Planning a trip to Morocco and wondering how much time you need to soak in all the goodness? Let's chat about it! We're about to unfold the perfect amount of time for your Moroccan adventure.

 

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Falling asleep in front of the Eiffel Tower, waking up with the Sacré Coeur in your sights, having breakfast on your private balcony overlooking the Seine and Notre-Dame...

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We flew to Morocco last autumn. It was the 3rd time I went there. I first discovered Marrakech, at 18, just after my bachelor's degree. Having had a crush on this country, without finally knowing it, I returned a few years later to Fez and Meknes. 
Jeff was discovering this country for the first time, and he was not disappointed at all. 
I wanted for this 3rd Moroccan experience, spend a night in the Sahara desert  from marrakech  to witness the sunrise on the dunes. We also wanted to get away from the frenzy of Marrakech by spending a few days in Essaouira, our favorite of this trip.

 

Marrakeck is the fourth largest city in Morocco (behind Tangiers, Casablanca and Fez). It covers nearly 280km and has almost 1 million inhabitants. Marrakech is divided into two parts: the medina which is the historic city, and the new city whose main districts are Guéliz, Hivernage, Sidi Youssef Ben Ali. Guéliz is the commercial district of the city where are concentrated many shops (H & M, Mango ...). 
Many private villas and luxury resorts including the majestic Royal Mansour , are located in the district of Hivernage . 
It should be known that Morocco is the 1st tourist destination of Africa and Marrakech is the most visited city in the country, with 4 million visitors in 2015.

If you dream of an exotic destination less than 3 hours from Paris, run in the other city. We propose you here, 10 ideas of visits to make in Marrakech.

You can find our addresses and tips in this article.

 

 

Majorelle's garden

 

The Majorelle Garden is one of the most popular places in Marrakech ,. It is located outside the Medina. 
We strongly advise you to visit this place, if only for its varied botanical collection . The garden has several species of cactus, palm, banana and aloe. It also has a bamboo plantation and several pools. The different greens of this vegetation contrast perfectly with the blue called Majorelle blue which dresses the walls of the old house of Yves Saint Laurent. It is a very soothing place where calm and beauty reign.

Rates : 70 Dhs (6,5 €) for the garden and 30 dhs (2,70 €) for the museum 
Open from 8h to 18h (farm 1h earlier in medium and low season) 
Count 20 to 50 Dirhams (between 2 € and € 4.5) to get there by taxi from Jemaa El Fna Square . 
It is best to go there in the morning to avoid the crowds and the heat

"It's great for a selfie moment to make everyone jealous! "

 

 

 

Jemaa El Fna Square

 

Emblematic place of Marrakech! That of snake charmers, street vendors of traditional dancers and storytellers. 
The calm of the morning gives way to a certain frenzy at dusk. Restaurants are there to offer you Moroccan specialties at very reasonable prices. 
The place Jemaa El Fna remains a magical, cosmopolitan and popular place where people of all ages mingle. It is at the end of this place that you can also find the entrance to Marrakech Souk!

 

 

 

The Bahia Palace

 

The Bahia Palace is a large Moroccan mansion dating from the nineteenth century and located in the Mellah district. The Bahia Palace consists of several walled gardens and 150 rooms. The decoration of Moroccan style is quite impressive (marble floors, carved wooden door, faience on the walls, fountain in the gardens). 
It is a place where you can stroll in the shade of orange trees.

Rates: € 1 
Open daily from 9am to 6pm

 

 

 

El Badi Palace

 

The El Badi Palace was erected in the 16th century by the ruler Ahmed El Mansour Ed-Dahbi . it was a place where many feasts and solemn audiences were held. Unfortunately, today there is practically nothing left of this splendor of yesteryear. Keep your eyes open, storks are nestled on the ramparts of the Palace.

This is where unfolds the Marrakech laughter organized by Jamel every year since 2011.

Rates : € 1 
Open daily from 9am to 5pm

 

 

The souks of the Medina

 

The souks of Marrakech are a maze where it is very easy to get lost! Bring a map or turn on your GPS before entering! 
It is a real place of life where you will find stalls of fabric, food, clothing, leather, spices but also many workshops of local craftsmen. 
You can go to the tanners neighborhood near the door. If you are sensitive to odors, I do not recommend this place. It is best to be accompanied by a guide to visit this place. 
This is also the place where you will do the most alpacated by the sellers who will bring you in their shop. Do not hesitate to refuse nicely, with a smile!

