My first Culinary Travels group journey was to Morocco! It included time experiencing all the most effective issues to do in Marrakech. This 2 day Marrakech itinerary is stuffed with thrilling experiences. The historic buildings, the bustling streets, the colourful delicacies — all A+! That is without doubt one of the causes I curated one other journey to Morocco in September 2024 with 4 full days in Marrakech!
I actually felt like I acquired rather a lot out of my Marrakech itinerary, so I wish to share my suggestions with you. Should you solely have 2 days in Marrakech, don’t fear, right here’s all you want to find out about what to do in Marrakech.
Earlier than I get into the 2-day Marrakech itinerary, listed below are some basic items it’s best to know. For extra detailed data take a look at my Morocco journey planning information!
The place to Keep
There are tons of lodging choices in Marrakech for any kind of traveler and funds. The most well-liked kind of lodging, nevertheless, is a riad. Staying in a riad offers you a extra genuine and distinctive expertise.
A riad is a standard Moroccan home that has an inside courtyard. They was non-public homes of wealthy Moroccans however now many have been transformed into visitor homes. You have got your individual non-public space however share the courtyard with others as a communal lounge and eating space. Riads vary from modest to ultra-luxurious. There are additionally conventional inns in Marrakech.
On my journey to Marrakech, I stayed at a riad referred to as Almaha. It’s an opulent boutique lodge with spacious suites, in addition to an on-site restaurant, a bar, and a spa. Not solely had been the suites spacious however the ones on the second flooring had stairs that led as much as the rooftop bar!
The service was impeccable. The breakfast was scrumptious and consuming dinner within the open courtyard with sky and stars above was enchanting. We loved coming back from a busy day of excursions and purchasing then enjoyable within the courtyard and having some scorching mint tea and cookies.
Transportation
Relating to transportation, there have been two issues I actually appreciated about Marrakech:
- There are a number of transportation choices
- A lot of the greatest issues to do in Marrakech are inside strolling distance of one another.
Your most important modes of transportation in Marrakech shall be your toes, calèches, and taxis.
Calèches are horse-drawn carriages which might be (to me, at the least) surprisingly frequent in Marrakech!
As for the taxis, there are two varieties: petit taxis, and grand taxis. Petit taxis are smaller (as much as three passengers) and extra widespread — they’re throughout. Grand taxis are bigger (as much as six passengers) and fewer frequent, as they’re principally used for touring between cities.
Marrakech has a public bus system referred to as ALSA Marrakech. I don’t suggest planning your journey round utilizing the buses, as they don’t have set routes or schedules. There may be, nevertheless, the ALSA Vacationer Bus which is extra dependable and has stops on the high points of interest in Marrakech.
Uber and Lyft aren’t in Morocco however there are two ridesharing alternate options in Marrakech: Heetch and Roby. Additionally, in the event you’re staying in a riad or lodge, you’ll be able to ask the entrance desk to rearrange a experience for you. We had non-public drivers and transportation for our excursions and we additionally requested the lodge to rearrange automobiles for us.
Day #1 in Marrakech
Go to the Prime Marrakech Points of interest
The town of Marrakech was based within the eleventh century and has had a wealthy historical past, as evidenced by all its monuments and historic points of interest. So, begin your Marrakech itinerary off by visiting all the most effective monuments in Marrakech.
Just about any of the next points of interest might high an inventory of the most effective issues to do in Marrakech. They’re additionally all inside strolling distance of one another (quarter-hour on the most, every). Relying on how early you begin your day, choose just a few of those:
- The Koutoubia Mosque was constructed within the twelfth century and is the most important mosque in Marrakech. Non-Muslims can’t enter the mosque however can admire the structure, together with the attractive minaret that stands over 250 toes tall. It is a main landmark in Marrakech and could be seen from most rooftops and even in images. (the characteristic picture for instance)
- The Saadian Tombs is an intricately embellished mausoleum inside a closed backyard. There are over 100 tombs, of which 60 are from the Saadi dynasty (sixteenth to seventeenth century).
