MY M A R R A K E C H

Oh beautiful Marrakech, with its delicious cuisine, busy nights, colourful souks, and warm people it's no surprise that it has become one of the most popular travel destinations. After being there myself, I just had to share my thoughts and tips on this incredible city. And thankfully, the city offers something for everyone to enjoy. 

Shopaholics can roam around every market stand in the souks and if lucky invest in a beautiful handmade Moroccan carpet. Adventurous people would book a camel ride or an overnight stay in the Sahara. And the food enthusiast will have the opportunity to try every spice you can think of. 

Find yourself wanting to know more...then keep reading.

I M P O R T A N T    N O T E S

C U R R E N C Y: Marrakech uses the currency Dirham (DAM) and I would strongly recommend

always carrying around some cash when exploring the city.

C L O T H I N G: Morocco is an Islamic country which is quite clear when in Marrakech. Therefore,

to respect the religious culture, I advise you to dress appropriately.

W H E R E   T O   S T A Y

 

It’s not that there aren't big chain hotels in Marrakech, but I would strongly recommend staying in a traditional riad where you can get the full Moroccan experience. Riads are unique hotels with very few rooms and staff members, they offer a very intimate atmosphere. The key characteristic of a riad is the interior garden in the courtyard and an open roof. What makes them so unique is that often they are located in narrow, dirty streets, but as soon as you open the heavy wood door, you have entered into an oasis of tranquility. There are thousands of riads with a big variety of prices.

Personally, I absolutely loved staying in a riad. In Marrakech, I stayed at the ‘Dar Assiya Le Grand’ located in the heart of Medina. There were only 4 hotel rooms, and apart from me, only one other family stayed there. The riad had such a serene and luxurious atmosphere, and the bedrooms had been gorgeously decorated with ancient dark green wood shutters on the windows, and the bathrooms with gold fixtures. The Riad had small hideouts where you could enjoy reading undisturbed and a rooftop overlooking the Medina. Waking up to the sound of a trickling fountain and birds humming was something quite else. Additionally, the staff was amazing and everyone was so kind and helpful. 

The interior garden in the courtyard from ‘Hotel Dar Assiya Le Grand’. Photo: (“Fellah Hotel”) 

T O P   T H I N G S   T O   D O   W H I L E   I N   M A R R A K E C H    

LOSE YOURSELF IN THE MEDINA

There are three main parts of Marrakech; we have the Medina (the old town), then there's the modernized town that lies outside the walls, and finally, we have the tourist areas with hotel resorts and golf courses. If you want to have the best experience in Marrakech, I would spend most of my time inside the walls, the Medina. Just beware you will most definitely get lost on your trip. All of the medinas seem to be designed like mazes. (“The Blonde Abroad”) This can either result in discoveries of small shops selling colorful jewelry or lamps in every form of shape or it can lead to sketchy places where you might not feel comfortable.

I certainly got lost a couple of hundred times, but it did lead me to a lovely little shop where I met Ayman, a small kind Moroccan man who sold vases. He offered a cup of Maghrebi mint tea, a traditional Moroccan tea infused with fresh mint, green leaves, and sugar. And let me tell you if it wasn’t the most refreshing cup of tea I’ve ever had! 

He told me about the shop and how it had been a family business for many years. I just had to buy something, so I sprung for a Morrocan vase.

Woman walking through the streets surrounded by Moroccan handmade carpets. Photo: (“Indagare”) 

TAKE MILLIONS OF PHOTOS IN LE JARDIN MAJORELLE

The aesthetically pleasing botanical garden is one of the top sites to see in Marrakech. The garden was actually owned by the famous designer Yves Saint-Laurent. After he died, his ashes were scattered in the Majorelle garden. So it also has historical significance. (“Fellah Hotel”) When I first stepped into the garden, I was overwhelmed with all the nature and colour. Even though it was packed with tourists, it was surprisingly quiet. At every corner, there were flowers, trees, and other shrubs growing. Just remember that this is a popular tourist attraction so arrive early, if you want more space and expect a line for tickets. 

Picture of the iconic Le Jardin Majorelle. Photo: (“Pinterest”)

Bibliography

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shopping-guide-marrakech.

“Jardin Majorelle Saint Laurent Marrakech Musee Antidote: Marrakech, Marrakech Morocco, Morocco.” Pinterest, 15 August 2015, Accessed 20 September 2021, www.pinterest.de/pin/492510909233642060/.

Kumar, Rosa. “How to Haggle in Marrakesh.” Lonely Planet, Lonely Planet, 8 July 2021, Accessed 20 September 2021, www.lonelyplanet.com/articles/how-to-haggle-in-marrakesh-morocco.

“The Ultimate Marrakech Travel Guide • The Blonde Abroad.” The Blonde Abroad, 12 Apr. 2021, Accessed 25 September 2021, www.theblondeabroad.com/ultimate-marrakech-travel-guide/.

“[:Fr]Découvrez Marrakech[:En]Discover Marrakesh[:].” Fellah Hotel, 16 Feb. 2021, Accessed 25 September 2021, 

www.fellah-hotel.com/explore/discover-marrakech/.

“r/CozyPlaces - My Riad (Dar Assiya) in Marrakech, Morocco.” Reddit, 23 October 2016, Accessed 26 September 2021, www.reddit.com/r/CozyPlaces/comments/99mjav/my_riad_dar_assiya_

in_marrakech_morocco/.