It was already dark when our flight landed at Marrakesh Menara Airport. We made our way to the city’s medina and ventured into the main bazar. It was closing in on midnight, but the place was still buzzing with people and activity. With our bags in tow, we weaved our way past market stalls and snake charmers and bartered for exotic fruit. The air was filled with rich aromas, with neon lights and music floating through the night.
That wonderful cacophony of sights, sounds, and smells is what makes Marrakesh so marvellous. This ancient city takes you on a cultural and culinary journey that awakens the senses. The Red City comes at you at a million miles an hour, bursting with flavour, colour, and adventure.
The Lay of the Land
The medina of Marrakesh is the heart and soul of the city. This old, fortified city dates back to the 11th century and has been named a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The medina is packed with fascinating architecture and activities, from sprawling markets to hammam baths and exquisite restaurants.
Moving beyond the medina, crowded streets and ornate riads give way to palm groves, golf greens, and desert sands. This beautiful periphery is where you’ll find the region’s most stunning and lavishly large villas – hidden from the hubbub yet easily accessed by those in the know.
Enticing Cuisine
One of Morocco’s undeniable highlights is the food. We find the local cuisine in Marrakesh simply irresistible. Morocco is known for its rich spices and the local culinary traditions can be traced back centuries. Moroccan food brings together influences from Middle Eastern, North African, and Mediterranean cuisines, creating a symphony of flavours, textures, and aromas that’ll keep you coming back for more.
While dishes like couscous and tagine have become famous the world over, there are many wonderful local dishes that you won’t find anywhere else. That’s one of the best things about Marrakesh: you’re constantly discovering something new, rare, and exciting.
There are countless beautiful restaurants and cafes hidden in the medina. We have stumbled upon beautiful gardens offering respite from the midday sun and relaxed on rooftop terraces at dusk, listening to the calls to prayer from nearby mosques. Here are just a few of our favourite venues in Marrakesh…
Restaurant Dar Cherifa Marrakech
We stumbled upon this hidden gem in the heart of the medina. The restaurant is housed in an incredible 16th century building that’s been lovingly restored. The menu focuses on traditional Moroccan dishes, with highlights including beautiful tajines. There’s a focus on healthier options: everything is cooked using organic produce and no alcohol is served.
La Table du Palais
This restaurant has a lovely garden that’s carefully hidden behind doors, giving it that wonderful feel of a hidden gem. We visited for lunch and though the portions were on the smaller side, we recommend trying their Mezze platter. The wine selection was great too. It’s also a very romantic venue for a special dinner.
Dar Essalam
Dating back to the 17th century, this venue offers two distinctive settings. We dined up on the terrace which offers great views looking over the medina. Downstairs there’s a large venue with gorgeous Moroccan architecture and vibrant entertainment. The setting really is stunning – so much so that it was featured in the Hitchcock classic, The Man Who Knew Too Much.
Restaurant Le Grand Bazar Marrakech
This photogenic restaurant is hidden in the old city. They have beautifully eclectic interiors and a great terrace with views looking over the city. Their lamb tagine is one of the best we’ve had in Morocco!
That Je Ne Sais Quoi
The villas in Marrakesh are unlike anywhere else in the world. One of the things that makes them so special are the French and European influences present in their beautiful art and accoutrements. These villas have a touch of the French chateau – yet they are unapologetically and unmistakably Moroccan.
This dynamic is visible throughout Marrakesh. Wandering through the medina, you’ll hear French spoken so often that you’ll likely wonder if it is in fact one of the official languages. In reality, that distinction is reserved for Arabic and Berber, though about a third of the population speaks French as a second language.
All of this harks back to the French protectorate in Morocco, a period that spanned from 1912 until 1956. To this day, Morocco and France share a deep connection. Marrakesh remains a top destination for French travellers and many of the city’s most revered landmarks share a special connection with France.
Jardin Majorelle, one of the most visited sites in the city, was originally created by French artist Jacques Majorelle and later reinvigorated by Yves Saint-Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. In fact, Saint Laurent was so taken with the city that following his death in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the gardens that had meant so much to him.
Exploring the Souks
Shopping in Marrakesh is an adventure and a true feast for the senses. Exploring the local bazars or souks feels like an exciting treasure hunt. Their labyrinth like layout means you can spend hours getting lost in these small passageways, navigating through instinct and feeling your way through this incredible maze.
Even if you’re not an avid shopper, I would challenge anyone to visit the souks of Marrakesh and not come away with an extra suitcase filled with treasures. There are so many artisans that have occupied this city for centuries, creating ornate carpets, fabrics, and objects using brass, timber, and leather.
