Marrakech, Morocco
Meaning “Land of God”, this UNESCO city resting in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains is Morocco’s most visited destination. A walk through the labyrinth that is the Medina is an assault on the senses like no other we’ve experienced.
Let’s visit Marrakech!
The energy of the Medina in Marrakech is a feeling that’s difficult to describe. Grab your negotiating hat and experience the souks, eat some of the best food in the world, and explore the majestic mountains surrounding Marrakech.
Visit Marrakech: Take a ride on a roller coaster.. Or was that a taxi cab?
If arriving in Marrakech by air, you’ll likely need the services of a taxi en route to your hotel or riad in the Medina. And what a ride that is! If you enjoy jumping out of airplanes, skiing down gigantic mountains, or swimming with sharks, then a Marrakech taxi is for you! Like a perfectly choreographed dance with scooters, donkeys, and pedestrians, this is a ride not soon forgotten! Check out details of our adventurous arrival here.
Visit Marrakech: Find the Berber Leather Tannery
A what?? That’s right, the Berber people have been curing leather hides since the 11th century in the tanneries of Marrakech. Although there’s plenty of information out there suggesting the tannery is a rip-off or scam, we disagree! Our visit to the tannery was unforgettable, and not just because of the smell (it smells horrible, but is totally worth it.) Using traditional techniques the workers stand waist high in pigeon excrement (that’s the smell) to soften leather hides. Our guide took us through the process from beginning to hand bag. Read more about our tannery experience here.
Visit Marrakech: Did Someone Say Shopping??
A trip to Marrakech is not complete without a visit to the souks of the Medina. These bazaars, or open-air markets, sell everything from spices and jewelry to carpets and slippers. Don’t miss out on the night market at Jemaa el-Fnaa in the central Medina. Here you’ll find amazing food stalls, snake charmers, and dancers… On a side note, be on the lookout for the henna ladies! Although very talented, they will not take “no” for an answer if you give them the slightest bit of attention.
Visit Marrakech: Let Us Eat
If we had to choose just one meal for the rest of our lives, it would be the chicken sandwich from an un-named food stall near our riad in the medina. While we’re unfortunately unable to name the stand, we can tell you that it does exist and you should try to find it! Be on the lookout for an impeccably baked French baguette filled with perfectly-cooked Moroccan spiced chicken, green olives, lettuce, tomatoes, and sumptuous sauce.. Happy hunting!
A great place we can share is Les Terrasses De L’Alhambra, located in the bustling Jemaa el-Fna Square. Head to the roof-top terrace for amazing views and great food. We recommend the chicken tagine and the Moroccan salad is not to be missed: twelve small bowls filled with tasty things like meatballs, carrot salad, stuffed grape leafs, marinated tomatoes, and pickled beets.
Visit Marrakech: How About A Day Trip?
We highly recommend making time for a day trip through the stunning Atlas Mountains. We booked with 4x4camel.com, and couldn’t have been more pleased.
Our fantastic guide Aziz met us at our riad, and we began our journey into the mountains. Luckily it was a Tuesday, so we stopped at the amazing weekly Berber market in Amizmiz. Aziz explained that the market is like the Berber Facebook, a place where everyone meets to share the week’s gossip. Not only does the Amizmiz Souk sell live sheep, cow and goat heads, they even have a dentist/barber ready to pull teeth and give a clean shave.
After the market, we stopped for some bucket list camel rides, and then for the highlight of the day: Lunch! Located somewhere in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, we stopped at a small Berber village for lunch in the home of the village Imam. This mouthwatering meal included freshly baked bread, squash soup, chicken tagine and steaming couscous. Both the food and views were incredible!
We topped off the day with a visit to the women’s Argan oil cooperative. The painstaking process was an eye-opener and we definitely recommend purchasing the amber scented perfume solid (it lasts forever). This was one of our favorite days on planet earth, and we couldn’t recommend it more!
Visit Marrakech: Book a Tour!
Getting to Marrakech
Getting to Marrakech: TRAIN
Trains throughout Morocco are a great option; you’ll avoid lines at the airport, enjoy beautiful scenery, and can be very comfortable. The ride from Casablanca is slightly quicker than taking a bus and costs the same at just $8.
