Hi everyone 😉 I’m Sabrina, I’m French, and I’ve been a nurse for 5 years....... I’d like to move to Marrakech and find a nursing job there.............. but I have no idea about the working conditions there, whether my diploma is recognized, or what the salary is like...... Thanks for shedding some light on this for me....... I’m looking forward to your replies and advice on the steps to take......

Hello VF friends! We’re planning to leave Marrakesh by rental car—this will be our second trip to Morocco. While we want to revisit some places, we also hope to explore new regions. Here’s the start of our itinerary, which could take 2 to 3 weeks. We don’t want to cover too many kilometers each day.

- Depart Marrakech for Essaouira, stopping to visit the Inzerki beehive. We’ll stay 3 nights in Essaouira to explore the city and the surrounding area. - Head toward Tamanar or that region for another 3 nights, exploring on a star-shaped route. We’d like to see the Paradise Valley and the coast. Not really keen on stopping in Agadir.

We’ve been to Tafraoute before, but I’d love to see some *greniers* (granaries) again, so we’re considering 1 or 2 nights there.

- Tiznit for 2 nights, making our way to Plage Blanche. - Guelmin and the Tighmert oasis for 2 nights. - Tata for 2 nights, visiting Akka Iguane and other villages.

After that, we’ll head east.

We’d love to hear about your experiences, great tips, and recommendations!

Thanks so much, and happy holidays!

Hi everyone,

After several trips and meetings in Morocco, I’d like to take the plunge and go work there.

I’m French and currently a Project Manager for an IT consulting firm. I’m primarily looking at Casablanca.

Could you share any advice or experiences? Is it better to go there and look for opportunities on the spot, and if so, who should I reach out to?

Alternatively, do you know of any French companies looking for someone with my profile for a position in Morocco?

I’m open to any great tips or potential contacts.

Thanks in advance, everyone!!

I've already visited Morocco more than eight times and usually stick to the Atlas, the south of the Atlas, and the coast (between Mirleft and Essaouira). This year, in May, I'd like to (re)discover the south. Here's my question: From Marrakech to Skoura: In a Dacia Duster, I'd like to take this route to explore the Ighel M'Goun. I'd like to follow this itinerary (with stops for accommodation in Ben el Ouidane? and in Demnate?): The route I'm considering: - Marrakech toward Beni Mellal via N8 - Before Beni Mellal, take the R304 toward Ben El Ouidane - In Ben el Ouidane, take the R306 (via Ouaouizarthe), then the R302, and via El Had and Ait Bou Guemes, join Demnate - Demnate to Skoura via the R307 Your comments/suggestions are welcome!

Hi there!

I’d like to plan a week of "sun-soaked" relaxation in March, and based on my budget, I was thinking of Morocco—specifically Essaouira. I’ve got a few questions, just in case I’m getting the wrong idea about my trip: Do you know what the average weather is like at that time of year? Without going as far as swimming, is it still possible to enjoy the sunshine on walks or lounging on a deck chair? Since I’ve never been to Essaouira, is it a nice place to stay for a week (mixing sightseeing and relaxation)? Are the beaches pretty? Would you happen to know any addresses (like guesthouses or lodges) offering half-board or full-board, in a quiet spot? (With a garden to relax in, ocean views, or even a pool—fingers crossed!) At reasonable prices? (I have no idea what the price ranges are in Morocco.)

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Hi there,

I’m heading to Morocco soon and I’d like to get the bodywork and paint on my van redone. Do you know any good places or contacts?

Thanks in advance!

Maloubo!!!

Hi there,

I’m planning to leave Morocco for the summer but want to leave my 4x4 there to avoid exceeding the famous 6-month limit. I’d like to park it in one of the two Spanish enclaves (Ceuta or Melilla). Does anyone know of people or companies that handle long-term parking (preferably secure) in either place? Once the car is parked, what’s the best way to get back to France using public transport? Is the nearest airport Tanger from Ceuta?... How do I get there easily, etc. etc.

Thanks in advance! Dominique

As-salamu alaykum!

We’re heading to Morocco as a family from April 22 to May 8. It’s a bit short to explore such a beautiful and vast country, but school and work commitments, you know how it is... My partner is a musician and absolutely loves Gnawa music. Unfortunately, we won’t have time to visit Essaouira, as we’re heading south toward the Valley of the Roses...

Do you know of any places around Marrakech, Ouarzazate, or Kelaat M’Gouna where we might have the chance to meet Gnawa musicians? We’ll also be staying a few days in Aït Benhaddou and Skoura during our trip toward the Dadès Valley. If you have any good spots to buy a guembri along the way, I’d love to hear about them too! :)

Thanks in advance for your tips!

