Morocco: The Ultimate Travel Guide to Marrakesh and Surroundings

A trip through Morocco is a true journey of discovery, full of culture, adventure, and beautiful landscapes. From the bustling souks of Marrakesh to the serene silence of the Agafay Desert. There is so much to experience that it can be difficult to know where to start. In this blog, we share our best tips and experiences so that you can be well prepared and get the most out of your trip to Marrakesh and the surrounding area.

What do you need to know before you go?

Before you embark on your adventure, there are a few important things you should know to ensure you enjoy your trip to the fullest.

• It is useful to purchase a local SIM card upon arrival at the airport. This way, you can stay connected and navigate without relying on WiFi, which is limited in some places. There are several stands offering SIM cards in the arrivals hall. The price is exactly the same. There were two of us, so we bought one SIM card so that the other person could use the hotspot.

  
  

• Upon arrival at the airport, we also recommend withdrawing Dirham (the local currency) from an ATM. Many places accept cash payments. In our experience, there are few to no ATMs outside of major cities such as Marrakesh. Even in Marrakesh itself, many ATMs did not accept Maestro cards, or did not have enough cash available.
  

• We always hire our car from Majdoline Rent A Car in Marrakesh. They offer well-maintained cars at an affordable price. After booking, the car will be waiting for you in the airport car park. You pay in cash on the spot (so make sure you have cash with you) and you will be given the keys. You can return the car in the centre of Marrakesh or at the airport, for example.

Best time to visit Marrakesh

The best time to visit Marrakesh is in spring (March to May) and autumn (September to November). During these periods, the weather is mild and comfortable, with average temperatures between 20°C and 25°C, allowing you to enjoy the city to the fullest. In the summer months, the heat in Marrakesh can become quite intense, with temperatures often exceeding 40°C, making it less suitable for long walks or city exploration.

Winter, such as January, is also a good option, especially if you want to avoid the crowds of the high season. Days are usually sunny, although evenings can be chilly, so it is wise to bring a warm jumper or coat for the cooler evenings.

What to do in Marrakesh

Marrakesh, a city full of vibrant colours and rich culture, offers numerous sights that are not to be missed:

• Bahia Palace: Built in the 19th century, this beautiful palace is an impressive example of Moroccan architecture. With its lush gardens, colourful mosaics and ornate rooms, it is an oasis of calm in the middle of the bustling city.

• Jemaa el-Fnaa: Marrakesh's central square is the beating heart of the city. During the day, it is a place full of market stalls and street performers, and in the evening, the square comes alive with food stalls, musicians, snake charmers and storytellers.

• Koutoubia Mosque: This iconic structure is the largest mosque in Marrakesh and is renowned for its magnificent minaret that towers high above the city.

• Souk el Khemis: The souks of Marrakesh are a labyrinth of narrow streets where you can discover traditional crafts such as carpets, leather goods, ceramics and jewellery. During our own adventure through the souks, we happened to end up in an area where craftsmen were working with wood and metal. The atmosphere here was much more relaxed; you could look around quietly without being constantly approached by salespeople, which allowed us to really enjoy the craftsmanship. The name of this souk is Souk el Khemis.

• Maison de la Photographie: For art and history lovers, the Maison de la Photographie is a must-visit. This museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Morocco's past through an extensive collection of historical photographs. From the roof terrace, you also have a beautiful view of the city.

Where to stay in Marrakesh?

Marrakesh offers a wide range of accommodation, ranging from luxury hotels to traditional riads. Riads are one of the most authentic accommodation options. These are traditional Moroccan houses with a courtyard or garden, often converted into small, atmospheric hotels. Staying in a riad gives you the opportunity to enjoy the peaceful atmosphere of a private oasis, while staying in the middle of the lively “Medina” (city centre).

We stayed at Riad Hissan. This is a riad with attractively decorated rooms and a quiet courtyard. What we particularly liked was the roof terrace with a view over the city. Here we were served a traditional Moroccan breakfast in the morning.

What to do in the Marrakesh area?

In addition to exploring Marrakesh's bustling medina and historical sights, the city's surroundings offer plenty of adventurous and cultural activities that are not to be missed. Here are some unforgettable experiences near Marrakesh.

Quad biking in the Agafay Desert

The Agafay Desert, located about 40 kilometres from Marrakesh, is a breathtaking alternative to the famous Sahara. This rocky desert offers a unique lunar landscape of dry, rolling hills. And it's incredibly cool to explore this area on a quad bike.

We booked a private tour with Agafay Riders. It took a little while to get used to the quad bike at the beginning, but soon we were riding through the sand, the mountains and the occasional Berber village. It was nice to have the guide to ourselves, because that meant he took us on the more extreme routes. In between, we stopped at a tent camp for a refreshing Moroccan mint tea. Thanks to the large lump of sugar, we regained enough energy to complete the last part of the route.

Spending the night in a tent camp in the Agafay Desert

Another cool experience in the Agafay Desert is spending a night in a tent camp. Here you can enjoy the peace and quiet of the desert. Although, the sound of barking dogs in the desert did keep us awake for a while during the night. But otherwise it was magical: the clear starry sky and sitting around the campfire together.

We stayed at Nkhila Lodge. This camp offered us comfortable tents with soft beds and even a hot shower. The nights were quite cold in January, but luckily there was a gas heater in the tent. In the morning, we were served a generous breakfast at the camp, accompanied by a playful cat named “Shere Khan”.

The route to the camp is quite challenging: rocky sandy paths and even a short stretch through water. So make sure you book a hire car that can handle these kinds of roads. We had a Dacia Sandero Stepway, which was a great car for this.

Day pass for access to the swimming pool in the Palmeraie

Enjoying a refreshing dip in a setting full of palm trees sounds wonderful, doesn't it? In the Palmeraie, just outside Marrakesh, you will find some beautiful star resorts, most of which have luxurious swimming pools. The great thing is that at some resorts you don't have to be a hotel guest to use their facilities.

For example, we bought a day pass at the five-star Jnane Tamsna resort. With this pass, we had access to the swimming pools and enjoyed a delicious three-course lunch, prepared with fresh ingredients from their own vegetable garden. It was an ideal way to escape the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh and completely unwind.

In conclusion

We hope this blog helps you get the most out of your trip to Marrakesh and the surrounding areas. And who knows, it may inspire you to discover even more of Morocco. For example, surfing on the west coast or hiking in the Atlas Mountains.