I'm urgently planning a trip to Tunisia in November, backpacker-style (no agency, no guide or taxi, public transport, youth hostels or small hotels, local restaurants). I'm not interested in the beach, and I like to take my time at archaeological sites and museums (twice as long as the average visitor). I'm aiming for about two weeks, give or take.
First, I'm trying to roughly outline a route/schedule so I can book my flight as soon as possible (no desert in the south this time—I went there years ago and want to stay independent).
I’ve sketched out the following itinerary, knowing that apparently, there are quite a few towns without budget-friendly hotels (even on Airbnb), which means I’ll be staying longer where they’re available.
Three questions:
1. Does this seem reasonable overall (time spent in each city)?
2. Should I add other cities, maybe in the northwest?
3. For hotels, in November, is it better to scout options on booking sites first, then book on the spot for cheaper rates (no site commission + possible negotiation)? Also, are hotels not listed online and found randomly on-site much cheaper?
ROUGH ITINERARY (order to be confirmed)
TUNIS 5 days (cheap accommodations: 13 or 19 €)
2 days: Medina, souks, Bardo Museum, Royal Mausoleum of Tourbet El Bey, Zitouna Mosque (exterior)
1 day: Sidi Bou Said
1 day: Carthage
1 day: A-R Dougga (bus to Tebersouk 2h + taxi) – pack a picnic
+ option: hike to Zaghouan (750m+, 10km round trip) – worth it? Doable alone?
KAIROUAN 2 days (very expensive room: 40-50 €!)
Great Mosque, Medina, Three Doors Mosque, medieval cemetery, Sidi Sahbi Mosque...
SOUSSE 3 days (room 15 €)
2 days: Medina, archaeological museum, Port El Kantaoui, the Ribat (fortress), Contemporary Art Museum Dar Am Taïeb, Dar Essid (17th-century traditional house)
1 day: A-R El Jem (60km away)
+ option: 1 day A-R Monastir? Worth it?
+ option: 1 day A-R Mahdia (or 2 days sleeping there)?
OPTIONS
-> Gabes to mix things up? But is it easy to find cheap lodging and get around/visit alone?
-> Other sights or stops to sleep: Sfax, El Kef, others?
-> Kerkenna Islands (easy accommodation?)
Thanks for your thoughts and opinions on these options.
Once I’ve adjusted the duration, I’ll book my tickets for early November!
(By the way, do you think I should arrive and depart from two different airports?)
I'm urgently planning a trip to Tunisia in November as a backpacker (no agency, no guide or taxi, public transport, youth hostels or small hotels, local restaurants). I'm not interested in the beach and I like to take my time at archaeological sites and museums (twice as long as the average visitor). I'm aiming for about two weeks, to be adjusted.
First, I'm trying to roughly outline a route/schedule to book my flight as soon as possible (no desert in the south since I've already been there a long time ago and want to stay independent).
I've roughly sketched the following itinerary, knowing that apparently, there are quite a few cities without budget accommodations (even on Airbnb), which makes me stay longer where they are available.
Three questions:
1. Does this seem reasonable overall (duration in each city)?
2. Should I add other cities, maybe in the northwest?
3. For hotels, in November, is it better to scout on booking sites first, arrive, and book on the spot for cheaper (no site commission + possible negotiation)? And by the way, are hotels not listed on sites and found randomly on the spot much cheaper?
ROUGH ITINERARY (order to be confirmed)
TUNIS 5 days (cheap accommodations: 13 or 19 €)
2 days: Medina, souks, Bardo Museum, Royal Mausoleum of Tourbet El Bey, Zitouna Mosque (exterior)
1 day: Sidi Bou Said
1 day: Carthage
1 day: Day trip to Dougga (bus to Tebersouk 2h + taxi) - bring a picnic
+ option: Hike to Zaghouan (750m+, 10km round trip): is it worth it? Doable alone?
KAIROUAN 2 days (very expensive room: 40-50 €!)
Great Mosque, medina, Three Doors Mosque, medieval cemetery, Sidi Sahbi Mosque...
