Marrakech has always been on of my bucket list of cities to travel to. So, when a press tour opportunity arose, it was an instant “yes”.
Marrakech is a vibrant city full of interesting sights, sounds and flavours. I thought I’d share our 48 hour itinerary with you.
The flight from London to Marrakech took around 3 hours 40 minutes, so not too far for those from the UK not ready to say goodbye to Summer.
The flight journey was smooth but be prepared for the long queues at Marrakech immigration.
Next, where to stay?
To experience the local vibe, many people opt to stay at a riad which is a guesthouse converted from a traditional Moroccan house or palace with an open central courtyard or garden.
I hear it’s wonderful to experience the beautiful architecture of a riad, to look at the intricate wood carvings and patterned tiles but also to experience traditional local Moroccan hospitality.
We didn’t stay at one on this occasion, but would love to try in the future.
All is not lost, because we got to stay at the 5 star Le Naoura hotel, part of the Barrière luxury hotel group.
It is in the centre of the medina (walled city) and an easy walking distance to all the local restaurants and souks ( Moroccan markets).
I stayed in one of their beautiful luxurious suites which was really comfortable.
Another plus for the hotel was their wide choice for breakfast, a mix of Moroccan and European staples at the buffet to suit all palates.
If you want a bit more privacy then Le Naoura also have villas within their grounds . Here are a few snaps of one of their private villas.
Here’s the villa pool. Absolutely gorgeous right?
There is a fabulous Hammam spa at the hotel too for those who want to unwind.
A Hammam spa treatment comprise of a body scrub followed by steam room and or hot pool.
Where to lunch?
We went for lunch at Mazel, a rooftop street food cafe, 15 minutes walk away from the hotel.
For something light and tasty, you may want to try their pitta sandwiches called Pitanjia which comprise of 5 hour slow cooked lamb shanks with eggplant, onions and pea mint sauce.
I went for the lamb and vegetable cous cous washed down with a detox juice of cucumber, mint , lemon and ginger.
The meat was tender and cous cous beautifully flavoured.
All fuelled up, we decided to explore the souks. The streets of Marrakech can be quite chaotic and not for the faint hearted. It’s not unusual when motorcycles suddenly appear honking behind you as they weave their way around, so be on guard.
The souk was a fun, colourful and interesting experience.
There was so much to see and buy, which at times became overwhelming. I did however ended up buying some saffron and a knitted bag for my daughter.
After a wonder around the souk, we returned to the hotel for some rest and refresh before dinner.
Where to dine?
A tuk tuk took us from our hotel through the souk to our dinner destination at dardar. It was a fun experience to see the markets all lit up at night.
dardar is another rooftop restaurant owned by the same group who own Mazel where we went for lunch.
The restaurant was always lively with entertainment ( traditional Moroccan dance, singing and even a magician).
On a different night when we went, there was a dj playing a medley of uplifting French and English pop indie tunes.
The views from the rooftop restaurant was beautiful at sunset, and once night fell, we could see the city all magnificently lit up in the distance.
There was a great choice of delicious cocktails at dardar and the cuisine was Moroccan with a contemporary twist
We had starters tapas style.
The main course dishes were delightful and expertly cooked to reflect local flavours.
This would definitely be a restaurant I would return to when I revisit Marrakesh.
Where to explore?
Apart from the souks, a trip to the desert is a must.
We got to experience Inara Camp in the Agafay desert. It felt like a different world, away from the hustle and bustle of the souks.
The desert was beautiful with undulating dunes and a sense of peace.
Inara Camp offers a bespoke glamping experience that blends a traditional way of living with modern luxury.
There were around 19 beautifully interior designed tents and suites that blended in well with the landscape.
The art and craft adorning the rooms added both a warm rustic and cool contemporary charm to the spaces.
Each tent came with private terraces that afforded stunning panoramic views of the desert.
There’s even an exterior shower for an outdoor experience.
There are also dipping pools outside some of the rooms.
Other facilities include a large pool for cooling off under the sun, and lots of cozy lounge areas for rest and relaxation.
For those looking for fun and adventure, there are also cookery lessons,
camel rides, quad biking, and guided stargazing sessions.
You can even get some Henna art on you hands.
We dined in one of their tent dining rooms.
How wonderful are these colourful Bedouin outfits.
Here’s some of the bread we learned to make for starters.
The tagine dishes of slow cooked meat and freshly harvested vegetables from nearby permaculture farms were absolutely divine, reflecting real authentic local flavours.
Hope you have enjoyed this 48 hours itinerary in Marrakech. There is of course more to explore, and I definitely have plans to return again.