Separated from the Sahara Desert by the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech was built in 1070 as the capital of the Almoravid Empire. Formed from the earth, red mud buildings have given it the nickname of The Red City.
Between tradition and modernity, Marrakech is the promise of unequalled sensations. Strolling the Jemaa El-Fna square and the souks with their shimmering colours and oriental smells, the red city offers you a complete change of scenery.
Marrakech is every traveler’s dream. If you give it a chance, it will mesmerise you with its scents, sounds, food, and colours. You will be amazed by it, I guarantee you. Just take it easy and allow yourself to get used to the hawkers, the traffic and the noise.
Marrakech is truly an unforgettable experience!
How to get there
Many European airlines fly direct to Marrakech, including Air France, British Airways, Iberia, KLM and Ryanair. Royal Air Maroc, the national carrier, offers direct flights from many international cities to Casablanca with connections to Marrakech.
The nearest airport to Marrakesh is Marrakech (RAK). ALSA Morocco operates a bus from Marrakech Airport to Bab doukkala every 5 minutes. Tickets cost MAD 30 and the journey takes 29 min.
Fortunately, most travel within Marrakech can be done quite happily on foot. However, there are some journeys that you may prefer to make by other modes of transport- caleche, bicycle, tuktuk or most frequently, taxi.
Where to stay
5 best areas to stay
- Medina, the best area to stay in Marrakech.
- Kasbah, where to stay for history.
- Mellah, the Old Jewish Quarter.
- Hivernage, where to stay for luxury.
- Gueliz, where to stay in Marrakech for nightlife.
We´ve stayed in the Medina and it´s definietely the best area if you want to explore the historical sites. Many of the city’s top attractions can be found within the Medina.
I defintely recommend staying in a riad.
Riads are known for being exquisite displays of intricate Moroccan architecture. Everywhere you look, you can see the beautiful, hand laid tile work Morocco is associated with. These are incredible places to stay because they give a genuinely Moroccan experience.
Here goes my suggestions where to stay:
Riad Dar Ten
Just a 5-minute walk from Jemaâ El Fna Square, this riad offers a large interior patio with a pool. It also has a rooftop terrace, where you can admire the views of the Ksour district and sunbathe, or enjoy the outdoor jacuzzi and relax after exploring the Medina.
Contemporary in style and decorated in neutral tones, Riad Dar Ten guarantees a quiet stay as it counts with just 6 bedrooms. High note for the personnel hospitality – they make you feel like you’re at home ❤️
You can book your stay here: https://www.booking.com/Share-gZtZatv
Riad Zineb
Riad Zineb is located in the heart of the historic Medina 8 minutes walk from Jemaâ El Fna Square, 1 minute from the souks and 3 minutes from the Marrakech Museum.
The large patio with its beautiful orange trees is surrounded by 8 bedrooms and there is a beautiful terrace with a 360 degree view on the rooftops of the Medina.
If you want to stay in authentic Maroccan riad – this is the place. You can book your stay here: https://www.booking.com/Share-zZ7UNu
Riad Goloboy
Riad Goloboy is part of a set of two 19th century aristocratic houses lovingly restored by art collector and interior designer – Beatrice Faujas. Every detail has been chosen with passion and every room deserves a visit. Faujas’ style blends valuable antiques and original artwork with an unexpected eclectic contemporary twist.
If you want unforgettable moments during your stay and the possibility of walking to some of the most picturesque places in Marrakech while avoiding the hustle and bustle of the Medina, then Riad Goloboy is the ideal place for your stay.
You can book your stay here: https://www.booking.com/Share-eNfs3c
What to do & see
Marrakech truly epitomizes the exotic. A place where the ancient city meets the modern world and where French and Arabic are spoken evenly. There are many remarkable things to do in Marrakech that will set your vacation apart from any other. And here are some of the top things to do in the city:
Wander at the Medina and Souks
Spend a day, soaking up the sounds, smells, and sights of this remarkable area, experiencing the souks and squares. Loosing yourself strolling the souks is a unique lost-in-time experience, and one of the most invigorating things to do in Marrakech.
Visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa
If you have never visited a Muslim country, you might not have heard the word “madrasa” before. A madrasa is an Islamic school and is specialized in religious studies.
The sumptuously decorated Madrasa of Ben Youssef is one of the finest examples of Saadian era artistry in Morocco. This theological college, directly opposite the Ali Ben Youssef Mosque, once homed 900 students and was the largest center for Quranic study in the country.
This madrasa was the largest Islamic college in Morocco and is also the most important. It was founded during the fourteenth century and re-constructed in 1565.
The highlight of the Ben Youssef Madrasa is definitely its magnificent interior patio.
Be amazed by the Bahia Palace
The massive marble grand courtyard and opulent salons of the haram area are the two main attractions, while the lush internal courtyard of the grand riad, with its banana-leaf plants and citrus trees, is a tranquil respite from the city.
The Bahia Palace (Palais de la Bahia) is one of Marrakech’s most imposing buildings. It was constructed at the end of the nineteenth century, and was intended to be the most impressive palace of all times. The building has eight hectares and 150 rooms that lead to various patios and gardens.
The palace means “the beautiful”.
There are several theories on whether the palace was called “bahia” because of its architectural beauty or after the viziar’s favourite wife.
