Here’s what Marrakesh, Morocco is really like | street food tour, local fashion, travel vlog

Next up in circling the Mediterranean in 40 days...Marrakesh, Morocco! It’s been 5 weeks and 5 countries since Sage and I left the US and we have made it to our final stop here in North Africa. This city is absolutely incredible- from the souks to the local food to the fashion and the history. We met up with Zineb, a local dancer and model, who showed us around and gave us an inside look into the creative scene found in Marrakesh.
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Zineb: / zineb_boujema
The clothing designer: / aminebendriouich
0:00-1:00 what we're doing!
1:01-4:19 our first day & jemaa el fna market
4:20-7:10 our riad & a history lesson
7:11-11:50 talking with a local moroccan dancer
11:51-13:32 jewelry shopping in the souk
13:33-14:51 exploring the atlas mountains
14:52-15:43 the stunning ben youssef madrasa
15:44-18:56 street food tour!
18:56-20:20 my final thoughts ♡
music -
epidemic sound: share.epidemicsound.com/qsb9d
For years, I've had a dream of circling the whole Mediterranean; not just the European coasts but also exploring the Middle East and North Africa. My sister, Sage, and I got to planning and together we are embarking on this adventure together. When we were looking at the travel space, it seemed that female creators still appear to be far outnumbered and local female stories are had to come by. With this in mind, we want to explore each location through the lens and experience of the local gals who live there to gain a better understanding of the culture, politics, and history of each region.
SPAIN: • i left nyc to travel t...
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TURKEY: • What Istanbul is Reall...
LEBANON: • The Most Underrated Co...
TUNISIA: • My First Time in Tunis...
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[@fatinemoumni635]

I was born in / am from morocco but I moved to the US when I was 4. I haven’t been able to go back since I was 8 years old and I really miss my country 🥺 I enjoyed this video and being able to get a glimpse of my homeland again, thank you for showing Morocco so beautifully and taking time to learn about the history and culture ❤🇲🇦

[@user-mm5cd4kv2t]

Aie Elena! I love you but you got Morocco's map wrong !!! Morocco wasn't in conflict on boarders with what is known as Western Sahara as you mentioned as this region is a part of Morocco that was colonized by Spain and later retrieved by Morocco. The conflict however stems from the terrorist front known as Polisario backed by Algeria to create instability and claim Sahara independance. As a matter of fact, you can visit the southern part (the Sahara) anytime as it's under Moroccan sovereignty and all Sahraouis identify as Moroccans.

[@tessior621]

Good grief...

[@roosmarijn2634]

Correct me if I'm wrong, but wasn't the Western Sahara inhabited by Arabic and Berber nomads from different areas before the Spanish colonized? And out of those claims, a conflict arose after the Spanish decolonization, in which also Mauritania made claims for the territory? Again, please tell me what you think, I like to learn more about this subject.

[@KristianaCembre]

@@tessior621 Elena was wrong, this woman is just correcting her, as are a lot of people in the comments, why does that bother you so much? When you are talking about the conflict of a country you better get this s*it right, and clearly Elena didn’t.

[@user-mm5cd4kv2t]

@@roosmarijn2634 Historically speaking, the Empire of Morocco stretched from Andalusia all the way to today's Mauritania. Sahraouis have always been Moroccans. Genetically speaking, there's no difference between Moroccan Arabs and Moroccan Berbers (or as they prefer to be called Amazigh), as much as it's rather an Arabization pattern. Due to the major religious shift around 700AD and the arrival of Islam, Moroccans started speaking Arabic. Some tribes kept the indigenous dialects alive regardless, while others switched to what is now known as the Moroccan dialect which is kind of a mix of both languages. In this sense, Moroccans are all genetically indigenous, they are not descendants of Middle Eastern Arabs, they are Amazigh ie: a race of their own. During WWI, allies divided Morocco to stop German interests in the region. In doing so, France got the northern part including "Oriental Sahara" a great chunk that used to be a part of Morocco and annexed it to its colony Algeria. Following Algeria's independance from France, the Polisario front was founded in 1973, they're headquarted in Tindouf camps in Algeria and claim they speak for all Sahara inhabitants, but their main goal is to give Algeria access to the Atlantic. That being said, the ongoing conflict is a ficticious one. The Sahara is under the sovereignty of Morocco, all you need to do is take your car and go down south to find out that the so-called borders are in fact inexistant, and Morocco stretches all the way south to LaGuira. The United States have already recognized the sovereignty of the kingdom of Morocco over its Sahara in 2019. Having a loophole in this specific part of Africa serves some international interests like those of France for instance, who depends on Algerian oil and can't settle for a side. Not to mention Russia and Iran's military involvement with the terrorist front.

