Magical Morocco - Round trip part III.

We came to the end of my Moroccan trip, in this issue I'm sharing with you my tips and experiences at the waterfalls and in Marrakech. After leaving Fez, I stopped at a special place for one night. It took me for a while to get to Ouzoud waterfalls, but it was definitely worth the effort.

Ouzoud Waterfalls - natural wonder

I passed by authentic, little villages and wonderful panorama while driving to the waterfalls. Nature is changeable and pretty amazing!

There are two ways to access the falls, in both cases you need to climb stairs, you will be walking on shaded path of olive trees, so make sure you wear comfortable shoes. It's amazing how the 110 meter waterfalls plunged down from the rocks, this is the tallest falls in North-Africa. I spent one night at the village, so I could observe the natural beauty from different viewpoints. The area is full of monkeys, it's always nice to see animals in the wild.

The accommodation, Kasba Oum Hani d'Ouzoud was the best during my stay in Morocco, very clean, kind of European style with some Moroccan design. I also ordered dinner there in the evening, I never thought, that goat tagine would ever be my favorite. The beautiful sunset at the end of the day was truly a gift.

Marrakech - the city that never sleeps

Even though we call New York, the city, that never sleeps, I pretty much had the same experience in the dazzling, crazy Marrakech. However it all seemed to be like a tourist trap from the first day. In Marrakech tourism is blooming, they profit a lot from it and they are not shy if it comes to prices. When I was lost in the Medina, they charged me a lot to show the way around. People were really helpful, unless you pay double or even triple price than the locals. This is something I never experienced in Fez or at other parts during my stay.

Sightseeing - Yves Saint Lauren house and museum

There are the typical sights, that all tourist are eager to visit, so be prepared for crowds everywhere. The first day I was heading to Yves Saint Laurent's house and the museum. Jardin Majorelle is a beautifully maintained garden, like a nice oasis in the middle of the desert, yellow and blue colors are dominating. The designer lived here for a many years, he was very much inspired by the Moroccan lifestyle and traditions. The museum next to his house presents his works from the early ages. It's an impressive collection, worth visiting! Please note, that you are not allowed to take photos and be prepared to queue!

YSL house and garden

Museum  - photo by Harpers Bazaar

Bahia Palace

It's highly recommended to visit one of the palaces in the city, just to get a sense of Moroccan architecture. Bahia palace was built in the 19th century, it captures the beauties of Islamic arts with its mosaics, tiles and colors. Bahia means brilliance, the name is already showing it's uniqueness, it definitely has a nice atmosphere. Inside you will see beautiful rooms without furniture, but each room has a different design, a nice garden with fountains. Perfect for a one-hour program!

Koutoubia Mosque and the main square

It's a popular landmark, the mosque might be familiar to you even from postcards. The original building, that used to stand here was not oriented towards Mecca, so it was rebuilt afterwards. The sight of the building is impressive. Next to it the famous main square, Jemaa el-Fnaa is located. During daytime it's occupied by water sellers and traders, in the evening barbecue smoke fills the air, the square transforms into craziness: snake charmers, belly dancers appear, ladies will make henna for you. You will only enjoy this place if you don't mind crowds.

The main square

Souk

It's a lovely, colorful souk, you can really buy everything here from food to bags, carpets, all kind of goods. Merchants expect a negotiation, so stick to that and never pay the first price offered!

Accommodation - Equity Point

The hostel is located in the heart of the Medina, very close to the main square.  I booked a room with en-suite bathroom, the room was very simple and had no windows. The common areas, like the rooftop and the pool was spacious though and was a perfect spot for relaxation. In Marrakech everything is more pricey than at other places.

Restaurants in the old town

While walking in the center, I've found this lovely, brand-new restaurant for a light lunch. I chose vegetarian bourekas, a baked and stuffed pastry filled with vegetables and hinted with sugar. The place was nice and neat, a quiet oasis in the middle of a busy city.

Cafe Arabe

For dinner, I chose a fancy restaurant close to my accommodation. It was nicely designed and alcoholic drinks like a wide selection of wine was available too, which is unique, you can't expect that at all restaurants in Morocco.

I'm closing the Marrakech section with some lovely panorama photos. Roof-topping is something you should definitely try!

Agadir beach

On my last day I was driving to Agadir. Before boarding the plane back to Budapest, I had a pleasant walk on the beach. The sea was beautiful but the weather was very windy. All in all I enjoyed my time in Morocco, I visited everything I could during a week. If I ever go back, I'm planning to explore the desert and the blue city, Chefchaouen. For Marrakech inspired FASHION items and HOME DESIGN ideas, visit my page!