Marrakech: Our top picks
Marrakech is a sensory journey. This is vibrant city in a mesmerizing country that tantalizes all your senses. Morocco is a country that we love to visit and one that many of our clients are heading to this year. It’s a perfect blend of history, culture and adventure. Best of all, with Bella Vita you’ll have all our tips, advice and support throughout your journey. No two trips are alike – they are as diverse as our clients. As such, we use our decades of experience, connections and personal recommendations to ensure that your dream vacation is perfect for your travel pace, style, dreams and wishes.
This week, we unveil expert tips on must-see attractions, mouthwatering culinary delights, and immersive cultural experiences. These are all awaiting you in the magical city of Marrakech. Let’s dive in and explore the best of this enchanting destination!
Our top picks on where to eat: Marrakech
One of Morocco’s liveliest cities is Marrakech. This area is also home to many Moroccan treasures. In addition, a plethora of exquisite restaurants with European influences and acclaimed locales. Moroccan street food is centered in Marrakech as well.
Visit any of the souqs or the Jemaa el-Fna to discover snack booths featuring mouthwatering and distinctive dishes. Here, you can taste things like stuffed camel spleen (teyhan) and merguez, a spicy Moroccan sausage. Gastronomes should not skip sampling the simple yet delectable Bessara, a broad bean soup from the area. Tagine, the national food, is from here and made in a traditional cone-shaped clay pot.
We love special spots like La Maison Arabe, full of chandeliers, gold and luxurious riad surroundings besides a sparking pool. Their Moroccan dishes are as amazing as the scenery, and the wine list has a great selection of European but also local Moroccan wines. Or, perhaps bright L’mida, that proposes traditional dishes over a sweeping view of the medina. Chic, trendy, and Moroccan with a twist.
Food lovers would love a traditional cooking class located in a small, boutique riad. Or perhaps a street food tour that takes you with a local guide through the hectic fun that is the market. You cannot go wrong eating your way through the city!
Drinking in Marrakech
Yes, you can drink alcohol in Morocco – and they even have nice local wines, as well! We love a fun night out at Comptoir Darna, located in the city center, which proposes great cocktails, small plates and Moroccan food, all with a whirling, musical floorshow that promises a wonderful night for adults. Or, perhaps Le 68 Bar à Vin. Here, you can taste different local wines by the glass and by the bottle in an enjoyable setting.
However, for those who don’t imbibe, there are plenty of great sips to be had. Moroccan mint tea is one thing that we always take home as a souvenir!
Where we love to stay
Morocco has no lack of amazing luxury properties. In fact, this Northern African country is often noted for having some of the most amazing hotels in the world. The Royal Mansour is in a class of its own in terms of hotels. It’s location is wonderful. It is just a few steps away from the famous Jemaa El Fna square. This offers travelers the unique concept of a medina within a medina. Each area has been designed to take guests on a sensory journey. It is one of the most beautiful hotels in the country, and a special experience for guests.
Also, La Mamounia, rooted in the ancient medina of Marrakech. It is a perfect blend of legendary palace grandeur and Arabic-Andalusian style. An icon among the finest world hotels, La Mamounia is the essence of Moroccan identity. The 209 rooms, suites, and riads are all pure luxury. This is truly a property in a class by itself.
Or, for those looking for something a little more intimate and boutique, our portfolio boasts some amazing riads in the city. A riad is a smaller accommodation over an open courtyard – some with amazing pools and rooftops – that was once a traditional accommodation of the city. We are infatuated with Riad de Tarabel, decorated with antiques and a French touch in a serene corner of the city. Alternatively, Le Farnatchi is also one of Marrakech’s most refined takes on the private courtyard-house hotel.
What to see in Marrakech
We love a full day city tour of the medina and the souks. All of our trips are tailor made and give you as much – or as little – privacy and accompaniment as you like. Generally, our guide and driver will be with you as much as you prefer. Therefore, you can have your guide accompany you through the city, the winding roads and help you to barter your way to taking home the best souvenirs. Alternatively, we can let you wander and explore as much as you like and you’ll always have your local experts waiting to steer you home if your wandering gets a little too exuberant! That’s part of the fun of the city.
After, a A private of Tour of Les Jardins Majorelle is another cannot miss part of the city. Your guide and driver will accompany you to one of Marrakesh’s most interesting attractions, Yves Saint Laurent’s Majorelle Gardens. The villa houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakesh, the Berber Museum, and the recently opened Yves Saint Laurent Museum.
Another of our personal favorite experiences is a hot air balloon ride above the city at sunrise. The peace and calm seen over the desert and countryside as you ride back towards Marrakech is unforgettable. Or, perhaps, a candlelight dinner in a luxury desert camp in the nearby Afghay desert. There are so many top experiences, it is impossible to choose!
Marrakech, tailor made
Morocco has so many once in a lifetime experiences. Let us design your tailor made vacation for you. Contact us to start planning – we have so many more amazing tips to share with you in Marrakech!
