My Marrakech Guide

I just came back from one week in Marrakech. It was not my first time in the city but I dedicated this trip to explore it further.

In this guide you’ll find:

· Riads

· Local guides to show you around

· Restaurants

· Cafes

· Shops

· Places to visit

· Where to go outside Marrakech

I have included the places I loved but also the ones I wouldn’t recommend. I really wish my tips can help you discover and enjoy Marrakech.

SLEEP

You can find on my website a complete curated list of places to stay in Marrakech. On this trip we stayed in four different riads: 

RIAD RBAA LAROUB (RIAD JEAN NOEL)

The first guesthouse in Marrakech. Very authentic and owned by an amazing man called Jean Noel. Great place to go in winter since it’s full of fire places (each room has one!). Good price for what you get. It’s like being in someone’s home instead of a hotel.

@riadjeannoel

RIAD JARDIN SECRET

Amazing staff and attention to detail. Also, they make a lot of effort to be as sustainable as possible and we appreciate that. Dinner and breakfast were superb. If you stay there don’t go to a restaurant for dinner, eat at the riad.

@riadjardinsecret

RIAD MENA

Huge riad, way bigger than the rest. Very stylish, with a mix of contemporary and vintage furniture, quite different from the rest of the riads. Rooms are big and comfortable and each one has its own style. The food is good too and the staff was very helpful and kind. 

@riadmena_pinkdoor

RIAD DAR K

Minimal and small riad. Great service and attention to detail. Delicious and beautiful breakfast. Nice rooms and rooftop. We met the owners, a family from Switzerland, who are devoted to this project.

@riad_dar_k 

RIAD DAR KAWA

We didn’t stay there but visited it and had lunch. It’s a small riad with a mix of modern and traditional style. The food is amazing, probably one of the best meals of the trip. And they have a massage room! The owner, Valerie Barkowski, has a beautiful store worth visiting.

@darkawa_riad

LOCAL GUIDES

LOCAL TOUR with Jaafar

He can show you around the medina and take you to hidden places you wouldn’t find alone. Ask him to show you an old bakery, a hammam, and the souks. I highly recommend discovering the medina with a guide to get a better sense of it and to be able to walk through streets and areas that are hard to find. We paid 40€ (2 people) for 3h.

Jaafar’s phone number: +212 670-609521 (you can contact him via whatsapp)

FOOD TOUR with Soufian

The highlight of our trip. We started at 18:30h and finished around 21:30h. Went to seven different places, all of them were very local and so so good. We did the vegetarian tour and there were lots of options for us. This is a MUST. Price around 30€/person.

Soufian’s phone number: +212 676-221710 (you can contact him via whatsapp)

RESTAURANTS

Make sure to book in advance!

EL FENN / / must go

The terrace is the top spot to go for lunch, then you can rest in the lounge beds by the pool. The lunch is a set menu but you can choose the international or Moroccan option. We had an assortment of Moroccan salads, which was delicious. If you go during summer, it’s better to go see the sunset and then have dinner.

@elfennmarrakech

AZALAI URBAN SOUK / / must go

Our favourite place in terms of food. The place is very small and there is nothing interesting to visit around. You have to take a taxi to go there but in my opinion it’s worth it. The food was unexpectedly very good for the price you pay. Better than the other cool restaurants in Marrakech.

@azalai_urban_souk

LA FAMILLE / / must go

Casual restaurant on a nice open patio. Only open for lunch. The food is vegetarian and there are only three options to choose from. Good price. Very close to Palais el Badi, Bahia Palace and Sidi Tombs, so it’s a good option if you are visiting that area.

@la_famille_marrakech

NOMAD good

One of the cool rooftops in the heart of the medina. This might be the most popular restaurant in Marrakech. We ate there some years ago. It’s a safe option.

@nomadmarrakech 

NARANJ good

Lebanese restaurant with a nice rooftop. The interiors of the restaurant is not nice though, so make sure you go to the terrace. The food was good and not expensive at all.

@naranj_marrakech

+61 good

Very nice interiors and stylish environment. Everyone recommends this place. We liked it but we had super high expectations. It’s in Gueliz, so there is nothing interesting around, you just go there for the restaurant.

