Today, I am taking you on a virtual trip to one of the most vibrant and exotic cities in the world – Marrakech. Located in Morocco, Marrakech is a city steeped in history, culture, and beauty. With its bustling markets, stunning architecture, and warm hospitality, Marrakech is a destination that will leave you mesmerized.
Marrakech, often referred to as the “Red City” due to the terracotta color of its buildings, is one of the most iconic cities in Morocco. The country has so much more to offer and the other cities- Fes, Chefchaouen, Tangier, Casablanca, and Rabat, as I have heard are also great places to visit. Because this was our first time in Morocco we decided to visit only Marrakech and the Afagay desert only this time. I would love to see the blue city of Morocco the next time we go.
Busting the myth about Marrakech:
I need to admit, beforehand I was a bit skeptical and hesitant to visit Marrakech. So I would have never thought that I would like it actually so much in the end. I was hesitant because I had heard mixed reviews on it. Some said it was a great city to visit and it was safe as well, while others said it was unsafe and extra caution should be taken.
From my experience, it is a safe city to visit. We personally have had no negative experiences in Marrakech. In fact, the people were super kind and lovely. What you might hear from some people is that the locals try to make as much money as possible. In the souks (the markets) you get ripped off and sometimes the dealers are too pushy.
If you are a fellow brown girl and have been to places like India and Pakistan, you know what I mean above is, that people are not harmful but they want you to buy their stuff, because the main income source for them is tourists. So you need to know when to not engage with the locals or you know how to bargain on the things you are interested in. Even for taxis make sure you ask them to lower the price.
Marrakech is not just your pretty Instagram feed:
Another myth that I want to bust is, that what you see on Instagram is not true everywhere in Marrakech. The Instagram shots you see of your favorite travel bloggers in the souks with the rugs or in the spice market, make it seem like Marrakech is something like the Arabian Nights, but only certain parts of it are. The streets are filled with the bustling souks, the people, the donkey carts, the rushing mopeds, – all this can be overwhelming pretty quickly. Marrakech is an adventure – and not just a pretty Instagram feed. So if you are looking for a perfect picture-friendly city, this is not it.
I don’t mind though. In fact, I loved exploring the bustling souks, the rooftop terraces for drinks and overall roaming around in the medina and the souks. It felt like something I had only experienced in India. It reminded me of back home and I loved every bit of it. You should definitely visit.
Saying that it was one of our favorite places we have been because the hotels and the riads are a different story altogether. To be honest, we have traveled to so many countries, and the hotels in Marrakech top the list of hotels we have ever been to. You literally feel like you are living in royalty.
How many days should I plan for a trip to Marrakech?
If Marrakech is your only travel destination in Morocco, I would say about 5 nights. So you can take one or two extra day or overnight trips (e.g. to the Atlas Mountains, Agafay desert). That way, you still have enough time in Marrakech.
If you are planning a trip to other cities like Fes, Chefchaouen, and Tangier- I would suggest spending 4 nights in Marrakech and one night in each additional city.
Where to Stay:
We stayed in 3 different hotels in Marrakech because we wanted to check out these different accommodations since each had its own unique vibe.
For a local experience, opt to stay in one of the city’s many riads. They are beautiful with internal courtyards, and gardens, and offer a boutique experience. They are great options if you want to stay in Medina and be right in the hustle and bustle of the old city.
We stayed in Riad Be for the first night. It was stunning and it’s probably one of the most famous Riad of Marrakech.
Other Riads I recommend:
Riad Kniza, Riad Yasmine, Riad Dyor, Riad Dar Ten Marrakech, and Riad Jardian Secret
For a more decadent and luxurious experience, you may want to consider one of the many resorts around the city that has stunning architecture. We checked in to the Oberoi Marrakech Resort for 3 nights and LA Mamounia for our last night.
If you followed my stories on Instagram, you already know our experience with The Oberoi Marrakech. That place is magical, to say the least. It tops any hotels we have ever been to so far. It’s an experience. The staff, the service, and the hospitality of this place are unparalleled to anything you might ever experience. The view of the Atlas mountains, the food at the restaurants, and the exceptional service of the hotel staff made our stay unforgettable.
LA Mamounia was stunning as well and it is probably one of the most famous hotels in Marrakech. This is probably related to the fact that many celebrities have stayed there. If you have ever watched the infamous Netflix show ” Inventing Anna”, then you might be familiar with the hotel since they do show this hotel on it. The hotel is really beautiful and photogenic. It has a stunning spa and the location is also perfect because it is very close to the airport and to the city center. The only downside of the hotel is that it is quite crowded.
Both I and my husband preferred, The Oberoi Marrakech over LA Mamounia because the hospitality and service at the Oberoi are unparalleled. The hotel is located a bit outside of the city center but since taxi rides are so cheap it is not a problem. You can reach the hotel in less than 30 minutes from the city center or from the airport and the hotel even offers shuttles to the city center and back. The hotel doesn’t have rooms but only villas. Our villa was the most beautiful thing we’ve seen during our entire Marrakech stay. If you ever get a chance to visit, I would highly recommend it.
You also have the option of just visiting for the day, so if you don’t want to break the bank but still splurge to experience much larger gardens, pools, the best customer service, and the ultimate place for relaxing in Marrakech, I recommend: The Oberoi, La Mamounia, and the Royal Mansour.
Where to Eat:
These are a few of the restaurants I would recommend. I am a vegetarian so I am happy to inform you if you are a fellow vegetarian/vegan person as well, that the restaurants mentioned below had some great options to keep me happy as well. A tip for you- make sure to get a reservation at all the restaurants since it gets crowded and sometimes they don’t accept walk-ins.
