I met Mel and her husband, Armando, during their van trip around Morocco. They are American-Italian couple also known as Westfalia Digital Nomads.
They are very inspiring people. Mel is a writer and Armando is a video master. During their 3-month trip they captured many stunning places in photos and shared interesting observations about Morocco on their Facebook.
They both are very good observers and off-the-beaten-path travellers, thus I am super happy to introduce them to you.
Let me leave you reading Mel’s article about the less-travelled sites in Morocco. Perfect for backpackers, digital nomads and vanlifers!
Morocco hadn’t been on our travel bucket list. It was always a possible and a logical, once we’d finished touring Portugal, but it wasn’t a ‘must.’ We weren’t exactly sure what to expect, beyond the stereotypical markets of Marrakech or the camel tours.
Morocco managed to both surprise and delight us much more than we could have imagined. We drove along the coastal seaside; we spent nights in some of the most stunning places we’ve ever been; we stayed on a mountaintop, next to lakes, in the desert and near oases.
Most of these aren’t tourist spots, but all of them were breath taking. And we were able to reach them all in our T4 van.
If you’re driving across Morocco in a van, RV or even by car, these are 5 spots you won’t want to miss:
Aït-Benhaddou is close to Ouarzazate, the ‘Moroccan Hollywood,’ and has also been used in many films because of it’s gorgeous, ancient setting. It’s also a UNESCO Heritage site.
The town gives you a sense of rich history and the surrounding countryside is just as breathtaking:
Ouirgane was an accidental gem we came across, close to Marrakesh. We always try to park near water and Google Maps directed us here. The goats were definitely a plus. Grin.
There is a small village nearby, with a Thursday souk, if you’re in the mood for a local experience. I should warn you: it’s not easy to find parking, with the steep incline into the lake.
Larache is in northern Morocco and was one of the first places we stayed. There was a quiet spot across from the town (with a parking fella) with a great view.
The only downside: the beach was pretty much covered in garbage. Morocco isn’t known for it’s recycling, and in fact we had some trouble finding garbage bins most places.
Armando (my husband) had a lot of excess energy and decided to clean the beach. You can see his video here.
Barrage El Mansour Eddahbi was another one of our water surprises. The view was fantastic (especially the sunset/sunrise) and we didn’t have goats this time. We had camels. Which was even cooler.
You can’t have a more ‘Moroccan experience’ than waking up with your first coffee and camel watching. Grin. This is also a popular area for bird-watchers, apparently.
Tafraoute: The Painted Rocks
The Painted Rocks were just what we needed: wide open spaces, a glorious landscape and serious silence. It’s just a large area without regulated parking- and some of the most stellar visuals Morocco has to offer.
The story behind the painted rocks: in 1984, a Belgian artist named Jean Veran painted some of the rock formations with a vivid blue. Some are quite small, some are gigantic, and the combination with the natural rusty reds and sage greens is amazing.
This is one place I’ll always recommend for visitors to Morocco to check out. It’s also great for day hikes and quad or motorcycle trips. Nearby Tafraout has a souk Wednesdays, where you can load up on fresh fruit and veg.
Conclusion
When you’re looking for something different while driving across Morocco, try to check out these 5 beautiful, less travelled sites.
Whether you’re looking for ancient history, unforgettable landscapes or peaceful surroundings, these are some of Morocco’s best hidden gems.
What about you? Have you visited any of these places when driving across Morocco? Are there any places you’d add to my list? Let me know in the comments below!
Did you enjoy Mel’s suggestions? Follow Westfalia Digital Nomads for more!
You can also read Mel’s (very useful) guide to driving in Morocco here. Photo credit: Westfalia Digital Nomads
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