SOUSSE 3 days (room 15 €)
2 days: Medina, archaeological museum, Port El Kantaoui, the Ribat (fortress), Contemporary Art Museum Dar Am Taïeb, Dar Essid (17th-century traditional house)
1 day: Day trip to El Jem (60km away)
+ option: 1 day trip to Monastir? Is it worth it?
+ option: 1 day trip to Mahdia (or 2 days sleeping there)?
OPTIONS
-> Gabes to mix things up? But is it easy to find cheap lodging and get around/visit alone there?
-> Other sights or stops to sleep: Sfax, El Kef, others?
-> Kerkenna Islands (easy accommodation?).
Thanks for your comments and opinions on the options.
Once I've adjusted the duration, I'll book my tickets for early November!
(By the way, do you think I should arrive and depart from two different airports?)
Hi, great idea not to book accommodations in advance except maybe the first two nights to get organized for the rest. (I travel this way on all my trips, and since I’m also planning Tunisia soon, I’ll do the same—it’s a win-win for you and the owner to negotiate on the spot with cash.)
For the rest, I’ll trust the other forum regulars who know Tunisia well to answer you, and their info will be precious for me too! 😊
Yeah, I often adjust as I realize I’ve gone faster (or slower) than planned on certain legs, or even just to follow the weather. But the only thing that bothers me here is that when I check the main accommodation booking sites, places with reasonable rates (10-20 €) seem really rare—or even nonexistent—in most cities! !
Yeah, I often adjust as I realize I’ve gone faster than planned (or the opposite) for certain legs, or even just to follow the weather. But the only thing that bothers me here is that when I look at the main accommodation booking sites, places with reasonable rates (10-20 €) seem really rare—even nonexistent in most cities!
Hi Julien,
I’m not sure I can be much help since I don’t really do backpacking trips in Tunisia, but I’ll share a few thoughts about your plans.
For convenience, I always use my own vehicle. But some friends are really happy traveling by bus. Between Sousse, Monastir, and Mahdia, you can take the Sahel Metro—it’s reliable and friendly.
Personally, I’d steer clear of *louages* (shared taxis)—they scare me—but they’re also a great way to meet locals.
Yes, I think a multi-destination trip makes sense. Since you’re arriving in Tunis, you could loop back via Sfax, Djerba, Tozeur, or Monastir. No need to retrace your steps.
Transavia and Nouvelair often have good prices, but watch out for extra fees—cabin baggage, seat selection, etc. Last time I flew, Tunisair ended up being cheaper, and as a bonus, they served a decent free meal!
It might actually be smarter to arrive in the north to take advantage of the weather, which can worsen as winter sets in, then head south where it’ll be milder.
I’m not sure what you mean by "the desert in the south," but if you’re going that way this time of year, my top tip would be Tozeur and the mountain oases—Tamezret, Douiret, the *ksour* (fortified granaries).
Have you heard of Chebika, Tamerza, and Midès? They’re really worth visiting in November.
You didn’t mention Djerba—it seems like Djerba and/or Tozeur would be more interesting than Gabès, which I don’t find very appealing. But others might disagree.
For Tunis, I’d add the Central Market and the modern city.
Sidi Bou Saïd and Carthage—definitely. Dougga too. Zaghouan, I’m not sure—I haven’t been there in ages.
Kairouan, yes, but maybe just a day if you can get there early and not on a Friday.
Sousse—everything except Port El Kantaoui, which I don’t think is a must. It’s a pretty port with gardens, but it’s all hotels, shops, and kid-friendly attractions—meh.
Yes to the Dar Am Taïeb Museum—discovered it recently. Check out the leather shop run by the owner’s nephew, at the top of the souks when coming down from the archaeological museum.
Make sure to visit the Sousse souk *after* the museum, on your way down to the Great Mosque—not the other way around.
El Jem—yes for the amphitheater, but also the small museum and the little restaurant across from it.
Monastir—yes for Bourguiba’s mausoleum, the marina, and the ribat. I’d add the old presidential palace—it’s a bit out of the way but really interesting.
