How to Reach?
Mate, let me tell you about my Morocco trip last month. Honestly it was a right mixed bag but mostly brilliant.
I flew into Marrakech from Delhi via Istanbul. The layover was long but cheap. Ngl the flight itself wasn’t bad at all. Turkish Airlines fed us properly which was a surprise.
You can also fly direct to Casablanca if you’re coming from Europe. It’s actually cheaper sometimes. To be fair though the trains from there to other cities are pretty decent.
I took the train from Marrakech to Fez later. Seriously those trains are proper old school but they work. Didn’t break down once which was a win.
The buses are another option. CTM buses aren’t terrible. I used one from Fez to Chefchaouen. Honestly it was alright for the price. Just don’t expect luxury.
Taxis from airports are a scam waiting to happen. The official ones are better but still. I got ripped off once. My bad for not bargaining hard enough.
Honestly the easiest way is flying into Marrakech. Everything starts from there. It’s chaotic as hell when you land but you’ll survive.
Where to Stay?
I stayed in riads mostly. They’re basically old houses turned into small hotels. Some were decent, others not so much.
In Marrakech I picked a riad in the medina for 2800 rupees a night. The location was perfect but the wifi was terrible. Like properly useless. I couldn’t even load WhatsApp half the time.
The staff were lovely though. One guy kept calling me “my friend” which was funny. To be fair they sorted me out with good breakfast every morning.
In Fez I went cheaper. Found a place for 1900 rupees. The room was tiny and the shower was weird but it was clean. Didn’t have hot water one morning which was annoying.
Chefchaouen was my favourite stay. Stayed in a blue themed riad for 2200 rupees. The view from the roof was actually . Wait I shouldn’t say that but it was really nice okay.
Seriously don’t go for the super cheap hostels if you’re over 30. My back can’t handle those beds anymore. I learned that the hard way in Essaouira.
The mid range riads are where it’s at. Around 2500-4000 rupees gets you decent comfort. Just check recent reviews for the wifi situation.
I messed up once and booked a fancy place in Marrakech for 8500 rupees. Not worth it honestly. The fancy decor didn’t make up for the terrible service.
What to Eat?
The food was probably the best part. Tagines everywhere. I had chicken with lemon and olives so many times. Honestly I didn’t get bored of it.
Street food in Marrakech is hit and miss. The snail soup looked dodgy so I skipped it. To be fair I’m not that brave with my stomach.
I lived on msemen pancakes for breakfast. They’re like square flaky pancakes. Proper delicious with honey. Cost me about 60 rupees each.
Couscous on Fridays is a must. It’s tradition apparently. The one I had in a small family place in Fez was actually the best meal of the trip.
Harira soup is perfect for evenings. Especially when it’s cold. It’s thick and filling. I had it with dates which is the way to go.
The mint tea is everywhere. Seriously they drink it constantly. It’s super sweet but I got used to it. Now I miss it back home.
Don’t eat in the main square in Marrakech. It’s overpriced and the quality is average at best. I wasted 1800 rupees on one meal there. Rookie mistake.
The best meals were always in small places down random alleys. You’d never find them without asking locals. One hole in the wall in Chefchaouen did the most incredible kefta.
NgI I put on weight. The bread is addictive and they just keep bringing more. My trousers are tighter now.
Best Time to Visit
I went in March. It was perfect weather honestly. Not too hot in the cities and the desert wasn’t boiling.
Summer is mental. Like properly hot in the desert. I wouldn’t recommend it unless you like being cooked alive.
Winter can be cold especially in the mountains. Fez was freezing one night. I wasn’t prepared with my clothes.
Spring is ideal. Flowers everywhere and mild temperatures. That’s when I went and it was spot on.
Autumn is also good. September October time. The crowds are less and prices drop a bit.
Ramadan changes things. Some places close early and people are fasting. I was there just after so it was fine.
To be fair any time works if you plan for the heat or cold. Just don’t go in July unless you’re mental.
The desert nights are cold even in summer. I didn’t know that before going. Nearly froze in my tent.
