Solo Travel Has Advantages!
I loved exploring the small town of Chefchaouen, but wanted to see some of the surrounding areas as well. My guesthouse host suggested going to the nearby souk that was open that day, and arranged a driver for me.
I’ve found that traveling solo opens up many unique opportunities. Here’s how I met some locals and was invited to lunch…
This tajine! Chicken, peppers, peas, and hardboiled eggs – yum!
Meals are a communal, sharing time, anywhere in the world, aren’t they?
As a solo woman traveler, I was a tad unsure about how it would be for me exploring for a month in Morocco. Many of my acquaintances were worried about me going there solo, and sure enough, that made *me* worry! After being there for a few days, however, the kindness, charity, and hospitality of the Moroccan people were apparent. Of course, like anywhere, it was easier for me to feel comfortable in the small towns than in the big cities like Casablanca.
The Souk
Souks are pop-up rural markets in Morocco, where food, animals, clothing, and everyday household supplies are found; they open on certain days of the week. The medinas, on the other hand, are the old, permanent parts of towns. In the medinas, there are established shops with higher end merchandise, prepared foods, sweets, and spices, open every day.
The souk functions as a gathering spot for socializing as well as for shopping.
The sights, the smells, the sounds of the souk, and mingling with the locals were all intoxicating. I enjoyed seeing the women with their children doing their shopping and gossiping with one another. It was perfectly obvious that I was not a local, and luckily, after lots of smiling and nods, a couple of women took me under their wing…
We went through the souk together, shopping, exchanging views on the quality of the food, and chatting about our respective families. There were mountains of shoes – you’d have to dig through them all to find a pair! Fatima and her friend helped me find out how much it would cost to buy one of the donkeys for sale (~$25-50 USD!).
I love how casually Fatima’s friend was talking with another woman, casually holding the chicken she just bought…
We laughed together, they introduced me to other friends, and we had a wonderful visit. I was so honored when Fatima invited me back to her house nearby for lunch! I felt comfortable accompanying her, since she had her little girl with her, and we had enjoyed our hour together in the souk with her friend.
The House and Tea
Fatima’s husband, Mohammed, was at the house visiting with a neighboring couple and their baby. As soon as we came in, Mohammed prepared tea. I found that, in Morocco, no matter what’s happening, tea is served to guests immediately, and generally it’s handled by the men. Serving tea to visitors breaks the ice, allows conversation to evolve, and we all know that sharing a meal or a drink brings people together.
Neighbors and Mohammed 
Mohammed and his tea service 
Fatima in the kitchen 
Colorful turquoise interior
The Tajine Lunch
It smelled great in the house; the tajine had been cooking while Fatima was at the market. The turquoise and red decor inside was so bright and cheerful, and I felt right at home. Our meal was delicious, and everyone grilled me about the US, my family, my work, what my house was like, my travels in Morocco, and where I was going next. And, of course, I asked many questions about their lives and families. I learned a great deal about Islam and its five pillars of faith. We had a wonderful couple of hours together with great conversation, and then the neighbors walked me back to the souk, where they helped me find a ride back to town.
The Take-Away for Solo Travelers
Sometimes, it’s difficult, as a woman, to feel comfortable getting to know people when you’re traveling solo, but big smiles and striking up conversations with women is the best way I’ve found. People are usually curious about visitors if it’s a place where there aren’t many tourists, and want to know as much about my culture as I do about theirs. This is the type of exchange and discovery that I love when I travel solo (or otherwise).
If you’d like to travel Morocco solo, the way I did, this guide book, or others like it, might help. If you’d prefer not to go on your own, this tour of Morocco is small and personal. However you go, I’d love to hear your experiences!
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Have you enjoyed traveling solo? How do you connect with local people?
It was lovely hospitality of the people you met to share their lunch with you in Morocco.
Your adventurous personality! I admire you for being so open, to be able to get to know people like this. I learn a lot from you.
Have you thought about leading a small group on a trip, for those of us who are not as brave as you? I’d be interested!
I really do want to travel solo! Your posts are so encouraging.
I usually travel alone but I rarely leave the state. I do love small towns and the local people.
I’ve only been to Morocco once and I only remember food and caftans. It was nice to see what you enjoyed while there.
What an amazing adventure! I’ve always thought about going solo on vacation. Morocco sounds amazing! Thank you for the gorgeous pictures! I loved learning and being whisked away with you!
I applaud your courage for traveling alone & what wonderful experiences you’ve had! I love how Fatima is carrying that not so little child on her back while in the kitchen. She certainly knows where that child is 🙂
Great article! I have never traveled solo, but my husband and I used to travel together a lot before Covid. We always like to eat at local restaurants off the beaten path.
Wow! The souk looks so colorful with all that fresh produce on display. I think I’d be apprehensive traveling alone in Morocco. When I travel to another country, I usually have a local with me and they help me connect with the locals because I’m such an introvert. 😉
I’m a huge fan of solo travel, Morocco would be amazing, though a month in Florence or Paris would be my personal preference!
You are very brave! This looks like a great experience!
Authentic experiences like this are wonderful. I’m not sure I would feel comfortable travelling alone, but kudos to those who can. Morocco is on my travel list for sure though. My mom went last year and loved it!
Sounds like an interesting day!!
My husband went to Morocco for work and visited some of those. Such a fun cultural thing!
I give you so much credit for traveling abroad on your own. It sounds like you’re able to find authentic experiences and make fantastic memories!
How wonderful that you were able to experience Morocco like a local. I’m sure that would have never happened if you had been with other people.
Wonderful share. I have never traveled solo and not sure I would feel comfortable but amazing that you do.
I have never traveled solo except for business trips. I had no choice but to find and befriend convention buddies. It would be very interesting to do this while traveling solo. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story.
The food looks amazing!
Looks like a great adventure! You captured the culture with your photos very well!
Awesome photos and looks like a wonderful place to visit.
What a great opportunity to meet people and enjoy the culture!
Morocco is one of my favorite places in the entire world. Your post reminded me so much of my time there! Such an amazing place to visit.
I would be so scared to travel solo! But you get so many opportunities like this to meet locals and really see what it is like!
Fantastic post! I think your confidence and following the local traditions helps women who are traveling alone! Morocco is a great adventure! Thank you for sharing!
It’s amazing how much more open and not shy I am when I travel. I love getting to connect with locals. You’ve given me some serious travel envy@
What an incredible experience. And that souk is impressive!