Marrakech is only a few hours drive from most countries in Europe, but feels a world away. The city awakens your senses, from the dusty pink walls of the Medina (old city), and the blue-tiled courtyards of local riads (guesthouses,) to bustling souks and hip nightclubs, and saffron scented food. It’s the perfect place for a weekend break, and the number of boutique hotels and luxurious spas means you’ll be treated to a trip you’ll never forget.
Eat & drink
Restaurants in Marrakech often combine beautiful decor with top notch food. Al Farria is a Moroccan fine dining restaurant that is exemplary of this - surrounded by richly toned decor, you can feast on local classics executed perfectly, like roast leg of lamb, beef tagine with sweet prunes and almonds, and pigeon pie. Don’t miss their dessert menu, where local sweets like filo pastry with almonds and milk end your meal on a high note. Le Marocain is another classic restaurant where you can dine in ambiance. It’s located next to the garden at La Mamounia, and serves up 14 course feasts on a terrace with a view of the stars. Try their Tangier lobster tagine or couscous with foie gras.
Sleep
There’s a range of different accommodation on offer in Marrakech, but some of the best include hotels which are uniquely Moroccan. Caravan Serai is a cluster of traditional ochre Berber mud houses with charming features like eucalyptus ceiling beams and rustic wooden doors, overlooking a beautiful courtyard. Located just outside of Marrakech is Kasbah Agafay, a converted hilltop fort in the middle of the desert. From your room you’ll see views of rambling olive groves and the stunning Atlas mountains. It’s position means you can reach the city easily, but you can also take part in a wide range of outdoor activities like yoga and camel rides. The hotel is also host to a renowned cookery school and onsite restaurant - where produce comes from the onsite herb and vegetable garden.
Explore
Marrakech is a historic city, and there are many beautifully preserved buildings in the centre of town. Musee de Marrakech is an art museum located in a restored early 20th century house, and now displays collections of Moroccan and Islamic art. Similarly, Ali Ben Youssef Medersa was once an Islamic school in operation in the 16th century, and was restored in the 1990s. You may recognise it from the film Hideous Kinky, which featured its peaceful courtyard with stunning ornate facades and central water basin as a filming location. Marrakech is also home to beautifully landscaped gardens. Visit Jardin Majorelle, created by the French painter Jacques Majorelle, who tended it for 40 years after moving here in the late 19th century. There are more than 300 species of plants and the gardens are home to 15 bird species. Sit by one of the many fountains to relax.
Shop
Marrakech is famous for its shopping, most of all the atmospheric souks which form a maze within the old city walls. You can wander through each section - split by trade, with groups of stalls dedicated to wares like handwoven carpets, bowls of colourful spices, pottery and glass lanterns. Haggle for souvenirs as you squeeze through the charming maze of stalls and soak in the chaotic but charming atmosphere. Another fantastic place to buy local crafts is Kulchi - a high end boutique owned by Cassandra Karinsky, located near the Medina’s Bab El Ksour gate. Sold here are one of a kind products like raffia shoes from Essaouira, colourful Berber rugs and vintage prints of Moroccan daily life from the early 20th century.