24 Hours in Marrakesh

Marrakesh is a place that travelers either love or hate because of its vibrant vibe. One thing is sure you will get lost in the Medina. Even Google Maps gets lost all the time. If you try to remember your walk back to your riad or hotel, you will be thankful for it. Another sure thing is that you will buy way to much beautiful stuff at the souks. Here’s a 24 Hours guide to exploring Marrakesh and helps you make the most of your time!

How to non-rev to Marrakesh

Take the bus

The best way to get from the airport to Marrakesh is by taking bus number 19. The bus departures every 20 minutes, from 6h to 23h30. It costs only 30DH (3 euros) for a round trip. The bus leaves from the stop Entrée Aeroport outside of the Arrivals Hall at Terminal 2.

Use your haggling skills

You can also take a taxi. However, taxis from Marrakesh Airport often refuse to travel at the official rate. This means that depending on your negotiation skills, the drive can cost you between 150-700 DH. I don’t know about you, but when I just landed in Marrakesh, my haggling skills were not that strong as a few days later. In other words, I decided to play it safe and took the bus.

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Istanbul	Turkish Airlines
London	British Airways, easyJet, Ryanair,
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Paris	Transavia, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI fly

Where to Stay

Marrakesh is divided into two parts: the historic Medina and the modern European district. Some parts of Marrakesh can feel a bit overwhelming and stressful to stay, that’s why it’s good to pick your stay carefully.

If you visit Marrakesh for the first time, there is no better place to stay than the Medina. You can book a riad close to one of the gates. That way, if you get lost, you can easily ask someone where the gate is.

However, if you’re on a budget, I would recommend staying in Kennaria. This is a small neighborhood located within the historic walls of Marrakesh.

Located in the newer European part of Marrakesh, Gueliz is one of the trendiest neighborhoods in the city. It is a playground for travelers looking to experience the unique Morrocan style.

Your guide in Marrakesh

Wander in Jardin Majorelle

Start your day in Marrakesh with a visit to the most beautiful park in Marrakesh: Jardin Majorelle. I had no time to visit the park, and I still regret it. People recommended me to visit it early in the morning when the garden opens. In that case, you’ll be there before all the tourist buses arrive and you can walk around in peace.

Jardin Majorelle includes a wide variety of plants and flowers like palm trees, cacti, garden plants, and aquatic plants. The first years after its creation, the painter Jacques Majorelle, who designed the garden, used it as an inspiration. After that in 1947, the doors opened to the public. In 1980 Yves Saint Laurent bought Jardin Majorelle because he was fascinated by the beauty and peaceful atmosphere of the garden.

Moroccan dishes

Now that you’ve worked up an appetite, I recommend you to go to Nomad restaurant. The terraces provide unique views across the Spice Square and medina rooftops, and the restaurant offers traditional local Moroccan dishes and international dishes with a modern Moroccan twist. It is located at 1, Derb Arjaan, in the middle of the souk area. There are signs placed in the medina to show you the way if you can’t find it. The place is open every day for lunch and dinner to 23h.

Visit the palace

Another great place to visit is the Bahia Palace. This palace was built at the end of the nineteenth century. It was intended to be the most impressive palace of all time. The building has 150 rooms that lead to multiple patios and gardens. The most exciting part of the visit is the harem of Abu Bou Ahmed’s four wives and 24 concubines.

Food & places to stay

Cafe Clock

Food & Drinks

Atay Cafe La Barceloneta

Food & Drinks

Terrasse des Epices El Born

NOMAD

Le Jardin El Born

Restaurant

Riad l’Oiseau du Paradis

Best places to stay

Riad Farhan

Best places to stay

Riad Kasbah & Spa

Riad Kniza

Riad Spa Sindibad

Best places to stay

Dar Housnia

Best places to stay

The transformation of the square

The Jemaa el Fna square is both famous and notorious and can be visited at all hours of the day. For example, everyone at the square wants to sell you something, and you see the strangest things.

Personally, I found it a bit sad to see the monkeys and snakes that were used to attract tourists. But apart from this, the vibe here is pretty cool. It’s the best place to buy cheap fresh juices and nuts. I loved the avocado juice that they sold at some stalls.

At dusk, the square transforms, and the stalls give room to food stands where visitors can have dinner surrounded by Moroccan musicians playing traditional music. I recommend you to visit in the morning and to return at night to see the difference.

The highest tower

Opposite to the square, you will find The Koutoubia Mosque. This is Marrakesh’s most famous mosque. You will definitely see it because it is the highest building in Marrakesh.

Shop at the souks

Everyone who visits Marrakesh should experience shopping in the souks. In the souks, you can buy anything Moroccan made. You will find a great assortment of leather items that are made in the tanneries of Morocco. You will also find the most amazing carpets, bags, and jewelry.

Start the haggle

It might be scary in the beginning but surrender to the game of bargaining, because merchants in Marrakesh souks love to do it. A good tip is never to pay more than half of the original asking price. If the merchant seems unwilling to lower the price, all you have to do is walk away, and this is when the haggling starts. Good luck!

Away from the hustle and bustle

Overlooking one of the busy, chaotic squares of the Marrakesh medina, the Café des Épices offers a peaceful oasis away from the hustle below. The Café provides drinks and food at any hour. From breakfast to dinner. The colors and decor are designed to recreate traditional Marrakesh. I ordered the Kefta, which are spicy meatballs and eggs with tomato sauce. They were delicious!

Practical tip

You can drink alcohol in Morocco. However it’s not easy. A lot of people think that it’s disrespectful to the local people. But if you do it discreetly, you can do it without offending local sensibilities. Serving alcohol within Moroccan medinas is not a common thing. Liquor licenses are also difficult to get. Still, many Moroccan riads and restaurants serve booze indoors or on a terrace. Most of the time you can also bring your own drinks.

Do you want to read more about visiting Africa? Check this post about Johannesburg.

Use this 24 Hours guide to explore Marrakesh and make the most of your time! Download the StaffTraveler app to get the seat availability for your staff travel flight!