The Sound Of The Souks

Category: Jamaa El Fnaa.

Exploring The Red City Of Marrakech.

  • Is Marrakech Budget Friendly?

    How to enjoy Marrakech on a budget.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Visiting Marrakech doesn’t have to break the bank.

    Morrocco is a relatively cheap country to visit. It’s all about careful planning and putting together the right itinerary before you go. I have compiled a few ideas and suggestions to help you enjoy your trip without having to spend a ridiculous amount of cash.

    1.

    Book your flight early. The earlier you book, the cheaper it is. Download an airline app and keep an eye on the cost of flights. Book out of season when it’s less busy.

    2.

    If you book your accommodation directly through the riad or hotel, it is often much cheaper.

    3.

    Use public transport in Marrakech. The buses are an excellent way to get a taste of local life. They are extremely cheap and reliable. The price is set, and you will avoid being privy to scams from the local taxi drivers.

    4.

    Marrakech is a bustling metropolis with so much going on around the main square. Consider spending time with a pot of traditional mint tea and observing the spectacle from a rooftop terrace. You won’t be disappointed. The sights, sounds, and smells will keep you entertained for ages.

    5.

    Visit the wonderful Koutoubia Mosque gardens. The mosque is out of bounds for non Muslims. However, the gardens are absolutely delightful and free to visit. Consider picking up a few delicious snacks beforehand, such as Baclava cake and  sugar cane juice and sitting in the beautiful garden. Despite its proximity to the chaos of Jamaa El Fna, it is a peaceful environment. It’s especially lovely during the evening when the lights come on.

    6.

    There are plenty of excellent cafes and restaurants which are great value for money. Henna Art Cafe is superb and has a very pretty interior. I have eaten here numerous times and highly recommend the food. Terrace Bakchich in the souks is another budget friendly restaurant cafe with excellent food. Trying the street food is another option and very popular amongst tourists. Check how busy places are to get an idea of the quality of food being served. The spleen sandwich is a traditional meal in Marrakech served by street vendors. Also consider trying the delicious sweets and pastries for sale inside the souks.

    7.

    Try a public hammam. Public baths are very cheap in comparison to the more upmarket ones and the best way to experience the local culture. You can purchase black soap and essential oils in the souks for pennies. You will need your own towel in public hammams.

    8.

    Visit the souks. This is by far the most exciting part of any trip to Marrakech. Experience the vibrant colour and the lively atmosphere as people haggle with the locals for a bargain. You may get lost in the maze of alleyways, but that’s all part of the fun. There are souks for different things like leather goods and metalwork, and you will see incredible artisans at work crafting all kinds of things.

    9.

    Visit the Mellah, the old Jewish quarter, and see the Bab Mellah spice market. It’s an assault on the senses discovering all the different spices and their fragrances. You may be offered mint tea whilst you are given a lesson on what each spice is used for.

    10.

    Walk around the Kasbah. This is where you will experience the more authentic part of Marrakech. There are more locals here and they are very friendly. There are some nice spots to grab a smoothie, and the shops are slightly cheaper here.

    11.

    Visit Cyber Park. This is a very well maintained place with beautiful native trees and plants. Relax for an hour or so in this peaceful environment away from the chaotic busy medina. Listen to the birds singing and read the interesting facts that are dotted around the park.

    12.

    Take a 25-minute walk or the number 16 bus from the medina to Gueliz. Wonder around the upmarket boutiques and stores on Mohammed V Avenue and see how modernity and ancient coexist in harmony together in Marrakech.

    13.

    Spend some time in Tinsmiths Square. This is a less touristic square than Jamaa El Fnaa, and there is plenty to see going on. There are budget friendly cafes and restaurants and plenty of souvenir shops.

    14.

    Admire the beautiful Islamic craftsmanship in the medina. There are stunning examples of intricately carved wooden doors and 19 impressive entrances into the medina, including Bab Agnaou, Bab Doukala, and Bab El Khemis. Some date back as far as the Almohad dynasty. It’s a perfect photo opportunity.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is a walkable city, and you can spend many an hour wandering about discovering what makes Marrakech so magical. It’s a destination that is great for everyone, including those on a tight budget. With some careful planning, you can put together an exciting itinerary and have a truly wonderful experience that doesn’t need to cost much.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Zeitoune Cafe.

    A restaurant on the main square.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The view from the balcony of Zeitoune cafe overlooks the busy main square. This is one of the highlights of dining here. It’s fun watching daily life take place from above all the action. You can hear the drumming and gnawa music from the heartbeat of the city.

