Marrakesh is no ordinary destination for me, it has been on my ‘To Visit’ list for a very long time! My father was born in Marrakesh, in the Jewish quarter called the Mellah. At two years old the family immigrated to Israel. As a child I heard so much about Morocco, I always wanted to travel there, see it for myself and get to know my roots better in the process.

I’m so happy to see that more and more people are discovering this wonderful country and its people!

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City Guide ~

What To See, Do (And NOT Do) In Marrakesh

Marrakesh has so much to offer! Known as ‘The Red City’ due to the fact that most of its buildings are colored salmon pink. This adds to the warmth the city has to offer, regardless of the heat that is.

Where To Stay In Marrakesh

Definitely opt to stay in a riad! A riad is a traditional townhouse with rooms built around a large courtyard. The riad features in the center of it a garden, a fountain & a swimming pool in most cases. It’s very cozy and unique! Aim to stay as close to the Medina (the old city of Marrakesh) as possible so everything is within easy access.

10 Places You MUST Visit In Marrakesh

1. Jemaa el-Fnaa Market: This square located at the heart of the city is too crazy and colorful for words! You can spend hours wandering around the main streets and alleys, soaking it all in. You can find everything here!
   There are many market stalls here, featuring anything you can think of. From local artistry to clothes, shoes, and bags. Local foods & spices are big here and let’s not forget snake charmers, musicians, and monkeys dancing for you. It is actually organized chaos and once you get used to it a bit you’ll love it!
   Next to it, you’ll find the largest mosque in the city, La Koutoubia.
   PRO TIP: When buying items in the markets of Morocco, you are expected to haggle with the vendor for a price. Never accept the first price told to you, however, don’t humiliate them in the process by offering a price you know is offensive! They too need to make a living, so it’s about a win-win price.

   PLEASE! Don’t engage with the monkies, snakes, and other forms of animal cruelty you will encounter here. It broke my heart seeing those little monkies on a chain, forced to do silly little acts for tourists. This is something that needs to stop and it starts with us, tourists.

2. Visit Palace La Bahia.AMAZING workmanship!

3. Visit the Mellah and the Jewish cemetery. The Mellah is colorful and very lively, filled with little shops to explore. There is an ancient synagogue called Lazama, it still holds services even though there are less than 100 Jews still living there. Once there were 30,000 Jews living there.

   Don’t be afraid to ask the locals for directions as it’s a bit difficult to find, a true hidden gem. When I entered the shul, I spoke with the Rabbi and he actually remembered some of my family members, grandfather included. It was a very emotional and happy moment. A local boy I spoke to on the street also helped me to locate my last living relative in Marrakesh! I’m so grateful for this experience. The locals are so friendly, nice and helpful!

4. Take a walk or carriage ride along the city walls. It’s a fun way to see the city.

5. Visit the Badii Palace: Built by Sultan Ahmed El-Mansour in the 16th century. Next door you’ll also find the ruins of the Royal Palace.

6. There are several beautiful and tranquil gardens to visit: Agdal offers a great view of the Atlas Mountains. Cyberpark is fun and interactive.

7. Visit Medersa Ibn Youssef: Once one of the biggest and most respected Muslim schools in North Africa and now a museum.

8. Visit the Koubba el Badiyyin, the sole surviving structure of the city’s Almoravid founders.

9. Enjoy a traditional lunch or dinner on one of the many rooftops above the El Fnaa Market. PRO TIP ~ Moroccan dishes you MUST try:

   Food prepared in a tagine. This is a clay cooking pot used to slow cook beef, lamb, chicken, and even veggies. Don’t leave without tasting couscous! Spicy sardines make for a nice on-the-go snack. And finally to sweeten your day, try a delicious dessert called shebakia.

10. Visit The Saadian Tombs. This dynasty ruled much of southern Morocco during the 16th and 17th centuries. Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour created these tombs for himself and his family in the late 16th century, 66 of them are buried here.

Excursions In Morocco I Highly Recommend:

1. Visit Palmeraie for a daily dose of palm trees & camels.

2. Take a day trip to the magnificent Ourika Valley, crossing over at Setti Fatma to begin the climb to the seven waterfalls.

3. There are excursions to the Atlas Mountains, Sahara Desert, and Ouarzazate which are just wonderful!

4. Visit Essaouira, on the coast.

Additional Travel Tips For Morocco

1. Please DON’T be tempted to visit the area where leather is made in Marrakesh! Besides the garbage, filth and poor animal parts found all around, it stinks to high heaven! Did you know the leather first sits for weeks in pigeon poo and urine? It was a horrible experience!

2. Have drinks or lunch at Kasbah Le Mirage when visiting Palmeraie.

3. It would be best to shop around before picking a tour operator for additional excursions as this changes all the time. We opted for private taxi drivers and it worked very well. The hotel can always recommend someone that is reliable.

4. Make sure you have dressed accordingly when visiting holy places.

5. Respect the locals and their culture.

The best tip of all is just to have an open mind!

Do have any questions for me? Email me at: fromadifferentangle@gmail.com

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Yours,

Diti