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Riad Les Trois Palmiers
Riad Les trois palmiers El Bacha, 16 years long now...
Marrakech is a vibrant city surrounded by natural beauty. At its heart, it is bustling with culture and old architecture, busy souks, and rejuvenating hammams. Just outside of its borders lie the Sahara Desert and the Atlas Mountains, while the Berber culture energizes every step of a visit to this Moroccan destination. This guide will illustrate the best of Marrakech, from its gardens to its major landmarks, to shopping, and eating. It aims to give visitors the best blend of history and modern adventure, with various tour options for your last day, to cater to travelers of all interest types.
Jardin Majorelle
The product of over forty years of loving design by artist Jacques Majorelle, is an oasis in the middle of Marrakech's busy streets. Away from the noise and bustle of the souks and the Medina, ease into your vacation with a relaxing stroll around these small but intensely charming premises, where paths are shaded by palm trees, exotic plants and traditional architecture dot every corner, azure blue mosaic and bright yellow tiles delight the senses, and cactus plants, lotus flowers, and water lilies paint a vivid landscape. The majestic flora is nested by beautiful birds who call their song while you walk. Streams, pools, and fountains also give the garden a cool, soothing effect, and after taking in the gorgeous scenery, you can visit the on-site cafe, to have a tea and rest your limbs before continuing your adventure.
The Ecomusee Berbere
It is found inside the Jardin Majorelle, and highlights Berber culture in the region. It has a general collection of art and artifacts, as well as rotating exhibitions. Once a painter's studio, the small space now provides an intimate home to videos detailing Berber daily life, mannequins in traditional dress and jewels, and informative blurbs on indigenous people and their histories. Worth the visit to really gain an appreciation of Marrakech and the rural townships surrounding it.
Marrakech Medina.
A short walk from the Jardin Majorelle, the Medina of Marrakech is one of the city's biggest draws and the grandest of all Berber marketplaces in Morocco. A swarming center of commerce, the souks at the Medina sell goods ranging from carpets to leathers, pottery to jewels, lanterns to spices, and more. Plus, snakes, monkeys, and donkeys with laden carts are added to the mix of traffic. Visit to have a mint tea, browse traditional wares and food, and soak up the colorful stalls and surrounding architecture. Remember to haggle.
Jamaa el Fna
It is at the heart of the Medina, and serves as a main square. Stop here for lunch, as restaurants rule the scenery, and various foods and fare are up for the tasting. Sweet cakes and ginseng teas sold at stalls make for a wonderful after-meal desert, and rooftop restaurants and terraced stalls offer equally tasty treats. So sit down to a meal among the snake charmers and storytellers of Jemaa el Fna.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace of Marrakech is a complex with a rich history dating back to the 12th century. While visitors unfortunately cannot enter the palace complex itself, its location on the outskirts of the southern Medina and near to El Badi Palace make it a quick and easy stop for visitors to take in the high walls, manicured trees, and gargantuan wooden doors that protectively surround the palace.
El Badi Palace
Close to the Royal Palace, the ruins of El Badi Palace date back to the 16th century, when it was constructed as a seat of power and luxury. Though it fell into disuse and was stripped of many of its adornments, the courtyards and main rooms are still well-kept, and a visit to the palace will take you back in time and fuel your imagination. The courtyards, gardens, and pools afford a rare, peaceful atmosphere, and visitors are welcome to visit the historical museum on-site, the underground tunnels weaving beneath the palace by lantern light, or to simply stroll the hallways and walks. Be sure to take a moment to step out onto the terrace, where a stunning view of the Atlas mountains await.
Bahia Palace
To round off a day of palaces, end on the Bahia Palace, which still retains much of its grandeur. With arching courtyards, heavy wooden doors, and complex mosaic floors, the Bahia is an ideal place to soak up the best of Marrakech's architecture. A splendid place to take photos, the Palace also caters to history and culture buffs by providing an informative tour of the grounds at no extra charge.
Kasbah Mosque
Built in 1230, the Kasbah Mosque is considered a National Historical Monument, and one of the most important Mosques in Marrakech. Located in the city center, the towering minarets are impressive at any time of day, but it may be best to do the Mosque visit during daily prayer times, when the doors are thrown open and visitors can sneak a peak at the architecture and decoration within.
Saadian Tombs
Situated behind the Kasbah Mosque, the Saadian Tombs hail from the 16th century and were returned to their former glory and beauty after being re-discovered in the early 1900s. The mausoleum contains the intricate burials of over fifty members of Saadi Dynastic royalty, as well as an attractive garden area containing the grave sites of servants and soldiers. The highlight of the mosaic masterpiece is in one of the central three rooms , where the sultan.