# Souky Tours > Private trips and day tours through Morocco with Soukayna of Souky Tours, one of the few female drivers in Marrakesh. Open to everyone, and made for women who want a female driver. Website: https://soukytours.com/ Contact: through the chat on https://soukytours.com/contact (e-mail: hello@vrouwvriendelijkmarokko.com) Language: English (there is also a Dutch site, Vrouwvriendelijk Marokko). Prices: on request. All trips are private and tailor-made. ## About us Soukayna is a driver and guide in Marrakesh and one of the few women there who drives tourists herself. Her business is called Souky Tours. Saïd helps organize and arranges, among other things, stays with local families. Bas is a traveler and entrepreneur from the Netherlands (esbl.digital and brainpowergroup.eu). He met Soukayna when she drove him to a running route in the desert near Marrakesh. He manages this website and answers questions in the chat in Dutch. Soukayna does so in English, French or Moroccan Arabic. Soukayna organizes and runs the trips. The trips are open to everyone, and made for women who want a female driver. ## Reviews (translated from Dutch) **A very relaxed trip through Morocco** (Tamara, San Francisco, United States) We had a very pleasant and relaxing trip through Morocco with our driver, Soukaina. She gave us a lot of general information, was punctual and funny. She really made our trip even more enjoyable. **An incredible trip thanks to Soukaina and Saïd** (Samantha, the Netherlands) An unforgettable experience from start to finish. Soukaina was professional, friendly, safe and always on time. We laughed a lot and enjoyed her company. Saïd arranged unique, authentic moments, such as stays with local families, even during Ramadan. Both were extremely professional and committed. **Fantastic** (Miranda, New York, United States) Souky Tours is a great organization that really thinks of everything and responds to your wishes. Soukaina is the best driver ever: always cheerful, smiling and on time. Her enthusiasm is contagious and she made every day more fun. --- # Trips and day tours ## Tailor-made trip through Morocco with Soukayna URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/tailor-made-trip Type: Tailor-made. Duration: From a long weekend to three weeks. Group: 1 to 6 people; larger groups by arrangement. Start: Usually Marrakesh, other starting points possible. Price: On request. A tailor-made trip through Morocco, alone, with friends or with your daughter. You send a message, we draft a proposal and we refine it together. ### Highlights - Soukayna drives and guides you herself, from the airport pickup until she drops you off again - You decide the route, the pace and the places to stay together with us - City, coast, mountains and desert can be combined - Stays with local families through Saïd, if you want that - One contact person through the chat on this website before your trip, in English, French or Dutch We don't have a fixed package. Every trip starts with a conversation: you tell us what you want, Soukayna tells you what is possible, and a route comes out of that. She drives herself and knows the roads and the people along the way. In [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) she is one of the few female drivers. Traveling with her is calmer and more personal than a standard tour, and if you change your mind on the road, you just adjust the plan. ### How it works You send a message through the chat saying who you are, when you want to go and for how long. Within a few days you get a proposal with a day-by-day plan, the driving times and a few options for places to stay. That proposal is a starting point. If you want less driving, an extra night on the coast or a day of doing nothing at all, we move things around. We only confirm and book the riads once it fits. During the trip you are in direct contact with Soukayna. If you run into anything, you can also reach us through the chat on this site, in English, French or Dutch. ### Examples of trips people often ask for Use these examples as a starting point. They are not fixed programs, so everything can be changed. A week on your own could look like this: three nights in Marrakesh, two nights in the mountains or by the sea near [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira), and a night in the Agafay desert. The pace is easy and you have a lot of time to yourself. For friends, a long weekend with Marrakesh as a base works well, for example with a [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh), a hammam day and a sunset in the desert. For a mother and daughter we look for a good balance between culture and rest, with riads where you can sit on the roof terrace together. A mixed group works too, and so does bringing your partner. Soukayna is just as happy to drive a family or a couple. If you have two to three weeks, the grand tour fits: the [imperial cities](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour), the [Sahara near Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) and the coast in one route. ### Who it's for For anyone who would rather travel with their own driver and guide than on a bus full of strangers. It suits women traveling alone or with friends especially well. You don't have to haggle with taxi drivers and you know who is picking you up. And someone who knows how things work here is with you the whole time. You can read more about that on our page about [safety for women in Morocco](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Good to know Distances in Morocco are long. A desert trip to Merzouga costs you two long days of driving. We put that honestly in the proposal, and we look for a schedule where you do more than sit in the car. Also check the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit) for your dates: summer in Marrakesh is hot and winter nights in the desert are cold. The price depends on the number of days, the number of travelers and the kind of accommodation. You get a total amount up front. For a proposal, a short message through the [contact page](/en/contact) is enough. Tell us when you want to go, with whom, and what you have in mind. ### Program step by step - **Step 1: you send a message** In the chat you tell us in a few sentences who you are, when you want to go, for how long, and what you do and don't want. An ordinary message is enough. - **Step 2: we make a proposal** You get a day-by-day plan with the route, driving times and options for places to stay. We also tell you what is realistic in the time you have. - **Step 3: refining it together** If it is too much driving for you, or you want an extra night by the sea, you adjust the proposal until it fits. Then we confirm and book the riads and the camp. - **Step 4: you go** Soukayna picks you up. You can still change the plan along the way if you feel like it; with your own driver that is possible. ### Included - A tailor-made proposal with a day-by-day plan and options for places to stay - Private transport with Soukayna as your driver for the whole trip - Pickup and drop-off at the airport or your address - Water in the car and stops wherever you want them - Arranging riads, camps and local guides where needed - Direct contact with Soukayna during your trip ### Not included - Flights - Accommodation and meals, unless agreed otherwise in the proposal - Entrance fees for sights - Tips - Travel and cancellation insurance ### Frequently asked questions **How far in advance do I need to book?** For a day tour a few days is often enough. For a multi-day trip with riads and a desert camp, four to eight weeks is comfortable. In high season (March through May, October and November) it is better to book earlier. **Can I come on my own?** Yes. You ride with Soukayna and she arranges everything along the way. You don't have to share anything with strangers, unless that is exactly what you would enjoy. **What determines the price?** The number of days, the number of people, the distances and the kind of accommodation you choose. You always get a total amount up front. **Can my partner or a man come along?** Yes. Women-friendly means the trip is set up from a woman's point of view. Men are welcome. ## Marrakesh with Soukayna: the city in one day URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/marrakesh-city-tour Type: Day tour. Duration: 1 day, about 7 hours. Group: 1 to 6 people; larger groups by arrangement. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. A full day in Marrakesh with a female driver and guide: Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef, the Saadian Tombs, the souks and Jemaa el-Fna at dusk. ### Highlights - Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa and the Saadian Tombs, without hassle at the door - The souks with someone who knows which alleys are quiet and which are not - Lunch at a place Soukayna picks herself, away from the tourist menus - Jemaa el-Fna as the lamps come on, with a regular spot to watch from - Jardin Majorelle as an option, at a quiet time of day Marrakesh is busy, hot and chaotic. That is why the first time you see the city, you want to do it with someone who knows it. Soukayna drives you around herself and walks with you through the medina. She knows where it is quiet and where the food is good, and also where you are better off not walking alone. In one day you see the main sights of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), at a pace that keeps it from turning into a checklist. ### What the day looks like We start around nine at your riad and go to the palaces first. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs are at their best and least crowded in the morning. Then we drive to the north of the medina for the Ben Youssef Madrasa and its courtyard. From there we walk toward the souks, through alleys where few tourists come and past the workshops of blacksmiths and woodworkers. For lunch Soukayna picks a place based on what you like. You eat well there and you are not handed a set tourist menu. After that you have time in the souks. If you want to buy something, she helps with the bargaining, or she simply tells you what a fair price is. If you would rather get out of the crowds, we drive to Jardin Majorelle for a quieter hour. We end at Jemaa el-Fna as the sun goes down. The food stalls open and the storytellers and musicians come onto the square. From a terrace you can see everything, or you walk between the stalls with her. ### Who it's for For anyone who is in Marrakesh for the first time and wants to understand the city without getting lost in it. If you are traveling alone, you have someone with you all day who knows the local manners and who just keeps you walking when a vendor gets pushy. Our tips on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women) are useful to read beforehand. ### Good to know You will walk at least five to seven kilometers on this day, often over uneven streets. Sturdy shoes matter more than pretty ones. In summer it is very hot between noon and four; we then take a longer lunch break and go to the square later. As for clothing, covered shoulders and knees are enough. There are more tips on our page about [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear). You pay entrance fees yourself on the spot, usually in cash in dirham. So bring some [cash](/en/practical/money-and-payments). The order of the day can change with opening hours and the weather. This day combines well with a [desert evening in Agafay](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip) later in the week. Mention it when you set a date through the [contact page](/en/contact) and we will plan both. ### Program step by step - **9:00 am: pickup and the palaces** Soukayna picks you up at your riad. We go to the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs first, before the groups arrive. - **11:00 am: Ben Youssef and the northern medina** We visit the madrasa with its courtyard and then walk through the quieter part of the medina toward the souks. - **1:00 pm: lunch** Soukayna picks a place that fits what you feel like: a roof terrace, simple and local, or something more elaborate. - **2:30 pm: souks and optionally Majorelle** You have time to look around and buy, with help on prices. Or we drive to Jardin Majorelle for a quieter hour. - **5:30 pm: Jemaa el-Fna** The food stalls open on the square. We finish on a terrace with a view, or eat at the stalls if you dare. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna as your driver and companion - Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel - Water in the car - A local guide in the medina where that is required or useful - Reservation of the lunch spot ### Not included - Entrance fees (count on 70 to 100 dirham per sight, more for Majorelle) - Lunch and drinks - Tips - Travel insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Is one day enough for Marrakesh?** For the main sights, yes. If you also want Majorelle, the Menara Gardens and unhurried shopping, plan two days or combine this tour with the souk tour. **Can I change the order?** Yes. If you would rather go to the souks early and the palaces later, or skip Majorelle, we adjust the program. Starting at ten is possible too. **How much cash do I need?** Count on about 300 to 400 dirham for entrance fees and lunch, plus whatever you want to spend in the souks. There are ATMs at the banks around Jemaa el-Fna. **Is this tour suitable if I have trouble walking?** The medina can only be visited on foot and the streets are uneven. We can shorten the walking part and do more by car, but it can't be done without any walking at all. Talk to us beforehand and we will see what fits. ## Souks and crafts in Marrakesh: shopping without stress URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour Type: Day tour. Duration: Half a day, about 4 hours. Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. Half a day in the souks of Marrakesh with Soukayna: leather, lanterns, rugs, spices and argan. She knows what fair prices are and helps you bargain. ### Highlights - The souks craft by craft: leather, metal, wood, textiles, spices and argan - Workshops where you see how something is made before it reaches the shop - Women's cooperatives for argan and textiles, with fixed prices - Relaxed bargaining, or none at all if you prefer - Soukayna helps with packing and shipping larger purchases The souks of Marrakesh are a maze of alleys where, without a guide, you soon pass the same shop three times. With Soukayna along, it becomes a walk from craft to craft. She knows where the workshops are, where the women's cooperatives are and which prices are reasonable. That way you buy what you like yourself and nobody talks you into anything. ### What the morning looks like We start with the spice sellers. There you learn right away the difference between real saffron and dyed thread, and between pure argan oil and the diluted stuff. The first stop is a cooperative where women press argan. Prices are fixed, the quality is good and the money goes to the women themselves. Next come the leatherworkers and the blacksmiths. In Souk Haddadine you hear the hammers before you see the lanterns. If you are staying in [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) for a few days, you can have a lamp made here to your own measurements. We save textiles and rugs for last. Rug shops have a reputation: you get tea, twenty rugs are rolled out and you feel obliged. With Soukayna there, it goes differently. She explains what you are looking at and what a fair price is, and if you don't want anything, we simply walk out. We finish with tea on a roof terrace above the souks. There you decide in peace what you really want to take home. ### Who it's for For anyone who likes to bring home something beautiful but dreads the bargaining, and for anyone who wants to see how things are made. If you would rather not go into the souks alone the first time, this is a good morning too. The tour combines well with the [city tour](/en/trips/marrakesh-city-tour) on another day, or with a [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh) in the afternoon. ### What you find here The leather comes from Marrakesh itself: bags, poufs and babouches in every color. The metal workshops turn out lanterns and trays in copper and brass. The kilims and knotted rugs are made in the Atlas Mountains and the south, and each has a different pattern. For the hammam you can buy argan oil, black soap and rhassoul clay here. There are also spices, tea and pottery from Safi. For every product Soukayna knows what makes for quality and what a reasonable price is, so you don't have to guess. ### Good to know Bring cash in dirham; you can rarely pay by card in the souks. Our page about [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments) explains the easiest way to get dirham. A bag you can wear in front of your body is handy in the crowds. On Friday afternoon many workshops are closed for prayer. So we prefer to plan this tour on another day, or early on Friday morning. During [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) the souks are quieter in the morning and busy in the evening. If you want to combine this tour with another day, put that in your message through the [contact page](/en/contact). ### Program step by step - **Start: spices and argan** We begin with the spice sellers and a cooperative where women press argan oil. Prices are fixed here and you can check the quality yourself. - **Leather and metal** We walk past the leatherworkers and the blacksmiths of Souk Haddadine. You see lanterns being made before you buy one. - **Textiles and rugs** We go into a rug shop where you don't have to buy anything. Soukayna explains the difference between wool, cotton and synthetic, and what a realistic price is. - **Wrapping up** We drink tea on a roof terrace above the souks. You have time to decide what you really want to buy, and you can go back to that one shop afterward if you like. ### Included - Soukayna as your guide in the souks - Pickup and drop-off at your riad or hotel - Water along the way - Mint tea at one of the workshops - Advice on fair prices and quality ### Not included - Your purchases - Lunch - Tips - Shipping costs for large pieces ### Frequently asked questions **Do I have to bargain?** In most souks you do, but Soukayna does it with you or tells you beforehand what a good price is. At cooperatives and in some shops the prices are fixed. If you would rather not bargain at all, we mostly go to those places. **Can I just look without buying?** Yes. You are never obliged to buy anything, not even after you have had tea in a shop. **How do I get a rug or a large lamp home?** Many shops ship internationally. Soukayna helps with the arrangements, so you know what you are paying and when it will arrive. Smaller things usually just fit in your suitcase. ## Cooking workshop in Marrakesh: market, tagine and a shared meal URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh Type: Workshop. Duration: About 5 hours, morning and lunch. Group: 1 to 8 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. First you shop at the market, then you cook in a riad or in a family home: tagine, salads and bread. Afterward you eat what you made together. ### Highlights - Shopping at a neighborhood market where locals do their daily shopping - Cooking with a Moroccan cook in French or English; Soukayna translates where needed - Tagine, three Moroccan salads and bread that goes to the neighborhood oven - An explanation of spices you can also use at home - Eating together on the roof terrace or at the family table The best places to see how Moroccan cooking works are the market, where the spices are weighed out, and next to a tagine cooking slowly over a small fire. In this workshop you do everything yourself: the shopping, the cooking, taking bread to the neighborhood oven and then eating together. It happens in the kitchen of a riad or in a family home, with a cook who does this every day. ### The program Soukayna picks you up around half past nine. We drive to a market in an ordinary residential neighborhood of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), not to the souks of the medina. This is where locals buy their vegetables and spices. You learn the difference between ras el hanout from the spice seller and the jar from the supermarket, and why there are so many kinds of Moroccan olives. Back in the kitchen, the chopping starts. A tagine is not complicated. It comes down to the order of things and to patience. While the tagine cooks, we make three salads, usually with tomato, bell pepper, carrot and cumin, and we knead bread. That bread goes to the neighborhood oven, because in many neighborhoods nobody bakes at home. You can take it there yourself. Around one o'clock everything is on the table. You eat what you made, with tea, and there is room for questions about food, family and daily life in Morocco. At the end you get the recipes to take with you. ### What you learn You learn how to build a tagine: first the onion and the spices, then the meat or the vegetables, and after that it is a matter of waiting. The cook explains what cumin, ginger, turmeric, cinnamon and ras el hanout do and which dishes they belong in. You make the cooked salads that are on the table at every Moroccan meal, such as zaalouk made with eggplant and taktouka made with peppers. You knead the bread without a scale, by feel. ### Who it's for For anyone who likes to cook at home and wants to understand how Moroccan food is put together. If you never cook, it is still fun to spend a morning in someone's home. With friends, or as mother and daughter, it is a good morning to share. If you also want to see the spice sellers in the medina, take the [souk tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour) on another day. ### Good to know Wear clothes that can take a splash of oil. In summer the kitchen is warm, so we start a little earlier. What else you can expect at the table is on our page about [food and drink in Morocco](/en/practical/food-and-drink). The workshop is in French or English, and Soukayna helps translate where needed. For questions beforehand, use the chat on this website, in English, French or Dutch. Tell us about allergies and dietary wishes when you book, along with your date and the number of people. You can do that through the [contact page](/en/contact). ### Program step by step - **9:30 am: market** We pick you up and go to a market in a residential neighborhood. There we buy vegetables, spices, olives and chicken or lamb for the tagine, and you see what a Moroccan household buys every day. - **10:30 am: cooking** We cook in the kitchen of a riad or in a family home. You chop and season, and learn how a tagine cooks slowly. Meanwhile we make salads and knead bread. - **11:30 am: bread to the oven** The bread goes to the neighborhood oven, the way many families still do it. It is a short walk, with the baking tray on your head if you like. - **1:00 pm: eating** Everything comes to the table and we eat together. Afterward there is tea and time to ask questions. ### Included - Pickup and drop-off with Soukayna - All ingredients - Guidance from a cook - The lunch you cooked yourself, with tea - Recipes to take home ### Not included - Drinks other than water and tea - Tips - Travel insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Can I cook vegetarian or vegan?** Yes. A vegetable tagine is just as common as one with meat. Let us know when you book and we will buy the right ingredients at the market. **Do I need to know how to cook?** No. The cook shows you how and you join in as much as you want. It is about doing it together and understanding the flavors. **Is the workshop for women only?** No. The cook is a woman, and your partner or travel companion is welcome. ## Hammam and wellness day in Marrakesh, women only URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/hammam-and-wellness-day Type: Workshop. Duration: About 4 hours, afternoon. Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. A traditional hammam with a gommage scrub and an argan massage. Soukayna explains every step beforehand. Afterward you drink tea on a quiet roof terrace. ### Highlights - A hammam where only women work and where Soukayna goes herself - An explanation beforehand, so you know what happens and what you keep on - Black soap, a gommage with the kessa glove and a rhassoul clay mask - A massage with argan oil afterward - Tea on a roof terrace, for as long as you want to stay In Morocco the hammam is an ordinary weekly habit and no luxury. Women go together, talk, scrub each other and come out two hours later clean and soft. As a visitor you step into daily life here for a moment. That can be nerve-racking if you don't know what is going to happen. So we explain everything beforehand and go to a hammam where Soukayna goes herself and where only women work. ### The program Soukayna picks you up early in the afternoon. In the car she tells you how it goes: what you keep on, what you bring, what the rooms look like and what the attendants do. If you have questions, this is the time to ask them. In the hammam you start in the warm room. You are rubbed with black soap, made from olives, and sit in the steam for fifteen minutes. Then comes the gommage: an attendant scrubs your whole body with a rough glove, the kessa. It is firm and you can literally see the skin roll off. After that you get a mask of rhassoul, a clay from the Atlas Mountains, and you rinse off with warm water from buckets. After the hammam there is a massage with argan oil in a quiet room. You finish with tea on the roof terrace and stay as long as you want. ### Why go with Soukayna Visiting a hammam on your own is perfectly possible, but the first time it helps when someone tells you what is coming: when you undress, what you do yourself and what the attendant does, and how much of a tip is customary. Soukayna goes to these hammams herself and knows the women who work there. She tells them beforehand what you do and don't want, so you don't have to explain anything while you are being scrubbed. ### Who it's for For anyone who wants to go to the hammam the way Moroccan women do, with someone along who knows the way. For friends, this is a good afternoon after a busy morning in the souks. In the [yoga and wellness retreat](/en/trips/yoga-and-wellness-retreat) a hammam is part of the standard program. ### Good to know Bring clean underwear bottoms or bikini bottoms, plus a hairbrush and something easy to put on afterward. Towels and slippers are provided. Don't eat too heavily right before the hammam and drink plenty afterward. In summer we plan the hammam later in the afternoon, when it is less hot outside. During [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) the opening hours are different; we take care of that. If you would rather have a private hammam in a riad spa, that is possible too, at a higher price. If you are unsure about what to keep on and take off, see our page about [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear). You can book through the [contact page](/en/contact). Send us your date and the number of people and we will make the reservation. ### Program step by step - **2:00 pm: pickup and explanation** On the way Soukayna explains how a hammam works, what you keep on and what is expected of you. So you know what is coming before you step inside. - **2:30 pm: warming up and black soap** In the warm room you are rubbed with black soap made from olives. You sit in the steam for fifteen minutes while your skin softens. - **3:00 pm: gommage and rhassoul** An attendant scrubs you with the kessa glove. Then you get a mask of rhassoul clay and rinse off with warm water. - **3:45 pm: massage** An unhurried massage with argan oil in a separate room. - **4:45 pm: tea** Tea on the roof terrace or in the courtyard, for as long as you like. ### Included - Pickup and drop-off with Soukayna - Hammam with gommage and clay mask - A massage of about 45 minutes with argan oil - Towels, bathrobe and slippers - Tea and something sweet afterward ### Not included - Extra treatments such as a facial or henna - Tips for the staff - Travel insurance ### Frequently asked questions **What do I wear in the hammam?** In a traditional hammam women wear underwear bottoms or bikini bottoms and no top. That is also how it goes in the hammams we choose, but you can keep a bikini on if that feels better. Nobody will think twice about it. **Does a hammam hurt?** The gommage is firm and you feel it. It doesn't hurt, but don't expect a gentle spa scrub. Feel free to say you want it softer; Soukayna tells you beforehand how to say that. **Can I choose a more luxurious spa instead?** Yes. There are spas in riads with private hammams. They cost more, but they are quieter. Tell us what you are looking for and we will pick a place that fits. **Can I go to the hammam during my period?** You can, with a tampon or a cup. If you don't feel comfortable with it, we move the day. ## Yoga and wellness retreat in Marrakesh and the Agafay desert URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/yoga-and-wellness-retreat Type: Retreat. Duration: 5 days, 4 nights (4-day version possible). Group: 2 to 8 women. Start: Marrakesh Menara Airport. Price: On request. Five days for women in a small group in Marrakesh: yoga every morning, a hammam, cooking in a riad and a sunset in the Agafay desert. ### Highlights - Yoga every morning on the roof terrace of the riad, before it gets hot - A traditional hammam with gommage and massage - A cooking workshop with a local cook, followed by a shared meal - Sunset and dinner in the Agafay desert, with the option of spending the night in a tent - One afternoon completely free, with tips from Soukayna in case you do want to do something - Women only, small group The days of this retreat have a fixed rhythm. Every morning there is yoga before it gets hot, then you do something in or around [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), and at the end of the day there is quiet on the roof terrace of the riad. So it is not a retreat where you sit in silence for five days. Soukayna arranges the transport and comes along when you go into the city. The group is small and women only. ### The program You arrive on day one and are picked up at the airport. The riad is in the medina, with a courtyard and a roof terrace where the yoga classes take place. The first evening is quiet: getting to know each other, tea, and a short walk to Jemaa el-Fna if you feel like it. The following days start at half past seven with yoga. The teacher works with the group as it is; you don't need experience. After breakfast there is one activity each day. On day two that is the medina with Soukayna, on day three a [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh) and the hammam, on day four the [Agafay desert](/en/destinations/agafay). There you watch the sun set behind the Atlas Mountains and eat by the fire. If you like, you stay the night in a tent and drive back the next morning. The afternoons are partly free. Soukayna gives tips for things you can do on your own, such as Jardin Majorelle or a roof terrace with a view. Doing nothing is fine too. ### The riad and the group The riad has a courtyard with a fountain, a roof terrace for the yoga and rooms for one or two people. Breakfast is served every morning after class: bread, msemen, honey, fruit and coffee. The group has at most eight women. That is small enough to get to know everyone and large enough to go your own way now and then. Soukayna is there for everything that happens outside the riad; in the riad itself there is always someone from the house. ### Who it's for For women who want to get away from the daily rush for a few days and are not looking for a program full of obligations. If you are traveling alone, it is nice to be part of a small group. Friends who want to do more together than a city break will feel at home here too. If yoga isn't your thing, look at the [hammam and wellness day](/en/trips/hammam-and-wellness-day) as a separate activity. ### Good to know The riad is in the medina. So count on narrow streets, the sounds of the city and stairs to the roof; it is not a resort. Evenings in the desert can be chilly. In spring and fall a warm sweater or a scarf is enough. What else to bring is on our [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). We plan fixed dates a few times a year. If you want to come with your own group of friends, we put together a program on your dates. Ask about it through the [contact page](/en/contact). ### Program step by step - **Day 1: arrival in Marrakesh** Soukayna picks you up at the airport and takes you to the riad. You meet the group on the roof terrace over tea, and the first evening is quiet. If you like, you can walk to Jemaa el-Fna with Soukayna. - **Day 2: yoga and the medina** Morning yoga on the roof. After breakfast you take an easy walk through the medina with Soukayna: Ben Youssef, the souks and a lunch spot she picks. The afternoon is free, or you can go to the hammam early if you can't wait. - **Day 3: yoga, cooking and hammam** Morning yoga. Then you shop at the market and take a cooking workshop with a local cook. You eat what you made together. In the late afternoon you go to the hammam, with gommage and massage. - **Day 4: yoga and the Agafay desert** Morning yoga and a free morning. Around three we drive to the Agafay desert, about 45 minutes. There you take a walk or a camel ride, watch the sun go down and eat by the fire. Then you go back to the riad, or you spend the night in a tent (optional). - **Day 5: last yoga class and departure** A last class on the roof, a big breakfast and time to buy a few more things. Soukayna takes you to the airport. ### Included - Airport pickup and drop-off with Soukayna - 4 nights in a riad in the medina, breakfast included - All transport during the program - Yoga classes with a female teacher, suitable for beginners and advanced students - Hammam with massage - Cooking workshop with lunch - Dinner in the Agafay desert ### Not included - Flights - Lunches and dinners that are not in the program - Entrance fees during the free afternoon - Tips - Travel and cancellation insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need yoga experience?** No. The teacher adapts the classes to the group. It is about a calm start to the day; you don't have to perform. **Can I come on my own?** Yes. You have your own room or share with someone from the group, whichever you choose. A private room comes with a surcharge. **When is the best time of year?** March through May and October through November. Days are pleasant then and evenings in the desert are not too cold. In summer it is too hot for this program. **What if the group doesn't fill up?** The program goes ahead from two participants. We let you know well in advance whether the date is final. ## Agafay desert: sunset and dinner, 45 minutes from Marrakesh URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip Type: Day tour. Duration: Afternoon and evening, about 6 hours (or with an overnight stay). Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. An afternoon and evening in the Agafay desert: walk or ride a camel, watch the sun drop behind the Atlas and eat by the fire. You can stay overnight in a tent. ### Highlights - Silence 45 minutes from the city - A walk through the hills or a short camel ride - Sunset with the Atlas Mountains as a backdrop - Dinner in a camp, with music if you like and without if you would rather not - Overnight stay in a tent with a real bed, back the next morning After a few days in Marrakesh you often want some silence. The [Agafay desert](/en/destinations/agafay) is a 45-minute drive away: bare hills, a huge view of the Atlas Mountains and a sky full of stars at night. There are no sand dunes. Soukayna drives you there at the end of the afternoon. You walk or ride a camel, watch the sun go down and eat by the fire. ### What the afternoon looks like We leave around half past three. The road first follows the edge of the city, then passes olive groves and then runs through a landscape that is suddenly empty. At the camp you are welcomed with tea. Then you choose: an hour's walk with a guide from the village, or a 45-minute camel ride. Both go slowly and end on a hill with a view. The sun sets behind the Atlas. In fall and winter you see the snow on the peaks change color. Then there is dinner in the camp: soup, tagine and fruit, with a few musicians by the fire if you want that. You can also ask for a table without music; some camps have a quieter corner. Around half past nine Soukayna drives you back. If you stay the night, you have a tent with a real bed, thick blankets and your own bathroom. The next morning you watch the sun rise on the other side of the hills. You have breakfast, drive back to the city and are at your riad again around ten. ### Who it's for For anyone who wants an evening out of the city without a long drive. If you don't have time for the [Sahara near Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga), this still gives you a desert evening. It also works well as a last evening for a group of friends. In the [yoga and wellness retreat](/en/trips/yoga-and-wellness-retreat) this evening is part of the standard program. ### Good to know Bring a sweater or a scarf, even in spring; once the sun is gone, it cools down fast. Closed shoes are comfortable on the stones. If you stay the night, a small bag with toiletries, something warm and a flashlight or your phone is enough. You can find the weather per month on our page about the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). In summer we leave later, around five, because it is too hot to walk during the day. During [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) dinner starts after sunset. That is also when the camp staff eat. When you book through the [contact page](/en/contact), let us know whether you want to stay the night. ### Program step by step - **3:30 pm: departure from Marrakesh** Soukayna picks you up. The drive takes 45 minutes; along the way the landscape changes from the edge of the city to bare hills. - **4:30 pm: walk or camel** You spend an hour in the stony landscape, on foot with a guide or on a camel. Both are easygoing; the camels go at walking pace. - **6:00 pm: sunset** Tea on a hill with a view of the Atlas. In the fall there is sometimes snow on the peaks already. - **7:00 pm: dinner** In the camp you eat soup, tagine and fruit by the fire, with music from a few local musicians if you like that. - **9:30 pm: back or stay** Soukayna drives you back to the city, or you sleep in a tent and watch the sun come up the next morning. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna there and back - Pickup at your riad or hotel - A walk with a local guide or a camel ride of about 45 minutes - Tea at sunset - Three-course dinner in the camp ### Not included - Drinks other than water and tea - Overnight stay in a tent (optional, price on request) - Tips - Travel insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Is Agafay a real desert?** It is a stone desert without sand dunes, with bare hills and a view of the Atlas Mountains. If you want dunes, you have to go to Merzouga, two long days of driving away. For an evening of silence close to the city, Agafay is just right. **Do I have to ride a camel?** No. Walking with a guide is just as good, and easier on the camels. Choose what you want. **How cold does it get in the evening?** In spring and fall a sweater is enough. From December to February nights can drop toward freezing; the tents then have thick blankets and sometimes a small heater. In summer it stays warm. **Are there toilets and showers in the camp?** Yes. The camps we work with have regular toilets and showers with hot water, including at the tents. ## Day trip to Essaouira: coast, harbor and argan on the way URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/essaouira-day-trip Type: Day tour. Duration: 1 day, about 11 hours (about 2.5 to 3 hours of driving each way). Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. A long day to Essaouira with Soukayna: an argan cooperative on the way, the medina, the city walls, fresh fish in the harbor and a walk on the beach. ### Highlights - A stop at a cooperative where women make argan oil - The medina of Essaouira: straight streets, white and blue, much quieter than Marrakesh - Lunch of fresh fish in the harbor, picked out at the stalls - A walk along the city walls and the wide beach - Option: stay the night and take it easy on the way back the next day [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira) is on the Atlantic Ocean, about two and a half to three hours' drive away, and it is the opposite of Marrakesh. It is windy where Marrakesh is hot, and the streets are straight where the medina of Marrakesh is a maze. You slow down there without trying. With Soukayna at the wheel, the drive is part of the day: on the way you stop at a cooperative where women make argan oil, and you see the first goats in the argan trees. ### What the day looks like We leave early, around eight. After an hour of driving the landscape changes and the argan trees begin. At a cooperative you see how the women crack and press the kernels. You can buy oil there at a fixed price, so there is no need to bargain. Around eleven you are in Essaouira. The medina is small and easy to find your way in. We walk past the workshops where thuya wood is worked and climb the Skala, the city wall with the old cannons and a view over the sea. We have lunch in the harbor. You pick your fish at one of the stalls, it is grilled, and you eat at a wooden table among the blue boats. The afternoon is free. You can walk along the wide beach, sit on a terrace on Place Moulay Hassan or go back into the medina for a while. Around half past four we drive back, with the sunset behind us. ### Who it's for For anyone who, after a few days in Marrakesh, needs sea and space. Shopping here comes with little pressure, because vendors in Essaouira are less pushy. On the way you also see how argan oil is really made. If you have more time, stay a night: the town is at its best in the evening and early in the morning. That fits well in a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). ### Good to know It is almost always windy in Essaouira, even when there is no wind at all in Marrakesh. Bring a cardigan or a scarf, even in summer. On the beach you can rent camels and horses; Soukayna knows which owners take good care of their animals. What the road is like and why having your own driver is so pleasant here is on our page about [getting around in Morocco](/en/practical/getting-around). Bring [cash](/en/practical/money-and-payments) for lunch and any purchases. The fish in the harbor is priced by weight. Ask the price before you order. If you want to stay a night, mention it when you book through the [contact page](/en/contact). ### Program step by step - **8:00 am: departure** We leave early to make the most of the day. The road runs west through flat country with olive trees. After an hour you see the first argan trees. - **9:30 am: argan cooperative** Women crack and press the argan kernels here. You see how it is done and can buy oil at a fixed price. - **11:00 am: arrival and medina** We walk through the medina, past the thuya woodworkers and the Skala with the cannons on the city wall. - **1:00 pm: lunch in the harbor** You pick your fish at the stalls and it is grilled on the spot. It is simple and fresh, and you look out over the blue boats. - **2:30 pm: beach and free time** You walk on the beach, shop in the medina or sit down on a terrace. Around half past four we drive back to Marrakesh. - **7:30 pm: back in Marrakesh** Arrival at your riad. On the way you watch the sun go down. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna there and back - Pickup at your riad or hotel - Water in the car - Visit to the argan cooperative - Soukayna as your guide in the medina ### Not included - Lunch - Entrance fees for the Skala and the museum - Tips - Overnight stay (optional) ### Frequently asked questions **Isn't it too much driving for one day?** It is a long day: in total you spend more than five hours in the car. The road is good and Soukayna drives calmly, but if you have the time, you are better off staying a night. Then you also see the town in the evening and early in the morning. **Can I swim in Essaouira?** You can, but the water is cool and it is often very windy. The beach is mostly good for walking. For swimming, July through September are the most pleasant months. **What is Essaouira like for women?** Essaouira is relaxed and much less crowded than Marrakesh. Vendors are less pushy and it is easy to walk around on your own. ## Atlas Mountains and Berber villages: a day in Imlil or Ourika URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages Type: Day tour. Duration: 1 day, about 8 hours. Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. A day in the High Atlas with Soukayna: a walk with a local guide, tea in a family home, a waterfall and lunch with a view over the valley. ### Highlights - An hour and a half from Marrakesh, in a different climate and at a different pace - A walk of two to three hours with a guide from the village, adjustable to your fitness - Tea and bread in the home of a Berber family - Lunch on a terrace with a view over the valley - A choice between Imlil (higher, more rugged) and Ourika (greener, easier) The [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) begin an hour and a half from Marrakesh and feel like another country. The villages are built of earth and the people speak Tamazight. Life there revolves around the terraces on the slopes, where walnuts, apples and vegetables grow. Soukayna drives you to Imlil or the Ourika Valley, where a guide from the village takes you walking. Along the way you drink tea in a family's home. ### What the day looks like We leave around half past eight. The road climbs gradually; after an hour you see the first villages against the slopes and, from November to April, snow on the peaks. In Imlil, at 1,700 meters, the guide is waiting. He or she is from the village and knows the paths and the families. You walk on paths the villagers use every day, past irrigation channels and terraces, with a view of Toubkal, the highest mountain in North Africa. Halfway you stop at a family's home for mint tea, fresh bread, olive oil and amlou, a paste of almonds and argan oil. You usually meet the women of the house, and because Soukayna is there, you can talk with them. Lunch is on a terrace above the valley, usually a tagine that has been simmering for hours. In Ourika you can walk on to the Setti Fatma waterfalls afterward. Around half past four you are back in the city. ### Who it's for For anyone who wants some air and space after the bustle of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh). If you like hiking you will get your fill, and so will anyone who would rather stroll through a village and see a lot of how people live here. If you want more, you can stay a night in a gîte in Imlil and walk higher the next day; that fits in a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). ### Good to know Wear shoes with good tread; the paths are rocky and sometimes wet near the irrigation channels. In the mountains it is always a few degrees cooler than in the city, and in winter it is really cold: bring a jacket. What else is useful is on our [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). When you visit a family, covered clothing is appropriate: long pants or a skirt and covered shoulders. Our page about [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) explains why that matters more in the villages than in the city. A small tip for the guide and something for the family is customary; Soukayna tells you what is appropriate. When you book through the [contact page](/en/contact), let us know whether you want Imlil, Ourika or the Ouzoud version. ### Program step by step - **8:30 am: departure from Marrakesh** The road climbs slowly. After an hour you see the first earthen villages against the slopes and, in winter, snow on the peaks. - **10:00 am: walk** From Imlil or a village in the Ourika Valley you walk with a guide past terraces with walnut and apple trees, on paths the villagers use every day. - **12:00 pm: tea with a family** In a living room you are served mint tea, bread, olive oil and amlou. You usually meet the women of the house. - **1:00 pm: lunch with a view** You eat tagine on a terrace above the valley. Afterward you can go to a waterfall if you like; in Ourika those are the Setti Fatma waterfalls. - **4:30 pm: back in Marrakesh** Around half past four you are back at your riad. On the way the late afternoon light falls across the plain. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna there and back - Pickup at your riad or hotel - A local mountain guide during the walk - Tea with a family - Water along the way ### Not included - Lunch - A donkey or mule if you don't want to walk (can be arranged on the spot) - Tips for the guide and the family - Travel insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Imlil or Ourika, which do I choose?** Imlil is at 1,700 meters, is more rugged and has steeper walks; you look out on Toubkal from there. Ourika is greener, closer (about 1 hour) and easier to walk, but busier on weekends with day-trippers from the city. If you can't decide, Soukayna chooses based on the season and your fitness. **How hard is the walk?** By default it takes two to three hours, with some climbing on uneven paths. That can be adjusted: an easy hour through the village is possible, and so is a longer hike of five hours. Tell us what you want. **Can I go to the Ouzoud waterfalls instead of the mountains?** Yes. Ouzoud is about 2.5 hours in the other direction and is a full day in itself: a walk to the waterfalls, monkeys along the way and lunch by the water. It is a different day from this one, but we plan it just as easily. ## Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate over the Tizi n'Tichka pass URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate Type: Day tour. Duration: 1 long day (about 12 hours) or 2 days with an overnight stay. Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. Over the Tizi n'Tichka to the earthen ksar of Aït Benhaddou and the kasbah of Ouarzazate. In one long day or, better, in two days with an overnight stay. ### Highlights - The Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, with stops at the places where Soukayna thinks the view is best - Aït Benhaddou, the best-known ksar in Morocco, with a guide from the village - Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate - Optional: the film studios where many desert movies were shot - With an overnight stay: Aït Benhaddou at sunrise, without the groups The road south from Marrakesh goes over the Tizi n'Tichka, a mountain pass at 2,260 meters. On the other side Morocco is dry and red, with villages built of earth. [Aït Benhaddou](/en/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate) is the best-known example, a fortified village that has been used in dozens of films and where a few families still live. With Soukayna you can do this in one long day, but in two days it is a much better trip. ### The program The one-day version starts at seven. The pass is the first highlight: the road winds up through the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains). Soukayna stops at the viewpoints and at a cooperative where women make argan oil. Around noon you are in Aït Benhaddou. A guide from the village walks with you up through the alleys to the granary at the top, with a view over the river and the palm trees. You have lunch on the opposite bank, with the ksar in view. After that it is a half-hour drive to Ouarzazate for Kasbah Taourirt and, if you like, the film studios. Around seven you are back in Marrakesh. The two-day version is more relaxed. You sleep in a riad next to the ksar and see Aït Benhaddou in the evening and at sunrise, when the tour buses are not there. On the second day you take your time in Ouarzazate and drive back over the pass in the afternoon. ### Who it's for For anyone who wants to see the south side of the Atlas but finds the long trip to the Sahara too far. If you love film or architecture, this is your day, and for some people the mountain pass is a destination in itself. If you have more time, continue to Merzouga on the [three-day desert trip](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga), where this route is the first day. ### Good to know It is a long drive and the road has a lot of curves. Sit in the front if you get carsick easily. It can be cold and windy on the pass, even when it is warm in Marrakesh. In winter there is sometimes snow and the road is occasionally closed for a short time; Soukayna checks that beforehand. In summer it is very hot on the south side and we plan the walk through the ksar as early as possible. Bring [cash](/en/practical/money-and-payments) for entrance fees, lunch and the guide. On our page about [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around) you can read why this route is so much more pleasant with your own driver than by bus or shared minibus. When you book through the [contact page](/en/contact), let us know whether you want the one-day or the two-day version. ### Program step by step - **Day 1: Marrakesh, Tichka, Aït Benhaddou** Departure at seven. The road over the Tizi n'Tichka winds through the mountains, with stops at viewpoints and an argan cooperative. Around noon you are in Aït Benhaddou for a walk through the ksar with a guide and lunch with a view of the village. On the one-day version you then drive on to Ouarzazate and Kasbah Taourirt, and you are back in Marrakesh around seven in the evening. On the two-day version you spend the night in a riad near the ksar. - **Day 2: Ouarzazate and back (two-day version)** You see Aït Benhaddou at sunrise, without the groups. Then you go to Ouarzazate for Kasbah Taourirt and, if you like, the film studios. After lunch you take your time driving back over the pass and arrive in Marrakesh at the end of the afternoon. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna - Pickup at your riad or hotel - A local guide in Aït Benhaddou - Water in the car - For the two-day version: arranging the overnight stay ### Not included - Entrance fees (kasbah, film studios) - Lunch and dinner - Accommodation (for the two-day version, price on request) - Tips ### Frequently asked questions **One day or two days?** In one day you spend well over eight hours in the car and you see Aït Benhaddou in the middle of the day, at the same time as the tour buses. In two days you see the ksar in the evening and at sunrise, and the drive is not a rush job. We recommend two days if you have the time. **Is the road over the pass scary?** The road has been improved a lot in recent years and is wide enough. There are hairpin turns and steep sections, but Soukayna drives it regularly and calmly. If you are prone to motion sickness, sit in the front and bring something for it. **Can I combine this drive with the Sahara?** Yes, Aït Benhaddou is the first stop on our three-day desert trip to Merzouga. If you want to go farther than Ouarzazate, look at that trip. **Is Aït Benhaddou accessible if I can't climb well?** The lower part of the ksar is easy to walk. The climb to the top takes fifteen minutes over steps and uneven paths. The view from the other side of the river is also good without any climbing. ## Sahara desert trip to Merzouga: 3 days, 2 nights URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga Type: Multi-day trip. Duration: 3 days, 2 nights (4-day version ending in Fes). Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Your riad or hotel in Marrakesh. Price: On request. Three days with Soukayna from Marrakesh to the Erg Chebbi dunes near Merzouga, via Aït Benhaddou and the Dadès and Todra gorges. You sleep in the dunes. ### Highlights - The Tizi n'Tichka pass and the ksar of Aït Benhaddou on day one - The Dadès Gorge and the Todra Gorge, with a walk between the rock walls - Riding a camel into the dunes of Erg Chebbi at sunset - A night in a camp in the dunes, with a bed and a bathroom - Sunrise on a dune, then breakfast - Two long driving days, with Soukayna at the wheel and stops where you want them The Sahara of the sand dunes, 150 meters high, is near Merzouga in southeastern Morocco. That is far from Marrakesh: nine to ten hours of driving in one go. So it is not a day trip; this trip takes three days. Along the way you pass the Tizi n'Tichka, [Aït Benhaddou](/en/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate) and the Dadès and Todra gorges. Soukayna drives the whole trip herself. She knows the camps and the kasbahs and stops where you want her to. ### The program Day one is long. You leave at seven and drive over the pass in the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) to Aït Benhaddou, for a walk through the ksar with a guide and lunch with a view. Then you go through Ouarzazate and the Valley of the Roses to the Dadès Gorge, where you sleep in a kasbah by the river. You get there around six. Day two starts with the Todra Gorge: a walk between rock walls 300 meters high, where the water is cold. After lunch in Tinghir you drive to Merzouga. At the end of the afternoon you get on a camel and ride into the dunes for an hour, all the way to the camp. You watch the sun set from a dune and eat by the fire, with music if you enjoy that. You sleep in a tent with a real bed and your own bathroom. On day three you get up early for the sunrise. After breakfast you go back to the edge of the dunes. Then comes the drive back to Marrakesh, nine to ten hours with stops. You are back at your riad in the evening. If that is too long for you, choose the four-day version and drive to [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) through the Ziz Valley and the cedar forest of the Middle Atlas. ### Who it's for For anyone who has the Sahara on their list and takes the time for it, and who enjoys being on the road and watching the landscape change. The trip is less suitable if you get carsick easily or are only in Morocco for four days. In that case, look at the [Agafay desert](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip), 45 minutes from the city. ### Good to know Bring a small bag for the night in the camp; the big suitcase stays in the car. Pack it with warm clothes for the evening, a scarf against the sand, a flashlight and wet wipes. Our [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) has a separate list for the desert. Also check the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit): October through April is good, summer is not. The price depends on the number of people and the type of camp; there are simple camps and more luxurious ones. You get a total amount up front. Through the [contact page](/en/contact), let us know whether you want three or four days and what kind of camp you are looking for. ### Program step by step - **Day 1: Marrakesh, Tizi n'Tichka, Aït Benhaddou, Dadès Valley** Departure at seven. You drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass (2,260 m) to Aït Benhaddou, where a guide takes you through the ksar. Lunch with a view. Then you go via Ouarzazate and the Valley of the Roses to the Dadès Gorge, where you spend the night in a kasbah by the river. Driving time: about 7 hours without stops, count on an 11-hour day. - **Day 2: Todra Gorge, Erfoud, Merzouga and the dunes** After breakfast you go to the Todra Gorge for a walk between rock walls 300 meters high. Lunch in Tinghir. Then you drive on to Merzouga, about 4 hours. At the end of the afternoon you ride a camel into the dunes, about 1 hour, all the way to the camp. You watch the sun set from a dune and eat by the fire, with music if you like. You sleep in a tent with a bed and your own bathroom. - **Day 3: sunrise and back to Marrakesh** You get up early for the sunrise. After breakfast in the camp you go back to the edge of the dunes by camel or 4x4. Then comes the long drive back to Marrakesh, about 9 to 10 hours with stops. You arrive in the evening. If that is too long for you, choose the four-day version. - **Four-day version: days 3 and 4 to Fes** Day 3: from Merzouga through the Ziz Valley and over the Middle Atlas to Fes (about 7 hours), with a stop in the cedar forest near Azrou. Day 4: Fes with a local guide, or free. You fly home from Fes, or Soukayna drives you back to Marrakesh on day 5. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna for the whole trip - Pickup at your riad or hotel in Marrakesh - 1 night in a riad or kasbah in the Dadès Valley, with breakfast and dinner - 1 night in a desert camp near Merzouga, with breakfast and dinner - Camel ride to the camp and back (or by 4x4 if you would rather not ride) - A local guide in Aït Benhaddou - Water in the car ### Not included - Lunches - Entrance fees - Drinks at dinner - Tips for camel handlers and guides - Travel and cancellation insurance ### Frequently asked questions **How many hours will I be in the car?** A lot. On day one you drive about seven hours, on day two four to five and on day three nine to ten. Merzouga is simply far away. Soukayna stops where you want, and the landscapes along the way are a big part of the trip. If it is too long for you, take the four-day version ending in Fes. **How cold is it at night in the desert?** In spring and fall it is pleasant, around 10 to 15 degrees Celsius. From December to February it can drop to around freezing; the tents then have thick blankets and the camps we work with are well equipped. In summer it is above 40 degrees during the day and we advise against this trip. **Can I skip the camel ride?** Yes. You can be taken to the camp by 4x4. The camel ride takes about an hour at walking pace, and you may find twenty minutes is plenty. Just say so. **Is this trip safe for women traveling alone?** Yes. You travel with Soukayna the whole time, sleep in camps and kasbahs we know, and someone you know is always nearby. Also read our page on safety for women. ## Imperial cities tour: Marrakesh, Rabat, Meknès, Fes, Chefchaouen URL: https://soukytours.com/trips/imperial-cities-tour Type: Multi-day trip. Duration: 9 days, 8 nights (8 to 10 days possible). Group: 1 to 6 people. Start: Marrakesh Menara Airport. Price: On request. Nine days through northern Morocco with Soukayna: Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat, Meknès and Volubilis, two nights in Fes and blue Chefchaouen. ### Highlights - Four imperial cities in one route - The Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, one of the few you can see from the inside - The Roman city of Volubilis and the Bab Mansour gate in Meknès - Two nights in Fes, with a guide who knows the medina well - Chefchaouen, the blue city in the Rif Mountains - Back to Marrakesh, or fly out from Fes or Tangier Morocco has four imperial cities: Marrakesh, Rabat, Meknès and Fes. They lie in an arc through the north of the country and each one is different. This tour strings them together, with Casablanca, the Roman city of Volubilis and blue [Chefchaouen](/en/destinations/chefchaouen) added in. Soukayna drives the whole route herself. You sleep in riads and have a local guide in Fes and Meknès. There is still room for plans of your own. ### The program The first two days you are in [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), to arrive and to see the city. On day three you drive to the coast. In Casablanca the Hassan II Mosque stands at the edge of the ocean. Then you continue to Rabat, the capital, with a quiet medina and the Kasbah of the Oudayas above the river. Via Meknès, with the enormous Bab Mansour gate, and Volubilis, where the Roman mosaics still lie in the floors, you reach [Fes](/en/destinations/fes). You stay there two nights. The medina of Fes is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world and calls for a guide. We arrange someone who knows the neighborhoods and the crafts and who does not stop at every shop. After that you head into the mountains. Chefchaouen is in the Rif, a town with blue walls where it is quiet after Fes. From there you go back to Marrakesh on the highway, or to Tangier for a flight. ### Who it's for For anyone who wants to see more than Marrakesh and the desert and who likes history and architecture. You need a week or more for it. You travel in a private car with a female driver, which is a different thing from a bus on a fixed schedule. If you want to add the [Sahara](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) to this, that is possible in a two-week trip; ask about a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). ### Good to know Riads in the medinas have stairs and sometimes no elevator. Tell us if that is a problem and we will look for other places. In Fes a day with a guide is really necessary; in the other cities it is easy to walk around on your own. Covered shoulders and knees are enough everywhere; the details per city are on our page about [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear). The best months are March to May and September to November. You can read more about that under [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). You get a total amount up front that covers transport, riads, breakfast and guides. The tour can be shorter or longer, run in reverse, or start or end somewhere else. Put your preference in your message through the [contact page](/en/contact). ### Program step by step - **Day 1: arrival in Marrakesh** Soukayna picks you up at the airport and takes you to a riad in the medina. An evening walk to Jemaa el-Fna if you like. - **Day 2: Marrakesh** A city day with Soukayna: Bahia, Ben Youssef, the souks and the gardens. See also our city tour. - **Day 3: Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat** About 2.5 hours to Casablanca for the Hassan II Mosque, with lunch on the seafront boulevard. Then about 1 hour to Rabat. You spend the night in the medina of Rabat. - **Day 4: Rabat, Meknès** Morning in Rabat: the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower and the mausoleum. In the afternoon you drive to Meknès (about 2.5 hours) for Bab Mansour and the royal stables. You spend the night in Meknès. - **Day 5: Volubilis, Moulay Idriss, Fes** Roman mosaics in Volubilis, the view from Moulay Idriss, and in the afternoon on to Fes (about 1 hour). You sleep two nights in a riad in the medina. - **Day 6: Fes** A full day with a local guide: the tanneries, the Kairaouine Mosque from the outside, the madrasas and the craft quarters. The evening is free. - **Day 7: Fes, Chefchaouen** About 3.5 hours through the Rif Mountains to Chefchaouen. Afternoon and evening in the blue medina, where you also spend the night. - **Day 8: Chefchaouen, back toward Marrakesh (or Tangier)** The morning is free in Chefchaouen. Then comes a long driving day back to Marrakesh on the highway (about 7 to 8 hours), or about 2 hours to Tangier for a flight. You spend the night in Marrakesh. - **Day 9: departure** Breakfast, last bits of shopping, then to the airport. ### Included - Private transport with Soukayna for the whole trip - Airport pickup and drop-off - 8 nights in riads with breakfast - Local guides in Fes and Meknès - Water in the car - Direct contact with Soukayna during the trip ### Not included - Flights - Lunches and dinners - Entrance fees - Tips - Travel and cancellation insurance ### Frequently asked questions **Can the trip be shorter or longer?** Yes. In eight days you drop Casablanca or Chefchaouen. In ten days you add a night in Chefchaouen or a rest day in Fes. If you fly out from Fes or Tangier, you save yourself the long drive back. **How much driving is there per day?** Most days two to four hours, spread over the day with stops. Only the drive back from Chefchaouen to Marrakesh is long, seven to eight hours. That is why we recommend flying home from Fes or Tangier if you can. **Is Fes harder than Marrakesh?** The medina of Fes is bigger and steeper, and without a guide you are sure to get lost. With a guide it is, to our mind, the most beautiful city of the trip. Vendors are a little less pushy there than in Marrakesh. **Can I also start in Fes?