Marrakech – just a four-hour flight from Austria or Germany, but a different world. Marrakech overwhelms and inspires, it fascinates and takes your breath away. Anyone who travels to Marrakech expects a dream from 1001 night and is brought down to earth pretty quickly. Why? We’ll tell you about that in this blog article.
So if you’re planning a trip to Marrakech and are looking for reviews, then you’ve come to the right place on our travel blog . We will show you the most beautiful sights and highlights in Marrakech and give you our personal tips. Ready for a concentrated load of Orient? Let’s go!
1. Marrakech: Expectations vs. Reality Marrakech – some love it, others hate it. Ok, hating might be an exaggeration, but let’s put it this way: We know enough people who traveled to Marrakech with very high expectations and were disappointed afterwards. The reason for this is quite simple: many people associate Marrakech with a dream from 1001 Night. Unfortunately, this does not quite correspond to reality. Let’s describe it a little more.
Marrakech: This is really waiting for you Almost nowhere in Morocco is tourism as noticeable as in Marrakech. The locals react with a behavior that you can’t even blame them for: They try to make as much money as possible. In the souks (the markets) you will quickly be ripped off. And if you are invited for a mint tea, then it is clear what follows: Of course they want to sell you something.
In addition, of course, there is the Arabic culture: In patriarchal Morocco (sadly) men are in charge. And you notice that on the streets: you meet comparatively very few local women. As a European-looking woman, you immediately attract attention and are often spoken to.
The feeling of having someone constantly trying to sell you something is not nice. And after the 10. Sometimes “No, thank you.” It is – admittedly – also annoying. In this respect, we can understand people who find Marrakech exhausting.
The good news: If you are prepared, it’s not that bad. We personally have not had any negative experiences in Marrakech. Sure, the traders sometimes come uncomfortably close, but fortunately physical assaults are rare.
Marrakech is not everywhere as Instagram promises The hotels and riads (traditional Moroccan accommodation) in Marrakech are at least as beautiful as one would expect them to be . To be honest, we have never traveled to a country where the hotels are as tasteful as in Morocco. Who the dream from 1001 Night in Marrakech will almost certainly find him in his own accommodation.
On the streets, however, things are different. You have to be aware of that. The bustling souks, the people, the donkey carts and other animals, the mopeds rushing past, the smells and new impressions that hit you – all of this can quickly overwhelm you. Marrakech is a adventure – and not a embellished Instagram feed.
How many days should I spend for planning a trip to Marrakech? Our big recommendation right at the beginning: Please don’t just stay in Marrakech. Morocco has so much more to offer and we highly recommend you explore more of this country. (We also liked many other stops like Fès better than Marrakech.)
If you are planning a tour of Morocco, then Marrakech is a good first stop. We would recommend you to stay around 3 to 4 nights here. During this period you will get a good insight and can easily visit the most important sights of Marrakech.
If Marrakech is your only destination in Morocco, then if we were you, we would stay a little longer, namely approx 5 nights. That way you can go on one or the other trip (e.g. to the Atlas Mountains).
2. Sights in Marrakech Medina & Souks Let’s start right where the action is: the medina. The medina is the old town of Marrakech and a labyrinth of alleys that seem to get narrower and narrower. Some of the sights that we will list in a moment are also in the medina – but the medina is definitely a highlight in itself, so we describe it separately.
In the medina the Preserving orientation is practically impossible. So just run and see where your path takes you. It is particularly crowded in the souks , i.e. the markets of Marrakech. If you walk north from the Djemaa el Fnaa (the huge square – more on that in a moment) you will find yourself in the souks.
Teapots, carpets, lamps, spices, shoes, scarves – if If you want to buy souvenirs or new favorite pieces for your apartment, then you’ve come to the right place. Very important: Negotiation is part of it! Traders will initially charge at least double to triple what they roughly intend to charge.
Would you prefer to visit the souks with an experienced guide? Then we can highly recommend a guided tour through the markets.
