Cheap Holidays To Marrakech In 2023

A Guide To The Best Marrakech Traditional Markets

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Reasons To Visit Marrakech In 2023/2024

A visit to Marrakech must be on your bucket list. Why? Well, Marrakech was named the ninth-best destination in the world in 2019. So, it goes without saying that this bustling city is a must-see at least once in your lifetime. 

When you choose Marrakech as your next holiday destination, you will experience the perfect combination of history, landscapes, elegant archways, architecture, traditions, nice weather, tasty food, and outstanding luxury life. 

Below are the reasons why you must plan your upcoming holiday to Marrakech. 

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For the Medina

Medina lies in the city’s heart, surrounded by magnificent red walls. It is home to several famous souks and an amalgamation of fantastic scents and colours. This city centre revolves around Koutoubia and the Jemaa El Fna square. This vast square is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site. 

Around the square, you’ll see street performers, storytellers, live musicians, snake charmers and many other artists. You will see several architectures and buildings inspired by Moroccan Arabic art. 

How Can You Visit Medina:

• Take a walking tour: Your guide will ensure you discover and visit the beautiful monuments. Also, it is a perfect budget option for your Marrakech holidays. 
• Take a sidecar: Another option to explore this old red city is to travel in a stylish vintage sidecar. 
• Take a bike tour: Another budget-friendly way to explore the old city is to take a cycle tour. This tour covers all the vital attractions, such as Royal Palace, Jemaa El Fna Square, Koutoubia mosque, etc. 

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For The Diversity 

You will see mountains and also deserts, thus allowing you to experience different landscapes in Marrakech city. You will get to see: 

• The Atlas Mountains: Marrakech is situated at the Atlas’s Mountain foot, and it is perfect for trying several mountain sports. You can go skiing, hiking, and swimming at Ouzoud Waterfalls, and you can go canoeing and mountain biking.  
• The Agafay Desert: It is located south of Marrakech, and you will be amazed by the expanse of the desert. Also, you will have a view of the Atlas Mountains that will take your breath away.
• The Jbilets desert: It is a stone desert where you will experience a mind-blowing lunar landscape. You can partake in different adventure activities such as buggy rides, quad rides, hot air balloons, etc. 
• The Palmgrove: This is greenery in the desert! It is situated only a few kilometres from the city, and the lush palm trees are a perfect place for taking a city break. 

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For The Cuisine

Well, apart from mountains, deserts, what is Marrakech famous for? Tasty cuisine! The food here is vibrant, packed full of flavours and rich in aromas of sweet cinnamon and exotic spices.

Several eateries offer exquisite Moroccan food within traditional surroundings and fine dining. Souks and Boutiques remain in touch with their traditional roots; these souks and boutiques take you back in time.

It has rich cuisine consisting of harira, tanja, pastills, brioats, mint tea, and so on. Morocco is known for its street food and food stalls; in fact, it is also touted as one of the top destinations for street food. So, be ready to indulge in mouth-watering food for your holiday in Marrakech. 

For The Climate

The climate is subtropical semi-desert, and Marrakech enjoys sunshine for 300 days yearly. You can visit it anytime during the year. The winter is mild but can get cold in the evening. Winters are the best time to get a view of the snow-filled Atlas mountains. Yes, the summers can be scorching; however, there are several holiday summer activities that you can enjoy. 

For The Luxurious Services

Marrakech provides budget holidays but is also known for its luxury. There are several 5-star restaurants, hotels, famous palaces, luxury spas, etc. There is a luxurious royal Mansour hammam, Mamounia and its breathtaking garden, and many more.

If you’re after something special, seek out one of the hotels or riads with a rooftop sky bar. This is where you’ll get live music, cocktails, colourful lanterns, and the perfect spot for listening to the final call to prayer of the day.

Things To Do In Medina

On holidays to this bustling city, you want to take advantage of the hustle and bustle of the traditional markets or souks known locally and also explore the city life of Medina.  