** Yes. The route works the other way around too: arrive in Fes, end in Marrakesh. Tell us what works best with your flights. --- # Destinations ## Marrakesh URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/marrakesh Region: Marrakesh. From Marrakesh: Soukayna's home base; about 3.5 hours by air from Amsterdam, and most of Western Europe is similar. Best time: March through May and late September through November; in summer it reaches 38 to 45°C. Marrakesh as a woman: what to see, how the medina feels, what you can skip, and how to take in the city calmly with Soukayna as your guide and driver. ### Highlights - Jemaa el-Fna around sunset, from a rooftop terrace - The souks with a guide who knows where the craftspeople work - The Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa - Jardin Majorelle and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum - A hammam and an afternoon of doing nothing at your riad - Eating with a family instead of on the square Marrakesh is busy, warm, loud and red. The city takes energy, but you get a lot back if you know where to go. The first hours in the medina overwhelm almost everyone: mopeds in alleys a meter and a half wide, vendors calling out to you, the smell of leather, spices and exhaust all mixed together. After half a day it starts to make sense. Then you see the patterns, the calm behind the doors of the riads, and the women who simply do their shopping here. Soukayna is based in Marrakesh, so most trips start and end here. ### What you'll want to see Jemaa el-Fna is the square where everything comes together. By day it is a parking lot with orange juice stalls. From around five it turns into an open-air restaurant with musicians and storytellers. See it from above first, from a rooftop terrace with a mint tea, and then walk through it. You can safely ignore the snake charmers and the monkeys on chains. The souks lie north of the square. They are covered lanes organized by craft: leather, lamps, carpets, spices, woodwork. Getting lost is part of it, and Google Maps will always get you out again. With Soukayna along you also see the workshops behind the shops, where the goods are made. That is what the [souks and crafts tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour) is about. The Bahia Palace and the Ben Youssef Madrasa are the two buildings you shouldn't skip. They have cedar ceilings, zellige tiles and courtyards where it suddenly goes quiet. Go early, around opening time, and you'll have those courtyards almost to yourself. The Saadian Tombs are around the corner from the Bahia Palace and worth a stop if you're in the area anyway. Jardin Majorelle is outside the medina, in the new district of Guéliz. You know the cobalt blue of the villa from photos; the cactus garden and the Berber museum are better than you expect. Book a time slot online, or you'll stand in line for an hour. The Yves Saint Laurent Museum next door is small and good. As a non-Muslim you can't go inside the Koutoubia. The minaret is beautiful enough from the square and from the gardens around it. ### What you can skip The Menara Gardens are an olive grove with a pond. It is a nice spot for the locals who picnic there, less so if you're short on time. Jardin Majorelle in the early afternoon is also better avoided, because three tour buses arrive at once. And you don't need to try the expensive restaurants with belly dancers on the square. The food is better in a family home, and that is where you eat during the [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh). ### Walking the medina as a woman In the medina you stand out as a visitor, not as a woman. People will talk to you, usually someone who wants to sell you something or "show you the way" to a cousin's shop. A friendly "la, shukran" (no, thank you) and walking on does the job. Unwanted touching is rare. The city is full of women, alone and in groups, and it is normal to walk around here as a woman. You don't have to cover anything you wouldn't cover at home on a warm day, but with your shoulders and knees covered you get less attention. A long, airy dress or wide pants are the most comfortable. The guide on [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear) goes into more detail. In the evening the square stays busy and lively until late. The alleys to your riad are usually empty and dark after about ten. That feels worse than it is, but it is nice to have someone walk you to the door. Many riads arrange that. The other safety tips are collected in [safety for women in Morocco](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Travel time, season and where to sleep Marrakesh Menara Airport is about 3.5 hours by air from Amsterdam, and most of Western Europe is similar. The taxi to the medina takes 15 to 30 minutes; agree on a fixed price or have someone pick you up. For the city itself you need two full days, and three or four if you want to add a day trip. March through May and late September through November are the best months. In July and August it reaches 40°C or more. Then you do things in the morning and evening and find a pool during the day. In winter the days are pleasant and the nights are chilly. How that plays out month by month is in [the best time to visit Morocco](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). Stay in a riad in the medina if you want atmosphere, or in a hotel in Guéliz if you want quiet and an elevator. Ask us for a few addresses that suit you. There are ATMs all over Guéliz and in a few spots in the medina; in the souks you pay cash. ### Around the city with Soukayna Soukayna is from Marrakesh and knows the city the way you know your own neighborhood. On the [one-day city tour](/en/trips/marrakesh-city-tour) she picks you up at your riad and combines the palaces with the souks and the new town, at the pace you set. If you'd rather shop without the stress of haggling, there is the souks and crafts tour. If you want to unwind instead, there are the yoga and wellness days around the city. From Marrakesh the other destinations are easy to reach too. [Agafay](/en/destinations/agafay) is a 45-minute drive, the Atlas Mountains an hour and a half, and Essaouira two and a half hours. ### Frequently asked questions **How many days do I need for Marrakesh?** Two full days are enough for the highlights. Plan three or four days if you also want to take a day trip to the Atlas, Agafay or Essaouira and spend an afternoon recovering at your riad. **Is the Marrakesh medina safe for women on their own?** During the day, yes. You get attention, mostly from vendors and self-appointed guides, but it stays at words. After dark, stick to the busy streets around Jemaa el-Fna and have someone walk you home if your riad is in a quiet alley. **Can I see Marrakesh without a guide?** Yes. A guide mostly saves you time and hassle in the souks and takes you to places you wouldn't find yourself. You can also do the first day with Soukayna and the rest on your own. **What does a taxi cost in Marrakesh?** A ride within the city in a petit taxi usually costs 20 to 40 dirhams on the meter. Always ask for the meter or agree on the price beforehand. ## Agafay Desert URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/agafay Region: Around Marrakesh. From Marrakesh: About a 45-minute drive from Marrakesh. Best time: October through May; in summer only at the end of the afternoon. The Agafay Desert is 45 minutes from Marrakesh: a stone desert with views of the Atlas, camels, and camps for an evening or a night. ### Highlights - Sunset with a view of the snow-capped Atlas peaks - A short camel ride or a walk through the hills - Dinner in a camp under a sky full of stars - A night in a tent without a ten-hour drive - Silence, an hour from the medina Agafay is the desert for people who don't have time for the Sahara. After a 45-minute drive from Marrakesh the red walls and the mopeds are gone, and you see bare yellow hills all the way to the horizon, with the white peaks of the Atlas Mountains behind them. It is not a sand desert. If you expect dunes, you will be disappointed. If you want space and quiet after two days in the medina, this is the right place. ### What you do there Not much, and that is why you come. You arrive at a camp at the end of the afternoon, walk or ride a camel in a loop through the hills, and then sit on a cushion waiting for the sun to drop behind the Atlas. After that you eat a tagine by the fire and look at more stars than you see at home in a year. The camps range from simple Berber tents to luxury lodges with a pool and a three-course menu. The simple camps are quieter and feel more real. The luxury camps are more comfortable, with private bathrooms and heating in winter. There is something to be said for both. Tell us what you want and we will pick the camp that fits. If you want to do more, you can ride a quad or take an e-bike tour in Agafay. We are not big fans: the noise and the dust spoil it for the walkers. But it can be done. The [yoga and wellness days](/en/trips/yoga-and-wellness-retreat) also use Agafay as a setting. You do morning yoga with a view of the mountains, have lunch and spend an afternoon doing nothing. That works better than three museums in one day. ### Going to Agafay as a woman on your own Agafay is one of the most relaxed places you can visit in Morocco. There is no medina to get through and there are no vendors, so nobody pays attention to you. You are in a camp with other guests and a handful of staff who leave you alone. That makes it a calm place to spend a night as a woman on your own. Dress lightly during the day, but cover your shoulders and bring a scarf for the sun. From sunset on you need a sweater or cardigan, even in May. In winter the nights can drop to around freezing; good camps then have thick blankets and a stove in the tent. What else to bring is on the [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). The drive back to Marrakesh is in the dark. Soukayna drives, so that is nothing you have to think about. ### Travel time and season From the center of Marrakesh it is about a 45-minute drive, the last stretch on a dirt road. A late afternoon and evening are enough to get a good impression. A night in a camp is a nice way to end your trip, because from Agafay you are at the airport in an hour. Go between October and May. In summer it is too hot to do anything during the day; then you leave around five and stay for the evening. Bring sunscreen, a scarf, a warm layer and a flashlight or a phone with a full battery. The camps have electricity, but not always in the tent. ### The day trip with Soukayna The [day trip to Agafay](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip) is the easiest way to get here. Soukayna picks you up at your riad, drives you through the olive groves and villages south of the city, and takes you back to your bed after dinner. You don't have to arrange anything or explain anything. If you want to combine Agafay with the mountains, you can go to the [Ourika Valley or Imlil in the Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) in the morning and drive on to the desert in the afternoon. If you are after sand and dunes, you need the [Sahara and Merzouga](/en/destinations/sahara-merzouga), a three-day trip. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Agafay a real desert?** It is a desert of stone and clay, not of sand. There are no dunes; for those you need to go to Merzouga in the Sahara. What you do get is bare hills, a lot of emptiness and a view of the Atlas. **Can I do Agafay in one day from Marrakesh?** Yes. The usual plan is to go at the end of the afternoon, stay for sunset and dinner, and be back in Marrakesh around 10:30 p.m. Spending the night in a camp is also possible. **Is a camel ride in Agafay responsible?** That depends on the camp. Ask about it when you send your request if this matters to you. You can also skip the ride and walk. **What should I wear to Agafay?** During the day, light clothes that cover you against the sun, plus a scarf. Bring a warm layer, because it cools down fast once the sun has set, even in spring. ## Atlas Mountains URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/atlas-mountains Region: High Atlas. From Marrakesh: Ourika about 1 hour, Imlil about 1.5 hours by car from Marrakesh. Best time: April through June and September through November; in winter there is snow above 2,000 meters. The High Atlas from Marrakesh: Imlil, the Ourika Valley, Berber villages and women's cooperatives. How hard the hiking is and what to expect as a woman. ### Highlights - Mud-brick Berber villages on the slopes near Imlil - Walking past terraced fields, walnut trees and irrigation channels - Tea in a family home, with fresh bread and olive oil - A women's cooperative for argan oil or weaving - The waterfalls of Setti Fatma in the Ourika Valley - A view of Toubkal, at 4,167 meters the highest mountain in North Africa An hour and a half after leaving the medina of Marrakesh you are in the mountains. The road climbs, the olive trees give way to walnut and apple trees, and on the slopes lie villages of red earth that you only notice once you are close. This is the High Atlas, the land of the Amazigh (Berbers), with Toubkal as its highest peak. There is no single big sight; the appeal is in the quiet and in the people. ### Walking, villages and tea Imlil is the mountain village at 1,740 meters where most hikes start. From here you walk a loop of two to three hours past the villages of Aroumd and Tamatert, on paths between terraced fields, along irrigation channels and under walnut trees. You don't have to be athletic. Sturdy shoes and an easy pace are enough. If you like, you can walk up to the first snow or take a longer hike to a mountain pass. The Ourika Valley is lower and greener. The river runs past restaurants where you eat with your feet in the water. At the end of the road, at Setti Fatma, a half-hour climb takes you to the first of seven waterfalls. On Fridays and weekends Ourika is busy with families from Marrakesh; on weekdays it is quiet. Along the way you pass women's cooperatives where argan oil is made or carpets are woven. The women show you how the work is done, and the proceeds go to them. You don't have to buy anything. The argan oil here is the real thing, though, which is far from always true of the oil in the souk. At some point in the day you are invited into a family home, or you stop at a house where Soukayna knows the people. You get mint tea, fresh bread, olive oil and honey. It is often the part of the day that stays with you. Farther away, two and a half hours by car from Marrakesh in the Middle Atlas, are the Ouzoud waterfalls. They are 110 meters high, with macaques in the trees and small boats under the falls. It is a long day, but worth it in spring. ### As a woman in the mountain villages The mountain villages are more conservative than Marrakesh, and still you walk around more relaxed. Nobody calls out to you and nobody wants to sell you anything. Women work in the fields and greet you. Children ask for a pen or a piece of candy, which you can kindly refuse. Cover your shoulders and knees in the villages; it is appreciated and it protects you from the sun. Long pants and a T-shirt with a scarf are fine. More on that in [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear). On the hiking trails you are with your guide and possibly a mule. Women traveling alone hike here without any problems. Toilets along the way are basic, so bring tissues. ### Travel time, season and what to bring Ourika is about an hour's drive from Marrakesh, Imlil about an hour and a half. The road to Imlil is paved and easy to drive. One day is enough for a hike and lunch. Take two days with an overnight stay if you really want to hike or simply want to rest. April through June and September through November are the best months. In summer it is a relief up here after the heat of the city. In winter there is snow above 2,000 meters and the high trails are closed, but that is exactly when the villages are at their prettiest. Bring sturdy shoes, sunscreen, a cap or scarf, an extra layer and water. The rest is on the [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). ### The day tour with Soukayna On the [day tour to the Atlas Mountains and Berber villages](/en/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages) Soukayna drives you into the mountains in the morning, a local mountain guide walks with you through the villages, and you eat with a family. You set the pace: a short walk and a long lunch, or the other way around. If you prefer Ourika to Imlil, that is possible. With small children or a bad knee, Ourika is easier. The Atlas is also the route to the south. Anyone traveling to [Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate](/en/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate) or the [Sahara](/en/destinations/sahara-merzouga) crosses the range over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters. If you combine that with a night in the mountains, you don't have to cross the pass there and back in one day. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need to be fit for a hike in the Atlas?** No. Around Imlil you can do an easy loop past villages and fields in two to three hours, with at most 200 meters of elevation gain. If you want more, you can do a longer day hike. Climbing Toubkal takes two days and does not fit into a day trip. **What is the difference between Ourika and Imlil?** Ourika is a green valley with a river, restaurants by the water and the waterfalls at Setti Fatma. It is easy to reach and busy on weekends. Imlil is higher, quieter and the starting point for the more serious mountain hikes. **Can I stay overnight in the Atlas?** Yes, in simple mountain guesthouses or comfortable kasbah hotels around Imlil. A night in the mountains is a good break between two city days. We can arrange that for you. **How cold is it in the mountains?** Expect it to be five to ten degrees Celsius colder than in Marrakesh. In winter it freezes at night and there is snow. Always bring an extra layer, even in summer. ## Essaouira URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/essaouira Region: Atlantic coast. From Marrakesh: About 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Marrakesh. Best time: All year; pleasant in summer thanks to the sea breeze, mild but wet in winter. Essaouira, the port town on the Atlantic coast 2.5 hours from Marrakesh: blue boats, wind, fresh fish and a medina you can wander in peace. ### Highlights - The harbor with blue boats and fish straight off the grill - Walking the sea walls of the Skala - A medina without mopeds and without hassle - Argan trees with goats in them along the road - Gnawa music, with a festival every June - Kitesurfers and a beach that goes on for kilometers Essaouira is Marrakesh with the volume turned down. The houses are white with blue shutters, seagulls hang over the harbor, no moped fits into the medina, and the wind blows away the heat of the interior. The town is small enough to figure out in an afternoon and pleasant enough to stay for three days. If you want to catch your breath after the bustle of Marrakesh, this is the place. ### Harbor, sea wall and medina Start at the harbor. In the morning the blue wooden boats come in and the fish is sold on the quay. At the grill stalls between the harbor and the medina you point at a fish or a portion of sardines, agree on the price, and eat it ten minutes later with bread and salad. It doesn't get simpler or fresher, and it costs little. The Skala de la Ville is the town wall on the sea side, with old Portuguese cannons and a view over the waves. Underneath it are the woodworkers who make boxes and chessboards from thuya wood. It is worth walking past for the smell alone. The medina is a UNESCO World Heritage site and, unlike the one in Marrakesh, built on a grid. You don't really get lost here. You'll find galleries, argan shops, studios and cafés where you can sit without anyone asking you to move along. The vendors take it easy and accept a no. The beach runs south for kilometers. You can walk, ride horses or watch the kitesurfers; swimming is for the brave. Essaouira is a popular place to learn to kitesurf, if that was ever on your list. Essaouira is also the town of the Gnawa, music with roots in West Africa. Every June there is a festival that fills the whole town. The rest of the year you hear the music in cafés and on the street. On the way from Marrakesh you see argan trees and, with a bit of luck, goats climbing in them. Some farmers put the goats there for the photo and ask for money. We prefer to stop at a cooperative where the women actually make the oil. ### As a woman on your own in Essaouira Essaouira is relaxed in a way you don't find in Marrakesh. You walk through the medina without being approached and sit alone at a café without anyone staring. In the evening the area around Place Moulay Hassan is lively and safe. Many women live and work here, including women from Europe, and the town is used to it. Dress is looser than in the interior. A dress or shorts won't stand out, though covering up is still more comfortable in the medina. Always bring a scarf or cardigan, because the wind is cold as soon as the sun is gone. More on that in [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear) and in [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### How to get there and when to go From Marrakesh it is a drive of two and a half to three hours on a good road, with a stop at an argan farm halfway. One day gives you a good impression. If you stay a night, you also get the morning at the harbor and the evening by the sea. If you are looking for rest, stay two or three nights. Essaouira works all year. In summer it is 25°C here when Marrakesh hits 40. In winter it is mild, with occasional rain and a lot of wind. Bring a cardigan or scarf against the wind and put on sunscreen, because the wind keeps you from feeling the sun. You need cash for the fish; how that works is in [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments). ### The day trip with Soukayna On the [day trip to Essaouira](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) Soukayna drives you to the coast in the morning, with a stop at an argan farm. In town you walk through the medina on your own or with her, eat fish at the harbor and have a free afternoon. At the end of the day she takes you back to Marrakesh. If you stay over, she drops you at your riad in Essaouira and picks you up again a few days later. Essaouira fits well into a longer trip: first [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), then the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains), and two days by the sea to finish. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I do Essaouira as a day trip from Marrakesh?** Yes. You leave around eight, arrive in town at eleven, have an afternoon for the medina and the harbor, and are back around seven. Staying the night is nicer, but not necessary. **Can you swim in Essaouira?** You can, but the Atlantic is cold and it is almost always windy. The beach is mainly for walking. If you want to swim and sunbathe, you are better off at the pool of a riad or hotel. **Why is it so windy in Essaouira?** The town sits on a spit of land in the trade winds. That is why it is 25°C here in summer while Marrakesh hits 40. Always bring a cardigan or scarf, even in August. **Is Essaouira suitable for women traveling alone?** It is one of the most pleasant towns in Morocco to be on your own. The medina is easy to navigate, the mood is relaxed and the vendors leave you alone. ## Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate Region: South, beyond the Atlas. From Marrakesh: Aït Benhaddou about 4 hours, Ouarzazate about 4.5 hours by car from Marrakesh over the Tizi n'Tichka pass. Best time: March through May and October through November; summers above 40°C, winters cold but clear. Over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to the mud-brick ksar of Aït Benhaddou and to Ouarzazate with its kasbah and film studios. Travel time, season and sights. ### Highlights - The ksar of Aït Benhaddou, a UNESCO site and the backdrop of many films - The drive over the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters - Kasbah Taourirt in Ouarzazate - Film studios where Gladiator and Game of Thrones were shot - Sunset from a rooftop terrace facing the ksar - The first leg on the way to the Sahara Beyond the Atlas Mountains, Morocco is drier and emptier, with villages of red earth in exactly the color of the landscape. Aït Benhaddou is the best known: a fortified village (ksar) on a hill beside a river, which you know from Gladiator, Lawrence of Arabia and Game of Thrones. Ouarzazate, half an hour farther on, is the town with the kasbah and the film studios. Together they make up the first day of a trip from Marrakesh to the Sahara. Even if you are not going to the desert, they are worth the drive over the pass. ### The drive there You climb through the High Atlas for two hours to the Tizi n'Tichka pass at 2,260 meters, past villages, terraces and slopes that get barer as you go. Along the way you stop at a viewpoint and drink tea at a women's cooperative or in a village. On the south side the road descends into a landscape that looks more like Arizona than the medina you left that morning. About four hours after setting off you are standing at the ksar. ### The ksar and the town You see Aït Benhaddou on foot. You cross the river, which is usually dry, climb through the alleys between the earthen houses, and after half an hour you are at the granary on top, with a view over the palms and the plain. Go early or late, because between eleven and three it is hot and crowded with day-trippers. A few families still live in the ksar, and they sometimes show visitors their home. You stay the night in the new village across the river. Several guesthouses there have a rooftop terrace that looks straight at the ksar. The sunset from one of those terraces is the reason to stay over. Ouarzazate is a practical town. Kasbah Taourirt in the center is one of the best-preserved kasbahs in the south, with painted ceilings and a maze of rooms. Atlas Studios and CLA Studios on the edge of town are open-air museums of film sets: an Egyptian temple, a Tibetan monastery, a piece of Jerusalem. It is a little kitschy, and entertaining if you like movies. If you have an extra day, drive on to the Draa Valley with its endless palm groves, or to the Valley of the Roses near Kelaat M'Gouna, where the rose harvest is in May. ### As a woman in the south The south is rural and quiet. In Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate hardly anyone approaches you. Only at the ksar do vendors offer you a "guide," and a friendly no thanks is enough. Covered clothing is the norm here, especially in the villages: long pants or a skirt and covered shoulders. It is dry and the sun is fierce, so a scarf around your head is also simply practical. The guide on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) has more tips. The guesthouses are family businesses where a woman on her own is nothing unusual and you are welcome. There is little to do in the evening. You eat on the terrace and watch the ksar in the last light. ### Travel time, overnight stays and season Aït Benhaddou is about a four-hour drive and Ouarzazate four and a half hours, without stops. With stops it takes up a whole day. One overnight stay is ideal, even if you go back to Marrakesh afterward. If you continue to the [Sahara](/en/destinations/sahara-merzouga), you sleep here anyway. The best months are March through May and October through November. In summer it gets hotter here than in Marrakesh. In winter the days are clear and crisp, and the pass can be closed for a few hours after snowfall. Bring good shoes for the climb through the ksar, a scarf, sunscreen and cash. There are ATMs in Ouarzazate, not in Aït Benhaddou. What a long drive like this looks like is covered in [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around). ### Two days with Soukayna On the [two-day trip to Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate](/en/trips/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate) Soukayna drives you over the pass, with stops wherever you like, and you sleep across from the ksar. The next day you see Taourirt and the studios and drive back. You can also continue to the desert on the [three-day Sahara trip](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga). A night in the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) on the way there or back splits the drive over the pass in two. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I do Aït Benhaddou as a day trip from Marrakesh?** You can, but you will spend eight to nine hours in the car in a single day. We recommend staying the night. Then you see the ksar at sunset and sunrise, when the buses are gone. **Is the mountain pass scary?** The Tizi n'Tichka is a good paved road with curves and views, not a mountain track. Soukayna drives it regularly. When it snows the pass can be closed for a few hours; then we wait or adjust the day. **How much of Aït Benhaddou is still authentic?** A handful of families still live in the ksar and UNESCO supports its upkeep. Parts have been restored, some of them for films. It remains an inhabited village of earth, and nothing about the view from the top is fake. **Is Ouarzazate a beautiful city?** No, it is a practical town with a beautiful kasbah and film studios. You go there for Taourirt, for the studios and to spend the night on the way to the desert or the Draa Valley. The town itself is no reason to come. ## Sahara and Merzouga URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/sahara-merzouga Region: Sahara, Erg Chebbi. From Marrakesh: About 9 to 10 hours by car from Marrakesh, spread over two days. Best time: October through April; above 45°C in summer, around freezing at night in December and January. The Sahara at Merzouga: the Erg Chebbi dunes, a night in a desert camp and the long drive there. Honest about travel time, cold and what you get in return. ### Highlights - The dunes of Erg Chebbi, up to 150 meters high - A night in a camp among the dunes - Riding a camel to the camp at sunset - A night sky without artificial light - The Todra Gorge and the Dadès Valley along the way - A silence you won't find at home The Sahara is far. From Marrakesh it is a nine to ten hour drive to Merzouga, and you don't do that in one day. It is worth the drive: you sit on a hundred-meter dune watching the sun sink into the sand, and later by a fire under the stars while someone plays a drum. Erg Chebbi is the dune field at Merzouga, near the border with Algeria. It is a sea of sand about 28 by 7 kilometers, with dunes up to 150 meters high. Desert trips often come here, because the dunes are high and easy to reach. ### The road there Day one goes over the Tizi n'Tichka pass to [Aït Benhaddou and Ouarzazate](/en/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate), and on through the Dadès Valley with its kasbahs and rock formations. You sleep in the Dadès Gorge or near the Todra Gorge, where the walls rise 300 meters straight up. On day two you drive through the Todra Gorge and past oases and villages to Merzouga, where you arrive during the afternoon. There you switch from the car to a camel or a 4x4 and head into the dunes. The way back to Marrakesh is long: nine hours with stops. That is why some people fly out of Errachidia or drive on to Fes, seven hours farther. That way you combine the desert with an [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour). ### In the desert The camel ride to the camp takes an hour and coincides with sunset. Camels are tall, they sway, and they are a bit stiffer than you expect. It is fun, but nobody would want to sit on one for seventeen hours. In the camp you eat a tagine, listen to Gnawa music by the fire and crawl under a pile of blankets. Get up before sunrise and walk up a dune. That half hour is what you came for. If you have more time, visit the nomad families on the edge of the erg, the village of Khamlia with its Gnawa musicians, or the fossil workshops in Erfoud. ### As a woman in a desert camp In the desert you are with your guide, the camp crew and a handful of other guests. It feels sheltered and the mood is calm. If you are traveling alone, you may want a camp with a private bathroom and a door that locks. Those camps exist, and it helps when you need the toilet at night. Wear long pants or a skirt and cover your shoulders. A scarf helps against the sun and the blowing sand. On the camel, pants are the most comfortable. In winter you need a hat and a warm layer at night. The [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) has a separate section for the desert, and general tips are in the guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Travel time, season and Ramadan The drive is nine to ten hours, spread over two days. For the whole trip you need at least three days; four is more relaxed. Go between October and April. In summer it is above 45°C during the day. In December and January it can freeze at night; choose a camp with heating then. Bring a warm layer, a scarf, sunscreen, a flashlight, wet wipes and cash. There is electricity in the camp, but not always in the tent. During [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) the trip runs as usual. Do keep in mind that your guide doesn't eat or drink during the day. ### The three-day trip with Soukayna On the [three-day desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) Soukayna drives the whole route: from Marrakesh over the pass and through the gorges to the dunes, and back again. Along the way she stops wherever you like the view, and she knows which camps keep their promises. In the desert itself the camp team takes over. Soukayna waits at the village and picks you up again the next morning. If you want four days, or want to drive on to [Fes](/en/destinations/fes), we build that in. ### Frequently asked questions **How long does a trip to the Sahara from Marrakesh take?** At least three days: two days to get there with an overnight stop on the way, a night in the desert and a long day back. Four days is more relaxed. We advise against anything shorter than three days, because then you mostly sit in the car. **Isn't it very cold in the desert?** In winter it is: around 18°C during the day and around freezing at night. The camps have thick blankets and often a stove. In spring and fall the nights are cool, not cold. In summer it is too hot to do anything during the day. **Do I have to ride a camel?** No. The ride to the camp takes an hour, but you can also go to the camp by 4x4 and climb the dunes on foot. Tell us in advance and we will arrange it differently. **What kind of camp is it?** That is your choice: a simple Berber camp with shared bathrooms and a fire, or a comfortable camp with a private bathroom, a real bed and heating. Both are among the dunes. The difference is in comfort and price. ## Fes URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/fes Region: North, imperial cities. From Marrakesh: About 6 hours by car from Marrakesh, or about 7 hours by train. Best time: April through June and September through November; cold and wet in winter, hot in summer. Fes, Morocco's oldest imperial city: the car-free medina of Fes el-Bali, the tanneries and the madrasas, and how to get through it as a woman without hassle. ### Highlights - Fes el-Bali, one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world - The Chouara tannery from a terrace - The Bou Inania and Al-Attarine madrasas - The view over the city from the Marinid Tombs - Crafts that are still made here for real: copper, ceramics, embroidery - A riad in the medina to recover from the crowds Fes takes more effort than Marrakesh. The medina, Fes el-Bali, is one of the largest car-free urban areas in the world: thousands of alleys, donkeys carrying loads, workshops where copper is hammered and leather is dyed the way it was a thousand years ago. It is busier, steeper and more confusing than Marrakesh. It is also more real, because people still work in the medina, and selling is only part of what goes on. With a good guide and a riad to retreat to, Fes will leave you with one of the strongest memories of your trip. ### Tanneries, madrasas and workshops You know the Chouara tanneries from the photos: dozens of stone vats of dye, men standing up to their waists in the color. You watch from the terrace of a leather shop. You get a sprig of mint against the smell and a sales pitch thrown in. Five minutes of looking is enough to get your photo. The madrasas are where you catch your breath. The 14th-century Bou Inania and the Al-Attarine by the spice market have courtyards with zellige, cedar wood and carved plaster where you can sit for a while. The Kairaouine University, one of the oldest in the world, is closed to non-Muslims. Through the doors you catch a glimpse of the courtyard. From there you walk past the Nejjarine fountain and the woodworking museum next to it, Place Seffarine where the coppersmiths work, and the many funduqs. Those are old caravanserais that now house craftspeople. At the end of the day you drive up to the Marinid Tombs on the hill, for the view over the whole medina at sunset. Fes el-Jdid, the newer city from the 13th century, has the Mellah (the Jewish quarter) and the royal palace with its brass doors. An hour is enough. ### What to skip The pottery on the edge of town is a sales outlet with a demonstration, and only worth it if you want to buy ceramics anyway. The same goes for the carpet shops where you stop "just" for tea: count on an hour and a firm sales talk. Say in advance what you want, and the guide will leave them out. ### Out on your own in Fes Fes is more conservative than Marrakesh and the attention is different: less flirting, more "where are you going, I'll take you there." Self-appointed guides, often boys, walk along with you until you say yes. A firm no and walking on does the job. With an official guide next to you it stops completely. Apart from that, women on their own are left alone; the medina is full of women doing their shopping. Dress properly covered in Fes: long pants or a skirt, covered shoulders, nothing tight. You stand out here faster than in Marrakesh. The guides on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) and on [language and etiquette](/en/practical/language-and-etiquette) help you with that. In the evening the medina quickly turns empty and dark. Eat at your riad or have someone walk you back. Riads in Fes are often especially beautiful, with courtyards four stories high, and that is the nicest place to end the day. ### How to get there and how long to stay From Marrakesh it is about a six-hour drive via Beni Mellal, or seven hours by train via Casablanca. From [Meknes](/en/destinations/meknes-and-volubilis) it is an hour. Stay two nights. That gives you one full day with a guide, half a day to yourself and time to recover. Go between April and June or between September and November. In winter it is cold and wet, in summer stifling in the narrow alleys. In the city you do everything on foot. A petit taxi takes you from the medina to the new town; how those work is in [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around). ### Fes on the tour Fes is a fixed part of the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour). Soukayna drives you there, via Beni Mellal and the Middle Atlas or via the coast and [Rabat](/en/destinations/rabat), and arranges an official local guide in Fes who knows the medina. She stays available herself for the drives to [Chefchaouen](/en/destinations/chefchaouen) and Volubilis. If you want to combine Fes with the Sahara, you drive from Merzouga to Fes in seven hours and you have made a full loop of Morocco. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need a guide in Fes?** For the first day we strongly recommend it. The medina of Fes has thousands of alleys, no logical layout and many dead ends. With a guide you see in one day what would otherwise take you three days of searching. The second day you can easily manage on your own. **How bad does the tannery smell?** The smell is sharp; at the entrance to the terrace you are handed a sprig of mint. In summer the smell is stronger. The view of the dye vats makes up for it, and five minutes is enough. **Is Fes more tiring than Marrakesh?** Yes. The medina is bigger, steeper and busier, and there are more people who want to sell you something or take you somewhere. Plan half a day of rest and choose a riad with a rooftop terrace. **Can I get to Chefchaouen from Fes?** Yes, it is about a three and a half hour drive. You can do Chefchaouen from Fes as a day trip or with an overnight stay. ## Chefchaouen URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/chefchaouen Region: Rif Mountains. From Marrakesh: About 3.5 hours by car from Fes; from Marrakesh a two-day journey. Best time: April through June and September through October; cold and wet in winter. Chefchaouen, the blue town in the Rif Mountains: why everything is blue, what to do besides taking photos and how to get there from Fes. ### Highlights - A medina painted in every shade of blue - Walking up to the Spanish Mosque for the view at sunset - The Rif Mountains and the waterfalls of Akchour - Goat cheese, olives and honey from the market - A pace even slower than in Essaouira Chefchaouen sits on the flank of the Rif Mountains, two hours from the Mediterranean, and it is blue. The walls, the stairs, the doors and even the flowerpots are painted in shades from light blue to indigo. People come for the photos, and it is also one of the most relaxed towns in Morocco. The pace is slow, people are friendly without an agenda, and the medina is small enough to cross in an hour. ### What you do there Mostly walk around. The medina has no major sights; you come for the streets themselves. Early in the morning, before the day-trippers from Fes and Tangier arrive, you have the blue alleys to yourself. Have your coffee on Place Outa el-Hammam. The kasbah next to it has a garden and a tower with a view. At the end of the afternoon it is a twenty-minute walk to the Spanish Mosque on the hill across from the town. From there you watch the sun drop behind the mountains and the town turn from blue to purple. Everyone does it, and still it isn't crowded. If you have an extra day, go to Akchour, an hour's drive into the mountains, and hike to the waterfalls and the natural stone bridge. The trail is doable in sneakers, with a steep climb at the end. At the market you buy local things: fresh goat cheese from the Rif, honey, olives and wool blankets that are still woven here. The vendors leave you alone. Cannabis is grown in the Rif Mountains and you will be offered some. A friendly no is enough, because nobody pushes. Possession is a criminal offense in Morocco. ### As a woman on your own in Chefchaouen Chefchaouen is an easy town to stay in longer than you planned. The mood is relaxed, you get hardly any attention, and the guesthouses are small and personal. In the evening you sit on the square or on the rooftop terrace of your riad. Nights don't run late, and they don't need to. The Rif is rural and people dress conservatively, but the town is used to visitors. Covered shoulders and knees are the norm; an ankle-length dress or wide pants are fine. It can be cold. Chefchaouen is at 600 meters and it rains more here than in most of Morocco. Bring a rain jacket and a warm layer, even in May. The [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) has the rest. ### Travel time from Fes and best months From Fes it is a three and a half hour drive, from Tangier two hours. From Marrakesh you are on the road for two days, so Chefchaouen fits best into a tour of the north. Stay one night for the town, or two if you also want to go to Akchour. The best months are April through June and September through October. In winter it is cold and wet. In summer the altitude keeps it pleasant, but it is crowded. For the rest of the country, see [the best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). There are ATMs, but most guesthouses and shops want cash. More on that in [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments). ### Chefchaouen on the tour Chefchaouen is an optional leg of the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour). From [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) Soukayna drives you through the Rif to the blue town in three and a half hours, with a stop in a village on the way. You stay one or two nights and then drive back to Fes or on to Tangier and the coast. Soukayna arranges the riad and the drive. All you have to do is walk around, and you are guaranteed to take too many photos. ### Frequently asked questions **Why is Chefchaouen blue?** There are several stories: Jewish refugees who brought the blue of the sky with them in the 1930s, blue as a way to keep mosquitoes away, or simply because it is pretty and attracts tourists. A mix is probably true. The town is repainted every year. **Is Chefchaouen worth a day trip from Fes?** It is three and a half hours each way, so a day trip means seven hours of driving for three hours in town. Staying the night is much nicer. Then you have the morning without day-trippers and the evening on a terrace. **What is there to do besides walking around?** You can walk up to the Spanish Mosque above the town, take a day hike to the waterfalls and the natural bridge at Akchour, visit the kasbah and its small museum, and sit on the square. You don't need more. ## Rabat URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/rabat Region: Atlantic coast, capital. From Marrakesh: About 3.5 hours by car from Marrakesh, or about 3.5 hours by train. Best time: All year; the ocean keeps summers mild and winters gentle. Rabat, the calm capital on the Atlantic: the Kasbah of the Oudayas, the Hassan Tower and a medina where you can walk around undisturbed as a woman. ### Highlights - The Kasbah of the Oudayas with blue and white alleys and a view of the sea - The Hassan Tower and the Mausoleum of Mohammed V - Chellah, Roman and Marinid ruins with storks - A medina without hassle and with fixed prices - Walking along the ocean and the Bou Regreg river Rabat is the capital and behaves calmly, as a capital should: wide avenues, a tram, gardens, embassies. On its edge are a medina and a kasbah by the sea so beautiful that you wonder why nobody talks about them. Rabat as a whole is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is also a city where Moroccan women are very visible in public life: in offices, at cafés, on the tram. After a week in the interior that is a relief. ### Oudayas, Hassan Tower and Chellah The Kasbah of the Oudayas is a fortified quarter on a rock above the mouth of the Bou Regreg. You'll find white houses with blue bases, an Andalusian garden and, at the far end, a terrace where you look out at the ocean with mint tea and cookies. Rabat doesn't get better than this, and it costs nothing. The Hassan Tower is the unfinished minaret of a 12th-century mosque, surrounded by a field of columns. Next to it stands the Mausoleum of King Mohammed V, with guards on horseback and an interior of marble and cedar wood. Non-Muslims are allowed inside, which is possible at very few religious buildings in Morocco. Chellah is a walled ruin of a Roman town and a Marinid necropolis, overgrown with gardens and inhabited by storks. It is quiet and green, and there is something mysterious about it. In spring the flowers are in bloom. The medina of Rabat is small and practical. You buy carpets, leather and spices at fixed prices, so there is no need to haggle. It is a good place to buy your last gifts without stress. Across the river is Salé, with its own medina and an old madrasa. Crossing on the small ferry boat costs a few dirhams. ### Rabat as a woman Rabat is about as easy as a Moroccan city gets for women. You walk around here the way you would in a southern European city. Nobody approaches you, you don't get the looks of the Fes medina, and you don't have to negotiate over anything. Dress is looser. A dress or pants like you would wear at home won't stand out, though covering up is appropriate in the medina and at the mausoleum. More on that in [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear). In the evening the new town around Avenue Mohammed V is lively, with café terraces and restaurants. Eating out alone is normal here. Taxis run on the meter. ### Travel time and how long to stay From Marrakesh it is a three and a half hour drive, and the train takes just as long. From [Casablanca](/en/destinations/casablanca) it is an hour. Half a day to a day is enough. Staying the night is pleasant if you continue from here by train or car to Fes or Tangier. Rabat works all year. The ocean keeps the temperature mild: 25°C in summer and 17°C in winter, with occasional rain. There are ATMs everywhere and every taxi runs on the meter. The rest is in [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments). ### Rabat on the tour Rabat is a leg of the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour), usually as the first stop after Casablanca or the last one before you head home. Soukayna drives you there, walks with you through the Oudayas and the medina, and then drives on to [Meknes and Volubilis](/en/destinations/meknes-and-volubilis) or [Fes](/en/destinations/fes). If you would rather take the train for the stretch along the coast, that is possible too. She then picks you up again at the other end. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Rabat worth it, or can I skip it?** If you only have a week and want to see Marrakesh and the desert, skip it. On a tour of the north Rabat is a pleasant stop, because it is so relaxed. Half a day to a day is enough. **How does Rabat feel compared to Marrakesh?** Very different: wide avenues, trams, embassies, women in office clothes, and nobody trying to sell you anything. It feels closer to a European city than to Marrakesh. After a week of medinas that can be welcome. **Can I continue by train from Rabat?** Yes. Rabat is on the Al Boraq high-speed line from Tangier to Casablanca. Casablanca is an hour away, Fes two and a half hours. The trains are clean and safe, also for women on their own. ## Meknes and Volubilis URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/meknes-and-volubilis Region: North, imperial cities. From Marrakesh: Meknes about 5 hours by car from Marrakesh, 1 hour from Fes; Volubilis 30 minutes from Meknes. Best time: March through June and September through November; Volubilis in spring among the flowers. Meknes, the quietest imperial city, with the Bab Mansour gate and Moulay Ismail's stables, and Volubilis, the Roman town with mosaics in open fields. ### Highlights - Bab Mansour, the gate of green zellige and marble columns - The royal stables and granaries of Moulay Ismail - A medina without tourists and without pressure - The Roman mosaics of Volubilis in the open landscape - The holy town of Moulay Idriss on the hill - Vineyards and olive groves around the city Meknes is the imperial city everyone skips, and that makes it the most pleasant one. Sultan Moulay Ismail made it his capital in the late seventeenth century, with forty kilometers of walls, stables for twelve thousand horses and the gate of Bab Mansour. Then power moved to Fes and Rabat, and Meknes was left behind as a quiet provincial town with a medina where you can simply walk around. Half an hour's drive away is Volubilis, a Roman town in open fields, with mosaics still lying where they were laid. ### Meknes Bab Mansour is the reason to come to Meknes. It is a monumental gate from 1732, covered in green zellige and with marble columns taken from Volubilis. You look at it from Place el-Hedim, the square across from it. In the evening the food stalls open there as they do on Jemaa el-Fna, but without the crowds. Behind the gate lies the imperial city of Moulay Ismail. Here you find his mausoleum, which is open to everyone and has a quiet courtyard, and the enormous granaries and stables of Heri es-Souani, with their vaults and the Agdal basin next to them. The scale is hard to grasp; this was built to feed an army. The medina of Meknes is small, and people simply live and work there. The Bou Inania Madrasa (yes, the same name as the one in Fes) has a roof you are allowed onto, with a view over the green roofs of the city. At the market by Place el-Hedim you buy olives in twenty varieties. The area around Meknes grows olives and wine grapes. ### Volubilis Volubilis lies on a slope among wheat fields, with a view of the Rif hills. In the third century it was a Roman town of twenty thousand people, and little has been built over it since. You walk along the decumanus maximus, the main street, past the triumphal arch of Caracalla, the basilica and the remains of villas whose floors are still intact. There you find mosaics of Orpheus, Bacchus and the labors of Hercules, right out in the open air. Storks nest on the columns. Hire a local guide at the entrance. Without explanation it is a field of stones; with it, it is a city. Allow an hour and a half. In spring the fields are full of poppies. On the hill next to it is Moulay Idriss Zerhoun, the small town around the tomb of the founder of the first Moroccan dynasty. It is a place of pilgrimage. Non-Muslims may now enter the alleys, but not the mausoleum. The view from the terraces at the top is worth the climb. ### As a woman in Meknes, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss Meknes and Volubilis are calm. In the medina of Meknes nobody approaches you; there are hardly any tourists and so no vendors waiting for you either. Volubilis is an open site with other visitors and guides, where there is nothing you need to watch out for. In Moulay Idriss covered clothing really is necessary: long sleeves and a long skirt or pants. The guides on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) and [language and etiquette](/en/practical/language-and-etiquette) go into more detail. ### Travel times and planning the day Meknes is a five-hour drive from Marrakesh, an hour from [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) and two and a half hours from [Rabat](/en/destinations/rabat). Volubilis is half an hour north of Meknes. Set aside half a day for Meknes, an hour and a half for Volubilis and an hour for Moulay Idriss. Together that makes a full day, which you usually combine with the drive from Rabat to Fes. The best months are March through June and September through November. In summer Volubilis is scorching and there is no shade; go early then. Bring a cap or scarf, sunscreen, water and good shoes for the uneven stones of Volubilis. The rest is on the [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). ### The day between Rabat and Fes On the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour) this is the day between Rabat and Fes: Meknes in the morning, Volubilis and Moulay Idriss in the afternoon, arrival in Fes in the evening. Soukayna drives, arranges the guide at Volubilis and knows where to eat well in Meknes without a tourist menu. If you would rather spend the night in Meknes than in Fes, because it is quieter, that is possible too. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Meknes worth it if I am already visiting Fes?** Yes, because it is the opposite of Fes. Meknes is calm and easy to navigate, and no vendors follow you around. Half a day is enough. Combine it with Volubilis on the way to Fes. **How much time do I need for Volubilis?** An hour and a half to two hours. The site is large and open, and the mosaics are outdoors. Go early in the morning or at the end of the afternoon, because there is no shade in the middle of the day. **Am I allowed to visit Moulay Idriss?** Yes. The town was closed to non-Muslims for a long time, but it is open now. You can't go into the mausoleum itself; the alleys and the view from the terraces are open to you. Wear covered clothing. **Can I take the train from Meknes?** Yes. Meknes is on the line that connects Fes, Rabat and Casablanca. Fes is forty minutes away. ## Casablanca URL: https://soukytours.com/destinations/casablanca Region: Atlantic coast. From Marrakesh: About 2.5 to 3 hours by car from Marrakesh, or about 2.5 hours by train. Best time: All year; mild coastal climate, with some rain in winter. Casablanca, Morocco's largest city: the Hassan II Mosque by the sea, art deco avenues, and otherwise mostly the start or end point of your trip. ### Highlights - The Hassan II Mosque, one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims can see from the inside - Art deco buildings from the French era in the center - The Corniche boulevard along the ocean - The Habous quarter, a medina from the 1930s - An airport with the most connections in the country Casablanca is Morocco's largest city and its economic center. It is not the city from the movie; that was shot in Hollywood. What you do find is a huge mosque by the sea that makes you go quiet for a moment, wide avenues with art deco buildings from the 1920s and 1930s, and a city where Moroccans work, study and go out. It is a working city more than a romantic one. Many tours of the north start or end here. ### The mosque and the center The Hassan II Mosque is the reason to stop in Casablanca. It was built between 1987 and 1993, partly over the ocean, with a 210-meter minaret and room for 105,000 worshippers. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco that non-Muslims may see from the inside, on a guided tour at set times. The interior has cedar wood, marble, zellige and a roof that opens. It shows what Moroccan craftspeople can do when money is no object. Allow an hour, plus the walk across the square next to it. The center around Place Mohammed V and Boulevard Mohammed V is full of French colonial architecture. There are art deco and neo-Moorish buildings, some restored, many run-down. An hour's walk with a guide who knows the stories is worth it. The Habous quarter (Nouvelle Médina) is a medina the French built in the 1930s: clean and orderly, with bookshops, olive markets and a good pastry shop. It is an easy place to shop. The Corniche is the boulevard along the ocean, with beach clubs, restaurants and families out for a stroll in the evening. It is a nice spot for a sunset. ### What to skip Rick's Café is a replica of the café in the movie, built in 2004 by an American woman. The food is fine, the atmosphere is that of a theme park. The Morocco Mall is a shopping mall with an aquarium, and only an idea when it rains. The old medina by the port is messy and nothing special. ### As a woman in a city of millions Casablanca is a big city, and you notice it. There is more bustle and traffic, and you get more attention from men on the street than in Rabat, though less than in Fes. In the center and on the Corniche you walk around during the day without problems. In the evening you take a taxi, as you would in Paris or Naples. Dress is modern; women in Casablanca wear what they want. For the mosque you need long sleeves and long pants or a skirt, and a scarf is welcome. More tips are in [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Travel time and getting around the city From Marrakesh it is a drive of two and a half to three hours, or two and a half hours by train. [Rabat](/en/destinations/rabat) is an hour away. Half a day is enough for the mosque and the center. Only stay the night if your flight calls for it. Casablanca works all year. The coastal climate is mild, with the occasional rain shower in winter. In the city, red petit taxis run on the meter and a tram crosses the center. From Casa Voyageurs station, trains leave for Rabat, Fes and Tangier. How all of that works is in [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around). ### Start or end of the tour On the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour) Casablanca is usually the start. You fly into Casablanca, Soukayna picks you up, you see the mosque and drive on to Rabat. It also works the other way around, as a finish from [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) and [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) to the airport. That way you don't have to return to your starting point and you don't lose a day. Which order works best depends on your flights. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Casablanca worth a visit?** For the Hassan II Mosque it is: half a day. The rest is a big, modern port city like the ones you find in Europe. If you are short on time, skip Casablanca or use it only as your arrival or departure point. **Can I visit the Hassan II Mosque?** Yes, on a guided tour at set times outside prayer hours. Covered clothing is required and your shoes come off. It is one of the few mosques in Morocco open to non-Muslims, and the interior is impressive. **Is Casablanca safe for women?** It is a big city, with the attention of a big city. During the day the center and the Corniche are no problem. In the evening you take a taxi instead of walking, as you would in any city of millions. **Should I fly into Casablanca or Marrakesh?** For a trip around Marrakesh and the south, fly into Marrakesh. For a tour of the north, Casablanca can be handy as the start and Marrakesh as the end, or the other way around. Then you don't have to double back. --- # Practical guides ## Is Morocco safe for women? URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/safety-for-women Updated: 2026-09-30 Is Morocco safe for women? Generally, yes. What you will run into on the street, what rarely happens and how to avoid most of the hassle. ### In short - Morocco is generally safe for women; violence against tourists is rare. - What you will run into: comments on the street, pushy vendors and self-appointed guides. - The medina of Marrakesh is busy and confusing, but not dangerous. After sunset, stay on the busy streets. - With a female driver like Soukayna, most of the hassle disappears. - Emergency numbers: police 19, ambulance 15, gendarmerie 177. Yes, Morocco is generally safe for women. Millions of tourists visit every year, the police are visibly present in tourist areas and violence against visitors is rare. What you will deal with is comments on the street, pushy vendors and self-appointed guides. That is annoying, but it is not the same as danger. ### What you will run into As a woman you get more attention in Morocco than you are probably used to at home. It usually looks like this: - Comments on the street: "Bonjour gazelle", "Where are you from?", a whistle. Annoying, but it stays verbal. - Vendors trying to talk you into their shop. In the souks of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) that is part of the deal. Smiling and walking on works. - Self-appointed guides. Young men who tell you the street is "closed" or the tannery is open "only today", or who offer to show you the way. They want a tip or a commission. Say no and keep walking. - Touching. It is rare, but in the crowds around Jemaa el-Fna it sometimes happens. React out loud. Bystanders in Morocco usually take your side. Violent robbery, aggression and situations where you are in real danger are rare. There are pickpockets, as in any busy city, so carry your phone and wallet in front of you and not in your back pocket. ### How to make it easier on yourself These habits cut the attention down a lot: 1. Dress a little more covered than at home. Shoulders and knees covered is enough, and you don't need a headscarf. The guide on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) goes through it per situation. 2. Walk with purpose. Someone hesitating over a map attracts help she doesn't want. If you don't know the way, step into a shop or café and ask there. 3. Wear sunglasses in the busy souks. Eye contact is quickly read as interest. 4. Keep your answers short. "La, shukran" (no, thank you) is enough. You don't have to explain where you are from or where you are going. 5. Say you are married if you want to be left alone. It is a cliché, but it works. ### In the evening After sunset the busy streets around Jemaa el-Fna and the main arteries of the souks stay full and safe until late. The small alleys beyond them become empty and dark, and you don't want to get lost there alone. What helps: - Choose a riad you can reach from a main street, or ask the riad to pick you up at a recognizable spot. - If you eat outside the medina, take a petit taxi back. Agree on the price or insist on the meter. - Alcohol is available in restaurants and bars outside the medina. Drink in moderation, because a tipsy woman on her own stands out. ### Taxis and transport Petit taxis in the city have to use the meter. If the driver won't, get out and take the next one. There are always more taxis. For longer distances, grand taxis and buses are fine, but arranging them costs time and energy. A private driver solves that. The guide on [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around) compares all the options. ### Riads and hotels If you can, choose a riad run by a woman or one with a good reputation among solo travelers. Read recent reviews and pay attention to what they say about the location. A riad "in the heart of the medina" sounds great, but it sometimes means a ten-minute walk through unlit alleys. Ask when you book whether they can pick you up. ### On your own or with Soukayna Traveling around Morocco on your own is perfectly doable, but it takes energy. You haggle over every ride, turn down offers all day and have to work out the route yourself. When Soukayna drives, all of that goes away. She arranges the ride, speaks the language and knows where you can stop in peace. That is the idea behind a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). The same goes for day trips. Going to [Essaouira](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) or to the [Berber villages in the Atlas](/en/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages) is a lot calmer with a driver who knows the road than in a shared grand taxi. ### Emergency numbers and help - Police: 19 - Ambulance: 15 - Gendarmerie (outside the cities): 177 - Tourist police in Marrakesh: at Jemaa el-Fna, look for the sign "Brigade Touristique" - Your embassy: most embassies are in Rabat. Save the number in your phone before you leave, and register your trip with your foreign ministry if it offers that service. Short answers to other questions are in the [frequently asked questions](/en/faq). ### Frequently asked questions **Can I travel around Morocco alone as a woman?** Yes, plenty of women travel around Morocco alone. You get more attention than at home, but it almost always stays verbal and stops once you keep walking. **Is Marrakesh safe at night?** In the busy parts of the medina and around Jemaa el-Fna, yes. Avoid empty alleys after sunset and take a petit taxi back to your riad when it gets late. **How do I deal with pushy men or vendors?** Say a short, friendly 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) and keep walking. Don't get into a discussion. If someone keeps following you, you no longer have to be polite. **What if something really goes wrong?** Call 19 for the police or 15 for an ambulance. Marrakesh has tourist police at Jemaa el-Fna. Most embassies are in Rabat. **Is it safer to travel with Soukayna?** Mostly it saves you hassle. You don't haggle over taxis, nobody 'helps' you find the way without being asked, and there is always someone nearby who speaks the language. ## What to wear in Morocco as a woman URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/what-to-wear Updated: 2026-09-30 What should you wear in Morocco as a woman? Advice per situation (medina, desert, beach, hammam) and per season. You don't need a headscarf. ### In short - Shoulders and knees covered is the basic rule; you don't have to wear a headscarf. - Light, loose fabrics are more comfortable than tight and short clothes, even in the heat. - In Essaouira and other beach towns a bikini is normal on the beach, but not in town. - For the desert and the Atlas, bring layers: days are warm and nights are cold. - A large scarf is the most useful item in your suitcase. In Morocco, cover your shoulders and knees; that is all you need to do. There is no dress code for tourists and you don't have to wear a headscarf. Covered clothing is seen as respectful, though, and it gets you less attention on the street. The rules are simpler than you might expect when you start packing. ### The basic rule Shoulders and knees covered. Long sleeves, a headscarf or dark colors are not necessary. Loose, airy clothing is also more comfortable in the heat than anything tight and short. Think of: - Wide linen or cotton pants - Long skirts or dresses that fall below the knee - Blouses or short-sleeved T-shirts - A large scarf you can use for everything: over your shoulders, on your head against the sun, against the dust in the desert Spaghetti straps, hot pants, low necklines and see-through fabrics are better left at home. They are not forbidden, but in the medina they attract a lot of attention you don't need. ### Per situation #### Medina and souks This is where you are among Moroccans the most, and where you dress the most covered. Keep knees and shoulders covered and wear comfortable closed shoes or sandals with a good sole, because the alleys are uneven and sometimes wet. A small bag you carry in front of you works better than a backpack. This is also what you wear on the [souks and crafts tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour). #### New town, Gueliz and restaurants In Gueliz, the modern part of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh), you see Moroccan women in jeans, dresses and heels. You can dress a little more freely here than in the medina, especially in restaurants in the evening. A sleeveless dress with a cardigan or scarf is fine. #### Beach and pool On the beach in [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira), in Agadir and at hotel and riad pools, a bikini is normal. The unwritten rule is that you put something on as soon as you leave the beach or the pool. A long beach dress or tunic is enough. #### Desert In the Sahara and in the [Agafay desert](/en/destinations/agafay), wear light, long clothing during the day against sun and sand: long pants, a light long-sleeved blouse, a scarf around your head and sunglasses. As soon as the sun goes down, it gets cold. Bring a fleece or warm sweater and a thin jacket, and in winter a warm hat as well. On a [desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) you usually get blankets, but an extra layer of your own always comes in handy. #### Atlas Mountains For hiking in the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) you need sturdy shoes, long pants and layers. In Imlil the morning can be chilly while it is already warm down in Marrakesh. The villages are conservative communities, so dress covered there. People appreciate it and welcome you more easily. #### Hammam In a public women's hammam you wear only underwear bottoms. Nobody blinks at bare breasts, but a bikini top will get looks. In tourist spa hammams you get disposable underwear and a towel. Bring flip-flops, a clean set of clothes and a comb. You can bring black soap and a kessa glove yourself or buy them on the spot. #### Mosques and religious sites Most mosques in Morocco are not open to non-Muslims. The exception is the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca, which you can enter on a guided tour. There you cover your arms and legs and bring a scarf for your head. A madrasa (Koranic school) such as the Ben Youssef in Marrakesh is open and doesn't require special clothing; covered is enough. ### Per season - Spring and fall (March to May, September to November): the easiest. Summer clothes during the day, a cardigan or thin jacket in the evening. - Summer (June to August): Marrakesh regularly reaches 38 to 45 °C (100 to 113 °F). Wear the lightest things you have, in light colors and natural fabrics, and bring a hat or scarf against the sun. The coast is a lot cooler. - Winter (December to February): days are pleasant, 15 to 20 °C (59 to 68 °F), and evenings are cold. Riads are poorly insulated, so bring a warm sweater and thick socks. In the desert and the mountains, nights can be around freezing. The weather per month is in the guide on the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). ### Shoes Two pairs are enough: closed shoes or sneakers you can walk in for hours, and sandals or flip-flops for the beach, the hammam and the riad. Leave heels at home; the alleys of the medina were not built for them. ### What you can buy here If you forget something, you can buy it in Morocco. A djellaba (a long hooded robe) or a kaftan is comfortable, beautiful and not expensive. Scarves cost a few euros in any souk. Soukayna knows where to find quality and what a fair price is, so ask her along the way. Keep the [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) next to you to check that you have everything. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I have to wear a headscarf in Morocco?** No. Many Moroccan women don't wear one and nobody expects it from tourists. A scarf is useful against sun and dust, and at religious sites that are open to visitors. **Can I wear shorts?** You can, but you will stand out and get more comments. Wide pants or a skirt that falls below the knee is just as cool and attracts less attention. **What do I wear in the hammam?** In a public hammam women wear only underwear bottoms. In tourist spa hammams you get disposable underwear. Bring a clean set of clothes for afterward. **Can I wear a bikini on the beach?