Michael On The Move: Exploring Morocco

Hey readers, I hope you all had a wonderful Christmas and New Year and that you enjoyed the last edition of the column on South Africa. For this next article, I have decided to stay on the African continent and travel a little further north to Morocco. Having just returned from a trip there, it felt like the perfect time to write about the country, whilst everything is still fresh in my mind. I visited Morocco for AFCON, spending time in both Agadir and Marrakesh. While both cities were amazing, I found that Marrakesh had far more to offer, so we will focus on exploring everything the city has for tourists. 

Marrakesh is a major city in west-central Morocco, known as a historic imperial city and vibrant cultural hub. It is famous for its ancient medina (the old city within the wall), bustling souks, grand palaces and beautiful gardens. The city sits at the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, which were covered in snow during our visit. In the summer, temperatures can reach an average high of around 38 °C, while in the winter they drop to a much more comfortable average of about 19°C. During our trip, we even experienced temperatures as low as 4°C! I would definitely recommend visiting during the winter months, when it’s cooler and far more pleasant to explore the city without being overwhelmed by the scorching heat.

The dishes are packed with so much flavour and filled with spices like cumin, cinnamon and ginger […] that tantalises your tastebuds

One of the things I loved about Marrakesh, much to my pleasant surprise, was the food. I never knew Moroccan food tasted so good! The dishes are packed with so much flavour and filled with spices like cumin, cinnamon and ginger. These spices are blended together to create a flavour that tantalises your tastebuds. The highlight for me was the tajine, a slow cooked stew served in a distinctive conical pot. The design was intended to trap the steam and continuously baste the ingredients, ensuring the meat is moist. I tried an orange chicken tajine which was incredibly flavoursome and paired perfectly with a fresh glass of juice. 

And for anyone worried about the affordability of Moroccan food, fear not! A main meal at a high-end restaurant cost us about £15 (cheaper than a Nando’s), while lunch was often as little as £5. I suspect the reasonable prices were one of the reasons we ended up eating so well during the trip. I’d encourage anyone visiting Morocco to be adventurous with their food choices and try as much as possible, as I am sure you will not be disappointed!

The city is a perfect base for day trips to the Sahara Desert or to the Atlas Mountains, which are both unforgettable scenery and are a fantastic way to spend an entire day exploring Morocco’s natural beauty

There is so much to do in Marrakesh that you could easily spend weeks there without getting bored. The city is a perfect base for day trips to the Sahara Desert or to the Atlas Mountains, which are both unforgettable scenery and are a fantastic way to spend an entire day exploring Morocco’s natural beauty.  Back in the city, you can wander through Marrakesh’s many beautiful gardens, with Jardin Majorelle the one I recommend the most. It is the most famous garden in the city, known for its striking colours and exotic plants, and while it can be busy filled with queues, it is worth the wait. The garden is filled with vibrant, tranquil water features and countless photo opportunities. After a peaceful stroll through the gardens, be sure to visit one of the city’s bustling souks to experience Marrakesh at its liveliest. 

The atmosphere in the souks is the complete opposite of the calm found in the gardens. Here, you’ll be immersed by a bustling market scene, with sellers enthusiastically trying to tempt you with their goods. Be prepared to haggle for the best prices and don’t be afraid to walk away from a stall if you feel you’re not getting a fair deal. We spent hours navigating the Souk’s maze-like alleys, taking in the incredible variety of goods on sale: from souvenirs and spices to medicine, copperware and gold. Visiting a souk is one of those unforgettable experiences and is an absolute must when in Marrakesh.

Most of the people we met were also incredibly welcoming and helpful

And for anyone concerned about safety, fear not. I felt very secure throughout my time in Marrakesh, and there is a strong police presence across the city, making it easy to find help if needed. Most of the people we met were also incredibly welcoming and helpful. For instance, our taxi driver even got out of the car to help us find the correct bus from Agadir from Marrakesh, something he certainly did not need to do. As with many of these columns, I’ve once again run out space to cover everything this city has to offer. I haven’t even mentioned all of the places you can visit or even the Medina. I do still hope I’ve convinced you that Marrakesh is well worth a visit! There is so much to see and do, and I would honestly go back just for the incredible food. I hope you’ve enjoyed reading about Marrakesh and are looking forward to the next random country. Until next time…