eating a gourmet dinner at the rooftop of Riad El Fenn

20 Things I Love about Marrakech – Morocco

Before coming to Morocco, based on my research and tales from friends & fellow travelers, I wasn’t sure if I was going to like Morocco or not.

When I read about all the gorgeous historic Moroccan architecture, diverse cuisine, beautiful arts & goods, colorful markets and unique culture, I became quite excited. Morocco sounded like just my kind of place.

On the other hand, stories of constant harassment by touts, getting completely lost in the cities’ maze-like streets, and cold nights in unheated guest houses & hostels, made me rather skeptical about what I was plunging myself into. To top it off, one of my best friends and long-time world traveler, who’s extremely sociable and flexible, absolutely hated Morocco because of the constant hassles.

Bab Agnaou Gate – Marrakesh

Never the less, I was determined to visit Morocco to see for myself.

Then I was assigned to visit 45 hotels around the country. My fate was sealed. Not only was I going to visit Morocco, I would have to stay two full months to get the assignment completed. Gulp.

I figured that in the worst case scenario (constant harassment) I could spend all my time inside my accommodations writing up hotel reviews, and only step out to eat and visit my assigned hotels.

Quite happily, here in Marrakech I’m finding that’s not necessary at all. Far from it. Not only am I enjoying this city, but I absolutely love it!

I’ve been in Marrakech three weeks thus far and I’m happy to report that it’s just like the wonderful place I imagined it to be. Perhaps even better! Honestly, I could gush on and on about this fabulous city.

For now, I’ll point out some of the many things I most ove about Marrakech:

immaculate streets in Marrakesh

1. Super-clean streets and plazas

One of the first things I noticed about Marrakech was how clean it is. The streets are almost immaculate all the time, as are the sidewalks, little alleys and many parks, gardens & plazas.

2. A wide open and spacious city

Much to my surprise, Marrakech feels extremely open, wide, spacious. Except for the narrow roads & alleys inside the heart of the old city (Medina) Marrakech’s roads are quite wide and grand.

Many are lined by trees, gardens and rows of street lamps. Some are divided roads showcasing beautiful landscaping between the lanes.

The city’s many open plazas, round-abouts, gardens and parks add to the city’s spacious open feeling.

3. Gardens and parks everywhere

As I just mentioned, Marrakech is dotted with beautiful landscaped parks and gardens. Most are free to the public. They are great places to walk through en route to various city destinations or to sit in the shade/sun, people watch, listen to birds or just relax.

The gardens are filled with flowering bushes, olive trees, palms, flowers and small orange trees bursting with oranges in February.

horses n carraiges – Marrakesh

4. Horses & carriages

Every day at Marrakech’s main plaza – Jamal a F’Na – a long, long line of sturdy horse teams hitched to fancy bright green & pink carriages assembles, waiting their turn to carry visitors around the city to see the sites. Marrakech’s strong horses are some of the healthiest and largest I’ve seen plying this trade of tourist rides.

5. Fantastic spring weather

Right now, late February and March are shaping up to presenting absolutely gorgeous, blue-sky days with a warm-to-hot sun and clean, dry air. It does get chilly at night, but that’s nothing a heavy wool Moroccan blanket doesn’t resolve.

boy serving Moroccan tea

6. Moroccans are friendly and helpful

Based on what I’d read of Morocco, I arrived expecting to be regularly hassled by pesky touts, particularly those who try to guide lost tourists through the maze of alleys making up the city center and then demand payment for their services.

Instead, I’ve been pleasantly surprised to continually meet up with locals who are exceedingly helpful. They often go out of their way to help me – to negotiate prices, get me through a blocked alley, lead me to a place I couldn’t find, let me borrow their phone chargers and many other kind, helpful gestures.

7. It’s quiet in public

Unlike Central America, in Marrakech there is no crappy music blasting through the streets, nor out of shops, nor in buses or taxis. There aren’t any TVs around either! Aside from city traffic, it’s just heavenly quiet here in public.

8. Marrakech feels calm and laid-back

Probably it’s the combination of clean, wide streets and open plazas; the lack of blaring music and electronics; and the friendly calm people that make Marrakech feel so laid-back, unhurried and calm.

spices and teas

9. Neat tidy piles of colorful merchandise

The city’s narrow maze-like alleys, plazas and some broader shopping roads are lined by tall tidy piles of colorful spices, herbs, teas, shoes, pastries and other delectables. It’s a wonderful visual cacophony of vibrant colors.

avocado and almond juice

10. Fresh Avocado-Almond Juice

Marrakech is full of fresh fruit juice stands & shops that quickly mix up just any kind of fresh juice imaginable. The fresh-squeezed orange juice is to die for. But my all-time favorite is avocado-almond juice. Yum, yum!

