Marrakech is the red city of Morocco that contains all the exotic charm of North Africa. The combination of ancient museums, ancient palaces, and modern galleries makes it dizzyingly attractive. Marrakech has been inspiring designers from all over the world with bold colors, unusual texture combinations, and special styles for many years. Therefore, Marrakech excursions helps you explore different places in the city and its regions.
The old Medina in Marrakech (the old part of the city) hides all the main sights of the red city. Here you will find the Saadien’s Tombs, the Koutoubia Mosque, the Bahiya Palace, and El Badi Palace, as well as a majestic pearl – the Ali Ben Yousef Madrasah.
A walk with a professional tour guide through the narrow streets will be more interesting, the tour guide will also show you the best bazaars and sellers of luxurious caftans, Here you can find precious handmade jewelry, and carved furniture. stylish carpets and many ideas for decor.
The kaleidoscope of spicy odors is very noticeable in the spice market. The vendors will help you pick interesting oriental seasonings and introduce you to real saffron the main royal spice.
Things to do in Marrakech
- Stay in an old boutique Riad or palace.
- Walk through the eastern bazaar in search of rare things.
- Meet Artisans and find out how they work.
- Take a steam shower in a real Moroccan Hammam.
- Try prickly cactus, it oil is a part of luxury facial and hair care.
- Learn the secrets of cooking a Tajine at a cooking master class.
- Ride a carriage around the city in the evening.
- Meet the dawn in a hot air balloon.
- Go to a Moroccan restaurant for dinner and dance with oriental dancers with trays on their heads, and candles.
- Leisurely walk through one of the beautiful gardens. Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of the couturier Yves Saint Laurent and the blue garden of Majorelle associated with the history of his life, or take a sip of mint tea on the terrace in the Secret Garden.
More information about the red city Marrakech
Marrakesh is located in the south of Morocco and is known as the land of Berber tribes and caravan routes. The city of Marrakech is considered the most significant oasis among them due to its geographic location that lies between the Sahara Desert and the high Atlas mountains.
The best sights of Marrakech are its ancient medina, stunning gardens, and ancient palaces. Marrakech is called the Berber Capital of Morocco or the Red City due to its red-buffy walls.
A luxury Morocco vacation cannot be imagined without a trip to this city. After all, It is the center of the country and one of the main tourist attractions! There are great hotels, Riads, restaurants, galleries, and boutiques.
In Marrakech, it is great to experience a flight on a hot air balloon with a professional. Also, have a tour on buggies or SUV trips in the Agafei desert. Moreover climbing the Atlas mountains and why not to the highest point of Toubkal.
The red city is known for herbs and spices. Stop by one of the herbarists and choose herbs, spices, oils, and perfume that you need for your home. It is the brightest and most unforgettable shopping area in the country – you just need to be able to bargain!
Among the tourist attractions of Marrakech, there are the cozy Majorelle Garden, Bahia Palace, Agdal, and Menara Gardens. We suggest going on a vintage motorcycle to a palm grove or to the villa of perfumer Serge Lutens.
In addition, visit the artisans’ quarters with an experienced tour guide – choose souvenirs and authentic Moroccan home decors such as textiles, lanterns, and Moroccan leather products.
It is impossible to imagine tours in Marrakech without a Moroccan Hammam. So, rest and a visit to one of the hammams at a hotel or riad with a massage with a mitten “cessa” and black “beldi” soap.
How to get to Marrakech Morocco
Marrakech located in the center of Morocco. It is close to many attractions. You can reach the city through different way.
How to get to Marrakech by plane
There is an international airport in Marrakech, it receives flights from countries around the world. The frequency of flights is low (several times a week) for flights coming from several weeks.
However, thanks to direct flights to Casablanca by Royal Air Maroc and other airways companies, arriving in Casablanca is much more convenient for many travelers.
From Casablanca Airport to Marrakech is just 2.5 hours by car through the highway, or the picturesque road passing by the High Atlas mountains. In winter, it will take a little longer due to the snow.
How to get to Marrakech by train
The railway system in northern Morocco is quite extensive and popular with both residents and independent tourists visiting the country.
You can get to Marrakech by train from major cities in the north of the country, such as Rabat (3.5 hours), Casablanca (3 hours), Tangier (about 6 hours), and Fez (6.5 hours). There are only two classes of service in the trains – economy and first class.