You can book the tour here: Tour through the souks of Marrakech
Djemaa el Fna The famous Grand Square of Marrakech is the heart of the city and probably the most important Sight of Marrakech. The official name of the square is Djemaa el Fna – but in Marrakech the French word “La place” is usually just said.
On the Djemaa el Fna a pulsating, colorful hustle and bustle of jugglers, drummers and food stalls awaits you. The place is incredibly spacious, incredibly chaotic – and incredibly touristy. After the first sensory impressions have hit you, someone will probably be standing in front of you to sell you something.
Important: On the Djemaa el Fna it is customary for you will be asked for money as soon as you point your camera at locals. (By the way, this is the case in many larger cities in Morocco.) With all the hustle and bustle, you don’t even notice that you might have someone in front of the lens. So just stay polite and give a small tip. But please skip the animal shows with snakes and monkeys!
The later in the afternoon you come, the more crowded it gets on Djemaa el Fna. The flair becomes very special in the evening when the street restaurants fire up their grills and clouds of smoke spread across the square.
Our tip: There are countless rooftops on the edge of the square bars and restaurants. Don’t miss out on watching the sunset over the rooftops of Djemaa el Fna. It’s best to order a fresh mint tea and witness how the square changes from minute to minute.
Bahia Palace One of the most beautiful sights in Marrakech is without a doubt the magnificent Bahia Palace. The palace dates from the late 19. Century and united in a beautiful way a Ndalusian and Moorish architecture.
When visiting, you usually follow the tour, which takes you through countless rooms and courtyards . You will pass orange trees, fountains, elaborate carvings and mosaics – in short: a paradise for all those who can relate to Moroccan architecture.
Because the Bahia Palace is one of the highlights in Marrakech, the rush is usual quite big. We therefore recommend that you come as early as possible so that you can visit the palace in peace.
Entry: 70 Dirham Opening hours: 9 to 16 Clock
Medersa Ben Youssef One of our favorite places in Marrakech! The Medersa Ben Youssef is a former Koran school. It honestly looks like something out of a picture book! We have to say that we were really lucky because we got a time window when hardly any other people were there. (After us, a huge tour group arrived – so unfortunately it’s not always so tranquil.)
The Medersa Ben Youssef probably comes from the 14. Century. Although the building isn’t very sprawling, we spent at least an hour just soaking up the flavor and taking photos of the mosaics.
Current Note: The Koran school is currently (beginning 2020) still renovated, but will be reopened soon.
Entry: 50 Dirham Opening hours: 9 to 17 Watch
Koutoubia Mosque The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakech and the symbol of the city. Your imposing 77 Meter high minaret is visible from many parts of the city and is a good landmark. The mosque dates from the 12. Century is considered one of the oldest in the country.
The downer: The Koutoubia Mosque may only be visited by Muslims. Those of other faiths are denied access. Even if the mosque can only be admired from the outside, it is quite a highlight.
Jardin Majorelle The Jardin Majorelle is one of the most visited attractions of Marrakech and is highly praised in many travel guides. The botanical garden was once bought by the French artist Yves Saint Laurent and extensively redesigned in several stages.
The color scheme is quite curious: cobalt blue and yellow are predominant. Cobalt blue and yellow elements such as pavilions or benches flash amidst huge cacti and palm trees.
The Jardin Majorelle is an oasis away from the hectic medina of Marrakech. But we have to be honest: the garden didn’t impress us as much as we expected. Although we find it a bit overrated, the Jardin Majorelle is of course still worth a visit.
Apart from the Jardin Majorelle itself, you can also visit the Berber Museum ) and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. We generally recommend that you avoid lunchtime, because then it is over usually very busy. It is not uncommon for you to have to queue for a really long time at the entrance.
