Riad Le Rihani

Marrakesh is not thought of as a "history" city as much as it is a gold mine of aesthetically pleasing sites. However, history can be found at every corner around the old city - called the Medina. If you're looking for a great guide to the historic sites of Marrakesh's old city! A few notes about this guide - the sites at the top start at the southern end of the Medina and work their way north. Additionally, there is a good mix of preserved sites and restored site - the Moroccan government and other private institutions have restored some sites to their full glory. While it may seem less "historically accurate", these preserved sites are just as worthwhile to visit. NOTE: I cannot verify sites will not be closed due to the earthquake. I have added some links to donate to charities assisting relief efforts in Morocco below.

Food is an important part of any destination, and Marrakesh is no exception. Some of the most stunning scenes I saw during my visit involved seeing local vendors selling slews A-tier quality ingredients in the streets: vegetables, fruits, meats, you name it, they sold it. Dining in Morocco is a love hate relationship for me. The best Moroccan food is eaten at home. Chances are you won't get an invite for couscous with a Moroccan grandmother. To get "Moroccan cuisine" you end up going to touristic restaurants. Some are good, some are mediocre. If you ask a Moroccan for a restaurant tip, you'll get directed to an Italian restaurant or somewhere serving "exotic" foreign food that you could probably get at home. That said, Marrakesh's restaurants - even the touristic ones - offer an immense array of culinary experiences. Between "sha'abi" low level cuisine, fine dining for tourists, and non-Moroccan restaurants you are sure to find a great array of food. This guide aims to give some restaurant recommendations: first with super authentic food, second with some more modern or fine dining Moroccan options, and finally with some non-Moroccan options within the city. NOTE: I cannot verify sites will not be closed due to the earthquake. I have added some links to donate to charities assisting relief efforts in Morocco below.

The Sahara is mystical, enchanting, and endless. And getting there is half the fun. While you might get your camel fix in the Agafay Desert near Marrakesh, the big and grand desert is a solid 10 hour drive away. And while it is easiest to get a guide to help, it is possible to do it (or at least part of it) on your own. Just make sure you bring four-wheel drive and a satellite GPS to get to your camp. Even if you don't want to go into the desert by yourself, there is a plethora to see along the way, including the High Atlas Mountains, the kasr's and movie studios around Ouarzazate, the fascinating Berber culture in the Dra’a Valley, and even some more off-the-beaten bath excursions towards Tazenakht. If you are looking for the best sites to and from Erg Chigaga, this guide is for you.