Morocco Through Our Eyes: The Land of Souks, Camels, Tea and Tajine!

Co-written by Hannah Pentin | Amber Lowen | Ayna Ahmed

Morocco is a country with much diversity. It’s home to the all-too-famous Sahara desert, which covers 9.2 million km², and the Atlas mountains, which are not only naturally impressive, but also rich in culture. Then, there is the bustling city of Marrakech, which is where you will find the chaotic but eye-catching souks, and where you can be witness to the Adhan echoing through the streets.

Hannah, Amber & Ayna

Expectations VS Reality

Hannah - “I didn’t know what to expect, but of course I’d heard stories of how Morocco was unsafe for women, how we would get scammed, and so on. But instead I was entranced by the layers of history, the colours of the markets, the diversity of landscapes, and friendly locals. I expected parts of Morocco to be busy and maybe a little overwhelming, but travelling with two other women made me feel more grounded. I enjoyed experiencing it with friends, especially the volunteering, as it felt like we could navigate any culture shocks together, and I felt safer in certain situations.”

Amber - “I knew little about Morocco before we went. The pictures I would see on social media looked beautiful but comments would mostly consist of negative stereotypes surrounding Morocco. As much as I wanted to go, I was honestly quite fearful. My perception, however, couldn’t be more wrong. The locals were some of the most hospitable people I’ve met whilst travelling, always offering tea and trying to teach us their Arabic/Amazigh/French language - very tricky! The food was incredible, and yes, in well-known places it is busy and overwhelming but that’s sometimes what gave it flavour.”

Ayna - “This was the first time I had ever travelled like this - staying in hostels, volunteering, and travelling around in tuk tuks. As someone who is used to hotel and resort stays, I was prepared for a really challenging 10 days. What surprised me was how easily I was able to adapt to this experience - meeting incredibly friendly locals and being with friends who are used to this form of travel made the transition 10 times easier for me, and I would absolutely do something similar again in a heartbeat. I have never experienced a country or culture as authentically as I did in Morocco - and what a beautiful country it is”.

There is so much to see and do in Morocco, so it is hard to fit it all into a short time-frame. As three women who spent two weeks in the country, from exploring to volunteering, here are some of our key takeaways…

Marrakech Insights

Hannah Pentin

Where to stay in Marrakech

You cannot. I repeat. Cannot say you’ve really stayed in Marrakech, if you haven’t experienced a 'riad'. You’ve probably heard of this before. It's a traditional Moroccan house which can be found within the Medina (old city), and it features an interior garden, or courtyard area.

On arrival into the city, we stayed in Yu Yu Hostel. It was conveniently located near to the taxi bay area, and a short walk from the centre, where you can find the souks. But that did not mean it was easy to find! We meandered our way through the streets of the Medina, hoping that Google Maps would help us find our hostel. Unfortunately this was not the case and instead we found ourselves asking locals for directions. Eventually, we were guided to a little door, which opened to a very traditional riad.

Tip: Expect to get lost in the Medina trying to find your hostel/hotel, as your taxi driver will not be able to drop you at the door. They will most likely leave you at a side road, and then you will have to find your way through the alleyways. But, if you do get lost, just ask a local, as we didn’t find maps to be that helpful or reliable.

We stayed in a female-only shared dorm, with an ensuite bathroom. There was a rooftop which featured views of the city, which was ideal for watching the sunrise the next morning. Not to mention, the staff were also super friendly and helpful. The breakfast was also great in the morning, especially as it was included in the price of our stay.

Exploring the Souks

We had limited time in Marrakech, but our top priority was to visit the famous souks. We spent the entire first day exploring them, and found many unique items, from clothing to jewellery.

Here are some of our top tips:

• Don't be afraid to get lost, we did, and that's all part of the fun!

• Make sure you brush up on your bartering skills before visiting the markets, as the sellers will automatically know you are a tourist and raise their prices

• Learning some basic Arabic or French words will go a long way here

• If you go to the markets in the morning (10/11am) the prices are lower to cater to the first customers of the day

• Keep an eye on your belongings as there are a lot of pickpockets around

Volunteering in Tagounite

Hannah Pentin

One of the main parts of our trip was actually the volunteering we did in Tagounite, which is a rural village in Morocco, located on the edge of the Sahara. Last year there were really bad floods and some parts of the village were damaged as a result of this. The guesthouse we stayed at was one of these - they were rebuilding it at the time and needed volunteers to lend a helping hand.

Dar Nomad Guesthouse in Tagounite, Morocco

But first, how do you actually reach this rural part of Morocco?

