Things to see in Marrakech
Things to see in Marrakech. For the majority of people, Marrakech is the gateway to Morocco and the starting point for getting to know the country. Its undeniable advantages include a fusion of Moroccan and French culture, an incredible number of hip hotels, including small boutique and serious and luxurious establishments, a plethora of stylish shops and eateries, a respectable number of museums, lovely gardens, and the ease with which the city itself can be strolled.
In my perspective, Marrakech, Morocco, was pleasant, fascinating, safe, and clean. I’m not going to linger on it (how can Marrakech surprise me after Andijan or Termez, for example), but I’ve been asked what my thoughts are in this circumstance. Africa, the old city, whatever they claim. In reality, nothing. When a tourist arrives, there is always a bustle. Of course, everyone strives to encourage you to buy their items or follow their recommendations. However, because we are in the East, communication and commerce are strongly established. Every individual you approach in the medina will seek to find out where you are from, and when you respond with “Welcome to Marrakesh,” they will all smile. It is identical to Uzbekistan; however, only in Uzbekistan is the tourist sector and everything linked to professional welcome and satisfaction of guests on the verge of development.
The direct flight, the unique blend of French and Moroccan, the developing hotel sector, and the abundance of hotels, some more opulent than others, were the main reasons we chose to visit. We were incredibly satisfied with the outcome. Even my spouse, who despises the East and all its bazaars, was receptive to the idea of returning to see the country for the first time. As a result, Marrakech, Morocco, did not intimidate him.
The vacation left us feeling tremendously satisfied. The answer is yes. We didn’t want to rush or go all over the place, even though they often spend less on Things to see in Marrakech.
Ramadan, as well as entrance.
Local eateries have shut down because there is no need for them during the fast. The restaurants that had remained open began to close an hour before the curfew, at 7:00 p.m. You have to return to the hotel by 8 o’clock.
Throughout the medina, there are some open and some closed shops and establishments. Some are open for Qawid, while others are closed for Ramadan.
The greatest irritation is having to continuously confirm (on the phone because the internet is misleading) if the locations you wish to visit are open or closed. Morocco’s Bahia Palace, Saadite Tombs, Palmeraie Museum of Contemporary Art, and Menara Gardens Marrakech were all closed. But the experience was unaltered.
Hotel
The increased prominence of the hotel is one of the changes that Covid has made to our way of life and how we travel. In a world where nothing is definite, it should now be able to meet any imaginable need and act as a sort of shelter. It should be feasible to stay there permanently without feeling guilty about a lost holiday.
We chose the Aman brand’s excellent vacation hotel Amanjena in Marrakech. We also hired a home with a garden and a pool in case we didn’t want to venture out because we didn’t like the Things to see in Marrakech, it was too difficult to walk, there were problems with the cultural program, or for any other reason.
The hotel is almost spotlessly clean. It is a large resort 15 minutes from the medina that has its golf course, is surrounded by flora, and was built to make you feel like you were living in your ideal Moroccan city. Water is prevalent everywhere. Fountains with petals. Singing birds. As night falls, thousands of candles are lit throughout the region.
Very attentive service; perhaps the lack of a large number of guests helps, but it’s more likely just the highest level of labor. Although every last detail was meticulously studied, the slippers in the room were unfortunately too tiny for me. Every night, there are gifts. There is complete discretion offered. Overall, excellent. We found the supper in a Berber tent that had been erected up on the grounds quite pleasant. Whoever read my blogs must have appreciated its beauty. Those who did not watch can now indulge and immerse themselves in a world of luxury (just joking).
We had a villa with a private pool, sliding windows in the living room, a stair, and a palm-shaded patio with a garden pavilion. Every technological feature of the hotel is hidden, and even body lotion is given in a ceramic bottle so that nothing modern conflicts with the authentic Moroccan atmosphere. Overall, everything gets an A+ for thoughtfulness.
Medina
The medina one of the top Things to see in Marrakech, or ancient city, is located in the heart of Marrakech, Morocco. It’s a tangle of retail lanes, interconnected bazaars, market squares, small cafes, and gardens hidden behind rose-colored walls.
Things to see in Marrakech, Morocco, is a colorful world with magnificent visuals. The city appears to have been splattered with pinkish-red paint on new and old homes, hotels, fences, and other structures! It has the pink tint of the regional clay. It became a cult thanks to the French, who ruled Morocco throughout the first part of the 20th century. During the French occupation, regulations were imposed mandating that all homes, including brand-new ones, be decked up in the traditional style.
