Morocco Travelogue — Marrakech, Sahara & Coastal Resorts

  • Flight Berlin–Marrakesh: just under 4 hours
  • Essaouira: Fortification walls from the 18th century and film set for Game of Thrones
  • Garden in Marrakech: round 4,000 m² with over 300 plant species
  • Tagine: the clay pot retains heat and cooks the ingredients gently.
  • The market in Marrakech Act in addition

A week through Morocco☀️

We flew from Berlin to Marrakesh in just under 4 hours ✈️! The entry process was smooth (entry requirements: full vaccination + health form). 

Modern building with ornamental facade and palm trees
Large domed hall of Marrakech airport with light patterns
After being greeted with a traditional mint tea at the hotel, we admired our new room. Here awaited a large bathtub & shower, a bed covered in roses, and many little chocolates for us 🌹😍. Everything was clean and stylishly decorated! In the evening, we settled on our balcony and watched the sunset 🌅. The next morning, there was a breakfast buffet. I haven't seen such a huge selection in a long time! There were many different pastries, spreads, yogurts, cereals, fruits, vegetables, and whatever else your heart desires 🤤!

Breakfast buffet with baskets full of pastries
Colorful hotel room with a heart made of flowers on the bed
Bread and pastries on a rooftop terrace at sunset

Essaouira⚓️

Our hotel was only a 10-minute drive from the beautiful port city of Essaouira. Never in my life have I seen so many seagulls in one place 😁! In the old town, there is a beautiful market and old 18th-century fortifications. 

Did you know that Essaouira was the filming location for the slave city of Astapor in the Game of Thrones series? 😍

defensive wall of the city fortress by the sea
Blue fishing boats in the port of Essaouira
Souk alley with hats and leather sandals on the wall
As we strolled along the market, we saw a woman making almond paste. Totally interesting 😯! There was a choice of almond paste with cooking oil or argan oil. Additionally, honey was added according to taste. Of course, we took a jar with us, and it tastes delicious 😛🤤!!!

Hand-operated argan oil mill with oil bottles
Later, we watched how traditional silver jewelry is made and ate fresh fish at the harbor 🎣 ☺️!

Jewelry store with display cases and chains
Blue and yellow painted courtyard with clay pots and plants
Plate with grilled fish, lemon and olives on a blue tablecloth
Oh, by the way, I totally fell in love with the doors here 🥰😁. Look how beautiful they are.....

Janet in front of an ornate blue wooden door
Janet in a sandstone archway

Agadir☀️

Another absolute highlight was the sand dunes near Agadir with the fantastic ocean view ❤️

Tip: Don't even try to take off your shoes, the sand is hellishly hot 🔥😁 & don't forget your head covering 😉!

Janet spins around on the dune with her arms outstretched.
Janet lets sand trickle through her hands in the dunes.
Janet stands with a cloth flapping in the breeze on a dune overlooking the sea.
Later, we checked into our new Yoga & Surf Hotel. I especially loved the infinity pool & the amazing decorations. 🥰

Infinity pool with sun loungers and sea view
Modern hotel building with wooden facade and balconies
The accommodation's garden features a lawn, palm trees, and a pavilion.
For lunch, we had a traditional Tajine dish. The containers are made of clay, so the heat can be retained and distributed evenly. With this method, the ingredients are gently cooked. This time, we got a mix of vegetables & meat with robust spices! However, we also had other options available 😉. I particularly loved the freshly baked bread. ❤️

Tajine dishes with flatbread and fries to take away
Janet and Max in front of tagine pots in the restaurant
Clay bowls for tagine over embers at a market stall
One evening, we rode horses directly along the beach towards the sunset. 😍🐎 Did you also have those "horse-crazy" girls in your class earlier? Now I finally understand why they loved it so much! 😅

View over the horse's head towards the bridleway
Janet and Max are riding on the beach at sunset
Female rider on a sandy path in the evening sun
What could be more beautiful than ending the day with a massage at a SPA? 😌 I haven't felt as relaxed as I did there in a long time 🥰. Additionally, this Moroccan architectural style always blows me away! 😍

Roof terrace with planters and zigzag walls
Courtyard of a riad with arches, pool and set tables
Ornate riad corridor with chandelier and water basin
Here are a few more examples of Moroccan architecture:

Lounge under a tent roof with leather sofas and a fireplace
Pool in the courtyard of an earthen-built hotel with arcades
Restaurant hall with brass lamps and white-clothed tables
Marokko is definitely also known for its good cuisine! I don't think I've ever had such good salmon before 😁! And that baked Camembert .... 🥰🥰 A great dinner!

