Marrakech is Morocco's top tourist destination, as well as one of the most fascinating and exciting cities in the world. It is exotic, inexpensive and friendly, and is full of history and things to do. A Marrakech city break will certainly provide you with countless unforgettable memories of this charming and mysterious city, where tradition, modernity, magic and charm will take you to a unique and extraordinary universe.
A good way to start your Marrakech city break is by choosing the appropriate accommodation in the Ochre City. The best choice is no doubt to rent a Marrakesh riad, which are traditional houses turned into hotels or guesthouses while preserving their original structure and style. Most Riads are located inside the medina or old town, but a most convenient ryad Marrakech will be near the Djemaa El Fna square, the geographical and cultural centre of the city.
The next step will be to explore the surroundings of your riad. The souk of Marrakech is one of the largest in North Africa and there you will find all sorts of items, from the spices that constitute the very soul of Moroccan couscous and tajine, to all sorts of arts and crafts, including hand-woven carpets, furniture, musical instruments, clothes, food, lamps, leather goods, etc.
Once you have filled your eyes -and emptied your pockets- with all these wonderful treats, you can head to a more elevated perspective of this culturally abundant city. One of the most interesting architectural sites is the Ben Youssef Madrasah, the largest Islamic college in Morocco founded in the 14th century, were 130 student dormitory cells surround a courtyard richly carved in marble, cedar wood, and stucco. Other interesting sites are the stunning Badi and El Bahia Palaces, the Saadian Tombs in the Kasbah, the iconic Koutoubia mosque and minaret or the Dar Si Saïd Museum.
If you want to loosen up after your expedition through the vibrant and intense medina, a great choice is a visit to some of the beautiful gardens in the city. The Majorelle Gardens are a refreshing and beautiful sight, where a stunning collection of Moroccan art, surrounded by an exotic forest of bamboo trees and cacti of all shapes and sizes, will no doubt delight your senses and help you unwind.
But for the absolute relaxing experience, don not miss a visit to one of the countless and most delightful hammams or Turkish baths in Marrakech. Among the many services and well-being treatments offered, you can treat yourselves to a massage with essential oils and perfumes, a sauna or steam bath session, peeling and beauty cares, skin and body treatments, aromatherapy sessions, etc.
After the hammam, you can head to one of the charming and celebrated cafés of Marrakech, full of life and character. Some of the most beautiful cafés in the city are the Café de la Poste, an elegant colonial café in Gueliz; the Café des Epices, a most pleasant café in the medina offering a stunning view from its rooftop terrace; the Café de France on the Djemaa El Fna square or the Café Redouane, an absolutely charming and unpretentious café in the Daoudiate neighbourhood with a little fountain in the middle and nested in a lovely gardens.
Eating is another of the many treats that offers Marrakech, and it is most inexpensive and quite delightful. Moroccan cuisine is varied, rich and tasty and includes an enormous variety of tajines (typical Maghrebi dish) and couscous, a delicious range of fish and meat dishes, and all sorts of absolutely exquisite and inescapable sweets and pastry. It is quite easy to find a good place to eat in Marrakech, from the exclusive and elegant restaurants found in most hotels and riads to the "snacks" or local bistros found all over the place.
And last but not least, but Marrakech cultural life and nightlife are vibrant and exciting. The city holds all sorts of cultural events and international festivals, including magic, film, popular arts and music, dance, comedy, theatre, etc. As for nightlife, Marrakech is full with places where you can dance, have a drink and socialise, be it the chic and fashionable clubs in some of the best hotels in the city or the more laid back and low-key pubs and discotheques mostly found in the Gueliz and Hivernage neighbourhoods.
So, come to the Ochre City, full of charm and comfort, and enjoy the countless attractions and the constant effervescence of this magical city.
To make the most of your Marrakech city break, rent a Marrakesh riad, where you will benefit from a captivating atmosphere, as well as a beautiful environment and all sorts of top-quality services and conveniences in this extraordinary corner of the world.
David Gonzalez-Company (BA Degree in Philosophy, Universitat de Valia (Spain); MA (Hons) Degree in Mental Philosophy, University of Edinburgh (UK); MA Degree in Comparative Literature, University of Washington (USA)) is a writer, journalist, educator and translator who has traveled extensively and has lived in several European, North American and African countries.
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