Sarah Kingdom recommends 7 of the best things to explore in Marvelous Marrakech
As probably the most famous city in Morocco, Marrakech needs no introduction. Located north of the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, the bustling, red city, named for the beaten clay that gives it its deep reddish tinge, is a sensory overload of sights, sounds and smells.
The ancient medina’s labyrinth of narrow streets are centered around the famous Djemaa El Fna square, which is alive with storytellers, snake charmers, and musicians. Explore the vibrant souks for leather goods, visit the serene Jardin Majorelle, and marvel at historic sites like Ben Youssef Madrasa, El Badi Palace, and Bahia Palace. Marrakech’s medieval medina is a colourful blend of Arab and Berber cultures, with stallholders singing the praises of their wares in the bustling souks.
1. See the sights
Koutoubia Mosque – The symbol of Marrakech, Koutoubia’s twelfth-century minaret is visible for miles around the city. The mosque (closed to non-Muslims) replaced an earlier structure whose ruins lie just next to it, on the north side. At 60m by 80m, and containing six massive rooms for prayers, this is the largest mosque in Marrakech.
Medersa Ben Youssef – Explore the intricately restored 14th-century religious school, Medersa Ben Youssef, a masterpiece of Islamic architecture. Marvel at the exquisite zellij tiling, cedarwood ceilings, and detailed stuccowork, that showcases the extraordinary craftsmanship of Morocco’s artisans. After a meticulous five-year renovation, this is one of the best-preserved historic sites in Marrakech and was once the most prominent Islamic college in Morocco.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent – Visit the Musée Yves Saint Laurent, dedicated to the iconic French designer and with hundreds of garments, spanning Yves Saint Laurent’s 40-year career, on permanent display. Enjoy the beautiful contemporary building, which includes a café, bookshop, archive library, and auditorium. Don’t miss the adjacent Jardin Majorelle.
Jardin Majorelle – Stroll through the enchanting Jardin Majorelle, a lush botanical haven created by painter Jacques Majorelle and later owned and restored by Yves Saint Laurent. Admire the striking indigo blue villa, sculptural cacti, and the Berber Museum showcasing traditional Moroccan jewellery and fashion.
The queues for the Garden Majorelle can be long, but if you head to the museum first you can buy tickets for both without queuing.
Bahia Palace – The opulent Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century. Wander through rooms adorned with gilded ceilings, intricate mosaics, and lavish stucco decorations, relax in serene courtyards filled with lush plants and ornate fountains, and soak in the grandeur of one of Marrakesh’s finest examples of Moorish and Andalusian architecture.
El Badi Palace – The epic ruins of El Badi Palace were once a magnificent palace built by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour. Wander through the sunken gardens of orange trees, and climb the decrepit towers for panoramic views over the medina. The palace is a testament to the grandeur of the Saadian Dynasty and the beauty of Moroccan art and design
Maison de la Photographie – Immerse yourself in the visual history of Morocco at Maison de la Photographie. This three-storey riad-turned-gallery houses a collection of vintage Moroccan photography from 1870 to 1950. Enjoy the rooftop café, one of the highest in the medina, a good spot for lunch with a view.
Djemaa el-Fna – By day the square, a UNESCO World Heritage site, is a big open space, with a handful of snake charmers, monkey wranglers and henna artists. It isn’t until late afternoon that it really gets going. People come out for an early evening promenade, and the square gradually fills up, until it becomes a circus of storytellers, acrobats, musicians and entertainers. For a respite from the night time crowds, move to the rooftop terrace restaurants. For great views and sunset views of Koutoubia Mosque, dine at Chez L’Amine Hadj, a place synonymous with traditional food.
Please Note: The snakes in Djemaa el-Fna are often caught from the wild and have their mouths sewn shut and fangs pulled out, and the Barbary macaque monkeys, used as props for tourists, are often taken from their mothers in the wild and hand-reared because they are easier to tame that way. Using wild animals as photo props is illegal in Morocco, but it seems to be tolerated in the square – I’m not a fan.
Saadian Tombs – The Chamber of the Twelve Columns at the Saadian Tombs is considered the pinnacle of Moroccan architecture. The intricately designed space houses the tombs of three of the most important Sultans of the Saadian dynasty. Their elaborate final resting places, a series of burial rooms decorated with Italian marble, arches lined with gold, richly carved oak and extensive tiling, signify their importance. Altogether there are about 170 tombs in the complex, set around a beautiful garden
Musée de Marrakesh – Housed in the Dar Mnebhi Palace, the Musée de Marrakesh showcases an eclectic collection of Moroccan artefacts. The main highlight is the impressive central courtyard, adorned with colourful tile fountains and topped with cedarwood panels. The ostentatious chandelier hanging in the courtyard is another Insta-worthy spot.
The Mellah – Explore the Mellah, the ancient Jewish quarter of Marrakesh. Visit the 16th-century Al Azama synagogue and the Miaara cemetery, the largest Jewish cemetery in Morocco and learn about the rich history and cultural significance of this less-explored area
.