Admission: 70 Dirham (Jardin Majorelle only), 200 Dirham (combined ticket for Jardin Majorelle, Berber Museum and Yves Saint Laurent Museum) Opening hours Jardin Majorelle: May to September from 8 to 18 Watch, October to April from 8 to 18: 30 Watch , during Ramadan from 9 to 14: 30 Clock
Anima: André Heller Garten One of the newest attractions in Marrakech is André Heller’s Garden called Anima. The garden is by no means as crowded as the Jardin Majorelle, but it is a lot more impressive and elaborately designed.
What awaits you here? A three hectare (!) garden that combines wonderfully lush vegetation with art. There is a surprise around every corner, so to speak, and there are so many botanical and artistic details that a visit never, ever can pay attention to everything.
The Anima Garden is located a few kilometers from the center of Marrakech. There is a free shuttle, that runs about three times a day. Departure is from the parking lot behind the Koutoubia Mosque (Parking + Lavage La Koutoubia). The journey takes about 28 Minutes.
You should allow yourself enough time for your visit. You can easily stroll for several hours and still discover something new. There is also a nice café on the premises, Café Paul Bowles, , which is perfect for a break.
Entry: 150 Dirhams Opening hours: 9 to 18 Watch
La Maison de la Photographie The Maison de la Photographie is a photo museum which exhibits historical photographs from Morocco indicates. Housed in a beautifully renovated riad, the museum is worth a visit for that alone.
If you’re interested in photography, we can highly recommend a visit to this museum. We personally really liked the Maison de la Photographie. It is a small oasis away from the bustling medina.
Our tip: The crowning glory of the visit awaits you on the museum’s roof terrace. There is a small restaurant with a wonderful view – be sure to stop by!
Entry: 50 Dirham Opening hours: 9: 30 until 19 Watch
3. Eating & drinking in Marrakech: Our tips Marrakech has an unbelievable variety of restaurants and cafés. There are simple, inexpensive street bars as well as hip, international scene restaurants with fusion cuisine.
You shouldn’t miss two specialties in Morocco. First of all fresh mint tea. This is drunk in Morocco on almost every occasion and is characterized by the fact that it is heavily sweetened. And the second specialty would be Tajine, a stewed dish of vegetables and meat, prepared in the clay pot of the same name and often served with couscous.
Tajine There is often a vegetarian version, but unfortunately that is often the only meatless dish in traditional restaurants. If you eat vegetarian or vegan, then we recommend the app HappyCow.
to find a restaurant. Tips for restaurants and cafés in Marrakech Nomad: Scene bar with a beautiful roof terrace from which you look up to the Atlas mountains. The menu features creative Moroccan dishes.
M Rooftop: Very nice, young rooftop bar with a view of the minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. Traditional dishes with a modern touch are served at a very high level. Highly recommended!
Café Clock: Young, artistically inspired restaurant with good food. Moroccan dishes are served.
4. Hotel tips for Marrakech The accommodations in Marrakech (and generally in all of Morocco) are a dream. If possible, we would recommend staying in a riad. Riads are traditional Moroccan houses with a beautiful courtyard. We stayed in two quite different places to stay in Marrakech, both of which we highly recommend.
Tip for boutique riads: Riad dar Karma The Riad dar Karma is a beautiful boutique riad, located in a hidden alley in the center of Marrakech . From the outside you can’t even imagine the oasis that awaits you behind the gates.
You’ll spend the night here in traditional, very tasteful rooms. There are only six rooms or suites , which is why there is a very personal, pleasant atmosphere in the Riad dar Karma. In one of the two courtyards there is a small pool. The highlight, however, is on the roof: the roof terrace is really a dream. Breakfast is served here every day, weather permitting. There is no better way to start the day.
The Riad dar Karma is located in the so-called Kasbah quarter, that about 19 walking distance from Djemaa el Fna. The advantage: the Kasbah district is comparatively quiet, but you are still quite central and can reach all sights on foot.
