Marrakesh, or Marrakech as it’s spelled in French, is a major city in the Northwest African country of Morocco. Known for it’s narrow clay alleys and colorful palaces, this is a hot spot on many people’s list. If you have plans to travel to Marrakesh, here are 7 experiences you absolutely must try while there.
Have an epic photoshoot at Bahia Palace.
Bahia Palace ,which means palace of the beautiful, is just one of Morocco’s architectural masterpieces. While parts of the palace are open to the public, it is sometimes inhabited by the Moroccan royal family of King Mohammed VI. There is a fee of 1 Euro to enter the grounds.
Get the royal treatment at a Hammam (a Moroccan spa).
You haven’t lived until you have had an authentic Moroccan spa experience. The experience starts with a very intense body scrub in a sauna-like shower room made from beautiful tile. You go through several rounds of scrubs and showers before you are escorted to a private room to finish off with a relaxing massage. You will leave feeling like a new person.
RELATED: 9 Times Black Travelers Made Morocco Look Magical
Ride a camel through the desert.
Marrakesh is in close proximity to the Sahara desert. It is popular for visitors to make the trip out to do a multi day trek via camel and then camp overnight. If you are short on time, there is a local desert within Marrakesh called Pal Golve.
RELATED: 5 Travel Scams And How To Avoid Them
Mingle with the locals at Jemaa el-Fnaa (“The Square”).
Jemaa el-Fnaa is a marketplace in the center of the Medina. There you will find the Souk (stalls of vendors selling various products), local cuisine, and live performances. It’s best to go in the evening when everything comes alive.
Sip tea like a local.
Moroccans take their tea time very serious. It is a very popular social past time, no matter the time of day. The tea is brewed and served in a special pot. The key to getting the flavor just right is in how you pour it. Locals will hold the tea pot high up from the actual glass to pour. It’s an experience in itself just watching the tea poured.
Visit a dye factory.
Head to a local factor or even a local market to see the process on how things are dyed in Marrakesh. The colors are amazing but it can produce a very strong odor.
Marvel at the architecture and details of The Ben Youssef Madrasa.
The Ben Youssef Madrasa was constructed in 1564-1565 originally for Science and prayer. It was created with four main materials: wood, marble, plaster, and zellige. Today, the structure is more of a tourist attraction but the details still remain.