** Yes, on the beaches of Essaouira and Agadir and at hotel pools. Put something on over your bikini as soon as you leave the beach. ## Best time to visit Morocco URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/best-time-to-visit Updated: 2026-09-30 The best time to visit Morocco by month and by region: Marrakesh, the coast, the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara. With school holidays and Ramadan. ### In short - March to May and September to November are the best months for almost all of Morocco. - In summer Marrakesh is often above 40 °C (104 °F); the coast and the mountains stay pleasant. - The Sahara is comfortable during the day in winter, but around freezing at night. - You can travel fine during Ramadan, but the rhythm of the day changes. - During European school holidays it is busier and more expensive; just outside them it is quieter. The best months for Morocco are April, May, October and November. Which period suits you best depends on where you are going and what you want to do. On the same day it can be 40 °C (104 °F) in Marrakesh, 24 °C (75 °F) on the coast in Essaouira and cool enough for a sweater up in the Atlas Mountains. ### In short - Best months for everything: April, May, October and November. - Best months for the Sahara: October to April (during the day). - Best months for the coast: May to October. - Best months for the Atlas: April to June and September to October. - Avoid: July and August in Marrakesh and the desert, unless you handle heat well. ### By region #### Marrakesh and the interior [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) lies on a dry plain and has a desert climate. Winters are mild and sunny, summers are hot. In spring and fall it is warm enough for the pool during the day and pleasant enough to eat outside in the evening. In summer, count on 38 to 45 °C (100 to 113 °F). The medina is hard to bear between noon and 4 pm. Moroccans go indoors during those hours too. #### The Atlantic coast [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira) and the rest of the coast have a moderate climate all year because of the ocean. It rarely gets warmer than 28 °C (82 °F) and rarely colder than 15 °C (59 °F). There is almost always wind. In summer that is pleasant; in winter it makes the coast chillier than you expect. The sea is cold all year. That makes a [day trip to Essaouira](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) a good escape when Marrakesh is too hot. #### The Atlas Mountains In the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) there is snow on the high peaks from December to March. Toubkal is then only for experienced winter hikers. The villages around Imlil and the Ourika valley can be reached all year. Hiking is at its best in April, May, September and October. In summer the mountains are about 10 °C (18 °F) cooler than Marrakesh, so you can escape the heat there. #### The Sahara In the desert around Merzouga, days are 20 to 30 °C (68 to 86 °F) from October to April. That is comfortable weather for a camel ride, but once the sun is down the temperature drops fast. In December and January, nights can be around freezing. From June to September days reach 40 °C (104 °F) or more, and that is dangerously hot. This is why we prefer to plan the [desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) between October and April. The [Agafay desert](/en/destinations/agafay) close to Marrakesh is milder and a good alternative for a short trip. #### The north: Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier The north is greener and wetter. [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) has hot summers and cold winters. [Chefchaouen](/en/destinations/chefchaouen) is in the mountains and gets a fair amount of rain in winter. Here too, spring and fall are the best seasons. ### By month - January: sunny and cool, 15 to 18 °C (59 to 64 °F) in Marrakesh, cold nights. Quiet and cheap. Snow in the Atlas. - February: similar, with almond blossom in the valleys around the Atlas. Check the dates of Ramadan. - March: it gets warmer, 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F). An occasional shower. A good month. - April: one of the best months. 25 °C (77 °F), gardens in bloom, pleasant evenings. - May: warm, 28 to 32 °C (82 to 90 °F). Early in the month the desert is still doable. - June: the interior gets hot. The coast and the Atlas are the most comfortable places then. - July and August: heat in Marrakesh and the desert, 40 °C (104 °F) or more. Many Moroccans living abroad come home on vacation, so the coast is busy. - September: still warm, but the peak has passed. By the end of the month the desert is possible again. - October: the other best month. 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), dry, everything open. - November: pleasant, 20 to 24 °C (68 to 75 °F). The first rain may fall. Good for the desert. - December: sunny and cool during the day, cold in the evening. Busy around Christmas and New Year. ### School holidays and public holidays During European school holidays (spring break, May, summer, fall break, Christmas) it is noticeably busier and more expensive, especially for flights. A week just before or after a holiday period often makes a big difference. Also keep two Moroccan holidays in mind: Eid al-Adha (the Feast of Sacrifice), when almost everything is closed for two days, and Eid al-Fitr at the end of Ramadan. The dates move forward by about eleven days every year. ### Ramadan You can travel well during Ramadan, but the rhythm changes. During the day many restaurants are closed or quieter, and after sunset the streets get busy. In 2027 Ramadan falls roughly from early February to early March. Read the guide on [traveling during Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) before you book in that period. ### The season per trip Soukayna drives all year round and knows which route is at its best in which season. On the [trips](/en/trips) pages you can check per trip which season suits it. ### Frequently asked questions **What is the best month to go to Marrakesh?** April and October. Days are 25 to 30 °C (77 to 86 °F), evenings are pleasant and there is little rain. In April the gardens are in bloom; in October the summer heat has just passed. **Can I go to the Sahara in summer?** You can, but it is tough. In July and August the temperature in Merzouga climbs above 45 °C (113 °F). The coast or the Atlas is a better choice then. **Does it rain in Morocco?** Mostly between November and March, and usually not for long. Marrakesh averages only a few rainy days a month. It rains more in the north and in the mountains. **Is winter a good time for Morocco?** For Marrakesh, the cities and the desert during the day, yes: it is sunny and 15 to 22 °C (59 to 72 °F). Bring warm clothes for the evenings, because riads are cold. ## Money and payments in Morocco URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/money-and-payments Updated: 2026-09-30 How money works in Morocco: the dirham, ATMs, exchanging cash, tipping and haggling in the souks. With typical prices, so you know what is normal. ### In short - The currency is the dirham (MAD); 1 euro is about 10.5 dirham, so check the current rate. - In the medina, at markets and in taxis you pay cash. - You can withdraw cash at ATMs in every city; bring some euros as a backup too. - Tipping is normal: around 10 percent in restaurants, small amounts for help. - You haggle in the souks, not in fixed-price shops or supermarkets. In Morocco you pay in dirhams, and in cash far more often than at home. ATMs are almost everywhere in the cities. In the souks, haggling is completely normal. None of it is complicated, but it works differently from what you are used to. ### The dirham The Moroccan currency is the dirham, abbreviated MAD or dh. One euro is about 10.5 dirham; check the current rate before you leave. The dirham is a closed currency: officially you can't buy or sell it outside Morocco. So don't exchange too much, and spend your last dirhams at the airport or change them back there. There are bills of 20, 50, 100 and 200 dirham and coins of 1, 2, 5 and 10. Make sure you carry small bills and coins, because a taxi driver or a tea house often can't give change for a 200. ### Cash or card Cash is the norm in the medina, at markets, in petit taxis, in small eateries and with most craftspeople. You can pay by card in hotels, larger restaurants, supermarkets, gas stations and shops in the new town. Expect to need more cash per day than you do at home. You withdraw money at bank ATMs. Every city has plenty of them. - Use ATMs in or next to a bank branch, not stand-alone machines in the souk. - Don't withdraw too much at once, but keep in mind that your own bank charges a fixed fee per withdrawal. - Check before you leave that your card is enabled for use in Morocco. Some banks block payments abroad by default until you switch them on in the app. - A credit card is handy as a backup and sometimes required by hotels. It is wise to bring some euros as an emergency reserve. You can exchange them at exchange offices, banks and the airport, at rates that usually differ very little. Don't exchange money on the street. ### What things cost, roughly Prices vary by place and by season. These amounts give you an idea: - Mint tea on a terrace: about 10 to 20 dirham - Tagine in a local eatery: about 50 to 90 dirham - Dinner in a good restaurant: about 200 to 400 dirham per person - Petit taxi within Marrakesh: about 20 to 40 dirham during the day, a little more in the evening - Entrance to the Bahia Palace or the Ben Youssef madrasa: about 70 to 100 dirham - Public hammam: about 20 to 50 dirham, more with a scrub - 1.5-liter bottle of water: about 5 to 10 dirham If something in the medina costs far more than this, you are probably paying the tourist price. Ask Soukayna along the way what is normal; she knows it by heart. ### Tipping Tipping is very common in Morocco. It is not mandatory, but it is the custom, and for many people it is an important part of their income. - Restaurant: around 10 percent, or round up for small amounts. - Café: leave a few dirham on the table. - Porter, someone who carries your bag in the medina: 10 to 20 dirham. - Guide for half a day: 50 to 100 dirham, depending on the group. - Hammam: 20 to 50 dirham for the person who scrubbed you. - Someone who "spontaneously" shows you the way: nothing, unless you asked for it yourself. Then 10 dirham. On a [multi-day trip](/en/trips) with a driver, a tip at the end is customary. How much you give is up to you. ### Haggling in the souks In the souks of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) and [Fes](/en/destinations/fes) almost nothing has a price tag. Haggling is part of it. Vendors see it as a sport and don't take it as an insult. This is how to go about it: 1. Decide beforehand what you are willing to pay at most. 2. Don't show too clearly which item you really want. 3. Ask the price, offer well under half and work toward each other in small steps. 4. Stay friendly and turn it into a conversation. You can accept tea; it doesn't commit you to anything. 5. If you can't agree, walk away. You will often be called back with a better price. Would you rather not negotiate? At the Ensemble Artisanal in Marrakesh and in cooperatives, such as the [argan oil cooperatives](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) on the way to Essaouira, prices are fixed. On the [souks and crafts tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour) Soukayna makes sure you pay a fair price. You don't haggle in supermarkets, pharmacies, restaurants and shops with price tags. The same goes for entrance fees. ### Paying for your trip with us The price of a trip or day tour is available on request. It depends on the route, the number of days, the group size and the season. We discuss how payment works beforehand through the [chat](/en/contact), so you know where you stand. ### Being smart with money - Split your money: part in your bag, part in the safe at your riad. - Keep small change separate for tips and taxis. - Keep receipts of large purchases for customs and your insurance. - Read the guide on [travel documents and insurance](/en/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance) to see what to do if you lose your card. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I pay by card everywhere in Morocco?** No, not everywhere. Hotels, larger restaurants and shops in the new town usually take cards. In the medina, at market stalls, in taxis and in small eateries you pay cash. **Can I bring euros and exchange them there?** Yes, there are exchange offices in every city and at the airport, and the rate is usually reasonable. Using an ATM is often more practical. Do check what your own bank charges. **How much should I tip?** Around 10 percent in a restaurant. A porter, guide or someone who helps you gets 10 to 20 dirham. After a multi-day trip you give your driver what feels right to you; it is appreciated, but not expected. **How far do I haggle in the souk?** A vendor often starts at two to three times the price he ends up at. Offer half or less, stay friendly and walk away if you can't agree. That works better than hard bargaining. ## Getting around Morocco: taxi, train, bus or private driver URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/getting-around Updated: 2026-09-30 How to get from the airport to your riad, how petit and grand taxis work, what trains and buses cover and when a private driver is the best choice. ### In short - From Menara Airport to the medina, a fixed-price taxi or a transfer through your riad is the easiest. - Petit taxis run within the city and have to use the meter; grand taxis run between towns. - The train is good between Casablanca, Rabat, Fes and Tangier; a regular train runs to Marrakesh. - CTM and Supratours are reliable buses for longer distances. - A private driver is the most relaxed option, especially for the Atlas, the desert and multi-day routes. In the city you take a petit taxi. Between the big cities there are trains and the buses of CTM and Supratours. For the Atlas and the desert, a private driver is the easiest. Morocco is bigger than it looks: from Marrakesh to the Sahara is a nine to ten hour drive, and to Fes a little over six. So how you get around shapes a large part of your trip. ### From the airport Marrakesh Menara Airport is about 6 km (4 miles) from the medina. You have three options: - Official taxi at the exit. There is a fixed price to the medina and the new town; ask for it or check the sign. Pay cash in dirham. - Transfer through your riad or hotel. It costs a little more, but someone is waiting with your name and takes you right to the door, including through the narrow alleys no taxi can enter. - City bus line 19 to Jemaa el-Fna. Cheap, but with suitcases and after a long journey not the most pleasant start. If you travel with us, Soukayna picks you up. That saves you the haggling and searching on your first day. ### Petit taxi Petit taxis are the small taxis that only run within the city. In Marrakesh they are beige. They can take a maximum of three passengers. The rules: - They are required to use the meter. If the driver says the meter is broken, get out and take the next one. - After 8 pm there is a surcharge of about 50 percent. - Drivers sometimes pick up other passengers along the way. That is normal and it doesn't make your fare any lower. - Rides within Marrakesh cost about 20 to 40 dirham during the day. As a woman, sit in the back and keep the map open on your phone. Then you see right away whether the route is correct. ### Grand taxi Grand taxis run between towns and villages. Usually they are old Mercedes sedans or newer minivans. They leave when they are full, with six passengers. You can also hire the whole taxi, which works well for a small group of friends. You agree on the price beforehand. For short rides to the [Ourika valley](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) or Imlil this is a cheap option, but it is not comfortable. ### Train The Moroccan railways ([ONCF](https://www.oncf-voyages.ma)) connect the big cities. The high-speed Al Boraq runs between Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca in about two hours. A regular train runs to Marrakesh from Casablanca and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours, and there are trains on to Fes and Meknes. First class is not expensive and it is quieter. There is no train to Essaouira, Chefchaouen, Ouarzazate or the desert. ### Bus For longer distances without a train, the buses of [CTM](https://ctm.ma) and [Supratours](https://www.supratours.ma) are reliable. They run on a fixed schedule and have air conditioning. You have your own seat and your luggage goes in the hold. From Marrakesh it takes about three hours to [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira), four to five to Ouarzazate and twelve to Merzouga. Book ahead in high season. Local buses are cheaper, but they only leave when they are full and they stop everywhere. ### Driving yourself With a rental car you are free to go wherever you want. The main roads are good and the highways are quiet. City traffic is chaotic, though, with scooters coming from every direction. On mountain roads like the Tizi n'Tichka, trucks crawl uphill, and at night there are animals on the road and cyclists without lights. Police checks are normal; stay polite and keep your driver's license and car papers at hand. You can't park in the medina. You leave the car at a guarded parking lot on the edge. So it can be done, but it is not relaxing. ### Private driver A private driver solves that. These are the differences from the options above: - The driver picks you up at your riad and drops you off wherever you want, including places that buses and trains don't reach. - You stop when you want: for a photo, a cup of tea, a walk or simply because it is beautiful. - You don't have to arrange or negotiate anything, not even in villages where no tourists come. - You have someone with you for the whole trip who speaks the language and knows the people. Soukayna drives herself and knows the routes through the Atlas and to the desert like the back of her hand. On a [day trip to Aït Benhaddou](/en/trips/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate), a [trip to the Sahara](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) or a [tour of the imperial cities](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour), that makes a big difference in comfort and safety. ### Practical tips for the road - On long drives through the Atlas you can get carsick. Sit in the front if that affects you and bring motion sickness tablets. - Roadside restaurants are simple but fine. The restrooms are not always clean, so bring tissues and hand sanitizer. - Bring water, in winter too. - Flying into Casablanca instead of Marrakesh? The train to Marrakesh leaves directly from the airport, with a change in Casablanca. For more on safety on the road, read [is Morocco safe for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Frequently asked questions **How do I get from Marrakesh airport to my riad?** Take an official fixed-price taxi at the exit, or have your riad arrange a transfer. The airport is fifteen minutes from the medina. If you travel with us, we pick you up. **Are taxis in Morocco safe for women?** Yes, especially during the day. Sit in the back and agree on the price or insist on the meter. You can also share the ride with a friend if that feels more comfortable. **Can I rent a car and drive myself?** You can, and the roads are decent. City traffic is chaotic, though, and mountain roads need your full attention. With a driver you travel more calmly. **Is there a train to Marrakesh?** Yes, a regular train runs from Casablanca and takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. The high-speed Al Boraq only runs between Tangier, Rabat and Casablanca. ## Food and drink in Morocco URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/food-and-drink Updated: 2026-09-30 What you eat in Morocco, what is safe to try on the street, the facts on tap water and alcohol, and tips for vegetarians and for Ramadan. ### In short - Tagine, couscous, harira and pastilla are the classics; couscous is traditionally eaten on Friday. - Street food is safe when it is cooked fresh and hot and plenty of Moroccans are eating there. - Don't drink tap water; bottled water is cheap and sold everywhere. - Alcohol is available in licensed restaurants and hotels, not in the medina. - Eating vegetarian is easy; vegan takes a bit more explaining. In Morocco you mostly eat tagine, couscous, harira and a lot of bread, with mint tea on the side. Street food is safe to eat when it is cooked fresh and hot. Don't drink the tap water. Food is also how people welcome you: a meal easily takes two hours, and Moroccan women talk about their cooking with pride. ### The classics - Tagine: a stew cooked in an earthenware dish with a cone-shaped lid. With chicken and lemon, with lamb and prunes, with fish or with vegetables only. Every region and every family has its own version. - Couscous: traditionally on Friday, the day of communal prayer and the family meal. Often with seven vegetables and meat, sometimes sweet with onions and raisins (tfaya). - Harira: tomato soup with lentils, chickpeas and herbs. During Ramadan it is the soup that breaks the fast, but you can get it all year. - Pastilla: a flaky pastry pie with chicken or pigeon, almonds and cinnamon, dusted with powdered sugar. Sweet and savory at once. - Bread: khobz, the round loaf that is served with everything and that you use as cutlery. - Msemen and baghrir: pancakes for breakfast, with honey and amlou (almond paste with argan oil). - Mint tea: green tea with fresh mint and a lot of sugar. Say "shwiya sukkar" if you want less sugar. ### Street food On Jemaa el-Fna in [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) the square turns into an open-air restaurant every evening, with grill stalls, snail soup, fresh juice and dried fruit. It is worth eating there once. Do stick to a few rules: 1. Go where it is busy with Moroccans. Where a lot is sold, the food is fresh. 2. Choose food that is cooked hot in front of you: grilled meat, fried fish, skewers. 3. Skip raw salads, unpeeled fruit and food that has been sitting out. 4. Fresh juice is fine. Check that the glass is clean or ask for a disposable cup. 5. Agree on the price before you order. Some stalls charge for "extras" you didn't ask for. Stomach trouble does happen. Tiredness, heat and a lot of new food at once play a part, so it is not always down to one bad stall. Bring oral rehydration salts and something for diarrhea; see the [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list). ### Water Tap water in the cities is chlorinated, but your gut is not used to it. Drink bottled water; a 1.5-liter bottle costs about 5 to 10 dirham. Restaurants almost always serve bottled water too. In good restaurants and hotels, ice cubes are made from filtered water. If you are not sure, ask. ### Alcohol Morocco is a Muslim country, but alcohol is available. You find it in licensed restaurants, bars and hotels, mainly in the new town of Gueliz and in riads and hotels with a bar, and in some larger supermarkets. In the medina of Marrakesh and in smaller villages there is next to nothing. Don't drink in public and keep it modest. Moroccan wine from the area around Meknes is surprisingly good, by the way. ### Vegetarian and vegan Eating vegetarian is easy. There is vegetable tagine, couscous with vegetables, lentil soup, beans (loubia), grilled eggplant (zaalouk), salads of bell pepper and tomato (taktouka) and bread with olives. Do say that you want no meat and no meat stock, because "vegetarian" is sometimes understood as "not much meat". Vegan is harder because of the butter and eggs in many dishes, but with some explaining it works. At the [cooking workshop in Marrakesh](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh) you see exactly what goes into the dishes. ### Ramadan During Ramadan, Moroccans don't eat or drink during the day. As a tourist you can eat, but out of respect, don't do it conspicuously on the street. Many restaurants in tourist areas stay open, often behind a curtain. After sunset comes iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. If you are invited, go. There is more in the guide on [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan). ### Table manners - Wash your hands before eating; often a jug of water and a basin are passed around. - Eat with your right hand if you eat with your hands. The left hand is considered unclean. - From a shared tagine you eat the part in front of you, not the middle. - "Bismillah" before the meal and "Hamdullah" after it are appreciated, also from a guest. - You can decline a second and third helping, but do it kindly. Hospitality is taken seriously. ### What to taste A list to tick off: tagine with chicken and preserved lemon, harira with dates, msemen at breakfast, grilled sardines on the coast in [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira), almond cookies with tea, fresh orange juice on Jemaa el-Fna, and a fried egg with khlii (dried meat) if you dare. Soukayna knows where the locals eat. Ask her on one of the [trips](/en/trips), because that is usually better than what is on the first page of a review site. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I eat street food in Morocco?** Yes. Choose stalls that are busy with locals and where the food is cooked in front of you. Avoid food that has been sitting for hours and salads washed in tap water. **Can I drink the tap water?** Better not. In the cities it is chlorinated, but your gut is not used to it. Use bottled water, also for brushing your teeth if you are sensitive. **Is alcohol available in Morocco?** Yes, in licensed restaurants, bars and hotels and in some larger supermarkets. In the medina of Marrakesh almost nowhere serves alcohol. Don't drink on the street. **Can I eat well as a vegetarian in Morocco?** Yes. Vegetable tagine, couscous with seven vegetables, lentils, beans, bread with olives and amlou are everywhere. Mention that you don't want meat stock either. ## Language and etiquette in Morocco URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/language-and-etiquette Updated: 2026-09-30 Which languages are spoken in Morocco, twenty words that get you started, and how to be respectful about photos, shoes and invitations for tea. ### In short - Moroccans speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic), Tamazight and French, and in tourist areas English as well. - A few words of Darija get you further everywhere: salam, shukran, la shukran, bslama. - Always ask before you photograph someone, especially women and older people. - Give and receive with your right hand and take off your shoes when you enter a home. - An invitation for tea is sincere; you don't have to buy anything. In Morocco people speak Darija (Moroccan Arabic), Tamazight and French, and in tourist areas English as well. You don't need to know Arabic to travel here. But if you know a few words of Darija and understand the etiquette, people are warmer, prices are fairer and conversations last longer. ### Which languages Morocco has two official languages: Arabic and Tamazight (Berber). At home people speak Darija, the Moroccan Arabic that differs a lot from the Arabic of the Middle East, or one of the Berber languages. You hear those mainly in the Atlas Mountains, the south and the Rif. French is the language of education, business and street signs; in the cities almost everyone speaks it. English is gaining ground among young people and in tourism. You hear Spanish in the north. English gets you by in riads, restaurants and with guides, and French almost everywhere. Darija is mostly for getting a smile. Soukayna speaks the language of the country, so along the way she translates whatever is needed. ### Twenty words that get you started The pronunciation is approximate, and the capitals show where the stress falls. "Kh" is the rough sound at the end of the Scottish "loch", and "gh" is close to a French r. 1. Salam (sa-LAM): hello 2. Salam aleikum (sa-LAM a-LAY-koom): peace be upon you, the full greeting. Reply: wa aleikum salam 3. Sbah lkhir (sbah l-KHEER): good morning 4. Msa lkhir (msa l-KHEER): good evening 5. Bslama (bes-LA-ma): goodbye 6. Shukran (SHOOK-ran): thank you 7. La shukran (LA SHOOK-ran): no, thank you. The most useful phrase in the souk 8. Afak (a-FAK): please (when you ask for something) 9. Wakha (WA-kha): okay, fine 10. La (LA): no 11. Iyeh (EE-yeh): yes 12. Smahli (SMAH-lee): sorry, excuse me 13. Bshhal (bsh-HAL): how much is it 14. Ghali (GHA-lee): expensive. Say it with a smile when you haggle 15. Bzzaf (bez-ZEF): a lot, too much 16. Shwiya (SHWEE-ya): a little. Shwiya sukkar: a little sugar 17. Atay (a-TIE): tea 18. Ma (MA): water 19. Zwin / zwina (ZWEEN / ZWEE-na): beautiful, tasty (masculine / feminine) 20. Hamdullah (ham-doo-LAH): thank God; the answer to "how are you" and what you say after a meal In Berber villages in the [Atlas](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) it always goes down well if you say "azul" (hello) and "tanmirt" (thank you) in Tamazight. ### Greetings In Morocco you always greet people: when you enter a shop, get into a taxi or walk into a village. "Salam" with a handshake is the standard. Between women, two kisses on the cheek sometimes follow. A man doesn't always shake a woman's hand. He does that out of respect; it is not meant as rude. So wait and see whether he offers his hand, and otherwise place your hand on your heart. After a greeting you can also use that gesture to say "thank you" or "nice to meet you". ### Photos Always ask before you photograph someone. Many Moroccan women and older people don't want to be in a photo, and taking one on the sly anyway is disrespectful. With children, ask the parents. On Jemaa el-Fna, snake charmers, musicians and the men with monkeys expect a tip for a photo. If you don't want to pay, point your camera somewhere else. Buildings, streets and markets are fine to photograph, except military sites and the police. ### Hands, shoes and body language - Give and receive everything with your right hand: money, bread, a glass of tea. The left hand is considered unclean. - Take off your shoes when you enter a home, and usually also in a riad lounge with carpets. Check whether there are shoes by the door. - Don't point your foot at people and don't sit so that the soles of your feet face someone. - Holding hands or kissing in public between a man and a woman is not appreciated. Between female friends, walking arm in arm is completely normal. - Raising your voice or getting angry backfires. Stay calm and firm, and you get further. ### Invitations An invitation for tea is sincere, also in a shop. It is how Moroccans welcome you, and it doesn't commit you to anything. If you are invited into someone's home, that is an honor. Bring something: pastries, fruit or sugar. That last one is traditional. Take off your shoes, accept the tea, eat what you are offered and say that it tastes good. Don't ask too much about money or politics; do ask about family and the village. You experience this during a stay with a Berber family, which is possible on some of our [trips](/en/trips). Saïd arranges those kinds of encounters and Soukayna is there to translate. ### Religion Morocco is a Muslim country and you see religion in daily life: the call to prayer five times a day, Friday as the day of rest, Ramadan. All that is asked of you is respect. Don't speak disrespectfully about Islam, don't pose right in front of a mosque and keep the closing times around Friday prayer in mind. For more on traveling during the fasting month, read the guide on [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan). ### Among women As a woman in Morocco you get into places men don't: the women's hammam, the kitchen, the conversations inside the house while the men stay outside. With a female driver that goes more easily. In the villages Soukayna is received as a woman among women, and you along with her. The guide on [safety](/en/practical/safety-for-women) explains how that also makes your trip safer. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I get by with English in Morocco?** In hotels, riads, restaurants and with guides in Marrakesh, Fes and on the coast, usually yes. Outside tourist spots French is more useful. A few words of Darija help everywhere. **How do I greet someone in Morocco?** With 'salam' or 'salam aleikum' and a handshake. Between women a handshake and sometimes two kisses are normal. A man doesn't always shake a woman's hand; wait and see whether he offers his. **Can I take photos of people?** Only if you ask first. Many women and older people don't want to be photographed. On Jemaa el-Fna performers expect a tip if you take their picture. **What does it mean when someone offers me tea?** It is hospitality. In a shop it is also a way to keep you there longer, but it doesn't commit you to anything. Accepting is polite, and you don't have to buy. ## Packing list for Morocco URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/packing-list Updated: 2026-09-30 A complete packing list for a trip around Morocco as a woman: clothes, documents, medicines and extras for the desert, the mountains and the hammam. ### In short - Travel light: bring a suitcase you can carry through a medina alley yourself. - Bring layers; the difference between day and night is big, especially in the desert and the mountains. - A large scarf, good sunglasses and closed shoes are what you need most. - Bring a small travel pharmacy with oral rehydration salts and something for stomach trouble. - Print or download your documents; there is no Wi-Fi in some places. You don't need special gear for Morocco. Bring layers, closed shoes, a large scarf and a small travel pharmacy, and keep your suitcase light. The climate changes by region and by the hour, you walk a lot and some things are hard to find once you are there. ### Documents and money - Passport, valid for at least six months on arrival - A copy or photo of your passport, kept separately and in the cloud - Travel insurance, with the policy number and the emergency number saved in your phone - Flight and hotel confirmations, downloaded so you can open them without Wi-Fi - A debit card that is enabled for use in Morocco, plus a credit card as a backup - Some euros in cash for emergencies - The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Morocco; your travel insurance covers medical costs There is more on this in [travel documents and insurance](/en/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance). ### Clothes The basic rule is shoulders and knees covered, loose fabrics and layers. The guide on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) explains it per situation. This is what you bring: - Two or three pairs of wide pants or long skirts in linen or cotton - Four to six T-shirts or blouses, at least one with long sleeves - A long dress or tunic for the evening - A large scarf, or two. Against sun, dust and cold, and for religious sites - A cardigan or fleece for the evenings - A light rain jacket or windbreaker, especially from November to March - Underwear for a week; almost every riad can do your laundry - Pajamas; riads are colder at night than you think - A bikini or swimsuit for the pool and the beach - One outfit that can get dirty, for the desert and the mountains ### Shoes - Closed shoes or sneakers you can walk in for hours - Sandals or flip-flops for the beach, the hammam and the riad - Hiking boots only if you are going to do serious hiking in the [Atlas Mountains](/en/destinations/atlas-mountains) ### Toiletries and personal care - High-factor sunscreen, in winter too - Lip balm with sun protection; the desert wind dries you out - After-sun or aloe vera - Hand sanitizer and a pack of tissues; toilet paper is not available everywhere - Wet wipes - Tampons or a menstrual cup; your own brand is hard to find there - Deodorant, toothbrush, the usual things - A small microfiber towel for the hammam and the beach ### Travel pharmacy - Something for diarrhea and sachets of oral rehydration salts - Acetaminophen (paracetamol) or ibuprofen - Band-aids and a disinfectant - Motion sickness tablets if you get carsick on mountain roads - Mosquito spray for evenings on the coast and in oases - Your own medication, in the original packaging, with a doctor's note for larger quantities - Contraception and the morning-after pill are available at pharmacies in Morocco, but bring what you use yourself There are pharmacies (pharmacie) in every city. They are well stocked and the pharmacists speak French. ### Electronics - Phone, charger and a power bank; there is little electricity in the desert - A plug adapter if you come from outside continental Europe; Morocco uses the round two-pin plugs (type C and E) on 220 volts - Earbuds for long drives - A paper map or an offline map of the medina on your phone - A camera if you use one; a phone is usually enough - An eSIM from a Moroccan provider or a local SIM card, sold at the airport and in the shops of Maroc Telecom, Orange and Inwi. It is cheap, and you have coverage everywhere except deep in the mountains and the desert ### Handy to have - Sunglasses, also against unwanted eye contact in the souk - A hat or cap - A small zippered bag you carry in front of you - A reusable water bottle; you can often refill it in riads and hotels - A small padlock for your suitcase - Earplugs: the call to prayer starts before sunrise and riads have thin walls - A foldable bag for what you buy in the souk - A small notebook for addresses and words of Darija ### Extras for the desert For a [desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) or a [night in the Agafay](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip): - A warm sweater, long pants and thick socks for the night; in winter a warm hat and gloves - A scarf to protect your head and face from the sand - A headlamp or flashlight - A power bank - Wet wipes and dry shampoo; you can't always shower - A sleeping bag liner if you would rather not sleep under blankets that have been used before - A small backpack for the camel ride; your big suitcase stays in the car ### Extras for the hammam - Flip-flops - Your own black soap and kessa glove if you already have them; otherwise you buy them on the spot for a few dirham - A clean set of clothes and a comb - A small towel ### What to leave at home - Heels - Expensive jewelry - Drones; they are not allowed in Morocco without a permit - A suitcase that is too big. You carry it through the alleys of the medina yourself, and not everything fits in the trunk of a taxi If you travel with Soukayna, your luggage goes in the car. At the places where you stop, you only need a day bag. More practical answers are in the [frequently asked questions](/en/faq). ### Frequently asked questions **Suitcase or backpack for Morocco?