5 Days Tour At Marrakech

Arriving in Marrakech is a considerable culture shock for many travelers. Many of them feel lost in the crowds of its medina and feel a little uneasy about the way some merchants sell. It never hurts to consult some safety tips on your trip to Marrakech before starting the tour to be able to face it with more peace of mind. Another of the options most used by travelers to get to know the city is to hire the first visit with a guided tour. This first day, in any case, will be quite quiet, so that we can face the next day's excursion with more strength. The day at Jamaa El Fna There is no better place to start the trip to Marrakech than its most iconic place: the Jamaa El Fna square. To be able to contemplate it in all its splendor, the place should be visited both in the morning and in the afternoon-evening, as the atmosphere changes remarkably. In these early hours of the day, the square is a large open-air "shopping mall". Here you will find stalls selling all kinds of products mixed with henna tattooists, tea and fruit juice sellers and snake charmers. This first glimpse of the square requires a leisurely stroll through it, without feeling overwhelmed by the large crowds and the countless calls of vendors trying to attract the attention of potential customers. A tip for traveling to Morocco is to open your mind and not be intimidated by this insistence. A stop at the Koutoubia Mosque Islam marks much of **Morocco'**s culture, so the proliferation of mosques in cities like Marrakech is not surprising. The Koutoubia, whose name means "of books" is the most important of the city and can be considered the heart of it. The interior of the mosque cannot be visited by non-Muslims, but the exterior alone is worth a visit. The temple is not only important for its spiritual aspect, but also because it is one of the best examples of the architecture of this type of building. Thus, you can see its windows, decorative tiles and the characteristic arches. On the other hand, the best known image of the mosque is its minaret, the highest point of the city with about 70 meters. With an appearance reminiscent of the Giralda in Seville, this minaret dates back to the 12th century and is still used to call to prayer five times a day. Visit the Dar Si Said Museum Marrakech is much more than Jamaa El Fna and its nearby desert, as its streets hide great corners full of art. The Dar Si Said Museum is a good example of this, as it contains an interesting collection of carpets, furniture, textiles and other objects from the Berber culture. Unfortunately, the information inside the museum is somewhat lacking, so if you are very interested in the subject it is essential to have a guide. The area is also very interesting if you are already looking for a place to eat something. The choice of restaurants is very wide, but if you want to try the best Moroccan food I recommend places like the Bazaar Cafe or Cafe Clock. Majorelle Gardens One of the signs of identity of Marrakech is undoubtedly the chaos and noise. However, there are some areas that are a haven of peace and tranquility. One of them is the Majorelle Gardens, a space of 9,000 square meters surrounded by red walls and full of palm trees, plants, cacti and ponds. Its name comes from a French painter, Jacques Majorelle, who bought in 1922 an estate of palm trees to create his dream. To begin with, he commissioned the construction of a villa that surrounded the garden that is known today. I also recommend that you walk through the whole complex to contemplate the intense blue color invented expressly by the painter to give a definitive touch to his creation. Sunset on a terrace To spend the late afternoon and before dinner, the best activity to do in Marrakech is to choose a terrace near Jamaa el Fna to enjoy the sunset. Actually, the large number of cafes will allow you to have a great place to also contemplate how the square changes its skin with the arrival of the night. Among the most popular places are L'Adresse Jemaa Al Fna, La Pergola Jazz Bar (where they sell beer) or Le Salama. Dinner at Jamaa el Fna Although you can dine on one of the terraces mentioned, to end this first day of introduction to Marrakech the most classic is to dare with the stalls that are installed in Jamaa el Fna. With the sunset, the vendors begin to be replaced by tables and chairs serving various dishes of Moroccan food. Dare to wander among these stalls and choose one for dinner. The night scene of the square is completed with street performers, from fire-eaters

The third day of the trip starts with breakfast at the Berber camp and the return to Marrakech. Normally, you don't arrive too late in the city, but my advice is to rest for a few hours before getting back on the road. ­ To make this day a relaxing one, I suggest a tour of the modern city. If you have arrived on time, you can have lunch in the streets of Gueliz. To end the day, nothing better than enjoying a traditional bath and return to Jamaa el Fna for dinner. ­ See another side of Marrakech: the modern city of Gueliz. When the French took over the protectorate of Morocco, they brought with them the idea of modernizing part of the infrastructure in the image and likeness of European cities. In Marrakech, they built the Gueliz district in an attempt to achieve this goal. ­ Mohammed V Avenue, which connects the medina with this modern area, is the most atmospheric street you will find in the neighborhood. Here you will find some of the best restaurants in Marrakech (both western and local food) and stores of all the chains you can imagine. ­ If, due to time constraints, you have not been able to eat here, I advise you to enter the Patisserie Amandine to taste some Moroccan sweets. ­ Relax in a hammam Anyone who has traveled to an Arab country knows that one of the obligatory visits is to a hammam and Morocco is no exception. In Marrakech you can choose between several of these traditional baths. ­ The traditional bath begins with the application of steam, sauna-style, to cleanse the body and relax the mind. Depending on the hammam, the treatment continues with scrubs, wraps and argan oil massage.

After three days, you will probably have already got used to the rhythm of the city, the way of life and the way of moving around. If not, remember that an organized tour will free you from any worries when visiting the next two destinations: the Medina of Marrakech and the souks. Saadian tombs passing Bab Agnaou One of the points included in all organized tours and that, even if you go on your own, you can not miss are the Saadian Tombs. Curiously, this place was forgotten until 1917, when it was rediscovered and opened to visitors. To enter the enclosure I recommend you look for Bab Agnaou, a beautiful gate that crosses the wall and allows you to enter the medina. Opposite you will find the great mosque of the kasbah and, right next to it, a narrow passage leading to an enclosed garden where the tombs are located. Already in the garden you can see more than 100 tombs decorated with mosaics belonging to secondary characters. The main mausoleum, where Sultan Al Mansur is buried, has 3 rooms, among which the Twelve Columns. The remains of the El Badi Palace Sultan Al Mansur, the same one buried in the Saadian Tombs, was responsible for the construction of this palace at the end of the 16th century. At the time, the El Badi Palace was one of the most impressive on the planet and, according to the chronicles, it had 360 rooms decorated with gold, crystal and turquoise. It was also surrounded by sumptuous gardens. Unfortunately, little of that majesty remains today. However, the remains that can still be seen are still a must-see in Marrakech, especially its gardens. In addition, from the ramparts you can enjoy breathtaking views of the city.

Normally, the route of the last day is delimited by the departure time of your flight. In this article on how to get from the airport to Marrakech you have information if you need it. The itinerary for this day includes a morning visit to one of the nearby areas of Marrakech, the Palm Grove, where you will be able to relax a bit. Afterwards, a different lunch and a walk through the old Jewish quarter. The Palm grove More than 100,000 palm trees, a large number of plantations and as many fruit trees make this area located about 10 kilometers from Marrakech a place to relax. There are several ways to get to the Marrakech Palm Grove: by cab (after negotiating a price), by organized tour or by horse-drawn carriage, one of the most traditional means of transport in the city. If you have hired a tour it may include a quad or camel ride, as well as a visit to a village in the area. In case you have gone on your own, I recommend you to sit down in one of the many places that have opened there for a delicious tea or a soft drink.

transfer to the airoport or train station

- Marrakesh: Riad Elhouma or similar

English and French-speaking driver
Local guide in Marrakesh

Breakfast is provided daily

This tour offers Jain, Vegetarian, Vegan, Halal and Kosher food options on request. Simply let Morocco Magic Trip know the food option that you prefer.

Private AC Vehicle