When in Lisbon, Go to Marrakech!

Marrakech, Morocco

Getting ready for a ride in the Agafay Desert

So while I was in Lisbon for the month of September doing volunteer work and being a digital nomad, I decided to visit Marrakech. Marrakech, Morocco is a one hour and 30 min flight from Lisbon, Portugal so it wasn't a big lift to make the trip. Plus it gave me the opportunity to achieve a travel goal; three continents in a year. I had already been to Turkiye on the front end of the trip to Lisbon so a quick trip to the African continent was a no brainer. Turns out I did three countries on three continents in THREE weeks! Travel goals met and then some.

Scooters serve many purposes in Marrakech

I stayed in the medina- the old town, which was intimidating at first because the buildings are all the same ochre color that comes from the clay that originates in the Atlas Mountain. Plus Marrakech is a maze of alleyways that seem to lead nowhere, until they do. Not to mention the fact that the Kingdom of Morocco is a devout Muslim country, so I was very conscious of making a faux pas that may be offensive. I did my research on respectful attire and read about some basic cultural norms to prepare, but honestly I was still anxious. Marrakech is also known for locals offering to help tourists with directions, etc. then demanding payment for the help. My riad, Elegancia Riad and Spa, was down one of the many alleyways in the medina, it was deep enough in the maze that it was quiet and peaceful. The place was gorgeous with exquisite tile throughout, ceilings made of leather, a rooftop pool and fresh flowers in the rooms. The food was excellent and the service was impeccable, beyond expectations. This riad was priced above average at approx.$120 per night, but I was willing to pay more because I needed fast internet for my video meetings and workshops. I'm so glad I did because I received so much more than just great internet.

To navigate all of this pulsating, ancient city, I got THE best guide, Said Hatouchi, moroccodailytours.com to show me the lay of the land. We visited the historic sites, the souks, and he took tons of pictures and videos which helps when you travel solo. He showed me how to get back to the riad and even bought batteries for me when my mouse died.

I worked an east coast schedule during the trip, so I only spent a half day with Said, but that time with him gave me the confidence to explore the city on my own. I did see tourists dressed in various types of attire, some quite revealing and disrespectful by cultural standards. Since tourism is such a big sector of the economy, tourists get a lot of leeway with their attire, even if it’s culturally offensive. I believe that as a visitor to another country it is my responsibility to be respectful of that country’s norms.

The main square- Jemaa-El- Fna comes alive in the evening

While in Marrakech, I went to a hammam, took a photography class through Airbnb Experiences, rode a motorcycle through the souks, and spent a night in a desert camp.

The Sahara desert is more than nine hours from Marrakech, and with only five days, I decided that it was better to visit the Agafay desert, an hour outside of the city. I stayed at the Emeraude Luxury Camp which was so lovely - only 10 tents, each with a/c which was needed during the day. At night the desert got cold but there were lots of blankets in the tent to keep warm. Each tent has a wood burning stove, but September was too early for that. the theThe staff and service was amazing. We had Berber entertainers, made mint tea over the campfire and the next morning I watched the sunrise over the Atlas Mountains - pretty spectacular.

Oh yeah, and I rode a camel.

So happy I got to experience the beauty of Marrakech and its people.