** A backpack or a light suitcase you can lift is the most practical. A wheeled suitcase works in the cities, but in the medina you carry it regularly. If you travel with Soukayna, your luggage goes in the car and it matters little. **Which plug do I need in Morocco?** Morocco uses type C and E plugs, the two round pins common in continental Europe, on 220 volts. Coming from continental Europe you don't need an adapter. From the UK, Ireland or North America you do. **What do I bring for a night in the desert?** Warm clothes for the night, a warm hat in winter, a flashlight or headlamp, wet wipes, a power bank and a scarf against the sand. A sleeping bag liner is nice, but not necessary. **Can I buy toiletries when I get there?** Yes, in supermarkets and pharmacies in every city. You find tampons in larger supermarkets and pharmacies, but the selection is smaller than at home. Bring what you prefer to use. ## Traveling in Morocco during Ramadan URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/ramadan Updated: 2026-09-30 What changes in Morocco during Ramadan, what stays open, how to behave as a non-Muslim and why it can be a special time to travel. ### In short - During Ramadan Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset; the rhythm of the day shifts to the evening. - Hotels, riads, sights and most tourist restaurants stay open. - Don't eat, drink or smoke conspicuously in public during the day. - After sunset iftar begins, and the streets stay full and festive until late at night. - In 2027 Ramadan falls roughly from early February to early March; it moves forward about eleven days every year. You can travel around Morocco well during Ramadan. Hotels, riads, sights and most tourist restaurants stay open. What changes is the rhythm of the day: quiet during the daytime and busy after sunset. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, in which Muslims don't eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset. In Morocco almost the whole country takes part. ### When The Islamic calendar follows the moon and is about eleven days shorter than the Gregorian calendar. So Ramadan starts about eleven days earlier every year. In 2027 the fasting month falls roughly from early February to early March. The exact start date is only set one or two days beforehand, once the new moon has been sighted. The end is celebrated with Eid al-Fitr. The country then largely comes to a standstill for two to three days. During Ramadan Morocco temporarily sets the clock back one hour, so the fast ends earlier. Your phone usually adjusts automatically, but double-check for flights and appointments. ### What changes During the day the country is quieter than usual. Shops open later, many small eateries are closed and the cafés are empty. People who are fasting are tired in the late afternoon and sometimes short-tempered; it is not meant personally. Working hours are shorter and many offices and banks close early. About an hour before sunset the streets get busy. Everyone hurries home, traffic is chaotic and taxis are hard to get. At the evening prayer everything goes completely silent, because everyone is at the table for iftar, the meal that breaks the fast. An hour later the streets fill up. Families go for a walk, the cafés are packed, the souks open again and the medina of [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh) keeps moving until after midnight. Just before sunrise comes suhoor, the last meal, and then it starts all over again. ### What stays open - Hotels and riads: open as usual, with breakfast and usually an adjusted evening program. - Sights: palaces, gardens, museums and madrasas are open, sometimes with shorter hours. - Restaurants in tourist areas: many stay open during the day, sometimes behind a curtain or with the door closed. In Gueliz, in riads and in hotels you can always eat. - Supermarkets: open, often with adjusted hours. - Transport: everything runs, but count on delays around sunset. - Bars and alcohol: many bars close for the whole month; licensed hotels often still serve their guests. Closed or different: many small local eateries during the day, and the hammam at certain hours. During the days of Eid al-Fitr almost the whole country is closed. ### How to behave As a non-Muslim you are not required to fast and nobody expects it of you. Discretion is appreciated, though: 1. Don't eat, drink or smoke conspicuously in public during the day. Everyone understands a sip of water from your bottle in the heat; a sandwich on a bench on Jemaa el-Fna is not a good idea. 2. Dress a little more covered than usual. The month is religiously charged and people pay more attention to appearance. See also [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear). 3. Be patient. People who haven't eaten, had a drink or had coffee since sunrise are not at their best in the afternoon. 4. Plan sights in the morning, rest in the afternoon and go out into the streets after sunset. 5. Wish people "Ramadan mubarak" or "Ramadan kareem". You get a smile in return. ### Iftar Try to join an iftar at least once during Ramadan. The meal starts with dates and milk or water. Then comes harira (the tomato and lentil soup), followed by chebakia (honey cookies with sesame), msemen, eggs, bread and later a larger dish. Many restaurants have an iftar menu. If you are invited to someone's home, that is a great honor: bring pastries or dates and don't say no. Staying overnight with a family, which Saïd can arrange on our [trips](/en/trips), is extra special in this month. ### Why it can be a good time It is quieter during Ramadan. There are fewer tourists, and outside school holidays flights and riads are cheaper. The atmosphere is different from any other month. At sunset it goes silent, cannon shots or sirens announce the end of the fast, and in the evening the streets are one big family celebration. You see a lot of daily life in Morocco then. The weather in February and March is pleasant too: sunny, 18 to 24 °C (64 to 75 °F) in Marrakesh, with cool evenings. The guide on the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit) gives the weather per month. ### Why it can be less convenient If you want long lunches on terraces during the day, drinks at the bar and a tight schedule, Ramadan is not your month. On a [desert trip](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) you also need to keep in mind that the camp staff are fasting and need rest in the late afternoon. It can all be done, but the pace is different. ### Traveling with Soukayna during Ramadan Soukayna drives during the fasting month too. We plan the days differently then: an early start, a quiet afternoon and arriving at the destination on time, so that she and the people we visit along the way can make their iftar. Sometimes you are invited to join them. ### Frequently asked questions **Can I travel as a tourist during Ramadan?** Yes. Hotels, riads, monuments and most tourist restaurants are open. The rhythm of the day is different and some people are tired during the day, but the evenings are special. **Can I eat and drink on the street during the day?** It is not forbidden for non-Muslims, but it is respectful to be discreet: in a restaurant, in your riad or just out of sight. Everyone understands drinking water in the heat. **When is Ramadan in 2027?** Roughly from early February to early March 2027. The exact dates depend on the moon and are set shortly beforehand. Every year Ramadan starts about eleven days earlier than the year before. **Does Soukayna drive during Ramadan?** Yes. We adapt the program to the rhythm of the day. The morning has a different pace and we keep the late afternoon quiet, so everyone is on time for iftar. ## Travel documents, insurance and health URL: https://soukytours.com/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance Updated: 2026-09-30 Which documents you need for Morocco, how visas and passports work, what good travel insurance covers and practical health tips. ### In short - EU, UK and US passport holders don't need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. - Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months on arrival. - You really need travel insurance with medical coverage in Morocco; the European Health Insurance Card is not valid there. - There are no mandatory vaccinations; the standard advice applies. - Pharmacies are everywhere. They are well stocked and the pharmacists speak French. For Morocco you need a passport, and with an EU, UK or US passport you don't need a visa as long as you stay no longer than 90 days. There are no mandatory vaccinations and the forms are simple. Do arrange good travel insurance with medical coverage in Morocco. It makes the difference between an unpleasant incident and a disaster. ### Passport and visa EU, UK and US passport holders don't need a visa for a stay of up to 90 days. You get a stamp in your passport on arrival. Keep that passport safe, because you need the stamp when you leave. A national ID card is not enough. If you hold another passport, check the rules for your nationality before you book. Officially your passport has to be valid for the duration of your stay. We recommend that it is valid for at least six months on arrival. Airlines and border officers sometimes apply that rule strictly, and you don't want to find out at the gate that you can't board. On arrival you fill in a short entry form, on paper or digitally through the Moroccan government website. You can do it beforehand and it saves time in line. You need the address of your first night's stay. Traveling with children without the other parent? Bring a letter of consent and a copy of the other parent's passport. ### Copies Make a copy or photo of your passport, your flight details and your insurance policy. Keep them separate from the originals: in your suitcase, in the cloud and with someone at home. In case of loss or theft, report it to the police (call 19 or go to the nearest station) and contact your embassy in Rabat for an emergency passport. With a copy and a passport photo this goes much faster. If your foreign ministry has a registration service for travelers, sign up before you go. Then your embassy knows where you are if something happens. ### Travel insurance The European Health Insurance Card is not valid in Morocco. So you need travel insurance that covers medical costs there. When you take out a policy, check for: - Medical costs abroad, including repatriation - Coverage for the activities you do: camel rides and hiking in the Atlas are usually part of standard coverage, quad bikes and climbing not always - Luggage and theft, with a reasonable deductible - Cancellation, especially for a trip you book far in advance Save your insurer's emergency number in your phone and keep the policy number with your documents. For a hospital visit, call the emergency assistance line first. They arrange payment and tell you which clinic to go to. ### Health There are no mandatory vaccinations for Morocco. The usual advice is to have your routine vaccinations (diphtheria, tetanus, polio) up to date and to consider hepatitis A. For longer trips or stays in the countryside, hepatitis B and typhoid are sometimes added. Discuss it with a travel clinic or your doctor well before you leave. In practice: - Drink bottled water, not tap water. More in [food and drink](/en/practical/food-and-drink). - The sun is strong, in winter too. Use sunscreen, wear a hat and drink plenty of water. - Stomach trouble happens. Bring oral rehydration salts and something for diarrhea, and let it pass calmly. If it lasts longer than two days or you get a fever, see a doctor. - Mosquitoes are mainly found on the coast and in oases; there is no malaria in Morocco. - Bring your own medication in the original packaging. For larger quantities or opioids you need a doctor's note. The [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) has a complete travel pharmacy. ### Medical care in Morocco You find pharmacies (pharmacie) in every city and in most villages. You recognize them by a green cross. They are well stocked and the pharmacists speak French, often English too. Many medicines that need a prescription at home are sold here without one. Outside opening hours there is always a pharmacy on duty (pharmacie de garde); the list is posted on the door. Marrakesh, Casablanca, Rabat and Fes have good private clinics with doctors who speak French and English. Your riad or hotel knows which ones. For minor complaints you can also see a general practitioner (médecin généraliste). A consultation costs a few hundred dirham. You pay cash and claim it from your insurance afterward. ### Emergency numbers - Police: 19 - Ambulance: 15 - Gendarmerie (outside the cities): 177 - Your embassy in Rabat: save the number before you leave ### On the road with Soukayna If you travel with us, there is always someone with you who speaks the language, knows the way to the nearest pharmacy or clinic and can make a call when needed. If you travel alone, that is a good reason to look at a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). How we work is explained in the [frequently asked questions](/en/faq). Also read the guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women). ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need a visa for Morocco?** Not with an EU, UK or US passport. You can stay in Morocco for up to 90 days without a visa and get a stamp on arrival. With another passport, check the rules for your nationality. **Can I travel to Morocco on an ID card?** No, you need a passport. A national ID card is not enough, and that goes for EU citizens too. **How long does my passport have to be valid?** Officially until the end of your stay, but we recommend at least six months of validity on arrival. Airlines and border police can be strict about it. **Are there mandatory vaccinations for Morocco?** No. The advice is to have your routine vaccinations up to date and to consider hepatitis A. Talk to a travel clinic or your doctor, especially for a longer trip. **What do I do if I lose my passport?** Report it to the police and contact your embassy in Rabat for an emergency passport. With a copy of your passport and a passport photo, that goes much faster. --- # Frequently asked questions ## Traveling with Soukayna **How do I book a trip or day tour?** Send a message through the chat with what you want to see, who you are traveling with and when. You get a proposal with a route and a price. If it suits you, we confirm it together. There is no account to create. **Who organizes the trip?** Soukayna, with her business Souky Tours in Marrakesh. She puts the trip together, sets the price and runs it. The website belongs to ESBL B.V. In the chat, Soukayna and Bas answer your questions. **Who drives during the trip?** Soukayna drives herself. She is one of the few female drivers in Marrakesh. She drives day tours in and around the city and multi-day routes through the Atlas and to the desert. **How many people can travel together?** You can come alone, with a friend or with a small group. The exact maximum depends on the car and the route. Mention in your message how many you are and you will hear what is possible. **Can my partner, son or father come along?** Yes, everyone is welcome. The trips are designed with women in mind, but couples, families and mixed groups of friends can join just the same. **Which languages does Soukayna speak?** You can talk to her in English, French or Moroccan Arabic, on the road and in the chat. Along the way she translates whatever is needed. Bas answers in Dutch. **How far in advance do I need to book?** The earlier you book, the more choice of dates you have, especially in the busy months of April, May and October and around the Christmas holidays. A day tour is often possible at short notice. A multi-day trip is better booked a few weeks ahead. **What determines the price?** The route, the number of days, the number of people, the season and what is included: only transport and guidance, or also accommodation, meals and activities. That is why you always get a tailored price, on request. **How and when do I pay?** You agree on that with Soukayna beforehand, so you know exactly what you pay and when. Anything that is not included is listed in the proposal. **What if I have to cancel?** We arrange cancellations and date changes in consultation. Get in touch as soon as you can, because the earlier you let us know, the easier it is. Take out cancellation insurance beforehand. **Do you arrange accommodation too?** Yes, if you want us to. On multi-day trips we can arrange riads, guesthouses, desert camps and stays with families. If you prefer your own accommodation, we pick you up there. ## Safety **Is Morocco safe for women traveling alone?** Yes. Violence against tourists is rare. What you do run into is comments on the street and pushy vendors. With some preparation and a clear attitude you can handle that well. **What is the advantage of a female driver?** You don't have to be on your guard in the car, and along the way you don't have to negotiate or fend people off. In villages and with families, Soukayna is received as a woman among women, and you along with her. That gets you into places you would not get into otherwise. **Can I go out alone in Marrakesh at night?** In the busy parts of the medina and around Jemaa el-Fna, yes. Avoid empty alleys after sunset and take a petit taxi back if your riad is far away. **How do I deal with pushy men?** Say a short, friendly no and keep walking. 'La, shukran' is enough. If someone keeps following you, step into a shop or café. Bystanders usually take your side. **What are the emergency numbers in Morocco?** Police 19, ambulance 15, gendarmerie 177. Marrakesh has tourist police at Jemaa el-Fna. Most embassies are in Rabat. ## Practical **Do I need a visa?** Not with an EU, UK or US passport: you can stay in Morocco for 90 days without a visa. Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months on arrival. A national ID card is not enough. **What money do I use and can I use ATMs?** You pay in dirhams. One euro is about 10.5 dirham; check the current rate. You can withdraw cash at banks in every city, but in the medina, in taxis and in small eateries you pay cash. **Does my phone work in Morocco?** Yes, but roaming in Morocco is expensive with most providers. Buy an eSIM or a local SIM card from Maroc Telecom, Orange or Inwi at the airport or in town. It is cheap and you have coverage almost everywhere. **Can I drink the tap water?** Better not. Bottled water is sold everywhere for a few dirham. In good restaurants and hotels, ice cubes are made from filtered water. **What time zone is Morocco in?** Morocco is on UTC+1 all year. In winter that is the same time as Central Europe and one hour ahead of the UK; during European summer time it is one hour behind Central Europe and the same as the UK. During Ramadan Morocco temporarily sets the clock back one hour. **Do I need a travel adapter?** Morocco uses type C and E plugs on 220 volts, the round two-pin plugs common in continental Europe. Coming from there you don't need an adapter. From the UK, Ireland or North America you do. ## On the road **What kind of car do we travel in?** In a comfortable passenger car or a roomy vehicle with air conditioning, depending on the group size and the route. For the desert and mountain roads we choose a car that is suited to them. **How long are the drives?** On day tours around Marrakesh you drive one to three hours each way. To the Sahara it is nine to ten hours, spread over two days with stops. You set the pace yourself and we stop as often as you like. **Do we stop along the way?** Yes, as often as you like: for photos, tea, a walk, a restroom or because the view is beautiful. A bus or a shared taxi doesn't do that. **How much luggage can I bring?** One suitcase or backpack per person plus a day bag always fits. For larger groups or a lot of luggage we match the car to it. For a night in the desert you bring a small backpack; the rest stays in the car. --- # Blog ## Your period on the road in Morocco: what to know URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/period-on-the-road-in-morocco Date: 2026-10-07 Getting your period while traveling in Morocco: where to buy pads and tampons, what toilets on the road are like, and what to do in the desert and hammam. You don't plan your trip around your cycle. It does help to know what you can buy in Morocco, what the toilets on the road are like and on which days you want to arrange things differently. ### Before you leave Travel, heat and a different daily rhythm can shift your cycle by a few days. So pack your supplies even if your calendar says you won't get your period during the trip. If you want to delay your period, for example for the days in the desert, talk to your doctor or pharmacist well before you leave. Don't leave it until you are in Morocco. ### What you can buy in Morocco Pads are everywhere: in supermarkets, at pharmacies and in the small corner shops. Tampons are harder. You find them in the larger supermarkets, such as Carrefour and Marjane, and at some pharmacies in the cities. The choice is small. In villages and on the way to the desert, don't count on them. If you use tampons or a cup, bring your own supply for the whole trip. You can clean a cup with bottled water. Period underwear is nice on long days in the car, but it dries slowly in a damp bathroom. Most riads do your laundry for a fee. Underwear is easier to wash yourself in the sink. Bring a small bar of soap or some detergent for that. You can buy painkillers without a prescription at any pharmacy. Paracetamol (acetaminophen) is sold as Doliprane. To be safe, bring what you use at home. The [packing list](/en/practical/packing-list) covers what else goes in your suitcase. ### Toilets on the road In riads, restaurants and hotels the toilets are what you are used to. In the medina you go to a café or restaurant: order something small and you can use the toilet. On the road you stop at gas stations and roadside restaurants. There you often find a squat toilet, sometimes without toilet paper and with a bucket of water instead of a flush. At many toilets there is an attendant who keeps things clean and expects one or two dirham. Put a small kit in your daypack with tissues, hand sanitizer, a few sealable bags and small change. Never flush pads or tampons, because the plumbing can't handle it. If there is no bin, take it with you in a bag. ### Long days in the car On a drive to the Sahara or to Fes you sit for hours at a stretch. With a private driver you stop when you want. Say in the morning that you want more breaks today, and the driver picks places with a decent toilet. With a female driver like Soukayna you don't have to find a roundabout way to say it. On those days, wear dark, loose pants and keep a cardigan or scarf within reach. It sounds like a small thing, but it takes a lot off your mind on the road. ### In the desert camp Standard camps in the dunes have shared toilets and often a simple shower. More luxurious camps have a private bathroom next to your tent. If your trip falls around your period, or you are not sure, choose a camp with a private bathroom. The price difference is considerable, but you don't have to cross the sand with a flashlight at night. The camel ride to the camp takes about an hour. If you are dreading that, you can also go to the camp by 4x4. Bring everything you need, because there is no shop in the dunes, and take your waste back with you. The rest of the [desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) is described in the piece on [the desert as a woman](/en/blog/sahara-desert-trip-as-a-woman). ### The hammam In a public hammam you sit with other women in a warm, wet room and share buckets and water. Moroccan women don't go when they have their period. Skip the hammam on those days, or move it to the end of your trip. A private hammam in a riad or spa is fine, with a tampon or cup. Say so when you book. Then the attendant knows and you don't have to explain it on the spot. The piece on [the hammam in Morocco](/en/blog/hammam-in-morocco-what-to-know) describes what happens in a hammam. ### During Ramadan Muslim women who have their period do not fast. They eat and drink during the day, but not in public. As a traveler you don't have to fast anyway. Do as they do and eat and drink out of sight during the day. The guide on [Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan) has more on traveling in that month. ### Talking about it Menstruation is not a topic for mixed company in Morocco. To a woman you can simply say what is going on: a pharmacist, a staff member at your riad, or your driver if she is a woman. In French you ask for "serviettes hygiéniques" for pads. Tampons are "tampons" in French too. ### What to bring - Your own tampons or cup, enough for the whole trip - A few pads for the first day, since you can buy the rest there - Tissues, hand sanitizer and sealable bags - Painkillers you know - Dark, loose pants for long travel days ### Frequently asked questions **Can you buy tampons in Morocco?** In the larger supermarkets and at some pharmacies in the cities, with little choice. In villages and on the way to the desert, usually not. Bring your own supply. **Can you go to the hammam on your period?** Skip a public hammam. A private hammam is fine with a tampon or cup. Mention it when you book. **What are toilets like on the road in Morocco?** At gas stations and roadside restaurants you often find squat toilets, sometimes without toilet paper. Bring tissues, hand sanitizer and small change, and don't flush anything. ## Solo travel in Morocco for women over fifty: how to plan it URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/solo-travel-morocco-women-over-fifty Date: 2026-10-06 Solo travel in Morocco as a woman over fifty: how people respond to you, what pace works, what to check with riads and heat, and a ten-day route. Much of the advice on solo travel in Morocco assumes women in their twenties. If you are fifty, sixty or older, your trip looks different in a few ways. On the street you have it easier. Stairs, distances and heat need more attention. ### How people respond to you Age earns respect in Morocco. Older women are addressed more politely than young ones, and the street remarks that young travelers talk about come your way far less. Sellers in the souks try it with everyone, so that stays. Saying no kindly and walking on works at any age. Do expect curiosity. A woman traveling alone is unusual, and people ask where your husband is and whether you have children. That is interest and almost never more than that. You don't have to answer at length. The guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women) covers what else to expect on the street. ### Pace: fewer places, longer stays Morocco is big and the distances are longer than they look. Marrakesh to Fes is a six-hour drive, and the Sahara at Merzouga is nine to ten. If you move every two days, you spend more time in the car than seeing anything. Choose two or three bases and make day trips from there. Keep the afternoon free. Between noon and four it is hot and busy, and a riad with a courtyard is made for sitting in. ### Long drives The road over the Atlas to Aït Benhaddou and the desert is good, but winding. If you get carsick easily, sit in the front and eat light. With a private driver you decide on the breaks. Agree that you stop every hour and a half to two hours to stretch your legs, even if the route doesn't call for it. On a bus or in a shared taxi you don't have that choice, and you feel it after a six-hour day. ### Riads and stairs A riad is an old townhouse built around a courtyard. The stairs are narrow and steep, there is rarely an elevator, and the roof terrace where breakfast is often served is two or three floors up. If your knees or hips bother you, ask for a room on the ground floor when you book, and ask where breakfast is served. The alleys of the medina are uneven and poorly lit in the evening. Bring shoes with good grip and use the light on your phone. If the taxi can't get to the door, ask whether someone from the riad can carry your suitcase. In Gueliz, the new town, you find hotels with an elevator and taxis at the door. You miss the feel of the medina, but it is a good deal easier. ### Heat and season Go in spring or fall. From March through May and from late September into November, the days in Marrakesh are pleasant. In July and August it often reaches 38 to 45 °C (100 to 113 °F), and that is hard going if you are outside a lot. The guide on the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit) breaks it down per month and per region. Drink more than you think you need, and only bottled water. ### Medication and insurance Bring your medication in its original packaging, with enough for the whole trip and a few days extra. Put it in your carry-on. A list of your medication from your doctor or pharmacist helps if you need to buy more along the way. For controlled medication, such as some strong painkillers and sleeping pills, check your own country's rules for traveling with controlled medication. You may need a medical statement. Start on that early. You find pharmacies in every city, and the pharmacists speak French. Take out travel insurance that covers medical costs in Morocco, and read the terms if you have an existing condition. There is more on that in the guide on [travel documents and insurance](/en/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance). ### A ten-day route This route has two bases and little travel time. 1. Days 1 through 4: Marrakesh. Do the first day with a guide or driver, so you know how the city fits together. The days after that you head out on your own. 2. Day 5: a day trip to the [Atlas Mountains](/en/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages). You can choose a short, flat walk. 3. Days 6 through 8: [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira), a drive of 2.5 to 3 hours. The town is small, flat and relaxed. 4. Days 9 and 10: back to Marrakesh, with time for a hammam and the last shopping. The Sahara fits in too, but that means three long days in the car. If you want to go, add three days and don't cut anything else for it. ### On your own, without arranging everything yourself A regular driver for the days you leave the city takes the negotiating and the navigating off your hands. The days in the city you do at your own pace. Soukayna drives herself, and you can talk to her in English, French or Moroccan Arabic. The [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip) page explains how to have a trip put together that suits your pace. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Morocco a good place to travel alone as a woman over fifty?** Yes. Older women are treated with respect in Morocco and get fewer remarks on the street than young travelers. Pay attention mainly to your pace, the stairs in riads and the heat. **What is the best time to go?** Spring and fall. From March through May and from late September into November the days are pleasant. In summer Marrakesh often reaches 38 to 45 °C (100 to 113 °F). **Are riads suitable if I have trouble walking?