Marrakech Travel Guide
What a magical, bustling destination. Orderly disorder is the best way to describe the red city. Ochre stained walls, spices and foreign smells at every turn. Motorbikes and pushcarts noisily race along the narrow old city alleys, leaving little room for feet or absent-minded wanderings. We are dreaming of the day we can set off to this part of the world again. Until then, here are our favorite things from our recent trip…
Marrakech is a city that I can only imagine gets better the more times you go — first-time visitors will most likely experience sensory overload, but sometimes that is the best part of visiting somewhere new. We recommend getting an elevated view of the main square, ordering a mint tea and watching the madness from above. It always seems to help acclimate us to our destination, plus when sweltering temperatures have you soaked in sweat, a cool breeze and misters on a rooftop cafe are so nice.
To Eat/Drink.
Nomad // Trendy rooftop cafe overlooking the Rahba Kedima spice square. The modern take on traditional Moroccan cuisine was a welcome treat — the flavorful Nomad couscous, Cauliflower roasted in chermoula and the iced mint tea were favorites. Reservations on the top terrace (at sunset!) recommended.
Cafe Épices // Another rooftop worth visiting in the Nomad restaurant group family. The three story restaurant has a cute top patio and is a great place for a casual bite to eat or mint tea. The sun can be brutal up top midday, so grab one of the complimentary woven hats and sit under the shade of one of their palm umbrellas.
Le Jardin // The moroccan Zellige tile is this hot spot’s calling card, peer in from the medina alleyway and you will be greeted with a jade green jungle oasis. Late evenings spent in the courtyard here are a blissful escape. Fresh fruit juices and moroccan cuisine were worth the late hour we ended up dining because we waited too long to get a reservation.
Limoni // A serene Italian restaurant tucked in to the outer edge of the Medina off Bab Taghzout. Enter through the large wooden moorish door into a white courtyard filled with lemon trees lit by twinkling lights. Go here when you are craving something outside of couscous or tagine. Dishes on the Italian menu are well made, salty and delicious. Reservations recommended.
To Explore.
Royal Mansour // Just across the street from Jemaa El Fna square. Go for an afternoon tea in the extravagant lobby area and take a little stroll around the gardens when you are done.
La Mamounia // The famous blue pool of Marrakech (only accessible to hotel guests and those with a spa booking). For a more affordable look at the property, go for a cocktail in the garden and take a little self guided tour around the hotel lobby and grounds while you are there.
Jardin Majorelle // Go early to try and avoid crowds. A stunning blue outdoor oasis that took over 40 years to create. Right next door to the YSL museum.
Musée Yves Saint Laurent // A stunning collection of Laurent is on display in the permanent collection. Crowded but worth the visit.
Le Jardin Secret // A beautiful garden complex tucked inside the old city. We had a guide take us here, which made the visit all that more special.
To Sleep.
There are so many adorable riads in Marrakech, we stayed at P’tit Habibi, but recommend doing a bit of searching to find one that suits you and your budget. If we had unlimited budget, El Fenn or Amanjena would be our top picks for places to stay in Marrakech.
P’tit Habibi Riad $ // A quaint (and super affordable!) riad near Bab Taghzout gate on the outer edge of the markets. We loved the location which is a bit set back from the craziness, but also an easy walk to get wherever you need to go. The rooftop plunge pool was the perfect landing pad after a day of sourcing in the souks. Don’t miss scheduling a traditional home cooked meal for one of the nights you are there, which can be done on arrival.
El Fenn $$ // Boldly decorated rooms and hallways, and home to what might be the most photographed nook in all of Marrakech with a yellow suede settee (if you know you know). The riad also has two cocktail bars (somewhat hard to find in a city that is dry) and takes booking for lunch from non hotel guests.
La Mamounia $$$ // A Leading Hotels of the World property located in the city center. Stunning grounds and an insta famous spa pool (only accessible to those staying at the hotel or who booked a treatment btw).
Amanjena $$$$ // The dream hotel (any Aman property that is), peachy pink walls, a turquoise blue pool fringed in palms set amongst 15 acres of property lies just outside the Red City. Aman hotels set the service bar of excellence in the luxury travel world. If you have the budget or are looking to splurge for a celebration, this is where you should stay.
Elsewhere.
Next time we would love to go on this sidecar tour ending at the artist-owned boutique home, Dar El Sadaka.
A day pass and afternoon spent by the pool at Beldi Country Club is a realxing way to escape the heat of the city.
Getting a treatment at a hammam at a spa like Hammam del La Rose is a must while in the red city. Book ahead as they fill up fast. If you want a behind the scenes look at one of the luxury hotels in the city, booking a treatment is a good way to gain access.
The tranquil sanctuary at Berber Lodge is a must-stay for a return visit.
With more time and a return visit, a desert trip from Marrakech with a stay at Scarabeo Camp and multi-day excursions to Essaouira and the Atlas mountains are both on our list.
What to Buy in the Souks of Marrakech.
The best advice we received before visiting Marrakech was to not buy anything the first time you go to the souks. On your initial visit, take your time, browse, and note the items that catch your eye. Then, leave. Go back to your riad, sip a cocktail on the rooftop terrace and discuss your finds. Let the overwhelm of the day settle. Then go back the next day and bargain once you’ve had time to scope out competitor stalls and have the distance needed to decide what items really resonate. My go-to mindset when traveling is that I like to window shop in the beginning of my trip and if I’m still thinking about the item before I leave, then I’ll purchase it.
These are a few of the items we couldn’t leave Marrakech without! Click below to visit our shop featuring our debut Morocco Collection.
Bring These Souvenirs Home
Please note that due to Covid19 many of these establishments are temporarily closed, and travel restrictions are in place. We are in no way promoting travel outside of your area... This list is simply meant to provide a bit of armchair wanderlust during this time and future inspiration when we can travel again.