- El Badi Palace was constructed within the sixteenth century by the sultan to rejoice a victory in battle. It’s now in ruins however, in the event you’re taken with historical past, you’ll take pleasure in seeing what stays and marveling on the scale.
- Not like El Badi Palace, Bahia Palace nonetheless stands in its full splendor and was constructed within the nineteenth century. It was began by the grand vizier of a Sultan and completed by his son who expanded on the unique design. It has a really attention-grabbing historical past that performs out like a dramatic love story. I gained’t spoil it for you.
Include me to Morocco in September to see this magnificent place!
There are 150 rooms and plenty of patios and gardens. The rooms are empty, however the structure is gorgeous. It is a must-visit! We did a photograph shoot right here and it was simply excellent. I felt a way of calm strolling round in right here.
Have lunch within the Medina & go to the Souks
In Morocco, a Medina is the historic district of a metropolis that blends residential and business buildings. In Marrakech’s Medina, you’ll discover loads of eating places, so take your choose of the place to have lunch! I like to recommend Le Jardin, which serves scrumptious conventional Moroccan Tagines and pastries. It additionally in an indoor/outside ambiance which is gorgeous.
Inside Medinas, there are conventional markets referred to as souks. Right here, you’ll discover meals, substances, artwork, garments, decor, and a lot extra. Extra as in every thing you’ll be able to think about! Carry an additional duffle bag. You will have it! We purchased every thing from orange blossom soaps, jewellery, leather-based flip flops and luggage, home décor like mirrors and couch pillow cushion covers..I’m critical! lol
I visited a number of cities in Morocco, however I discovered the souks in Marrakech to be the most effective. They’re bustling however not too crowded or overwhelming. Folks referred to as out so that you can take a look at their items and we even ended up additional into a store that we should always have gone, but it surely was not like Fes. In Fes even the youngsters had been very aggressive.
On that word, get able to do some bargaining. It’s a part of the tradition. It’s good to have native forex on you (Dirham). Some distributors will take bank cards, however it’s unlikely that they’ll take American Specific. There are a lot of streets that department off and into one another, so attempt to not get misplaced. Follow the primary streets and/or contemplate getting an area information to go along with you. We’ve a non-public information that shall be taking us on a purchasing tour in Marrakech in September.
Recharge at a Hammam Spa
After strolling round sightseeing and haggling within the markets, recharge with a spa go to. Not simply any spa, although — a hammam is a standard Moroccan spa.
Hammams are communal, gender-segregated tub homes. Hammam or hamam or Turkish baths are steam baths related to the Islamic world. They had been a spot of public bathing previous to having indoor plumbing. And they’re derived from fashions of Roman and Greek bathhouses. After “bathing” and “scrubbing” you clear (lol), you’ll be able to select from traditional spa therapies like massages, physique scrubs, and facials.
I skilled my first one Hammam in Istanbul. You possibly can test it out on Instagram right here.
Throughout our journey final June, members of the group went to Hammam positioned in La Maison Arabe. It was the primary time for a lot of the vacationers. I heard feedback like “I’ve by no means felt so clear in my life”, “Oh My Gosh, AMAZING”. BTW-You do NOT must get fully bare! Do no matter makes you’re feeling comfy.
Tour the Meals Stalls at Jemaa el-Fnaa
Jemaa el-Fnaa is the primary metropolis sq. in Marrakech. This historic sq. is full of life, particularly at evening. Meals stands arrange store for the night, surrounded by musicians and avenue performers. We’ve added a meals stall tour to this 12 months’s journey, and I can’t wait!
I really like every thing from wonderful eating to avenue meals and you’ll anticipate that on all my Culinary Travels group journeys.
Have Dinner at Jnane Tamsna
Jnane Tamsna is a Black, woman-owned lodge (the one one among its form in Marrakech). It’s positioned about quarter-hour from the medina.
A number of of us had cocktails and appetizers on the rooftop at sundown, then headed to the outside patio downstairs for an intimate moonlit dinner. Have I discussed the Moroccan sunsets but? I can perceive why there are such a lot of rooftop eating places and bars. Between the climate, the sunsets, and the celebrities, you end up at all times trying up and out in Morocco.