** Not all of them. Riads have steep stairs and rarely an elevator. Ask for a room on the ground floor, or choose a hotel with an elevator in Gueliz. ## Marrakesh to Essaouira: bus, taxi or private driver URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/marrakesh-to-essaouira-bus-taxi-or-driver Date: 2026-10-05 Marrakesh to Essaouira by Supratours or CTM bus, grand taxi or private driver: travel time, cost, stops on the way, and day trip or overnight stay. Essaouira is on the Atlantic coast, about 180 km (110 miles) west of Marrakesh. There is no train. You choose between the bus, a grand taxi and a private driver, and then between a day trip and staying the night. ### By bus: Supratours or CTM Two companies run the route several times a day: [Supratours](https://www.supratours.ma) and [CTM](https://ctm.ma). Both have assigned seats, air conditioning and a luggage hold. The ride takes about three hours, with a break at a roadside restaurant halfway. A one-way ticket costs about 80 to 110 dirham. Check the current price and times with the company itself. For a suitcase in the hold you pay a few dirham extra. Supratours leaves from next to the Marrakesh train station. CTM has its own bus station. In high season and around the weekend, buy your ticket a day ahead, because the buses fill up. In Essaouira, Supratours stops close to the medina. The CTM stop is a bit further out, a short taxi ride away. As a woman on your own, the bus is a calm way to travel. You have your own seat, there are families and other travelers on board, and you don't have to discuss the price with anyone. ### By grand taxi Grand taxis to Essaouira leave as soon as every seat is taken. You pay per seat and sit close to your fellow passengers. If the taxi fills up quickly, you get there a little sooner than by bus. It is not comfortable. You can also hire the whole taxi. That costs many times the price of a bus ticket. Agree on the price beforehand and ask whether the return ride is included. The guide on [getting around](/en/practical/getting-around) explains how taxis and buses work in the rest of Morocco. ### With a private driver With a driver the trip takes 2.5 to 3 hours. You are picked up at your riad and dropped at the gate of the Essaouira medina. The difference from the bus is mostly on the road: you stop where you want and your suitcase stays in the car. ### Stops on the way The landscape between Marrakesh and the coast is flat and dry. The last stretch turns greener because of the argan trees, which grow almost only in this part of Morocco. Along the road there are women's cooperatives where argan oil is made. You see how the nuts are cracked and ground by hand, and you buy the oil without a middleman. Not every shop with the word cooperative on the front is one. A driver who knows the region knows which ones are run by women. You will also come across goats in argan trees. Along the road they are often put there for tourists, and the herder expects money for a photo. ### Day trip or staying the night A day trip works, but you sit in the car for five hours for about five hours in town. If you leave at eight, you are in Essaouira around half past ten and have time for the medina, the city wall, fish at the harbor and a walk along the beach. Around five you drive back. The [Essaouira day trip](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) page shows how a day like that goes. If you stay a night, you see the sunset from the city wall and you have the next morning, before the day visitors arrive. Essaouira is small and relaxed. As a woman on your own you walk around far more calmly here than in Marrakesh. There is more on that on the page about [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira). By bus a day trip is tight. You are on the road for six hours and tied to the departure times. If you take the bus, stay one or two nights. ### Arriving in Essaouira The medina of Essaouira is car-free. Bus, taxi and driver drop you at one of the gates, and you walk the last stretch. At the gates there are men with handcarts who take your suitcase to your riad. Agree on the price beforehand and count on about 20 to 30 dirham. Ask your riad which gate is best to get out at, because it saves you a long walk. If you are going back by bus, buy your return ticket as soon as you arrive. In high season the late afternoon buses are the first to fill up. ### When to go Essaouira works all year. In summer the wind blows hard and it is a good deal cooler than in Marrakesh, which is a good reason to head for the coast in July or August. Bring a windbreaker, even in the middle of summer. The guide on the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit) shows the weather per month. ### Which one to choose If you have the time and you are staying over, the bus is cheap and easy enough. If you want to go there and back in one day, or stop at a cooperative on the way, a private driver is the logical choice. The grand taxi is for travelers who are flexible and don't care about comfort. If you travel with Soukayna, you can also use the ride as a transfer: you leave Marrakesh with your suitcase, stay a few nights by the sea and get picked up again afterward. ### Frequently asked questions **How long does it take to get from Marrakesh to Essaouira?** About three hours by bus, including a break. With a private driver it takes 2.5 to 3 hours, depending on the stops. **Is there a train from Marrakesh to Essaouira?** No. You travel by Supratours or CTM bus, by grand taxi or with a private driver. **Can you do Essaouira as a day trip from Marrakesh?** Yes, with a private driver. Count on about five hours of driving in total and five hours in town. By bus a day trip is tight, and you are better off staying a night. ## Arriving at Marrakesh airport as a solo woman: step by step URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/arriving-at-marrakesh-airport-as-a-solo-woman Date: 2026-10-04 Passport control, cash, SIM card, taxi or bus 19 and finding your riad: how to arrive at Marrakesh Menara airport calmly as a woman on your own. The airport of Marrakesh is called Menara and is about fifteen minutes by car from the medina. The arrival itself is straightforward. The messy part starts outside, at the taxis, and ends at the edge of the medina, where your taxi can go no further. If you prepare those two moments, you arrive calmly. ### Passport control and luggage The line for passport control can be long when several flights land at once. Count on half an hour to an hour. Keep the address of your first stay at hand, because you will be asked for it. If you are given an arrival card on the plane, fill it in there. The guide on [travel documents and insurance](/en/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance) covers the other papers you need. After the baggage carousel your suitcase usually goes through a scanner one more time. Then you walk into the arrivals hall. ### Money: the ATM in the arrivals hall You can only buy dirham once you are in Morocco. The arrivals hall has ATMs and exchange offices. Withdraw an amount that gets you through the first day and get small bills right away, because a taxi driver rarely has change for 200 dirham. The guide on [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments) has more on ATMs, fees and tipping. ### SIM card or eSIM EU roaming rules do not apply in Morocco, and roaming on most home plans is expensive. In the arrivals hall the Moroccan providers sell SIM cards with a data bundle. Take your passport to the counter. An eSIM that you install at home works too and saves you a line. Either way, make sure you have internet before you walk outside. You want to be able to call your riad and follow your route. ### Taxi: the board and the reality Outside the hall is the official taxi rank. There is a board with fixed fares per zone, for the day and for the night. To the medina and Gueliz, count on about 70 to 100 dirham during the day, depending on the type of taxi, and half as much again at night. Check the board, because the fares are adjusted from time to time. In practice drivers often name a higher amount. Point to the board, say the fare and agree on it before your suitcase is in the car. If the driver does not agree, walk to the next one. Pay on arrival, with exact change. ### Bus 19 Line 19 runs from the airport to Jemaa el-Fna and on to Gueliz. A ticket costs about 30 dirham and you buy it from the driver. The bus runs during the day and in the evening, not in the middle of the night. With a late flight, check the current times beforehand. If you only have carry-on luggage and your riad is close to the square, the bus is a good choice. ### A transfer arranged in advance Most riads offer a transfer. Count on about 15 to 20 euros. The driver stands in the hall with your name on a sign and takes you as close to the door as possible. Pass on your flight number, so the riad can see it if you are delayed. If you are traveling on with Soukayna, she can also pick you up from the airport. Send your flight number and arrival time in the [chat](/en/contact). ### The last stretch: into the medina Many riads are in alleys where no car can go. The taxi drops you at a gate or a small square, and from there you walk. Agree with your riad where someone will meet you and save the phone number in your phone. Often a staff member comes with a handcart for your suitcase. A tip of 10 to 20 dirham is customary. If you do end up standing there alone, boys will offer to show you the way. They expect money for it and don't always take you where you need to be. Call the riad and wait in a well-lit spot until someone comes. The guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women) explains how to deal with offers like these. ### Arriving late in the evening Late in the evening the bus no longer runs, the taxis charge the night fare and the alleys of the medina are quiet and dark. So with a late arrival, always arrange a transfer in advance and let the riad know what time you land. Then there is someone in the hall and someone at the door. Before you leave, download an offline map of Marrakesh and drop a pin on your riad. It takes two minutes and you will use it all week. ### A short list for on the plane - Address and phone number of your riad, on paper too - Flight number passed on to whoever is picking you up - Offline map with a pin on your riad - A bank card that is enabled for use in Morocco - The agreed amount for the transfer, or the fare from the board in your head What to do in your first days in the city is on the page about [Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh). ### Frequently asked questions **How do I get from Marrakesh airport to the medina?** By taxi from the official rank, by bus 19 to Jemaa el-Fna, or with a transfer that your riad or driver arranges in advance. The ride takes about fifteen minutes. **What does a taxi from Marrakesh airport to the center cost?** At the rank there is a board with fixed fares. Count on about 70 to 100 dirham during the day and half as much again at night. Agree on the amount before you get in. **Can I get cash and buy a SIM card at Marrakesh airport?** Yes. The arrivals hall has ATMs and exchange offices, and the Moroccan providers sell SIM cards with data there. Take your passport to the counter. ## Female driver or taxi in Marrakesh: what are your options? URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/female-driver-or-taxi-in-marrakesh Date: 2026-10-03 Petit taxi, grand taxi, transfer or private driver: how to get driven around Marrakesh as a woman, and why a woman behind the wheel is so rare. You see the medina of Marrakesh on foot. For Gueliz, the Majorelle Garden, the airport and everything outside the city you need a ride, and as a woman on your own you want to know whose car you are getting into. There are four ways to get driven. They differ mostly in how much you have to arrange and negotiate yourself. ### Petit taxi: inside the city The small beige taxis only drive within the city limits and take up to three passengers. They are required to use the meter. When you get in, ask for the "compteur". If the driver refuses, get out and take the next one. In the evening a surcharge is added to the metered fare. A petit taxi is allowed to pick up other passengers going the same way. That is normal and nothing to be alarmed about. For short rides during the day, the petit taxi works well. It gets harder at tourist spots like Jemaa el-Fna and Majorelle, where drivers would rather quote a fixed price than turn on the meter. Walk one street over and flag down a moving taxi. ### Grand taxi: out of the city Grand taxis are larger cars that run between cities and to villages in the area. You can buy a seat in a shared taxi, which leaves as soon as it is full. You can also hire the whole car for a ride or a day. There is no meter, so you agree on the price before you get in. A shared grand taxi is cheap and cramped, because you sit shoulder to shoulder with strangers. If you want room, buy two seats. A hired taxi is more comfortable. Do agree beforehand how long the driver will wait for you and whether the return ride is included in the price. ### Transfer through your riad or hotel Most riads arrange transfers to and from the airport and can also call a driver for a day trip. You pay more than for a taxi off the street. In return the price is fixed and someone is waiting with your name on a sign. If you arrive late in the evening, this is the calmest choice. Do ask who will be driving. A riad works with regular drivers, and that is almost always a man. ### A private driver For day trips and multi-day trips you hire a driver with a car. The driver picks you up, follows the route you agreed on and stops where you want. You don't negotiate per ride and your luggage stays in the same car. Tourist transport has its own license in Morocco. Ask about it. A driver without that license can be stopped at a checkpoint along the way, and then you are the one standing by the side of the road. Ride-hailing apps exist in Morocco, but what is available and what is allowed changes often. Don't count on them, and check shortly before your trip what works at that moment. The guide on [getting around Morocco](/en/practical/getting-around) covers buses, trains and driving yourself. ### Why you almost never see a woman behind the wheel Moroccan women drive cars all the time, but taxi driver and tourist driver have remained men's jobs. So the chance that a taxi rank, a riad or a travel agency sends you a woman is small. Soukayna is one of the few women in Marrakesh who drives tourists herself. What that changes in practice is in the piece on [why a female driver makes a difference](/en/blog/why-a-female-driver-in-morocco-makes-a-difference). It comes down to small things. You ask for a break more easily, and you talk to someone who knows what it is like to travel through Morocco as a woman. ### What to check before you book You can ask any driver these questions, man or woman: - Who is driving? Is it the person you are in contact with now, or will they send someone else? - Does the car have a license for tourist transport and insurance for passengers? - What is included in the price? Ask about fuel, tolls, parking and the driver's overnight stay on a multi-day trip. - How long is the day, and what does it cost if you want to stay longer? - What language can you speak with the driver? - How and when do you pay? If the answers are vague, keep looking. A driver who does the job well has these answers ready. ### Which option when For rides inside the city, take a metered petit taxi during the day. For your arrival and departure a transfer is the calmest, especially with luggage and especially in the evening. If you are going to the mountains or the coast for a day, a private driver is worth it, because you can stop along the way and don't have to negotiate. If you are not sure you will feel at ease alone on the street and in a taxi, read the guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women) first. A good first step is a day in the city with someone who knows it, like the [Marrakesh city tour](/en/trips/marrakesh-city-tour). After that you know how the city fits together, and taking a taxi on your own gets easier in the days that follow. If you want to ride with Soukayna, tell us in the [chat](/en/contact) your dates, the number of people and the places you want to see. ### Frequently asked questions **Are there female taxi drivers in Marrakesh?** Very few. Driving a taxi is mostly a man's job in Morocco. Soukayna is one of the few women in Marrakesh who drives tourists herself, as a private driver and guide. **Is a petit taxi safe for a woman on her own?** During the day, a metered petit taxi is an ordinary way to get around the city. Ask for the meter and follow the route on your phone. For a ride late in the evening, a driver arranged in advance is calmer. **What is the difference between a petit taxi and a grand taxi?** A petit taxi runs on the meter inside the city and takes up to three passengers. A grand taxi runs between cities and villages, has no meter, and you agree on the price beforehand. ## Trail running in the desert near Marrakesh: Lalla Takerkoust URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/trail-running-in-the-desert-near-marrakesh Date: 2026-10-02 Running in the Agafay desert near Marrakesh: a 23-kilometer trail run at the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir, and what to arrange before you set off. Bas, who manages this website, is a runner. When he was in Marrakesh in November 2024, he wanted to get out into the desert. He had found a route at Lalla Takerkoust and was looking for someone who could drive him there early in the morning. That is how he ended up with Soukayna. ### The desert 45 minutes from the city The Agafay is a stony, rolling plain southwest of Marrakesh, without sand dunes and with the High Atlas in the background. You get there in about 45 minutes. Read more about the area on the page about the [Agafay desert](/en/destinations/agafay). On its edge is Lalla Takerkoust, a village by a reservoir. The French built the dam between 1929 and 1935 on the N'Fis river. Around the lake, dirt roads and trails lead into the hills. There are trail races with distances of 10, 21 and 42 kilometers. ### Bas's run Bas started on 10 November 2024 at a quarter to eight. He ran 23 kilometers with about 480 meters of climbing through the hills by the lake, and was out for 2 hours and 19 minutes. It is not flat there, as that climbing figure shows. Expect dirt tracks, loose stones and gullies. Trail shoes are a good idea. Soukayna was his driver that day. Bas says himself that she took very good care of him in Marrakesh. That is how the collaboration began. ### What to arrange before you run The first thing to arrange is transport. No bus goes to Lalla Takerkoust that early, and a taxi that waits two hours for you has to be agreed in advance. With a driver you agree on an end point and a time, and you know there is water in the car. Bring water yourself too, and don't count on being able to buy anything along the way. For a half marathon you need at least a liter and a half, and more if it is warm. Load the route onto your watch or phone beforehand and don't assume the trails are marked. Download the map, so you can also use it without a signal. Start early, because even in November it warms up over the course of the morning and there is hardly any shade. A cap, sunscreen and a thin long-sleeved shirt come in handy. ### When to go and when not to The months from October through April are suitable. The mornings are cool then and the air is clear, so you can see the snow-covered peaks of the Atlas. In summer you are better off skipping it. How the weather turns out month by month is in the guide on the [best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). It is also possible during Ramadan, but then eat and drink out of sight of the villages you pass through. ### Running as a woman You meet few people in the hills. In the villages you stand out in running clothes. Calf-length tights and a shirt with short sleeves attract less attention than shorts and a tank top. The guide on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear) covers what else works. Running alone on an unfamiliar route in a remote area is not a good idea for anyone. Let the driver know which loop you are running and how long you expect to be gone. ### Combining it with the rest of the day After a morning of running you are back in Marrakesh around midday. You can also stay in the Agafay, have lunch in a camp and watch the sun go down there. That is the program of the [Agafay desert day trip](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip), which Soukayna can rearrange so your run fits in. If you want to run a route of your own, send it along when you [get in touch](/en/contact). Soukayna will then look at where she can drop you off and pick you up. ### Frequently asked questions **Where can you run in the desert near Marrakesh?** In the Agafay desert, about 45 minutes by car from Marrakesh. At the Lalla Takerkoust reservoir, trails and dirt tracks run through the hills, with views of the lake and the Atlas. **What is the best time to run in the Agafay desert?** From October through April, and early in the morning. In summer it often reaches 38 to 45 degrees Celsius around Marrakesh, and a long run is not a sensible idea. **Do you need a driver for a trail run at Lalla Takerkoust?** In practice, yes. There is no public transport to the starting point early in the morning, and you want someone waiting with water when you finish. ## Why a female driver in Morocco makes a difference URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/why-a-female-driver-in-morocco-makes-a-difference Date: 2026-09-30 What changes when your driver in Morocco is a woman: a more relaxed trip, places men can't enter, and the things that stay exactly the same. In Morocco, almost all the drivers who take travelers around are men. Soukayna is one of the few female drivers from Marrakesh. Travelers who have been on the road with her write that they laughed a lot and enjoyed her company. Having a woman behind the wheel changes some things about a trip and leaves others exactly as they are. ### How traveling with a driver works in Morocco Outside the big cities, a private car with a driver is the normal way to see Morocco. The train connects Marrakesh with Casablanca, Rabat and Fes, but it does not go to the Atlas Mountains, the desert or the coast at Essaouira. You can drive yourself. For many people, though, the mountain passes, the city traffic and parking near the medina take the vacation out of it. A driver drives and sets the pace, knows where you can get a decent lunch and where the restroom is clean, and knows the road over the Tizi n'Tichka (2260 meters) even when the fog rolls in. Soukayna drives herself. She is not an official monument guide, because in Morocco that is a separate profession with a license. Where a local guide adds something, in the medina of Fes for example, we arrange one. There is more about the different ways to travel under [getting around Morocco](/en/practical/getting-around). ### What changes when your driver is a woman #### You relax sooner You notice it the moment you get in. You don't have to think about whether to sit in the back or the front, whether to make small talk or stay quiet, or whether you are going to get questions about your marital status. You are in a car with another woman, and that is all there is to it. That relaxed feeling stays with you for the rest of the day. #### Things go differently on the road When you stop at a viewpoint or a shop, there is a woman next to you who speaks Darija. Vendors are less pushy then, and the tone is different. If you are tired, you say so. Skipping a stop is always possible, and you don't have to invent an excuse for a restroom break. It sounds minor, but on a long driving day these things matter a lot. #### You get into places men don't Some spaces stay closed to male drivers: the women's side of a hammam, the workroom of an argan cooperative, the kitchen of a family in a mountain village. A female driver is allowed in. Women in villages also talk more freely when no man is present. That way you see a side of Morocco you would otherwise miss. #### What you don't have to explain There is a scarf in the car in case you forgot yours. If you have a low-energy day, that is understood. A stop at a pharmacy does not get awkward, and in the heat Soukayna does not drive overly long stretches in one go. A woman gets that without an explanation. If you have a question along the way about the country, about how women live here, or about what you should and shouldn't do, you get a firsthand answer and not one from a guidebook. ### What a female driver does not change Morocco is still Morocco. You dress with respect for the country (see our guide on [what to wear](/en/practical/what-to-wear)) and people in the souks will still approach you. The mountain roads stay winding, and the desert is cold at night in winter. A female driver does not take any of that away, though it is easier to deal with when she is next to you. Safety also remains your own responsibility. Read our guide on [safety for women](/en/practical/safety-for-women) even if you travel with Soukayna, because you will also have evenings and free hours on your own. ### What a day looks like Soukayna picks you up at your riad or hotel. You briefly go over the plan and what you feel like doing. Along the way she stops at places that are worth seeing, and not at the shops where a driver gets the highest commission. You have lunch at a place she knows. In the afternoon there is time to walk, take photos or sit with a glass of mint tea. At the end of the day she drops you off where you are staying. How that works out per tour is described under [all trips](/en/trips). On a multi-day trip, Saïd comes into the picture. He co-organizes and arranges the special moments, such as a night with a local family. One traveler wrote that he took care of that even during Ramadan. Read more about that season under [traveling during Ramadan](/en/practical/ramadan). ### Who this is for It suits women traveling alone who are tired of negotiating and weighing every decision. It also suits friends who want to travel without one of them having to arrange everything all the time, and mothers and daughters looking for a pace that works for both. Couples and families are just as welcome. The trips were made with women in mind, but nobody is turned away. ### What travelers say Travelers call Soukayna punctual, cheerful and funny, and write that she made the trip even more enjoyable. Their words are on the home page and on the reviews page. We only publish real experiences. ### Frequently asked questions **Do I need a driver in Morocco?** Not for the cities, where taxis and the train get you far. For the mountains, the coast and the desert, a private car with a driver is the usual and most relaxed way to travel. **Is a driver the same as a guide?** No. A driver drives and takes care of the day on the road. Monuments and medinas are the territory of official local guides. Where a guide is needed or adds something, we arrange one. **Can I also travel with Soukayna as a couple or a family?** Yes. The trips are designed with women in mind, but couples, families and mixed groups are just as welcome. ## Three days in Marrakesh: an itinerary for a girls' trip URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/three-days-in-marrakesh-with-friends Date: 2026-09-23 A detailed three-day route through Marrakesh for a group of friends: medina and souks, palaces and hammam, Majorelle and an evening in the Agafay desert. Marrakesh is a good city for a few days away with friends. It is warm and colorful, the food is good, and the flight is about 3.5 hours from Amsterdam, with most of Western Europe similar. The city is also busy and overwhelming, and without a plan you spend half your time lost in an alley arguing about where to go. This three-day route is the one we would walk ourselves. ### Arrange in advance Book a riad in the medina. With four to eight women you can often rent a whole riad, including breakfast on the roof terrace. Choose one close to a main street, so you also get home easily after dinner. Have the riad arrange an airport transfer, which makes the arrival a lot calmer. Buy tickets for the Jardin Majorelle online. Bring a scarf, shoes you can walk in all day, and clothes that cover your shoulders and knees. Read our guide on [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear) beforehand. Also agree on how you will handle money, or all of you end up at one ATM. ### Day 1: the medina and the souks Start around nine on Jemaa el-Fna square, while it is still quiet. Have an orange juice at one of the stalls and then walk into the souks through Souk Semmarine. You pass clothing, leather, lanterns, spices and carpets. Decide beforehand what you want to buy and what you don't, which makes haggling easier. As a rule of thumb, offer about half the first price and meet each other halfway. Walk on to the Ben Youssef Madrasa, a former Koranic school with a courtyard full of zellige tilework and carved wood. Nearby is Le Jardin Secret, a restored palace garden where you can catch your breath. Have lunch on a roof terrace near the Place des Épices. After that, feel free to go back to the riad for an hour, by the pool or on the terrace. In Marrakesh that is simply sensible. Toward sunset you go back to the square. Find a terrace with a view, watch the square turn into an open-air restaurant, and then eat at one of the stalls where lots of Moroccans are sitting. If you would rather do the souks with someone who knows the vendors and takes you to the craftspeople themselves, look at our [souks and crafts tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour). ### Day 2: palaces, the mellah and a hammam Today you start in the south of the medina. The Bahia Palace opens at nine. If you are there early, you have the courtyards almost to yourself. Then walk to the Saadian Tombs, with the famous hall of twelve columns. The Badi Palace next door is a ruin with storks on the walls, and from the rampart you have a good view. Around the corner is the mellah, the old Jewish quarter. The spice market is here, and it is quieter than in the big souks. Have lunch near the Place des Ferblantiers. The afternoon is for the hammam. Reserve a private hammam in a spa or riad in advance, with a scrub and a massage. With friends a shared session is fun, and less daunting than a public hammam where you don't know the customs yet. Allow an hour and a half to two hours, including mint tea afterward. Eat in Gueliz tonight, the new town. There are restaurants with a wine list and terraces where Moroccan women also sit in the evening. A metered petit taxi takes you there for a few euros. Ask for the 'compteur' when you get in, and there is no argument about the price. ### Eating with a group With six or eight women at the table, reserving is wise, especially on Friday and Saturday evenings. Riads cook for the whole group on request, which is easiest on the first evening. On the roof terraces around the square you can usually get a table without a reservation if you come before seven. Share the dishes. A few tagines, salads and bread for the whole table is more Moroccan than a plate each. ### Day 3: Majorelle and the Agafay desert Go to the Jardin Majorelle at opening time, the garden of Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. The cobalt blue, the cacti and the Berber museum are worth it, and so is the YSL museum next door if you like fashion. Then stroll through Gueliz for coffee and the better concept stores. For the afternoon and evening you can go two ways. The first is a [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh), where you make a tagine and salads together and then eat them. The second is the Agafay desert, about 45 minutes away by car. Don't expect sand dunes there: it is a stony, rolling landscape with a view of the Atlas Mountains. You take a camel ride or a walk, watch the sunset and eat in a camp under the stars. Soukayna drives you there and back, so nobody has to go easy on the wine. How such an evening goes is described under our [Agafay desert day trip](/en/trips/agafay-desert-day-trip). ### Pace and group dynamics Three days in Marrakesh with a group is intense. This helps: - Agree on one fixed meeting point for lunch each morning, so anyone who wants to can wander alone for an hour. - Keep the afternoon quiet. Between one and four it is hottest and busiest. - Divide the tasks. Let one person handle the taxis, one keep an eye on the map and one keep track of the shared money. - Put an offline map on your phone, because the connection drops out in the souks. ### Staying longer? If you have five or six days, combine Marrakesh with a day in [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira) on the coast or a night in the Atlas Mountains. With a week you can even reach the real sand desert near Merzouga. ### Frequently asked questions **How many days do you need for Marrakesh?** Three full days is a good amount. You see the medina, the main palaces and gardens, and you have time for a hammam and an evening outside the city. **Do you need to buy tickets for the Jardin Majorelle in advance?** Yes. The garden works with time slots and the line at the door is long. Buy your tickets online a few days ahead, especially in high season. **Where do you stay with a group of friends in Marrakesh?** In a riad in the medina: a house around a courtyard with a roof terrace. With four to eight people you can often rent a whole riad. ## A Sahara desert trip as a woman: how it works URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/sahara-desert-trip-as-a-woman Date: 2026-09-16 Three days from Marrakesh to the Sahara at Merzouga: the route, the nights, the cold, the restrooms, what to pack and whether to go alone or in a group. The dunes of Erg Chebbi near Merzouga are up to 150 meters high, and after sunset it gets very quiet there. Before you book a night in the Sahara, you want to know a few practical things: how long are you in the car, where do you sleep, what about toilets and how cold does it get? ### The route in three days Merzouga is about 9 to 10 hours by car from Marrakesh. You don't drive that in one day, and there is no reason to. The road crosses a mountain pass and runs past kasbahs and gorges that are worth a stop. #### Day 1: Marrakesh to the Dadès valley You leave early and climb over the Tizi n'Tichka, a mountain pass at 2260 meters. The road is good but winding. If you get carsick easily, sit in the front and eat light. On the other side of the pass is [Aït Benhaddou](/en/destinations/ait-benhaddou-and-ouarzazate), the mud-brick village you know from films and series. You walk through the kasbah and have lunch with a view. By way of Ouarzazate and the Valley of the Roses you drive to the Dadès gorge, where you sleep in a small kasbah or a hotel by the river. #### Day 2: Todra and the dunes After breakfast you visit the Todra gorge, a cleft with walls three hundred meters high. After that the landscape gets flatter and drier. You drive past palm groves and villages until the first sand dunes appear on the horizon. Late in the afternoon you get on a camel (or into a 4x4, if you would rather not ride) and head an hour into the dunes to the camp. You watch the sun go down from the top of a dune and eat in the camp. Afterward there are drums by the fire, under a sky full of stars. #### Day 3: sunrise and back If you want to, you get up early for the sunrise. After breakfast you ride back to the road. From there you can return to Marrakesh in one long day, or drive on to Fes and continue your trip there. With that second option, your desert trip becomes the start of a longer tour. See the [imperial cities tour](/en/trips/imperial-cities-tour). ### The weather: heat and cold in one trip The temperature swings in the desert are large. From November to February the days are pleasant, but at night it can drop to around freezing. The camps have thick blankets. Bring a thermal shirt and a warm hat anyway. In summer, from June to September, the days get very hot and the dunes are only comfortable early and late. The best months are March, April, October and November. Read more under [the best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). ### Toilets and washing - On the road you stop at roadside restaurants and gas stations. The quality of the toilets varies. Bring tissues and hand sanitizer, and expect a squat toilet now and then. - Standard camps in the dunes have shared toilets and often a simple shower. - More luxurious camps have a private bathroom with a toilet and shower right at your tent, plus a real bed. Tell us which kind of camp you want when you [send your request](/en/contact). The price difference between a standard camp and a luxury camp is considerable, but a private bathroom can be worth it, especially during your period. ### What to pack You only take a small bag to the camp. The rest of your luggage stays in the car. This goes in: - Layers: a thermal shirt, a fleece or wool sweater and, in winter, a windproof jacket. - A large scarf against sun, sand and cold. In the camp you learn to tie it as a turban. - A headlamp or flashlight, because the camp is dark after dinner. - Wet wipes, hand sanitizer, tissues and a small toiletry bag. - A power bank, because not every camp has outlets. - Sunglasses, sunscreen and a bottle of water. - Closed shoes for the walk and flip-flops for around the camp. The full list is in our [packing list for Morocco](/en/practical/packing-list). ### Alone or with a group Many desert trips are sold as group tours in a minibus. That is cheaper, but you are with twelve strangers on a fixed schedule. With Soukayna you travel privately. You decide the pace, where you stop and how long you stay at a viewpoint. She drives herself and knows the route and the places where the lunch is good and the toilet is clean. If you go alone, there is someone you know with you the whole way. In the camp you are never the only guest, because camps host several travelers each night. That makes for good company around the fire, and it feels safer too. If you are nervous about sleeping alone in a tent, choose a luxury camp with tents that lock. ### The camel The ride to the camp takes about an hour. It sways, and after half an hour most people feel it in their thighs. Wear long pants and leave your bag in the car. Hold on tight to the saddle when the animal stands up, because it does so with a jolt. If you would rather not ride, most camps can take you by 4x4. Tell us in advance and we will arrange it. ### Photos and tips Photograph the dunes as much as you like. Do ask permission before you photograph people, including the camel handlers. A small tip for the men who lead the animals is customary. Count on a few dozen dirham per person. The day-by-day route is on our [Sahara desert trip to Merzouga](/en/trips/sahara-desert-trip-merzouga) page. ### Frequently asked questions **How long does a desert trip from Marrakesh take?