As the world begins to open back up, and vaccines become more readily available, it’s hard not to start back dreaming of vacations in far away places.
One place that sat at the top of my “travel bucket list” for a while was Marrakech, Morocco. When I finally made it there I was afraid it wouldn’t live up to my expectations as I had spent countless hours dreaming of wandering The Medina + laying out next to a tiled pool in a glamorous riad.
The summer before last, I finally convinced my fiancé to include a 5 day trip to Marrakech into out summer vacation. While I was super excited to finally see this place I had dreamed of, I was a little nervous to take his 10 and (then) 8 year olds. I couldn’t help but ask myself: Would this place be safe enough for kids? Would they be able to appreciate the culture? What would they eat?
I’m happy to report that not only did they survive, it was one of the most memorable trips we’ve taken with them to date. Because from the moment we arrived until the time that we left we felt like were have traveled someplace else. Traveling to European destinations with the kids is fun, but often times we’re doing a lot of the same actives we’d do at home. This trip allowed us to broaden their horizons on a completely new level and introduce them to a way of life that they (nor even we) had ever experienced before. I couldn’t help but feel like I was on the set of Aalddin the entire time we were there. Every day was filled with discovery and it was a reminder how beautifully culture impacts lifestyle.
If you’re dreaming of visiting Marrakech too, here are a few things to help you plan your itinerary.
Where to stay:
In a Riad: If you like to get “the full experience” while traveling stay in a riad, a traditional Moroccan house with an interior courtyard or garden. We stayed in this riad and LOVED it. It was in the heart of The Medina, and about a 10 minute walk from most things, which really made us feel like locals! The design elements were classic and true to theme, but we were happy to find modern amenities. However, the best part of this rental was the house manager, Noir. He was beyond helpful and took the time to really acquaint us with his culture. Included in the rental is a soft-spoken, kind housekeeper that makes breakfast every morning and helps keep things tidy. I have nothing but fond memories of this place and would recommend it to anyone staying in Marrakech.
In a Hotel: If you prefer something a little more familiar when staying in a completely unfamiliar place, a hotel could also be a good choice. We stumbled into El Fenn one afternoon while walking the outskirts of the Medina. It’s a luxury boutique hotel decked out in colorful, traditional Moroccan fabrics + art. Some rooms included terraces, the lobby is a high-end gift shop, there’s a courtyard pool + one of the best rooftop bars (and views) of the city. They don’t allow anyone (including guests) to take photos in common areas, so it draws in the elite from all over the world.
Where to eat:
Nomad- a super chic, boho Moroccan restaurant with a rooftop patio that over looks the top of The Red City. Kinda pricy, so we chose to kick off our trip here + go during lunch. (Bonus points for having a kids menu)
Jemaa el-Fnaa Food Stand- Don’t be too afraid! While not every food stand in the square is safe, there are said to be a handful worth eating at just to experience it. When deciding which stand to choose, use your best judgement: do the cooking tools/station look clean? how are they turning over dirty tables? where are they storing their food? If something doesn’t look up to your standards, skip that stand. Also, don’t be afraid to ask a local you trust (like your house manager or the front desk person at your hotel). We had someone suggest Stand #1 so we trusted it, but I think they may rotate around, so don’t blindly trust that one. I do, however, recommend eating at one of the food stands– as it was one of the most memorable experiences of the trip!
Kosybar– The food here is good, but what you’re really coming to this restaurant for is the view. Snag a seat on the rooftop, right before sunset, and enjoy the energy of the city beneath you. The atmosphere is laid back during the day, but becomes a hot spot at night. You won’t want to leave the city without experiencing the local fave!
El Fenn– If you can’t stay here, experience the luxury by enjoying a meal here. You can choose from a more casual meal on the rooftop (when we went up there was the most gorgeous lounge setup that was worthy of Princess Jasmine, but they wouldn’t let me take a pic!!!!), or get a slightly more elevated meal at their restaurant + cocktail bar!
Le Foundouk– Voted one of the “world’s best sky-high and rooftop restaurants” by CNN, this spot was our favorite place we had dinner. We arrived at the top just after the sun had set, so we enjoyed most our our meal by candlelight. The restaurant was fancy enough for us to feel like we were on date night, but casual enough for the kids to enjoy it too. We were lucky that we ended up there on a slow night, make a reservation to ensure a spot on the roof.
What to do:
Take a Souk Tour! After grabbing something to eat, the very fist thing we did when we arrived was take a souk tour. This ended up being perfect because it gave us the lay of the land through the eyes of a local we knew we could trust, which useful when had to start getting around The Medina without a guide. We used the pathway he showed us our entire trip. If you do book him just make sure you give him a heads up of what you’re interested in seeing (ex. spices, local art, handmade goods, etc) or he’ll come up with things on his own.
But also, just explore the Medina on your own! Take a little time to wander around The Medina and explore little alleyways. You’d be surprised by all that you’ll find! But be careful not to actually get lost, there are over 3,000 souks total so it’s easy to get turned around.
Watch the Sunset from this Rooftop! While it is a restaurant, we didn’t actually eat here. We grabbed drinks (soda + hot tea bc this is one of the many places that doesn’t serve alcohol) and watched the sunset over the Main Square from Le Grand Balcon du Café Glacier. Seeing that vivid summer sky change color as the lights of the Jemaa el-Fnaa flickered on will forever be burned into my memory as one of greatest sights I ever witnessed.