Despite the convict, we were able to catch the city very much alive. To be honest, it’s an unbelievable thrill! to begin with the first. The second option is to relocate to a different location. Third, it’s a sense of being in the city that’s nearly forgotten. to learn new things, to smile at people, and to be delighted by new things. Having a good time in the sun. Other characteristics of the oriental atmosphere that I enjoy are the stores, bazaars, and the care that always extends to the tourists. Consider how much attention you’d get if you were the only visitor in town!
We went shopping without a guide one day after Ramadan had begun and the once-bustling medina had quieted down, to buy gifts for people who awaited us at home as well as for ourselves. We visited a store where babus, or traditional Moroccan shoes, are sold. The proprietor offered us a full amount of oriental hospitality, as well as mint tea, and took us about to all his favorite vendors after asking what we wanted to buy. We were at a spice shop, on the roof of a fully carpeted palace (I almost slept there! ), and in the straw and wood goods shop of a Moroccan-Japanese couple. Our host marched across the Medina, ebulliently leading us—such privileged and privileged guests—behind him. And, curiously, he discovered slippers in size 47 for Pasha. Anyone with that size understands how tough it is to get shoes. By the way, the shoes are a vibrant blue, another thing to see in Marrakech shade elevated to cult status by Jacques Majorelle and Yves Saint Laurent.
Gueliz
When the French acquired control of Morocco, they treated the country and its architectural heritage with the utmost regard. They established new neighborhoods for themselves while avoiding encroaching on the eastern city’s core. Thus, Geliz, a brand-new city in Marrakech, Morocco, developed, combining features of both traditional Moroccan and distinctive French architecture. This city, for example, could not exist without corner cafes, without which it is impossible to imagine Paris. Because Gueliz was ruled by the French from 1912 until 1956, you can discover anything, including Art Nouveau, Art Deco, and modernism. And that recognizable, gorgeous color of pink is utilized to paint everything.
Of course, squalor exists in Gelizé. The term “electronic commerce” refers to the sale of electronic goods. But this is what gives the neighborhood—as well as all of the great Things to see in Marrakech, especially when coupled with the ancient French remnants like the Grand Café de la Poste. It has pubs full of Frenchmen smoking like locomotives, carts bringing freshly baked scones from street vendors, Moroccans sipping tea in run-down cafes, a riot of bougainvilleas, the rumble of mopeds, and magnificently ornamented and vividly painted iron gates. Although there are certainly fewer Ferraris here, this part of town reminded me of Beirut.
Gardens
Morocco’s gardens are among its most popular attractions. Almost every respectable museum has a garden nearby, and there are even secret gardens in the medina, inside the old riads, the traditional Moroccan dwellings. A garden’s green vegetation and turquoise water contrast dramatically with the pink clay used to build the city, giving it a magnificent refuge of cooling. In other words, if you like gardens and gardening, you should go to Marrakech right away.
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum and the Majorelle Garden
Yves Saint Laurent stated that it was in Marrakech that he first saw color; black had previously been the designer’s go-to color. In 1966, Yves Saint Laurent made his debut in Things to See in Marrakech. It was a time when the city was a popular trip destination for everyone young, free, believed in novelty, and wanted to encounter new feelings and experiences. In other words, Marrakech was once a haven for hippies, musicians, and other artists, which enraged the local Moroccans. Later, Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé purchased the home and garden of French orientalist painter Jacques Majorelle. Majorelle erected his publicly accessible home and garden in the Heliz area in the early twentieth century. His inspiration came from the color blue, not just the royal blue recognizable to the French, but also from the indigo used to dye the textiles worn by nomadic Tuareg people, the cobalt blue of southern Moroccan ceramics, and the deep shade of blue observed in shadows on a sunny day. Of course, Matisse’s blue is the one that best captures the colors of Morocco in his artwork. The Majorelle Garden was eventually revealed to be the artist’s most well-known work.
This garden and the Villa Oasis were in disrepair when Saint Laurent and Bergé purchased them in 1980. There is a Yves Saint Laurent museum, the garden is now open to the public, and the villa can be visited ($6000 and a group of 6 people). The Museum of Berber Culture is also housed inside the Majorelle Garden.