** Merzouga is about 9 to 10 hours by car from Marrakesh. That is why you do the trip in at least three days, with a stop in the Dadès or Todra valley. **How cold does it get in the desert?** In winter the nights can drop to around freezing, while the days are pleasant. In summer the days get very hot. Always bring layers. **Are there toilets in the desert camp?** Yes. Standard camps have shared toilets and often a simple shower. More luxurious camps have a private bathroom next to your tent. On the road you rely on roadside restaurants. ## Marrakesh in summer: how to deal with the heat URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/marrakesh-in-summer-heat Date: 2026-09-09 In July and August Marrakesh often reaches 38 to 45 degrees Celsius. How to plan your day, what to wear and drink, and which trips cool you down. Marrakesh is hot in summer. Count on 38 to 45 degrees Celsius (100 to 113 Fahrenheit) in the shade, for days on end. Still, plenty of European travelers go in July and August, because that is when the school holidays fall. That can work well, as long as you use the city differently than you would in spring. ### What makes the heat in Marrakesh different The air is dry, so 40 degrees feels different than it does in Southeast Asia. You feel less sticky, but you also don't notice how much fluid you are losing. The medina holds on to the warmth: in the evening the mud-brick walls give off the heat of the day. At night it cools down to about 25 degrees, which is pleasant on a roof terrace. The sun is fierce and high in the sky. Between twelve and five you don't want to be on the street. Moroccans aren't either. The souks are quiet around midday and come back to life toward evening. ### Split your day into three parts From 7 to 11 in the morning is the time for sights: the Bahia Palace, the Ben Youssef Madrasa, the Jardin Majorelle at opening time. It is quiet then and the temperature is still bearable. From noon to 5 you are back in your riad. You swim, take a siesta or read a book on a shady terrace. A hammam is also an option, because after the scrub it actually feels pleasantly cool inside. From 6 in the evening you go back out for the souks, Jemaa el-Fna square and dinner on a roof terrace. In summer the city is at its best in the evening. Don't plan more than one major sight per morning. You won't last longer than that in this heat. ### Choose where you stay for coolness In summer you really need a riad with a courtyard and a pool. When you book, look for a pool or at least a plunge pool, for air conditioning in the room that actually works (read the reviews) and for a roof terrace with shade. Riads with a garden or lots of plants in the courtyard are noticeably cooler than riads with only tiles. Hotels in Gueliz or in the Palmeraie often have bigger pools. You will need a taxi every time you go to the medina. On the other hand, you really get to rest in the afternoon. ### What to wear at 40 degrees Loose and long is cooler than short and tight. Wide linen pants and a loose long-sleeved blouse protect you from the sun and are respectful at the same time. Choose light colors and natural fabrics such as linen, thin cotton or viscose. A hat or a scarf around your head is for protection. Sandals are fine, but the tiles on the square get hot, and in the souks closed, breathable shoes are more practical. There is more in our guide on [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear). ### Drinking, eating and salt Drink more than you think you need, even when you are not thirsty. Buy large bottles of water in the small shops and not on the square, so you pay the normal price. Fresh orange juice from the square is good against the heat. Pick a stall with lots of customers. Mint tea at 40 degrees sounds strange, but that is exactly when Moroccans drink it. Hot drinks make you sweat, and sweating cools you down. Eat light at midday and have a hot meal in the evening. A little extra salt, from olives or salted nuts for example, helps against headaches caused by fluid loss. Be careful with raw salads and ice cream of unknown origin. Food spoils faster in the heat, so choose stalls and restaurants that are busy and where the food is prepared fresh. ### Get out of the city Don't stay in Marrakesh every day in summer. That is the best advice we have. - [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira) on the coast is about 2.5 to 3 hours away by car, and the constant sea wind often makes it ten to fifteen degrees cooler. A day or two by the sea halfway through your trip makes a big difference. - The Ourika valley is an hour's drive away. There is a river, there are waterfalls, and you sit on terraces with your feet in the water. - Imlil, about an hour and a half away, sits at 1700 meters in the Atlas Mountains. A night there is a relief in summer. - The Agafay desert is only doable in the evening in summer. You watch the sunset, have dinner and look at the stars, and you are back around midnight. Soukayna drives you there in an air-conditioned car, and that alone is a reason not to do those days by bus. Look at our [Essaouira day trip](/en/trips/essaouira-day-trip) or the trip to the [Atlas Mountains and the Berber villages](/en/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages). ### What you gain in summer Summer has advantages too. Riads and hotels are cheaper than in spring and the sights are quieter. The square, on the other hand, is livelier in the evening, because Moroccans also only come outside after sunset. Travelers in April don't get evenings like that. ### Who is better off not going in summer If you are pregnant, traveling with small children or elderly parents, or you know that you don't handle heat well, we advise against summer. Choose March to May or October to November. The month-by-month overview is under [the best time to visit](/en/practical/best-time-to-visit). ### Frequently asked questions **How hot does Marrakesh get in summer?** In July and August, 38 to 45 degrees Celsius during the day is normal. The air is dry, so it feels less sticky than in the tropics, but the sun is fierce and the city holds on to heat. **Is it wise to go to Marrakesh in summer?** It works fine if you adapt your day: head out early, rest between twelve and five, and use the evening. If you don't handle heat well, spring or fall is the better choice. **Where is it cooler than Marrakesh in summer?** On the coast in Essaouira the sea wind often makes it ten to fifteen degrees cooler, and in the Atlas Mountains near Imlil or in the Ourika valley it is noticeably fresher. ## Hammam in Morocco: what to know before you go URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/hammam-in-morocco-what-to-know Date: 2026-09-02 Public hammam or private spa: what happens step by step, what to bring, when women can go and how to behave on your first visit in Morocco. In Morocco the hammam is part of daily life. For many Moroccans a weekly visit to the bathhouse is as ordinary as the weekly grocery run is at home. For travelers it is one of the few places where you sit among Moroccan women and stop being a tourist for a while. Still, many women put off their first time because they don't know how it works. ### Public or private #### The public hammam Every neighborhood in Morocco has one. They are plain buildings with a changing room and two or three rooms that get hotter one after the other. You pay a few euros to get in, and a small amount extra if you have an attendant scrub you. You bring your own things. Expect it to be busy and noisy. Women and men have separate hours or separate entrances. The women's hours are usually during the day, and men come in the early morning and the evening. Ask at your riad about a hammam nearby and about the women's hours. #### The private hammam or spa Riads and spas have their own hammam, often tiled and lit by lanterns. Soap, glove, towel and flip-flops are laid out for you, and afterward you get tea. You are in the room alone or with your friends. It costs a good deal more: from a few dozen euros to over a hundred for a session with a massage. For a first time, or if you mainly want to relax, this is the easy choice. We can arrange a private hammam for you, for example on the first or last day. If you want to experience the public kind, do it with someone who knows the customs. Soukayna can take you to a neighborhood hammam and explain what goes where. ### What happens step by step The order is roughly the same in every hammam. 1. You get changed. In the public hammam you keep your underpants on and going topless is normal. At a spa you get disposable underwear. You leave your things in a locker or with the attendant. 2. You get used to the heat. You start in the lukewarm room and move on to the hottest one. The air is humid, unlike the dry air in a sauna. Sit down, pour warm water over yourself and wait ten to fifteen minutes until your skin softens. 3. You rub yourself with savon beldi, the black soap. It is a dark, paste-like soap made from olives, and you leave it on for ten minutes. 4. Then comes the scrub with the kessa, a rough glove. If you do it yourself, you scrub in long strokes. If you have it done, an attendant takes over and you see how much dead skin comes off. It is firm but not painful, and afterward your skin feels smooth. 5. You rinse off with buckets of warm water, again and again. In the public hammam you fetch that water yourself at the taps. 6. Often a mask of rhassoul follows, a clay from the Atlas Mountains, for hair and body. Sometimes there is a massage with argan oil after that. 7. You cool down. You go back to the cool room, wrap yourself in a towel and drink mint tea. Take your time for this. Allow an hour for a simple session and an hour and a half to two hours with a scrub and massage. ### What to bring For a public hammam: - A large towel and a small one to sit on. - Flip-flops, because the floor is wet and warm. - Clean underwear for afterward. - Black soap and a kessa. You can buy them cheaply at any spice shop in the medina. - A plastic bowl or small bucket, although you can often borrow one. - Shampoo, a comb and a bottle of drinking water. You don't need to bring anything to a spa, except maybe your own comb. Leave your jewelry at the riad. ### Etiquette - Taking photos is never allowed in a hammam, not even of yourself. - Talk quietly. It is not a library, but it is not a swimming pool either. - Don't look at other people's bodies. Nobody does, and that is what makes it a relaxed place. - Tip the attendant who scrubs you. A few dozen dirham is customary. Read more about tipping under [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments). - Don't go right after a big meal, and drink plenty of water afterward. ### When to go and when not to A hammam is good after a long day in the car or on the day you arrive, when you want to wash the journey off. During your period you can simply go, with a tampon or cup. If you have a sunburn or a fever, or you are pregnant, check with the spa first, because the hot room is less suitable then. In summer it gets you through the afternoon heat nicely: you feel cooler afterward than you did before. ### If you are nervous about it It is normal to be a little nervous the first time, mostly about the idea of sitting half undressed among strangers. In a public hammam you don't stand out. There are mothers with children, grandmothers and teenage girls, and nobody pays attention to anyone else. If you want to build up slowly, start with a private hammam and then go to the neighborhood hammam once with someone who knows it. The second time it feels normal. ### As part of your trip At our [yoga and wellness retreat](/en/trips/yoga-and-wellness-retreat) the hammam is a fixed part of the program. With a city tour or a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip) we are happy to plan one in too, preferably on an afternoon when it is too hot outside anyway. What else to do in Marrakesh is described under [the destination Marrakesh](/en/destinations/marrakesh). ### Frequently asked questions **What is the difference between a public and a private hammam?** A public hammam is a neighborhood bathhouse where you bring your own things and get in for a few euros. A private hammam in a spa or riad arranges everything for you, costs more and gives you more privacy. **What do you bring to a public hammam?** A towel, flip-flops, clean underwear, black soap, a scrubbing glove (kessa), a small bucket or bowl and shampoo. At a spa you are given all of this. **Do you go naked in the hammam?** In a public hammam women keep their underpants on, and going topless is normal. At a spa you usually get disposable underwear and a cloth. Nobody looks at your body, because everyone is busy with themselves. ## A mother-daughter trip through Morocco: ideas and tips URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/mother-daughter-trip-morocco Date: 2026-08-26 Traveling through Morocco with your mother or daughter: the right pace, a one-week route, what to do together and what to check on riads, stairs and heat. Traveling with only your mother or only your daughter is different from a family vacation. You have more time to talk, and you do things you never do together at home. Sometimes there is more friction too, usually about the pace. Morocco suits a trip like this, because the distances are manageable and there is enough to do for both of you. With a female driver, the long stretches in the car also become the moments when you catch up. ### Why Morocco works for two generations Morocco is close: about 3.5 hours from Amsterdam, and most of Western Europe is similar. It is very different from Europe, but it does not get complicated. EU, UK and US passport holders don't need a visa, the riads are comfortable and the food is mild and fresh. Hospitality matters here and older people are treated with respect. A gray-haired mother is more likely to be helped in Morocco than ignored. The bustle of the souks and the silence of the desert are a day's drive apart. That makes it easy to put together a trip in which you both get what you want. ### Agree on the pace If a trip like this goes wrong, it is usually over the pace and rarely over the destination. So agree on a few things beforehand: - You do one big activity per morning and keep the afternoon free. - You don't move every day and stay at least two nights in each place. - You only do long drives with a driver, and with stops. - Each of you can take an afternoon for herself without it becoming an issue. Soukayna drives herself and adjusts the pace. Sitting at a viewpoint for an extra hour, or skipping a stop because your mother is tired, is no problem with her. For this kind of trip that is the biggest advantage of having your own driver. ### A one-week route #### Days 1 to 3: Marrakesh You land in Marrakesh and have someone pick you up. If stairs are a concern, choose a riad with an elevator or with bedrooms on the ground floor or the floor above it. Many riads have steep, narrow stairs. Take the first day easy, with mint tea on the roof terrace and a short walk around the neighborhood. Day two is for the medina. Do the souks with someone who knows the way, or you will spend half the day lost and the other half haggling. Our [souks and crafts tour](/en/trips/souks-and-crafts-tour) takes you to the workshops of leatherworkers, weavers and lantern makers. In the afternoon you go to the hammam, together or separately. On day three you visit the Bahia Palace and the Jardin Majorelle in the morning. Late in the afternoon you drive to the [Agafay](/en/destinations/agafay) desert for the sunset and dinner in a camp. You are back at the riad around ten. #### Days 4 and 5: Essaouira The drive to the coast takes about 2.5 to 3 hours. On the way you stop at an argan cooperative where women crack the nuts and press the oil. It is a good place to be together, and what you buy there is worth the money. Essaouira itself is calm. There is a sea wind, blue boats lie in the harbor and no mopeds ride through the medina. Two nights is enough for a day of walking, eating at the fish market and an afternoon on the beach or in a hammock on the roof terrace. Read more about the town under [Essaouira](/en/destinations/essaouira). #### Days 6 and 7: the Atlas Mountains and back By way of Marrakesh you drive into the Atlas Mountains to the Imlil valley, about an hour and a half away. You sleep in a kasbah with a view of Toubkal. If you are fit, you walk between the walnut trees to a Berber village. If you would rather sit, you drink tea on the terrace and look at the mountains. On the last morning you drive back to the airport. What a day like that looks like is described under our trip to the [Atlas Mountains and the Berber villages](/en/trips/atlas-mountains-and-berber-villages). ### What you do together and never do at home A [cooking workshop](/en/trips/cooking-workshop-marrakesh) is the best thing you can do on a trip like this. You go to the market together, chop, season and simmer a tagine and then eat it. While you cook, the talk turns to recipes, to the old days and to who learned what from whom. You can also hire a photographer for an hour in the medina, get henna done together or do a morning of yoga on a roof terrace. Or spend an afternoon in a public hammam during the women's hours, with someone who knows the customs. ### What to watch for - Ask the riad beforehand where the rooms are. Some riads only have rooms you reach by steep stairs. - Don't travel with an older mother in July and August. March to May and October to November are ideal. - Bring enough medication for the whole trip, in the original packaging, with a list of the active ingredients. The pharmacies are good, but not every brand exists there. - Check that your mother's or daughter's travel insurance also covers Morocco. - Consider two rooms next to each other instead of one shared room. Riads often have small rooms. - Agree before you leave on who pays for what, and both bring a debit card that works abroad. ### Just the two of you, without arranging everything yourself With Soukayna you can be together without having to arrange everything yourselves. She drives, knows the way, and knows where the toilet is clean and where to sit comfortably in the afternoon. If you want to sit quietly next to each other for an hour, she puts on some music and leaves you in peace. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Morocco suitable for a trip with an older mother?** Yes, if you adjust the pace. Choose riads without too many stairs, plan rest in the afternoon and travel with a private driver, so the long stretches are comfortable. **How long should a mother-daughter trip through Morocco be?** A week is a good length: three nights in Marrakesh, two nights on the coast in Essaouira and one or two nights in the Atlas Mountains or the Agafay desert. **What can you do together in Morocco that both generations enjoy?** A cooking workshop, a hammam, a day in the souks with someone who knows the way, a sunset in the desert and a visit to a women's cooperative. ## What does a trip to Morocco cost? An honest overview URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/what-does-a-trip-to-morocco-cost Date: 2026-08-19 Roughly what you pay in Morocco for flights, riads, food, taxis, tickets, hammam and tips, and what sets the price of a tailor-made trip with a driver. Morocco is not expensive, but you can no longer get by on ten euros a day either. In Marrakesh prices are heading toward those of Southern Europe, while in villages and smaller towns you still pay surprisingly little. With the amounts below you can put together a budget. They are guide prices, because the dirham fluctuates and prices are rising in the tourist areas. Count on about 10.5 dirham to the euro and check the current rate before you leave. ### Flights A round trip from Amsterdam or Brussels to Marrakesh costs roughly between 100 and 300 euros. That depends on the season, the airline and how early you book. Around the European school holidays in spring and fall and around Christmas you are at the top of that range. If you are flexible and fly on a Tuesday or Wednesday, you are often at the bottom. With the budget airlines, checked baggage comes on top. ### Where you sleep This is the biggest item, and also the one you have the most control over. - Simple riad or guesthouse: about 50 to 80 euros per room per night, including breakfast. - Good riad with a pool, nice rooms and a roof terrace: about 90 to 160 euros. - Luxury riad or boutique hotel: 200 euros and up. - Kasbah or mountain hotel in the Atlas Mountains: about 60 to 120 euros, often with dinner. - Desert camp near Merzouga: a standard camp with shared bathrooms from about 40 to 70 euros per person with dinner and breakfast, a luxury camp with a private bathroom 150 to 300 euros per tent. Riads charge per room, so with two people you split the cost. If you travel alone, you often pay close to the room price. Some riads give a discount for one person, so ask. ### Food and drink Food costs you little in Morocco, as long as you are not in a designer restaurant every evening. - A tagine or couscous in an ordinary restaurant: about 6 to 12 euros. - A meal at the stalls on Jemaa el-Fna square: 4 to 8 euros. - Dinner in a good restaurant with atmosphere: 20 to 40 euros per person. - Mint tea or coffee: 1 to 3 euros. Fresh orange juice on the square: less than a euro. - A one and a half liter bottle of water in a small shop: around 60 euro cents. - Alcohol is expensive and not available everywhere. A glass of wine in a restaurant easily costs 6 to 10 euros. What to eat where is in our guide on [food and drink](/en/practical/food-and-drink). ### Getting around - Metered petit taxi in Marrakesh: 1.50 to 4 euros for a ride within the city. - Transfer from the airport to the medina: 10 to 20 euros if your riad arranges it. - Train from Marrakesh to Casablanca: about 10 to 20 euros, first class a little more. - Bus to Essaouira (CTM or Supratours): about 8 to 12 euros one way. - Private car with a driver: this varies a lot with the distance and the number of days. For a day tour from Marrakesh, count on roughly 100 to 200 euros per car. On multi-day trips it is a little more per day, because the driver stays overnight on the road. On our trips, transport with Soukayna is included in the price. More about that further down. Everything about taxis, trains and buses is under [getting around Morocco](/en/practical/getting-around). ### Entrance tickets and activities - Most sights in Marrakesh, such as the Bahia Palace, the Saadian Tombs and the Ben Youssef Madrasa, cost between 5 and 10 euros. - The Jardin Majorelle is more expensive. With the Berber museum and the YSL museum included, you spend 20 to 30 euros. - A public hammam costs 2 to 5 euros, plus a few euros for the scrub. A private hammam in a spa with a scrub and massage costs 30 to 80 euros. - A half-day cooking workshop: 40 to 80 euros per person. - A one-hour camel ride in Agafay or the Sahara: 15 to 30 euros. - An official city guide for half a day: 30 to 50 euros for the group. ### Tips and small expenses Tipping is part of Morocco. In restaurants about 10 percent is customary if the service was good, and with small amounts you leave the change. The attendant in the hammam, the man who carries your suitcase or someone who shows you the way at the stalls gets a few dozen dirham. A driver or guide who spends several days with you gets a tip at the end that matches how satisfied you were. Count on about 10 to 20 euros per day. More on this under [money and payments](/en/practical/money-and-payments). A local SIM card with data costs around 5 to 10 euros. With souvenirs the price depends on how you haggle: a leather bag costs 25 to 60 euros, a set of tea glasses 5 to 10 euros and a small rug from 80 euros. ### A sample budget for a week Take two friends who go for a week in April, sleep in mid-range riads, do one day tour with a driver and spend one night in the Agafay desert. Per person, without the flight, that costs: - Accommodation (shared room, 6 nights): about 300 to 450 euros - Food and drink: about 150 to 250 euros - Transport, entrance tickets and activities: about 150 to 300 euros - Tips and small expenses: about 50 to 100 euros Added up, that puts you roughly between 650 and 1100 euros per person, plus the flight. If you travel alone you spend more, because you don't share the room. With simple riads and lots of meals on the square you come out lower. If you want luxury, you end up above 1500 euros. ### What determines the price of a trip with us There are no prices for our trips on the site, because every trip is different. The price depends on a few things you decide: - The number of days. A day tour is a different thing from a ten-day tour. - The number of people. The car with Soukayna costs about the same per day for two people as for five, so with more people you split that cost. - The level of the riads and camps: simple, good or luxury. - The season. During the spring school holidays and around New Year, riads are more expensive than in June or November. - The route. A desert trip costs more than a week around Marrakesh, because of the distance and the nights on the road. - Extras, such as workshops, a local guide in Fes or a private hammam. You tell us what you want and we send a proposal with one price for the whole trip. Then you know in advance where you stand and you don't have to do the math along the way. Look at [all trips](/en/trips) or start with a [tailor-made trip](/en/trips/tailor-made-trip). If you want to know roughly what your trip will cost, send your dates, the number of people and your wishes through the [chat](/en/contact). You get an honest answer, even if a shorter trip fits your budget better. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Morocco a cheap country to travel in?** Yes, compared with Western Europe. Food, taxis and entrance tickets are cheap. Riads and private transport make up most of your budget, and those are the items where you choose how much to spend. **What does a riad in Marrakesh cost per night?** Count on about 50 to 80 euros for a simple riad, 90 to 160 euros for a good riad with a pool and 200 euros or more for the more luxurious places, per room including breakfast. **Why are there no prices on your trips?** Because every trip is different. The number of days, the number of people, the level of the riads and the season determine the price. You get one clear proposal up front, so you know where you stand. ## Exploring Marrakesh as a solo female traveler: tips and tricks URL: https://soukytours.com/blog/solo-female-travel-marrakesh-tips Date: 2024-12-19 (updated 2026-09-30) How to prepare for Marrakesh as a woman on your own: where to sleep, what to wear, metered taxis, pushy vendors and where to eat at ease. Going to Marrakesh on your own is very doable, even if you have never been to Morocco. The city is busy and loud, and in the medina someone talks to you every few meters. On your first day that can be intimidating, and it helps a lot to know what to expect. ### Before you leave Mark the places you want to see on a map and check where your riad is in relation to Jemaa el-Fna square. The medina is a maze, and with that one landmark you find your way much more easily. Download an offline map of Marrakesh too, because GPS regularly drops out in the narrow alleys. Take out travel insurance that covers medical costs, theft and lost luggage. Make copies of your passport and keep them separate from the original, for example as a photo on your phone and a printout in your suitcase. EU, UK and US passport holders don't need a visa for stays of up to 90 days. The rest is covered under [travel documents and insurance](/en/practical/travel-documents-and-insurance). #### Where to sleep The classic choice is a riad in the medina: a traditional house around a courtyard, often with a roof terrace. Choose one close to a main street, so you don't have to walk through long, quiet alleys after sunset. Mouassine, Bab Doukkala and the streets around Riad Zitoun are easy to reach and there are people out until late. Read reviews by other women who traveled alone, and ask whether the staff can meet you at a recognizable spot. Many riads are happy to do that, especially the first time. If you prefer wide, well-lit streets and cafes with terraces, Gueliz is a good alternative. That is the new town, ten minutes by taxi from the medina. ### What to wear Marrakesh is used to tourists, but you make things easier for yourself by adapting. Cover your shoulders and knees and leave tight or see-through clothes at home. Loose pants or a long skirt, an airy blouse and a scarf are enough. You use that scarf against the sun, against the air conditioning in the car and when you visit a religious building. There is more in our guide on [what to wear in Morocco](/en/practical/what-to-wear). ### Safety In Marrakesh, safety is rarely about crime and far more often about pushiness. These habits make your day a lot calmer: - Stay on busy, well-lit streets, especially after sunset. - Don't wear eye-catching jewelry, and keep your phone in your hand or bag, not in your back pocket. - Take a taxi back to your riad after dinner, even if it is only a ten-minute walk. - Let someone at home know where you are staying and what your plans are. - Never follow someone who offers to show you the way to a square, a tannery or a shop. That almost always ends with a request for money. #### What to say to pushy vendors Being approached is part of the medina. Usually a friendly 'la, shukran' (no, thank you) or 'non merci' is enough, with a smile and without slowing down. Don't get into a discussion and don't stop to explain why you don't want something. If someone keeps pushing, say 'safi' (enough) calmly and firmly. Everyone knows that word and it works. Trust your instincts. If something feels off, walk into a shop or a cafe. The staff will gladly help and call a taxi for you if needed. ### Taxis without the argument Within the city you use petit taxis, small beige cars. They are required to use the meter, so ask 'compteur, s'il vous plaît' when you get in. If the driver refuses, take the next one. During the day a ride within the city usually costs between 15 and 40 dirham. After eight in the evening the rate is higher. From the airport there are fixed, higher prices. Have your riad arrange a transfer in advance, so you know for sure what you will pay. Our guide on [getting around Morocco](/en/practical/getting-around) has more. ### Contact with Moroccans Most people who talk to you mean well. Be polite and keep your boundaries. A few words of Arabic or French go a long way: 'salam' (hello), 'shukran' (thank you), 'bslama' (goodbye). People appreciate it, and it helps with simple things like ordering food or asking the way. If you need help, feel free to ask a woman in a shop or at the market. Our guide on language and etiquette has a list of phrases you will use often. ### Where to eat comfortably on your own Eating out alone is no problem in Marrakesh. You will feel at ease in these places: - The roof terraces around Jemaa el-Fna square. You have a view, there are plenty of other travelers and the mood is relaxed. - Your own riad. Many riads cook dinner on request, which is ideal for your first evening. - Cafes and restaurants in Gueliz, where Moroccan women also sit in the evening. - The food stalls on the square. Choose a stall where lots of Moroccans are eating, because that is where the food is fresh. Order a tagine, couscous on Friday, and sweet mint tea with it. Drink bottled water, because tap water is not recommended, and choose food that is cooked through. Read more in our guide on [food and drink](/en/practical/food-and-drink). ### What you will want to see Toward sunset, Jemaa el-Fna square turns into an open-air restaurant with musicians and storytellers. The Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs show how wealthy the city once was. The Ben Youssef Madrasa is one of the most beautiful buildings in Morocco. In the cobalt blue Jardin Majorelle you can recover from the crowds for a while. Buy your ticket online, because the line is long. ### Plan some rest too Traveling takes energy, especially in a city like this. Keep an afternoon free for a hammam, a traditional bathhouse where you are washed and scrubbed. You come out relaxed, and you see a piece of daily life that tourists often skip. If you want to take it easy the first time, choose a private hammam in a riad or spa. ### A day with someone who knows the city You can combine a few days on your own with a day with Soukayna. She drives herself and knows the city and the routes around it. With her next to you, you stand out less in the souks as a woman alone. Read what such a day looks like on our [Marrakesh city tour](/en/trips/marrakesh-city-tour) page. ### Frequently asked questions **Is Marrakesh safe for a woman on her own?** Yes, with common sense. Stay on busy streets, take a taxi back to your riad after sunset, and be friendly but firm with people who approach you. Pushiness happens, but serious incidents involving travelers are rare. **What does a taxi cost in Marrakesh?** A metered petit taxi within the city usually costs between 15 and 40 dirham during the day. Ask for the 'compteur' when you get in. If the driver refuses, take the next one. **Which neighborhood is best for a solo traveler?** Pick a riad close to a main street in the medina, for example around Mouassine, Bab Doukkala or Riad Zitoun. If you prefer wide, well-lit streets and cafe terraces, Gueliz is a good alternative.