Musée de Mouassine – Experience the elegance of 16th-century Saadian architecture at Musée de Mouassine. This former guest apartment retains its exquisite original decoration and hosts exhibitions and musical events. Every Monday and Friday from October to May, classical Moroccan music concerts are held, accompanied by tea and pastries.
2. Shop and Wander the Souks
Marrakesh will satisfy the most insatiable shopaholic. The labyrinthine laneways of Marrakech’s souks are packed with a myriad of stalls, devoted to everything from aromatic spices to leather babouches (slippers) and gorgeous carpets, with artisans weaving, hammering and carving out their wares as they’ve done for centuries. Even for those who dislike shopping, the souk is one of those quintessential things to do in Marrakech. Just remember the word ‘balek!’ which roughly translates as, ‘move it, donkey coming through!’
Note: The main tourist thoroughfares, like Souq Semmarine, are dedicated to tourist trinkets. You’ll need to wander off the main paths to find the best shopping.
3. Take a Food Tour
Morocco is known for its food. Moroccan cuisine utilises fresh and local ingredients, cooked with an assortment of spices. Take a tantalizing food tour of Marrakesh. Meet stall holders and sample grilled lamb skewers, spiced with cumin and paprika or savour steaming bowls of harira, a hearty chickpea and lentil soup. Wander through the souk, tasting fluffy msemen (layered flatbreads) drizzled with honey or enjoy the delicate flavours of zaalouk, a smoky eggplant salad.
Call in at a local restaurant and order a slow-cooked tender chicken tagine, with preserved lemons, and olives, or try the layered textures of pastilla, a pastry filled with spiced meat and almonds, dusted with powdered sugar. Finish with some traditional mint tea, the perfect end to your culinary adventure – watching the long pour from an ornate teapot, held high above a tiny glass, is one of my fondest Morocco memories.
4. Hot Air Balloon over Marrakesh
Just outside of Marrakesh, take to the skies in a hot air balloon. With the High Atlas Mountains for a backdrop in the distance, and the stark beige and rust coloured plains, Berber villages, valleys and wadies below, this is a great way to see the countryside. Due to wind and thermal conditions, hot air ballooning is an early morning activity, timed for sunrise.
5. Ride a Vintage Sidecar
Sidecars are an alternative way of seeing Marrakech. Your guide will drive you on a modern Ural motorbike, a reproduction of the iconic 1930s BMW side-car bikes, while you ride in comfort in the attached sidecar. The tour nips down alleys and through grand royal gates, giving you a behind-the-scenes peak at local neighbourhoods, while other tours take you to the Palmeraie and desert. A fun way to get an insight into parts of Marrakech that would be hard to access on your own.
6. Get Pampered at a Hammam
Most Moroccans visit a hammam (steam bath) for a weekly gommage (scrub). Every neighbourhood has one and they come in all shapes, sizes and levels of luxury, from a simple steam and scrub at a no-frills public bathhouse to a higher-price private hammam at a fancy hotel. Wherever you go for your traditional soak, steam, and scrub you’ll emerge squeaky clean with baby-soft skin.
Local hammams are cheap and can be a great way to immerse yourself in the culture. But they are not generally prepared for tourists, so you’ll need to purchase savon beldi (black soap), a kessa (course scrubbing mitt) and ghassoul (cleansing clay) in advance. Language can also be a challenge.
Le Farnatchi, a luxury boutique hotel in the heart of the Marrakech medina, has an award-winning hammam and spa with vaulted ceilinged, private, marble hammam rooms. They offer a wonderful full-body traditional scrub, with exfoliating glove and black soap, infused with eucalyptus essential oil, followed by an aromatic seven-plant ghassoul (mask) and a gentle massage with rosewater. You will leave thoroughly pampered and relaxed.
7. Relax in a Riad
Marrakesh’s accommodation is an attraction in itself. If you can, stay is in one of the medina’s riad hotels. A riad is a traditional Moroccan medina mansion, with a courtyard garden in the middle. Many have been restored and opened as small boutique hotels, with plenty of traditional craftsmanship on display, from wooden ceilings, and tadelakt (polished lime plaster) walls, to traditional zellij (ceramic tile) details, fretwork screens and beautiful brass lamps.
If you’re craving some eccentric architecture and warm hospitality, forgo a hotel room and spend your nights in a hidden gem like Le Farnatchi. An amalgam of nine old houses, fashioned into one luxurious riad, hidden in the heart of the medina, with ten spacious suites, a rooftop terrace, an internal courtyard with a plunge pool, an amazing hammam and a fantastic rooftop restaurant, Le Trou au Mur, in an adjacent property. Le Farnatchi is both a tranquil retreat from the outside world and the perfect base for exploring the medina.
Images (C) Raul Cacho, Max Brown.
Tell me more about Marvellous Marrakech
With so much to see and do, planning a visit to Marrakech can feel a little overwhelming at times. This is where Wix Squared comes to the rescue. WIX Squared is a bespoke luxury travel company, whose founder Alex Wix is consistently named as one of their top travel specialists. Alex is based in Marrakesh, making her an expert on all thigs Marrakech and giving her that extra insider expertise for planning the perfect trip.
