GRAB A BARGAIN (OR TEN) AT THE SOUK

The souks of Marrakech are the largest in Morocco and live up to their reputation of being the most exotic marketplace in the world. Be prepared to dive in a world of multicoloured carpets, giant racks of spices, spectacular displays of lanterns, leather products, pottery and jewellery.

Historically, souks were divided and named according to the products being sold a thousand years ago and this layout continues to this day.

The souks start north of Jamaa El-Fnaa and spread through a series of winding passageways finishing at the Musee de Marrakech.

Navigating the souks is not an easy task as it doesn’t take much to get lost in the narrow alleyways. If you do you can ask any shop keeper to show you an exit, people in Marrakech are very friendly so don’t be surprised if someone offers to walk you all the way to the exit but if you are concerned about getting lost then wandering the souks with a licensed guide is the best way to explore the old medina with a peace of mind. Using a Sat nav can be useful but avoid using them in narrow and small streets and always use a landmark such as the Koutoubia Mosque as your reference point or destination.   The souks are open from 9am to 9pm but the best times to visit are early in the morning or after sunset.

SEE THE KOUTOUBIA MOSQUE

One of the most important landmarks in the city of Marrakech, the Koutoubia mosque was built in 1120 under the Almoravid dynasty but its construction didn’t end until 1196, under the Almohad dynasty. the mosque is famous for its minaret which culminates at 77 meters in height, making it both the most emblematic and the tallest building in the city. The minaret has also served as a model for the Giralda in Seville and the Hassan Tower in Rabat.

the mosque’s name which means the booksellers was given due to its former location in the souk of the manuscripts merchants.

Located about 500 meters southwest of the Jamaa El- Fna square and visible from miles, the inside of the Koutoubia mosque can only be visited by Muslims but the outside of the mosque is what attracts most visitors. The view is particularly beautiful from the gardens south of the mosque and in the evening when the mosque is lit up.

VISIT THE MADRASA BEN YOUSSEF

Madrasas are Islamic religious schools and the Ben Youssef madrasa was one of the largest schools in North Africa and the largest in Morocco.

Located a few steps from a mosque that bears the same name, the Quranic school was founded in the 14th century by a Merinid Sultan  and rebuilt in the 16th century under a different dynasty. The madrasa was for more than four centuries a home for students of theology and was designed to host 900 students within its 132 rooms that surround its sumptuous central courtyard and the marble basin that was used for ablutions. The school is a unique architectural masterpiece and worth a visit to admire this craftmanship and indulge in its history. The Ben Youssef Madrasa became a museum in 1960 and was refurbished in 1999, making it one of Marrakech’s most visited attractions.

Open daily from 9 am till 6 pm but closed on some holidays.

Entrance fee: £6

WANDER IN MAJORELLE GARDEN:

Majorelle Garden takes its name from its creator, the French painter Jacques Majorelle who fell in love with Morocco in 1917 and bought a land northwest of Marrakech where he built a Moorish-style villa and a painting studio and later on created a botanical garden. Majorelle spent 40 years acquiring different plants from all over the world to furnish his garden and used his painter’s eye to turn the garden into a magical sanctuary. The garden was first open to the public in 1947 to help with the costs of maintenance and was sadly abandoned after the painter’s death in 1962.

In 1980, the garden was acquired by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and regained its splendour under his care. After his death, friends of Yves Saint Laurent scattered his ashes in Majorelle garden where he often found inspiration and refuge.

In 2017, a museum dedicated to the work of Yves Saint Laurent opened its doors next to the garden. It houses an important selection from the Fondation Pierre Bergé – Yves Saint Laurent’s impressive collection, as well as a 150-seat auditorium, a research library, a bookstore and a café.

It is worth noting that Majorelle Garden is quite small so don’t plan on spending a whole morning or afternoon there. You can get a combined ticket here to see all three attractions which is what I would recommend doing.

STEP BACK IN TIME AT EL BADII PALACE

This old palace was built by the Saadian sultan Al-Mansur to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese army in 1578.

El Badii palace was built over 16 long years, using the finest materials from all over the world such as marble from Italy and jade from China. The palace was a symbol of power and took 16 years to finish.

Its courtyard is a large version of that of the Alhambra and Its underground system allowed servants to move through the palace and its 360 rooms without being seen.

When the new ruling dynasty came to power in 1696, the new sultan ordered a complete stripping of the palace from its marbles and other treasures and transported them to his new capital, Meknes ; a task which took 20 years to complete. The once sumptuous palace is now an impressive ruin that’s worth visiting.

Palace Badii is open daily. Times may vary Entrance fee is £6.

HAVE A MINDFUL MOMENT AT LE JARDIN SECRET

This 400-year-old palace dates back to the Saadian dynasty. Tucked away in the heart of the medina, the building once belonged to the elite of Morocco and reflected the splendour of Moroccan architectural art. It ended up derelict and abandoned following the death of its last owner in 1934 and has been restored into a garden and museum in 2008 and finally open to the public in 2017.  Besides the totally renovated palace, visitors are also surprised to discover two wonderful gardens: an exotic garden and an Islamic garden. The Exotic Garden brings together many plants from the five continents while the Islamic Garden is designed to be a representation of Paradise on earth, as described in the Quran and is home to several species of olive, orange trees and lavender.

You can also visit the tower (for an additional fee) which offers stunning  views of the Medina and its surroundings, including the Koutoubia mosque.  There is also a restaurant overlooking the entire garden, as well as a café and several souvenirs shops.

The Jardin Secret is open all year between 9:30 am and 7 pm (times vary according to seasons).

Entrance fee is £7 for the garden and £3.50 for the tower.

MARVEL AT THE ARCHITECTURE AT EL BAHIA PALACE

The Bahia Palace is located south of the Medina of Marrakech near the Casbah. Built in 1900, it was designed to be the most sumptuous of the palaces of Morocco and included 150 rooms decorated in floral paintings and sculptures, several gardens showcasing several plants and a huge courtyard.

Today the gardens are still the highlights of the place and you will be able to enjoy a display of orange trees, grapefruit and various yellow, red, purple flowers.

The rooms inside the palace don’t have any furniture but you can still appreciate the architecture and original features.

El Bahia palace is open daily between 8 am and 5 pm. Entrance fee is £6.

Do a Food tour

This Marrakech guide wouldn’t be complete without a reference to Moroccan cuisine! There are a lot of great restaurants in Marrakech but it can be hard to know which ones are genuine and which ones are tourist traps. One of the best ways to discover Moroccan cuisine is via a food tour with a local reputable company. Marrakech Food Tours provide authentic culinary tours using high quality English speakers. The tours take you through several districts where you sample a variety of national and local dishes and offer a great insight into the culture and history of Moroccan cuisine.