Marrakech (or Marrakesh) is a beautiful city located in Morocco. Morocco is situated in Northern Africa, and Marrakech is a major economic centre and home to mosques, palaces, and gardens. The city is full of charm, bustling souks and delicious food. Here’s my travel guide for Marrakech, so you can relax and have a perfect trip
Where to Stay
There are many 5 star hotels in Marrakech that are relatively affordable. So it’s a great option to experience luxury on a budget. I stayed in the The Palm Plaza Hotel & Spa, it had a great pool, big breakfast spread, a piano bar and the staff were so kind and helpful. Another great alternative for a nice, relaxing stay in Marrakech is a riad, which is a guesthouse or hotel with a courtyard. One great option is Riad be Marrakech, which is beautifully decorated and in a great location.
What to Do
There are so many great things to do in the city but I will just name the best ones I saw fitting for this travel guide for Marrakech
Explore the Old City
The Medina (old city) in Marrakech is an amazing place to explore. It’s filled with souks (traditional marketplaces) where you can buy anything your heart desires. Whether its rugs, lamps, spices, plates or metal trays. The souks have it all! But also there’s a lot of competition so expect to see plenty of stalls selling the same things, just at different price points. So expect sellers to approach you trying to up-sell items. This is where haggling comes in.
Haggling is something that I’ve gotten comfortable with, but it’s definitely not for everyone. The sellers in these souks drive a hard bargain, but the trick is you have to do the same (within reason, of course!). Something I’ve learned is to know what you are willing to pay for a similar item at home and stick to a similar price point in your head. But also respect the craftsmanship and skill that has gone into the items such as a hand-painted plate and haggle accordingly.
Jardin Majorelle
This is a beautiful botanical garden and artist’s landscape. It was created by the French artist, Jacques Majorelle. In the 1980s, the property was purchased by the fashion designers, Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Bergé who worked together to restore it. Today, the garden and villa complex is open to the public.
Cooking Class
This was one of my favourite activities. A cookery class run by Amal Center, a non-profit organization dedicated to the empowerment of disadvantaged women through restaurant training and job placement. They focus on uplifting women from economically and socially disadvantaged backgrounds by training them to become professional chefs.
Many of the trainees face social stigma, rejection or disabilities that impede their ability to earn a living to support themselves and their children. The class I chose started at 9 a.m. and ended at around 1:30 p.m.
The cost per person is 350 dirhams ($36, €32, £29) per adult and 200 dirhams ($20, $18, £16) for children under 10 years. The price includes the class, the meal that you make, a recipe card, and Moroccan tea — which you’ll help pick from the herb garden! I made a chicken pastilla and it was incredible, I also got the chance to try to make filo dough.
Sunset Camel Ride
This excursion was really great, but I would say camel riding is not as comfortable as you would think. We booked our trip with Trip Advisor and we also visited a traditional Berber home and shared some mint tea, olives, and bread with them which was really special.
The tour also included hotel pick up and drop off which made it very hassle-free. The small tour group also allowed for a very personal and nice experience. The price of the tour was €39 ($44, £35) per person.
Where to Eat
Moroccan food is one of my favourite cuisines. Here were some of my favourite places to eat
Al Fassia Aguedal
This was such a gorgeous restaurant serving traditional Moroccan food and great Moroccan wines. I ordered a lamb tagine and it was so succulent and delicious. The staff were all so lovely and it was a great dining experience.
Opening Hours: Dinner: 7:30 PM – 11:00 PM
Address: 9 bis, Zone Touristique de Agueda
Website: https://alfassia.com/aguedal/
Le Jardin Marrakech
This was a beautiful oasis respite hidden among the craziness of the souks. Serving gorgeous Moroccan food and serving refreshing mocktails, it’s a perfect place to spend the afternoon, after a long day of shopping and haggling.
Opening Hours: Daily: 11:00AM – 11:00PM
Address: 32 Souk Jeld Sidi Abdelaziz, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
Website: https://lejardinmarrakech.com/
Café des Épices
This is a beautiful rooftop café that overlooks the Medina. A must stop for a coffee, tea, juice or a sweet treat. The menu also offers sandwiches, salads, tagines and omelettes.
Opening Hours: Daily: 09:00AM – 11:00PM
Address: 75 Rahba Lakdima, Marrakech Medina, Morocco
Website: https://cafedesepices.ma/
Kui-Zin
Another great rooftop café and restaurant with amazing Moroccan food. I was never disappointed when I ordered anything from the menu, Moroccan food was always consistent and delicious in every restaurant.
Opening Hours: 10:30AM – 10:30PM
Address: 12 rue amsefah, Route Sidi Abdelaziz, Marrakesh 40000, Morocco
I hope this travel guide for Marrakech alleviates some of the stress that comes with planning a trip to such a vibrant and exciting city.