The first class is more convenient for several factors – there are fewer people here, and the atmosphere is calmer and cooler. However, in general, both classes do not differ much, and the price tag differs by almost 30-40%. If you are taking the train from Casablanca Airport, you will have to change to L-Oasis station to continue to Marrakech.
How to get to Marrakech by car
Marrakech is the city on the map of Morocco that can be reached by a good different roads (in general, Morocco has very good roads!) from almost anywhere in the country.
There is also high way connecting Marrakech with the different cities; Casablanca (2.5 – 3 hours), Rabat (3.5 hours), Essaouira (3 hours), Fez (6 hours), and Tangier (6-7 hours).
The road from Fez to Marrakech is picturesque and beautiful – it runs through the town of Ifran and Beni Mellal, where you can have an overnight. Then continue in the morning through the Berber villages, also have a stop at Ozoud waterfall.
If you want to visit the Dades Gorge or Todra Canyon, then from Beni Mellal the way to Marrakech can be a little longer with a stop for an overnight in Ouarzazate. Afterward, continue to Marrakech the next day. you will need 4 hours through the panoramic road of the Tizin-Tishka to reach the city.
How to get to Marrakech by bus
The route to Marrakech by bus is another great option for traveling around Morocco, especially for solo travelers. Since railways in Morocco are concentrated more in the north of the country, southern cities remained outside train lines. However, Moroccan has comfortable buses on routes as a replacement for the train.
- Marrakech – Essaouira: 3 hours.
- Marrakech – Agadir: in 3 hours.
- Marrakech – Ouarzazate: 4.5 hours.
- Marrakech – Merzuga (Saharan Desert): 12 hours.
When is it better to go to Marrakech
The location of the red city determines its climate and which season is the best to visit. The weather in Marrakech is formed by two geographical zones – Its proximity to the hot Sahara desert in the east and to the high Atlas mountain range in the west.
The humid sea air reaches the Atlas mountains from the Atlantic and drops over them causing heavy rain. However, it has almost no impact on Marrakech itself. Therefore, the climate here is relatively dry, and rainfall is likely only from December to January.
The best season to visit Marrakech is considered to be the period from late February to mid-May, as well as From mid-September to December.
Weather in Marrakech by month and season
There are many sunny days in Marrakech during January and February. The daytime temperature reaches +12 – +20 degrees, but frosts are possible at night. The desert at this time of year might be very cold.
Spring in Marrakech is the best season for sightseeing, gastronomic, desert tours, and family tours! In March and April, the weather in Marrakech is comfortable and ideal for sightseeing tours. There are no sharp daily temperature fluctuations. During the day the air warms up to +27 degrees, and at night it remains around +20. You can enjoy a sunbath in the hotels or riads by the swimming pool.
At the beginning of May, the weather in Marrakech is not yet very hot, and the number of visitors increases during this period as it is the high season in Morocco! After all, May in Marrakech is the last month when you can comfortably explore the city, have a Sahara desert tour, or reach the peaks of the High Atlas. In May, it is convenient to make trips from Marrakech to the High Atlas Valley, for example, to visit Imlil and the Berber villages.
In summer, it is hot in the city, also the heat of the Sahara desert reaches its peak during this time. The desert excursion programs in these months are almost impossible but if you can support the heat of the summer in Morocco, then Sahara desert tour during the summer is an exceptional experience. Daytime temperatures easily reach +40 degrees.
In September, the heat gradually goes down in Marrakech. By the end of September, tourists rush to Marrakech again. Trekking in the Atlas mountains at this time is very comfortable. You can explore the valleys, deserts, canyons, and the city itself. It is the perfect time for outdoor activities in Morocco!
In October, Marrakech again has a high season for tourists as the weather is optimal for great Marrakech excursions, and its surroundings.
November in the red City is also very comfortable due to optimal day and night air temperatures. It is ideal to come to the city to relax with friends, enjoy a romantic vacation or spend your holiday with family.
In December, Marrakech is noticeably cold at night, and sometimes raining but only a few hours a day, and up to 4-5 days a month maximum. The daytime temperatures are often kept between +15 to +20 degrees. This is what makes the city of Marrakech the best option for a New Year’s holiday in Morocco!
