Morocco has been getting a lot of attention lately, and I wanted to see what the hype was about! I only had a couple days to make my way around Marrakech, so though this trip was short, it was so sweet! Here’s what we got up to in Marrakech (with my recommendations!).
It’s been a while since I’ve done such a casual, journal-style blog post, but my time in Morocco was short, and this seemed like the perfect chance to bring the old Unexpected Occurrence back.
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Marrakech Highlights
My favourite thing to do in Marrakech was to get lost in the medina’s alleyways. The lighting in the narrow streets reflected off of the red-toned buildings and was sooooo beautiful. While the touristy souks (marketplaces) were so fun to walk around, I really loved going a little further away and finding more local spots.
If you’re looking for the ultimate bohemian interior design inspiration, go to Marrakech. It’s a good thing I’m living in a shared flat right now, because if I had the ability to decorate my own home, I would have bought out all of Marrakech’s shops! Everything is so beautiful.
The Tourist Attractions
Besides walking around the medina, Phil and I didn’t really do any touristy things. We went to Le Jardin Secret, and while it was absolutely beautiful, it was simply a garden. I feel like I’m going to be chastised for saying this, but the admission fees for the tourist attractions were super steep!
With the money we would have spent on admission fees, we ate food. Oh my goodness, the food. Tagine holds a very special place in my heart.
Speaking of the food…
When we were in Marrakech, Phil and I only really ate two meals a day. We found the breakfasts at our riads super filling! Seriously, a spread of pastries, breads, omelettes, juice, coffee, tea, and fruit will keep you full for a while! We’d eat a late-ish breakfast and have an early dinner, and we were set! That being said, our second meal of the day was always huge.
Food Recommendations:
Bazaar Cafe – We had a three course meal here for 95 MAD (roughly USD$9.50). It was really yummy and the rooftop was absolutely stunning. We ate at about 5pm and no one else was there. The sun was just starting to set and it was a really romantic little place.
Le Cantine Des Gazelles – This place will stuff you! Again, we went for the three course meal deal here, which was 90 MAD. The portions were HUGE and the food was so yummy. I loved how the tagine came with couscous, but I was so full I couldn’t finish it!
Zeitoun Cafe – If you’re looking for a nice lookout over Jemaa El Fna (the main square), this cafe is really lovely. I highly recommend their lamb tagine with dried fruit- it was one of my favourite dishes in Marrakech! Phil and I also split an ice cream sundae after our meal, which is a great pick-me-up for a day of exploring the souk.
Here are more things to eat and drink in Marrakech.
The Atlas Mountains
You can’t have an Unexpected Occurrence blog post without mention of mountains! Originally, we planned on climbing North Africa’s highest mountain, Mount Toubkal, but Phil’s neck was acting up a bit, so we skipped that. We still decided to go to Imlil, a mountain town, to escape the city and to get a little closer to the Atlas Mountains.
WE LOVED IMLIL. It was a true day of relaxation. We did nothing but drink mint tea, fill ourselves up with olives, and hike (more like walk) to a waterfall. We both really wanted to just climb up the mountain, but we decided to save that for next time.
If you’re planning on going to Imlil, I highly recommend staying at Riad Atlas Prestige. You have to walk up a hill to it, but the walk is beautiful and the view from the riad is gorgeous.
Marrakech was such a relaxing place to be. Before I’d gone, I’d heard that the shop owners were aggressive and that Marrakech was a tough city. I found people to be so friendly, and a simple “no thank you!” would send the shop owners away. If you’re looking for a city that’s relaxing and beautiful, I’d highly recommend Marrakech. I loved it.
If you’re looking for a whole travel itinerary, here’s a good one.
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Thank you for an informative article. I’m going in a few days.