Dessert artfully arranged on a white plate
Appetizer with fruit on a plate in the restaurant
Fish fillet with sauce on a white plate
The next day, we went for a little hike in the Al Haouz province. 
The coolest thing: Along the way, there was a stand with freshly squeezed orange juice and fancy seating areas 😎👍!

Seating area with colorful cushions and carpets in a rock niche
Janet with a glass of orange juice in front of a rock face with a carpet
Waterfalls cascade through green-covered rocks
At the top, our lunch was already waiting for us. 🤤 It hadn't rained for ages, and as soon as we reached the top – it started. 😁 Luckily, it was only for a short while, but still annoying because I would have loved to sit at the other spot (on the far right in the picture) 😅.

View across a green valley to the barren mountains of the Atlas.
Janet having breakfast under a parasol with a mountain view
Rooftop terrace with carpets, cushions and mountain views
Our third hotel was located directly in the Atlas Mountains. From there, we had an incredible view over the valley. ❤️ Romantic 🌹.

Terrace with seating area in the garden of the accommodation
Bench under trees overlooking the valley at sunset
Pool nestled between clay walls and greenery in the mountain accommodation
In Tahannaout, we did a zipline tour! That was fun. 👏👏 I got stuck on the track once because I wasn't fast enough. 😆 Then I had to pull myself up, how embarrassing hahaha. 🙈 Only I could do that. 😅

View from above of the dry bushland of the gorge
Person hanging on a zipline above the gorge
Janet with helmet and climbing harness in front of the zipline course

Back to Marrakesh 😊

Of course, we also wanted to explore Marrakesh! Here you'll find one of the most famous markets in all of Morocco! The many lamps, extraordinary spices, and other products make shopping an incredible experience 🥰.

P.S.: Don't forget to bargain. 😉

Sacks of spices and herbs in a shop in the souk
Janet among hundreds of brass lamps in the souk
Shop selling ceramics, teapots and lamps in the souk
Furthermore, we visited a approximately 4000 m² large garden. This is one of the TOP attractions in Marrakesh! There are more than 300 different plant species here, and there is something from every continent in the world! 

Cacti and palm trees under a blue sky
Janet on a path between cacti and palm trees
Cacti and palm trees in the garden, shaded from the sun
Another attraction is the palace with its impressive plasterwork and mosaics. As you can see in the picture on the right, Max was a bit too tall for some doors. 😅 Reason: The doors were built low to create better insulation. 

Max is sorting souvenirs on the chessboard floor.
Richly decorated room with Zellij mosaic and stucco ceiling
Max in an archway with a mosaic floor
On our last day, we went on a quad tour! 💥 I've never driven a quad so fast 😁😁!! It was absolutely amazing!!

Tip: Wear old clothes - You'll get dusty. 😆

Quads and dromedaries among palm trees
Janet on a blue quad bike in a palm grove
Mobile phone photo of Max on the quad bike in the desert

Conclusion:

Morocco. Yeah.. I've heard of it before, but never really considered it as a travel destination. Now I have to say: Morocco has totally amazed me! The great markets, the delicious food, the numerous activities – but especially the beautiful architecture… ❤️ I also want to mention again that I haven't seen so many people smile in a long time, like in Morocco. During my time there, I also got to know a great ritual. After shaking hands, they touch their hearts 😍. I find that really beautiful. Something like "You are in my heart". 

Morocco is definitely worth a visit!

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Next Stop: Our Camper Trip 😍

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does the flight to Marrakech take?

We flew from Berlin to Marrakech in just under 4 hours. Entry into the country was without any problems.

What is a tagine?

A traditional dish, named after the cooking vessel. The containers are made of clay, which retains heat and distributes it evenly—cooking the ingredients gently. We were served a mix of vegetables and meat with robust spices, accompanied by freshly baked bread.

What are the best things to do in Essaouira?

The old town with its market and the ancient fortifications dating back to the 18th century. Essaouira was also the filming location for the slave city of Astapor from Game of Thrones. At the market, we watched how almond butter and traditional silver jewelry were made, and ate fresh fish at the harbor.

What activities took place in Morocco?

A zipline tour in Tahannaout, a quad bike tour, a hike in the province of Al Haouz, horseback riding on the beach near Agadir at sunset, and a massage at the spa.

What should I be aware of at the sand dunes near Agadir?

Don't even try to take your shoes off—the sand is incredibly hot. And don't forget your hat.