The Yves Saint Laurent Museum did not pique my interest. A gorgeous structure, but the exhibit is antiquated and, of course, copies what is on display in the Paris Museum in a smaller size. By the way, I went into great detail about it here; it’s fantastic reading while drinking coffee. You are not permitted to take photographs in the museum for some reason (why? There is nothing regarding the couturier’s influence on Morocco or his life in Marrakech; all that exists are replicas of the gowns; there are few originals, and those that do exist are all in Paris.
I also didn’t enjoy the Berber cultural museum. The collection assembled by Pierre Berger is amazing, but it is poorly displayed, contains almost no comments or signatures, and there is no means to obtain an audio tour or more information. It’s okay that you have seen it.
The garden, on the other hand, is pretty gorgeous. It knocks you down with its gorgeous blue, vivid colors, and a riot of plants. In reality, it’s one of the most Things to see in Marrakech.
Secrets of the Garden
In the center of the medina, this garden is veiled. The garden and the structures surrounding it, which were the remains of a palace from the Saadite era (16th-17th century), were renovated in the 19th century. The complex is divided into two portions, one in the Arabian style and one in the Andalusian style, both of which had a significant influence on Moroccan architecture and garden art. The garden was also neglected until it was purchased and beautifully repaired by an Italian during our time. There are pictures of how it used to be ignored.
The secret garden is one of the most beautiful parts of the medina. It smells strongly like flowers and rosemary, not simply in general. These gorgeous emerald tiles, these painted pavilions, the turtle and fish ponds, and the wrought iron chairs under the trees! These rainbows of patterns and ornaments! A tower near the garden provides views of both the ancient city and the garden itself. On the roof of one of the pavilions, there is a cafe where you may drink Moroccan tea or coffee while looking out over the malachite garden.
Dar el Bacha
This museum and garden, whose name translates as “Pasha’s house,” was created in the early 20th century for Tami el Glaoui, who served as the French government’s governor of the country’s southern region. Pasha was a man of taste first and foremost; a man of society second; and an innovator third. Have you ever heard of the Cartier Pasha? Louis Cartier designed them for Tami el Glaoui and included a watertight mechanism so Pasha could swim in the pool without taking them off. Overall, our man is accustomed to luxury. The palace and garden also turned out nicely! It is one of the most beautiful examples of Moroccan architecture I have seen.
Since I was familiar with most of the techniques from Uzbek architecture, I found it to be pretty exciting to witness all of this beauty. The execution, colors, and embellishments, on the other hand, are completely different. You believe you’ve seen these rows of columns and intricately carved doors before, but you can’t place them.
People who appreciate coffee beans will enjoy a popular coffee house with a coffee shop inside the palace and garden (both of which are located in the medina).
The Anime Garden
If you prefer modern architecture as well as gardens and beautiful views, this garden is worth visiting in addition to Things to see in Marrakech. It was created by André Heller, a creative artist who works in a variety of genres. In this beautiful, incredibly rich setting, the garden itself is a work of beauty, and the scattered sculptures only help to strengthen this impression and leave you in amazement at how skilfully and discreetly art and nature are blended.
The Photography Studio
A little, old house in the medina with a cafe on the roof terrace. The museum houses the earliest photos taken by Europeans in Morocco. If you appreciate photographing human portraits and photography in general, don’t miss it.
MACMA
The Marrakech Museum of Art and Culture is a private museum in Gueliz. You won’t believe how big it is until you step inside! It is an excellent site to begin your program in Marrakech because it has a plethora of Moroccan cultural information. Both about the numerous nations that call Morocco home and about the role that women play, as well as about clothes, songs and dances, tea parties, and Moroccan homes. The hallways also contain furniture, everyday goods, and jewelry, as well as photographs of Marrakesh from the late nineteenth to the mid-twentieth centuries, which are accompanied by thorough annotations.
Modern Art
Several museums of modern art may be found Things to see in Marrakech, Morocco. Unfortunately, we were unable to visit all of them because of Qawid and Ramadan. I honestly did not expect such a developed cultural atmosphere and thriving art scene. It will give you a reason to come back!
