Thinking of Marrakech may often raise an image of old palaces, traditional houses and monuments, but in fact it is one of Morocco’s greenest cities with its lovely gardens nestled around the city. Marrakech is known also for its countless historical landmarks, and its legendary old Medina, which has been classified as the biggest and most beautiful Medina in Morocco, more especially for its famous handicraft markets of “Souks”.
To help you better plan your vacation in this extremely wonderful city, we have chosen the top visits and city tours in order to give you an outstanding travel experience.
Landmarks and Monuments City Tour
There is nothing quite like the feeling of standing in front of a very old monument that has stood for several centuries to build a rich history behind it.
Marrakech the city of the Seven Saints has a large number of beautiful and fabulous historical monuments to visit, from the Majestic old palaces to the great mosques, green gardens, big squares and traditional Arabic houses… This is something that you have to enjoy at least once in a lifetime.
One of the most iconic landmarks in Marrakech is the Koutoubia Mosque, which was built in the 12th century. Visitors are welcome to admire the mosque’s exterior, the high minaret that can be seen from many parts of the city with over 200 feet tall.
Another popular monument in Marrakech is the Saadian Tombs, which date back to the 16th century and are the final resting place of the Saadian Sultans and their Dynasty. The tombs are richly decorated with intricate carvings and beautiful mosaics, and they offer a glimpse into the sumptuous lifestyle of old Moroccan Dynasties.
If you are interested in Moroccan art and culture, be sure to visit Marrakech Museum, located inside a very authentic 19th-century palace. The museum is home to an exceptional collection of traditional Moroccan art, including clothing, pottery, and jewellery.
Marrakech is a city with a rich history and a big cultural heritage that you need absolutely to explore during your holidays in this amazing city, especially with a professional tour guide who can provide important and useful information about each area and location. Your cultural City Tour in Marrakech will be undoubtedly more interesting with a local guide.
Marrakech Gardens City Tour
Marrakech has also an almost unique collection of old Islamic and touristic gardens, a wide choice of green spaces, from formal symmetrical gardens to stunning public parks.
Menara Gardens
We can start by the Menera gardens that reflect perfectly the old concepts of traditional Islamic gardens. This little heaven of peace is located few minutes’ walk for the old Medina, and were built in the 12th century by Almohads. They were designed to be a place for relaxation and maybe for meditation as well. The name of Menara means “The Lighthouse” in Arabic. The main pool of the gardens is fed by water from the Atlas Mountains, and the gardens feature a beautiful pavilion, which was used by the sultans of Morocco as a summer residence.
The Menara gardens are home to a variety of plants and trees, especially the olive trees that cover most of the spaces. The gardens are a popular spot for picnics and outdoor activities, and many visitors enjoy strolling through the olive trees to rest in a completely peaceful atmosphere.
Majorelle Gardens
Majorelle Gardens are a very stunning green gardens located in the hearth of Marrakech, with an elegant design and colors, and over than a 3000 exotic plants from different regions… A must-see for any visitor to the red city.
The garden, which was designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent, features vibrant blue buildings and walkways surrounded by lush greenery, plants, and flowers. Visitors can stroll through the garden’s winding pathways and admire the array of cacti, palm trees, bougainvillea, and other exotic plants onsite. In addition to this beautiful and unique collection of plants, the garden also features a number of interesting artefacts and works of art, including exposed in the Berber museum dedicated exclusively to the Berber culture.
Agdal Gardens
One of the most old and famous gardens in Marrakech are Agdal Gardens, nice looking historic garden located just outside the city walls, these old gardens date back to the 12th century and cover a vast area with several series of interconnected courtyards, pools and walkways.
All these exceptional and authentic old places are surrounded by green spaces and several types of fruit trees. Visitors can walk through the gardens and admire the huge variety of plants, the surprising historic structures, including a mosque, a local library, and a number of pavilions and fountains.
The Agdal Gardens are one of the Most Popular Gardens in Marrakech for tourist but also for locals alike, an amazing and peaceful place to spend a quiet afternoon in Marrakech.
Koutoubia Gardens
Further, we have La Koutoubia, the famous mosque, it is named after the ancient booksellers who used to sell their books around the mosque. La Koutoubia is surrounded by lovely gardens with beautiful colourful flowers, a favourite place for the locals to unwind and enjoy a tranquil escape.
Along with a large variety of plants and flowers, the gardens also have fountains and pools, it’s an excellent place to spend a relaxing break during your visit to Marrakech Medina.
Finally, we can say that the gardens in Marrakech are a lovely and peaceful places that can offer something different for every visitor. Whether you are a nature lover, history buff, or simply looking for an incredible escape, you will certainly find new and impressive surprises it in these beautiful gardens.
Visit of the Medina Souks
Marrakech’s souks (markets) are a must-see for any visitor of the Medina. These bustling and well-organised bazaars are a true reflection of Marrakech’s culture and history, and they provide a one-of-a-kind shopping experience.
The souks are a maze of narrow streets and alleys lined with stalls and shops selling everything from spices and textiles to jewellery and ceramics. They are located in the heart of the medina (old town).
The smells, sights, and sounds of the souks are a sensory overload, and it is easy to become lost in the hustle and bustle of this extremely big handicraft market.
Whether you want to buy a souvenir, to eat a typically Moroccan dish like Tajine or Couscous in a Local Restaurant, or simply to explore the wide variety of Moroccan Handicraft articles exposed in small and well organized small markets: Designed earthen arts, Wood arts, Leather arts, Textile arts, Metal arts, and of course the arts of Jewellery.
The Souks or the Handicraft Markets of this amazing city will always have something special to offer to each visitor.
