My love story with travel is not a common one. I discovered solo travel at 16 years old then travelled the world on my own for a whole year at 21. However, after that, for more than a decade, I mostly did friendcations, baecations, and familycations. I finally decided to get back to where I started and booked a 9-day solo trip to one of my dream destinations: Morocco!
Morocco doesn’t have the best reputation for solo female travellers, but as an experienced solo traveller I felt I could manage it by doing what I always do- taking cultural norms into consideration, investing time in a lot of pre-planning, and practicing personal safety measures. I’m glad I was not dissuaded because this trip turned out to be one of the best solo trips I’ve ever taken!
So now, let me share with you all the incredible places I stayed and what I got up to as a solo female traveler in Morocco. My 9 day itinerary includes visiting Marrakech, the Agafay Desert, Casablanca and the Merzouga Desert.
MARRAKECH
My first stop was Marrakech, Morocco! I spent 4 wonderful days taking in the vibrant energy of the old Medina, souks, beautiful architecture, and luxurious hotels.
Where I stayed
I stayed in two beautiful riads during my time in Marrakech and recommend both of them: Riad BE Marrakech and Riad Yasmine. The staff always looked out for me and went above and beyond to ensure I was enjoying my time and that my days went smoothly. The courtyards inside the riads were beautiful peaceful sanctuaries- the perfect places to relax after a day exploring the city. Lounge chairs, cushions, and tropical plants and a pool surrounded by Moroccan architecture, tiling and décor created lush and luxurious spaces.
What I did
There is so much to do in Marrakech; you won’t get bored as a solo traveller, I promise! I went shopping in the souks (I recommend hiring a guide through your hotel/riad). I did a street food tour, I visited the YSL museum and gorgeous Majorelle Gardens next door, and I revelled in the architecture of the famous historic sites: Ben Youssef Madrasa, Bahia Palace, and Koutoubia mosque. One of my favourite activities was a hot air balloon ride at sunrise with Marrakech By Air. This was something I had wanted to check off my bucketlist for years and I decided to splurge by doing a private VIP ride with breakfast. If a private ride is not in your budget, Marrakech by Air also has affordable group rides and their pricing does include transportation from your hotel in Marrakech.Watching the sunrise from the sky with the Atlas Mountains on the horizon was an extraordinary experience- I loved every moment! If a hot air balloon ride is still on your bucket list, then I highly recommend adding this to your Marrakech itinerary.
Despite the many amazing things to do in Marrakech, what I actually really enjoyed the most was just relaxing and appreciating the Moroccan architecture and décor at luxury hotels. I spent a lot of time lying poolside, trying out spas, and treating myself to incredible meals. The 5 star hotels I visited were: La Mamounia, The Oberoi, Royal Mansour, and Palais Namaskar. To stay at these hotels costs upwards of $1000 per night so instead I chose to experience these hotels by getting a day pass for the pool, going to visit their restaurants on site, and booking spa treatments. (Tip: If you only are going to do one spa experience, I recommend going to the Royal Mansour; its all-white spa is a heavenly sanctuary bathed in natural light!)
Where I ate
Breakfast was included in my stay at both riads and I must say they did not disappoint. The food was plentiful and delicious! One morning I chose to have breakfast in the pool at Riad Yasmine (click here to see).
As for restaurants in Marrakech, Les Jardins de Lotus is a must for lunch! It is gorgeous- the restaurant is set in an open courtyard with pink and white décor and orange trees surrounding the tables. Comptoir Darna is a happening spot for dinner; there is live entertainment (music and belly dancers) and later at night it turns into a club with a DJ and dancing. You can order a hookah and have cocktails after dinner if dancing isn’t for thing. Azar is a similar vibe to Comptoir Darna and I had the best tagine here (*Tagine is a popular Moroccan dish of spiced meat and vegetables slow-cooked in a unique earthenware pot of the same name).
Another must visit restaurant is La Trattoria. With ornate lanterns hanging from the ceiling over a pool centred in the amongst the tables, it has to be one the most beautiful restaurants in the world! It is an Italian restaurant (yes, Italian in Morocco), and the food was fantastic! Finally, yet another must-visit Moroccan restaurant is Al Fassia. The food was delicious and plentiful. I ordered salad as an appetizer and 14 plates of different salads were brought to the table! (BTW…I found that salads in Morocco are just fabulous in general.)
Click here for my IG reel on some of these restaurants in Marrakech.