Also, along with the other restaurants mentioned below, I wanted to point out that, if you are tired of the Tagine and are craving some Indian food, check out the Tamit restaurant at the Oberoi resort. The food is delicious. They offer Indian food along with traditional Moroccan food.
Lunch:
La Terrasse des épices: This is such a great rooftop terrace in the medina. They have amazing drinks and also some vegan options.
Le Jardin– This courtyard restaurant is also in the medina and is owned by the same people as Nomad. We loved the Zucchini fritters here, as well as the Avacado toast. They don’t offer alcoholic drinks.
Nomad– Another rooftop terrace place located in the Medina right across Terrasse des Epices. In all honesty, I found the interior of the restaurant to be a bit underwhelming. I love the space of Terrasse des epices much more. Nonetheless, their menu presents traditional Moroccan food with a modern twist, and their dessert was next-level good (the date cake with caramel sauce… thank me later!).
Dinner:
Comptoir Darna: If there is one restaurant you should not miss in Marrakech, it is this one. Omg. More than the food, I loved the entertainment and the cocktails. They have belly dancers perform every night at 10 pm, so make sure you make a reservation and pace yourself while ordering so that you can enjoy the entertainment starting 10 pm.
La Fondouk: As with pretty much everywhere in Marrakech, the decor here is stunning. However, I highly recommend getting seated on the terrace for your meal instead.
Limoni: If you are craving some Italian food with great vibes, Limoni is a great one. The restaurant is located in the medina and has a really nice courtyard filled with lemon trees, and also has some great Italian food.
Places to Visit:
Djemaa el Fna:
The infamous big square of Marrakech is the heart of the city and probably the most important sight of Marrakech. Don’t miss out on a cup of fresh squeezed orange juice in the square and do not take any pictures of locals or their monkeys/snakes without permission. There are countless rooftop bars and restaurants on the edge of the square. You shouldn’t miss out on watching the sunset over the rooftops of Djemaa el Fna.
Jardin Majorelle
For a truly unforgettable experience, head to Jardin Majorelle, a beautiful botanical garden that was once owned by the famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. The garden is a tranquil retreat with vibrant blue buildings, exotic plants, and a museum showcasing Berber culture. It’s a perfect spot to relax and soak in the serene beauty of Marrakech.
Marrakech Souks & Medina:
One of the must-visit places in Marrakech is Medina, the historic center of the city. Here, you can get lost in the maze-like narrow streets, known as “souks,” which are lined with colorful shops selling spices, textiles, carpets, and traditional Moroccan handicrafts. Bargaining is a common practice in Medina, so be sure to hone your negotiation skills and score some unique souvenirs. The shops aren’t’ grouped thematically by any means – but you will find almost anything your heart desires while you search your way through them.
The Bahia Palace:
Another must-visit site in Marrakech is the Bahia Palace. This stunning 19th-century palace is a masterpiece of Moroccan architecture, with its lush gardens, beautiful courtyards, and intricately decorated rooms. It’s a peaceful oasis in the midst of the bustling city, where you can marvel at the opulence and grandeur of Moroccan royalty.
Make sure to reach there early since it gets crowded.
Koutoubia Mosque
This beautiful mosque, with its towering minaret, is a symbol of Marrakech and is visible from many parts of the city. Non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque, but you can admire its stunning architecture and serene atmosphere from the outside.
Ben Youssef Madrasa
A Madrasa is an Islamic place for Muslims to learn about Islamic scripture and religious beliefs. The Ben Youssef Madrasa one once the largest quranic school in North Africa, whose architectural splendor still remains. While it is no longer an active school, the beauty of the now-restored building is open to visitors.
My Tip: Book a private tour on your first day to get a feel of the city. You won’t regret it.
We did a private tour with Youssef from Marrakech Tour Guide, to visit the Majorelle Gardens, Koutobia Mosque, Bahia Palace, and the Souks. It was such a great experience. He picked us up from our hotel in the morning and also took us around in a private car throughout the day. The whole tour was so fun. Youssef is super kind and informative.
The tour helped us to get familiar with the city on our first day. All these famous touristy spots can have long lines that you might have to wait for hours to get in and with Yousseff being our guide, we skipped the lines, and visiting the Souks was a breeze with him.
The Souks is the biggest market in Africa and is such a maze. It is the one place where google maps failed multiple times, so it was very helpful to go with him on our first day where he took us to different alleys of the Souks and helped us to familiarize ourselves with the different things that are sold in the Souks.
He knows the hidden gems and it’s a lot more pleasant to get to know the city and the markets with someone who speaks the language and has stayed in Marrakech almost all his life.
I would highly recommend contacting him. Make sure to contact him in advance, he gets booked pretty quickly.
Contact Info:
Name: Youssef
Company: Marrakech Tour Guide
WhatsApp: +212652910782
What Not to Miss in Marrakech:
You should definitely not miss getting a Hammam in Marrakech. Hammams are Islamic communal bathhouses and spas with separate baths for men and women. It is the best bath I have ever had.
You can find some luxury ones in the resorts like the Oberoi Marrakech, and La Mamounia, or even find some budget-friendly ones. We personally loved our Hammam experience at the Oberoi Marrakech.
Some budget-friendly ones are Les Bains de Marrakech, Heritage Spa, and Hammam de la Rosa.
That’s it for now, but you can read all about our adventure to the Agafay Desert glamping experience here if you are planning a trip to Morocco.