    Video by Freebird Tracey.

    The food here is good, and portions are large. There are a variety of choices on the menu, including vegetarian and vegan options. I enjoyed a hearty salad for lunch and  a delicious strawberry smoothie.The obligatory olives, which come with a meal in Marrakech, were very welcome.The lamb tagine with dried fruits is a  popular choice amongst diners at this restaurant.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Zeitoune Cafe serves an excellent breakfast with a selection of refreshing juices and good coffee. Meals are competitively priced considering the location overlooking the main square.

    It gets busy at sunset as tourists flock to watch the sun setting behind the Koutoubia mosque. Getting a table at  this time of evening may be difficult.They do not accept reservations, so it’s first come, first served.

    Zeitoune Cafe is open all day from 9.00 am until 1.00 am, with the exception of Friday and Saturday when they close at 2.00am.

    There are steps up to the balcony and upper floors, but for people with limited mobility, outdoor seating is available.

    Zeitoune Cafes’ address is 107 Place Jamaa El Fnaa 40000 Morocco.

    There is also a Zeitoune Cafe in the kasbah. The colourful outside seating is a good place to people watch in the sunshine.It is located opposite the mosque.

    Zeitoune Cafe accepts credit card payments, too.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
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  • Healthy Snacks in Marrakech.

    Alternative suggestions to sweets and pastries.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Imagine walking around the medina, and you fancy something to tickle your tastebuds. It’s too early for lunch or dinner, but you fancy a snack, something other than sweets and pastries. Marrakech has an abundance of street vendors selling delicious things. Some you may know, some you may not be so familiar with.

    Cactus fruit is commonly seen displayed on carts around the medina in Marrakech. Cactus fruit or prickly pear, as it’s also known, is a  spiky, sweet treat in season from July to September. The vibrantly coloured fruit is nutritious, refreshing, and packed with antioxidants. Eating cactus fruit is a great way to hydrate. It’s juicy and full of vitamin C. You can pick one up for 1 dirham, making them a great snack for travellers on a tight budget. If you haven’t tried one before, I would give them a go. They are absolutely delicious and a cheap, healthy alternative to sweets.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Nuts are central to Moroccan cuisine. There’s a good variety available, including walnuts, cashews, pistachios, and peanuts. Souk Kchacha in the medina is the best place to buy quality nuts. Vendors in the main square also sell packets of mixed nuts in various flavours. They are absolutely delicious. The perfect snack to take with you sightseeing or to fill a gap before your next meal.

    Nuts can be filling and calorific, so bear that in mind.Once you pop, you might not stop. The problem for me was which ones to buy from the huge variety on sale. Luckily, I was able to taste them before purchasing any.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    There are plenty of shops selling nuts around the medina in Marrakech. One I  recommend is Marche aux Espices in Tinsmiths Square, open from 9.00am until 8.00pm.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Fruit is everywhere in Marrakesh. Colourful, mouthwatering, fresh fruit displayed around the medina. There is a fruit and vegetable market where locals shop called Market el Kheir. This is a great area to visit if you want an authentic experience buying fresh produce. Its location is M233+FQG AV Ibn, Marrakech. It closes at 11.00pm, and everything is fresh with a lively, bustling atmosphere.

    There are carts all around the medina selling a wonderful variety of fruit, and Jamaa El Fna is abundant with fruit sellers plying their trade.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    One thing you really ought to try when you come to Marrakech are the dates. Dates are a staple in Marrakech. The most popular is the large sweet variety  called Medjool and the popular Boufeggous, highly regarded by the local people. Medjool dates, also known as ‘The King of Dates’, have a caramel like flavour and soft texture. They are mainly grown in the Tafilalet region of Morocco and are rich in potassium, fibre, and energy. If you’re flagging from all the sightseeing, they’re the ideal pick me up.

    The most common location for purchasing dates is from vendors in Jamaa El Fnaa or in the medina. They are considered safe to eat but get them packaged if you’re taking them home. This will avoid issues with customs at the airport.

    I was pleasantly surprised by the soft fleshy texture and the size of dates in Marrakech. They tasted really fresh, completely different from the ones back home. I was so impressed that I purchased some to bring back with me. At the time of writing,  dates average at about MAD 99.57 and MAD 248.92 per kilogram.

    Fruits still contain natural sugar, so moderate snacking is advisable for obtaining optimum health.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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