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Morocco is North Africa’s most exotic country. From the blue town of Chefchaouen to the golden Sahara, from the labyrinthine ancient medina of Fes to the ochre-red walls of Marrakech, every city is a completely different world. The Chinese writer Sanmao set her most beloved stories in this land — and travelers who visit quickly understand why.
I. Classic Route Planning
Recommended route (10 days):
Casablanca → Marrakech (2 days) → Ouarzazate (1 day) → Merzouga / Sahara (1–2 days) → Fes (2 days) → Chefchaouen (1 day) → Tangier (1 day)
This route covers Morocco’s most essential destinations and follows the standard path of local tour operators.
II. Sahara Desert Tour (Marrakech to Merzouga)
The 2–4 day desert tour from Marrakech to the Sahara is Morocco’s signature experience.
Route overview:
- Day 1: Marrakech → Atlas Mountains → Aït Benhaddou ksar (Game of Thrones location) → Ouarzazate
- Day 2: Ouarzazate → Rose Valley → Dadès Gorge → Todra Gorge → Merzouga (desert entrance)
- Day 3: Camel trek into the dunes → sunset → desert camp → bonfire evening → astrophotography → sunrise → return
Cost reference:
- Budget 2-day/1-night tour: €80–120/person (shared tent, breakfast + dinner included)
- Comfortable 3-day/2-night tour: €150–250/person (private tent, full board + desert 4WD)
- Book in advance on Klook — 10–20% cheaper than booking on arrival
Sahara Desert Photography Tips:
- Sunset: 5:30–6:30 PM; golden dunes + camel caravan silhouettes
- Night sky: Best on moonless nights (end of the lunar cycle); the Milky Way peaks at midnight–2 AM
- Settings: ISO 3200–6400, aperture f/2.8, exposure 20–30 seconds
III. Marrakech
Morocco’s most famous city, known for its red medina and the never-sleeping Djemaa el-Fna square.
The Medina Labyrinth
Marrakech’s old city is a living labyrinth — 700+ alleys where getting lost is the norm, not the exception.
Must-see:
- Jardin Majorelle: Yves Saint Laurent’s private garden — vivid blue + yellow + green contrasts; entry €7
- Medersa Ben Youssef: Breathtaking Islamic architecture; the mosaic tilework is extraordinary; entry €3
- Palais El Badi: 16th-century palace ruins; now a celebrated destination for lovers of romantic decay; entry €1
Djemaa el-Fna Square
The world’s only square designated as a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage site. By day: snake charmers and fresh orange juice. By night: it transforms into an open-air theater — storytellers, dancers, acrobats, and grilled lamb stalls, all wrapped in the smoke and scent of spices.
Food recommendations:
- Slow-cooked sheep’s head (Chead): €2–3; served with bread and dipping sauce; a local breakfast staple
- Tagine: Clay pot stewed meat; chicken + olives + preserved lemon is the classic combination
- Brochettes (kebab skewers): Charcoal-grilled lamb; €1–2/skewer
IV. Fes
The world’s most completely preserved medieval city — 9,000+ alleyways, a population of 350,000, called a “living museum.”
Fes survival guide:
- Bring GPS or hire a local guide — getting lost for 2 hours on your own is considered normal
- Follow the color coding: Each district has its own color marker (blue district, yellow district, green district); once you find it, navigation gets easier
- Bab Rcif (Blue Gate): The main entrance from the new city into the medina
Must-see:
- University of Al-Qarawiyyin (UNESCO): The world’s oldest operating university, founded in 859 CE
- Chouara Tannery: View from the rooftop of a leather shop — the circular dye vats look like an overturned painter’s palette (prepare for the smell)
- Medersa Attarine: The finest mosaic tilework and wood carving in Fes
V. Practical Information
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham (MAD); €1 ≈ 11 MAD; bring euros or USD to exchange locally
- Transport: CTM buses are recommended for intercity travel — reliable, punctual, and fairly priced; desert tours in private vehicles are most convenient
- Visa: Chinese passport holders are visa-free for up to 90 days
- Best seasons: March–May (spring) and September–November (autumn); avoid summer’s 50°C heat
- Safety: Pickpockets are active in Marrakech and Fes medinas — especially in crowded areas
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