Journey Through Morocco – Marrakesh, High Atlas, Rabat & Fes

Morocco – a vibrant North African realm of bustling medinas, sweet mint tea, ancient desert kasbahs, and towering Atlas peaks. In May, my travel companion and I embarked on a one-week independent journey across the country, starting in Agadir, traversing Marrakesh and the High Atlas, and traveling onward to Rabat and Fes.

[Bilder als Slideshow]

Arriving in Agadir: Currency & Travel Realities

We flew into Agadir Al Massira Airport on an afternoon flight from Berlin. Moroccan Dirhams (MAD) are a closed currency and cannot be purchased outside the country. While airport exchange booths and ATMs are readily available, taking public buses between transit towns like Inezgane proved chaotic for first-time visitors, and petty pickpocketing is a real hazard in crowded stations. Reserving a certified airport grand taxi directly to your hotel is well worth the peace of mind.

Marrakesh: The Pearl of the South

From Agadir, we traveled by CTM express coach across the plains to Marrakesh. We stayed at the enchanting Riad El Sagaya tucked deep within the historic walled medina. A traditional Moroccan riad is an oasis of calm: built around an open central courtyard with a fountain and crowned by breezy rooftop terraces sheltered with woven fabrics – the perfect place to sip fresh mint tea and escape the midday heat.

Marrakesh is an explosion of life: we explored the bustling souks filled with leather slippers (babouches), spices, and copper lanterns, visited the Koutoubia Mosque, and watched snake charmers and storytellers at the world-famous square of Jemaa el-Fnaa as dusk fell.

Excursion to the High Atlas & Ourika Valley

Booking a day expedition into the High Atlas Mountains was a highlight. We traversed the dramatic Ourika and Asni Valleys, visiting traditional Berber mountain villages where women extract pure argan oil by hand.

Alongside a local mountain guide, we hiked up the rocky trails to the Ourika waterfalls, scrambling over river boulders to reach the rushing cascades. We were welcomed into a Berber family’s home for a traditional lunch: fresh tomato-and-cucumber salad, followed by a piping-hot clay tagine of slow-cooked meat and seasonal vegetables, spiced couscous, and sweet honeydew melon.

Imperial Cities: Coastal Rabat & Historic Fes

From Marrakesh, comfortable air-conditioned passenger trains connect north to Rabat, Morocco’s coastal capital. We stayed at the elegant Riad Dar Soufa, enjoying rooftop breakfasts of fresh orange juice, crêpes, and traditional honeycomb-textured beghrir pancakes. Rabat’s fortified Kasbah of the Udayas and the 12th-century Hassan Tower overlooking the Atlantic Ocean offer a much more relaxed, international atmosphere compared to Marrakesh.

Our final stop was the ancient imperial city of Fes. Accompanied by a local guide, we navigated the UNESCO-listed labyrinth of Fes el-Bali – the world’s largest car-free urban area – exploring the intricate carved cedarwood of the Bou Inania Medersa and overlooking the legendary multi-colored stone vats of the ancient Chouara leather tanneries.

Morocco is a sensory adventure full of exotic colors, aromatic spices, and warm hospitality that rewards curious and prepared travelers!