"Morocco" Morocco by barryg23

Morocco Travel Guide: 11,850 reviews and 26,892 photos

Morocco 2005

I visited Morocco on a 9 day trip with my girlfriend in March 2005. This was my first visit to Morocco (and to Africa) and though I had done plenty of preparatory reading and research about before our trip, I don't think anything could have prepared me for the actual experience of visiting for the first time!

March is a reasonably good time to visit though we would have liked a little bit more sun. For most of the trip it was cloudy and overcast and the sun only came out on our last day in Marrakech. For anyone planning a visit, I'd recommend waiting a little later in the year when the weather is likely to be better.

Getting to Morocco cheaply was a challenge in itself. In the end we flew to Gibraltar, spent the day there, the evening in Tarifa and crossed by ferry to Tangier the following morning. Tangier was certainly an eye opener and I can understand anyone who felt like taking the first ferry back to Spain!

Things improved after that. Fes was fascinating, almost like stepping back a couple of centuries. Many cities in Europe have elegant medieval quarters, this was the real deal. We also spent time in Meknes, Rabat and Essaouira but the highlight for me was Marrakech, one of the most fascinating cities I have visited. Though we managed to see plenty in these nine days, we really only scratched the surface of Morrocco. I can't wait to return.

Pros and Cons

Pros:Beautiful cities & great scenery
Cons:Hassle from faux guides
In a nutshell:Geographically close to Europe, culturally very different

Last visit to Morocco: Mar 2005
Intro Updated Nov 18, 2006
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Reviews (40)

Atlas Mountains Things to Do (15)

Morocco is perhaps better known for its deserts and cities than its mountains, but contains a number of high mountain... more travel advice

Ait Ben Haddou Things to Do (15)

The Kasbah of Ait Ben Haddou is one of the best preserved examples of a Moroccan Kasbah. The Kasbah has been used in... more travel advice

Car Hire in Morocco Transportation (6)

On our second trip to Morocco we hired a car in Fes and drove it around the country for 9 days before returning it to... more travel advice

Dades Valley Things to Do (15)

If you had to pick the most beautiful place in Morocco, the Dades Valley would certainly be a contender. The valley lies... more travel advice

Off The Beaten Path (7)
See All Ziz Gorges
Favorites (5)
See All Monkey Fingers
Local Customs (5)
See All Strange writing on the hills

Nightlife (1)
Dull Moroccan Nightlife
What to Pack (1)
Trip Preparation
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Comments (14)

xuessium Dec 21, 2007 at 6:44 AM Report Abuse

Thanks mate! Wish I had stumbled onto your pages earlier and spare myself a lot of headaches....Very useful tips!
angiebabe Aug 31, 2007 at 9:24 PM Report Abuse

Hi,sorry your March was like that for you but really it can be very beautiful - i love that month & have had sunny warm days, the land is lush & green with amazing flowers but still snow topped mtns b4 it gets too hot&dies off again!!march-may are xlent.
sandspider Aug 16, 2007 at 7:17 PM Report Abuse

Be sure to get your pasport processed during the crossing as Barry says, otherwise there's a half hour wait for the immigration official to come back on board. Every trip some passengers fall foul of this.
JLBG Mar 1, 2007 at 7:17 AM Report Abuse

An excellent overview of the country with sensible comments. If you read French, try the “Guide du Routard”. It has excellent practical tips.
MM212 Jan 4, 2007 at 3:27 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for visiting Marrakech with me :-) I hope you enjoy Morocco in March. Do let me know into what the Hideous Kinky foundouk has been converted when you find it.
Christina1881 Dec 2, 2006 at 1:51 AM Report Abuse

Thanks for the comments on my Morocco-pages, I can see that you have had some of the same experiences as I with the different culture there ;-)
matcrazy1 Nov 18, 2006 at 11:06 AM Report Abuse

Good overview of part of beautiful Morocco. Well, Western Sahara is empty, desert state - something to see once, in my opinion but the deep South of Morocco (incl. Antialtas Mtns!) was the best for me!
sue_stone Nov 14, 2006 at 8:55 AM Report Abuse

I read you may be heading back to Morocco in a few months. 2007 is going to be a big travel year for you isn't it!!
cadzand Nov 12, 2006 at 12:01 PM Report Abuse

I'll always keep very good memories of the nice trip I made to this lovely country and I'm still ready to go back one day.
tiabunna Nov 9, 2006 at 7:55 PM Report Abuse

I enjoyed this well-described and photographed page, Barry. From here, at the other side of the world, it seems only marginally less exotic than the Antarctic!