Where to stay in Marrakech
The city of Marrakech is perhaps the best in Morocco. It has a variety of accommodations that fit every taste and budget! Here are some options.
Marrakech Hotels
If you want to stay directly in a place full of ambiance and feel and noise, then choose to stay in the old medina.
Next to it, there are famous five stars hotels such as La Sultana Marrakech and the historic hotel La Mamounia. The districts of Hivernage and Gueliz are the closest to the city center, Jemaa El Fna, and Koutoubia Square. A few streets away there are the quieter areas called Agdal and Ville Nouvelle (New District). From the latter, you can walk to the city center which takes about 15-20 minutes.
If you want to say in a very quiet place, choose the suburb of Marrakech and the Palm Grove area, where many luxury hotels are located, such as Amanjena, Mandarin Oriental, The Oberoi, Four Seasons 5, Selman Palace 5, Palais Ronsard 5*, and Palais Aziza 5*
Riad of Marrakech – Traditional Moroccan houses
Traditional Moroccan houses or riads are very popular with travelers around Morocco. Marrakech has both luxury riads such as La Sultana Marrakech or Riad El Fenn, where exquisite luxury and a private atmosphere will satisfy even the most demanding guests.
However, there are also a huge number of all kinds of riads ranging from three to 5 stars. Many of them are authentic and picturesque. Some others look stunning in photos only, but they can bring a lot of disappointment in real life.
if you are booking by yourself in a riad, you need to find out all the important aspects of accommodation in advance: Carefully choose the location (for example, in which part of the medina the riad is located), the type of room (where the windows come out) and other details (food, hammam, how to carry luggage).
Villas of Marrakech
Renting a private villa in Marrakech is an ideal option if you are traveling with a company of colleagues, or friends or are going to hold a solemn event – a birthday, celebration dinner, wedding, or corporate party.
The best villas are located in the Palm Grove of Marrakech (La Palmeraie). If you feel that renting a private villa will not correspond to your need, it is better to give this responsibility to a travel agency with experience in this field.
Luxury villas in Marrakech consist of four to six or more bedrooms. The cost per day depends on the level of the villa, distance from the center, equipping rooms, and common areas.
Guest houses in the Atlas mountains in the vicinity of Marrakech
The most isolated and authentic accommodation option in the region of Marrakech for nature lovers. In Ourika waterfall, there are both very simple guest houses and boutique hotels. For example, in one of the Valleys of the Atlas Mountains, there is a Luxury Kasbah hotel that belongs to the famous Richard Branson.
Not far from Marrakech there is the rocky Agafai desert, where you can experience accommodation in the camps. In the Agafay desert, you can not only admire the starry sky but also ride a camel or ATVs!
Marrakech excursions
When you are in Marrakech, it is necessary to explore every part of the city. It is unique and has lot of exotic places. In Marrakech, you can do the following:
Day tours in Marrakech: Museums, Palaces and ancient Medina
A guided tour to explore the Secrets of Medina is a fascinating journey through the streets of the ancient city. Get acquainted with sellers, visit significant palaces, and of course the famous Moroccan bazaars, where you can find rare items. The tour guide will lead you through ancient streets that look like a maze and introduce you to Moroccan artisans. We will certainly visit the sellers of carpets and Moroccan caftans as well.
Evening tour of Marrakech: Jemaa El Fna Square and carriage walk around the city
An evening tour on a caleche through the bustling city of Marrakech will immerse you in the real life of the Kingdom. After sunset, we will go to the largest “square Jamaa El Fna”. a visit which will add a special mood. Jamaa El Fna Square is sometimes called the “theater of life” for the very unique atmosphere that reigns here every evening. You will meet storytellers, snake charmers, and much more.
A trip to the Valleys of the high Atlas mountains, to Saffron fields and lunch in an ancient Kasbah
Series to the picturesque valleys and Atlas mountains, where about fifty species of aromatic and medicinal plants grow. On the way, beautiful landscapes on green hills and clay houses open up.