Mahdia—my hometown! I’d say yes just for the massive marine cemetery, the ribat, and the Punic port.
Gabès and Sfax aren’t my favorites, but Kerkennah is nice for a stroll—though I’d still pick Djerba.
In November, after school holidays, there won’t be many backpackers, so you can book your stays the day before based on what interests you.
Don’t hesitate to ask if you have more specific questions as your plans take shape.
Hi there, and thanks for all this info. I think I’ll have more specific questions later, actually.
For now, still trying to figure out the overall duration and which airports to use.
1. Length of stops:
- For Tunis: does 5 days still sound good if we include the central market and the modern city (skipping Zaghouan for now)?
- For Kairouan: you suggested one day—got it (maybe arrive at noon and leave the next day at noon).
- For Sousse: I’m guessing 3 days is still fine, even without Port El Kantaoui?
- For Monastir and Mahdia, I’ll plan at least one day each (if that’s enough), but do you have any suggestions on where to stay? Stay in Sousse and use the "métro du désert" for a round-trip day trip? Or stay in one of the two cities (maybe nicer, but what about prices?)?
=> Total: around 12–14 days, depending on transport and arrival/departure times.
Finally, about the "desert"—yes, I meant Tozeur and the oases, and probably the other places you mentioned. I was thinking of skipping them for three reasons, but let me know if this makes sense:
- Twenty years ago, I did a guided tour with 3–4 days in a 4x4 (canyons, granaries, marabouts, dunes, mountain oases, Tataouine—I don’t remember all the names) and then 3 days at an all-inclusive hotel in Djerba. Well, I don’t travel like that anymore...
- It seems like you *need* a guide and/or a car, which I’d rather avoid...
- With everything else already planned, I’m not sure I’d have time to add something meaningful in two weeks (hence my mention of Gabès, though I’m not convinced).
You could maybe make it shorter—4 days in Tunis—but you mentioned you easily linger in museums, so 5 days seems reasonable if you spend a good amount of time at the Bardo. Also, a full day in Carthage to see the dozen or so scattered sites (the ticket is combined), and half a day in Sidi Bou Said for the charm of this pretty village. Check the opening hours for La Maison du Baron d'Erlanger (the Museum of Musical Instruments), Dar El Annabi, and wander around the village in the late afternoon.
For Kairouan, I’d say one day on-site is enough to avoid expensive hotels.
Sousse: 2 days is plenty, plus a day in El Jem.
Monastir: half a day is enough, but do check the opening hours for the sites, especially the former presidential palace.
If you go to Mahdia, avoid Fridays—it’s market day, and it’s chaos.
For Monastir and Mahdia, I’d say half-days are enough, but in winter, everything often closes early in the evening.
Djerba: no need for a guide or tour operator—you can really get by on your own with taxis.
In Erriadh, besides the synagogue, artists have been painting in the streets for about ten years now, and it’s really nice to get lost in the alleys of this pretty village. I’d say that alone is worth the trip to Djerba.
For Tozeur and the mountain oases, a 4x4 isn’t necessary, but I’m not sure public transport runs smoothly.
The south—Tozeur, Douz, Matmata, and the ksour—is really great this time of year when it’s not too hot.
Hi,
I haven’t looked at flights yet, so the duration might change a bit, but here’s a slightly more detailed version.
I ended up adding Tozeur to vary the environments and because there’s an airport (and the Routard guide says the town itself is worth a visit). As for Djerba, I skipped it because I had to make choices and Tozeur seems more "different" from the rest of my trip (and also because I get the impression Djerba requires a car or taxis).
TUNIS
Day 1: arrival, and depending on the schedule, visit the medina and/or colonial city
Day 2: Zitouna Mosque, Tourbet El Bey Mausoleum, Dar Bach Hamba + medina and/or colonial city
Day 5: Carthage (open daily 8:30 AM–5 PM)
Day 3: Bardo Museum (closed Mondays)
Day 4: Sidi Bou Said in the morning, incl. Dar El Annabi (half-day) & Maison du Baron d'Erlanger (Ennejma Ezzhara) + extra time in Tunis’ souk/medina on the way back
Day 6: Round-trip to Dougga (bus to Tebersouk 2h + taxi) – bring a picnic
Option: Zaghouan hike (750m+, 10km round-trip) – is it worth it? Doable solo?