[@roosmarijn2634]

@@user-mm5cd4kv2t Thank you for explaining, learned something new today!

[@ayaalaoui7052]

Hi Elena, i'm glad you enjoyed your stay in Marrakesh! Well, I really appreciate the efforts, although, your title is VERY CONFUSING because you didn't visit Morocco, but only some usual touristic places (basic) in a moroccan city where you can find some other amazing places. Also, you got Morocco's map wrong, so please correct it ! Thank you and welcome anytime to visit my beautiful country🇲🇦❤

[@khadijaboyd6200]

Ditto. Khadija ouahmaneBoyd

[@HomeTravelGardenInspo]

I came from Morocco 🇲🇦, after staying there almost two weeks, during the holy month of Ramadan and I agree with you. She got it totally wrong and put her own spin on it 🙄

[@viczamazing]

You are an absolutely brilliant story teller through your choice of words and visuals! THE CHILLS!!

[@jacquelynschmucker228]

when I say you two are my fav to watch I MEAN YOU TWO ARE MY FAV TO WATCH. Love the history lesson, the beauty, the filming, the culture you capture. Thanks for taking us on your sisters' trip:)

[@CynicalDuchess]

this was a masterpiece. so informative yet interesting and Zineb seems like such a colorful and dynamic human.

[@gunaitarde9312]

OMG I absolutely adore this woman! The production quality is my GOAL

[@sofiea2808]

I loved how you introduced Morocco to the world. Thank you❤❤

[@LaraSofie845]

what a fantastic end to this incredible video series!!! I loved it so much and it was definetely thought provoking

[@BeautifulSoulLove1111]

Thank you Elena and Sage for this wonderfully vibrant fun and informative journey thru Marrakesh! Interesting facts, people, places…souks…and food! Appreciate it! I wish that I would have known you and traveled with you there in the Springtime!☀️

[@onlyvivienyouknow]

Adore you and this series!! I was just in Morocco and was dying to talk to local women and hear more about their life there. So happy you visited and got to share Zineb's story 👏💘

[@user-my8dx8zn8w]

do you want to sey morocco sahara

[@jazminb1000]

Came back from 3 weeks trip to Morocco. It’s nothing like this magical country. I wish I could stay longer

[@annapack3408]

What an amazing series and so informative too!!

[@thekyleemadison]

What a great video! I love the editing. And such beautiful destinations!

[@cluelessasif4787]

I CANT WAIT TO GO THERE THIS SUMMER AFTER WATCHING YOUR VIDEO. MOROCCO IS STUNNING

[@asmar.elkebir]

Welcome

[@KristinChronicles]

Oh my goodness, your videos are so beautiful and vibrant! Thank you for this wonderful editing and for sharing your adventures. Much love!❤🎉

[@Lioninthenight]

Nice presentation. I love your concept of circling the Mediterranean. I'm all about the Mediterranean right now!

[@KajaKubicka]

This series was incredible! loved it so much!

[@bhanitatalukdar481]

Proud of you guys❤. Sage you inspire me so much. Stay blessed .

[@pile333]

Wow. Top notch shooting and editing; pretty professional. 👍

[@adilghrib3903]

As a Moroccan I welcome you guys & glad you enjoyed it ♥

[@brothersman524]

I have spent 10 days in Marrakesh a while ago and had a nice experience. I've visited many of the Mediterranean countries myself: Turkey 3 times, Greece 3 times, Morocco twice, Egypt 3 times, Portugal twice, Spain 4 times, Cyprus and Malta once each, Italy 5 times and Tunisia once

[@chrishurkey8505]

Morocco is in my bucket list . It is a wonderful country and there are many places to visit

[@BeautyToSuggest]

Elena, this was the best travel series I've seen. I loved how authentic and informative it was yet so beautifully made. It gave us all a true glimpse into the culture of each place you visited and seeing you and Sage get to experience it together made it all the more special. Thank you so much, it was so beautiful.

