Aelfgifu Travels

Hi Aelf Crew,

Today we’re talking about Marrakesh and I’ll be honest from the start in saying this was my least favourite stop in Morocco. Not because it wasn’t interesting, but because it felt like what I had originally imagined all of Morocco to be: busy, loud, chaotic and overwhelming.

I arrived at the station and took a bus into the main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa and from there, things escalated quickly. I hadn’t eaten, it was hot and I had to walk through the centre of the markets with my bag to reach my hostel.

The markets themselves are overwhelming to say the least, with snake charmers, poorly treated monkeys being used for photos, noise and a lot of persistent hassling from every direction.

The streets leading to my hostel were narrow, crowded and filled with motorbikes weaving through every few seconds. You constantly had to be on the look out to avoid being knocked over. I quickly realised that listening to loud music on headphones was not an option here as the ability to hear the sound of a motorbike approaching was incredibly important if you wanted to stay on both feet. Whilst some thrive in that kind of environment, I most certainly do not. 

The Escape: Atlas Mountains Day Trip

After a couple of days, I needed a break from the intensity so I booked a day trip to the Atlas Mountains through Viator (here is the link if interested). For £17, it was excellent value. We were very well fed, had a short hike through the mountains and multiple scenic stops for photos. We visited Imlil, a small town about 1,800 metres (5,900 feet) above sea level and for those who’ve followed my travels for a while, you’ll know I sometimes struggle with altitude sickness but on this shorter trip, I didn’t have any issues.

From crowded streets and constant noise to breathtaking scenery and peace, the contrast was much-needed. If you ever visit Marrakesh, I would highly recommend taking a trip out of the city if you can to appreciate this difference, as it may completely change your experience of Marrakesh.

Getting to the Airport (A Quick Tip)

My hostel offered an airport taxi for €20 (~200 dirhams). But:

• A direct bus was significantly cheaper – The Alsa Airport Bus Line 19 in Marrakech costs 30 MAD (approximately €2.80–€3) for a single ticket or 50 MAD (approx. €4.60) for a return ticket valid for two weeks. 
• And an even cheaper option (with a short walk as not to the door of departures) was just 4 dirhams: a local bus (line 12, 11, 33, 20) that stops just outside the airport.

For me, it was an easy decision.

Marrakesh is intense. For some, that’s exactly the appeal and for others (myself included), it can be overwhelming. That said, I’m still glad I went and if nothing else, it made escaping to the mountains feel even better.

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One overwhelmed tourist later,
Aelfgifu