8 Days in Morocco | Marrakech, Taghazout & Tangier on a Budget

Discover our 8-day Morocco itinerary: Marrakech markets, Taghazout surf vibes, Tangier’s charm, vegan eats and budget travel tips for an unforgettable trip.

Day 1-2: Arriving in Marrakech – First Impressions & Travel Tips

In June, Pete and I jumped on ridiculously cheap Ryanair flights from Limoges to Morocco — a no-brainer. I’d visited before in December, but landing in Marrakech in mid-June meant a whole new level of heat.

Getting a Moroccan SIM Card at Marrakech Airport

After an easy immigration process, we made our way to the SIM booths by the exit. Morocco has three main networks — we chose Inwi (€20 for 20GB). ATMs are right there, but remember: they don’t accept cards at the SIM stands, so withdraw cash first.

Tip: Take extra Dirhams out for the Airport Bus 19. Just cross the road, follow the bus signs, go up a few stairs, and you’ll find the bus heading to Jemaa el-Fnaa (30 Dirhams, 25 minutes). On the ride, you’ll catch your first glimpse of Moroccan life — chaotic driving, honking taxis and camels lounging roadside.

Where We Stayed – Riad Lalla Jihane in the Marrakech Medina

Our riad was tucked deep in the Medina, so walking was inevitable. We treated ourselves to Riad Lalla Jihane (€75/night) — complete with a dipping pool, air-conditioned rooms and a Moroccan breakfast of bread, pancakes and amlou (almond butter).

Exploring Marrakech – Markets, Souvenirs & Cultural Notes

We spent two days wandering the souks of Marrakech. Compared to my 2013 visit, shopkeepers were far more relaxed (more interested in their smartphones than hustling).

Souvenir Tip: Don’t pay more than 20-30 Dirhams for a simple mug. The quality isn’t as durable as ceramics from Italy or Greece — ours sadly cracked before making it home.

Cultural Note: In Jemaa el-Fnaa, you’ll see animal exploitation — monkeys on chains, snake charmers etc. Avoid supporting these activities.

Vegan Food in Marrakech – What’s Worth Trying

Marrakech isn’t the easiest vegan city, but we found a few good spots:

World Storytelling Café – decent tapas, peaceful atmosphere.
Rooftop restaurant above Jemaa el-Fnaa – vegetable tagine at sunset.

Avoid: The pop-up restaurants in the main square — overcharging tourists is common.

Day 3: Marrakech to Taghazout – Bus Tips & Coastal Arrival

We booked a CTM bus to Agadir online in advance — highly recommended, as it sells out. From Agadir, we needed the local Number 32 bus to Taghazout. Google Maps sent us to the wrong place initially, but we eventually found the correct (very crowded) bus stop. It’s here!

Days 4-7: Taghazout – Surf Town Vibes & Vegan Eats

We stayed at Cosy Surf House, just a few steps from the beach. Our private room was basic but clean — perfect for budget travel in Taghazout. I came down with the flu, so surfing was out, but we explored the relaxed streets, the skate park and found Red Clay Café, a vegan gem with creative dishes and great coffee.

Day 8: Agadir to Tangier – Budget Flights & Final Moments

Instead of a long overnight bus, we grabbed €30 Air Arabia flights to Tangier. Arriving at 1am during Hajj return celebrations was wild — the airport was buzzing with families and energy.

We used InDrive taxi app to reach our hotel near the airport. Our plan to visit Chefchaouen was scrapped in favour of a relaxed day exploring Tangier.