Has Morocco ever been one of the destinations you wish to visit ? You're not alone; Morocco has reached 18 million visitors in 2024. But as with any other destination, you want to visit it like a local and avoid the tourist traps. Discover with me this one-week itinerary to uncover a few of Morocco's gems on a tight budget.
First things first, the local currency is the Moroccan dirhams (MAD), which are worth approximately 0.095 Euro and 0.10 USD.
Marrakech is the busiest stop, and the most "touristy," but it is a good first stop to get accustomed to the new scene. Also, it is one of the cheapest destinations to fly from most places in Europe with low-cost companies such as Ryanair and EasyJet. Just recently, a new direct flight connecting New York to Marrakech was inaugurated.
PS : The wait at the passport control at the airport is considerable, going up to 2 hours in the high season.
How to get to the city center from the Airport ?
There is a shuttle to take you from the airport directly to the city center. One-way ticket price is 30 dirhams, and round-trip tickets cost 50 dirhams. The bus departs approximately every 30 minutes on average, 7 days a week from 6:00 a.m. to 23:30 p.m.
If you arrive outside these hours, or you prefer more comfort, you can ride a taxi available outside the airport. Their rate starts from 100 dirhams. Or you can use the equivalent of Uber, which is inDrive; you pay in cash to the driver directly.
Where to stay in Marrakech ?
Most people come across on Instagram or Pinterest posts of Riads, a type of houses common in Morocco. This is the type of accommodation I recommend for experiencing your trip in the most authentic way. But for solo travelers or low-budget travelers, you'll be pleased to know that hostels in Morocco are just as cheap, if not more, than in Europe.
You might struggle to reach the place because Google Maps doesn't work so well in the narrow streets of the old town of Marrakech. But once you do, it is a calm, very chill spot in the center of the old town and 5 minutes on foot from the main square of Jemaa el-Fnaa. The prices range on average from 15-20€/night.
The square of Jemaa-El-Fnaa is the center of family-friendly entertainment, with performances of all types. From folklore music performances to storytelling to box matches between spectators. 😅
If you want to see real hustle, take a look at juice stands vendors. (PS: They get very creative with the name-calling to attract you to their stand.) They give you a sample, and then you can buy the small cup for 10 MAD (a little less than €1) and the big one for 20 MAD.
Also, some may try to invite you to take a picture with snakes or monkeys; know that it's not free, and they will expect a tip after. If you're not interested, kindly refuse.
During your stay, I definitely recommend an excursion to the nearby desert of Agafay, where a few house and electronic music festivals are held. You can either go for a day trip and do the typical desert activities such as quad biking or camel riding after a good traditional meal. Or choose to spend the night in one of the camps there, enjoy a night show of folklore music, and return to Marrakech the following day after having breakfast.
Get a taste of Marrakech nightlife in one of its most famous clubs. The entrance fee is more expensive than usual for nightclubs (300 MAD/person with a drink included except for special events).
The cheapest option is a bus starting from 50 dirhams. You go to the bus station, which is right behind the train station, and buy a ticket to the next bus. There is also a shuttle company called Souk to Surf, that is a little bit more expensive but is also a good option as well. Or you can go in a white taxi, which is a type of taxi that goes the same route that you share with other people taking the same route and has a fixed rate. From Marrakech to Essaouira should cost around 70 dirhams.
You probably never heard about this small fishing town until recently, when part of its buildings were destroyed because of illegal subdivisions. But let me tell you that this is the Bali of Morocco. Known for fishing, but most importantly for surfing, all year long!
Surf obviously; here you can rent surfboards and wetsuits as well as book surf lessons. I believe the surf lessons are 200 dirhams, including equipment.
Also, this is an amazing spot for relaxing and drinking coffee. They have excellent musical taste and cute stray dogs. (Which is common all over the town)
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Take your flight back
The closest airport from Imsouane is Agadir airport, flown to by most low-cost airline companies as well. Or you can take a domestic flight back to Marrakech, costing 180 dirhams generally. To go to Agadir, preferably take a taxi costing 70–90 dirhams. Because the bus doesn't stop exactly at Imsouane, but rather at the entrance of the national road, which is a good 7 km or so from the town except for the buses of Souk to Surf (Link to website above). Of course, there is so much more to see in Morocco; this was just a small glimpse, so till next time!
Hi! I’m Taha, a computer science student and aspiring full-time traveler, currently on an exchange program in Turin, Italy. My journey began when I left Morocco to study in Montpellier, France. Solo travel soon stole my heart, making me a better, wiser, and more fun person with each trip. I've now explored over 10 countries and aim to reach 25 by the time I’m 25!
As a student with a limited budget, my trips aren’t the most luxurious, but they’re full of real connections and authentic vibes. That’s when I realized the difference between being a traveler versus a tourist. I started sharing my trips on Instagram to inspire others around my age to experience the world authentically.
So, what can you expect from my page? The best guides and itineraries for solo travelers that include hostels where to stay, bars where to hang out, festivals to go to, and hidden cool places that don’t show up on the first Google search I only discovered through recommendations from the locals. Also, if you need a customized itinerary, I can even help plan your trip and save you hours of research. Don't hesitate to reach out if you have any doubts!