[@ElleTantuico]

i just binged the whole Mediterranean in 40 days series and i am in love and i need more!!! learned so much from this ahhhh thanks elena for putting out such valuable content🥺❤‍🔥

[@honouraf]

This is one of the coolest series I've ever seen on youtube. The ending made me tear up :')

[@user-my8dx8zn8w]

if you would like to sey marakech i can help you

[@imianco8079]

this is one of the best videos on morroco travel

[@Maplechiwi]

I regret not shopping more in Morocco, because they have a lot of cool and unique things

[@sharphagan]

I loved everything about your travel series.

[@schwab_squad]

We are traveling Morocco for six months now and I must say we are so in love with the food. The traditional Couscous is one of our favorites right now. Love this video. But Marrakech is not the REAL Morocco.

[@Thekiterunner9910]

what is the real morocco

[@hasumitapatel2149]

I was in Morocco last week. I stayed there for 12 days . Travelled from Casablanca, Fez , Marakesh Morand went thru Sahara’s desert, Went to Nomads home etc. it was a wonderful experience. Already missing Morocco ❤️

[@KieraClubb]

What an incredible series!

[@kf7901]

I have loved this series thanks Elena

[@lilamaria5111]

5:48 Plz correct the map. Kingdom of Morocco 🇲🇦 is from Tangier to La Gouira

[@wassimouch1390]

Long live western Sahara 🇪🇭🇪🇭✌️ عاشت الصحراء الغربية 🇪🇭

[@wassimouch1390]

ههههه يا المرخس الاجانب تقولوهم بليز 😂😂😂😂 الصحراء غربية

[@salmasaoudi5017]

​@@wassimouch1390 عيشو واقعكم أنت لاش دخل تشوف فيديو عن المغرب وأنت تكره المغرب هنا يتبين مرض نفسي عمر مغادي يكون شي دولة في صحراء المغربية نتوما مجموعة من المهربين مسخين عمركم شفتو حتا طواليط باغين تكونو دولة هههه😂

[@Azank61]

​@@wassimouch1390 😅😅😅😅😅😅 وتا سير تحوى

[@rimsama3873]

As a Moroccan woman I would say I'm so happy with my religion and my culture, were are not forced to wear hijab or long clothes, please stop lying and showing that the Muslim women is weak, you should say tha the first university in the word was built by a Muslim women and it was in Morocco, if a few girls want too do what they want it's here decision but there is a loooot of Muslim women have a great jobs like doctors, masters and artists, we don't need too show our bodies too be happy and successfuls. The sahara belong to Morocco

[@momoum901]

Awesome video, you guys are so brave trying all kind of food, Marrakesh is nice but Morocco has other beautiful places too, maybe one day you'll come back and discover other areas, peace & love ❤

[@ramonschneider]

Thank you for video ,,, I love your channel and ready to support it ❤️🇸🇦

[@user-ui5sn3cc6h]

just spent 2 1/2 weeks in morocco, was stunning such a fab experience

[@lauramarazzi1012]

Missed you on youtube! This was beautiful!

[@unclejoe1998]

Such a long time I haven’t been to Morocco 🇲🇦 Your video really makes you want to visit 🔥

[@user-my8dx8zn8w]

do you want to came againe

[@DenaliMarina]

Not to take away from this amazing video but your outfits were on point the entire trip!!

[@user-mfrwha]

Omg you came to my country Love from agadir Morocco 🇲🇦

[@MTravelVlog]

I really enjoyed your video. 🤩⭐️ Thanks for Sharing! 👍🏼💕

[@theresechiq]

Love the entire tour with your sister! I love this entire trip! Thank you so much for creating and sharing! :)

[@hassanhussaini8648]

The songs that you used are Hazaragi songs. Those are from our songs, from Afghanistan. Just want to clarify

[@Jstce4all]

I was about to say the same thing, please use the complete map as the southern district was recuperated from Spain in1975. it is also a sensitive subject for Moroccans.

[@korean_foot_traveler8655]

A lot of nice scenes in this video captivated my attention and interest. It was really fun to watch.😀👍👍

[@devinjoos3757]

Tuning into my fav KZbinr!

[@Kay-lc4ku]

Marrakech is stunning, fab vlog. I'm of moroccan origin & haven't been to Morocco in forever, I vicariously experienced the beauty of my home country through your video, thank you. If you ever go back, make Tangier part of your itinerary as it really is the quintessential mediterranean city ♡

Looooooved the vlog! ♥️✈️

[@user-cx7te6pl2h]

Props for producing something of great quality

[@marie6315]

Your videos are truly unique, you are such a creative storyteller! Those videos are incredibly artistic and respectful towards the cultures, so much love !!

