Travel blogs, photos and features from Marrakech, Morocco
Morocco’s capital, a city of countless sights, smells and sounds is crazy and eclectic, and has so many cool things to see and do. Start here with my basic Marrakesh travel tips, or jump down below to read my latest Marrakesh travel blogs.
With a climate that is roughly similar to southern California, Marrakech is actually good to visit at most times of the year. An important religious celebration to keep in mind when planning a trip to Morocco is Ramadan.
The Ramadan holiday takes place during the ninth month of the Islamic calendar (usually some time between April and June) and is observed in Muslim countries around the world and means a time of fasting during daylight hours. This means that if you visit Morocco during Ramadan, it will be difficult to find places to eat while the sun’s up!
Visit the museums and galleries – It might not seem like a city full of art, but Marrakech has some seriously cool places to see contemporary visual art, especially photography. In particular, I recommend the Maison de la Photographie, MMPVA and the David Bloch Gallery.
Eat all the food – Moroccan food is extremely colorful, tasty and varied, and there are countless great places to eat out, from the super fancy to the down to earth. Try Al Fassia for very traditional Moroccan fare, Café Clock for more contemporary versions and Tiznit on the corner of the city’s main square, Jemaa El Fna, for unfussy family run food.
Relax at a hammam – Whether you prefer to indulge in some serious luxury or get an old fashioned scrub down, spending an afternoon (or a whole day!) at a hammam is a quintessential Moroccan experience. The Selman Hotel is a great option for something high end, while Hammam El-Bacha is good for the more local experience.
Marrakech can be an intense and overwhelming city, and navigating around with public transport can be a little tricky. Taking a tour can save you a lot of hassle and also take you to corners of the city you might otherwise overlook.
Morocco is a tricky country when it comes to equality for LGBTQ travelers. Homosexual activity is illegal and can be punished by up to three years imprisonment, though this law is not consistently enforced.
In Marrakech, there is really no gay nightlife equivalent to what you’d expect to find in most European or North American cities, though you will of course will be able to meet gay people in Marrakech if you look for them. Of course, whether or not you choose to remain in the closet while visiting Marrakech is up to you, discretion is advisable.
More gay travel resources here.
Marrakech has plenty of cool and quirky hotels, as well as all the big chains you’d expect. They’ll likely get full when there’s a conference or special event in town, so definitely consider booking in advance.
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Marrakech is one of those cities that captivates and mystifies. It’s old and new; big and small; rich and poor; beautiful and dirty. Everyone seems to have a different perception of it. This city of contrasts has a lot of history. And a lot of beauty. The Majorelle Garden (Jardin Majorelle) is a small oasis …
I’m not sure if I’ve mentioned this, but one of the 5 reasons why I’m traveling around the world is to get inspired. And that’s why I ended up in Morocco. Ever since I visited the Great Mosque of Paris, I’ve been interested and intrigued by Muslim art and design. Add in my interest in …