@plus61marrakech

TERRASSE DES EPICES good

We went there on our last trip in 2018 and enjoyed having dinner at the terrace. Restaurant with young cool atmosphere with a DJ so there is music most of the time.

@terrassedesepices 

LE KILIM not worth it

The new restaurant from the owners of Nomad, Café des Epices and Le Jardin. The place is cool but the food was totally average except the dessert that was very good (dates and nuts cake). I wouldn’t go back.

@lekilim

For the rest of the meals, we ate at our riads. The food tends to be very good at the riads since it’s cooked by a local person only for you. I would highlight the food at:

DAR KAWA @darkawa_riad

RIAD JARDIN SECRET @riadjardinsecret

Maybe you can go for lunch or dinner if you book in advance.

Restaurants I haven’t been to but look interesting: 

LE FONDOUK

Only book at the terrace, the inside is not worth it. Very important: it’s not possible to book the terrace online, you have to call or send an email. It’s more expensive than other places. 

@lefoundouk

L’MIDA

Nice rooftop. Looks like a safe option.

@lmidamarrakech

CHEZ BAKCHICH

Street food tagines. We received this recommendation from Valerie Barkowski, who we trust a lot, but we didn’t have the chance to go.

Backchich on Google Maps

CAFÉ CLOCK

It was closed when we were in Marrakech but we were told it’s a place with an interesting vibe.

@cafeclock

FONDOUK GARGAA

Looks interesting for lunch.

@foundouk_gargaa_marrakech

CAFES

EL FENN / / must go

Favourite place to have a drink and rest at the rooftop.

@elfennmarrakech

BACHA COFFEE / / must go

Classic style café. You have to pay an entrance fee (only 1€) since it’s hidden inside the Museum of Confluences.

@bachacoffeeofficial 

ROOFTOP SOUFIANE ZARIBE / / must go

Beautiful rooftop inside the most amazing store in Marrakech.

@soufiane.zarib 

MANDALA SOCIETY

Quite expensive but they have a nice rooftop and soy milk (not easy to find in Marrakech).

@mandala_society 

PIKALA CAFÉ

Casual place. Might look touristy but there are a lot of young local people hanging out.

@pikalacafe 

RIAD YIMA

Shop & cafe by Hassan who is a well-known Moroccan artist. Riad Yima is actually his house. 

@riadyima

AMANJENA

Just outside the city. It’s one of the most luxurious hotels in the area. Very expensive but in my opinion worth visiting.

@amanjena_resort

MAMOUNIA

We went for a coffee and I didn’t like it very much. Too old-fashioned and very expensive (8€ for a coffee). Only worth it to see the gardens.

@lamamouniamarrakech

VISITS

JEMAA EL-FNA / / must go

Very important to go there at sunset, it’s when the square is alive and everything takes place. Be aware of pickpockets.

Maps Link

BAHIA PALACE / / must go

Our favourite visit. Impressive old palace with stunning artwork. 

Maps Link

PALAIS EL BADI / / must go

Worth visiting the open area. A Dior fashion show took place there. We went with our guide but I would recommend you to go on your own. Maps Link

PLACE DES ÉPICES

I don’t like it since it is 100% for tourists. But you will end up there for sure so just make sure you don’t buy anything. The prices are too high.

Maps Link

SOUKS / / must go

There are different souks dedicated to each artisan. It’s better to go around with a guide since it’s very labyrinthic. I would avoid the wool souk, they aggressively try to sell. And avoid the leather souk if you don’t like seeing animal skins hanging.

JARDIN MAJORELLE

Nice garden if you need a bit of green. I honestly didn’t love it as it is too perfect and made only for tourists. But my mum did like it so it’s a matter of personal interest. Make sure you buy tickets in advance.

Maps Link

YSL MUSEUM

Interesting to discover the influence of Morocco in YSL’s life and designs. I personally liked it very much. Make sure you buy tickets in advance.

Maps Link 

MEDERSA BEN YOUSEF

It’s been under renovation for many years. It’s about to open.

