After being in desperate need of some winter sun, the vibrant city of Marrakesh came under my radar and with raving reviews from friends, I was eager to see what this gem within Morocco had to offer! 3 hours on a fully booked flight, led me and my best gal pal/ travel buddy to a memorable and exciting holiday and here is a few highlights and tips so you can have the best time in Marrakesh!
Embrace the culture & Get your Hustle on!
Picture this; the golden sun beating down on you whilst you sit and enjoy the freshest mint Moroccan tea at a near by cafe on the corner of the town square, serenity whilst overlooking the hustle of the Medina. Yes- it is a must that you visit the souk markets of the Medina Old town as it is definitely what adds to the character of Marrakesh. With an array of spices- for those budding chefs out there, textiles, pottery and sweet, refreshing Moroccan Tea it is no wonder why many flock to share in the hustle. Whilst I was meandering through the market, I found the people to be friendly and helpful. Some stalls are selling similar if not the same product so it is important that you bargain a good price. The Medina is a great place also to buy original memorabilia and jewellery which trust me will make a way better gift then the cliche “My friend went to Marrakesh and got me this Mug”.
Tip: When visiting the market make sure you have a good idea on how much you are wanting to spend so you can whittle them down to the best price.
What to wear: Obviously every outfit is weather dependant however, I would say ladies cover up! I found it a much more comfortable walk through the market wearing an outfit which was stylish but not too revealing.
For those in need of Adventure:
As a self confessed adrenaline junkie I looked for ways to combine this need with also seeing the beautiful scenery of Marrakesh and out popped Quad biking in the desert. I had so much fun! We booked this package from the hotel which on hindsight would have been cheaper online. However, it allowed us to get transfers to and from the hotel.
We quad biked for 2 hours around the desert, making a stop of in the mountains. On the way back to base, the sunset crept up upon us making it a perfect finish to our quad biking experience. This is definitely value for money and no fear to those less experience quad bikers, there is a guide on hand and the bikes are automatic.
Tip: As stated you will save your money if you book online! For example the price we paid for Quad biking via the hotel we could of paid online for both the Quad bikes and Camels. What can I say.. I make these mistakes so you don’t have too!
The Freaks come out at night:
Admittedly we did spend some of our nights in our hotel making good use of the all inclusive bar and good ol’ hotel entertainment, but, when we did go out we had the best time! Marrakesh is home to what has been labelled as the ‘Best Club in Africa’ and although I have not been to other clubs in Africa to compare, I would definitely say they know how to host a good party.
Clubs in Marrakesh usually start at 11/12 and end at 5 pm. They offer a variety of themed nights throughout the week such as Hip hop and R&B and also my personal favourite… LADIES NIGHT. I mean, ladies I am talking free entry and free drinks for the whole night.The only catch is, that you have to be unaccompanied by a male to get the deal-which for me was no problem ha! For those unfortunate men who will need to pay or on normal nights, there is a 200 Dirham, the equivalent of £20 but this too comes with a free drink in some cases. The standard of clubs are like London’s Libertine, Cirque or Toyroom. The two clubs we visited were called Theatro and 555. Other places which I would recommend are: Buddha Bar, Le Comptoir, Lotus and Le Palace Marrakesh where you can enjoy great cocktails, food and traditional Belly Dancing.
What to wear: Dress as if you was at home
Tip: If you establish a good relationship with a Taxi driver during your stay, arrange for them to either wait for you or arrange for them to pick you up after your night out of town. This usually cost 200 Dirham each way.
Quick Tip Medley:
- When arriving at the airport the hustle begins! Do not let that beautiful weather woo you off guard and do not pay more then 200 Dirham for a journey less then 30 mins to your hotel
- New Town brings a more modern vibe to Marrakesh as you will find Mcds, KFC, Zara and H&M as well as many other shops within their shopping centres and promenades. There is also a YSL cinema which is recommended for all fellow fashionistas out there.
- The weather can be very stunning during the day but drops considerably at night! So do be sure to bring a light jacket or coat depending on the time of year.
- From experience it is definitely best to bring pounds and then convert your money out there. We found we received a better rate through changing our cash at the Hotel rather then withdrawing money via a Cash point.
I hope you enjoyed and if you are planning to visit Marrakesh have an amazing time!
Also, check out my two part Marrakesh Vlog on my Youtube channel!!
Shalishah kay 