm for me.

With about 3.3 million inhabitants, Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and lies on the Atlantic coast. The city combines oriental flair with European influences. Typical Moroccan riads are hard to find here. You will find suitable accommodation in Casablanca more likely on Airbnb, or you can book a hotel, although there are hardly any budget options for backpackers. The cheaper the hotel, the more likely it may hide another business behind it.

However, through Airbnb, you have the chance to gain further insights into Moroccan culture, as the apartments are often typically Moroccan and very inviting, featuring a large cozy seating area. A popular neighborhood for accommodation is Maarif. From there, you have the perfect location to get anywhere you need.

In Maarif, you will also find the new shopping district and the Twin Towers. The two twin towers house various shops and also a hotel. This hotel has the Sky 28 Bar on the 28th floor, which offers a 360-degree view of the entire city. Although the bar itself doesn't offer any special occasions and is also quite pricey, I can only highly recommend indulging in this breathtaking view with a drink.

If you're searching for the Oriental experience after the European part of Casablanca, you should definitely check out the Quartier Habbous. The 'new Medina' of the city stretches along a large main street and many smaller side streets. On the crowded, open-air market stalls, you can find inexpensive clothing, spices, food, household items, as well as cosmetics, souvenirs, and other curiosities. Important: Here, just like all Moroccan markets, haggling is a must!

The original Medina of Casablanca is located near the harbor. If you're already in the area, it's worth a quick detour. But compared to other Moroccan medinas, it's not necessarily a loss if you miss it.

Casablanca's landmark is the Hassan II Mosque. Named after the then king, this mosque has the second tallest minaret in the world at 200m. The mosque is situated right by the sea and is the only mosque in Morocco that non-Muslims are allowed to visit.

Admission: For 120 DH/65 DH (about 12 Euros/6.50 Euros) for an adult/student, you can experience a breathtaking architectural masterpiece. When visiting the Hassan II Mosque, keep in mind that entrance is time-dependent due to prayer times.

From here, you can easily take a Petit Taxi toward the beach. Casablanca is also blessed with a long and wide sandy beach. The water is often quite wild, as is typical on the Atlantic, but the atmosphere is always worth it. Additionally, beach vendors regularly come by with delicious baked goods, sweets, or coffee.

If you follow the beach a few kilometers south, you'll reach the Morocco Mall. A huge shopping center that offers not only the usual stores but also typical luxury brands. Even if the shopping options aren't particularly special, the aquarium in the middle of the mall gives off almost a Dubai vibe.

For a relaxed stay in Casablanca, you should plan about 3-4 days depending on your program. From Casa, you can easily travel back south via bus and/or train through Marrakech.

Have the wanderlust struck you, and you want more information about Morocco? All useful and informative travel tips for Morocco can be found here

This article was written by guest author Julia. She is a travel enthusiast who loves diving deep into new cultures as a freelance writer and part-time van-lifer.

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