With its countless markets, gardens, palaces and mosques, Marrakech, also known as the red city, is a destination that should be on everyone's bucket list. It is the fourth largest city in Morocco and it is the country's first tourist capital. With a mix of traditional and contemporary and a contrast of colors and scents, Marrakech will stimulate all your senses. View our 5 tips for a city trip to Marrakech here.
Shopping in Marrakech
Tradition and modernity also come together when shopping. To get a sense of the richness of the handicrafts of the more than 40,000 artisans, nothing beats a stroll in the souks of Marrakech. These are famous for their diversity and atmosphere. In the souks, you can discover authentic products and haggle from the vendors for everything from food to handicrafts. Each souk in the city has its own name, according to the specialty sold. Keep your eyes peeled in the souks and discover the many treasures to be found there. Just a short walk from these souks is the Gueliz district, where there's no way to haggle over prices. The biggest local and international brands have shops here on the city's main streets and in the shopping centers.
Marrakech's medina (DJemaa El Fna Square)
The Djemaa el-Fna square – a UNESCO World Heritage Site – is located in the heart of Marrakech. The square has a turbulent past as it once served as a site of public executions. Now it has become a meeting place, shows and trade. Here you can watch open-air plays and demonstrations by snake charmers, acrobats and more. Or listen to storytellers and visit a fortune teller. Music and snacks from Moroccan cuisine complete the atmosphere.
Visit one of the many gardens
Marrakech has built up a significant green heritage since its foundation in the 11th century. The city is full of gardens and green spaces in different styles that are wonderful to wander around. Le Jardin Majorelle, Parc Moulay Abdessalam, the Bahia Palace Gardens, the Secret Garden, Menara Agdal orchards and many others are, each in their own style, beautiful places of rest, relaxation and enjoyment.
Visit one of the many museums
In Marrakech you can stroll through the many and varied museum collections. Traditional and popular art is well represented in the Dar Si Said Museum, House of Photography, the Museum of Marrakech and Bert Flint. Contemporary art lovers can visit the Museum of Marrakech, which also focuses on work by contemporary artists. In the Museum of Art of Living Foundation and Dar Bellarj you can discover and share activities and exhibitions of a vibrant and dynamic culture.
Relax in a spa or hammam
If you long for relaxation during your stay in Marrakech, a visit to a spa or traditional hammam should not be missed. Spas in Marrakech are unique in their decoration and offer a high quality service. The hammams are public baths and present in every area of the city. It's up to you to choose between a luxury spa or a traditional hammam, where after the hammam you enjoy a full body scrub and a wonderful massage.
Of course there is much more to discover in Marrakech. The dynamic nightlife, sun-drenched terraces, delicious food and admiring the architectural richness by visiting one of the many riads – small oriental palaces around a central courtyard – or relaxing in a Menara, a large garden with swimming pool is for the city, we haven't even mentioned. But luckily, Marrakech is only a little under a four-hour flight from Schiphol, and it doesn't cost that much. For example, you can book city trips to Marrakech very cheaply with budget airline Transavia. And once you've been there, you'll definitely want to go back!
