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Marrakech Tours & Travel Guide
The word “fabled” often pops up when describing Marrakech, and this Moroccan desert oasis city certainly is that. Its most fabled attraction is the Djemaa el-Fna, a square in the middle of the medina where snake charmers, acrobats, and other colorful performers entertain nightly. The medina also has crowded souks and maze-like alleyways that lead to secluded palaces and mosques. Most Morocco tours feature a visit to this fantastic destination.
1. Shop the Souks - A “souk” is a market, and just one of the things is Marrakech is incredibly famous for. These markets sell everything you can imagine -- pottery, carpets, spices, meat, produce, jewelry -- and all at a relatively low price, if you know how to bargain for it.
Going on a guided tour is critical for visiting Marrakech’s many souks, unless you really know the area. It can be easy to get lost in the endless side streets, each with stands selling much of the same product.
2. Visit a Tannery - Marrakech is well known for its leather goods, and you will see brightly dyed pelts throughout the city. Tanneries will smell badly, and for this reason you can expect to be given a mint at the doorway, in case the scent becomes overpowering.
The tanning process can be a little gross - these are animal parts, and they do soak in bird excrement - but still a must do activity that sheds light on how traditional Moroccan life is still lived.
3. Take in the Architecture - Some of the best examples of Islamic architecture in the world are in Marrakech, and if you have never been in a Muslim country before, you are sure to be blown away. Islamic art and architecture doesn’t include any human figures, and tends to be known for bright colors, impressive symmetry, and dazzling geometric designs.
On buildings, Muslim architects are known for their domes and minarets, the Koutobia minaret being one of the most famous examples of this in Marrakech. Some of the other impressive buildings in Marrakech include the Bahia Palace, Dar Si Said, the Saadian Tombs, Marrakesh Museum, and Ali Ben Yousef Medersa, to name just a few!
Marrakech is a only a short trip from the Sahara Desert, the largest desert in the world, so any trip to the city provides an incredible opportunity to see this natural wonder.
Driving to the sand dunes in Erg Chebbi from Marrakech is a full day of driving, so we recommend you spend at least two days in the Sahara. This way, you aren’t rushing through your bucket list items, and you have the chance to absorb all the aspects of desert life. Spending more than a day in the desert also means you’ll have a chance to spend a night sleeping under the clearest starry skies you have ever seen.
Is there a best time of year to visit the Sahara? While you definitely do not have to worry about any kind of rainy or monsoon season, there are times of year when the temperature is more mild, specifically during the traditional spring (May) and autumn (October).
In the winter (especially December through January) nighttime temperatures can drop below freezing, which is not ideal for camping. The summer months can have scorching day time temperatures and so far that reason are also not ideal.
Now that you’ve committed to visiting the Sahara, you may be wondering what to bring. If you’ve never spent the night in a desert before, you may be surprised by how greatly the temperature can change.
Although the day may be incredibly hot, nights can be chilly, so it’s important to bring a fleece or a light jacket to keep you warm. For the day, remember to bring adequate sun protection in the form of some kind of hat and sunscreen,
If you plan to go camel riding, full length pants and close toed shoes are going to keep you comfortable. Some also recommend you bring a lightweight scarf, in case there are any flies.
Marrakech is one of the most photographic destinations in the world.
To make sure that you don’t miss any photograph spots, consider taking a photography tour of Marrakech. Here are some general photography tips for visiting the area though:
You can also take a photography tour to get insider tips from professionals!
Most luxury and premium tours of Marrakech include a stay in a riad. A riad is a uniquely Moroccan home that has an interior courtyard, traditionally with a small fountain in the center.
Riad are generally some of the most beautiful housing you could hope to have, and usually even have rooftop terraces. They are also a great way to stay close to the heart of the city -- riads in Marrakech are located in medina, or the city’s old town.
What an exciting adventure my trip to Morocco was with nearly everyday a new city/town to visit in just over two week period. I thoroughly enjoyed the culture past...
Thoroughly enjoyed all aspects of the trip. Thought it was well organised. Riding through the dunes on a camel! Staying in Kasbah Oliver and exploring the village a...
A relaxing and very enjoyable adventure. First day of camel trecking was enhanced by a terrific sandstorm, followed by torrential rain that fell whilst we were sle...
A good trip covering a vast area gave us a good experience of the country. Each area had something different, ,enjoyed the desert . also the Atlas Mountains, only p...
Although I’ve been back home a while. I still have memories of seeing a mules loaded up with our heavy suitcases. Their legs buckling underneath. A taxi brought so...
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