The Sound Of The Souks

Tag: Activities in Marrakech

Exploring The Red City Of Marrakech.

  • Things To Do In Marrakech.

    Ideas to help you plan your itinerary.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech is a big city with lots going on. A little organisation before arriving will help you get the most out of your trip. Having an itinerary before visiting Marrakech is useful. A list of places, including the opening times and addresses, will help you plan a stressfree visit.

    There are a number of places to keep you entertained. There are tourist attractions showcasing the historical significance of the city. Excellent day trips to fascinating places, including the Atlantic coast. You can visit interesting museums and learn ancient techniques passed down through generations. There are fun shopping experiences that offer demonstrations on how to make traditional Morroccan rugs and babouches.

    The next few posts are designed to help you choose sightseeing activities. I have included all the places I have visited. I want to give readers an idea of what to expect, including journey times, reviews, and when to visit.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The first time I visited Marrakech, I was unaware of what to expect. I spent 3 days in the main square and shopping in the souks. The time passed quickly, and I went home feeling as though I’d barely scratched the surface. The next time I visited, I had already done some research. I spent 3 days sightseeing, I went on a day trip and spent an evening watching the sunset in Agafay desert. I still had time for shopping in the souks and ate in some excellent restaurants. I returned home happy and satisfied. I realised that Marrakech is so much more than I ever expected. If I had known about the amount of things to do, I would have had a much better experience the first time.

    Read about the activities I have experienced and use the information to create an interesting itinerary. I continually update my blog to include more adventures. I include places to visit for budget conscious travellers, and most activities can be done without taking an official tour. My own experiences have been booked through Get Your Guide or the riad where I’m staying. This gives me peace of mind as a solo female traveller. If I were travelling as a group of friends, I would plan excursions outside of the city independently. I don’t use guides for sightseeing around the medina. However, they are available if you want one.

    Take note of places that may be of interest to you. Decide the most cost-effective way to experience them and plan accordingly. When choosing a tour, check the reviews on Get Your Guide to make sure you’re getting value for money. There are tour operators around the city, but I have never booked through them.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Lastly, Marrakech has a lot to offer, and you will not fit everything into your first visit. Plan a varied trip  that includes places of historical interest such as Bahia Palace or Ben Youssef Madrasa. Visit a couple of museums and at least one excursion out of the city. I also recommend making use of the parks around the city to enjoy some peace and tranquillity. The Souks are dynamic and exciting but limit your time to early morning or later in the evening. The main square comes alive at dusk, leaving the daytime free for other activities.

    Of course, you can always come back to this fascinating city if you don’t manage to see everything.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex.

    Visit a fixed price arts and craft centre in Marrakech.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is a government sponsored initiative for skilled artisans.

    A short walk away from Jamaa El Fna, opposite Cyber Park, is this unique space in Marrakech. Within the complex, you will find artisans creating beautiful artwork, including paintings, rugs, and pottery.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    It was established for artisans to teach their work to apprentices, and it’s a more low-key shopping experience than the souks. The best artisans are picked to work here, and there is usually only one or two representing each speciality, unlike in the souks. There are wonderful examples of excellent craft work, including brass and copper crafts, lamps, leather work, musical instruments, and much more..

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Prices are fixed, and all the profit goes to the artisans.

    Shopping in this fascinating area gives you an idea of how much you should be charged for items in the souks. Some things here are slightly pricer, but you don’t have to bargain hard, and it’s a more relaxed shopping experience.

    Within the complex is a simple restaurant for food and drinks. It’s a cute waterhole to take a rest and admire the attractive setting. The tiled surroundings of Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex are very beautiful to look at and complimented by small green areas with plants.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    There is also calligraphy available. If you want a gift for someone, consider getting their name in Arabic printed onto a nice postcard.

    I enjoyed spending a couple of hours away from the hectic pace of the medina. The slow rhythmic tapping of skilled artisans at work was a nice change of pace. Watching the ladies demonstrate carpet weaving on a traditional loom was really interesting, and I was also invited to have a go.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is located on Mohammed V Avenue. It’s about a 6 minute walk from the Jamaa El Fna. The times of opening are 9.30am until 7.00pm, with the exception of Sunday when they close at 2.00pm.

    I found a few lovely paintings to take home with me, which were painted by a local artist and beautifully handcrafted mirrors that caught my eye.

    Ensemble Artisanal Craft Complex is a perfect respite from the chaos of the medina and a wonderful spot to pick up a few lovely treasures whilst experiencing the local people showcasing their exceptional skills.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • The Marrakech Museum.

    A fascinating museum next to Ben Youssef Madrasa.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Marrakech Museum has a calmer atmosphere than other tourist attractions.

