Book Olympic Air Flights to Marrakech

Sightseeing in Marrakech

Start at the beautiful medieval Medina, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. As you walk through its narrow lanes, you will come to the colourful, exotic world of the bazaars (souks) of old Marrakech.

Jemaa El Fna, the central square of Marrakech, is situated in Medina, where locals and tourists gather daily. You will be swept along by the carnivalesque atmosphere of the square, which is bursting with life. After sunset, the magicians, storytellers, dancers and all the tribes of Marrakech make their appearance, while improvised grills are set up.

Near Jemaa El Fna square is the impressive Koutoubia (or Kutubiyya) mosque dating from the 12th century, with an imposing minaret 77 metres high. This is the largest mosque in Marrakech and a well-known landmark of the city.

The magnificent El Bahia Palace, which in Arabic means “brilliant”, is the best-preserved historical monument in the city. Built between 1866 and 1867 in the centre of Medina, this stunning palace complex has 160 rooms, beautiful gardens and elegant riads. The palace is open daily, except for public holidays.
Address: Avenue Imam El Ghazali.

The historic Ben Youssef madrasa (Islamic theological school) is an impressive building dating to the 16th century and uniquely decorated with zelije tiles, marble and carved cedarwood. During its high point, it was the largest Islamic educational establishment in the whole of North Africa, with 900 students living in it. Their tiny rooms surround the peaceful main courtyard, which has a reflecting pool at its centre.
Address: Rue Assouel www.medersa-ben-youssef.com

Take an afternoon stroll through the exotic Majorelle Gardens (Jardin Majorelle), designed by the French painter Jacques Majorelle and which later came into the ownership of the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent. A lasting image is that of the striking electric blue of the villa inside the garden, which contrasts beautifully with the colourful semi-tropical vegetation of the surrounding landscape. The Gardens also contain the wonderful Berber Museum, which is well worth a visit.
Address: Rue Yves St Laurent www.jardinmajorelle.com

In 2017 the stunning Musée Yves Saint Laurent Marrakech, the permanent collection of which contains over 5,000 items of clothing, 15,000 accessories and thousands of Saint Laurent’s designs, was opened very close to the Jardin Majorelle. The museum also holds very interesting temporary exhibitions, while a visit to Le Studio cafe, inspired by the designer’s studio in Paris, is a must.
Address: Rue Yves Saint Laurent https://www.museeyslMarrakech.com/en

Visit a hammam! In Marrakech you will find a wide range of hammams, where you can relax and enjoy an exfoliating massage, sauna, body mask and treatments with excellent products.

Shopping in Marrakech

Whichever city of Morocco you find yourselves in, a visit to a souk (market/bazaar) is a must! In the souks of Marrakech, you will find countless treasures, from books and pottery in wonderful colours and designs, to stalls selling dates and local delicacies, to djellaba (kaftans) and argan oils, to the famous Moroccan babouche slippers in the Souk Smata. In the popular Criee Berbere market, you can buy beautiful Berber mats with special designs, as well as local spices, in particular the Ras el hanout blend, which is the basis of Moroccan cuisine. Of course, a trip to the labyrinthine souks without haggling over prices is not possible!

In the neighbourhood of Gueliz and the green Hivernage you will find the avant garde fashion houses, designers and restaurants.

Excursions from Marrakech

Visit coastal Essaouira in western Morocco, a beautiful town with great beaches where you can cool yourselves down, especially in the summer months. A number of buses depart from Marrakech daily for Essaouira while there are also organised day trips. The journey takes approximately three hours.

As you traverse the Tizi n' Tichka, the road which connects Marrakech with the mythical Ouarzazate, you will come to the magnificent Ait ben Haddou (11th century), one of the most emblematic Kasbahs of the High Atlas Mountains and a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Don’t miss the chance to see from up close the impenetrable fortress with the tall red pise (river mud) walls, which was the location for films such as “Lawrence of Arabia”, “Gladiator”, “The Sheltering Sky” and “Game of Thrones”. You can come here with an organised group from Marrakech or hire a taxi or car.

Admire the tallest peak in North Africa, the Jebel Toukbal, with an altitude of 4.167 metres. Located at the heart of a national park that has amazing trails, it is surrounded by lovely Berber villages, such as Asni, Ouirgane and the popular Imlil (66 km south of Marrakech). From Marrakech there are many organised group trips to this beautiful region, with fertile valleys and sumptuous orchards, where you will discover the authentic Berber way of life.

Just one hour from Marrakech, 40 kilometres away, is the mountainous Ourika valley, where the locals like to go to cool down in the summer. Here you can visit the Berber village of Setti Fatma, with riverside restaurants and a stunning view. The walk from the village to the amazing Seven Waterfalls is an easy one. From Marrakech you can go to the Ourika Valley by renting a car, taking a taxi, or joining an organised group excursion.

Eating in Marrakech

In Marrakech you will be able to sample authentic Moroccan cuisine, including the following dishes.

Tajine with beef, lamb or chicken, cooked for several hours on a low flame in a clay cone-shaped (the tajine), marinated in a blend of the famous local spices, giving the dish its wonderful flavour and aroma. This is one of the most famous Moroccan dishes and you will find many different versions of it.

Briouat pies, usually filled with chicken and harira, a meat soup with a red lentil base.

Try the traditional local breakfast of msemmen (triangular crepes) with honey, butter or cheese, and khlea (preserved meat) with fried eggs.

Don’t forget to try the famous Moroccan mint tea, usually served with a cube of sugar.

In Marrakech you can also find wonderful handmade sweets, which you can sample in the souks, such as almond and syrup sweets, as well as many types of dried fruit, a delicious accompaniment to Moroccan tea.

Getting from the airport to Marrakech

Marrakech Menara Airport (RAK) is located just 6 kilometres from the city. The city centre can be reached by bus and taxi. Bus #19 goes directly to the city along the circuitous route of Marrakech-Airport-Marrakech every 20 minutes, departing from Jemaa el Fna Square. Journey time is approximately 30 minutes. The bus stop is located 800 metres from the entrance to the airport. If you go by taxi, then the journey time is approximately 15 minutes. There are two types of taxi that serve the airport route, the small taxis (Petit Taxis) that take up to three people and the large taxis (Grand Taxis) that take up to six people, which charge different fares. Agree on a fare before the journey. You can also hire a minibus.

Discover exotic and aristocratic Marrakech, plan your trip through the Olympic Air site and lose yourselves in the mystical magic of North Africa. The city is ideal for year-round visits, although temperatures in the summer months can be very high.