Marrakech - Welcome to Africa

Marrakech, Morocco → see more



Blend of colour and motion, heat and noise - That's how I can describe Marrakesh in just one sentence.
We went to Marrakesh recently, end of February, weather was very pleasant over 20 degree, no rain.
We stayed in a Riad close to the main square of the city Jemma el Fna. Let me explain what Riad is. It's a traditional Moroccan house or palace with and interior garden or courtyard where all windows are faced in. We decided to stay in Riad instead of hotel as it was very much recommend by everyone. I must admit I liked it, something different to experience.

Map of Marrakech, right in the center you can see Jemaa el Fna Sqaure where all the hussle starts.

Modern airport, ancient city. Marrakesh Menara Airport is more than just an airport, it's a time machine - that's how Marrakesh Airport describes itself on their official website and I agree with that! I wasn't expecting such a nice and clean airport once we landed on it. 

Once you leave the airport, you have two options to get to the city centre, taxi or bus no 19 (we chose the second). Bus leaves the airport every 30 mins and it takes 15 mins to get to the Koutoubia Mosque right next to Jemma el Fna Square. Bus cost 30 MAD one way or return 50 MAD. Just remember to keep your ticket save if you decide to buy return ticket.

Koutoubia Mosque is the largest mosque in Marrakesh and it's a very important landmark.

Jemma el Fna is a square and a market place.

Jemma el Fna is used by locals and tourists. During the day is occupied by snake charmers, henna ladies...

...orange juice stalls, freshly squeezed often with pips and bits of peel in your glass...

...youth with chained Barbary apes, who won't leave you alone until you take a picture with their monkey and of course pay them for that.

Competition between orange juice sellers is very big, everywhere the same price per glass - 4 dirham, walking between the stalls you will be called from each one. So get thirsty before you go there!

Around Jemma el Fna you will find loads of restaurants offering rooftop seating and view on the whole square while enjoying you meal.

Late in the day square becomes more crowded with dancing boys, story tellers and magicians. Or you can take a ride on caleche, a small horse-drawn carriage.

Jemma el Fna turns into a big food market at night.

Every single stalls is ready to catch you and sometimes even force you to eat in their property. On the beginning you may not feel comfortable with all the hassle around you, but just say 'No thank you' and walk away.  

You can choose between snail soup, sheep's head and other traditional dishes.

Koutoubia Mosque at dusk.

Next day we decided to visit highly recommended by everyone - Jardin Majorelle. We took bus No 1 (ticket 4 dirham one way) from the square outside Koutoubia Mosque and driver after 20-25 mins inform us to get off from the bus and turn left and walk for around 300 m. On our way we found everywhere trees full of oranges!

Admission to the garden 50 dh, plus 25 dh if you decide to visit museum inside the garden too.

The garden was made in 1920s by French painter Jacques Majorelle, that's why unsurprisingly the garden is composed and coloured like a painting.

After years the garden was taken over and restored by the fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent.

Most of the garden was painted in blue, which goes very well with soil, climate and plants.

I love those little cactus in the shape of flower! So cute!

On the way back from the garden to the square sometimes you can see the Atlas mountains in the background.

Labyrinth of souks surrounding Jemma el Fna.

Spices.

I must admit that people there don't like to have their photos taken. It wasn't easy for me to capture their life as they hide when they saw my camera or sometimes even shouted and sent me away.

Like for example this man who didn't want me to capture him. At night once they realised I'm taking shot they switched off their lights so I could not take picture of their stalls.

Just try to be confident and don't think too much before taking your camera out. If they spot you they will spoil you picture.

I love markets, all the items just whisper to my ear 'Buy me', 'Buy me'.

I can not resist and as I'm a big fan of fridge magnets - this one had to be mine!

By the way there is a supermarket in Marrakesh, we discovered it by mistake walking to Jardin Majorelle. It's called ACIMA and you can find there everything you want. We were asking many people if there is any supermarket around, no one could answer...

Bye bye bye Marrakech...



...and small surprise at the end: video taken in Marrakech. Enjoy!

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