Since airfare, taxis, and trains can get expensive, it is important to be strategic about where you travel if you want to get the most out of a trip and still stay within your budget. That being said, let me offer some advice: If you are looking for the ultimate North African experience, you want to visit Morocco—and if you visit Morocco, you have to stay in Marrakech. The reason for the first statement is that, due to Morocco’s geographic location, it is one of the most culturally diverse and historically captivating countries in Africa. The reason for the second, is that Marrakech is the cultural capital of Morocco, and for the traveler on a budget, it is your surest bet for an all-in-one cultural experience.

I’ve always been one for pursuing depth. What I mean by that, is that when I travel I don’t want to just skim the tops of places by bouncing about from here to there, which can be unfulfilling and expensive. Instead, making a strategic selection of location, and really soaking that place up, can be the defining factor in making a quality budget trip.

So here’s my case for Marrakech: being near the famed Atlas Mountains, and only a few hours from the beach, this former imperial capital boasts the largest traditional market in Morocco, and one of the biggest city squares on the entire continent! Marrakech attracts Sufi pilgrims every year to its monuments of the Seven Saints, and actually boasts some skiing in the winter! (Skiing in North Africa? YES!). This city is the home of Atlas Blue, a budget airline that connects with nearly every major airport in Europe. So if you can rig a reasonable flight to Europe, getting to Morocco should be the least of your concerns. Additionally, hostels and riads are available for $10-$20 a night, which is perfect because these venues offer the most authentic cultural experience.

If you can land yourself in Marrakech (which is the hub of Atlas Blue, so all the major Western European airports should have a direct connect), then living should cost next to nothing if you stay in a hostel or riad. If I were you, I would eat as much couscous as possible. This cheap dish is relatively high in carbs, protein, and other essential vitamins compared to other grains. Plus, you can get it anywhere. Once, food and lodging is squared away, all you need to worry about is what to do! The trains are probably the best way to get to major sites in the countryside, but you can walk, bike, or mo-ped anywhere within the city. Muslim-majority countries tend to be dry (regarding alcohol that is) so you won’t have to worry about a bar tab unless you just want to go to a fancy hotel restaurant to rack one up. Regarding shopping, the Djemaa al-Fna, Morocco’s world-famous market, has almost no fixed prices so things can be as cheap as you are willing to haggle for! On this note, beware, professional market vendors are excellent actors and can give you a haggling run for your money! Always remember to stay strong and keep them from swaying you. They will do everything they can to rip you off, but the old maxim will still hold true: the customer is always right! Seeing the people, listening to the music on the streets, and engaging in the local nightlife with its dancing and coffee will offer you plenty of priceless entertainment, and a deeper cultural experience than if you were to stay in a ritzy hotel and pay for extravagant excursions that involve only tourists. The real Morocco is waiting, and if you pay too much you’ll miss it!

Author Bio: Ethan S. writes on behalf of MoroccoTours.org, a touring agency for every Moroccan travel need.

Thanks to baruck for the photo from Flickr!