With a super-charged poker schedule and all the amenities of the glamorous Es Saadi resort to explore, you may find it surprisingly hard to find time for sightseeing during Irish Open Marrakech in November.
But try you must – because there are plentiful reasons why this ancient city is such a popular tourist destination. With a history dating back more than 1,000 years, Marrakech is an absolute delight with myriad attractions all within easy walking distance of the centre.
Surrounded by some 19 km of 900-year-old ramparts, the old town (known as the medina) is a UNESCO World Heritage Site – an exciting labyrinth of narrow lanes, tiny squares, and bustling “souks” or marketplaces. It’s easy to get disoriented in the medina but eventually you will find yourself stepping out into the huge expanse of Marrakech’s fabulous Jemaa el-Fnaa central square.
Jemaa el-Fnaa square
Jemaa el-Fnaa square is enchanting by day but it’s at night that it really comes alive. As dusk approaches, food stalls spring into life and the square fills with musicians, snake charmers, storytellers and performers. This is a central meeting place for locals and tourists alike and has been at the centre of Marrakech life for centuries.
One of the best ways to experience Jemaa el-Fnaa is from above. Grab a table on one of the rooftop terraces surrounding the square shortly before sunset, order a mint tea and watch the transformation below.
Souks and shopping
The Marrakech souks are a shopaholic’s paradise selling everything from carpets, leather bags and ceramics to lanterns, spices and jewellery.
Bargaining is certainly expected so never pay the first price you’re asked – aim for half that and you’ll be on the right track.
Jardin Majorelle
The gorgeous Jardin Majorelle botanical gardens are a perfect antidote to the hectic attractions of the medina. Created by French painter Jacques Majorelle and later restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the garden is famous for its cobalt-blue buildings, exotic plants and cacti collection. It’s one of Marrakech’s most popular attractions, so this is one place where it makes sense to buy tickets online in advance. The Jardin Majorelle is open every day of the week, from 8am to 6pm. You can also visit the Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts, housed in Majorelle’s former studio workshop, and the neighbouring Yves Saint Laurent Museum at the same time.
Bahia Palace
The sprawling Bahia Palace was built in the late 19th century by the Grand Vizier Ba Ahmed and is a showcase for some of Morocco’s most beautiful craftsmanship. The 150+ rooms are organized around multiple internal courtyards and shaded riad gardens with carved cedar and painted ceilings, intricate, sculpted plasterwork and stunning zellige-tiled mosaic floors.
Nearby, the Saadian Tombs offer another glimpse into Marrakech’s past, with elaborately decorated mausoleums dating back to the Saadian dynasty.
Enjoy a Moroccan hammam
Traditional hammams typically involve heat, steam, black soap and vigorous exfoliation with a kessa glove, often followed up by a relaxing massage. There’s an enormous range of hammams in Marrakech, from simple facilities located near mosques to luxurious hotel spas. If you’ve never been to a hammam before (and don’t quite fancy navigating the local version unaided!), book a tourist-friendly hammam via your hotel.
Moroccan cuisine
There’s a lot more to Moroccan cuisine than a hurried tagine between poker tournaments and Marrakech boasts a huge number of excellent restaurants. Try tangia, a slow-cooked Marrakech speciality traditionally made with meat, preserved lemon and spices; pastilla, the extraordinary sweet-and-savoury pastry; couscous; grilled meats; Moroccan salads; and delicious freshly baked bread.
If you have time, it’s fun to join a food tour or cooking class. Many include a visit to a market to buy ingredients before you learn how to make tagine, couscous or a Moroccan salad.
Out in the desert
If you can spare a day or even a half day away from the poker tables, why not take a trip out into the desert? The Agafay Desert lies some 30km south of Marrakech and offers an easy taste of Morocco’s stark desert landscape. The Agafay is a rocky desert rather than sandy but, while it may lack the rolling sand dunes of the Sahara, it’s more than makes up for it with striking, lunar-like terrain. Tour operators will happily arrange trips for you – often including quad biking, camel rides and unforgettable sunsets.
A few Marrakech tips
- Debit and credit cards are widely accepted in hotels and around the city but you will need cash (Moroccan dirhams) for taxis, tips, shopping in the souks and eating in local cafes and restaurants.
- Taxis are plentiful but do agree the fare price before setting off.
- In the souks, bargaining is totally normal.
- Morocco is a Muslim country and while Marrakech locals are used to tourists, do dress respectfully when out and about.
- Please note that alcohol is usually only available in larger hotels and tourist restaurants.
The six-day Irish Open Marrakech festival is taking place at the glamorous Casino de Marrakech from November 10-15. For full details, click here.
