A Taste of Morocco: 48 Hours of Culture, Camels, and Cuisine

48 Hours in Morocco

My friend was in 3 continents in the span of 30 hours. Crazy right? While I was studying abroad in Spain, everyone buzzed about the country of Morocco and how pretty it was. Before I studied abroad, Morocco was on my list of must-dos while in Spain. My dear friend Jalen and I have been great friends since high school. When I was telling everyone and anyone of my friends and family to come visit me abroad, he listened. He was able to fly from Nashville to Barcelona to spend an afternoon in Spain, before we both flew to Marrakech, Morocco for a weekend in Africa! It was truly one of the coolest experiences of my life, so vastly different from any culture/city I had ever experienced. I truly felt like I was “abroad” when I was there. This blog will highlight the best parts show Morocco’s beautiful culture!

Riad El Habib

We had the pleasure of staying at the Riad El Habib in Medina in Marrakesh. The Medina is the historic heart of the city and a UNESCO World Heritage site, with markets, beautiful architecture, and rich history. Our Riad (houses with courtyards) was beautiful, with mosaic tiling and detailing everywhere. The entire hotel also smelled like orange blossom and gardenia, which added to the experience! The owners were extremely attentive, offering free breakfast which was filling and delicious. The owners provided us with maps, and even made a dinner reservation for us. They were very hospitable! Here is the link to the hotel: Riad El Habib

Bahia Palace

We spent our first day in Marrakech visiting the Bahia Palace. The Bahia Palace in Marrakesh is a 19th-century palace built to showcase the finest Moroccan and Islamic architecture. “Bahia” means “brilliance” in Arabic, and the palace was intended to be a masterpiece of Moroccan luxury and opulence. The palace had beautiful rooms and courtyards with stunning mosaic tiling. We spent the morning exploring the palace, it was beautiful. Because of Morocco’s proximity to Spain, you also see Andalusian influences in the art and architecture.

Mosque Architecture

The main religion in Morocco is Islam. At various times throughout the day, the city intercoms project a man saying the call to prayer. It is a way to signal people to go to the mosques for the daily prayer. Although we were not able to go inside the mosque for religious reasons, we were able to visit outside and see the minaret— a tower also used to amplify the call to prayer. It is characteristic of all mosques to have this tower.

Atlas Mountains

The next day, we booked a day trip to the Atlas Mountains on TripAdvisor. The whole trip was only $33 with food, transportation, and a camel ride included! We started the trip off with a hike through a small village in the Atlas Mountains. We were able to visit shops and meet our guide’s family. We even hiked up a hill to where there was a waterfall! The landscape had snow capped mountains and desert surrounding. It was beautiful! Then, we moved to another village where we had delicious food. Here is the link to the tour: Atlas Mountains Tour

CAMELS!!!

By far my favorite activity of the trip was riding a camel. We were able to borrow traditional clothing to protect us from the sun, and road around a camel through the desert. I even managed to get super close and snap a picture! It tried to take a bite out of the side of my face, but other than that 10/10 experience.

As I reflect on our whirlwind 48 hours in Morocco, I can’t help but feel grateful for the vibrant culture, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable experiences we had. From exploring the intricate beauty of the Bahia Palace to witnessing the call to prayer echo through the Medina, Morocco gave us a glimpse into a world both ancient and alive with tradition. Our hike in the Atlas Mountains and camel ride in the desert brought us closer to the land’s natural beauty and the warmth of its people. If you’re ever contemplating a quick trip to Morocco, go for it! The colors, flavors, and spirit of this place will leave an impression on you that’s anything but fleeting. Morocco truly offers memories to last a lifetime.

,شكرًا لك