How to Spend a Long Weekend in Marrakech

roundtriptravel

10 months ago

Before moving to France, I don’t know if I would’ve had Morocco so high on my bucket list. But after living in Marseille for the past couple of years, I’ve quickly learned that this north African country is a very popular destination for French travelers. It’s not too far, it’s also not terribly expensive, and they speak French. From Marseille, it’s only a couple hour flight to get to Morocco. My friend Kelly and I decided to plan a trip to celebrate her birthday and after traveling to places like Albi and Sète, we decided to spice it up with a trip to another country. We spent a long weekend in Marrakech and had the best time wandering the souks, sipping mocktails on rooftops and taking a day trip to the desert. Here’s how you too can spend a delightful long weekend in Marrakech, Morocco:

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Where we stayed

I’m typically an Airbnb girl but for our trip to Marrakech, we decided to go a different route by staying in a riad, or a traditional Moroccan home with a courtyard.

We spent lots of time, looking up reviews and prices and all the things on Booking.com and ended up staying at the Riad Yakimour. The hotel also offered airport pick up, which we gladly added it on to our reservation for an additional cost but totally worth it. The hotel staff very warmly greeted me and even served me cookies and Moroccan mint tea at check-in. They took the time to explain the neighborhood, gave me a map and wrote notes on it so that we’d have the best stay. I highly recommend choosing an accommodation that offers airport shuttle service as there are ample riads in the medina. And navigation can be tricky. Both Kelly and I were thrilled with the service and hospitality at the Riad Yakimour. Even though it was a little too chilly to swim in February, they also have a rooftop pool.

Bahia Palace

During your long weekend in Marrakech, be sure to visit some of Morocco’s exquisite palaces. Kelly and I loved exploring the different rooms and gardens of Bahia Palace. This former royal residence dates back to the 1800s. We weren’t able to book our tickets in advance but had no trouble buying them once we arrived. Pro tip: They only accept cash!

El Badi Palace

While I enjoyed exploring Bahia Palace, I adored my visit to El Badi Palace, which dates back to the 1500s. We had so much fun wandering the ancient walls and palace grounds. We weren’t able to book in advance but had no problem buying tickets on the spot — also in cash. Be sure to walk through its museum to see photos of Morocco dating back to the the 1930s and learn more about Moroccan history and culture.

Les Jardins du Lotus

My flight got in earlier than Kelly’s, so I had Friday afternoon to myself and wanted to get something to eat. I asked the hotel staff who recommended Les Jardins du Lotus. It was about a 10-minute walk from the riad. The interior was magnificent with its pink decor and plants lining the wall. I will add that it is very Instagrammable but probably isn’t the most authentic Moroccan experience. However, I had a lovely table for one and struck up a conversation with a Québécois couple next to my table and loved my beef tacos — so not the most authentic Moroccan meal. But honestly for the views and the experience, I still would recommend a trip to Les Jardins du Lotus. I ended going back for a second time with Kelly later in the weekend when we were in search of a nearby restaurant to the hotel.

Dardar

During your long weekend in Marrakech, be sure to book at least one rooftop experience. I think my favorite experience was at Dardar, a swanky bar and tapas in the heart of the souks. I had one of the best mocktails of my life (the Zwina mocktail with hibiscus, mint and ginger ale) and Kelly adored her mojito. The ambience was chic, the drinks exceptional, the views gorgeous. Be sure to book ahead!

Barter in the souks

You can’t go to Marrakech and not wander the souks, their marketplaces. Wander the different stalls selling jewelry, teapots, jewelry dishes, bags, shoes and beyond. And be sure to barter the price as it’s common practice. Even though I’m far from a natural, I was happy that I successfully bartered for several jewelry dishes. But be prepared: it is quite the experience. Once you step into the souks, you’re in a total labyrinth, and it can be hard to find your way out. We started our souk journey from Place Jemaa el-Fnaa, one of Marrakech’s big squares, and then followed the labyrinth of stalls.

Nomad

This swanky restaurant is lined with Jean-Luc Godard posters and offers a modern take on Moroccan cuisine. I enjoyed my feta and vegetables quinoa dish. They have a rooftop but it was closed for predicted rain when we went. Be sure to book ahead for your meal at Nomad!

Café Zeitoun

We had read good reviews about Café Zeitoun and enjoyed our meal on its rooftop. I ordered a chicken tajine, a classic Moroccan dish. You can’t spend a long weekend in Marrakech without trying tajine — and you won’t have to try too hard to find it on a menu.

Drink Moroccan mint tea

Another “must” for your long weekend in Marrakech is sipping some Moroccan mint tea, another local specialty.

