Travel Guide to Marrakesh – Morroco
Here is what you need to know to plan your trip to Marrakesh – Morocco.
Travel Guide to Marrakesh – As you already probably know, Marrakech is one of Morocco’s most famous destinations and a former imperial city in the western part of the country. It is a major economic center and home to mosques, palaces, and gardens. Here is your complete Travel Guide to Marrakesh.
The Medina is a densely packed, walled medieval city dating to the Berber Empire, with alleys where thriving souks (marketplaces) sell traditional textiles, pottery, and jewelry. We will help you plan your trip to Marrakesh to avoid getting lost.
Things to Know:
- Currency: Moroccan Dirham
- Language: The official languages in Morocco are Modern Standard Arabic and Amazigh (Berber), but many Moroccans speak French. English is also spoken there.
- Best time to go: The best times to visit Marrakech are from March to May and between September and November.
- Credit Card or Cash: BOTH. If you go to a nice restaurant and the hotels, CC is accepted, but on the streets of Marrakesh or for a taxi, they mostly only get cash.
- Dress Code: If you are not visiting a Mosque, you can dress usually. But keep in mind that it’s a Muslim country, meaning no mini skirts, and men would be better not to wear tank tops.
Where to Stay?
Mandarin Oriental Marrakesh
The Medina is probably the place to stay if you want to feel the Marrakesh vibe. But suppose you also want an unforgettable time just 10 minutes away from the Medina. In that case, we are pleased to welcome you to Mandarin oriental Marrakesh. It is the place we suggest if you ask us where to stay.
From the Menara Airport, your transfer will be waiting for you in MO Marrakesh. The resort is set among 20 hectares of landscape olive groves with the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the backdrop.
Pool Villa #41
We stayed in one of their pool villas. It’s a one bedroom villa with a private garden, heated pool, jacuzzi, and outdoor dining and relaxation areas.
There are 43 villas like ours, and each one has 288 sqm.
The resort also counts with two main restaurants. Shirvan Cafe Metisse and Ling Ling.
Restaurants at Mandarin Oriental Marrakech
Shirvan Cafe Metisse
Two Michelin-starred chef Akrame Benallal signs Shirvan Cafe Metisse. The restaurant shares Mediterranean cuisine with North African and Oriental Influences. From the mesmerizing light of the Medina, the Chef created a menu that combines an abundance of colorful wonders; fresh, fried, grilled, smoked, pink, green, blue-tinted, and carmine.
Ling Ling
Designed by Parisian duo Gilles & Bossier and located in the West wing of the lobby, Ling Ling moves from inside to out, with a spacious outdoor terrace overlooking the gardens, lounge, and bar.
Inspired by the popular Eastern concept of ‘Izakaya,’ at Ling Ling, food is served to accompany the drinks, rather than the other way around.
We got a set menu – Ling Ling Experience – and it was divine!
SPA
With a design inspired by the historic cathedral and Mosques of Andalucia, the Spa at MO Marrakesh has unique treatments, and the place itself is gorgeous.
How to explore Marrakesh?
Suppose you want to explore Marrakesh comfortably and check out everything the city offers. In that case, your best option will be the fun Sidecar Tour.
No Travel Guide to Marrakesh would be complete without a good hotel to stay. Our hotel – MO Marrakesh – organized a two h tour. It was amusing, and we’ve learned SO much about the city, culture, lifestyle, history…
We went with insider experience. Our driver and guide, Mr.Safoune, took us to places such as The famous heritage building (Le Grand Café de La Poste), neighborhoods of the Medina, the new city, an ancient art deco building, YSL first house, a former open-air cinema, the very first hotel built in 1918 and many other incredible places.
We recommend this tour!!
Where to eat in Marrakesh?
As we only had one night available, we chose well, and we went to check Comptoir Darna.
Comptoir Darna
It is a crucial nightlife attraction in Marrakesh, which arrived in 1999. It’s a fashion restaurant with fantastic food, atmosphere, music, and entertainment. Unfortunately, at this time, due to the COVID restrictions, regular shows are not allowed.
Our choices for the night:
- Hummus & Falafels
- Roasted Goat Cheese
- Gyoza-Style Lobster Ravioli
- Lamb Tagine
Everything was delicious. The only downside for us is that people can smoke inside the restaurant. For us non-smoking people, this is something we quite don’t like. But the rest was truly incredible.
What to Visit In Marrakesh? Travel Guide to Marrakesh
As you guys can imagine, Marrakesh has much to offer. The Medina – with is the old town, the New City – with is the modern part of Marrakesh outside the walls of the Medina.
But there is one place that is a must when in Marrakesh. The Jemaa El Fna Square.
Jemaa el-Fna Square
Jemaa el-Fnaa is a square and marketplace in Marrakesh’s Medina quarter (old city). It is one of the main cultural spaces in Marrakesh and has become one of the town’s symbols since its foundation in the eleventh century. It represents a unique concentration of popular Moroccan cultural traditions performed through musical, religious, and artistic expressions.
Over there, you can find spices, local food, snacks, falcons, monkeys… It’s a very particular and inserting place.
Our impressions. Is Marrakesh worth it to visit?
To be honest, we never dreamed of visiting Marrakesh until a few years ago. That said, the city is definitely worth the visit, and you will be impressed with such rich culture and history.