[@samibakkal4016]

Great Vlog ! Bless you x

[@Live-jk1pn]

I wish you a safe and happy journey. Good luck to you.👍🏻

[@journeyon5813]

Loved these videos❤

[@sophiamorales6290]

everything u've captured on camera and in these amazing travel vlogs have only enriched my knowledge and opened up my eyes to so many new cultures and places i never knew about, so grateful and happy u've created these!

[@ramparkash2318]

Sophia Morales. Ur words are so adorable.

[@sonasss2428]

Love the viddddd, and love morocco

[@purvabandekar542]

Sage is so wholesome.

[@morrocomorroco831]

المغرب اجمل بلد فالعالم ، ربي يحفظنا وينصرنا ويرزقنا من حيث لا نحتسب يامجيب يا ودود❤

[@wassimouch1390]

انجس بلد فى العالم 😂😂😂

[@edwardleecaliforniausa]

Hi Elena good morning happy Wednesday morning and I loved your vlogs and you are amazing Supporter and I'm proud of you

[@hannah_swell]

I watched Casablanca beats last year, amazing film!!

[@aliboty]

Amazing video!

[@emilyjuliet]

So inspiring 🖤 please be a travel guide and host a spring break trip for your subscribers LOL

[@deliciousfoodranger]

Good journey and good job and good visiting….wow wow

[@ruebennomura9143]

Morocco great place to vist good job

[@thenerdsidexo736]

As a Moroccan, I loved this video. It shared the simplicity of the country and what Moroccans do on daily basics and not the Kesh influencers usually filmed. Like everything u've done is what most Moroccans do during their trips which added to the essence of the video. I highly recommend visiting the north next time. Beautiful beach sceneries.

[@user-my8dx8zn8w]

do you want come to morocco i can guide you

[@jillwallace1319]

Beautiful series

[@gustavonovaes579]

Adoro todos os seus videos.

[@onepiece8137]

Good video, good places seen, but just the fact that you didn't use the borders of morroco that boders, others wise as a morrocan love the way you showed the culture and the people and the Food also. Morroco Welcomes every body and its in our blood :)

[@user-we8dn5ub9z]

I can't believe Sage is only 21! I mean she looks her age of course but she just exudes such confidence and maturity I thought she was much closer to your (and my) age 🫨

[@shabbirhussain8198]

Beautiful video

[@mariammairis]

THE DANCING! 😍

[@lillyblue9746]

Omg you used and afghan hazaragi song in your video🥹🥹 what is the song called? Also you're truly an inspiration elena, thank you for taking us along your journey❤

[@linweizhang2382]

Girl I love your outfit!! Where is your black top from? (Thumbnail middle photo) ❤❤

[@robbenblacke65]

Hi Elena 😊 This video just popped up and i saw its ep5 in your Mediterranean series, but random, could you please add it to that playlist please? Also correct the order please ☺☺ episode 4 is first 🙈 sorry to be a bother hehe 😅❤

[@ammouni2091]

Welcome to our beautiful country, hope you enjoyed it here

[@zendaya3666]

Achmn welcome tfrj f la video o ratl9aha hadra 3la tarikhe dyalna na9ss o zaydaha 7ata lkhrita makamlach. Wach ntuma cava ou pas ??

[@marccolomayt82094]

So nice! ❤❤

[@Moukass]

Great vlog

[@salmaaitouarghazi6]

Sorry but the map of Morocco is not complete where is the moroccan sahara ? This is frustrating for moroccan people

[@ms.Noor100k]

Moroccan Sáhara 🇲🇦🇲🇦

[@HomeWorkouts_LS]

It seems online sources and maps follow the United Nations beliefs which has them separated. She probably knew that it’s controversial & would inevitably upset some people. ☹️

[@fellabelkassam6323]

Sahara is indépendant country there is no maroccan Sahara

[@noureddinewardi6839]

@@fellabelkassam6323 The Kabily and Azaouad too :)

[@Mounkm]

@@fellabelkassam6323 sahara is Moroccan and will always be Moroccan fyi. I bet you are an algerian who can never access it. Poor you

[@adamryan5275]

'I hope to see you on the road'...Elena getting her channel ready so she can leave New York!