SOUSSE
(From Tunis: shared taxi 1h30, bus 3h)
Day 7: medina, archaeological museum (9 AM–5 PM, closed Mon)
Day 8: the Ribat (fortress), Dar Am Taïeb Contemporary Art Museum, Dar Essid (17th-century traditional house)
Day 9: El Jem + museum (60km away: 1h by train, 1h30 by bus, 1h30 by shared taxi, last return at 5 PM)
Day 10: Round-trip to Monastir (30 min on the Sahel metro): ribat, mausoleum, mosque, presidential palace if accessible
Day 11: Round-trip to Mahdia (1h40 on the Sahel metro): Ottoman fort, marine cemetery, stroll
KAIROUAN
(2 hotels at 60 DT in the Routard guide)
Day 12: Great Mosque, medina, Three Doors Mosque, medieval cemetery, Sidi Sahbi Mosque...
Day 13: Finish visits and/or bus to Tozeur (5h)
TOZEUR
(3 hotels at 40–50 DT according to the Routard guide)
(Bus from Kairouan if not on Day 13)
Day 14: palm grove, Museum of Traditions
Day 15: old quarter; Nefta (25km)?
Option: visit something outside the city by taxi or public transport (but what?)
Day 16: flight
Bonus problem: returns from Tozeur don’t run every day, so either:
- I do it in 15 days instead of 16, cutting out, say, the day in Monastir
- I do it in 17 or 18 days, but then what should I add?
Thanks.
Hi there, I already thought it was a bit of a shame to go to Tozeur without visiting the mountain oases...
Make the most of it!
It’s often the best day of the trip.
If you don’t have a strict return deadline.
My main constraint is the return flights from Tozeur, three days apart...
The *Routard* guide says that Tozeur itself is worth visiting, but it also mentions the three oases. The first two seem doable by *louage*: the one to Tamerza stops at Chebika on the way (last return from Tamerza around 3 PM). So I could plan them for Day 15 in the version without Monastir.
Question 1: If I start with Chebika, does anyone know if you can get to Tamerza afterward by hitchhiking or taxi, or if there are many *louages* passing through in the morning from Tozeur?
Question 2: What’s the price for a round-trip taxi to visit all three oases from Tozeur? Is it common to share with other travelers?
If I’m going for 17 days, I still don’t know where to add an extra night since I feel like I’m already spending enough time everywhere... And I have this little uncertainty—I sometimes end up ahead of schedule when I realize I’ve seen all the planned sights at a stop earlier than expected...
Has anyone who’s been to Tozeur tell me if it’s a nice town to wander around aimlessly if I have "extra" days?
Tozeur is a really pretty little town with a beautiful palm grove where it's lovely to stroll around.
Its brick architecture is very distinctive. However, you can explore it quite quickly.
There's the small Archaeological and Traditional Museum in the Ouled El Hadef district, which you shouldn't miss. Souad, the museum's manager, will share her knowledge with a lot of poetry.
I'm not sure what's still open at the Dar Cheraiet museum.
You can walk to the belvedere, more for the panoramic view than for the slightly dilapidated sculptures (unless everything has been restored since my last visit), and go to the brickworks to see how bricks are made.
I don't know if it's still the case, but there used to be two buses a day running between Tozeur and Tamerza, as well as organized excursions by travel agencies and hotels.
Tamerza is quite busy, especially since it seems the Tamerza Palace hotel has reopened.
In this region, I've even picked up hitchhikers before.
To tell you where you might waste a bit of time, let me know how you're getting to Tozeur?
So not via the south, otherwise you could’ve spent a day in Douz.
I don’t know if the excursions with the Bey’s train in Metlaoui have resumed?
Anyone know?