Explore the El Badi Palace
A fascinating piece of Marrakesh history, El Badi Palace is a popular tourist attraction for visitors to the Red City. In contrast to the well-preserved Bahia Palace, El Badi is a shell of its former self.
El Badi Palace was once the biggest and most splendid palace complex in Morocco. Today, little is left of the splendor of the Saadians, yet the remaining ruins indicate the dimensions of the former palace.
It was commissioned by the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur of the Saadian dynasty sometime after his accession in 1578 AD. Also, the palace was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985 as part of Medina of Marrakesh.
Get lost in Jemaa el-Fna square
It is the central square of Marrakech and, along with the central souks, is the life and soul of the city. It’s at its best at sunset when the light fades, the food stalls swing into action and an exotic magic descends on the square.
Here you will find many restaurants, rooftop bars and food/juice trucks.
Relax in Le Jardin Secret
It’s a place where you can escape the hustle and bustle of the medina and take refuge in the tranquil courtyard gardens of one of Marrakech’s largest and oldest riads.
Le Jardin Secret is situated in Rue Mouassine and it is not far from the Mouassine mosque, the opposite of the Cafe Arabe. Here your senses are immediately awakened by the trickle of water, the modern Moroccan architecture, and textural and sculptural designs of the planting in the Exotic garden.
It’s such a tranquil place and I loved spending some hours here. Definitely recommend to visit it!
Walk around the Koutoubia Mosque
It’s hard to miss the Koutoubia Mosque with its tall minaret standing tall over the Medina. What is even more magnificent is that it is the oldest of the three great Almohad minarets remaining in the world! We couldn’t enter the mosque, as it is open only to Muslims, but we did walk around it and explored the walls.
Visit the beautiful Jardin Majorelle
One of the most popular things to do in Marrakech is to visit the enchanting gardens of Jardin Majorelle. The botanical gardens are a quiet escape filled with exotic plants and trees. The gardens were designed by French painter, Jaques Majorelle in 1922 who planted exotic plants from around the world.
French fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé bought Jardin Majorelle in 1980 to preserve the vision of its original owner and keep it open to the public.
Today it spans 9000 square meters and houses Art Deco and Moorish designs, water ponds and fountains.
Best Rooftop Bars In Marrakech
Rooftop drinks with a view is an experience not to be missed in chaotic Marrakech where is nothing better like finding a quiet rooftop bar with panoramic views to sit back and relax in the bustling city.
You´ll find loads of lovely rooftop terraces in Marrakech, especially in the Medina. Here you will find my top picks for a first timer here.
🌟Atay Cafe🌟
A cute rooftop in the heart of the Medina – the views from up here are stunning! Prices are very reasonable (it’s probably the cheapest from the list) and service, decor, and views are really worth it!
🌟Café des Épices🌟
Found in the heart of the Medina and Souks of Marrakech, Café des Épices is set over three floors, where the true gem is the top floor rooftop terrace, where you can enjoy fantastic views over the square and surrounding Medina.
🌟Shtatto Cafe🌟
Shtatto, a first concept store of Marrakech’s Medina, a couple of steps away from the “place des épices”, with an amazing rooftop bar. Cozy atmosphere, easy eating and well presented food, gentle staff, nice music. Just the perfect receipt.
🌟DarDar Rooftop🌟
The restaurant offers unrivalled views of the Koutoubia Mosque, especially during the sunset time. On the menu you will find many creative recipes inspired by the local cuisine and also from Asia, Europe and USA. They serve some great innovative cocktails too! Good music and cool vibes!
The most epic restaurants in Marrakech
Moroccan cuisine is much more than tagine and couscous – especially in Marrakech, where the restaurant scene is booming. Mouthwatering food with exotic spices aside, eating is a delightful experience in Marrakech.
Here goes my suggestions for unforgettable dining experience in Marrakech:
Dar Essalam
An authentic Moroccan restaurant with several years of history, located in the heart of the medina, Dar Essalam is perfectly preserved.
It has several lounges, each lounge with a history and an architectural peculiarity which offers an original and festive setting which allows you to better savor your refined dishes of Moroccan cuisine. In the evening, dinner is served to the rhythm of oriental songs and dances.
This restaurant experienced the shooting of Alfred Hitchcock’s film “The Man Who Knew Too Much“.
La Trattoria Marrakech
The most romantic restaurant in Marrakech – La Trattoria. It is an Italian restaurant and lounge bar located in the Guéliz district. In an art deco style, the restaurant is housed in a pleasant 1950s villa. Quiet and spacious, you can have a drink or enjoy your meal with friends or family by the pool, on the terrace, or in the comfortable indoor lounge.
How many days do you need to spend in Marrakech
I recommend spending at least 3 days in Marrakech to see all the main attractions and enjoy some local experiences.
However, it is a great city for simply strolling around so if you are the kind of traveller who likes to take your time, you could easily spend one week and don´t get bored.
Also, there are lots of great day trips from Marrakech. Either heading into the Atlas Mountains or out to Atlantic Coast at Essaouira.
Best time to visit
The best time to visit Marrakech is in the spring and autumn when temperatures are consistently pleasant without getting unbearably hot. May and September are the most ideal months to visit as rainfall tends to be lower than the other autumn and spring months.
Hope this itinerary will help you on planning your next trip to Marrakech and you will enjoy this vibrant city as much as I did!
For more Morocco travel tips check out my posts here: https://travelwithanny.com/category/destinations/africa/morocco/
Your sincerely,
Anny