The Ultimate Marrakesh Travel Guide
What to see, where to eat, rooftop bars to visit, and everything in between.
Contents
- Before You Go: Quick Tips
- First Impressions: Marrakesh in a Nutshell
- The Souks & Markets
- Rooftop Escapes
- Must try restaurants
Before You Go: Quick Tips
- Cash is King: Taxis often don’t take cards, and rideshare apps can be unreliable.
- Language: French and Arabic are widely spoken.
- Alcohol: Drinking in public is prohibited, and alcohol is only served in tourist-friendly or Western-style establishments.
- Weather Tip: We visited over New Year’s – perfect for winter sun seekers, with temps ranging from 14°C – 19°C.
- Shopping Alert: The souks are irresistible – leave extra space in your suitcase!
Sunrise in Marrakesh
First Impressions: Marrakesh in a nutshell
Also spelled “Marrakech” (French spelling), this vibrant city – known as The Red City – is a sensory overload in the best way. The streets hum with the call to prayer, the clatter of carts, haggling market sellers, and yes… snake charmers.
Marrakesh feels like stepping into another world. It’s chaotic, colorful, sometimes overwhelming, but incredibly beautiful.
The Souks & Markets
The heart of Marrakesh beats in its souks; an endless maze of market stalls sprawling out from Jemaa el-Fnaa, the main square. Each section specialises in something different: spices, lanterns, textiles, silverware, and more.
Expect to be approached often. Haggling is part of the experience, and you’ll find yourself playing the ‘don’t make eye contact’ game just to get through it.
At night, the energy ramps up with snake charmers, street performers, and monkeys dressed in princess gowns and football tops (yes, really).
Rooftop Escapes
Need a break from the bustle? Head upward. Marrakesh’s rooftops are an oasis of calm with panoramic views, refreshing drinks, and, of course, mint tea.
Our Top Rooftop Picks:
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Kabana – Lively vibes, cocktails, and views of the Koutoubia Mosque. Very popular, so book ahead.
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La Pergola – A jungle-like hideaway with live jazz. Don’t miss their downstairs gem, Le Bistro Arabe.
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Les Jardins de la Koutoubia – A luxurious 5-star hotel rooftop perfect for sunset drinks.
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MK Rooftop – A quieter, more budget-friendly option with great cocktails and no reservations required.
Must Try Restaurants
La Mamounia
The first in the list for a reason. La Mamounia is a 5* hotel and oh boy can you tell. Service is impeccable, aesthetics are amazing, and food is outstanding, although this is reflected in the price and a dress code is required. It’s a seriously popular spot – I’m talking queue going out the door kind of popular so be sure to book, and when you do, make sure you ask for a pool side table at La Pavillion de la Piscine. I still dream about this place – it’s absolutely beautiful and the brunch is out of this world.
Chez Lamine
(Featured by Gordon Ramsay)
I’ve saved the best until last. What you see is exactly what you get – no frills, no faff, no cutlery… We discovered this place through a Youtube video of Gordon Ramsey, Gino Da’campo and Fred Sireix. It’s a ‘restaurant’ (I use that term loosely) hidden within the souks that serves the best lamb we’ve probably ever eaten. The lamb is slow cooked underground, and when it comes to placing your order you’ll be led down to the cooker to choose your portion of meat, and then handed it back on a tray with a clump of seasoning and some bread. It’s seriously worth a visit.
Le Jardin
An authentic Moroccan restaurant set in a scenic garden with beautiful mosaics. Great food, but as you would expect from a traditional local spot, sans alcohol.
Pepe Nero
Idyllic spot which boasts two menus, so you can choose between Moroccan or Italian cuisine.
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