From sipping mint-tea on a rooftop overlooking an ancient souk to getting lost in the eyes of a snake charmer, from unwinding at enchanting hammams to getting lost in a labyrinth of souks and riding a camel by sunset – Marrakesh is a medieval city that brims with drama, myth, and mystery.
It’s a place that has so perfectly fused the medieval with the contemporary, a place that you experience with all of your senses – the smell of the herbs and spices at the souks, the sound of the whizzing Vespas, the clink of a teaspoon, the faint call to prayer in the background…. Everything about Marrakesh will give you an unparalleled opportunity to experience a centuries-old medieval city try to embrace modernity.
The juxtaposition is captivating too, to say the least. Think of 16th-century palaces adorned with modern graffiti or sweaty nightclubs nestled in the middle of medieval souks. And the best thing? Marrakesh isn’t some sort of “petrified” medieval city that you visit to gawk at and ooh and aah at the attractions. Every street bursts with life, every neighborhood is bustling and bound to seduce you with its ochre-colored walls and winding alleys that brim with human drama.
The overlapping of French and Arabic spoken loudly, the unsigned pink alleys, the witty locals, bargaining at the souks – all the heady sights and experiences of Marrakesh will enchant and, most importantly, engage you.
Marrakesh is easily one of the most beautiful cities in Morocco, it’s a place of unexpected and rather an unorthodox type of beauty. If you’re looking for a city with a plethora of things to do – a mixture of adventure, spirituality, art, and relaxation- then Marrakesh is the place to be.
Now I am not going to lie, arriving in Marrakesh might be one of your most overwhelming experiences to date. The city is irrepressible. And all I can say is: put on your comfortable shoes and get ready to be part of it all.
1. Hear the call to prayer at Koutoubia Mosque.
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You’ll soon realize how religion slowly permeates the rhythm of daily life when you’re walking by and suddenly hear the call to prayer echoing through the walls of this old, imperial city. The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the most symbolic attractions in Marrakesh, and for good reason.
The echoing call to prayer from the minaret is most definitely a spiritual experience you need to have. Despite the fact that if you’re a non-Muslim you won’t be able to enter, the minaret itself (which serves as a reference for international architecture) is a great sight to see. Adorned with Arabic calligraphy, clay motifs, and intricate decorations – the minaret can be seen from pretty much anywhere in the city.
2. Bargain, bargain, and bargain some more at the souks in the Medina.
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Listen, if you asked me what the one thing to experience at Marrakesh should be, I’d most definitely tell you the souks. Think of your favorite shopping mall, and think of how it would look like if it was laid out according to a medieval-era plan….This is what the souks at Marrakesh are like.
The souks have been Marrakesh’s most important attraction since the medieval times when the only way you could transport the goods was on goods-burdened camels, and today they’re still as important.
Unapologetically chaotic, the labyrinth of shops at the souqs feels like it goes on forever. Stalls of homeware, spices, wooden crafts, carpets, and much more – the souks are basically a treasure trove for any shopaholic out there. The streets are raw, they emanate a distinct character, they are filled with rigor, and they are pumping with life. Get lost in the maze of streets and make sure you haggle your way through the souks. Spend your morning savoring the smells of spices, bartering for a bargain with wrinkled Berber men and getting a feel of the true Marrakesh life.
3. Experience one of the world’s most famous local markets at Jemaa El-Fna.
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There are very few places in the world that are similar to Jemaa El-Fna. A place that so effortlessly involves you in its chaos but keeps you coming back for more. Think of Jemaa El-Fna as a live-action exotic adventure that you’re suddenly forced to participate in. Bewitching sake charmers, fortune tellers and medicine men, dance performances, eccentric acrobatics, and mystical story-tellers, Jemaa El-Fna is where oddball acts are the norm, and you’re the outsider!