Macaal
Outside the medina, opposite to Amanjena, is the Museum of Contemporary African Art, which is certainly worth a visit. Although the museum has a substantial collection, there is no permanent exhibition; instead, Maccal is organized as a series of thematic exhibitions in which objects from the museum’s collection are displayed with pieces from other galleries. We went to Essaouira, a seaside Moroccan city, and were blown away by how well-organized and thought-out the exhibition was, as well as how thorough, entertaining, and high-quality the tour was for us.
Montresso Foundation
The Montessori Foundation is committed to offering conversation opportunities and art residencies for artists from all around the world. The Foundation is a forty-minute drive from Marrakech and has a large facility with exhibition spaces, workshops, and a garden. Only visits that have been pre-arranged are permitted. What you see inside is mostly determined by the artists who now live and work here.
Restaurants
Famous French and Italian chefs run restaurants in large hotels, there are more expat-oriented bars and bistros, and other cafés and restaurants offering varying degrees of local food. Things to see in Marrakech also has a vibrant nightlife. We regretfully weren’t able to try everything we wanted due to the current circumstances. Due to the curfew, we ate dinner at 5 p.m. This is because many businesses are closed and the time you have access to food is limited.
The Post’s The Big Café
One of the most beautiful and tasty locations I’ve ever been to. You guessed it: It’s a historic French café that transports you to France. Foie gras, ham, baked camembert, and a lovely colonial setting with good service. This setting makes me think of Casablanca!
The Vino Bar 68
a wonderful wine bar in Guéliz on a street. There are many French smokers (strangely, smoking is permitted on some terraces but not in Moscow), a superb wine list, a dark, foreboding environment, and excellent French cuisine. We walked inside for an aperitif, and you should do the same.
a dash of cornichon
A great bistro, this time in another French locale. Modern French cuisine with a lot of originality, as well as a stunning environment. The scallops and beets were delicious.
Le Jardin D’Hiver in the Palais Ronsard
The Palais Ronsard, a Relaix&Chateau member, is a lovely boutique hotel that is yet usually outdone by institutions like Royal Mansour, La Mamounia, or Amanjena. It is a palace hotel with attractive, enticing colonial decor located in Palmeraie, Morocco’s most aristocratic and isolated region of Things to see in Marrakech. Le Jardin D’Hiver was one of the restaurants and bars functioning when we were there, and it was entirely vacant. Even though the chef’s compliment—something about mozzarella—was completely wrong, we still had a good time. There are two menus: French and Moroccan, with the latter appearing to be the chef’s forte.
Restaurant Jean-Georges L’Italien at Hotel La Mamounia
Even just for a cup of coffee (there is a pastry shop and tea parlor by chocolatier Pierre Hermès), to enjoy the bar, which was renovated by designer Jacques Garcia, to admire the lovely interiors, and to wander the lobby and corridors, which honor Churchill’s steps, the Hotel La Mamounia is worth a visit. The hotel’s only dining option is an Italian restaurant led by chef Jean-Georges Vongerichten. It’s in a huge room with fully operable windows that look out into the garden and swimming pool. Even though the restaurant is more of a dining facility, we appreciated the food—pizza, pasta, and everything else. But everything is done to the highest possible standard.
Trattoria
Another Italian restaurant, this time for its decor rather than its food. We were fortunate to be allowed to enter it, even if it was by accident. The Royal Mansour’s Alaimo Brothers restaurant was closed, but Kovid fell during Ramadan, and the concierges of two expensive hotels, ours and the Royal Mansour, confirmed our reservations. Finally, the concierge at the Royal Mansour recommended an Italian restaurant in Guélise. The champagne helped with the sour mood a little, and while the food was generally good, it wasn’t particularly remarkable due to the confusion and need to eat quickly (hello, curfew). But! I adore people-watching, and the restaurant was full of locals (it was before Ramadan). Second, I found it pretty fascinating to look at the interiors, which were constructed by Bill Willis, a design legend from Morocco. My heart was warmed by the Uzbek suzane on the walls (along with the champagne, of course).
Also
Royal Mansour Hotel
We spent an hour admiring the interior of the Alaimo Brothers restaurant while waiting in the lobby for a reservation and a car, even though we never made it there. Even though I thought it was beautiful, I had no idea how much art and design had gone into it. This is the fault of both the hotel and Marrakech in general.
Note: We conduct excursions from Marrakech, such as:
2-day desert tour from Marrakech.
3-day tour from Marrakech.
5-day tour from Marrakech.
6-day tour from Marrakech.
9-day tour from Marrakech.