Visiting non-tourist Berber villages. Acquaintance with the owner of the saffron garden, who will tell you how to distinguish a real saffron from a fake. Lunch on the roof of an ancient Kasbah with stunning views of the mountains
A walk on a vintage Ural motorcycle through the streets of the Medina and a Moroccan Perfume demonstration
A fascinating trip on a vintage motorcycle “Ural” is in great demand in Marrakech among both adults and children. An experienced driver will take you along one of the exclusive routes. A trip through the ancient streets of Medina, immersion in iconic places in the art deco style, and stories about the bright period of the 1920s.
In addition, get acquainted with fragrances at the perfume master class, where you will create a unique perfume that will remind you of the royal journey.
Balloon flight over Marrakech and the desert
Early transfer on a comfortable jeep to meet the dawn in a hot air balloon, over a palm grove which is one of the most beautiful, romantic, and unusual Marrakech excursions that you will have to visit.
At an altitude of 1000 meters, and in complete silence, you watch the Sunrise from the hot air balloon! Breakfast will be served by your waiter in the sky among the clouds during the flight.
Romantic dinner in the desert near Marrakech
We are going to conquer the Agafay Desert, which is located near Marrakech. It is a great location for an overnight or a romantic dinner in the desert.
Once you arrive, you can have a camel ride or exciting quad biking with a view of the sunset and the Atlas Mountains. Dinner in a private desert tent and a fascinating performance in the style of “1001 nights”. Special Moroccan menu from the chef.
Photoshoot in Marrakech in a Moroccan caftan in a Medina or in the garden
A walk with a photographer through the ancient city of Marrakech. Take photos in creative places or a specially selected interior of the palace. You can rend Moroccan costumes and jewelry for a photo session. It is a great way to take photos for your profile or business.
cooking class at one of the private villas or in the Riad
Moroccan cuisine is one of the ways to get to know the country. In the cooking class session, the Chef will reveal to you the secrets of cooking different Moroccan dishes starting with bread, Tajine, other specialties, and how to make tea. at the cooking class. You will learn what spices Moroccans use and how to brew mint tea to make its taste unforgettable.
Tours from Marrakech
There are many tours starting from Marrakech. You can find day trip to the closest cities, Sahara desert tour from Marrakech, and tour from marrakech around the country. You can also choose a day private tour or with group tour from Marrakech.
A day trip to Essaouira
Essaouira is a great city for a day trip to avoid the bustling city of Marrakech, and have some time to relax. The city is chosen by creative people, photographers, and surfers. Walk through the city streets listening to the music of Gnawa in search of inspiration and impressions. Get acquainted with cabinetmakers, enjoying the sound of waves, the sea, and views from the fortress of pirates and seagulls soaring in the sky. Try to have a delicious lunch of freshly caught grilled fish.
A day trip to Ouarzazate and to the Ait Ben Haddou Kasbah
A day trip to Ouarzazate (Morocco Hollywood). On the way, you can visit the Ait Ben Haddu fortress, a UNESCO world heritage landmark and an example of southern Morocco architecture. It is the favorite location of actors and film producers.
Visit the Hollywood in Morocco film studio, where films about pharaohs, deserts, battles, etc. were shot. The road runs through the Middle Atla – Tishka mountains with a height of 2,260 meters above sea level.
Private Sahara Desert Tour from Marrakech
The Sahara desert tour takes you to a different world, even time flows here differently. In the Sahara desert, there are only endless beautiful landscapes, the smooth camel ride, and the fantastic beauty of the starry sky. Here you start to see things that you don’t pay attention to in everyday life. You notice the beauty of the Sahara desert and enjoy every minute.
In this private tour of the Sahara desert, you will pass by the Atlas Mountains with majestic gorges and adobe villages stuck to the downhill, which seems impossible to climb. You will also see the green oasis emerging among the Sahara desert with groves of date palms and gardens, as well as ancient fortresses.
An overnight stay in the Sahara desert is a unique experience. You will get acquainted with the life of nomads and Berbers, learn the craft of a potter, camel ride, or maybe help with collecting dates, cooking tajin, or creating a traditional Berber carpet. We will take a lot of photos, try a lot of local dishes and guess a lot of riddles. Such private tours to the Sahara desert are unforgettable, and sometimes, it is a life-changing.
This private tour of the Sahara desert from Marrakesh is very popular. However, if you have another day, we highly recommend choosing 4 days tour to the Sahara desert from Marrakesh. You will spend a little more time, exploring another village or a city, and learn more about this region.