    It is undoubtedly one of the most beautiful museums I have ever seen. Literally, next door to Ben youssef Madrasa, it’s in a perfect location for combining both sightseeing attractions.

    I had mixed feelings about visiting after reading reviews, suggesting there wasn’t much to see. I was so glad that I did. It was really beautiful inside and held a lot of information about the Amazigh culture and the history of Marrakech.

    The museum was once Dar Mnebhi Palace, constructed at the beginning of the 20th century by Mehdi al-Mnebhi. It was renovated by the Omar Benjelloun Foundation and became a museum in 1997.

    It now houses a selection of art objects, including Berber jewellery, weapons, carpets, costumes, and pottery from Fes. There is also a variety of modern contemporary art that changes regularly to keep it exciting. Regular events and exhibitions are also held here.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    The architecture is stunning with a large courtyard containing a huge central chandelier made up of brass pieces cut into ornate geometric and arabesque motifs.

    Images by Freebird Tracey.

    There are fountains with beautiful coloured zellige tiles and rooms that branch off with ornate cedar wood and stucco decoration. There is also a centuries old hammam.

    In one corner of the courtyard sits a calligrapher who can write your name in Arabic on a postcard. If you want this as a gift, get him to scribe it before you begin looking around the museum as it takes a little while to dry.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    Outside is a large open courtyard with a cafe where you can have drinks and light snacks. There’s also a small shop selling good quality prints, postcards and other interesting stuff.

    I really enjoyed the Marrakech museum. The architecture was beautiful, and I found it more low-key and less crowded than some of the other attractions around Marrakech. I liked the structure of the building from the outside and the typical red coloured clay that glows in different hues in the sunlight.

    I would recommend stopping by to explore some of the exhibits in the Marrakech Museum after visiting Ben Youssef Madrasa.There is no cafe within the Madrasa, so it’s a great place to stop and take a break from the heaving number of tourists and spend some time in a calmer environment.

    The Marrakech Museum is located at J2H6+VPJ, Place Ben Youssef, Marrakech 40000, and opening hours are 9.30am-6.00pm daily.

    There’s a small entry fee of approximately 50 dirhams.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.
    tracey.wright1963@googlemail.com
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  • A Camel Ride In The Palmerai.

    Watch the sunset as you ride through palm groves. 

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    The Palmerai is a 54 square mile palm oasis on the northeast edge of Marrakech. It’s a 20-minute drive from the city centre and is well known for its lush landscape, high-end resorts, and popular activities.

    I needed to take a break from the manic pace of life in the medina, so I decided to visit the Palmerai for a camel ride at sunset. I booked the activity through Get Your Guide, and I was picked up at 4.00pm next to the Islane Hotel. I was part of a small group, and we were taken to our destination in a small air-conditioned van.

    After a short drive, the scenery began to change into open roads landscaped with thousands of palm trees. There were camels sitting at the sides of the road wearing colourfully decorated seats, waiting to take tourists for a ride around the scenic area.

    Once we had arrived at our destination, I was dressed in traditional blue Tuareg clothing and helped onto my camel by a friendly camel driver.

    Video taken by our guide Mohammed.

    Soon afterwards, we set off trekking through the palm groves as the sun began to set. The trek lasted for around 40 minutes across a stretch of gravelly ground.

    I have every respect for the Tuareg, who would spend months on the back of a camel in search of salt mines. However, they are not the most comfortable creatures, and 40 minutes was more than enough for me.

    Image by Freebird Tracey.

    It was late March when I went. Therefore, I imagine the sunset would be more spectacular during the summer months. It was still nice and peaceful, even if I didn’t get the wow factor I was hoping for.

    The camel drivers were entertaining, singing songs along the way and making little camels for us by plaiting the grass they picked along our route.

    Back at the vehicle, the camel drivers prepared a pot of mint tea for us all. After drinking it, we got back into the van and were soon heading back into Marrakech.

    My thoughts on the activity are mixed. It was good to get out of the busy city for a short while, and the scenery was nice. I enjoyed seeing another side of Marrakech, but I didn’t really get the experience I was hoping for. Perhaps it was the overcast sky spoiling my expectations of a dramatic sunset or how swiftly the event seemed to come to an end.

    In terms of value for money, I think that quad biking may have been the better option. On a positive note, our guide was lovely. He took videos and photographs for me and helped me into my headscarf.

    If I return to this part of Marrakech, I will try another activity. The Palmerai hosts balloon rides, which are available through Paradise Ballooning and Marrakech Balloon. There are several golf courses in the area also.

    For people who want to experience riding a camel, the Palmerai is ideal due to its close proximity to Marrakech.

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