Maps Link 

MUSEE DE LA PHOTOGRAPHIE

Not a must but it’s in a nice building and if you are into photography you’ll like it.

Maps Link

SAADIAN TOMBS

Interesting and beautiful but not a must.

Maps Link

LE JARDIN SECRET

It’s a quiet beautiful garden but you have to pay an entrance fee. It’s not worth it for the price but there is a cafe inside so if you are going to spend some time you might consider paying.

Maps Link 

INDUSTRIAL DISTRICT

Only go there if you are more than 3 days in Marrakech or if you are very into buying furniture, rugs or art. It’s quite far from the medina and the area is really industrial (not nice or friendly to walk around). If you decide to go there, you can visit the following: Marrakshi Life, Tribaliste, MCC Gallery, Marrakachoise, LRNCE, Jajja by Hassan, Chabi Chic, Topolina, Magasin Géneral, Bazar du Sud, Marrakech Fine Food

GUELIZ

Nothing interesting there, only some cool restaurants.

MENARA GARDENS

Not worth it.

TISKIWIN MUSEUM

Not worth it.

SHOPS

I’m not very much into shopping but I loved visiting these two stores:

SOUFIANE ZARIB / / must go

They have also another store at Place des Epices but is very small. Go to the one on the link.

Maps Link

V. BARKOWSKI / / must go

Maps Link

And also street SIDI ABDELAZIZ is full of nice stores.

Maps Link

For more shopping you can visit Valerie Barkowski’s recommendations: darkawa.net/blog/category/shoppping

OUTSIDE MARRAKECH

DRIVER

Way cheaper to book it directly with the driver than with the lodges.

If you need a driver I highly recommend AZIZ. Very nice guy. Professional, kind, honest and speaks many languages. His prices are:

· 90€/day if you drive around the area close to Marrakech

· 15€ transfer to the airport

Aziz’s phone number: +212 661-361935 (you can contact him via whatsapp)

BERBER LODGE / / must go

Beautiful, peaceful and tasteful lodge. I really recommend staying there. It’s one of the most special places I’ve been too. Their food is delicious, with lots of vegetarian options. You can ask to book for lunch if you are staying somewhere else.

@berberlodge_

LA PAUSE / / must go

First camp built in Agafay Desert (important: it’s not a sand desert). Now the area is full of new camps but we still like this one very much. Have lunch at one of their outdoor tents and chill by their new pool. Very important to ask for lunch at a tent, it really makes all the difference. You can also stay there. There are lodges and tents. If it’s winter don’t stay in the tents, too cold for it. Have breakfast by one of the pools.

@lapausemarrakech 

SCARABEO

Another nice camp in the area. Haven’t been but I’ve heard good reviews about it. You can go just for lunch or stay there. There are only tents, no rooms. Be aware that it is very cold at night during winter.

@scarabeo_camp

BELDI

Worth it to stop and have a look at their shops, indoor pool and gardens. Not worth it to sleep there. Don’t know about their food but for lunch, I would go to La Pause or Berber Lodge.

@beldicountryclub

LA FERME

Jean Noel’s house in the middle of nowhere (same owner as Rbaa Laroub). Isolated house with no wifi or internet. Very authentic and simple place. Very important: the toilets are shared. The price is around 100€/night for 2 people and the meals are 25€/person/meal. We haven’t been yet but I’m going there next month. There are very few pictures online.

@riadjeannoel

KASBAH BAB OURIKA

Beautiful place to stay with awesome views over the valley. You can stay there or go for lunch. It’s in a trekking area. I haven’t been there yet.

@kasbahbabourika

GENERAL TIPS

· Important to check if you go in Ramadan. Some local places will be closed all day long. 

· On Fridays the souks are quite dead, most shops are closed. It’s their holy day.

· Make sure you don’t get black henna on your skin. We have a friend that was injured for months because of that.

· If you get lost in the medina, ask for directions to an owner of a shop, not to random people on the street.

· Change your money at the airport: fast, easy and good price. Ask for small bills. You can’t tip with small bills or coins of euros.

My cousin and my mum were my travel companions on this trip <3

Visit my website outliersguide.com to find more curated places to stay :)