Katie Read: Marrakesh, Morocco

Before my husband and I went to visit Marrakesh, Morocco, I didn’t know what to expect. As a double history and art major in Islamic art, I was excited to see the architecture, but I wondered what the people and city would be like. It was incredible and overwhelming in the best possible way, with sights, sounds, and the delicious scent of tagine, a Moroccan specialty made of meat, vegetables, and fruits, stewed in a clay pot, wafting through the labyrinthine streets.

When we travel, we like to immerse ourselves in a culture fully. We want to go to the restaurants where the locals go and meet people. Of course, we visit most of the popular tourist attractions because they’re popular for a reason, but we like to get off the beaten path too. Marrakesh is a great place to strike a balance between famous attractions and a truly local experience. It’s also a safe, friendly, and welcoming city, where many people speak English. I’ll cherish the memory of my six days in Morocco, and I know that if you visit, you’ll find it just as intoxicating as I did!

Five Days in Marrakesh, Morocco

Day One

Right from the get-go, our Moroccan adventure started off magically. We stayed at the Four Seasons Marrakesh, a fabulous resort with a lovely palm-tree-lined pool and gorgeous rooms. It was just ten minutes from the airport, and the Four Seasons offers shuttle service, so it was super easy to waltz out of the airport with our bags, hop into the van, and arrive at our luxurious hotel. Once we arrived, we were treated to a spectacular welcome reception with local musicians and traditional Moroccan food. It was an excellent cultural crash course in what we should expect from our vacation and made us feel right at home.

Day Two

On the second day, we hit the markets, including Jemaa el-Fnaa, which is one of the most famous street markets in Marrakesh, with hundreds of vendors selling products like gorgeous leather Moroccan pouf chairs, hand-stitched Berber shoes, tagines, fragrant spices, and glittering jewelry. We also went on a guided walking tour of the medina and souks. The souks are maze-like corners of the city where you can get completely lost, but our guide, who grew up in a riyad there, was able to take us to all the most reputable shops. He even pointed out his house on our tour, which is now a boutique hotel.

Day Three

The following day, we visited Ben Youssef Madrasa, a phenomenal example of Moroccan architecture with a splendid courtyard, reflecting pool, and vibrant tile work. Jardin Majorelle, a sprawling garden with hundreds of different types of flowers, and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum were also on the list.

Later, we toured the city and the outskirts on a vintage motorcycle with a sidecar. This tour was definitely one of the major highlights and really gave us an authentic flavor of Marrakesh and what the city has to offer. Our guide was local, and he took us to more residential parts of the medina that really don’t get a lot of tourists. I remember meeting this woman, who was walking up to a fountain with a basket of laundry. She spoke absolutely no English but approached us, smiling because she was so happy to see foreigners learning about the culture and wanted to welcome us.

Our experience with the woman at the fountain is so characteristic of our time in Morocco. People were so friendly, so warm, and genuinely delighted to meet us. You feel the love the second you get off the airplane, and it’s one of the key reasons why Marrakesh is so unique.

Day Four

On the fourth day, we woke up bright and early to take a sunrise hot air balloon ride over the Atlas Mountains. Seeing the jagged peaks and sloping valleys of the mountains below, under pastel sunrise streaked sky, was nothing short of transformative. Afterward, we enjoyed a traditional Berber breakfast in a desert tent. There’s nothing quite like working up a strong appetite watching the mountains spread beneath you from a hot air balloon.

Later that day, we took a camel ride and visited Dar el Bacha, a historic palace full of intricate tilework and fantastic art. At night, we enjoyed a private sunset dinner in the desert just outside Marrakesh, with delicious food, local musicians, acrobats, and fire dancers. Marrakesh has a kind of whimsical artistic flair that you can see everywhere, but nowhere is it more evident than in the live performances. I’d truly recommend experiencing one of these dinners for yourself.

Day Five

On the fifth day, we were supposed to go on an ATV tour in the Agafay Desert, but it was cancelled at the last minute. While unfortunate, it did give us a chance to do something that we never do: relax and enjoy the Four Seasons resort. I do think that it’s important to build some downtime into your vacation. Striking that balance between “go, go, go” and chilling out is one of the keys to having a great time on your vacation.

The Four Seasons was a beautiful place to get some R&R, with its pristine, manicured gardens and every amenity you could ask for. Since we were heading to Portugal directly after Marrakesh, we lounged by the pool to recharge our batteries before heading to Jemma el-Fnna for sunset, taking one last stroll through the souks, and having our last Moroccan dinner at Dar Yacout.

Why Marrakesh Is a Must-Visit Place

Marrakesh is definitely a whole new world, and a lot of the food and culture is very different from what I was used to. Having said that, it’s completely accessible. Most people speak English, it’s easy to get a taxi, and you don’t need a visa. There’s an additional security line leaving the airport, but it’s really no hassle, and the city is just a short drive away.

It’s so important to expose yourself to other cultures, and you’ll love the food, architecture, history, and hospitality. While there are plenty of nice resorts, like the place I stayed, there’s also so much to do outside your hotel walls. Don’t be afraid to go on excursions, stroll through the markets, and experience the culture. You’ll be glad that you did!

Explore the Magic of Marrakesh, Morocco