11. Breads

Hallelujah – Morocco is a bread culture! I have left behind that dreaded beans-n-rice of Central America for good!

Marrkech is filled with all sorts of bread shops and bakeries selling a huge selection of large tasty rolls, croissants, rotis, pitas, whole-wheat breads and sweet breads. And they generally cost a pittance, too – 1 diram / $0.10 US will get you most rolls in town.

12. Moroccan pastries

Moroccan pastries tend to be mini-cookies and tiny, bit-size concoctions made primarily of nuts and honey. Some are also flavored with coconut, chocolate, jasmine or delicate spice mixes. They’re generally very sweet and go well with Morocco’s famous mint tea.

tangine veggies

13. Diverse Moroccan cuisine

Morocco serves a diverse range of tasty cuisine that I’ve been enjoying for three weeks here in Marrakech. I’ve eaten everything from street food to meals at some of the city’s finest restaurants.

Some staple dishes include tangines (a pile of vegetables & meat steamed together in a heavy clay pot), mixed Moroccan salad platters (similar to Indian vegetable curries), harira (yellow bean soup), meat sandwiches, satays served with marinated olives and bread, leg of lamb and Berber-style couscous. They’re all cooked with a medley of spices but aren’t hot spicy.

pomegranate stand in Marrakesh

14. It’s Inexpensive

All the fresh fruits & vegetables, freshly-made juices, breads, pastries and basic Moroccan meals are all very inexpensive. Moroccan handicrafts, spices & teas clothes and knick-knacks are equally cheap.

Budget accommodations cost as little as $6 US per night for a dorm bed. Private AirBnb rooms run as low as $11-12 US per night in a person’s home or apartment. Public buses in Marrakech cost just 4 diram / $0.40 US per ride, while share taxis cost 10 diram / $1 US per ride.

15. Donkeys pulling carts

Amidst modern Marrakech traffic filled with taxis, cars, buses, trucks, motorcycles, scooters and bicycles, are the odd solo donkeys pulling small wooden wagons filled with cargo. They add a charming, out-of-place rural touch to modern city life.

16. Street cats

To my great delight stray cats are all over the alleys, plazas, parks & roads of Marrakech. Just about every day I can stop to pet a cat – or two or three. While some cat are wary of people, most just love getting pet and rubbed. That is just fine by me!

Oasis Hostel – Marrakesh

17. Incredible Moroccan architecture

From the outside, Moroccan buildings look exceedingly plain and dull. Pale brick-colored plaster buildings without adornment or decoration are the standard here in Marrakech.

But step inside one of these plain buildings and you immediately enter an entire new world. A private world filled with intricately-carved white plaster walls, colorful patterned tile floors, elaborately carved wood detailing, wrought-iron railings, curved wood ceilings painted with detailed artworks and many other ornate embellishments.

There are open courtyards filled with either gardens, tiled pools with fountains or simple open plazas. Hallways lined by columns, dozens of archways, cut-metal lanterns, rich Moroccan carpets and other traditional artworks complete the stunning interiors.

Selman hotel Main lobby

18. Exceedingly luxurious upscale hotels

As a luxury hotel reviewer I’ve visited dozens of amazing luxury hotels & resorts around the world, many that can only be entered by guests and visitors with official appointments. But I have to say that several top hotels in Marrakech have upped the bar a notch or two on sheer luxury.

19. Super hot showers

Most budget places in the tropics where I’ve traveled, including SE Asia, Central America and Mexico, do not offer hot water in showers. It’s long been one point of regret for me with budget ravel over the years. I just LOVE my hot showers!

Much to my delight, Marrakech hostels offer super hot showers – scorching even. It’s just fabulous taking a nice hot shower on a cold Marrakech night or even in the middle of the day.

snow covered Atlas Mtns seen from MAndarin Oriental Resort on the outskirts of Marrakech

20. Distant views of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains

Last but not least, on clear days you can see the full range of spiky, 4000M + high Atlas Mountains looming in the distance southward. In winter the peaks are snow-capped, something I wasn’t expecting to find in Morocco, which genrally brings up images of hot Sahara sands and sweaty-hot cities.

I was lucky enough to catch that snow-capped view one day, just after an exceedingly cold rainy day in mid February. The mountains are a show-stopper.

You might also enjoy

My First Impressions of Morocco

My Visit to a Moroccan Local Neighborhood Bathhouse

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