hi all, i'm going to morocco on the 9th of august for 2 weeks and i'm hoping to do it on a tight budget , without depriving myself of anything to be enjoyed! we're flying into fes on the 9th and out of marrakech on the 24th... we want to hit the beaches inbetween and so were thinking of Essauoria or Oualidia... as this is partly a relaxation holiday we're trying not to cram too much in so i've reluctantly rejected the Atlas mountains or the desert- is that foolish?

the 2 main problems i'm having are:
finding somewhere in fes that is cheap and nice to stay that i can book in advance here (UK, and somewhere thereafter that i could book while i'm there...

do i need jabs?

also, how important is it that i cover up? surely not on the beaches?

thanks for you help guys

Essaouira is gorgeous, although far from off-the-beaten-path. The beaches are pretty good, although it is almost always really windy there. Of course, it'll be that way anywhere along that part of the coast. I don't know Oualidia at all.

I've never gotten shots before going to Morocco either. Essaouira is a fairly well-known destination for Europeans, with a wide range of accomodations and eating choices. And no, you won't need to cover up at all, especially on the beach. Morocco is a fairly liberal Muslim society. Of course, you'll need to mind yourself a bit more in rural Atlas villages than on a beach resort.

You can do a fair bit in 2 weeks. It would be a shame to miss out on one of the imperial cities, especially Fes or Meknes, and you really should see Marrakech too. Where do you plan on arriving? By air, or will by coming overland via Tangier?

If you go to Essauoria, buy some fresh caught fish from one of the stands by the dock, have them clean it for you, then take it around the corner and have them grill it up with some bread and salad. So good and cheap! As for the beaches... they're alright, but nothing spectacular. And it is hella-windy.

Hi there, Chinita,

A friend and I are visiting Morocco in that same period. Flying into Marrakech the 6th and out of Lisbon on the 24th.

So maybe we'll be doing about the same route as you, only the other way around. Seems like you have a bit more time in Morocco as we do, for we want to see Gibraltar, the Algarve and Lisbon as well.

I think you shouldn't miss out on a desertsafari (preferably Erg Chebbi near Merzouga). All the travel guides write that this is a wonderful experience. Ofcourse it's rather hot in August, but that only means that you can head for the dunes only in late afternoon hours, when the treks are less expensive.

We will -probably- not be going to the Atlantic coast (maybe only Casablanca), for we'll see plenty of the beach in Portugal. Instead, we would really love to do a bit of Atlas trekking (perhaps only two days or so, we just haven't got more time). But we are still looking for a good spot to leave from (easy to get by public transport, good experienced guides). Did you read anything bout that?

Where are you from? Maybe we can meet up somewhere, have some mint tea.

I found a trip through Atlas mountains spectacular, I loved every minute of it. It was a 3 day trek so I don't know if you can do any shorter then that, depends on a guide. If you decided to do it though mind that it's not a "relaxation holiday" you're after. As for Sahara - it would be too hot, last year in August when I was there it was 45 C in Marrakech.
Don't worry about covering up, Morocco is very relaxed, especially Marrakech. Covered or uncovered you'll be attracting lots of attention anyway.

FYI, the desert treks always leave in the afternoon, regardless and they are not less expensive then, at least to my knowledge. The desert treks take you a few hours into the dunes and you camp at a bivouac, eat dinner, enjoy some of the berber entertainment and then sleep out under the stars, heading back early next morning. it's a great trip to do and one of the highlights of visiting Morocco but I would go there from fes and then onto marrakesh, with a planned stop somewhere in one of the gorges, Ourzazate, or Skoura (merzouga-marrakesh is too long a trip to do in one day). it will be blistering hot and be aware that august is prime for scorpions.

For fes accommodation, check out an accommodation search engine (not booking service) called "moroccosavvy", it should give you contact info for hotels or Riads in your budget.

Essaouira will be busy, as will just about anywhere along the coast. Personally though it is true that Morocco is more liberal than most other islamic countries modesty rules still apply and you may feel a bit uncomfortable with all the stares you get on the beach...Oualidia has a better beach and is a bit more relaxing but in August its advisable that you have accommodation booked in advance.

No jabs necessary in Morocco though I would make sure that you are up to date with your tetanus shots.

Hi Chanol,

The info about the desert treks, I read on another forum. So it's only other travelers experience, I didn't read it in a guidebook.

In fact I got Tetanus and Hepatitis A-vaccins for Morocco. Some guidebooks and websites even recommend Hep. B as well.

From where should I leave for a High Atlas trek? Any recommendations?

thanks everyone, that's really helpful. we're flying into fez and out of marrakech. i must say i didn't really consider the possiblity of going to the mountains, probably because i was a little blinded by the idea of getting to a beach! as anyone else in the UK will know, all it's done here this 'summer' is flood! from what you guys are saying, i'm probably looking in the wrong place for a bit of a bask on the beach to allay my deathly pallor? any more titbits are greatly appreciated- i only trust other travellers!

People who never visited el oualidia might think bad about it, but I think its one of the beautiful beaches in Morocco, it got it all, you can google it and take a look at the pictures, more I was in it yesterday, it's very awesome, it can be crowded in, it's normal people got only the summer to travel in, for the places there, there's new nice hotel called " the beach view" and some other residencies for my self I shoes to rent a full villa(4Bedroom) by the beach which wont cost more than 70 euro per night, have a good luck and nice travel!!

Sincerely,

Amine