Anyone who wants to escape the city and the noise can visit the stunning Menara Gardens. If you are visiting during winter, you must attend the ski resort in the Atlas Mountains. You can go to Oukaimeden, which is only an hour’s drive, and you will be mesmerised by the massive selection of slopes for beginners, and there are some challenging slopes for experienced too. 

The ones who already visited Marrakech will agree that this city can be intense since there are so many places to visit and catch on. However, an all-inclusive holiday lets you plan your holidays on a budget and see the top destinations.

Such as, you can visit The Secret Garden, a palatial oasis, and turn up your relaxation levels. For ultimate relaxation, you can also see several Hamam baths across the city included in your holiday deal. With an inclusive deal, you do not have to worry about booking hotels, transportation etc.; you will have to think about how you will spend your Marrakech holidays.

Guide To Marrakech Market

Marrakech markets or Souks are the most colourful and most significant in Morocco. It is a fantastic market to explore goods, bargains, etc.; with several stalls and alleys piled with leather goods, rugs, brassware, silk, spices, etc., it can be a daunting experience. However, do not worry; below, you will find a detailed guide on different souks of Marrakech. So, you must relax, take your time, and enhance your bargaining skills to get the best price and secure some beautiful souvenirs from your holiday. 

These souks have been around for centuries; earlier, they used to be open-air markets that merchants worldwide visited. These are situated in ‘Medina’, the old, walled part of the city.

Souk Semmarine

The most popular and mainly focused souk in Marrakech is Souk Submarine. It is situated in a covered yet broad alleyway. When you enter, you will see several pottery stalls. You can buy different traditional cooking pots. Also, there are carpets, caftans, and pashminas. When you take the right-hand path, you will be welcomed with the aromatic smell of spice. It is known as Souk Ableuh, which is the spice corner. 

The left side is for the copper and brass products, known as Souk el Attarine. You can get various brass and copper items, such as vases, candlesticks, lamps, etc. 

Souk El Kebir And Souk Cherratin

These are two souks, and they are situated around Attarine. It is a leather market where you will find leather artisans, and they are called Ta’ala by the locals. The leather is available in different colours and is soft to the touch. You can get bags, wallets, belts, purses, etc. 

Souk Smata

Do you get tempted by shoes? Souk Smata is the perfect spot for you. This shoe souk has a wide variety of babouches, the Morrocan slippers. They are available in different colours, and you can also get them in beautiful embroidery. Babouches are available for different purposes, such as outdoor and indoor wear. 

The Kissorias

The Kissoria are a collection of several covered souks next to Souk el Kebir. It is famous for silk products. You can get fantastic silk products be it clothes, stools, etc., in patterned and plain designs. The Kissorias are worth exploring. 

Souk Des Bijoutiers

This is the jewellery souk, so if jewellery excites you, this is the place to be. The best part is that a certificate accompanies the jewellery. So you can be assured of the purity and the quality. Also, near the Souk Des Bijoutiers, there is Souk Siyyaghin, where you can find some fantastic tribal jewellery and Berber designs. These are much more affordable and will not be heavy on the pockets. 

Souk Sebbaghine Or Souk Des Teinturiers

These two souks are the dyer’s souks. When you enter this market, you can see several silk threads and skeins of wool hanging above. If you want to visit these souks, you can go southwest of the main souk area. 

Souk Kchacha

In this Souk, you can get different and delicious dried fruits, almonds, nuts, dates, olives, figs, etc. 

Souk Chouari And Souk Haddadine

To see the blacksmiths and carpenters at work, you must visit Souk Haddadine and Souk Chouari. It is a mesmerising experience to see how these artisans work. 

Criee Berbiere

This is the carpet souk, one of the frequently visited Souks. When shopping for carpets, it is the most popular destination. You will see some beautiful designs of traditional Arab carpets; you can get them in different designs, sizes and colours. 

Souk Kimakhine

Are you into music? You must visit Souk Kimakhine as you will find here the Souk Gnaoua And Moroccan musical instruments.  