Jardin Majorelle

If you fall head over heels on your long weekend in Marrakech, you’re not the only one. Yves Saint Laurent visited Morocco for the first time in 1966, per Musée YSL Paris. He found inspiration for his designs in Marrakech and returned many times. In 1980, he even purchased the Jardin Majorelle, colorful gardens on the outskirts of the medina in Marrakech. You can still visit the Jardin Majorelle, and that’s exactly what we did. Admire the wide variety of succulents and plants that contrast with the bright blue paint on the buildings. We booked only two days in advance but had severely limited choices for times. Definitely book ahead of time. We didn’t purchase the combo ticket that included the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, but in retrospect, I wish we would have. The gardens took us maybe an hour, and it would’ve been great to head next door to learn more about Saint Laurent. Next time!

Day trip to the Agafay Desert

For both Kelly and me, our outing in the desert was the favorite memory from our long weekend. I absolutely loved Marrakech and would go back in a heartbeat, but it was so refreshing to get out into the countryside and marvel at the beautiful Agafay Desert.

Our excursion included transfer from Marrakech. We were in a small group of about 8 people and made the 1-hour journey into the desert with our driver Omar. Just the drive was stunning! Once we arrived, we had time to lounge at the pool and sip on our welcome Moroccan mint tea. It was a bit too chilly to swim, so we laid out in the sun, which was still entirely a delight.

At Inara Camp, they offered a variety of activities from cosmetics to pottery workshops, camel rides to 4×4. Riding a camel was on the top of my bucket list, and I’m so glad that I opted to do it at Inara Camp. On our way back, we passed lots of other touristy places that had a huge group of people riding camels. My experience at Inara Camp was more intimate. There wasn’t a herd of camels; it was just me, my camel and my guide on the camp grounds. They seemed to take good care of their animals, and I’m glad I went for a more low-key experience. It was a bumpy ride, and I’m very grateful for the invention of the car and that we don’t ride camels to work anymore 🙂

Quick tips for visiting Marrakech

I read this post about what not to do in Marrakech, and this blogger’s tips really helped and were spot-on. I’d highly recommend giving it a read to prepare for your trip. I think the most important tip I have is to bring cash. The local currency in Morocco is the dirham. I was able to purchase some dirhams in France before arriving, but most places only take cash. Be sure to check with your bank about your ATM and foreign transaction fees.

Another pro tip: book in advance! Kelly and I booked most of our restaurants in advance, and it really served us. Even in February, there were lots of places fully booked. For the palaces, we weren’t able to reserve ahead of time. For the Jardin Majorelle, we snagged some of the last spots in the morning on the day we wanted to visit. If you can reserve ahead of time, do it!

I was concerned about safety before going but ended up being really surprised at how fine I felt. As in any destination, there are places and people you want to avoid. Kelly and I stayed together and didn’t come back to our riad in the wee hours of the morning. I did receive several comments about my fair skin color from those passing by, but all in all, it was harmless. I’d highly recommend dressing modestly out of respect to the local culture. I wore long, loose dresses or flowy pants.

Heads up for security at the Marrakech airport: it’s long! You have to enter security in order to enter the airport, then check in for your flight, then go through security and then go through passport control. You will need a printed boarding pass, not a mobile boarding pass.

Overall impressions on Marrakech

I’ve never been anywhere like Marrakech. I fell in love with how full of life Marrakech. On our way to dinner one night, we walked by dozens of shop stalls of men hard at work sewing clothes or shoes. And on our way back on a Sunday night, I was shocked to see all the barber shops open and filled with people getting their hair cut. At all hours of the day, children are riding their bikes in the street, donkeys are pulling street carts of fresh fruit, women are carrying groceries home. As we were walking down one street, I noticed a group of elderly men huddled around something. Out of curiosity, I took a closer peek to see that they were in the middle of a heated round of checkers.

The city is constantly moving and never seems to sleep. Marrakech is a prism of cultures and backgrounds. In the same minute, you can pass a man wearing a djellaba, or hooded traditional garb, with a pair of Nike sandals. And another riding a donkey pulling a cart of fresh produce while talking on his smart phone. You can hear a mixture of Arabic and French. I was also pleasantly surprised at the mutual existences of locals and tourists. For example, when my sister and I went to Iceland, we were constantly in a sea of tourists. Yes, Marrakech attracts many tourists, but the locals outnumbered tourists and honestly just went about their daily lives.

I also fell in love with the wonderful fragrances of argan oil and fleur d’oranger and just had to bring some home. I think my biggest disappointment of the trip was that I only had one small carry-on bag on Ryanair and wish I could’ve brought more goodies home!

We certainly left some stones unturned during our long weekend to Marrakech. I would love to return and keep exploring, as we didn’t get to do it all. But I’m so pleased with my first experience in Marrakech.