Marrakesh is an unbelievable metropolis to go to. Perched, simply shy of the enduring Atlas Mountains in Morocco, it’s a metropolis that’s steeped in historical past courting again virtually a thousand years. This all means there are heaps of the perfect issues to do in Marrakesh dotted all throughout its historic centre.
Now, one factor I’d say is that Marrakesh can appear to be a bit overwhelming at occasions. Even in the event you’ve been to different lovely locations in Morocco, the souks can really feel chaotic and I’ll virtually assure you’ll get misplaced too many occasions to depend.
Although, don’t let that put you off – Marrakesh is properly value visiting.
So, that can assist you navigate the bustling metropolis streets, I wished to share a few of the finest issues to do in Marrakesh if you go to.
Simply don’t overlook to take some comfortable footwear for all of the strolling! Your ft will thank me later.
1.) Ben Youssef Madrasa
First up must be Ben Youssef Madrasa. It’s completely unbelievable – simply have a look at it!
The historic Islamic faculty has been round for hundreds of years, with a Madrasa (faculty) being on the location for for much longer.
Reopened to guests, after in depth restoration works, visiting is among the finest issues to do in Marrakesh in the event you love northern African structure. It’s simply gorgeous.
Inside, you’ll get to wander across the iconic courtyard, see the gorgeous Zellij mosaics and spot the Saadian-era carved marble panels.
You don’t have to ebook tickets upfront, and you should buy tickets on the door. If you wish to miss the vast majority of different guests, arrive earlier within the morning or simply earlier than closing.
Learn extra: Stunning locations in Morocco
2.) Badi Palace
Badi Palace is one other probably the greatest issues to do in Marrakesh that’s proper within the coronary heart of the historic centre.
Constructed means again within the 1500s, Badi Palace is a comparatively giant complicated of ruined halls, open-air pavilions and residential quarters that you just simply can’t miss.
The grounds are enormous and it’s properly value giving your self 90-minutes to walk by way of the complicated itself. Oh, and in the event you’re visiting in Summer season, be sure that to take some water with you – there are many open areas with little or no shade.
Once more, identical to Ben Youssef Madrasa, you don’t want to purchase a ticket upfront.
Oh, and don’t overlook to ebook this yummy Marakesh meals tour with a information. You’ll meander by way of the souks, studying all about how méchoui maker put together their dishes and eat till you might be stuffed. You’ll find it irresistible.
3.) Keep in a Riad
Now, one of the best ways to explain a Riad is to think about it as a small, sometimes family-run, lodging. Often consisting of a small variety of rooms, they could be a little oasis within the metropolis and properly value reserving one in your go to.
We stayed on the Tarabel and cherished it. It has three courtyards (one with a pool), and a spa and serves a scrumptious tagline, too.
We stayed for just a few nights and completely cherished how charming, pleasant and lovely the rooms are. Plus, it’s proper subsequent to the Dar El Bacha Musée Des Confluences – making it a great place to wander historic Marrakesh.
Should you’re fancying a much bigger resort, exterior of the hustle and bustle of town, ebook into the Oberoi (which we cherished). We stayed right here for the latter a part of our journey to town and it was such a welcome respite from the busy metropolis streets.
4.) Bahia Palace
Bahia Palace might be one probably the most visited palace in Marrakesh, which isn’t too removed from Badi Palace. Constructed within the 1800s, visiting is among the finest issues to do in Marrakesh if you wish to take within the ornate buildings of town.
Identical to most different palaces within the metropolis, there’s no have to ebook your tickets upfront and you’ll simply get these when you arrive at Bahia Palace itself.
One factor to recollect (which you would possibly simply expertise) is to be cautious about any unsolicited recommendation that pleasant locals provide you with on the road about closing occasions, mistaken instructions and so on. Usually, it’s a comparatively unharmful ploy to get you into a store, market or tannery however it may be annoying in the event you’re brief on time and wish to cram every part in.
What I’d say is that nobody was rude or unfriendly, however at all times take unsolicited data with warning when navigating the streets of Marrakesh. In spite of everything, you don’t wish to waste time within the metropolis.
5.) Marakesh Souks
Most likely one of many metropolis’s most iconic components, the souks of Marrakesh must be explored. Crammed with miles of tiny alleys, streets and market squares, you’ll discover distributors promoting every part from gems, herbs, carpets and a lot extra.
