Marrakesh is home to enough attractions and curiosities to keep people occupied for several days, but if you only have 24 hours, here is one way to fill your day:
9:00 a.m.
Start your day with a freshly squeezed glass of orange juice while you watch the city begin its day. You can purchase a large glass for around 3 Dh in the Djemaa al-Fna. Next, get your bearings by sauntering over to the Koutoubia Mosque. This building has the tallest minaret in the city and is one of Marrakesh’s most iconic sites. While non-Muslims are not permitted entry to the mosque, everyone is welcome to roam around the gardens.
10:00 a.m.
Take a spin through the souks in the heart of the medina and start shopping for souvenirs. Shopkeepers traditionally gave a discount to the first customer of the day, although usually it’s worth checking out a few stalls before you buy anything.
While it’s perfectly possible to spend the entire day wandering through the souk, make your way to the richly decorated Ben Youssef Medersa, a Quranic school founded in the 14th century. Next door, you’ll find the Museum of Marrakech, housed in a 19th-century palace. The museum boasts classical Andalusian architecture with intricate carvings and tiles, and fountains and mosaics in the central courtyard.
12:30 p.m.
Time for lunch! You can pop in to a small hole-in-the-wall for brochettes—skewered meats served with warm bread—but if you’re in need of a little break, head up to one of the city´s famed roof terraces for a lunch with a view.
2:30 p.m.
After lunch, head over to the Jardin Marjorelle, one of Marrakesh’s most popular attractions. Originally constructed by a French expat during the colonial era, the cobalt blue villa was bought and painstakingly restored by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Bergé. You can stroll among the plants, which include many different species of cacti, or you can visit the small Islamic art museum before ordering a mint tea and relaxing in the café.
5:00 p.m.
Now it’s time to relax. Marrakesh is famous for its hammam, or bathhouses. They range from cheap and occasionally dingy places without indoor plumbing that cater to locals to spas fit for Moroccan royalty. You can order various treatments from body scrubs with black Beldi soap to mud masks and massages. If you aren’t comfortable with public nudity, some establishments offer private rooms.
7:00 p.m.
After a thorough scrub down, it’s time for dinner. Budget-minded travelers can head back to the Djemaa el-Fna, where vendors set up rows of stalls that dish out hearty local specialties. Otherwise, dine among cosmopolitan locals in the Ville Nouvelle at Al Fassia, Grand Café de la Poste or, if you fancy a break from Moroccan food, at the ever-popular Italian restaurant Catanzaro.
9:00 p.m.
If you’re turning in early, end your day with a horse-drawn carriage (calèche in French) ride around the city. Agree on a price and route beforehand. If your night is nowhere near over, you can start your tour of Marrakesh’s club scene at touristy but atmospheric Le Comptoire or the stylish rooftop SkyLounge. If you’re looking to dance until the wee hours of the night, check out Pachá Marrakech or Theatro.
Written by Silvia McCallister-Castillo.
Photo by marcp_dmoz.
Silvia (6 Posts) Silvia is a multilingual New Yorker living in Madrid, Spain. While majoring in Classics at Columbia University in New York, she spent time living with a Moroccan family in Salé, near Rabat, studying Arabic (now mostly forgotten) and learning about North African culture. She has taught English in Shenzhen, China, and was named a Huayu Enrichment Scholar in Taipei, Taiwan. She likes traveling around Asia and visiting her family in Costa Rica whenever she can. Apart from Mandarin Chinese, she speaks Spanish and French. Silvia has worked for a variety of non-profit institutions, including the Lower East Side Tenement Museum and the Lycée Français de New York. She is currently working at IE Business School.
Tagged as: dining in morocco, eating in Morocco, marrakech morocco, Marrakesh activities, marrakesh morocco, marrakesh nightlife, marrakesh souk, shopping in Marrakesh, Shopping in Morocco, Things to do in Marrakesh, where to go marrakesh
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
Museum of Science and Industry, Photo by Joe Ziolkowski
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
Treasures of the Walt Disney Archives Exhibit at the Museum of Science and Industry
With its lively markets and landscapes straight out of motion pictures, Morocco is a magical place in children’s eyes. The compact size of the country and friendly people make traveling with kids enjoyable and rewarding. Though children might tire of typical adult pursuits in Morocco—watching Mom and Dad haggle over carpet prices can’t be too exciting—the fascinating sights and sounds of everyday life makes wanderings both educational and entertaining. Like other countries in the region, Morocco is a very child-friendly culture, and you will likely find hotel and restaurant staff doting on yours.
) is a huge bronze Bell spell has its monumental stupa.
Whenever a family member returns to Morocco from abroad, it’s a good bet that half of their luggage is made up of gifts. While Moroccans have access to almost all of the same conveniences as those in the United States, Canada or Europe, the quality is often inferior. Moroccans are well known for their hospitality and generosity and would never act rude or upset if they were not presented with a gift. However, traveling with small items to be given as gifts can get you out of a sticky situation and show your host(s) a little gratitude for their efforts.
Amanda (19 Posts) 
Mount Zalagh looms high over Fez, looking down on the crowded city and its narrow, winding alleys. A world away from the hustle and bustle of one of the most densely populated areas in Morocco, Mount Zalagh, covered with olive groves and scented by wild lavender, offers a view of the entire city and the surrounding landscapes—the Sebou Valley, Rif Mountains and Sais Plain. In the winter, expect snow, but in the summer, the elevation provides the ideal temperature for an escape from the heat and the perfect spot for a picnic. Despite its proximity to the city, it is never crowded, much to the delight of mountain bikers and hikers alike.
Yesterday, October 15th, 2013 marked the 15th anniversary of Fantasmic! and Disney’s Hollywood Studios used the anniversary as the first night to roll out the GLOW WITH THE SHOW Light Up Mickey Ears here on the East Coast. Continue reading for VIDEO highlights of the debut of Fantasmic Glow With the Show.
Does your ideal vacation prioritize art galleries and architecture over adventure? Would you rather sip cocktails than scale sand dunes? Does your travel itinerary look better with art deco-style buildings, museums and discos? Then Morocco is calling you.