 

The Saadian Tombs

 

the Saadian tombs date from the great sultan Ahmed al-Mansur Saadi in the sixteenth century but were discovered in 1917, which makes the place incredibly well preserved . The most prestigious mausoleum is the one that houses the tomb of Sultan son Ahmed El Mansour. The details of the carved wooden ceiling are incredible. All the tombs are marble. The visit is fast because the place is quite small.

Rates : 1 € (80Dhs for the visit) 
Open every day from 9am to 18h

 

The House of Photography

 

The Maison de la Photographie of Marrakech offers very beautiful silver plates of Morocco through the twentieth century. However, the museum is not very big, which makes the visit quite fast. The museum offers a café on its roof . The place is very nice for a drink to enjoy a splendid view of the Medina .

 

The ramparts at Caleche

 

Choose the end of the day to go around the ramparts . It is at this time that the ocher colors of the city will reveal all their splendor. The carriages are concentrated at the entrance to Jemaa El Fna Square.

 

 

The mosque of Koutoubia

 

The Koutoubia is a religious building erected in the twelfth century that stands out for its minaret visible from the medina. 
The mosque can not be visited. You can not enter if you are not a Muslim. However you can approach to admire this architectural masterpiece.

 

Garden of Menara

 

The Menara Garden is located in the Palm Grove outside the city. Allow 20 minutes to get there by taxi. I was a little disappointed with the garden which did not represent much interest and the pool in front of the pavilion was empty, which made the place a little sad.

 

St. Lucia

Lush rainforests, majestic mountains and passionate resorts are all reasons to go to this Caribbean island. A haven for honeymooners, St. Lucia delivers the perfect combine of seclusion, relaxation and adventure. To soak up the breathtaking landscape, program to hike the Piton Mountains or snorkel and scuba dive during the waters of Anse Chastanet.

 

Banff, Alberta

This Canadian place will convey out the explorer in anyone who visits. From mountaineering and whitewater rafting to snowboarding, Banff gives tourists an abundance of year-round outside pursuits. The Lake Louise Ski Vacation resort is amongst the premier in North The us as well as striking photo ops in the Canadian Rockies from Moraine Lake can not be underestimated. 

 

Great Barrier Reef

It is easy to determine why the good Barrier Reef is among the Seven Natural Miracles from the World - it stretches almost one,five hundred miles alongside the japanese shoreline of Australia and features 3,000 coral reefs, 600 islands and more than one,600 species of fish. Travelers can see these incredible all-natural structures in the air or underwater. Nevertheless, big quantities of coral bleaching (caused by rising ocean temperatures) threaten to ruin this huge maritime lifestyle habitat, so plan your visit quickly to see this amazing sight up close.

 

Costa Rica

Character fanatics searching to go off the grid ought to travel to Costa Rica. House to some various landscape of tropical rainforests, volcanic mountains, pristine seashores and wildlife reserves, this Central American country attracts adventure seekers and animal enthusiasts alike. Explore the Nicoya Peninsula prior to heading towards the distant Tortuguero Nationwide Park to spot exotic wildlife. 

 

San Sebastian, Spain

You are probably familiar with Spanish scorching places like Madrid and Barcelona, but the northern coastal city of San Sebastian warrants a spot in your bucket list, too. Recognized for its beautiful seashores and distinctive culture, San Sebastian offers a small-town environment influenced by Basque Country. Foodies can also be in to get a deal with because the area is legendary for its pintxos - the Basque edition of tapas. Explore the city's pintxos bars on your own or with the organized tour group. 

 

Bali, Indonesia

Ancient temples, imposing landscapes and legendary sunsets are sufficient for any traveler to daydream of Bali. This Indonesian island offers some of the very best seashores within the world, together with volcanic mountains, elephant sanctuaries along with a wealth of five-star resorts. Obtaining right here is not cheap, but vacationers looking for seclusion in an exotic locale agree it's worth the trek for your photo ops alone.

