A Week in the Medinas of Morocco
North Africa

A Week in the Medinas of Morocco

Getting lost on purpose in Marrakech, Fes, and the blue streets of Chefchaouen

Sofia Martinez
Sofia Martinez
Morocco
March 8, 2026
12 min read
89K
1.2K
3.1K

Journey at a Glance

Duration7 days
Best TimeMarch - May, September - November
Budget$900 - $1,400
DifficultyEasy

Trip Highlights

Jemaa el-Fnaa at dusk

Storytellers, spice stalls, and orange-blossom nights

Fes tanneries

A rooftop view over the city's oldest craft

Blue medina walks

Chefchaouen's alleys at first light, before the crowds

Home cooking

Tagine, mint tea, and a family kitchen in the medina

The Story

Getting Lost Is the Point

Morocco taught me that a wrong turn in the medina is rarely wrong. In Marrakech I followed the scent of cumin into a courtyard where a family was rolling couscous by hand. In Fes a shopkeeper walked me three alleys out of my way just to show me a door I would have missed.

Getting Lost Is the Point

Hospitality as a Practice

Every invitation for tea is sincere. Bring small gifts, dress with respect, and leave room in the itinerary for the conversations that don't fit on a map.

Day-by-Day Itinerary

1
Into the Red City
Marrakech

Into the Red City

Riads and courtyards. Jemaa el-Fnaa. Sunset rooftops.

Riads and courtyardsJemaa el-FnaaSunset rooftops
2
Souks & Palaces
Marrakech

Souks & Palaces

Spice markets. Bahia Palace. Hammam.

Spice marketsBahia PalaceHammam
3
The Medieval Maze
Fes

The Medieval Maze

Medina walking tour. Tanneries. Madrasa visit.

Medina walking tourTanneriesMadrasa visit
4
Craft & Cuisine
Fes

Craft & Cuisine

Pottery workshop. Street food crawl. Evening mint tea.

Pottery workshopStreet food crawlEvening mint tea
5
The Blue City
Chefchaouen

The Blue City

Scenic drive. Blue alley photography. Mountain views.

Scenic driveBlue alley photographyMountain views
6
Slow Morning
Chefchaouen

Slow Morning

Sunrise walk. Local bakery. Riverside lunch.

Sunrise walkLocal bakeryRiverside lunch
7
Return & Farewell
Marrakech

Return & Farewell

Jardin Majorelle. Last souk finds. Farewell dinner.

Jardin MajorelleLast souk findsFarewell dinner

About the Author

Sofia Martinez

Sofia Martinez

Barcelona, Spain47 stories12.4K followers

Travel writer & photographer exploring the world's markets, kitchens, and hidden neighborhoods. Sofia believes every journey is a story waiting to be told.

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