Easily one of the most beautiful and fascinating cities in Morocco, no trip to Northern Africa is complete without checking out Marrakech.
This 1000-year-old city is home to a thriving medina, amazing shopping, and some of the most gorgeous architecture you’ll find anywhere in the world.
Ready to fall in love with Morocco? Here’s the ultimate Marrakech travel guide.
What to Expect in Marrakech
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Language: In Marrakech, you’ll hear a flurry of languages including French, Spanish, Arabic, and Berber. English is common anywhere touristy, but it’s definitely handy to know a few words of French.
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Currency: Morocco uses dirhams, and one US dollar will get you about 11 of them. When it comes to spending money, carry cash and expect to haggle in the markets.
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Climate: Marrakech is warm all year. Average temps are around 55 in the coldest months and 85 in the summer. It can get super hot (100+) on summer afternoons so plan for some steamy days.
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Culture: Morocco is a Muslim country and so you’ll quickly notice some cultural differences. For starters, I’d recommend packing lightweight, loose fitting clothing that covers your shoulders and knees (think maxi skirts and scarves).
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READ NEXT: What to Wear in Morocco as a Female Traveler
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Cleanliness: When you are interacting with people, remember that the left hand is considered unclean so people always use their right hands for interactions and eating. Also, if you’re there on a weekend, it’s good to know that Fridays are holy days so some things are closed.
Where to Stay in Marrakech
Marrakech is famous for its beautiful riads (guesthouses often converted from family homes) and you’ll find amazing little boutique riads dotting winding streets all over the city.
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Riad Yasmine: One of Instagram’s most famous spots, every inch of the Riad Yasmine is picture perfect. Book in advance and find out why travel bloggers are obsessed with this place.
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La Mamounia: Another drop dead gorgeous spot, La Mamounia has been famous with generations of royals and celebs.
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Riad Kniza Marrakech: This luxe riad is located in the heart of the medina and, while it’s the perfect base for exploring the city, it’s the kind of place that you’ll never want to leave.
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Riad Mena & Beyond: Converted from a private home into a chic riad, they pack a lot into a little space. An intimate place with just six guest rooms, the Riad Mena & Beyond has a pool, Hammam, spa, and film screenings.
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AnaYela: This five-star spot in the center of the city is actually a 300-year-old city palace and, with luxury touches throughout, you’ll still feel like royal here.
Getting Around Marrakech
It’s pretty easy to get around the city of Marrakech by foot and by taxi. We mostly walked, but I recommend having a map or using a phone with data to use Google maps as some of the directions can be tricky! You can also download offline maps in advance if you know where you will be headed.
City hopping in Morocco is easy and cheap. I took an overnight train from Marrakech to Tangier during my trip and had a good experience. If you’re traveling between Tangier, Fes, Rabat, Casablanca, Marrakech, or any other major area in Morocco, train travel is the way to go.
I’d recommend opting for first class tickets since they’re only a bit more expensive than second class, and worth the comfort.
For spots farther afield, Supratours buses are a great option. It takes a little bit longer but it’s comfy and will take you anywhere you want to go.
Where to Eat in Marrakech
As soon as you arrive, you’ll see why Moroccan food is famous the world over. There are so many traditional foods to try in Morocco that you won’t want to miss.
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Nomads: For a fresh take on classic Moroccan cuisine, Nomad is the place to be. The food, though, is secondary to the incredible view that you’ll get from the rooftop terrace.
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Le Jardin: The perfect spot for a light lunch, I love the cool throwback style of Le Jardin. They’ve also got a cool popup where you can find local garb.
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El Fenn Riad: For a tasty breakfast or lunch with a stunning view of the Atlas Mountains, stop by this riad for a fusion of European and Moroccan dishes.
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Latitude 31: This one is not like the rest. For a blend of African, Moroccan, and Mediterranean dishes that are one-of-a-kind, head to this stylish eatery.
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Churchill Bar inside La Mamounia: The former haunt of Winston Churchill, the opulent leather walls, and retro animal print floor give this polished place an incredible old world charm.
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Atay Cafe Food: With some of the tastiest food in Marrakech, this cozy café has great food, a good vibe, and a lovely view.
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Le Marocain inside La Mamounia: Another amazing spot inside of La Mamounia, Le Marocain is absolutely gorgeous. Glam it up for a fun night out and prepare to be impressed!
Read More: Traditional Foods to Try in Morocco
What to Do in Marrakech
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Ben Youssef Mosque: The oldest and most important mosque in the city, no visit to Marrakech is complete with a visit to the beautiful Ben Youssef Mosque.
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Shopping: I’m obsessed with Moroccan style. There are so many incredible handcrafted goods here. From leather bags to artisan rugs to spices, Marrakech is a shopper’s dream.
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Bahia Palace: This 19th-century palace is now home to the Moroccan Ministry of Cultural Affairs. For a view of North African architecture at its best, don’t miss out on this palace.
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High Tea: While it’s not the first place you might associate with high tea, the tea culture here is strong. You’ll find delicious mint tea all over the city or you can go to spots like Riad Chayma or La Mamounia for a classic high tea.
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Spa: Marrakech has world class hammams and spas offering specialty treatments. One of my faves is La Mamounia.
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Eat: I could go on for hours about how amazing Moroccan food is (check out my must-eat list and come hungry!) Whatever your taste is, you’ll find unforgettable grub here.
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Shop my favorite Morocco style essentials!
READ NEXT: Essential Tips for Your First Trip to Morocco
The Ultimate Marrakech Travel Guide is a post from: The Blonde Abroad
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