With two weeks in Morocco there were days that felt longer than others and then moments that flew by.
Morocco felt wild — the kind of wild I had been searching for a while. It was an experience that pushed me, reminding me much of my time in Jordan a few years back. There were medinas that provided hours of getting lost, sights and smells unfamiliar to my senses, and a culture so foreign to home that I felt like I was traveling again.
Morocco is not a spoon-fed destination, no matter how pretty a photo may be on social media; it’s a place that is raw and a complete sensory overload. There were times that were challenging, like encounters with unwanted attention, and it often meant brushing it aside to focus on the joys of Morocco. But with those moments came moments of joy, like waking up to sunrise in the Sahara, or tasting sizzling hot tajin in the medina of Marrakech. It was very much a trip that required a labor of love and what you put into it, you received back.
If there was one component to traveling through Morocco that was unexpected, it would be indeed “time.” Getting from one destination to another required countless hours in the car, with stretches that expanded over a day. It required a commitment to seeing places in hopes that 10 hours in a car would be worth it — and almost every place was. I don’t think I had spent that much time on the road, even in my own country.
One of my favorite parts of being in Morocco was being immersed in a Muslim-majority country. It’s so different from home, and a token that what we see on the news is often not an accurate portrayal. It couldn’t have been a more timely trip, rather a breath of fresh air and a reminder how powerful travel can be to find how we are all alike — all humans with emotions, struggles, and needs no matter race or religion. The Call to Prayer rings out in the morning and the evening, and it seems as though everything stops — it’s truly an indescribable feeling to hear it echo through the streets.
Coming to Morocco was not another place to cross off the list. Rather, it was somewhere that you could feel so moved that one would be inspired to come back. Two weeks didn’t feel like enough, and I would jump on a plane to come back in a heartbeat.
__________
Read Next:
The First Timer’s Guide to Marrakech, Morocco
The Nutshell Guide to Chefchaouen, Morocco
10 Things I Didn’t Expect About Morocco
__________
Save this post for later on Pinterest
PS — Are You Booking a Trip Soon? Use My Booking Checklist!
These are the sites I use most to book my own trips. Using the links below is a great way to support Bon Traveler’s travel journalism at no extra cost to you. If you need help organizing your itinerary, get my free travel itinerary template here.
1. Book Your Accommodations
I use Booking.com for hotels and Airbnb for vacation rentals. They have the biggest inventory and consistently offer the best rates.
2. Book Your Rental Car
Self-driving is the best way to explore most destinations. I use Discover Cars for our rental cars, select full coverage insurance, and opt for a reputable company like Alamo, Hertz, or Sixt.
3. Book Your Tours & Experiences
I use Viator, Airbnb, and Get Your Guide to find the best tours and experiences. They are my favorite tour search engines. I always check all three as their inventory varies depending on the destination.
4. Book Your Private Transfers
For easy, reliable private transfers, I use Welcome Pickups. It’s my go-to for arranging a driver in advance — whether it’s an airport pickup, a hotel-to-hotel transfer, or a day trip. The experience is seamless, with English-speaking drivers and upfront pricing, so you can travel stress-free at every stage of your trip.
5. Get Cell Data for Your Trip
I use Holafly for international cell data. Their unlimited data eSIMs are easy to install, activate instantly on arrival, and let you skip local SIM cards and expensive roaming fees.
6. Don’t Forget Travel Insurance
I never leave the country without travel insurance. It provides comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong (ie. illness, injury, theft, or cancellations).
My favorite companies that offer the best coverage and rates are:
- World Nomads (best for all-around)
- Safety Wing (best for frequent travelers)
Xx,
Jessica
5 Comments
I loved this! I was there last summer and had the exact same feelings. It’s a country that certainly makes you work – but the rewards are worth it!
http://laurenakeeler.blogspot.com/
Absolutely agree!
Hey Eire, thank you so much for sharing. I hope you have a wonderful adventure!
I just came across your site and loved this piece. I’ve been to Morocco several times and your writing perfectly articulates why I keep going back. It’s not easy at all, but it is one of the most beautiful and memorable places I’ve ever been. Love your site!
Ah, thank you so much! I know it’s a shared sentiment and glad it resonates. Morocco is one special place.