A personal travel journey through the Atlas Mountains, the Sahara, and Morocco’s most fascinating cities
By Olivia Bennett
I left for Morocco without many expectations or elaborate plans. The journey was driven more by a personal need than by a carefully organized adventure. What I eventually brought home, however, was the memory of an extraordinary trip filled with kind people, breathtaking landscapes, and genuine hospitality.
Morocco is a destination I would recommend to anyone. This ten-day itinerary offers the chance to discover the most authentic soul of the country. One piece of advice: rent a car. Without one, a journey like this would take far longer and would be much more complicated to organize.
Morocco is an exceptional country capable of transporting you in an instant from the vastness of the desert to mountain landscapes that even offer ski resorts in winter. It throws you into a labyrinth of colors, scents, and impressions that are difficult to find anywhere else in the world.
One of the first places that captured my attention was the legendary square of Jemaa el-Fnaa in Marrakech. It is a place that can completely transform within twenty-four hours.
Before arriving in Marrakech, many people warned me: be careful, because every medina is a labyrinth where it is easy to get lost. And they were absolutely right. In these ancient neighborhoods, even GPS often stops working.
That is why my first piece of advice to travelers is simple: ask for help from the owner of your riad or hire a local guide.
Yet the moment I stepped out of the narrow alleys and saw Jemaa el-Fnaa for the first time, the impact was almost overwhelming. After walking through streets that often look similar, the square suddenly opens up in front of you, appearing endless and filled with people. It feels as if you have suddenly entered another city.
The square reveals a completely different face depending on the time of day.
During the day, Jemaa el-Fnaa is relatively calm. Walking across the square you may encounter monkey handlers, snake charmers, and vendors selling all kinds of curious things.
At sunset, however, everything changes. The warm golden light transforms the square, and people begin to fill the space. Food stalls appear everywhere, offering freshly prepared dishes. Dancers, storytellers, and street performers arrive, turning the square into one of the most vibrant places in Morocco.
One of the first architectural landmarks I visited was the Bahia Palace. Built in the second half of the 19th century, the palace is considered one of the masterpieces of traditional Moroccan architecture.
Not far from there lies the famous Marrakech souk. Walking through it feels like discovering the true meaning of the word “labyrinth.” The countless stalls create a maze where colors, smells, and sounds merge into an unforgettable experience. The market is not only the largest in Morocco but also one of the most fascinating shopping environments in the world.
The medina represents the historic heart of the city. Inside the ancient walls lies a complex network of streets and alleys filled with shops, cafés, and small restaurants.
From almost anywhere in the old city you can see the towering minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech and the only truly tall structure dominating the skyline of the historic center.
Yet in the heart of Marrakech there is also a peaceful oasis: the Jardin Majorelle. This extraordinary garden was once the romantic retreat of Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé.
The garden was originally created in the early twentieth century by the French Orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle, who dreamed of building a lush sanctuary where he could dedicate himself to painting. After his death, the property nearly disappeared, but in 1980 Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased and restored it, preserving what they described as “an oasis where the colors of Matisse meet the colors of nature.”
On the third day of my Moroccan journey I left Marrakech and crossed the spectacular Tizi n’Tichka Pass, one of the most scenic routes through the High Atlas Mountains.
The road eventually led me to the famous Aït Benhaddou, the most iconic kasbah in Morocco, where I spent the night.
Exploring Aït Benhaddou means discovering one of the best preserved historical sites in the country. The walls decorated with geometric patterns reflect Berber culture, while the narrow alleys made of stone and earth seem to transport visitors into another century.
The village is still home to a small number of families, and from the top you can admire an extraordinary landscape: pomegranate and almond trees, rocky desert hills, and green palm groves stretching toward the High Atlas Mountains.
The beauty of the place lies in its ochre-colored buildings that blend perfectly with the surrounding landscape. It is no coincidence that Aït Benhaddou is often described as the “Moroccan Hollywood,” since numerous films and television series have been shot here.
The following day I had the privilege of driving along one of the most spectacular roads I have ever seen, often described as one of the most dangerous in the world: the Dades Gorge.
The road winds through dramatic rock formations of the High Atlas Mountains. As you climb higher, the scenery becomes increasingly surreal. Hairpin bends rise sharply along the cliffs, and although the route requires careful driving, the views are absolutely extraordinary.
Eventually the road leads toward the dunes of the Sahara. Watching the sunset there and spending the night in a desert tent, sharing food and music with Berber hosts, was an unforgettable experience.
After leaving the desert landscapes behind, my journey continued toward the cedar forests of Azrou, where friendly wild monkeys roam freely among the trees.
From there I continued to Ifrane, often called the “Switzerland of Morocco,” where winter even brings snow and skiing.
That evening I arrived in Fez, one of the most surprising cities I have ever visited.
On my first night there, I had no real idea what to expect, except for the advice that exploring the city alone could easily lead to getting lost.
The next morning I quickly understood why.
The Fes el-Bali Medina is considered the oldest and largest historic old town in the world. It contains more than nine thousand narrow alleys, creating a complex labyrinth where even those with a good sense of direction can easily lose their way.
The city itself is home to over a million people, yet around seventy thousand still live within the walls of the medina.
Most visitors enter through the iconic Bab Bou Jeloud, the famous blue gate that marks the entrance to this extraordinary historic quarter.
One of the most remarkable buildings inside the medina is the Bou Inania Madrasa, one of the few religious sites open to non-Muslim visitors.
Another fascinating landmark nearby is the historic water clock known as Dar al-Magana.
One of the most unforgettable sights in Fez is the Chouara Tannery, where traditional leather production methods have been practiced for centuries. Visitors cannot enter the tannery itself, but from nearby terraces it is possible to observe the entire process from above.
Walking through the medina of Fez felt like stepping into another world.
The strong scent of the tanneries mixes with the aromas of spices sold in the markets. Wealth and poverty exist side by side. History and everyday life blend together in ways that are difficult to describe.
Every corner hides a surprise. Every alley tells a story.
One of the final stops on my Moroccan journey was the famous “Blue City,” Chefchaouen, located at the foot of the Rif Mountains.
From a distance the town looks like a cascade of blue houses flowing down the mountainside.
To be honest, I arrived with high expectations. Perhaps the intense tourism marketing surrounding the city contributed to this.
After seeing extraordinary places like Fez and the magical valleys of Morocco, Chefchaouen left me with slightly mixed feelings.
That being said, it is still worth spending a day there. The blue streets and mountain setting create a unique atmosphere that many travelers fall in love with.
My journey eventually ended in Rabat, where my flight departed in the afternoon.
Although heavy rain prevented me from exploring the city fully, I still had time to walk along the rocky coastline and enjoy lunch with a view of the ocean.
This journey enriched me deeply, and I know that Morocco will always hold a special place in my heart.
And when I return one day — perhaps arriving from the deck of a Victoria Cruises Line voyage — I will introduce this remarkable country not as a stranger, but as someone returning to a familiar place.
Morocco is a destination I recommend to everyone. There is no reason to fear the people who live here. The landscapes, the history, and the warmth of its people will capture your heart.