Getting to Marrakech: FLY
If planned in advance you can find reasonable direct flights to Marrakech from cities like Madrid for $19, Milan for $23, London for $25, or Paris for $29 with our favorite flight search site, Skyscanner.
Marrakech Flight Deals
Getting to Marrakech: BUS
Buses are not our favorite mode of travel.. The seats are generally cramped, the ride is bumpy, and departure/arrival times can be unpredictable. This said, the route from Casablanca is only $8 and takes three and a half hours.
Menara Airport to Marrakech City Center
Fly into Menara Airport(RAK) head towards the old Marrakech city center inside the Medina walls, about 4-5 miles away. How will you get there?
Bus
Look for public bus #11 or #19, which stops just outside the arrival terminal every 30 minutes between 6:30am and 11:30pm. The bus route with take you directly to Jamaa el Fna square for 30DH (about 8USD), and you can purchase tickets directly from the driver. Fair warning, it is common for some locals and/or taxi drivers to tell you the bus is broken.
Taxi/UBER
Find the taxi stand just outside to the left and expect to pay 20USD for a ride to the city center. Make sure to confirm the fare with your driver before getting in the taxi. UBER is not currently available in Marrakech.
Getting around in Marrakech
Taxi/UBER
Other than walking, the beige Petit Taxi’s are the most common way for tourists to get around in Marrakech. To make sure the “fare is fair,” insist the driver turns on the meter. Depending on the time of day, the initila fare should be 1.50-3DH with an additional 3DH per kilometer. After 8pm, expect a 50% surcharge. UBER is not currently available in Marrakech.
Walk
Night or day, old Marrakech is an action-packed labyrinth that is best explored by foot. Walkscore.com gives Marakech’s Medina a score of 95, calling it a “Walker’s Paradise”.
Where To Stay in Marrakech:
Where To Stay in Marrakech: HOTELS/RIADS
Marrakech offers a wide range of hotels and riads to choose from. Options include high-end hotels like the Four Seasons Resort or Riad Bulle d’Or for $500 a night and more reasonable hotels like Diwane Hotel and Spa or Riad AlBoraq for just $60 a night. When it comes to hotels and riads, we recommend shopping Agoda.com, far and away the most competitive resource when searching for hotels in Marrakech.
Marrakech Hotel Deals
Where To Stay in Marrakech: HOSTELS
With over 140 options for hostels in Marrakech, you’re sure to find one that fits your needs. Prices generally range from $5-$10 a night for a dorm room, while private rooms will cost around $20-$30 per night. Hostelworld is our recommended resource when searching for hostels in Marrakech.
Marrakech Hostel Deals
Where To Stay in Marrakech: NEIGHBORHOODS
Choosing a neighborhood is an important part of trip planning that should not be overlooked! While Marrakech technically has neighborhoods, the only question you should ask: Inside or outside the Medina walls?
Inside the walls
This is the historic district of the city where all the action happens. If you’re looking for an authentic and energetic Moroccan experience, you must stay within the Medina. Here you’ll find grand souks, leather tanneries, and countless street vendors.
Outside the walls
Called Ville Nouvelle, this modern European neighborhood is where you’ll find stylish restaurants, hotels, fast food chains, and Jardin Majorelle, Yves Saint Laurent’s garden. If the chaos of the Medina is just too much, relax and spend your downtime here.
Marrakech Travel Tips
Marrakech travel tips: Tipping
A general rule for tipping in Morocco is tip for exceptional service. At restaurants, check to see if they’ve charged a service fee. If not, 20 to 30 dirhams would be respectable. Don’t worry too much about tipping your taxi driver, but if extra friendly round up the fare.
Marrakech travel tips: Money
Morocco’s national currency is the Dirham and is currently exchanging at 9.68MAD to $1USD. Credit cards are widely accepted and ATM machines are readily available.
Marrakech travel tips: Insurance
Traveling through Marrakech is exciting and safe, but you never know when some good travel insurance could come in handy. World Nomads offers the best coverage in the business, is affordable, and is quick to act should something go wrong. For more info, check out our recent World Nomads blog post.