It looks like the Lézard rouge has resumed service since last May, as part of the government's effort to revitalize Saharan tourism and remote regions.
Departure from Metlaoui station, easily reachable from Tozeur (or Gafsa) by *louage*, around 10–10:30 AM depending on the day of the week.
Awesome!
Thanks Alain for your reply.
The reopening of the Tamerza Palace, the train du bey—all of this is moving in the right direction...
So Julien, you can take the train du bey for a little stroll through the gorges of the Oued Selja.
And also check out Alain’s older posts for things to do in Tozeur...
Thanks to Calaf and you.
I looked into it, and sure enough, some sites mention it reopening in May 2025. However, there’s no official site anymore. I found phone numbers, opening hours, and days that vary slightly depending on the sources (pre-2025), so I think I’ll have to ask once I’m there to be sure.
Just in case, here’s the info for anyone interested or who wants to try:
"Information and reservation
Tel: + 216 76 241 469
Fax: + 216 76 241 604
Email: lezardrouge@topnet.tn"
Otherwise, I’ll ask again upthread in case Calaf has an idea:
"If I start with Chebika (by louage), does anyone know if you can get to Tamerza by hitchhiking or taxi afterward, or if there are many louages passing through in the morning from Tozeur?"
I’ll add: for the return from Tamerza, are there louages without any problem if it’s not too late, like after lunch?
Thanks.
Every time I’ve visited the mountain oases—often—I’ve done it in a rental car from Tozeur.
I love being completely independent and not relying on anyone or anything...
So I don’t want to give out wrong info, but the locals in Tamerza and Mides *do* have to get around—there’s not much up there—so there are buses or *louages*... BUT: how often do they run? I’d say don’t miss them!
Your best bet is to ask at the bus station, right in the center of TZ, on the main road toward Nefta.
Ah, I think seeing all these excursions, shared taxis, mentions of *louage*, etc., I assumed there weren’t any buses! The SNTRI does list "Tamerghza"... But like in other countries, can you flag down a bus on the road in Tunisia (in Chebika, for example) and buy your ticket from the driver?
During our trip to Egypt at the end of January, beginning of February, we plan to visit the White Desert and nearby oases for 3 to 4 days, starting from Cairo.
If my initial agency searches weren't conclusive, I now have a "too many options" situation.
Here’s an alphabetical list of my first findings.
If you’ve had any experience (good or bad) with any of these agencies in the White Desert:
Hello, my husband and I will be in Egypt this coming November. Cairo seems more challenging to explore without a guide, and we’ll be there for 3 full days. Would anyone have the name of a guide?
Thanks!
Hi
It's hard to tell from Maps or anything else whether the road along the Tessaout is fully paved from Amezri all the way to the junction with the road connecting Demnate to Ouarzazate (RN23).
Thanks for your replies!
Herviche
Here’s a first draft for a 14-night itinerary during the Christmas break with two teens. We’re especially fond of hiking (nothing too extreme, though), which is why we’re drawn to the south.
- Marrakech (2 nights)
- Aït Ben Haddou (1 night)
- Dadès (3 nights, though we’re thinking of doing a day trip to the Todra Gorge on one of those days)
- M'hamid (1 night)
- Erg Chigaga (1 night)
- 4 nights to slot in
- Marrakech (2 nights)
Okay, I realize this involves a lot of driving, and we’re still debating the return route since we’d like to avoid the Tichka Pass in January, but going through Taroudant seems like it would add *a lot* of time. 😕
If you’ve got other suggestions for an itinerary with great hikes, I’m all ears!
Also, the 4 nights total in MRK isn’t really our preference, but since we’re arriving/departing super early from overseas, we’d like to be a bit rested before the long flight.
Another question:
For hikes (aside from the desert one), is it better to have a guide with us, or are the trails well-marked?
Hi there!
I’m heading to Dakhla at the end of October for about two weeks as a backpacker.
Without renting a car or booking pricey excursions, what are the best ways to get around and explore?
I’ve heard that the small taxis only cover limited routes outside the city center, and the local buses might be tricky...