Here you can book the riad: Riad dar Karma
Tip for luxury Hotel: La Sultana Marrakech Would you like to treat yourself to a little luxury? Then we can recommend the La Sultana Marrakech. We stayed here for one night. A palace-like, stately hotel with a unique flair awaits you here. 30 There are rooms, but over 70 Employees – that says it all.
The Breakfast is terrific and the spa is in a class of its own. The indoor pool is a dream 500 Night and rightly the most photographed motif in the whole hotel. Another highlight is the roof terrace, from which you can enjoy a wonderful view.
If there is anything to criticize, it would be the ground floor location of some rooms, because this means that little light enters the room. Nevertheless: A unique, highly recommended hotel.
You can book the hotel here: La Sultana Marrakech
5. More travel tips: Transport, Security & Co Local transport : How do I get from A to B in Marrakech? You can easily walk most of the sights in the center of Marrakech reach: For example, the Djemaa el Fna, the souks, the Koutoubia Mosque and the Medersa Ben Youssef are all within walking distance of each other. In addition, the alleys in the medina are sometimes so narrow that you can’t even get in with a car.
However, some routes (e.g. to the Jardin Majorelle) are too far to cover them To walk – or of course you are just too tired for it at some point. Then we recommend a so-called Petit Taxi.
Taxis in Marrakech There are Grands Taxis (ie large) and Petits Taxis (ie small) in many cities in Morocco. Petits Taxis are available for inner-city transport. They are so small that they can drive into very narrow streets.
A Petit Taxi ride within Marrakech will cost approximately 30 Dirham. There should be a taximeter in every taxi, but the driver will almost certainly try to convince you that it doesn’t work. Discussing often doesn’t make much sense, so it’s best to agree on a fixed price. If the price seems excessive to you (often 20 dirhams or more required), then just ask the nearest taxi driver.
From Airport to City The easiest way to get from the airport to the hotel is by taxi. You can take both a Petit and a Grand Taxi for this. Be sure to set the price beforehand! More than 150 Dirham shouldn’t cost the trip – in the best case you’ll even trade a little further down.
Travel Guide for Marrakech Option 1: Total Travel Guide for Morocco If your trip takes you not only to Marrakech but also to other parts of Morocco, then we can highly recommend the Stefan Loose travel guide. Loose travel guides are characterized by the fact that they are quite detailed and very well researched.
The new edition of Stefan Loose’s Morocco travel guide was published in 2019 and is therefore quite up-to-date. Our conclusion: Perfect for all individual travelers!
You can buy the travel guide here: Stefan Loose Morocco
Option 2: Marrakech Travel Guide If you only travel to Marrakech then make a total Morocco travel guide of course no sense. In this case we recommend the DuMont direct travel guide. This travel guide is rather compact, but sufficient for a city trip to Marrakech. We really like the clean design of this travel guide series.
You can buy the guide here: DuMont direct Marrakech
Security in Marrakech We have to be honest: in Marrakech we have each other from all places most uncomfortable in Morocco. Luckily nothing happened to us at all, but the narrow streets of the medina were really not a place to feel good, especially at night.
As already described in the introduction to this blog article, the men for Part very intrusive. Poverty is also a big issue in Morocco. Pickpockets are the order of the day. We therefore strongly recommend that you carry your valuables as close to your body as possible and not simply carry the expensive camera hanging loosely around the shoulder.
Would we still travel to Marrakech again? Right away! Would we recommend a trip to Marrakech for women traveling alone? Conditionally, to be honest. But we wouldn’t specifically advise against it either. We would only avoid the medina at night.
Transparency: Affiliate Links We were invited by La Sultana Marrakech for one night – thank you very much! This blog article contains our personal recommendations in the form of so-called affiliate links. If you book or buy something through the links, we will receive a small commission. For you, this does not change the price at all. A thousand thanks from both of us!
Have you ever been to Marrakech? How did you like it? Are you perhaps one of those who were rather disappointed? Do you have any other recommendations? We look forward to your comments with your additional tips!
