Marrakesh: Aesthetic Travel Guide

How to get around

The red city is best explored by foot. Wandering through the souks and small streets of Marrakesh is a magical experience you do not want to miss. Be aware of the motorcycles, they are everywhere. Taking a taxi to some of the further places is a good option, they are not expensive but it is recommended to set the price beforehand.

The Souks

Marrakesh is known for its vibrant souks, or markets, which offer a lively and bustling shopping experience for visitors. The souks are a maze of narrow alleyways filled with stalls selling everything from colorful lanterns and textiles to traditional ceramics and spices.

One of the most famous souks in Marrakesh is the Jemaa el-Fna square, which comes alive in the evening with street performers, musicians, and food stalls. Here, you can haggle for souvenirs, sample local delicacies like tagine and mint tea, and soak in the lively atmosphere.

Another popular souk is the Souk Semmarine, located near the Koutoubia Mosque. Here, you can find a variety of leather goods, textiles, and jewelry, as well as traditional Berber rugs and carpets.

For a more authentic and local shopping experience, head to the Rahba Kedima souk, where you can browse through stalls selling herbs, spices, and traditional Moroccan remedies. This is also a great place to pick up local handicrafts and souvenirs.

Overall, Marrakesh’s souks are a must-visit for any traveler looking to immerse themselves in the city’s vibrant culture and pick up unique treasures to take home.

Koutoubia Mosque

The Koutoubia Mosque is one of the most famous landmarks in Marrakech. It is a large mosque with a towering minaret that stands at 77 meters tall, making it the tallest structure in the city.

The mosque is known for its intricate geometric designs, arched doorways, and ornate decorations. The minaret is topped with a series of decorative finials and a lantern that is said to have inspired the design of the Giralda in Seville, Spain.

You can observe and capture it from a lot of different perspectives around the city, from the Jemaa El Fan square, from different rooftops, or walking through the park until you reach the building itself.

Bacha Coffee

Bacha Coffee is a must-visit destination for coffee lovers in Marrakesh. This coffee palace is located in the heart of Marrakesh, in the Gueliz neighborhood. It is easily accessible by taxi, bus, or on foot.

They offer the most exquisite coffee from all around the world. I have never seen such an extensive coffee menu before (200 different brews!). They serve it in generous gooseneck Bacha coffee pots, prepared according to an alchemist's measure and accompanied by Chantilly whipped cream, steamed milk, rock sugar and cracked vanilla bean.

In addition to coffee, Bacha also offers a variety of teas, pastries, and light snacks to accompany your drink.

The staff at Bacha Coffee are friendly and knowledgeable about their products. Don't hesitate to ask for recommendations or learn more about the different coffee varieties they offer. To access the Bacha Museum you have to pay an entrance fee, but the entrance to the café is free (there is a long waiting list, so I suggest going right when it opens, at 10 am).

Henna Café

Henna Café is a cute café with a sunny terrace, where you can eat healthy and traditional food, or enjoy some morrocan tea while you get a beautiful henna design done.

The henna used is locally produced with 100% natural and organic ingredients. The „Naquasha“, local artist highly experienced in the art of henna will show you a collection of extensive catalogues with original designs that have been donated by henna artists from around the world. You can also show them a design on your phone and they will do it perfectly. It is a really authentic experienced. Henna is also used for protecting ones energy. All the profits are donated to the people of this amazing country.

Dardar Rooftop

This is one of the most beautiful rooftops in Marrakesh. The food is superb, it has the most beautiful view of the city and the Koutoubia Mosque. My advice is to book your table in advance (at least three weeks), because it tends to be fully booked. You can book through their website. If you try to book and it appears to be unavailable, I recommend to contact them via instagram to book a table.

Be sure to check the sunset time, so you can plan your booking around that time. It is really a magical experience.

Le Jardin

This aesthetic restaurant is a peaceful oasis with delicious food located in the heart of the Medina. Their green aesthetic is something else in the city of colors. You can book directly through their website.

I recommend their fresh juices, croquettes and tajine.

Where to stay

Riad BE

A riad is a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an interior garden or courtyard, typically converted into a guesthouse or boutique hotel for tourists. It often features intricate tilework, arches, and ornate decorations, providing guests with a serene and authentic Moroccan experience.

Riad BE is located in the heart of Marrakesh. It is a unique place full of local history, tradition, art, and food. It consists of two Riads, a Spa and a Yogastudio that are connected on the rooftop. The staff is incredibly friendly and helpful. Waking up and heading to the rooftop to have an amazing breakfast, sitting in the first rays of sunshine is an unforgettable experience.

It really is a home away from home.

Riad Miel et Citron

Riad Miel et Citron is a more traditional riad, located near Jemaa El-Fna. The interior design of this boutique Riad is beautiful, giving the perfect moroccan vibes. The staff is very caring and helpful.

Camp BE Agafay

This luxury camp is a real oasis in the middle of the Agafay desert. The tents are big and well organized, with a minimalistic yet aesthetic decoration. The staff is wonderful and they offer a transfer service from Marrakesh to the camp. The food and coffee are simply amazing, and they have a choice of alternative milk (try the coconut latte), which can be hard to find in Marrakesh.

Spend the afternoon by the most aesthetic pool ever and enjoy some cocktails before you get ready for dinner. When the sun sets, the whole vibe changes to something more ethnic, with fire, and traditional gnawa music and dance. They also offer different activities such as ceramic workshops and yoga classes.