If you’re based in Europe and thinking about visiting Morocco, this post is for you! Though Morocco can be safely visited by anyone, many travelers are hesitant about navigating Morocco on their own. If you feel this way, or simply hate trip planning, consider going on a tour! I went on a 3 day guided tour of Morocco with WeLoveSpain and it was a great introduction to the country. WeLoveSpain picks up participants in various cities in Spain and brings them on trips through Spain, Portugal, and Morroco.
I chose the Morocco Fantasy Weekend + Gibraltar Tour. WeLoveSpain picked me up in Malaga, Spain, and brought me over to Morocco on a ferry. This tour included all food, accommodations, transportation, and activities for the entire weekend. All I paid for on the trip were my souvenirs and snacks! The only downfall to this tour was the amount of time spent traveling. We were on a bus for hours at a time to travel from city to city within one weekend. Overall, I highly recommend this tour. Keep reading for the inside scoop on this tour of Morocco!
Gibraltar
The first stop was a day trip to Gibraltar. Gibraltar is a small British Commonwealth on the southern coast of Spain. Our group explored St Michael’s Cave located inside the Rock of Gibraltar. Though this was fairly touristy, the limestone caves were magnificent and illuminated with multicolored lights.
Next, we got up close and personal with Gibraltar’s famous monkeys (known as Barbary macaques). These monkeys live on the Rock of Gibraltar and are the only group of wild monkeys in Europe today. You cannot touch them, but they might want to mess with you!
After our day in Gibraltar, we took a ferry over to Morocco. The ferry was very safe and efficient. After the ferry, we passed through the border to Morocco and took a bus to our accommodations.
Accommodations
In Morocco, we stayed at a decent hotel. I roomed with two of my friends that I booked the trip with. The hotel provided us with breakfast and some dinners. I felt very safe there.
Cities Visited
Tangier, Morocco
On the first day of the tour, we visited Tangier. We did some sightseeing of the city via bus and stopped at a panoramic lookout at Cape Espartel.
Afterward, we visited Achakar Beach to ride camels! The camel rides are an iconic part of this tour and one of the most memorable experiences I had in Morocco.
Chefchaouen, Morocco
After exploring Tangier, we took our bus over to Chefchaouen, also known as the Blue City. This was one of the most picturesque cities I’ve ever visited. Here, we had a traditional Moroccan lunch, shopped at the local souvenir shops, and walked by all of the beautiful blue buildings. My favorite part was visiting a local fabric shop with the group.
Tetuan, Morocco
Tetuan was the home base of the trip and the location of our hotel. In the city, we explored the many markets for some fun souvenir shopping, stopping to check out the beautiful doorways and arches along the way. Our group took a trip to a local pharmacy that sold natural remedies, which was one of the most interesting stops of the trip.
In Tetuan, we also attended a Fantasy Dinner Show in an Arabic Palace as a large group (~200 people). A delicious Moroccan meal was served family-style. The dinner included talented dancers and performers.
Traveling in Morocco as a Woman
Since I am a woman from a Western country, I definitely felt like I stuck out in Morocco. Though I dressed modestly, I did not cover my head or face. Throughout my experience, I was often catcalled, approached by men, and stared at. This sometimes led to discomfort and a feeling of uneasiness. Despite this discomfort, I never felt in danger. Though I am a big proponent of solo travel for women, I would feel most comfortable traveling in Morocco with a tour group or hiring a local guide. However, women are free to travel solo in this country and many have done it!
Should You Visit Morocco?
Yes! Morocco is home to a beautiful and unique culture. It is filled with kind people and incredible sights. It was one of the most eye-opening trips I had during my study abroad experience. Remember, the best trips always force you out of your comfort zone. I highly recommend the Morocco Fantasy Weekend + Gibraltar Tour through WeLoveSpain.
Visiting Europe?
Since WeLoveSpain is based in Europe, you’ll definitely need to visit other nearby countries. I recommend taking a short flight to Italy to extend your trip up the Italian coast and through the Tuscan countryside. Check out my posts on Cinque Terre and Florence to make this dream a reality.
