How long marrakech

The answer to that second question is a definite and resounding yes as there are loads of riads for you to choose from around the city. The medina is great in terms of character and its proximity to sights. However, there are also neighborhoods like the equally historic Kasbah or the more modern Gueliz that have everything you need for a pleasant visit. Just minutes from the Menara Gardens, this five-star resort offers spacious rooms with a private terrace and access to an outdoor swimming pool, rooftop terrace, and wellness center.

This light and breezy riad in the medina is fantastic value for money, with an outdoor pool, hammam, and rooftop terrace that will make it hard to leave for sightseeing. For more accommodation options in Marrakech check out Booking. They continuously offer the best rates and their custom service is on point.

The best things to do in Marrakech will not only help you explore the history, culture, and modern life of the city but show you its different areas as well. However, before we get to our Marrakech itinerary, we just wanted to remind you to purchase travel insurance. You never know what will happen and, trust us, you do not want to get stuck with thousands of dollars in medical bills.

We personally use and recommend SafetyWing. You can get a quick, non-binding quote below:. One popular alternative, for example, is World Nomads. This is definitely true for the Medina of Marrakech, the walled old city that dates back to the 11th century. And really, the best thing to do in the medina is to just wander and let yourself get lost among its narrow lanes, passages, and tunnels.

Which probably explains the name of Le Jardin Secret, a pristine palace garden that dwarfs any riad courtyard in the area. Only unveiled in , Le Jardin Secret actually features two gardens, one with plants from around the world and one with a clear Islamic influence. Boasting some of the most beautiful architecture in all of Morocco is the Ben Youssef Madrasa. Along the sides of the courtyard are twin galleries with windows, which used to house student dormitories. To save yourself a headache, do not take any photos of the snake charmers, henna ladies, etc.

Just ignore or say no to people and move on welcome to Morocco. On the busy streets leading up to Jemaa el-Fnaa, you can find horse-drawn carriages who are happy to take you around for a short ride around Marrakech. Be sure to bargain to get a fair price as they will certainly inflate the rates. I had mixed feelings about my 3 days in Marrakech but there is one thing I cannot deny: the shopping is unreal. So, what exactly are the souks? Put simply, souks are North African marketplaces and bazaars that sell a variety of good.

In the case of Marrakech, the souks are entire streets built like mazes that stretch in every direction and are filled with shops of all types and sizes, primarily selling leather accessories, clothing, jewelry, and home decor goods. Luckily, no matter where you shop, generally the goods are at least of decent quality and they are often handmade in nearby factories and shops rather than being sent in from China as in much of the world.

Be aware that accepting tea in a shop will likely embolden the vendor to demand you make a purchase unlike the Grand Bazaar in Istanbul where accepting a cup of tea is much less fraught. Always remember that you are under no obligation to pay for an item if you do not like the price, and feel free to walk away.

In fact, walking away will often get you the best price you can get. All vendors speak English as well as a variety of other languages very fluently so language barriers, for better or worse, are not an excuse to not buy! The ethics of using animals in tourism is something that concerns me a lot.

So where exactly does riding a camel fall into that? I rode camels through the Sahara Desert in and loved my experience without really thinking much of it.

However, writing this in , the landscape of ethical animal tourism has changed and thankfully we are paying much more attention to animal welfare these days. Before I could recommend whether or not you should do a camel ride, I looked into it and did some research.

Basically, the same rules apply to horses and donkeys as camels. Camels require adequate food, water, shelter, access to medical care when necessary, and freedom from abuse or overwork. If an operator can provide all that, there is nothing unethical about riding camels this article has great insight into camel riding in Morocco specifically, and mentions an important note that you should always pay a fair price for your camel ride as not paying enough may lead to camels not being fed or cared for properly.

Check availability, ratings, and price here. And if you use them, please comment back with your feedback. The tilework is simply out of this world. Since mosques are closed to non-Muslims, madrassas Islamic schools and palaces are the only places you can really see Islamic tilework.