Now, a phrase of recommendation, obtain an offline map that can assist you navigate the small streets. We downloaded offline Google Maps of the historic centre and it labored a deal with. Although, I’m virtually guaranteeing you’ll nonetheless get misplaced.
Anyway, getting misplaced apart, be sure that to have a look throughout the souks and keep in mind to haggle.
Usually, costs can be closely inflated for guests, so begin low round 25-30 % of their asking worth and discover a quantity that you just really feel comfy with. It’s a ability that’s acquired to be discovered.
Although, in the event you’re not sure simply stroll away and return later.
The identical goes for taxis, too. Taxi drivers hate placing on their meters for guests. Agree on a worth earlier than coming into the taxi and make sure to haggle down.
Usually, we took round 60-70% off their authentic worth. Which continues to be considerably greater than in the event that they’d put their meters on.
6.) Jardin Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent Museum
This iconic botanical backyard might be one in all Marrakesh’s most well-known parks to go to. Envisioned and created by Jacques Majorelle, it’s probably the greatest issues to do in Marrakesh and is so vibrant.
Not solely that, it’s also possible to head to the close by Yves Saint Laurent Museum that’s mere minutes up the highway. Should you love YSL or have an interest within the historical past of its vogue, then have a look inside. If not, follow the gardens.
Now, there’s sometimes a queue to enter Jardin Majorelle however you possibly can really skip this in the event you purchase this mix ticket (on-line or on the YSL Museum) for the museum and the backyard collectively.
We purchased this at Yves Saint Laurent Museum and had been in a position to head straight into the gardens after. Which is actually such a reduction on a sizzling Moroccan day.
Learn extra: Stunning locations in Morocco
7.) The Atlas Mountains
Taking a day journey to the Atlas Mountains is one thing that we discovered so particular. It’s simply probably the greatest issues to do in Marrakesh in the event you’re fancying a break from strolling town centre.
Now, the best approach to discover the Atlas Mountains is by tour. We headed on this epic non-public Atlas Mountain tour and cherished it. That being stated, if you wish to maintain prices down, you possibly can be a part of a shared tour that’ll take you to this lovely space of Morocco.
As you meander the mountain roads, you’ll get to see the vistas throughout the Excessive Atlas Mountains and cease off at some native villages, like that of Imlil. Some excursions even embrace a cease at Tamatert and seeing some native markets (Asni).
Regardless of the case, make sure to ebook this Atlas Mountains guided tour earlier than arriving in Marrakesh.
8.) Dar El Bacha Museum
This was proper subsequent to Tarabel Riad (the place we stayed) and properly value popping in to see the attractive palace that’s hidden from the streets exterior.
Take a wander across the historic residence of f Thami El Glaoui and see the rooms the place the likes of Winston Churchill and Charlie Chaplin visited. The Carved stuccos are simply so ornate and properly value seeing.
Oh, and don’t overlook to pop into Bacha Espresso Room that’s throughout the palace itself. It’s attractive and the pastries and occasional are a few of the finest in Marrakesh.
Now, you generally want to attend round 30-60 minutes for a desk, so make sure to pop straight to the espresso room as quickly as you get into the palace.
You’ll have a good time.
9.) Jemaa el-Fnaa
You’ll both love or hate Jemaa el-Fnaa when visiting Marrakesh. It’s a bustling market sq. that’s full of a whole lot of distributors and sufficient folks to fill a stadium – which, could be a lot on a sizzling day!
Fortunately, although all of it appears so overwhelming, Jemaa el-Fnaa is fairly simple to wander round (all with out getting misplaced). Even within the early night, it’s an excellent spot to go to with a great deal of foodie distributors dotted all throughout the sq..
Learn extra: Stunning locations in Morocco
10.) Le Jardin Secret
Harking all the way in which again to the Saadian Dynasty, visiting Le Jardin Secret is among the finest issues to do in Marrakesh that’s mere minutes from Dar El Bacha Museum.
As you stroll across the intimate backyard, you’ll get to be taught extra about its craftsmanship and the ornate particulars that make Le Jardin Secret so particular.
It’ll take you round 30-minutes to discover and very easy to pop into in the event you’ve acquired spare time in Marrakesh.
Getting peckish? For a tasty chunk to eat, stroll over to Nomad (the place you’ll have to ebook a desk upfront). Head to their rooftop for a sundown dinner that’s completely yummy.
Learn extra: Stunning locations in Morocco
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