Marrakech is a dazzling city filled with an eclectic mixture of unique culture and history, great architecture, and arts and adventure that will sweep you off your feet. Upon arrival, you immediately will meet the city’s character, with snake charmers, exotic music, and busy vendors all over the place. If you’re looking for a sense of adventure Marrakech is the place to be. Visitors are always charmed by its lively environment, beautiful souvenirs, historic attractions, and friendly Moroccans.
Within the “Red City” of Marrakesh, there are many magical places to explore, including markets, gardens, palaces, and mosques. While there are tons of streets brimmed with markets and music ready to welcome you, there are also intimate courtyards and snaking alleyways of the historic Medina for those looking for a more serene scene.
Where To Eat
Lunch
Lizbar
This restaurant is what some may call a “hidden gem.” Open for both lunch and dinner, Lizbar offers a wide variety of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten free starters and entrees. Pictured above is the “Moroccan Salad” which features 14 small plates of such variety of color, textures, ingredients, and flavors. Some of these plates include lamb tagines and chicken couscous.
Naranj
Naranj offers a variety of different cuisines, including Lebanese, Mediterranean, Fusion, Middle Eastern, and of course, Moroccan. Though the menu itself may be short, it still includes quite the variety of foods, such as shawarma, eggplant, falafel, mezze platter, just to name a few. To top off a great meal comes great staff! You don’t wanna miss a place like this.
Dinner
Barometre Marrakech
This French restaurant has their mixology down to an art. Their cocktails range anywhere from a “Naughty Tequila” to a “Jimmy Hendrix” to a “Rosée Du Matin.” Come here for a fun night of fine dining and a creative cocktails!
Dar Cherifa
If you’re looking to be treated by royalty, this is the place to go! Inside this riad you will find exquisite architecture, including 16th century decors on the walls and doors and a beautiful open courtyard which you will sit in for dinner. Here you will find traditional African and Moroccan foods full of flavor and a variety of tastes.
Why go on vacation if you’re not going to sit back and relax?
A Traditional Moroccan Hammam
A Hammam is a place where the Moroccans usually go every week to bathe and cleanse themselves until their skin glows. It is a significant part of a Moroccans life and beliefs. You can visit many around Marrakech, including the one above, called La Mamounia. Here you can treat yourself to a massage, skin and body treatments with essential oils and fragrant perfumes.
Saadian Tombs
The Saadian Tombs are located just outside Marrakech and were constructed during the reign of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur in the late 16th century. This is the resting place of al-Mansur, his family, and other notable officials from that era. The tombs have since been restored and designed elaborately with vibrant tiles, intricate carvings, and Arabic scripts.
Jemaa el-Fna
Jemaa el-Fna is the popular city square of Marrakech, where tourists like to gather from all around the world. At night, here you’ll find the square is filled fortune and storytellers, snake charmers and musicians who transform the square during their performances. During the day, the square is a shopping heaven for tourists and locals. You will find souvenirs to take home to loved ones and special treasures that bleed the Moroccan culture.
Where To Stay
Palais Lamrani
Built in the early 1900’s by a prominent Moroccan family, this elegant riad is quintessential Marrakech. The Palais Lamrani is located in Medina of Marrakech, where it’s an easy walk to the famous mosques and souks surrounding. Also close by is the Jemaa el-Fna, where you can stop by and pick up some hidden treasures to take home.
Beldi Country Club
For those who are traveling with kids, Beldi is the perfect stay for you. This country club has been built to resemble a Moroccan village with 38 rooms, a souk, greenhouses, rose gardens, tennis courts, and even a cinema. Parents can sit back and relax while their kids run about the “village.” Better yet parents, go get some alone time in the spa.
Riad Boussa
Located in a quiet alley just a few steps from Jemaa el-Fna, Riad Boussa is there to welcome you with the warmth of a fireplace in winter days, or the shade in the terrace for the hotter ones. Here, the staff is always at your service, ready to help you to organize your stay or pick you up from the Marrakech airport when you arrive.
Don’t let the everyday hustling and bustling of the square scare you. Get out there and have some fun!
- Don’t trust any weather forecasts. Be prepared for both extremely hot and quite cold weather conditions.
- Be aware of the taxi scams in Marrakech. The airport is the most common place people are scammed. It should cost you around 50-70 dirhams to get to the medina, but drivers won’t take you for less than 350. Don’t be afraid to argue for a normal price.
- Be prepared for the craziness at the Jemaa el-Fna square. People will try to make you buy things and make you pay for taking photos of them. While it can be an overwhelming experience, don’t let that discourage you from enjoying the food and souvenir vendors.
- When exploring the streets, make sure to cover up ladies! Should you choose to wander out in anything revealing, you will draw and awful lot of unpleasant looks and unwanted attention. Try to dress down to your knees and beyond your shoulders.
- Beware of pickpockets. With big cities and packed streets, it can be easy for pickpockets to get you when you’re not paying attention. Keep your bags zipped at all times and in front of you, and make sure always to stay alert of your surroundings.