The Art Of Bargaining

There is no doubt that these Marrakech souks offer you excellent Moroccan products and give you a chance to take away your perfect local souvenirs from your holiday. However, you must remember that the shopkeeper will ask for a price that can be high, so you must bargain. First of all, remember to only ask for the cost of the product if you are interested in it. 

The price you will hear is most likely double the real price. So, you can offer one-third of the said price for effective bargaining. You do have to be consistent in your bargaining. However, remember to carry cash, local money, or Moroccan dirham, as your card might not work there. 

Valuable tip: take care of your wallet, purse, watch etc., as pickpockets will be there. 

Top Attractions In Marrakech

Marrakesh combines the ancient and the new Town. Visit the top attractions, soaking up the atmosphere of Morocco’s vibrant soul filled with snake charmers, souks, etc. Well, let’s check out this city’s top attractions, which are a must-visit if you visit Morocco for your holiday.

The Medina Souks

As you have seen above, there are different types of souks in Marrakech, so visiting them and capturing the essence is a fantastic choice. You can shop for carpets, jewellery, clothes, vases, etc., 

Djemaa El Fna 

The best time to visit Djemaa El Fna and experience true beauty is after dark. This place is a hub of fortune tellers, storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, etc. 

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Medina Riad Hotel

The traditional riad hotels in Marrakech are known for their beautiful looks. These riads have been restored, and you can get them in luxury and mid-range. They have a historical ambience, so it is a fantastic place for history buffs. The hotel features contemporary art, several popular arts, and different Moroccan artisan features. 

Koutoubia Mosque

It is one of the famous landmarks in Marrakech. It has great historical significance, and it was built in 1162. However, non-Muslims are not allowed inside the mosque. 

Majorelle Gardens

Majorelle Gardens are full of palm trees, ferns, and cacti. This extraordinary garden was designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle.

Bahia Palace

It is a magnificent peacock palace in Marrakech whose interior is dazzled with Moroccan art, and painted ceilings, showcasing how the sultan lived.

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Medersa Ben

If you wish to see the best example of Saadian-era artistry in Marrakech, you must go to Medersa Ben. It is a theological college and was Morocco’s largest Quranic study centre. 

Hammam

Navigating Marrakech and the streets of Median can be exhausting. However, one of the best ways to relax is to go to a Hammam. Several traditional public hammams are in Marrakech; some contemporary-built hammams are for tourists and visitors. In fact, some humans also provide the facilities of a modern spa. 

Saadian Tombs

Saadian Tombs is a burial ground for the 66 members of the Saadian dynasty. The atmosphere is calm, and an overgrown garden surrounds it. The entrance to this tomb is a small alleyway situated next to the Kasbah Mosque.

Menara Gardens

This vast garden was once a royal retreat, one of the most severe places in Marrakesh. If anyone wants to have a city break and get away from the hustle and bustle of the city, they can come to enjoy the quietness here.

Marrakech Museum

The Marrakech Museum collection is vast, ranging from Quranic inscriptions to contemporary art. However, the main highlight is the museum building, as the architecture blends Portuguese elements and local North African forms. 

How To Reach Marrakech

There are three ways you can reach Marrakech: 

• By Air: The primary air terminal is the Marrakech Menara Airport; you can reach here via direct or connecting flights.

• By Rail: You can reach Marrakech by train and get regular trains from places such as Eknes, Casablanca, Fes, Rabat, and Tangier.

• By Road: The third option to reach Marrakech is via road. Some buses leave from Casablanca, Fes, Quarzzate, and Agadir. 

Summing up

Magnificent mosques, fascinating museums, huge palaces, beautiful gardens, several Moroccan classics, and much more welcome visitors at Marrakech. What is the best way to spend your holidays in the vibrant Medina, shopping at souks and navigating the busy streets and buzzing alleys? So, if you are planning your next holiday, keep Marrakech in your mind and be ready to have memories you will cherish for a lifetime. 

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