Some trips look like they'll take a ton of work to plan, when in fact they're just a super-short flight away. Morocco is the perfect example.
The feeling of landing in Marrakech and being swallowed by the colourful chaos of the Souks (markets), the smell of spices in the air, and the sound of the call to prayer, makes you feel like you've travelled to another planet. But, in reality, you spent less time getting there than it takes to drive from Lisbon to the Algarve on an August weekend.
And the big draw? The Sahara Desert. Going to Morocco and not sleeping in the dunes is like going to Rome and not seeing the Pope. Martin tells you how to pull off this adventure stress-free:
1. The Starting Point: Marrakech 🕌
Your flight will land in Marrakech. Stay there for two days to absorb the culture shock. Jemaa el-Fna Square at night is madness (snake charmers, street food, musicians). The number-one rule in the markets is: haggle everything. If the seller asks for 100 dirhams, you offer 30 and you'll negotiate until you reach an agreement. It's part of the game!
2. The Trip to the Desert: Don't Drive Yourself 🚐
You can rent a car in Morocco, but to reach the desert (especially if it's your first time), the best move is to book an organised tour. The trip from Marrakech to the Merzouga dunes takes around 10 hours and crosses the High Atlas mountains. It's a stunning road, full of curves and Berber villages (like the famous Aït Benhaddou, where they filmed Gladiator), but it's tiring. Let someone else drive for you.
3. Merzouga: The Real Sahara 🐪
There are stone deserts closer to Marrakech, but if you want those giant orange dunes you see in the films, you have to head to Merzouga.
The trip ends with a camel ride (or a 4x4 jeep) to your camp in the middle of nowhere. Forget the idea of sleeping on the floor in a sleeping bag. These days, the desert camps are luxurious (Glamping), with proper beds, private bathrooms and epic dinners around the fire to the sound of Berber music.
4. The Cold of Dawn (Trust Me) 🥶
The desert is deceiving. By day, the sun burns mercilessly, but as soon as the sun sets, temperatures plummet. Take a warm coat for the night. Waking up at 5 in the morning to watch the sun rise over the dunes, in the most absolute silence you'll ever hear, is one of those things that will stay in your memory forever.
The Desert Adventure Starts with the Safety of Your Car
You're heading to a completely different country, you're going to sleep in a tent in the middle of the Sahara Desert, and you're going to ride a camel. Your adventure-and-adrenaline quota is more than filled for this holiday.
You don't need to add "stress over airport parking" to that list.
Imagine going to the airport in Portugal worrying whether the bus will arrive on time, or doing the maths on the dawn taxi fare. Or worse: leaving your car parked on some random street around the airport, praying it doesn't get scratched or broken into while you're in Africa.
Leave the stress at home. Drive your own car to the airport and hand it over to Multipark's safe hands, right at the terminal door.
While you're haggling over rugs in Marrakech or sipping mint tea in the desert, your car is parked in a closed, secure facility, monitored 24 hours a day.
When you land back, tired but happy with your Moroccan adventure, your car will be waiting for you to take you home in comfort.
Venture into the desert, but not with your car! Run a quote and book your Valet Parking on the Multipark website and travel with a clear head.