Mathieu

Hello, we’re a family with two kids aged 3 and 7. We’re heading to Morocco at the end of February for 11 days and would love to take a road trip starting from Marrakech down to the south of the country, exploring the Atlas Mountains, sleeping in the desert, and then making our way to Agadir—all over about 3 days. We’re looking for something authentic and typical. Travel agencies are offering us pre-packaged bus tours at sky-high prices, but that’s not what we’re after at all. Could you help us out? Do you know any local driver-guides who might be interested? Thanks, and best wishes!

Hi everyone, I know there are some *reaaaal* Morocco experts here, so I’m giving it a shot. Early June, we’re heading back to the country for the third time for a little week-long trip. We’ll arrive and depart from Essaouira, where we’ll rent a car to drive south down to roughly Sidi Ifni. The plan is to make short stops of 2-3 hours max, a mix of coastal spots and a bit inland. We’re looking for natural, quiet places that feel untouched. We loved Taghazout years ago and Larache two years back—just to give you an idea of our vibe. What spots would you recommend along this route? I’m tempted by Paradise Valley but worried it’ll be as crowded as Agadir. What do you think? Any other valleys in the area worth the detour? Thanks, and have a great weekend! 😊

After several years of traveling in former French West Africa (impossible today!), with a Patrol, then a Dacia Duster, and now testing a Ford Maverick 4x4 2.7 TDI in preparation, we’d like to form a small group for a trip in 2027 (around late March? To be decided with those interested).

Interested in: - Eastern Morocco? Then Merzouga / Foum Zguid / Moroccan coast and Western Sahara, - Mauritania: Nouadhibou, Choum, Atar, Tidjikja, Tichitt, and surrounding areas, then possibly heading down to the Senegalese border to see if we can go further.

We’re a retired couple, both 69 years old, passionate about photography, wildlife, and archaeology. Feel free to reach out—suggestions are welcome!

A big thank you to the VoyageForum members who shared their experiences with us! We spent 3 wonderful days at "La Kasbah la Palmeraie" in Skoura. Coming from Marrakech (a stunning drive after the Tichka Pass via Telouet and Ait-Benhaddou), our stay at the Palmeraie was pure bliss: Mohammed and Ghizlane’s warm welcome, delicious breakfasts on the terrace overlooking the palm grove (wood-fired bread, honey pancakes made by Ghizlane), and equally delicious and hearty evening meals shared as a family around a cozy fire. We felt right at home and learned so much about the local way of life. The excursions offered were always interesting and off the beaten tourist track—from there, we explored the Dades Valley and Gorges, the Almond Blossom Valley (gorgeous!), and the palm grove. The region is home to magnificent kasbahs, including our hosts’. A different way to "visit" Morocco!

In early March, full of carefree joy and happy to return to Morocco, we landed in Marrakech under the sun. We spent just one night in Marrakech at the Hôtel Toulousain, as we did on our previous trip. And we booked our 3 nights for the end of our trip, the second half of March... Ouch! Ouch! Ouch! But we’re not there yet...

Our first goal is to reach Magdaz, a mountain village in the Tessaout Valley, sometimes called the lost valley. We discovered the village of Magdaz on this forum, and we were charmed by the photos and comments from travelers who came before us. The road is easy—it’s dry, and the tarmac takes us right to the village gates at over 2,000 meters above sea level. We arrive in the afternoon and are left speechless by the beauty of the place. A jewel of Berber architecture! Perfectly restored granaries and kasbahs!



A young man from the village guides us on the visit and opens the doors to the terraces overlooking the village.

Several magnificent collective granaries have been beautifully restored. The warm colors of the stone capture the light wonderfully. It’s stunning!



We won’t find anything decent to stay overnight there, so we head back down a bit and settle in at the Assounfou guesthouse. Lovely welcome. The place is in excellent condition and very clean. It’s spacious, but we’re the only ones there. First day full of promise!

We went to Morocco in April with our children and grandchildren. We landed in Marrakech around 9 AM and took a bus to our small hotel in the Guéliz district. This was to avoid dealing with taxi drivers who might give our young travelers a very negative impression of Marrakech... The bus drops us off very close to the Hôtel Toulousain, which has always given us the warmest welcome for over 25 years. We settle into our rooms and head to the medina to have lunch first and then wander through the streets of the old city, introducing it to our little group.



Young and old alike are amazed by the craftsmanship and attention to detail in the work done by the various artisans.



