Marrakesh Trip Overview
Known as the “Pearl of the South,” this unique city was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids Dynasty and is situated where the desert meets the mountains. This beautiful city deserve to be visited and guided by one of our professionel tour guides most of them are big history, culture and architecture lover.
Additional Info
Duration: 8 to 9 hours
Starts: Marrakesh, Morocco
Trip Category: Cultural & Theme Tours >> Cultural Tours
Explore Marrakesh Promoted Experiences
What to Expect When Visiting Marrakesh, Marrakesh-Safi, Morocco
Known as the “Pearl of the South,” this unique city was founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids Dynasty and is situated where the desert meets the mountains. This beautiful city deserve to be visited and guided by one of our professionel tour guides most of them are big history, culture and architecture lover.
Stop At: Koutoubia Mosque, Rue el Ksour, Derb Sabai, 13, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
The highlight of the Koutoubia mosque, which non-Muslims may not enter, is the beautiful minaret. Rising almost 70m, it dominates the Djemaa el Fna square and can be seen from much of the city.
The design of the Koutoubia minaret was highly influential on later towers (notably the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the beautiful La Giralda in Seville) and on Moroccan architecture in general. The wide band of ceramic tiles at the top, the pointed battlements (merlons), the alternate patterning on each side, and various other decorative motifs can all be seen on various buildings across the country.
The minaret is topped with copper balls of decreasing size, a traditional design in Morocco. There are usually only three orbs; legend has it the fourth was a gift from the wife of Saadian ruler Yacoub el Mansour, as penance for breaking her fast for three hours during Ramadan.
Duration: 30 minutes
Stop At: Jemaa el-Fnaa, 38 Jemaa el-Fna, Rue El Ksour, Marrakech Morocco
Jemaa El Fnaa is a must-visit destination in the Medina and the main square of Marrakech. It is a place that gives great experience both to the visitors and inhabitants at all times. While in this destination, the visitors and inhabitants can observe several shows that take place at night and during the day.
In the year 2001, UNESCO recognized Jemaa el-Fnaa as the place of Entertainment, hence genuine evidence of what you can expect while in this square.
Duration: 45 minutes
Stop At: Palacio da Bahia, 5 Rue Riad Zitoun el Jdid, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
Bahia Palace is undeniably one of the top historical Marrakech tourist attractions, although it does not attract as many tourists as Majorelle Garden which can actually becomes rather crowded during the high season. This alone makes if a really nice place to visit if you are hoping to avoid large crowds of tourists.
The palace itself is located on a large 2-acre plot of land in the center of Marrakech’s famous medina. It has a total of 150 rooms, including a harem section which is located alongside the palace’s Court of Honor.
The rooms and salons in the harem section were of course intended for the vizier’s 24 concubines, while his 4 wives lived inside the palace with him.
The palace as it is today, is best known for its beautiful interior which features an abundance of stained glass windows, hand-carved wooden wall coverings; beautiful cedar wood ceilings, and magnificent zellig-tiled fireplaces.
Although Bahia Palace is open to the public, it is not open in its entirety.
In fact, only a relatively small percentage of the palace and palace grounds are open to the public, but there is still plenty to see.
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Saadian Tombs, Rue De La Kasbah, Marrakech 40000 Morocco
The enclosure consists of two main mausoleums, with 66 tombs laid out within them and over 100 more outside in the gardens. The first mausoleum, seen on the left as you enter, is the finest of the two. Built to house Mansour’s tomb and completed during his lifetime, its vaulted roof, fine carvings and stunning zellij tiles recall the Alhambra in Granada (built 200 years earlier).
The first hall is an oratory and probably not originally intended for burial, but nevertheless contains the thin marble stones of several Saadian princes. Here also is the tomb of the mad Moulay Yazid, which ironically conflicts with the black-and-white script in the hall that reads, “And the works of peace they have accomplished will make them enter the holy gardens.”
In the back of the mausoleum is a very fine mihrab, supported by a delicate group of columns. El Mansour’s tomb is in the domed central chamber, flanked by the tombs of his sons and successors.
The second mausoleum is older but less impressive. It was built by Ahmed el Mansour in place of an existing pavilion over the tombs of his mother and of the founder of the Saadian dynasty, Mohammed ech Sheikh. The former is below the dome in the outer chamber; most of the latter is buried in the inner chamber (he was murdered in the Atlas mountains by Turkish mercenaries and his head was put on public display in Istanbul).
Duration: 1 hour
Stop At: Gueliz, La Ville Nouvelle, Marrakech Morocco
Gueliz is the heart of the modern part of Marrakech. Its main avenues are Mohammed VI and Mohammed V. This area is where many foreigners choose to live in Marrakech.
This area houses international clothing shops like Zara and H&M, as well as modern restaurants and cafés.
You will have lunch in one the best restaurants in the area before you leave to Majorel Garden.
Duration: 2 hours
Stop At: Jardin Majorelle, Rue Yves Saint Laurent, Marrakech 40090 Morocco
This is the most famous gardens in Marrakech. The painter Jacques Majorelle, son of the famous Art Nouveau artist Louis Majorelle Nancy, invents himself the famous Blue Majorelle color in 1937, intense and clear, which is found throughout the garden that brings together a collection of plants brought from all corners world: Cactus, yucca, lilies, bamboo … thrive alongside pools and elegant Art Deco villa.
Duration: 1 hour
