Day 158 - Our First Full Day in Morocco and Sensory Overload

After the huge travel day from Italy to Morocco, Day 158 started with something we all desperately needed… sleep.

We were all up around what would have been 8am Italy time, which meant 7am in Marrakech. Because we’d crashed so early the night before, everyone had actually had a pretty solid sleep.

For the first time since arriving, we had a chance to properly breathe.

There was a coffee machine in the kitchen of our riad, so Kia and I got straight to work trying to figure it out. It was definitely a bit of trial and error before we produced something actually drinkable, but eventually we got there, coffees in hand, while the kids slowly came online.

Breakfast spots around us didn’t really open until closer to 9am, so we took the morning slowly, sorted ourselves out, got dressed, and then stepped back out into the winding maze of Marrakech.

Even by morning, the medina was already alive.

The narrow alleyways, or derbs, twisted in every direction, lined with tiny shops just opening for the day, market stalls setting up, scooters weaving through spaces that barely looked walkable, and locals already moving with purpose through streets that felt like organised chaos.

Kia had found a breakfast spot about 10 minutes away, and getting there felt like an adventure in itself.

When we arrived, it was one of those places that just kept going up. Tables down in the little piazza, another level above, indoor seating higher again, and then finally the rooftop, which was where we headed.

And honestly… worth it.

From the rooftop, we looked out over Marrakech’s endless stretch of dusty pink, burnt orange, and earthy red buildings, with palm trees rising above the rooftops in the distance. It was our first real moment to stop and take in where we actually were.

After the expensive dinner shock the night before, we played breakfast smarter.

They had these big breakfast platters that came loaded with coffee, fresh juice, granola, yoghurt, omelettes, breads, dips, and all sorts of little extras. Instead of ordering four meals, we grabbed two big ones and shared.

There was more than enough food, everyone got what they wanted, and it felt like our first small travel win in Marrakech.

Fuelled up, we headed off on another self guided family walking tour, this time making our way to Ben Youssef Madrasa.

And this place was seriously impressive.

Originally founded in the 14th century and later rebuilt in the 1560s by the Saadian Sultan Abdallah al-Ghalib, Ben Youssef Madrasa was once the largest Islamic college in North Africa, housing around 900 students. For centuries, students came here to study the Quran, theology, astronomy, mathematics, and law.

Walking through it, you could feel the history.

The central courtyard was stunning. Intricate zellige tilework, carved cedar wood, detailed stucco plasterwork, and reflective pools designed not just for beauty, but for calm and purification. Tiny student rooms surrounded the courtyard, giving a real sense of how many young scholars once lived and studied within those walls.

What stood out most was the craftsmanship.

Every surface seemed to tell a story. Geometric patterns, Arabic calligraphy, hand carved detail everywhere. Water systems and drainage built centuries ago still hinted at how advanced the architecture was for its time.

It was beautiful… but packed.

Hundreds of tourists all trying to capture the same corners made it hard to fully soak it in, but even through the crowds, it was one of those places that absolutely lives up to the hype.

From there, we wandered deeper into the souks, and wow, calling it a market almost doesn’t do it justice.

It felt more like a giant living maze. Narrow covered alleyways twisting endlessly in every direction, overflowing with spices, leather, lamps, rugs, ceramics, textiles, street food, scooters, bicycles, hand carts, donkey carts, and people. So many people.

At times it genuinely felt like a rat warren.

The deeper we went, the tighter it got. Dusty air, enclosed pathways, constant movement, noise bouncing off walls, sellers calling out, scooters somehow squeezing through impossible spaces.

It was fascinating… but full sensory overload.

You could absolutely appreciate the history. Marrakech’s souks have been central to trade for nearly a thousand years, with artisans grouped by craft in different quarters, but after a while, it became less magical and more survival mission.

My throat was scratchy, my patience was fading, and trying to keep track of the kids while avoiding scooters, bikes, carts, and general chaos was next level.

Eventually hunger kicked in, and with everyone starting to hit the wall, we pulled out Google Maps and attempted to escape. Not easy.

We found our way toward a quieter garden area hoping for food, but prices were clearly tourist central, so we bailed and made our way back toward our riad instead.

That ended up being the better move.

Along the way, we found a quieter little local restaurant and finally got to properly try more traditional Moroccan food without the chaos.

Emmett and I went for skewers with salad and chips. Maddie got a tagine, Morocco’s iconic slow cooked stew named after the clay pot it’s cooked in. Kia ordered pastilla, a traditional Moroccan savoury sweet pastry made with flaky layers, spiced filling, and rich flavour.

Everything was unreal.

By that point though, both Kia and I were done. Completely done. Marrakech is incredible, but it’s intense. The energy, the noise, the movement, the constant awareness… it’s a lot. I can absolutely appreciate it, but I hit my sensory limit hard.

So we retreated back to the riad, where the next mission began, preparing for our upcoming desert trip.

That meant completely unpacking our bags, tearing through luggage to find what we actually needed, sorting clothes, figuring out desert appropriate gear, repacking backpacks for the bus, and then somehow putting our main luggage back together again.

Chaos round two.

To make it more fun, the internet was patchy all day, so every time we needed maps, weather, or trip details, it was a gamble whether anything would actually load.

By late afternoon, we headed back out one last time, this time toward the beating heart of Marrakech, Jemaa el Fna.

And this place was absolute madness in a completely different way again.

As the sun started dropping, the square came alive even more than the medina had during the day. Crowds everywhere. Smoke rising from food stalls. Market sellers calling out. Musicians, performers, snake charmers, henna artists, carts, lights, and noise coming from every direction.

It felt part festival, part market, part total chaos.

Kia found a clothing stall selling lightweight cotton gear, which turned out to be perfect timing with the desert trip starting tomorrow. She grabbed some wraparound cotton pants, and Emmett picked up a shawl to help with the desert sun and dust.

From there, we kept wandering and made our way toward the Koutoubia Mosque.

Built in the 12th century during the Almohad dynasty, construction began around 1147, and its 77 metre minaret still dominates Marrakech’s skyline today. It’s one of the city’s most iconic landmarks and was historically used as a guide for travellers approaching the city.

We then tracked down a bank to pull out some cash, which always feels like a small win when you’re in a new country still figuring everything out.

Around the square, we also saw monkeys being used for tourist photos, which honestly wasn’t great to see. They looked poorly treated, and we kept our distance.

The snake charmers were harder to avoid.

This time, we got a little closer to the cobras than we had the night before. Still slightly terrifying, but curiosity won. We paid a few dollars, Kia grabbed a few photos, and we got the full Marrakech tourist experience.

Before heading back, we grabbed some simple crepes for the kids, and finally made our way home.

By that stage, everyone was cooked.

So we called it, got back to the riad, and headed to bed early knowing tomorrow was shaping up to be a seriously big day.

By the end of our first full day in Morocco, Marrakech had already delivered history, beauty, chaos, culture shock, sensory overload, and more than enough adventure.

Marrakech feels like stepping into another world.

And while I’m definitely learning it’s not entirely my comfort zone… it’s absolutely unforgettable.