Nothing I’ll tell you will actually help you envision the cultural heartbeat of Morocco, but what I can tell you is, this is the greatest show on Earth. It’s not until the sun starts to set that this place suddenly turns into a large open-air food court where you can sample some of Morocco’s most mouthwatering dishes.
My advice to you is: After you’re done being a part of this chaos, go to Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier to sip on some mint tea with views that overlook the square. It’ll be a nice end to the day, watching the rhythm of the city go on without you as you enjoy the stillness.
4. Learn about Islam at the Medresa Ben Youssef.
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Not only is this the largest theological school in all of North Africa, but it’s most definitely the most picturesque. Amidst the ruggedness of Marrakesh lies this refined sanctuary with pine motifs, exuberant halls, and a large courtyard. The school is a great reflection of intricate Islamic architecture, but it’s also a great place to learn about Islam.
“‘You who enter my door, may your highest hopes be exceeded” reads the inscription that you’ll see once you go through the entryway. You’ll be able to visit where the students used to live, spend time checking out the Quranic inscriptions and reveling in the mesmerizing architecture of the place.
5. Unwind at Majorelle Garden.
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Yeah, I get it, you might not be a garden-type of person. But you just can’t go to Marrakesh without visiting Majorelle Garden. Although, let me just tell you from now, get ready to be part of some cringe Instagram photo-shoots going on.
It’s a great place to unwind after a long, hectic day at Marrakesh though – trust me on this one. The vibrant ultramarine colors, shady lanes, and the distant murmur of fountains and birds will put your mind at ease. If you’re not about that life (you will be after one day in Marrakesh), then you can always visit where Yves St Laurent was buried, and visit the Museum of Islamic art inside.
6. Pamper yourself at a traditional hammam.
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Going to a hammam (an Arabic type of spa) is one of the most important rituals in Moroccan culture. Sure it’s a great way to pamper yourself on your trip, but it’s also one of the best ways to experience an authentic part of Morocco. You’ll be getting the spa experience of a lifetime – whether you’re having a full body massage with Argan oil, or getting an intense full body coffee scrub, this is one of those life-changing spa experiences that you come out of a new person (or feeling like an Arab sultan, whichever you prefer). Slight exaggeration? Nope. Just wait until you experience it.
7. Go on a Moroccan food tour or take a cooking class.
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They say the best thing you could take back from a country is a recipe to one of its local dishes (and by they I mean me). Moroccan food is a gastronomic experience that is hard to compete with – the diversity of the flavors and spices, and the plethora of dishes need to be experienced. Visit hidden restaurants, try local delicacies, sample food at local markets or take a cooking class! Try to learn the harira, the tangia or the kefta tagine.
8. Visit (or stay at) a riad.
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You’ve definitely seen a riad before – a grand building with luxurious swimming pools, intricate wall designs, prominent Islamic architecture, and an oriental atmosphere that’s unlike any other. Morocco is filled with them and they range from modest to luxurious to well, ultra-luxurious. If you opt for staying at a hotel instead of a riad, then make sure you at least have breakfast at one.
9. Ride a camel through the desert.
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Can you really visit Marrakesh without riding a camel? I mean, yes, you can. But I’d be disappointed! The desert is backed with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains, so riding a camel by sunset there is nothing less of a magical experience. You’ll definitely feel like Arabian royalty straight out of Aladdin for a few hours as you ride along the powdery sand amidst palm groves and dreamy landscapes.
10. Revel in the luxury of Bahia Palace.
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If you want a little bit of luxury, a little bit of history, and a lot of perfect picture-spots, then Bahia Palace is where you should go. This place is the actual personification of Alaouite architecture, with brilliant displays of carved-cedar ceilings, rooms where harem used to live, staggering arches and stunning marble finishes.
The city is sprawling with attractions. You need to choose what type of trip you want to have to be able to fit it all in! Do you want to experience it like a local? Do you want to visit all the touristy sites? Do you want a bit of both? In the end, Marrakesh will cater to all your travel preferences.
