If you are thinking that Marrakesh is an Instagrammers happy place then you are correct! Aside from all the selfie sticks and talking to the camera we’ve found a whole other side to this cultural city and I’m here to share our findings with you.
Nestled in the heart of Morocco, Marrakesh is the perfect destination for those seeking a diverse 3-day getaway. With cultural delights, tantalizing cuisine, and an invigorating atmosphere, this city offers a fab winter sun escape. Whether you're planning a quick city break or an extended Moroccan adventure, Marrakesh effortlessly captivates. Its charm especially extends to interior enthusiasts, making it a delightful haven to explore.
Ok… enough of the Judith Charmers style blurb, here are the best parts!
Who should go… Marrakesh is a Martmite destination, you either love it or you hate it, If you are well-traveled and feel comfortable with navigating on an old-school map, and have traveled around Asia or South America, Marrakesh will feel akin to those experiences. Friendly locals are always willing to go over and above if you are lost, genuine excitement in the Stall vendors when you are bartering on the goods – My tip is always to take 50% of the price and negotiate upwards. The vendor will only accept what they are comfortable with and often enjoy the process.
Do be aware there are extremes of poverty like in any city, if you are easily shaken by stray animals, then you may feel more comfortable staying in a resort outside of the city.
Highlights for myself are seeing the diversity within other cultures, and seeing how they interpret their living spaces. The most immersive stay is in a local Riad, our riad of choice is the lovely Riad Les Yeux Bleus, with a central medina location, amazing breakfast, and beautifully authentic interior styling. what’s not to love?
What to see & do, I feel the best plan is to divide and conquer, create a list of all the places that you have screenshots from travel blogs and insta, and plot them on a map, work out what is realistic in one day. As we visit Marrakesh in January we are lucky the temperatures remain at a comfortable 23 degrees, perfect weather for sightseeing. Whilst sandals seem like a comfortable option, the roads and pathways are uneven and often muddy, so trainers make sense. I would suggest only one attraction per day along with general mooching for the remaining time, walking is the best method of transport, you miss so much being in a taxi.
Here are my “must-visit” attractions.
Bahia Palace
When, As we all know January can be a particularly dull month for weather, and most of all for inspiration, we stumbled upon this perfect point to travel, with a 3-night trip costing an average of £350 pp. I would book the transfer from the airport via the hotel ( £15 Cab with AC). as this can be stressful having to navigate a taxi once out of the airport. I also always download a local Data plan, this will ensure your phone will have service the local WIFI is patchy at best. - https://www.giffgaff.com/roaming-charges. Sim cards are available for £10 on the kiosk as you come from passport control, easy to switch, and will last you for at least 10 days.
Currency - Don’t forget to always take GBP cash with you from the UK to change upon arrival, card transactions are limited, and Apple Pay was only taken in the YSL museum.
We found another great hack was to bring 3, bottles of water with you from the UK, if you can purchase these duty-free, this eliminates the need for local bottled water or having to hunt down a recognized brand. The summers can feel pretty fierce in Marrakesh, I would avoid visiting in July August, and parts of September as it has been known to reach 40 degrees.
Where..... is The part you have all been waiting for, where to visit for inspiration? See below a few of our favorite restaurants, stores, and cafes, even a spa thrown in for good measure!
Few shops
Few Restaurants ( aside from the Insta Famous)
https://www.terrassedesepices.com/en - it's hidden well, the entrance is at the back of a café.
http://www.naranj.ma/ - one of my favs – amazing value
http://www.daressalam.com/src/index.php It seems cheesy, however once inside it’s a visual feast, such a fun evening with the dancing & crazy hat guy.
https://www.rooftopdardar.com/en We found this one underwhelming but wanted to share.
https://www.riad-monceau.com/pergola-rooftop/ We popped up here at lunchtime but will be coming back for an evening next year. Great vibe.
Spa
https://www.lesbainsdemarrakech.com/en/home - the best treatments I’ve ever had, it will become a yearly visit.
If you would like to book your stay directly with the hotel, we have a discount code valid from 31 January 29th April 2024. Quote - EMS10 to receive a 10% discount on your stay. Riad Les Yeux Bleus,
I hope you have enjoyed this realistic travel guide, please do reach out to me on socials if you have any further questions & Happy travels!
That’s all folks! I hope you found the piece interesting, and as always I’m happy to answer any further questions you may have or head over to email – emma@EmmaMerryStyling.com. All image copyrights are owned by Emma merry styling except where noted. Please make sure you credit and tag if you use them. Thank you. x