Traveling to Morocco for 2wks... any cool and off the wall places to visit?

Question

Some where there isn't many tourists and its mostly just a small town. I enjoy going off the beaten path. Any place I can try different cultural experiences? My mother is from there, but she left when she was 13 years old, so she doesn't remember much since she hasnt been back. I would just love to experience real Morocco and hang out with the locals. I do speak French so that will help a bit, I hope.

Is weather ok around Oct/Nov?

Answer 1

the weather if fantastic at that time , you can go to Casablanca , Marrakesh, or go to Tangier and Tetouan which is like 30 min from Ceuta (spain)  and the beach is awesome over there.

good luck and Enjoy it.

Answer 2

If it is warm (sometimes is even in October) you might consider traveling to Ourika Valley for a day trip. It is very peaceful and a lot of nature and mountain streams and foot bridges. Ourika Valley goes for miles and miles so you may find a place not too congested especially that time of year.  El Jadida is on the coast, frequented by locals during the summer months, and I believe the hotels should be lower-price by then. If you travel into into the mountains, many of the Berbers don't speak Arabic or French, but they may be hospitable all the same. If you are respectful they will be so hospitable, if they invite you for tea and you accept plan on staying for dinner...you might hurt their feelings if you don't have good reason not to stay.

Answer 3

I'm not sure about off the beaten path. I mean so much of everything is off the beaten path. You can take a day trip to the Atlas Mountains or go to the coast near Essouria but there are tourists there. But to truly go off the beaten path would be to befriend a family and be invited into their home and really live like a Moroccan for 2 weeks. Thats what I did. It was turkish toliets and hammans the whole time- and I loved it. So much better to witness their day-to-day lifes and the lengths they go to for visitors. I felt like I was leaving home!

Answer 4

a little chilly but other times are hot! u must go to rabat and the beach!  its so awsum there!!!!!!!

Answer 5

Yes itll be warm October. I wear sleeveless in December, but gets cool at night.

Perhaps try Sale - 5 mins in a taxi from Rabat, or sidi Mousa which is a little farther - 10 mins from Rabat.

Also Sidi Bouknadel or Kenitra are nice places to visit, and not too far off the beaten track - still on the main train route.

Personally I like Marrakech as one can travel in and around the city taking in Sea, mountains, valleys, souqs......Rabat is less touristic - large city but on the perimeter has Chellah gardens (old Islamic teaching ruins) Oudaya, Kasbah, also near to Sale medina and Souq.......

As you say speaking French will help, you will pick up Arabic quickly, and they (the friendly Moroccans) will want to learn English from you.

I wonder which part your mother was from?