Visit the YSL Museum! If you’re even somewhat interested in fashion, you cannot miss the YSL Museum in Marrakech. The complex is dedicated to highlighting the work + life of French designer, Yves Saint Laurent. There’s a gift shop, a small theater, a chic little cafe, a permanent exhibition featuring the designer’s “essential work” + temporary exhibitions showcasing the work of other artists with similar taste.
Walk around Jardin Majorelle! A few hundred yards beyond the museum is Jardin Majorelle, two and half acres of a beautiful botanical + artist’s landscape garden. It was created by the French Orientalist artist, Jacques Majorelle, and took 40 years to complete. It almost fell victim to a real estate project in the 1980s, until YSL and his partner purchased and restored it. They lived on property, often a source of inspiration, until Saint Laurent’s death in 08 when it was opened to the public.
Get a henna tattoo at Henna Cafe! I got my first henna tattoo EVER while in Marrakech and I have nothing but great things to say about Henna Cafe! The space kept clean, the tools sanitized, the artists are skilled + talented, there are tons of examples to choose from and you can even grab a snack + soda/tea. But the very best part is that all income from this cafe is used to give free education and assistance to Moroccan people.
Roadtrip to Atlas Mountains! Though it’s easy to spend days in The Medina and never experience the same things twice, I highly recommend getting out of the city at some point during your trip. We took this TripAdvisor day trip to the Atlas Mountains. On the way we stopped and rode camels around the desert (not technically the desert, but close enough) in traditional Moroccan garb. Then we rode donkeys up a trail on the Atlas Mountain to a waterfall, and had lunch at a local spot!
Explore Bahia Palace! Built in the late 19th century, and intended to be the greatest palace of its time, you won’t want to miss this ostentatious illustration of wealth. The palace itself is massive, but the details throughout every inch is what will really take your breath away. Be prepared to deal with crowds if you arrive mid-day, but it’s definitely worth making time to see it.
Treat yourself to a Turkish Bath! You can’t visit an Islamic country and not get a Turkish Bath, right? A Turkish Bath is like a spa, except it’s more of a ritual and is a little more public (though you can get private services). Our house manager recommended Les Bains De Marrakech and we were sooo happy we went. It was luxury from beginning to end. The entire bath takes about an hour and your body is left feeling purified and exfoliated.
Relax outside of The Medina! We spent most of our time in The Medina, but I’d be lying if I said it wasn’t exhausting. Between the miles of walking + constantly being hounded to purchase something, we were all worn out. So, on our last day we spent the afternoon laying out by the pool at the Beldi Country Club. While reserved for members of the club + guests of the hotel, some days you can purchase a day pass to enjoy their amenities.
What to buy:
The craftsmanship found in The Medina is second to none. If it can be created by hand, you can probably find it in one of the 3,000+ souks that make up this iconic open air market. While nearly everything seems authentic there are a few things you should really look for while shopping:
Handwoven Accessories- You cant’t walk 100 yards in The Medina and not come across something handwoven. There are handbags, hats, totes, shoes and trinket boxes…just to name a few. Everywhere you look you can find something handwoven that would make a great souvenir. Tips: touch something to feel the quality; does it feel sturdy? shop around bc tons of souks have the same exact products —compare prices!
Spices- Morocco markets are known for their spices. Because Moroccan food has a variety of flavors, the spices here are pure and cost a fraction of the price. Keep an eye out for homeopathic herbs and other natural healing ailments, too!
Argan Oil– Produced from the kernels of the argan tree, argan oil is used for everything from cooking to cosmetics in Morocco. Although it’s very common, its also one of the most counterfeit products in The Medina. We picked some up from a farm on our trip to the mountains and I’d recommend doing the same to ensure the authenticity.
Leather Goods- The quality of leather goods here rivals that of Italy. The craftsmen know their worth so you won’t get it for pennies, but you can get it for a fraction of the cost you’d spend on something comparable in The States. Look for: duffle bags, laptop cases, briefcases, and toes.
Handmade Shoes- You know that scene in Sex and the City 2 when Carrie gets lost in the Bazaar in Abu Dhabi, comes across a shoe store and when she finds out how much a pair cost she says “shoes for everyone”? Yeah, well that scene was actually shot in Marrakech’s Medina…and that’s the exact feeling I had when I stumbled into a shoe store on our Souk Tour. The shoes were all handmade, came in any material you wanted, was sized to fit your feet and was ready within days, for a prices so low I’d be ashamed to share out loud. I left with two pairs of flats that I will cherish until the day I no longer have feet.
Tagine– The one thing you will find in every kitchen in Morocco is a tagine. The word “tagine” specifically refers to a clay pot with a cone-shaped lid that slowly cooks, but it used to reference any dish you make within it. These “appliances” are available everywhere at a reasonable cost, but leave Morocco and you’ll be paying much more for it. Save money + just pick one up while you’re here.
Wooden Boxes- I had never seen anything like these magic boxes until we visited Marrakech and took that souk tour. Handcrafted, these boxes seem to be tradition/skill passed down from generation to generation. Some of them have secret compartments, other utilize wood from a variety trees, all of them are fascinating. Although, I may be partial to them because one of these mini boxes is what Todd used to hold my engagement ring when we asked me to marry him about a week later!
Planning a trip to Marrakech, Morocco aka ‘The Red City’? Ask me anything! Leave a comment here or send me a DM on IG @shadesofpinck