The souks also impress first-time visitors, both with their size and the sheer amount of goods on offer. For those visiting for the first time, it’s a real maze. Colorful chameleons everywhere... Will they survive for long in their cages under the scorching sun? Another surprise for the kids: the lollipop vendor in Jemaa El Fna Square, with giant lollipops that really whet their appetites...



By late afternoon, little legs are tired, and horse-drawn carriages are a welcome way to get back to the hotel.

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

We just spent a little over 3 weeks in Morocco. Three weeks on the road starting from Marrakech in a rental Logan. We decided to split this trip into 3 highlights: the seaside first, a week in Aourir north of Agadir, Aït Baha and Tafraoute for another week, then a week in the Skoura palm grove followed by 3 days in Marrakech before heading back.

When we arrived, we were surprised by the temperatures—much higher than in previous years—and we were amazed by the quantities of flowers we saw throughout our journey. Moroccans explained that they had a lot of rain this winter, beneficial water, not the kind that destroys everything in its path.

First stop: AOURIR. Staying at Bab Aourir, we were able to explore the area. A great discovery this year: the Assif El Had cave, beyond Imouzzer. A beautiful road to get there. Absolute tranquility once you're inside. A lovely spot for a picnic by the *séquia* (irrigation channel) at the cave’s entrance.

Hi,

Does anyone know the address of a rose flower distillery in the Valley of Roses / Kelaa M'Gouna? A traditional distillery, not just the tourist shop.

Thanks a bunch!

Nicolas :-)

Hello everyone, I’m currently planning our next trip to Morocco. We really enjoy visiting one or two collective granaries on each of our trips. We’ve seen some already, like the one in Aït Kine, or the one in Tasguent, and of course those in Amtoudi, as well as the cliffside granary of Ifri. There are still many left to explore. I’d love to hear which ones you’d recommend—preferably ones that aren’t too hard to access. I’m counting on you! Thanks

Hi there,

For the Dakhla - Nouadhibou route, everyone only talks about taxis costing 350 - 400 MAD. But the bus only costs 260 MAD (Supratours). I’ve been searching in vain for info or testimonials from people who’ve taken the bus to Nouadhibou.

So, how’s the bus? And why does no one seem to take it?? Am I about to make a mistake or what?

Thanks!

hi, Now that I’ve got my new VW Syncro T3 (4x4), I’m hoping to explore some new tracks on my next trip at the end of 2025. Back in winter 2022/23, I wanted to try a recently extended track that continues the one leading to Aït Kine. After the village, I was able to drive on a good ten kilometers of tarmac, which then turns into a nice dirt track as soon as the climb to the pass begins (beautiful ravines). Almost at the last hairpin turn, I didn’t have enough power or traction to make it (my old T3 was only 2x4). I had to turn around, clenching my cheeks the whole way. Has anyone managed to take this track, which should lead to a main road (Igherm or Taliouine?) further north? And where exactly? Is it fully paved now?

Hi everyone, due to my partner’s work training abroad, he can’t join us for our week-long trip to Morocco in early November. So I’ll be alone with my 3-year-old daughter. My in-laws live in Marrakech, where we’ll be staying with my little one, but I’ve never actually met them. I’m feeling a bit stressed—should I cancel (and lose my flight tickets) or go ahead and travel alone? We’ll be in Marrakech, but I still don’t have a car either. Are there others in the same situation—traveling with kids? Any advice would be greatly appreciated!

Hi there,

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?

Thanks for your help!

Hi, I'm looking for a taxi from Dakhla airport to downtown Dakhla. If you know a contact ?????

And there you have it—promise made, promise kept. Here I go! I’m going to try and share our adventure under the Moroccan sun. I’ll do my best to capture how we felt during this trip. And I hope you’ll be kind to a newbie at this!

We planned this trip with the tips we got from this forum, so thank you to everyone who helped us prepare. Thanks to you, we had unforgettable moments.

Here’s our itinerary, which let us see the Atlas Mountains, the oases of the South, the sandy desert, and the Atlantic coast. We landed in Marrakech early in the morning, and our rental car agent was waiting for us at the airport. After sorting out the formalities, we left Marrakech heading toward Ouarzazate.



The heavy traffic in Marrakech quickly gave way to smooth driving. As soon as we left the city, it was calm. And right outside the city, we came across shepherds grazing their sheep by the roadside... It’s definitely a surprise at first! But yes... We’re in Morocco... No doubt about it... We’re in the thick of it! As we started gaining altitude, vendors waved at us, offering dried morels. At first, we weren’t sure what they were selling, but we stopped for tea on a terrace to admire the mountain scenery, and they offered us those famous morels again.