When we first looked into it, we were tempted to book a flight, because the idea of a 9 hour bus ride in Morocco sounded like it could be a bit of an adventure, and not overly comfortable. However, our volunteering hosts advised us that the best way to get to Tagounite was by taking the bus from Marrakech. Not only is it a more cultural experience, but it’s also actually a lot more comfortable than we thought it would be, and the views are very scenic as you go round the windy mountain roads. P.S. be prepared to feel a little carsick though - we definitely did! The good thing about this journey is that there are many stops along the way - so whether you need the bathroom or want to grab a snack, don’t worry because there are a lot of opportunities to do this.

At one of the stops, one of our volunteer hosts actually hopped on the bus, somehow identified us, and then took charge for the rest of the trip. So this was pretty reassuring, as when we got off the bus it was night-time, and he told us to get in the back of a cart. He stopped to get us filtered water (because please do not drink the tap water in Morocco) on the way to the guest house. This was honestly such a great introduction to the desert, because all we could see were the stars above, and the desolate and dark landscape around us.

We felt like we’d been dropped into the middle of nowhere (even more so as it was night-time) when we arrived at the house, but we were warmly welcomed by the hosts. They showed us where we would be sleeping - basically mattresses on the floor - and the bathroom - a whole in the ground and a bucket for a shower. After a long journey, they welcomed us with Moroccan tea and a communal dish. Here, it is very normal to sit around a low table and share a dish, or eat from the same plate. After dinner, they started playing traditional instruments, and we all joined in.

Volunteer work

This volunteering we had booked through Worldpackers - which is a platform that connects hosts with volunteers around the world. This particular opportunity included tasks like building mud walls, house and garden work, and social media marketing. We had to pay around 7€ daily, in order to cover basic living costs, but that was the only additional cost.

To sign up to Worldpackers you have to pay the membership fee but you can get money off with my discount code HPTRAVELDIARIES

It was a really interesting experience, as everyday we learnt more about the culture, whether it was a new Arabic word, or a traditional building technique, like using mud. We all worked together for just a few hours a day, playing music and dancing while we did so, embracing the tranquility of the desert environment. I personally loved waking up in the morning and sitting on the sand-wall outside, meditating to the sounds of the birds and the wind. Our hosts also took us into the town on a few different occasions, to see more of the local way of life. We even got to visit various Nomad Camps, and contribute to their way of life by buying them some essentials from the shops. The Nomads offered us tea and sand-bread, and despite the language barrier, we managed to find a way to communicate. The volunteering overall felt very laid-back - no stress, light work responsibilities, and a great way to immerse ourselves in the local culture.

Desert Tour & Glamping

Amber Lowen

If you are thinking of heading to the Moroccan-Sahara Desert, glamping is a must. You get to experience a more traditional nomadic way of life, living within the sand dunes, completely off the beaten path. It feels as if you are on another planet.

We booked a tour through our volunteering at Dar Nomad Guesthouse - Serenity Sahara - which included transportation, one-night accommodation, food and activities. I would 100% recommend doing a tour as it takes away the stress of booking all these things individually. It wasn’t the most luxurious place to stay, but it had warm(ish) showers, real toilets (a welcome change from the squat toilets we’d been using while volunteering), and best of all, it was nestled within the calm, still desert. The camp was absolutely beautiful and had a genuinely authentic feel - but be prepared, the desert gets very cold at night.

The memories made as a result of this experience are unforgettable. Out of the 10 nights we were in Morocco, glamping in the desert was one of my favourite activities. We arrived at the camp just as the sun was about to set and we were put straight onto the camels as we began our journey into the glowing dunes. As someone who had never been to the desert before, this experience was truly magical. As the sun slowly began to dip, shadows settled among the dunes. We rode for about 25 minutes until we reached a large dune which we were told to climb up. A tough climb up steep hills of sand but the views waiting at the top were so worth it. We were surrounded by a 360-degree panorama of the breathtaking Erg Chigaga desert, and watched as the sun sank slowly beneath the golden sand.

We then rode back to the camp where a delicious tajine was waiting for us. Later that night, under a pitch-black sky lit only by the stars and moon, we gathered around a burning log fire as our tour guides brought out traditional Moroccan instruments, such as iron Krakebs, Bendirs, and Darbuka drums. For hours we sang, played and danced around the fire - it was such a unique experience.

Tip: Put on some Moroccan music while you're on the road between destinations - it’s a great way to get a feel for the local culture and see the country from a more traditional, authentic perspective. A great place to start is Spotify’s ‘Moroccan Traditional Mix’ playlist which explores a range of sounds.

Music is a huge part of Moroccan culture, as we saw for ourselves. Almost every night whilst volunteering we would sit down together after dinner to play instruments and sing traditional Amazigh songs. Moroccan music is extremely rich and diverse, and is created from a mixture of Arab, Berber, Andalusian, Sub-Saharan African, and European influences. It is rhythmic and warm, mirroring the feels of the desert.