AGAFAY DESERT
Where I stayed
One hour outside of Marrakech was my next stop, the serene Agafay desert. The Agafay desert is a gray/brown stone desert and feels a bit like you’ve arrived on the surface of the moon. I stayed one night at the Agafay Luxury Desert Camp and luxuriated in watching the sunrise from my patio- wrapped in a blanket, having breakfast on my patio, and then soaking in an outdoor bubble bath while sipping on a glass of Prosecco.
What I did
In the afternoon, I went on both a camel ride and ATV ride through desert, cruising past sheep and Berber villages, and taking in the scenery. I ended the day relaxing at the hotel’s beautiful infinity pool that has unbelievable desert views. I loved the contrast of the blue pool against the backdrop of the brown desert.
Click here to see my ATV experience and click here to see my camel riding experience!
MERZOUGA DESERT
My next stop was another desert, the Merzouga desert otherwise known as Erg Chebbi. It is a series of stunning golden sand dunes on edge of the Sahara desert. Getting there from Marrakech is a 10-hour drive, but since I was short on time, I decided to fly to Errachidia, Morocco. I flew with Air Maroc and had a seamless and easy travel experience. From Errachidia, the sand dunes and desert camps around them are less than a 2-hour drive.
Where I stayed
I stayed at Jannat Luxury Desert Camp in one of their luxury tents which had hot water, a comfortable bed, and a sitting area inside. Outside, the camp had lanterns set up along a red carpet that at night when lit, created a mystical atmosphere, especially with the desert behind as the backdrop.
View my Instagram Highlights of the Merzouga desert by clicking here!
What I did
I had a once-in-a-lifetime experience riding camels in the sand dunes, sand boarding, and climbing to the top of the highest dune to watch the sunset. The sand dunes are truly magical and are at the top of my list of must-visits in Morocco! The next morning, the staff at the camp set up a special breakfast for me outdoors, with the golden dunes of the desert as my backdrop. When it became too hot in the afternoon, I was able to visit a nearby riad in a desert town and use the pool and loungers there. In the evening there was drumming and singing by the local Amazigh (aka Berber) people. It was a great experience learning about their culture and way of life and how both have involved and changed over time.
Click here to see me sand boarding in the desert!
CASABLANCA
The last stop on my 9-day itinerary to Morocco was Casablanca. I loved the buzzing yet laid back atmosphere of this famous coastal city. I only stayed in Casablanca for one night as I had heard there is not a lot to do in the city and wanted to prioritize more time in the desert and Marrakech.
Where I stayed
The Four Seasons Hotel Casablanca was my hotel of choice for my only night in Casablanca. This 5 star hotel is much more affordable than those in Marrakech and is one of the most affordable of all the Four Seasons properties globally. I absolutely loved my stay, and actually wished I could have stayed longer! I would give this hotel 10/10 for design, décor and service. It is located directly in front of the beach. I relished sipping a cocktail and gazing down at the waves crashing along the stretch of beach, and delighted in relaxing by the pool surrounded by palm trees. I could have easily spent a whole day exclusively on the grounds of the hotel! I also indulged in a massage at the spa and it was divine.
What I did
The main attraction in Casablanca is the exquisite Hassan II Mosque which is the 7th largest mosque in the world! I visited the mosque with a local photographer who also took me on a guided tour around the city. I booked this service through Airbnb Experiences. I really enjoyed the Habous neighbourhood for its architecture and the experience of some local life. Finally, after stopping in at a bakery, I ended my day here by taking a stroll along the boardwalk at sunset, which was lovely! The beach and boardwalk are busy with locals, both families and young people, relaxing and having fun.
Click here to see Hassan II Mosque!
I had an incredible trip to Morocco as a female solo traveler, and fortunately, I didn’t experience any harassment of any kind! The staff at my hotels, my drivers and tour guides were all incredibly friendly and went above and beyond to ensure I had a great experience while in Morocco! Nonetheless, here are some tips for females traveling solo in Morocco:
Tips for Female Solo Travelers:
- Dress conservatively when walking around the city alone. I wore long maxi dresses when I was out and about and always had a shawl with me to cover my chest and shoulders. You’ll also need to wear a maxi dress or pants and a shawl to cover you head and shoulders if you want to enter any of the Mosques.
- Hire a local to take you shopping or on a group shopping tour because the haggling can be intense at times and that way you won’t be having to deal with negotiating prices on your own.
- Get a SIM card so you have a working phone with you at all time.
- Ask your riad/hotel to help you call a taxi and ask them to be your driver for rest of your stay- get their WhatsApp number. Alternatively, use travel forums on social media to find a reputable driver, or use a local tour company. Let the riad/hotel know where you are going and when you plan to return.
If you want to see more video/photos of my trip Morocco, please visit my Instagram! Everything is saved in the highlights.
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