Day #2 Marrakech Itinerary
Dawn Scorching Air Balloon Journey with Breakfast
The beginning of my second day in Marrakech was additionally my final full day in Morocco. We ended on a excessive word. (No pun supposed). A scorching air balloon experience at dawn! Our pickup time was at 4am but it surely was price it. Searching on the majestic pink desert dotted with palm groves was a magical expertise.
All of us slot in our personal non-public balloon which was cool. After the balloon experience, we had a standard breakfast and obtained our flying certificates. Look for a corporation that gives photos and drone footage of your scorching air balloon experience.
Majorelle Backyard & YSL Museum Self-Guided Tour
Yves Saint Laurent as soon as mentioned, “Marrakech taught me shade. Earlier than Marrakech, every thing was black.” Now, Yves Saint Laurent’s love for Marrakech is on show in two places within the metropolis.
Jardin Majorelle (or Majorelle Backyard) is the previous residence of Yves Saint Laurent. It’s now an oasis-like botanical backyard. It’s exhausting to explain the great thing about the Majorelle blue buildings and the assorted palm bushes. However right here is 1 image! The blue shade is TM!
Close by, you’ll discover the YSL Museum, which showcases a variety of his work, together with garments, equipment, and sketches. There may be additionally a present store and theater operating a movie about his life.
I like to recommend taking a self-guided tour and exploring each locations at your individual tempo. Have a chew to eat on the cafe on the YSL Museum. Don’t stuff your self, although, as you’ll be having fun with a meal of your individual on the subsequent location!
Take a Cooking Class (Moroccan Tagine)
After an awesome expertise on the Hammam on Day 1, my group made our manner again to La Maison Arabe on Day 2, this time for a cooking class. We discovered methods to make a standard Moroccan Tagine. Tagine is a North African & Center Jap dish. The identify is derived from the two-piece clay pot the dish is made in. There are a lot of varieties together with meat or greens with herbs and spices. My favorites had been the lemon rooster and beef with prunes.
There’s a customary 3-hour class, in addition to a shorter 1-hour class you’ll be able to e-book in the event you’re fearful chances are you’ll not have sufficient time to spare for the usual class. Regardless, after class you’ll have the tagine you made for lunch — hopefully, it comes out properly!
We totally loved our 3-hour class, whereas ingesting Moroccan wine (lol).
Have just a few drinks at a Rooftop Bar
Rooftop bars are very talked-about in Marrakech. You’ll have fairly just a few to select from, however I can suggest El Fenn and Kabana. My pals dined at each and totally loved their expertise.
Finish your 2 days in Marrakech with some Moroccan fare and cocktails at sundown, overlooking this mesmerizing historic metropolis.
Should you had been questioning what to do in Marrakech throughout such a brief keep, I hope this Marrakech itinerary helped! Although a barely longer keep might be supreme, it’s completely attainable to expertise all the most effective issues to do in Marrakech in simply 2 days.
However, I’m thrilled about spending 4 days in Marrakech in September! A number of further issues that we’ll be doing that isn’t talked about above:
A day journey to Agafay Desert-sunset camel rides, dinner and stargazing, optionally available pottery workshop, extra rooftop bars please-did you understand NOBU opened a lodge in Marrakech? And I have to get to this espresso shop-Bacha Espresso! I’ll admit that that is based mostly on the Instagram images greater than the espresso lol. And naturally we should do one other photograph shoot!
So cease dreaming about it and be about it (lol) Be part of me for Morocco 2.0 in 2024. If not, this 2-day Marrakech Itinerary offers you tons of concepts of issues to do for while you get there.
Nadeen
Comply with me on the Culinary Travels web site to remain updated on future journeys!
Another thing I’ve noticed is for many people, bad credit is the consequence of circumstances further than their control. For instance they may be actually saddled by having an illness and as a consequence they have more bills going to collections. It could be due to a occupation loss or inability to do the job. Sometimes divorce can send the budget in the undesired direction. Thanks for sharing your ideas on this blog.