One of my favorite hobbies is traveling, I have had the opportunity to do it to different countries although I hope I still have a long way to go. If you haven't dared yet, I recommend doing it, as it is a way to learn about the world, about yourself and to gain unforgettable experiences.
If you live in Spain, without a doubt one of your best options is travel to morocco; It is close, it is inexpensive and, if you are struck by different countries and cultures, like me, you will not be disappointed.
I have read on a website that a Dutch couple arrived in Tangier and, due to the harassment they suffered from sellers and people who offered them services, they returned to Spain.
This seems like an exaggeration and, in my opinion, shows little interest, desire and lack of adaptation to a culture. Don't let them scare you, be daring and enjoy. Obviously have the basic precautions and common sense; avoid walking at night in dark places, do not sleep in remote or closed places, do not show valuables in public ... Common sense.
What you will read next is based on my own experience, which I believe can be of much use to you although it may vary from many others, therefore I recommend that you also inform yourself on other sites.
On the other hand, my intention with this post is to help you in the event that you are thinking of taking a trip to Morocco, so I will not dwell on historical details, monuments, etc. I will just briefly mention what I saw, and what additional you can see.
In short, I will focus on the aspects that I consider that people tend to be more concerned about taking a trip. To see the tourist sites I recommend Tripadvisor.
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In my case, I moved in a friend's car, which we left in a busy area of Algeciras, near the port where the ferry departs from. You can get the ticket online (as I did); there are several companies. In the port and in the city there are also offices to buy the ticket, although I cannot assure you if there will be places (for my departure at the beginning of January there were enough).
If you are traveling from Andalusia, you have two options: 1) leave from Algeciras and 2) leave from Tarifa. I decided to leave from Algeciras because the ticket was much cheaper. The problem is that the ferry that leaves from Algeciras reaches Tanger Med, a port that is on the outskirts of the city. Therefore, we had to pay for a shared taxi (with two other Spaniards) to the center of Tangier.
If you travel from Tarifa, the ferry will take you to the port of Tangier, which is practically next to the old Medina. Therefore, you can walk to it and, if you do not mind walking from 20 minutes to half an hour, you can go to the bus station or the train station on foot.
In any case, the best thing you can do is go to the website of the different ferry companies and compare prices, bearing in mind that from Tangier Med to the city center it is approx. about 250 dirham (25 euros).
I definitely chose to go without a car because I don't know the streets and it would be one more concern. On the other hand, it is another way of driving and you can travel perfectly by taxi, bus and train.
Since I found out that the most interesting city is Marrakesh, we decided to go first.
Actually, I hardly planned anything. In fact, the only hotel we booked was in Marrakesh. From this city, everything was spontaneous and we never had a fixed route. I am always cautious when traveling, although I also like to go on an adventure a bit and not have everything planned, so there is always more excitement;).
From Tangier, the first class train ticket costs 350 dirham. We decided to do it first class because the trip was very long (about 11 hours). Is it worth paying for it? As a Moroccan lady who was talking to us told me, if you run out of place in the second class, you may have to stay standing.
The difference between the first class and the second is that it has 6 seats for each compartment (in second class there are 8) and that it has doors that you can close. In addition, the first class usually carries fewer people, so it is possible that part of the trip you go alone or you coincide with few people in the compartment.
In a short trip I did in second class (Meknes-Fez), almost all the second class compartments were full. In short, for long journeys I recommend first class and for short second class.
Without a doubt, it is worth visiting these falls, which the guide informed me that they are the highest in Africa (not the ones that carry the most volume of water).
The price was 200 dirham in a minibus, round trip. A Spanish couple was charged 300 dirham, so always be bold, compare prices and try to get the best one.
Once there, a guide of the falls will wait for you and will tell you that the price of his service is 30 dirham and that it is not mandatory.
If you are going to eat at the falls, look for different restaurants. In principle, the closer to the falls, the more expensive. If you go up you can find cheaper places.
There are also monkeys near the falls.
On the fourth day we were actually going to Fes, although we finally decided (a little crazy) to get off at Meknes. From the train station of this city you can walk to the old medina, where you can find cheap hostels. I estimate that it took us half an hour. The path is quite intuitive although you will have to ask.
Be careful at this station because it is very crowded; keep everything well.
As soon as we got off the train we met a guide who offered us the services of his brother to visit the old medina for 200 dirham, which I recommend that you kindly decline.
From the station to the old medina we made the way on foot (asking) and it takes about half an hour. You can also go by taxi, which should cost less than 30 dirham, although always ask to use the meter.
Once there, you will find several hostels, I recommend that you see several. Mine cost 100 dirham for a room for two people.