We continued our climb toward Tizi N Tichka... Gigantic valleys stretched out before us. With every turn, we discovered breathtaking landscapes.





Villages built into the hillsides blended into the earth. It was strikingly simple yet harmonious.



At the top of the pass, 2200m up, we stopped to soak in the moment, the fresh air, and the view.

And we carried on toward Ouarzazate. The road was under construction. Mechanical giants were tackling the mountain. But the mountain was enormous. We were impressed by the scale of the work.





Then, we left the main road to head left toward Telouet... It was stunning. The colors changed. Maybe we felt less overwhelmed by the imposing Atlas. Just a personal impression!





Right after passing through Telouet (maybe we’ll shock history buffs—we didn’t visit the kasbah), we went to see the salt mine. It was unexpected. Salt was everywhere. The stream water wound its way between salt crystals and waterfalls. It was really pretty. And then there was the cave. We had a guide for the visit. Stalactites and stalagmites crisscrossed here and there. At the back of the cave, we saw a small lake surrounded by crystals. It was beautiful.







We hit the road again. We drove through stunning landscapes: vast plains for grazing herds, rivers nestled deep in the valleys.



We proudly drove past the ksar Ait Benhaddou without stopping—just long enough to snap a quick photo and keep going so we’d arrive before nightfall.



We made a few small purchases in Ouarzazate and headed straight for the Skoura palm grove, where we’d booked three nights at the guesthouse Kasbah La Palmeraie. Mohamed, the owner, welcomed us warmly, and we shared tea with the family. We felt right at home. We were made to feel welcome.



Dinner was a hit—a real Moroccan meal, a sweet-and-savory dish with steamed vermicelli and chicken. Delicious! A great surprise for us—we’d never tried it before.



After such a long day that started so early, we were happy to crawl into bed. But we felt like the trip was off to the best possible start.

Until tomorrow, if you’d like!

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.

Hotel La suerte loca in Sidi Ifni. Move along quickly! LIAR AND DISHONEST. Not to mention the state of the rooms. That’ll come later.

I booked three nights on-site without a bathroom in room (No. 16). I had called the day before to check availability. The next day, they told me I couldn’t stay in that room on the third night but offered to move me to another room—even more run-down than this one—and without a bathroom. They claimed there had been a mistake and the room was already booked, which is completely false. I’ve been traveling for 20 years and can spot hoteliers’ tricks. The woman running the place checked all her online sites and her schedule before confirming the room was available. She was sure. Especially since they display the booking schedule in front of each room to avoid mistakes. So, a pure lie. For what reason?

For me, two options: either take the run-down room for cheaper without a bathroom or leave. Great customer service. I found another hotel, Safa, a bit further away, at the same price with breakfast—100 times more luxurious and comfortable than this place. Or just down on the beach, Hotel Aït Baamrane, same price or even negotiable, and still much more comfortable.

When I left in the morning, they barely said goodbye, not a word of apology, no gesture to make up for kicking me out. NOTHING, NADA!

The woman running the place, with her fake friendliness and hypocrisy, only cares about one thing: money.

Otherwise, the place could be great if it were properly maintained. Instead of repainting the balconies, they should replace the mattresses, which are completely wrecked. The only good thing about this hotel is its location above the sea.

Otherwise, Room No. 16 was recently repainted. Every time someone uses the water, there’s a huge noise from the pipes and vibrations. The walls are paper-thin (figuratively speaking)—when neighbors talked or coughed, it was like they were in the room with me.

I had to wait to check in because of cleaning, but once inside, the bedside tables and the table were filthy (see photo). In the bathroom, there’s a stale smell of old urine and sewage due to the worn-out toilet pipes (see photo), with minimal lighting. The showerhead is disgustingly dirty. The gray duvet is dirty and very old, as are the blankets, which are dusty and grimy. The Wi-Fi worked in the room the first day but not the next.

And finally, the worst part: the mattress is completely wrecked and sagging. The springs dig into your body. Horrible! Instead of repainting, they’d do better to change the mattresses.

As for meals, the prices are outrageous. This hotel relies on its old popularity, but it’s not worth 190 dirhams for this room. I’d say it’s barely worth over 100 dirhams. Since I’ve been in Morocco, I’ve stayed in palaces for 130 dirhams with breakfast.

So, my advice: don’t trust the reviews and avoid this place. You’ll find much better at the same price, as mentioned above.

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