Thanks to anyone who knows the area and can share their tips for nature and culture in this up-and-coming destination!
Laurence
Hi, I’m planning a 10-day trip to Morocco starting on 12/30 with my parents, and I’d love your thoughts on the itinerary. Since I’m traveling with my parents, who are 78, I’m trying to keep train rides between cities short. I’d like to start with 4 days in FES (with Meknès nearby), then head to Casablanca for 2 days, and finish with 4 days in Marrakech, including a day trip or overnight stay in Essaouira. Thanks for your input!
During our road trip in Morocco in November/December, we’re planning to spend a night at the Hassilabied dunes around November 10th.
We don’t want to sleep in a camp, go on a camel trek, or do a 4x4 tour—we just want to stay right at the foot of the dunes so we can walk around on our own, on foot, at sunrise and sunset. It seems like Hassilabied is better located for this (closer to the dunes) than Merzouga.
Do you know of any clean accommodation with hot water, not too rustic but not too "bling-bling" either, and—most importantly—ideally located right in front of the dunes?
Thanks so much for your tips!
Fran
Hi, we're looking for a guide to show us around Essaouira.
We're 11 adults and don't want to go through an agency. If you have a contact to help us discover this city, that would be great!
Thanks
We're heading to Egypt in a few days, inspired by many of your travel journals (thanks especially to Franck!).
We’ll spend a short day exploring Cairo before an evening departure, with our luggage in tow. We’re traveling light, but it’s still not very practical...
Does anyone know if baggage storage/lockers are easy to find, and if so, do you have any recommendations?
Thanks!
I’m currently planning several trips to Morocco (Marrakech, Draa Valley, Merzouga) and I’m wondering about the reliability of data connections outside major urban centers.
Here’s what I’ve observed on the ground so far:
- In cities (Marrakech, Agadir, Fez), 4G is excellent, including in the medina riads.
- On the Tizi n'Tichka road and toward Ouarzazate, coverage remains decent, with a few dead spots here and there.
- In Saharan areas (Merzouga, Chegaga), the connection becomes patchy: some camps get great reception, others none at all.
My specific questions:
1) On your recent trips, which operator (Maroc Telecom, inwi, Orange) gave you the best coverage in the Atlas and Sahara?
2) Have international eSIMs seemed as reliable as a local Moroccan SIM, or have you noticed a difference in speed in rural areas?
3) While trekking or driving a 4x4 in the desert, have you come across completely dead zones despite theoretical coverage?
I’m happy to share my own coverage notes if it helps, and I’ll gladly answer any questions about Morocco—I know it well.
I'm looking for a travel companion for a road trip in southern Morocco at the end of March 2027.
Duration: 15 days.
Departure from Marrakech.
Car rental and Airbnb accommodation.
Budget: 1200 €.
Itinerary to plan together
I’m heading back to Egypt for the first time in 30 years this July. Last time, I was 20, and we spent two weeks traveling on a shoestring as backpackers.
I’m wondering about a "cruise" on a felucca from Aswan—mainly to avoid being stuck in an air-conditioned tourist bubble (we’re already spending our first week in that setting with our diving club). We’d like to explore the most interesting stretch of the Nile between Aswan and Luxor. Do you have any thoughts on this option, tips, or maybe some contacts?
I was wondering if it’s possible to join a group as a solo traveler with local agencies in Djanet for circuits like Tadrart, Essendilene, Sefar, or Tassili?
If you have any agencies to recommend, I’d love to hear about them.
I didn’t find any info on the forum.
Best,
Hi everyone,
Our trip to Morocco will be from November 3 to 17, in the High Atlas.
Basically, our route would be:
Marrakech - Aït Benhaddou
Skoura - Tinghir - Merzouga
Merzouga via the N12 to Zagora
Zagora - Draa Valley - Marrakech
It seems to be the low season, so I’d love to travel without having to book accommodations in advance. In other countries, pre-booking has restricted us and kept us from visiting unplanned sites. Freedom is important to us, but I’d also like to avoid arriving somewhere and finding nothing available.