In this medina it is very easy to get lost. If you have a lot of time, you can get up early and try to orient yourself (in fact this is what the hotel owner recommended). In my case, however, I left late and was "caught" by a guide who I paid 70 dirham for just over an hour.
This trip is approximately 6 hours.
I wanted to travel to Tetouan before, although they told me that there is not much to see in this city, so we went directly to Tangier. From the train station, the old medina (where you can find cheap hostels) is quite far away, so you will probably have to go by taxi (ask them to put the meter.
Once in the old medina, visit several hostels and decide the one you like the most.
In this city, without a doubt the most beautiful are the beaches.
We will leave the desert for another year, but I recommend that you go if you have time.
Actually, I would also say the security advice in Spain or any Latin American country: do not go out at night in unknown places, do not carry a lot of money in your wallet, always try to carry change and not high-value bills.
I did not have any problems, although in Tangier and in Fes, some citizens with whom I spoke recommended that I not walk around at night.
First of all, common sense, do not relax too much and be prudent as if you were traveling in your own country.
Attention: these are my prices and that does not mean that you cannot get it cheaper. Take them as a reference and always try to get something cheaper. Keep in mind that they see us "pints of tourists" from kilometers 😉 and, some, may try to charge us a surcharge.
Exchange: 1 euro = 10.70 dirham (approximately). To change, I recommend doing it in boxes in the cities where they give you tickets (there are usually in all). Never do it in the port to people who offer you change on the street, as it will be more expensive and you will need to change even more. In the same port of Tangier Med there is a bank to change.
Seville-Algeciras and Algeciras Seville: approximately 30 euros.
Algeciras-Tangier Med: 31.5 euros round trip.
You can see the train schedule on this website XXX. You have to buy the ticket at the same station, it is not possible online.
Tangier Med-Tangier center: 250 dirham (you can share).
Tangier-Tangier Med: 200 dirham (you'll have to haggle, they asked us for 300).
Marrakesh Train Station-Jmal el Fna Square: 30 dirham.
Hotel (Riad) Marrakesh: 230 dirham (three nights with breakfast included)
Hotel Meknes: 150 dirham (one night).
Hotel Fes: 100 dirham (one night).
Hotel Tangier: 100 dirham (one night).
Excursion Marrakesh-Waterfalls: 200 dirham.
Meals: Shawarmas, tagines, other meats. It ranges from 25 dirham for shawarma to 35 for other dishes. If you don't go to the typical tourist restaurants, you can eat very cheaply.
The fact is that on the way he stopped us at a spice and cream shop. The seller of this store very kindly showed us his products and in the end asked what he wanted. I said directly that I did not want anything, although he managed to sell a lotion to my friend. Of course, the guide took a commission.
Later, the guide wanted to take us to a restaurant, which also took a commission, although we did not enter (for very little). Finally, the guide wanted to charge 100 dirham, since he had no change, although I managed to change it to pay him what we had agreed, not without him getting pissed off because I didn't give him more.
The cheapest hostels are in the old medinas. So you can go directly to them, ask prices and see the rooms. The hostels are close to each other, so it is not a process that will cost you a lot of time.
In the different cities I found myself from the most neglected hostel (in Meknes) to the most neat and clean (in Tangier). I am not fussy and if you are not, you will be able to sleep very cheaply.
Also, this is another part of travel that I consider important: forgetting the luxuries to appreciate what we have. I do not see the point of taking a tourist or backpacking trip to spend a fortune on meals and hostels, simply for greater comfort.
On the date that I went (at the beginning of January) there were plenty of places, so I think it is better to go and search than to make the reservation.
As for prices, they vary from 100 to 150 dirham.
Attention: during train trips a conversation arose with several men who offered me a room in other hostels with a price of 200-300 dirham. Do not be convinced and visit the hostels in the old medinas yourself.
Look at at least three or four options before choosing, since there can be a lot of difference from one to the other hostels (at least I found it), not so much in price, but in quality.
I did not prepare anything for the trip, although I realized that it would have been very useful to know how these words are said in Arabic or French. Almost all Moroccans speak Arabic and French and some speak English or Spanish (few and almost all in Tangier).
Thank you: šukran.
Hello: Salam.
Bus Station: Mahatta.
Hotel: funduq.
Train: qitar.
To me, without a doubt, more than the landscapes or historical cities, what strikes me the most in the trips is the difference in cultures, the customs of the people and observing the life of the cities.
That's all. Now, I would like you to tell me about your experience in Morocco. Did you like it? You enjoyed? What would you recommend me for another trip to this country? Thanks!
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