Budget (Indian Rupees)
Right let’s talk money. This is for 2026 prices based on what I spent and what mates told me.
Budget travellers can do it on 2500-4200 rupees per day. That’s hostels, street food, shared tours. It’s tight but doable.
I spent around 6500 rupees daily on average. That was comfortable without being flash. Mid range stuff mostly.
Luxury is 17000 rupees plus per day. Big hotels and private drivers. Not my style but each to their own.
Flights from India were 38000 return. Booked early which helped.
Riad stays averaged 2800 per night. Food was 800-1200 daily if I didn’t go mad.
The Sahara trip was 8500 for two days one night. Worth it but book with a good company. Mine was decent.
Trains and buses are cheap. 600-1200 between major cities. Taxis within cities add up quick though.
Shopping will destroy your budget. I bought a carpet I didn’t need. Cost 22000 rupees after bargaining. My wife still laughs at me.
Total for 12 days I spent about 95000 rupees including everything. That was with some mistakes and too much mint tea.
You can easily do it for 55000 if you’re careful. Just don’t be an idiot like me with the shopping.
Tips for First-Timers
Bargain everywhere. Seriously everything. I was terrible at it first but got better. Still overpaid for a few things.
The medina in Marrakech will overwhelm you. It’s chaotic and people grab your arm to sell stuff. Just keep walking.
Learn basic French or Arabic phrases. Makes a massive difference. The locals appreciate it and prices sometimes drop.
Don’t drink tap water. I did once and paid for it. Two days feeling rough. Bottled only mate.
Get a local sim card at the airport. 800 rupees for decent data. Saved me so many times.
The toilets can be grim. Carry tissues and hand sanitizer. Some don’t have seats or paper. You’ll thank me later.
Guides pop up everywhere offering tours. Most are rubbish. Book proper ones online before.
I got lost in the medina twice. Proper lost. Google maps doesn’t work well there. Get a good sense of direction or stick with your riad guy.
The cats everywhere are cute but don’t feed them. There are thousands and they’ll follow you forever.
Seriously wear decent shoes. The streets are uneven and you’ll be walking loads. I got blisters day three like an idiot.
FAQ
How safe is it? Pretty safe for tourists but watch your pockets in crowds. I didn’t have any issues. Just be sensible.
Is it easy for solo travellers? Yeah actually. I met loads of solo people. The riads are social and tours are easy to join.
Can you drink alcohol? Yes but it’s not everywhere. Some bars in big hotels. It’s expensive and not great quality. I had one beer that cost 900 rupees. Not worth it.
What’s the dress code? Dress modestly especially in smaller towns. Shoulders and knees covered for women. I saw some tourists ignoring this and getting stared at.
Do I need a visa? Indians get visa on arrival for 30 days. It’s straightforward but check current rules before going.
Is the food spicy? Not really. It’s more aromatic than hot. I have a low spice tolerance and was fine.
How’s the internet? Terrible in most places. Even good riads have patchy wifi. Download stuff before you travel. I couldn’t watch anything offline properly.
Should I go to the desert? Yes but only for one night. Two nights is too much. The stars are incredible though. Made the whole trip for me.
What’s the best city? Fez for me. Less touristy than Marrakech and more authentic. Chefchaouen is also amazing for the blue streets.
Will I need to haggle for everything? Pretty much. Even taxis. It becomes fun after a while. I actually enjoyed it by the end. My first attempts were embarrassing though.
The trip wasn’t perfect. I had bad days and got ripped off twice. The heat in Marrakech was brutal some afternoons. But honestly I’d go back tomorrow. Morocco gets under your skin. The people, the food, the call to prayer at sunrise. It’s all properly special.
Even with the terrible wifi and aggressive salesmen in the souks, it was worth every rupee. Just go with an open mind and don’t overplan. The best bits happened when I got lost or randomly followed a local recommendation.
My mate keeps asking if it’s worth the long flight from India. Seriously yes. Just don’t expect everything to be perfect. It’s messy and magical at the same time. That’s what makes it brilliant.
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