On this particular trip, we went carpet crazy. Morocco is famous for its carpets and cushions, and we found an entire souk dedicated to just carpets alone. The carpets are made from high quality wool using timeless methods that produce very hardy and beautiful items. We had the carpets tightly wrapped in plastic and then just slipped them into our luggage. They are a fabulous addition to our décor back home and a wonderful reminder of our time in Marrakesh.
Though the souks might seem chaotic at first, there’s actually a certain sense of order, as the stalls are organised into miniature districts of sorts. As we wandered through the passageways, we suddenly noticed we were surrounded by all things copper. A few minutes later, it was all timber and woodwork. With everyone and everything packed in so tightly, it felt thrilling to weave our way through their wares and discover hidden treasures as we went.
While bartering is expected, it’s never wise to get aggressive or to be rude. Think of it more as a playful discussion where you’re trying to find a price that makes both parties happy. When you barter with respect and keep it light-hearted, you can actually enjoy the experience and go home with some real treasures. Keep in mind, interacting with the local people is a big part of what makes this such a wonderful and rich experience.
Accommodation – Riad vs. Villa
While we made plenty of time to explore the medina, our main objective was to inspect the best villas in the area. As we headed out, it was hard not to get a bit emotional. Setting off into the desert, one can’t help but feel like Lawrence of Arabia, discovering these beautiful places and beautiful people amid those endless sands.
So where should you stay in Marrakesh – in a riad tucked inside the medina or a villa hidden in its outskirts? This is of course a question of preference, but what it really comes down to is the size of your group. If you’re travelling as a couple and especially if it’s a shorter visit, we would suggest staying in a riad in the medina.
And what exactly is a riad, you ask? It’s typically quite an unassuming structure from the outside but reveals a beautifully ornate courtyard at its centre. While the term has traditionally referred to the type of building, it is nowadays commonly used to describe a Moroccan hotel of the same layout.
While a riad certainly has that exotic feel of Morocco, the downside is that the rooms are typically quite narrow with a limited amount of space. As the courtyard is shared with other guests, there is also little in the way of privacy. If you are travelling with a larger group, you will be more comfortable staying in a villa where you’ll have all the space and privacy you need – not to mention a lovely swimming pool to ward off the heat. You can then take the car to explore the medina and other beautiful parts of the city.
An Artists’ Oasis
We visited Marrakesh in September which is still a very warm month. However, I don’t recall feeling hot or uncomfortable even once while exploring the souks and the medina. Granted, most of the markets are covered, but even the areas that aren’t fully covered have some nice awnings and lovely shaded areas.
This is all a testament to the local architecture and planning. Everything is designed to keep the air cool and flowing, whether it’s in the riads, the souks, or the villas. There is always a shaded courtyard to retreat to and a pot of mint tea to keep you nice and refreshed.
Even getting lost in the souks and exploring the old town on foot for several hours felt quite comfortable. Because you never feel uncomfortably hot, you can fully focus on this amazing experience. Exploring the medina is definitely a highlight in Marrakesh – and one of the top travel adventures you can have anywhere in the world.
It really is no wonder this magical city has inspired so many artists. Winston Churchill captured the Red City in his paintings which have since fetched millions. During the 1960s and 70s, everyone from Mick Jagger to Andy Warhol flocked to Marrakesh. Yves Saint Laurent credited the city for inspiring his collections, while Madonna chose Marrakesh to host her 60th birthday celebration.
Calm Amid the Chaos
With so many people and a cacophony of sound surrounding you, there’s no question that Marrakesh can initially feel intimidating. But after you get over that initial cultural shock (it honestly feels like you’ve stumbled into an Indiana Jones movie), Marrakesh actually feels very safe and welcoming. Just take the same precautions you would when travelling anywhere in the world and never, ever leave home without travel insurance.
A Rare and Special Place
We travel a lot and see first hand how rapidly the world is becoming homogenised. No matter where we land, it seems there’s a Starbucks waiting on every corner and a McDonald’s just around the bend.
Not so in Marrakesh.
Visiting this city heralds back to an era of travel that I recall from when I was a child. Because the region has not been corrupted by homogenous travel patterns and trends, you really feel like you are in a completely different world – a world that is weird and wonderful. Even as the rest of the world appears to be losing its contrasts, Marrakesh still maintains that wonder and magic.
Can You Hear the Call of Adventure?
Exploring Marrakesh is an adventure and the memories we have made here are something we’ll treasure forever. Marrakesh still feels very real, raw, and adventurous – and for that reason it shall remain a favourite of ours.
Are you ready to embark on the Moroccan adventure of a lifetime? We’ll help you plan and book your perfect villa holiday in Marrakesh – contact us.