What do you recommend? Book ahead or not?
Your advice is always helpful, and thanks to anyone who can shed some light on this for me.
Roberto
First of all: a big thank you to everyone whose insightful, funny, lively, and exotic posts we’ve enjoyed. It’s a joy to find such lovely writers on this forum, who’ve given me tons of ideas and addresses to prepare our trip.
Our plan: to explore Morocco from November 2nd to December 4th. We’ll have our own vehicle (a 2011 Renault Grand Scenic, in great condition), shipped with us from Sète to Tanger Med. Returning from Nador.
Our profile: 75 and 62 years young, so old but happy to be, in very good health. Seasoned travelers—it’s practically our whole life. Lovers of beautiful landscapes, historic sites, fine craftsmanship, and road trips. This will be my 3rd trip to Morocco, but the first two were 20 and 17 years ago. I’ve never been north of the Essaouira-Marrakech line (though I’ve gone further south). As for my husband, a lifelong expat including in Muslim countries, it’s his first time in Morocco.
He’s the one driving. He’s very experienced, cautious, not necessarily fast, but used to driving in all conditions (and countries, including the most creative on the road). But I don’t want to tire him out, and he no longer drives at night (and we’ll be there in November).
I’ve decided to show him a bit of everything by taking a road trip along beautiful backroads, with daily distances averaging 180-200 km (except on highways, which will be rare), regularly broken up by rest days. I’m counting on a speed of 40-50 km/h, plus stops/visits along the way.
Since I’ve read so many posts, I’ve narrowed it down to some very specific questions.
1) Coming directly from Rabat via the highway, we’d prefer to skip Marrakech*. Still, we’ll need to sleep somewhere nearby. We’ll head toward Skoura the next day. Does anyone have a well-located address for this route, possibly east of Marrakech? Ideally, we’re looking for a small town, easy parking, clean accommodation (minimum) with average comfort (or better if available), a bit heated, and if possible, pretty and/or nice—but above all, a place to sleep well, wash with lukewarm (ideally hot) water, and have a decent dinner.
(*Explanation for the "no-go" in Marrakech: it’s a shame, because there are truly beautiful things in this city, but I think the vibe won’t suit us—it’s an understatement for "it’ll put us off" / "make us flee" / "traumatize us." Not because it’s too crowded and we want to stand out from tourists (we’re part of them), but because of forced henna on your hand, or spending 10 minutes every quarter-hour saying "no thank you" to a "guide" who’s as much a guide as I am a trapeze artist. Knowing us, it’ll wear us down. The country is vast and beautiful, and our time too short to waste our memories just days after arriving. And I don’t want to ruin things for my peaceful husband, or he’ll demand we turn back—and Sète in November isn’t exactly thrilling either.)
2) Which route to Skoura (in 2 days)? I see two options: either via the Tichka Pass, with a night in Telouet before reaching Skoura, or via the R307/N23 from Demnate, with a night near Megdaz before descending to Skoura. So: Tichka Pass or R307/N23? I have a slight (big) preference for the second option, even though I know the other route is very beautiful too. Of course, before deciding, we’ll check the weather and the current state of the R307/N23—does anyone know where to get info on the road conditions? But even assuming the road is "passable," is it a bit too tough in itself? In short, is it reasonable? If a kind soul could share their experience, a thousand thanks in advance.
That’s all I’ve written for now. I’ll save the other questions for later posts. Thanks again to those who had the patience to read this and to those who can respond. Happy Sunday to all!
I’m just a few days away from my trip to Marrakech—I’m leaving from November 13th to 20th and bringing my parents along! I’d love to plan my stay as best as I can, and I’m sure the forum crew can help. So, here are my questions:
- Where’s the best place to exchange money without getting ripped off? The owner of the riad where we’re staying told us to avoid doing it at the airport because it’s really expensive and to do it in the medina instead, near Jemaa el-Fna square.
- Which traditional hammams do you recommend that are reasonably priced? How much should we budget for one? That’ll help me plan my expenses.
