Welcome for the show! Marrakech is fairly a spectacle no matter what time of year you head. It’s a sensory overload with incredible sights, sounds and smells in every corners from the Medina.
You can’t visit Marrakech without looking at the Jamna El Fna (main square) where you’ll find monkey trainers, snake charmers, storytellers, super markets and what is known as “Moroccan dentists”. The big Koutoubia mosque towers within the city and is fairly spectacular at call to prayer time.
Head into your New Town to discover the new, vibrant and cosmopolitan side of Marrakech. Full of restaurants, nightclubs, designer shops and bars, that is a side in the country you don’t usually go with Morocco, but somehow it truely does work creating a terrific fusion of western and middle eastern cultures. Film, fashion and music festivals are held throughout every season in this global city so make an attempt to coincide your holiday with one of these.
Top Tip: Take it easy, realise you don’t have anywhere you should be and you probably really have 20 minutes to express to Ahmed that you just don’t as it his slippers
Where to remain: Riad Assia, Equity point, Hotel Tigmi
Must See: Jamna El Fna in the evening from one on the panoramic cafes.
Must Do: Get an hour long tour of Marrakech on one in the horse and carts. 200-300dh.
Essaouira
Welcome on the windy city where fresh fish, sunset beers and all sorts of day windsurfing are definitely the norm. Like many Moroccan towns, Essaouira is separated into 2 parts; a brand new town and old town. To be honest, the modern town is just not pretty and will probably be avoided. It’s safe, and not a pleasant place and it also doesn’t ever have much happening.
The old town or Medina conversely is full of boutique shops, interesting characters, loaded with history and heaped with restaurants and cafes. The seafront and port would be the main centres to move to, to get fish, evening drinks, or maybe people watch.
Visit the west on the city to determine the old Portuguese cannons and view the sunset.
Must do: Wind surfing in Sidi Kaudi
Must See: the atlantic from one in the ramparts
Top Tip: Eat at the fish market about the front. Go immediately after lunch when you will find fewer individuals to get a better price. Remember that it’s always quicker to get more your money can buy, that to have a lower price.
Where to keep: Hostel Essaouira, Hotel Riad Nakhla
Chefchaouen:
Maybe not the simplest of places to get at from the south, but since it’s the most wonderful place in Morocco, it’s definitely worth a try if you’ve got a bit of time! Hidden inside hills on the riff mountain, Chefchaouen posseses an air of relaxation and chilled vibes. The medina is painted almost entirely in blue and white so that it is feel very fresh and also the streets are immaculate.
It’s no more than a 3 hour drive from Fes, Meknes and Tangier, thus it should be high about the list of any Morocco itinerary.
Must See: The waterfalls and one in the many what is known as “farms” inside hills growing Chefchaouen finest ‘herbs’.
Must Do: Just wander around and take in the prettiest and picturesque town from the whole of Morocco.
Where to be: Hotel Riad Rachid (on Av. Sidi Abdelhamid, just away from medina)
To more information: www.teamsurfperu.com
