Morocco for the Non-Golfing Partner: What to Do While They're on the Course

You have been told that Morocco is a great golf destination. Your partner, the golfer, has been talking about Atlas Mountain backdrops and desert-style fairways for weeks. You are going. You are supportive. But you do not play golf and you have four hours to fill every morning while they chase a little white ball around a course you have no intention of visiting.

Good news: you drew the long straw. While they are lining up a 6-foot putt on a windswept fairway, you are in one of the most fascinating countries in North Africa with genuinely extraordinary things to do. This guide is for you.

In Marrakech

The medina alone can fill three or four days without repeating an experience. Start with the souks: a maze of covered markets selling leather goods, ceramics, textiles, spices, and metalwork. Prices are negotiable for everything. Start at half the asking price and enjoy the process. The Rahba Kedima (spice square) and the dyers’ souk near the tanneries are the most atmospheric sections.

Book a cooking class for one morning. Most classes begin with a guided tour of a local market to buy ingredients, then move to a riad kitchen where you learn to prepare a full Moroccan meal: salads, tagine, couscous, and pastries. You eat what you cook. Classes run 350 to 600 MAD per person and are one of the most popular tourist activities in Marrakech for good reason.

A hammam experience is essential. The traditional public hammam (80 to 150 MAD) involves a steam room, a vigorous scrub with a kessa mitt, and a black soap treatment. It is communal, loud, and deeply relaxing. If you prefer privacy and a more spa-like atmosphere, upscale hammams at riads and hotels offer the same treatment in a private room for 300 to 500 MAD.

The Jardin Majorelle (70 MAD entrance) is a botanical garden with cobalt-blue buildings, originally designed by Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent. The adjacent YSL Museum (100 MAD) houses rotating fashion exhibitions. Together, they fill a pleasant two to three hours. The Bahia Palace (70 MAD), the Saadian Tombs (70 MAD), and the Ben Youssef Madrasa (50 MAD) are the other main historical attractions.

Day Trips

The Atlas Mountains are less than an hour from Marrakech. A day trip to the Ourika Valley (waterfalls, Berber villages, mountain scenery) or to the village of Imlil (the gateway to Mount Toubkal) is 250 to 400 MAD per person by shared minivan, or approximately 1,000 MAD for a private car and driver.

Essaouira is 2.5 hours away by Supratours bus (100 MAD each way). The small coastal town has a UNESCO-listed medina, a working fishing port where you can eat grilled sardines for 50 MAD, art galleries, windswept beaches, and a completely different atmosphere from Marrakech. It is the perfect day trip or overnight excursion while your golfer plays their third or fourth round.

The Agafay Desert, 45 minutes south of Marrakech, offers a lunar landscape of rocky desert that feels like the Sahara without the 10-hour drive. Half-day camel rides, quad bike tours, and sunset dinner experiences run 500 to 1,500 MAD depending on the package.

In Agadir

Agadir’s main attraction is its 10-kilometer beach. Sunbathe, walk, or rent a sun lounger and umbrella for the day (approximately 50 MAD). The promenade behind the beach has cafes and restaurants for people-watching.

Visit Souk El Had, Agadir’s main market, for a less intense shopping experience than Marrakech. The market is large, organized, and sells everything from spices and argan oil to clothing and leather. It closes on Mondays.

Taghazout, the surf village 15 minutes north, offers surf lessons for beginners (300 to 500 MAD for a half-day group lesson). Even if surfing is not your thing, the village has a relaxed, bohemian atmosphere with cafes overlooking the breaks. The argan oil cooperatives in the hills behind the coast offer tours and tastings.

Practical Advice

Solo women exploring Marrakech’s medina will attract some attention. This is normal in Morocco and not dangerous, but it can feel uncomfortable if you are not prepared. Walk with purpose, wear sunglasses, and have a few Darija phrases ready: “la shukran” (no thank you) and “barak Allahu fik” (may God bless you, a polite ending to an interaction) cover most situations. Read our solo female travel guide for more detail.

Carry cash in dirhams for taxis, tips, and market purchases. Credit cards work at larger shops, restaurants, and attractions but not at souks, street food stalls, or small cafes. An ATM withdrawal of 2,000 MAD at the start of your day covers most spending.

What to wear: Morocco is more conservative than southern Europe. Shoulders covered, skirts or shorts at knee length or longer, and modest necklines are respectful in the medina and when visiting religious or historical sites. At the beach and in resort areas, normal beachwear is fine.