[@user-mm5cd4kv2t]

About the title, I understand that you only visited Marrakech but that doesn't apply to the whole country. It's not "What Morocco is REALLY like" but "what Morocco is REALLY like from a tourist point of view". Also I don't know if it's just the filter, but Marrakech is more colorful in real life than what it looked like in this video. The brick-red color is so vibrant it looks like a scene straight from Aladin. Modern, economy driven -as opposed to tourism- cities have totally different vibes and lifestyles like Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat etc. They're the metropoles where most of the population is concentrated due to the high incomes and the economic opportunities. Ifrane, another city in the Middle Atlas is called "miniature Switzerland", because of it's snowy nature, and the mountainous architecture. It's constantly in the top 3 cleanest cities in the world. Chefchaouen the blue city, is undeniably a gem. Agadir, Taghazout, Essaouira or the surf culture. Laayoune, Dakhla, Merzouga, Ouarzazate and the whole southern part give rather Arabian nights vibes. You've barely scratched the surface, I wouldn't say this is what Morocco is REALLY like but just what "Marrakech" is like.

[@tessior621]

Soukania, just a suggestion: Show us on your channel your version of what should be shown of Marrakesh. Seems you have a lot of information to share. Go at it!

[@tessior621]

Because you are literally going to someone's house and tell them how to decorate their own home. Kind of annoying.

[@user-mm5cd4kv2t]

@@tessior621 No hate to Elena I love her. But this kind of videos requires a lot of research or else one ends up offending a whole country in the process. When Elena goes to Paris, she chooses the fanciest restaurants, the nicest neighborhoods... etc. But that's just how Americans always romanticize Paris. But when it comes to this specific vlog she chose the street food approach (that's like eating exclusively from crepes stands in Paris and claiming that's what Paris is like), which is fine it's just not what Morocco is REALLY like, maybe Marrakech but not Morocco. Marrakech just like Paris has some of the fanciest fairylike restaurants but they weren't depicted here.

[@KristianaCembre]

@@user-mm5cd4kv2t that’s true, she doesn’t go to Paris and say this is what France is like, so why only go to Marrakech and say this is what Morocco is like

[@nourelhouda2908]

@@tessior621 well sorry to tell you that the house is actually hers (soukaina), all she said is true, and her comment was just about the use of the title, and the video in itself, i liked it too but it s not what s truly beautiful about that city nor is it the reality of all morocco

[@AmirulAfifi10]

Beautiful morocco ❤

[@rezagul8930]

9:45 Afghan song ( Hazaragi dialekt) was very surprising

[@aliaitkaci1186]

I hope one day you get to visit us here in Algeria. Its coast line is 1200 km. It's a gorgeous mediteranean country and the biggest in Africa. We have a lot of different cultural influences due to our colonial past (Roman, ottoman, Arab, French etc.)

[@khadijaboyd6200]

I do so hope they can visit the Algerian people. Khadija

[@carmenlabomba6449]

Fabulous video! What your group did you use to go to the mountains?

[@hayat_manwela]

مدينه جميله جدا اتمنى ان نزورها ان شاء الله ونتمنى لك مسيره موفقه

[@traveleye2201]

Amazing sharing

[@daughterofthedragon]

Elena i m such a fan of ur videos and all ur vlogs but unfortunately you got the morocco map wrong and that is not an info to be shared wrongly, if u could please correct it by modifying or editing the video🙏🏻. Otherwise ur video is AWESOME just like the others and cant wait to watch more ❤️❤️ welcome to morocco once again ❤️❤️❤️❤️💙💙💙💙

[@toufikelghadouini9026]

You are welcom to my city marrakech .

[@su-jin2138]

Keep going 🌟

[@ich2079]

Hey Elena , Beautiful video but there's a mistake on the moroccan Map .

[@lorena7021]

I'm sorry, but in the map of Morocco there is a desert. It's a wonderful desert. There is the city of Dakhla, which is known as surfing 🏄‍🏄‍

[@jadjad9463]

beautiful city and sweet girls 🤩😍

[@jasmikko]

What frame rate are you shooting with? The slowmo’s are very good

[@rezagul8930]

13:46 Afghan song ( Hazaragi Dialekt)

[@lahleholivia7398]

So good food 🌯🍗🍲

[@lawrencer7229]

Love❤

[@akkaouizaid9781]

WelcomeTo moroco

[@sagikaki8773]

Bravo

[@mrfmr1093]

I like Morocco and The song in the video is an Afghanistan hazzara song