- What are some nice restaurants in the medina?
- I’d also like to know roughly how much to expect for a tea, a meal, a taxi, a djellaba, and babouches. I don’t want to get overcharged and would like to know what to expect.
- What are the must-do activities and places to visit?
Hi, I’d like to head to Morocco next week with my car. I’ve looked online at all the different info about the ferry crossing to Tangier, but I’m finding it really expensive. Is there a way to buy tickets in Spain? Or another way to get the Algeciras–Tangier crossing cheaper? Thanks for any tips or info!
We found a guide who offers the trip from M'hamid to a camp (departure at 3 PM, tea, meal, camel ride, overnight stay, breakfast, and return to M'Hamid by 11 AM the next day via the sacred oasis). He quoted us a price of 380 € for April.
What do you think of this rate?
This might sound like a silly question, but is it common to negotiate the price for this kind of thing (we're booking from France)? It’s still a big part of our travel budget.
Hi there,
We're planning to visit Egypt between January 25 and February 15, 2027. I looked up the Ramadan dates and found some sites saying it starts on February 8, while others say February 18... Where's the mistake?
Thanks,
Christian
Hi there,
We’re a family of 4 with two boys aged 12 and 10 traveling to Egypt in February.
We’re spending 3 days in Cairo to take our time exploring the city and the sites before heading south.
-Is it necessary to have a guide to visit the GEM? Are audio guides available?
-Do you have any contacts for drivers to organize a few transfers (Giza, Saqqara, Airport)?
-Do you know a French-speaking guide who’s friendly, family-friendly, and good at making things exciting, with reasonable prices?
With our two teens, we’re heading to Morocco for two weeks at the end of December and beginning of January. It’ll be our first trip that’s more "off the beaten path," even though we’ve visited several countries before. Given the overwhelming amount of info, I’m feeling a bit swamped with the prep this trip requires, and I’ll admit I’m a little lost when it comes to figuring out what’s realistic to visit in two weeks 😕 So, all your tips, personal experiences, and suggestions are more than welcome!
- Which places should we prioritize during this time of year? (I’ve read that some spots are less accessible in winter?)
- What’s the best way to get around? (rental car, train, private transport, buses, etc.? — just a heads-up, we’ll have a few suitcases!)
- In terms of "safety," are there any areas to avoid?
- Any recommendations for reliable local tour companies (beyond the big names like "Get Your Guide") that offer excursions or private transport to help us explore the country?
- A doable 2-week itinerary that lets us enjoy the country’s diversity without having to change accommodations every two days?
I’m planning a trip to the High Atlas in Morocco and have a few questions for you:
- Why do so many people recommend avoiding international agencies for car rentals? Can anyone explain why?
- Is Booking.com reliable, and has anyone rented a vehicle through their service? There’s a pretty big price difference compared to local Moroccan agencies.
- Is there a detailed road map included in the rental car?
- Is Google Maps enough to get around the High Atlas? This will be my first trip there.
Thanks so much to anyone who can help with this destination I’ve been dreaming about for years.
Have a great evening,
Roberto
hi there, I’m heading to Tunisia 🙂 from April 27 to May 8 with my family. I’ve read through the various discussions about the country, but I’m still a bit unsure🤪: for currency exchange, I saw on the French Ministry of Foreign Affairs website that withdrawing currency with a bank card from ATMs is limited to 200 TND per week. There are four of us traveling by car, so that might be a bit tight! And it’s a hassle to carry a lot of cash, even if I’m not being paranoid! What do you all recommend?
Cheers,
Laurent.
We're planning a 2-week trip in late February/early March for a road trip in the High Atlas with a rental car, and we'd love to avoid booking our accommodations in advance. Is that doable, easily manageable, or risky (are accommodations available, expensive, or not great)? Thanks for your tips!
Annie
Hi,
This autumn, we’re planning to explore the Oriental region and we’re wondering where the best place to land would be. We’ll have three weeks ahead of us and we’ll be renting a car.
Any tips would be much appreciated. Thanks.