Here are some our tips for glamping in the Moroccan Sahara desert:

• Prepare for cold evenings - bring warm layers even if the days are hot.

• Embrace the off-grid experience - being surrounded by endless dunes and star-filled skies gives you a feeling of being on another planet, so take some time away from your phone.

• Wake up early to witness one of the most serene sunrises you'll ever experience (we even did a yoga class!)

The Atlas Mountains & Over-tourism

Ayna Ahmed

The Atlas Mountains is a mountain range in Africa, spanning Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia, known for its natural beauty and rich Berber heritage. Its highest peak is located within Morocco’s Toubkal National Park, making this region a desirable tourist attraction. Since 2024, Morocco has reached a record high in tourism, with 17.4 million visitors that year. Despite not highlighting a direct link, touring/hiking the Atlas Mountains is found in the ‘Top Ten’ things to do in Marrakech on sites such as GetYourGuide and Tripadvisor, indicating its tourism growth alongside Morocco’s general tourism boom.

During our day trip, which we booked via GetYourGuide, we stopped at various photo spots, went camel riding (again), and visited a women's argan oil co-operative. Here we tasted different oils, and peanut butter, and got to see how it was all produced. There was a small shop where you could buy the products made by the women from local villages, and the money would go towards helping them support their families.

Even if the boost in visitors brings clear benefits such as thriving business and fully booked guesthouses, it also comes with its set of challenges. After visiting the mountains ourselves, there were noticeable struggles the locals were facing such as overcrowded trails and the traditional pace of life being pushed aside to meet the demands of tourism.

‘Picture Spots’ and cafés now exist around one of its many waterfalls, and our travel group could only spend around 5 minutes trying to admire the surrounding area before we were instructed to leave to make space for other tour groups. On top of this, I found it was quite difficult to immerse myself in the serenity you would expect when visiting a waterfall, mainly due to the area’s busyness and the very obvious ‘tourist-trap’ businesses set up around the waterfall’s space.

After visiting the mountains with a tour group, it leaves room to question how much growth is too much? Litter left behind by hikers, unplanned construction, and the gradual erosion of fragile mountain paths are indications of a system that is struggling to cope. This may also develop into worry that local culture is being packaged for tourists at the expense of authenticity.

To remedy this, more thoughtful tourism should be encouraged:

• Smaller group sizes to manage crowds

• Eco-friendly practices

• Better infrastructure that serves both visitors and locals.

Without a doubt, the Atlas Mountains still offer an incredible experience and stunning views, but without a more balanced approach, the very things that make it special could be at risk.

Ouarzazate: ‘The Hollywood of Africa’

Ayna Ahmed

Ourzazate not only satiated my love for travel, but as a huge movie-buff myself, this area satisfied that side of me too. Located in a corner of southern Morocco, this sleepy desert town surprisingly has a long-standing relationship with Hollywood that has lasted for decades.

Ranging from classics such as Lawrence of Arabia and Star Wars, to more recent blockbusters such as Gladiator and The Mummy, and even hit shows like Game of Thrones, Ouarzazate has hosted them all.

Because of its dramatic landscapes, historic kasbahs and incredibly reliable sunshine, it’s not surprising that filmmakers keep returning to this location. In fact, directors often praise the region’s ability to double for other locations including the Middle East, Ancient Egypt, and even other planets.

At the heart of the action lies Atlas Studios, which is one of the largest film studios in the world. Old sets still stand like ghost towns in the desert, making for some bustling tourism, especially for those who wish to walk through scenes from their favourite movies or TV shows.

Ouarzazate’s film-set history has brought not only excitement, but novel opportunities for its locals. Some work as extras, others in carpentry, costume-making, or guiding tourists around old film sets; and while the economic boost is welcome, it overlaps with growing concerns about how much of the city’s individual culture is being shaped to suit a cinematic version of Morocco.

Regardless, most locals tend to take pride in Ouarzazate’s unexpected fame, hoping it can keep telling stories and making movie-magic – of course without losing what makes it uniquely real and wonderful.

End Note

We hope that our insights as three women who travelled around Morocco, a Muslim country, might guide you if you are thinking of travelling here too. We wanted to write this in-depth blog to help you to discover the country safely and responsibly. As a whole, we found this a very enriching trip that combined several factors, like volunteering, with a bit of on-the-go, discovery travel too. If you’re also interested in doing a work exchange, make sure you check out Worldpackers, and use my code HPTRAVELDIARIES when signing up to get a discount. Feel free to add comments to this post, or message me on Instagram with any questions.