Marrakesh, Morocco 🇲🇦: What You Need to Know
Listen up, world travelers! If you're heading to Morocco, don't miss out on the vibrant oasis of Marrakesh. Trust me, 4 days to a week is all you need to soak up the sights, sounds, and spices of this bustling city. Any longer and you might just find yourself begging for a break from the chaos!
Marrakesh, the city of triple 'c's - cute, chaotic, and undeniably charming (this is my saying for it). I must admit, it was a tad intense for my taste, but oh, so lovable. I happened to visit in late March, and let me tell you, the weather was quite exquisite for strolling and adventuring without breaking a sweat or whining about the sun - a perfect 18-22 degrees.
Alright, let's start from square one. The airport is practically within spitting distance of the city center (20min drive from Medina the old town, well that was my stop). My tip? Snag a taxi from the shop right outside the terminal – they've got a whole fleet of cabbies just itching for a ride and the cheap prices (10-15€). You can pre-book with your hotel, but be warned, they'll likely tack on some extra to the fare.
The location of my accommodation was right in the heart of Medina, the old town. I very much recommend the area, because everything is just a walkable distance from there. Book a Riad, the traditional moroccan house (hotel). They come with massage, hammam, and meals. On one of the days, I booked the dinner in my riad, after a very long day of exploration, and it was just perfect, all that you need after such a day. (Would recommend that you schedule one of the nights like this).
The Riad I stayed you can find it on the list above. Breakfast was included; traditional moroccan breakfast, all the days came with different dishes, really yummy. But most of the Riads offer these offers and facilities, so you should be ok. (don't be cheap with the accommodation in Marrakesh, cuz you might end up in areas you wouldn't feel very comfortable, or very old houses).
Let's get the food sorted out, shall we? As I said, one of the nights (or even lunches) pre-book it in your Riad, usually all of them have traditional cousins served with a 3-meal course.
For the restaurants or bars, I really try to avoid the very touristic booming ones, because they are very crowded (and trust me, Marrakesh is crowded as it is) and usually don't meet up the expectations.
Marrakesh is the perfect destination for those looking to enjoy rooftops and their views. Picture this: sipping on a cup of mint tea (I'm a coffee person, and I totally felt for their tea) while enjoying the magic of a sunset. And let's not forget the added bonus of escaping the chaos below for a moment of peaceful bliss.
The listed places serve at all time (dinner, brunch, lunch) have great food, or if you are up just for a deserts and tea, or a drink, they will welcome you.
Last tip for food, please do not eat from the market take-away's or be careful on what you choose there.
One thing you shouldn't skip in Marrakesh in one of your days, is to book a relaxing spa / hammam. If you do not have the full day for it, then book it just for a 2-3 hours hamamm (this is what I did). We wanted to go to the Bliss one, but we didn't book in advance, so they connected us to Hammam Paradis. I think you should be smarter and go book the Bliss one. (you could even book it at the spot 1-2days before). Also, some of the Riads offer it too, the one I stayed had it as well, but I didn't like it as much.
Now, let's explore the city. Mark up all the above listed attractions. Try to split them in two to three days, don't do it all in one. Even tho they are not far from each other, keep the time to enjoy the food, some shopping in the markets (souks)- which are an attraction in it self or some relaxation in a hammam, photography and such.
Bahia Palace, Badi Palace and Tinsmiths Square are within 10 min walk from each other, so plan them together. There is a small entrance fee for Bahia and Badi.
Ah, the ancient streets of Medina! A vibrant labyrinth of shops just waiting to tempt your wallet. Trust me, you'll stumble upon them more times than you can count. I mean, they're highlighted on a map for a reason...but who needs a map when the scent of spices and the hustle and bustle will guide you?
Prepare to have your heart and eyes dazzled by two must-see spots: the stunning Madrasa Ben Youssef and the majestic Koutoubia mosque. Trust me, your soul will thank you for this dose of beauty and culture.
Le Jardins - the gardens. I highly recommend to visit Jardin Majorelle, I missed that because instead went to Le Jardin Secret, which is also very nice, but overrated. But lucky you, you have my me for such tips.
Looks like you'll be jetting off to Marrakesh soon! I'm just as pumped as you are, because let's face it, you're gonna have a blast. Make sure to pack your sense of adventure and a good camera for all those Instagram-worthy pics.
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