Unfortunately, the Ben Youssef Madrassa is closed from now until at least to be renovated and preserved for future generations of travelers to enjoy. However, I did read some more recent reviews on Trip Advisor that as little as 1 week ago now May 28 it was open again. It took 15 years to build, demonstrating the best craftsmanship of the Saadian era. At the height of its grandeur, the palace had rooms, decorated to the nines with handcrafted furniture, as well as a courtyard complex with a pool.

Rich with gold, onyx, Italian marble, and exquisite tilework, the Palace was an ostentatious display of the Saadians wealth. While much of the original palace is in a state of disrepair, there are still several gorgeously preserved parts of the palace with excellent tile mosaics, ornate stained glass windows, and beautiful courtyards — so there is still plenty to photograph and visit, all while you imagine the former beauty of it in its heyday.

Whereas the El Badi Palace is a bit worse for wear after centuries of disuse, Bahia Palace is in remarkable condition. Built in the second half of the 19th century, Bahia Palace is arguably the most well-preserved historic monument in Marrakech, and its simple color scheme of white, wood and understated tilework is gorgeous.

Its many ornaments, lavishly-decorated doors, breathtaking fireplaces, floors and ceilings of the finest wood: every single detail adds up together to achieve something that is truly spectacular. Visiting Bahia Palace is an unforgettable experience for any visitor and a must-do whether you have 24 hours or three days in Marrakech. Launched in , this museum charts the iconic moments of this design legend and shares how deeply the Moroccan culture and landscapes have helped to shape his designs.

Moroccan food is now the culinary star of Africa, so join the cause and enrol in a cooking class. Imlil , 90km 56m south of Marrakech, is the hub for those starting their journeys into the High Atlas.

You can choose to walk around the village at leisure or tackle a more demanding day hike. Alternatively, you may join one of the many day tours from Marrakech to Imlil and the surrounding valleys. Most tours include a traditional Berber lunch, a camel ride and a visit to an argan oil co-op.

Almost all hammam visits will start with a quick rinse before spending a few minutes in the hot room. Let the gel works its magic for 10 minutes, then rinse it off with warm water, while scrubbing your body vigorously with kessa an exfoliating glove.

In some hammams, you can also ask for a rhassoul clay treatment that comes after the exfoliating stage. Extracted from the Atlas Mountains, rhassoul is rich in magnesium and is said to make your skin healthier.

Leave your modesty at the door is our advice as getting scrubbed in a hammam is a very intimate experience. Gueliz , an upscale neighbourhood 2km 1. Ensemble Artisanal, not far from the Koutoubia, is also an excellent place for fixed-price handicrafts and fabrics.

While you can bag quality items in Marrakech, be mindful of scams, especially from shop owners who promise to ship the goods to you later. There are Morocco itineraries for travelers of all kinds and the country is guaranteed to find a special place in your heart. With two weeks you can add a visit to the seaside town of Essaouira and enjoy a cool couple of days in the gorgeous blue town of Chefchaouen.

With seven days, you can start out in the gorgeous seaside city of Casablanca where you can visit the Hasan II Mosque, home of the tallest minaret in the world. From there you can head to Fes, with a stop at Volubilis, home to the best example of Roman ruins in the country. Spend a day exploring Fez , which has a medieval medina that is one of the largest car-free zones in the world.

You can get lost in the winding streets and bustling souks for a while. Be sure to stop in at the Tanneries Chouara for an Insta-worthy historic photoshoot. Take two days to explore the Sahara Desert, starting with a trip through the Middle Atlas mountains.

Finish your trip in the red city of Marrakech. If you like museums, this city will delight you. With a ten-day Morocco travel itinerary, you can cover all the ground above and add in a couple of choice sights. Your next stop is the charming blue city of Chefchaouen, nestled in the Rif Mountains. At sunset, you can wander up to the abandoned Spanish Mosque to catch some stunning city and mountain views. You may choose to spend some extra time in the desert, exploring windswept sandy vistas on your way to Marrakech, or add on some hiking in the foothills of the High Atlas mountains.

If you want, you can cut some other parts of your Morocco itineraries shorter to enjoy a homestay in the mountains and get to know Berber culture better.