 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates

Dubai is house to some bevy of superlatives, such as the tallest developing within the globe (Burj Khalifa at two,717 feet), the world's largest indoor theme park (IMG Worlds of Adventure), the biggest man-made marina in the world and the world's first rotating skyscraper, established to open up in 2020. If those aren't sufficient reasons to go to, the city is also house to an indoor ski middle, among the globe's largest shopping malls and multiple community seashores - as well as a handful of man-made islands. A trip here will not be inexpensive, but it's worthwhile.

Dubai is at first a new and modern city that seems devoid of soul. Built on the desert, it has been designed in a very large way, facing the sea and seems to be the playground of the billionaires of the planet. The principle of Dubai is to be a place where anything is possible. Skiing, swimming with dolphins, 4 × 4 in the desert, sleeping in the most starred hotel in the world, having the highest tower, etc. All this designed with a desire for refinement not always equaled. In short, Dubai the city of superlatives, can leave doubtful glitter, luxury, and all that superficial. Make no mistake, however, there is a part of the city that has remained authentic and simple. The old harbor district is home to an old city full of palaces and souks.

Dubai, new city?

The first thing we notice in Dubai is the heterogeneity between the different modern towers. There are more than 900, and all different from each other. Do not stop at this aspect a little reductive and not inclined to a visit of the city.

When to go to Dubai?

The best is to go in the spring and fall. These are the 2 best seasons to visit Dubai. The temperature is around 30 degrees during these 2 seasons.

In summer the temperature can exceed 40 degrees, however the city being on the seaside, and the adapted infrastructure, it remains livable.

The less favorable winter is a visit, with rainfall occurring from December to April.

What to do in Dubai?

Dubai can visit quickly. 3 days can largely be enough to discover the essential.

The city is divided into 6 districts:

The creek

The city has developed along Khor Dubai which is a long cove that stretches the city. You will find a mix of tourist boats, fishing and trade that constantly furrow its waters. Even if the city widens with the liking of the constructions, the cove remains the most authentic place.

Deira

It is the historic heart of the city. Head to Baniyas Road, where you'll find the Souks, the Fish Market, and the Heritage House that tells the story of Dubai. Neighborhood very alive, it is here that are all the souks. Remember to visit the spice souk and the gold souk. Deira is worth the detour for those who wish to immerse themselves in the heart of the origins of the dubaiotes. Like its neighbor Bur Dubai, Deira is the neighborhood where you have to let yourself be carried by the different streets to discover wonders that are not mentioned in the guides.

Bur Dubai

In his own there are two old quarters, Bastakiya and Shindagha. The Bur Dubai souk is the one that has the most charming wooden arcades set seafront location give it an added attraction. Like the Deira district, this is the neighborhood where it is good to get lost, discovering the oldest buildings in Dubai especially the towers / windmills of Al Fahidi Historic District. It is in this district that you will find tailors able to reproduce in a few days your favorite clothes. For the purchase of fabrics, think about taking a walk in the textile souk.

Madinat Jumeirah and Jumeirah

Want Beach and hot water and turquoise? Jumeirah is located along the sea. Whether you want to go to the beach freely, or pamper yourself on a private beach, everything is in Jumeirah. For the private beach, I recommend Jumeirah Beach Hotel. Located near Burj al-arab, the famous and famous tower and its 7-star hotel, you can stay there for the day and enjoy the beach, the pool, and its private shower cabins. If you are in transit in Dubai for 12 hours or more, I recommend going there.

New Dubai / La Marina

Located at the end of the city, it is the newest district of Dubai. You'll find the 200 artificial islands "The World" which represents the World Map, the Dubai Marina, the Palm Jumeirah, and the Atlantis The Palm marineland, and its dolphinariums.

Where to eat ?

The city is filled with places where you can eat. However, there is 2 or 3 particularity to know.

The first is that the weekend starts on Thursday night. The work week resumes from Sunday morning. As a result, the dubaiotes brunch Friday. This is also a real institution in Dubai, where every Friday people go for a brunch. Most hotels offer this type of service.

Then drinking alcohol, even just a glass of wine, is not in the local culture. However, if you want to taste good wines, you can do it in the hotel bars or in trendy restaurants. 

How to move in Dubai?

To get around the city, the taxi is the most convenient way. Indeed, the subway is still in full development, and even if it is spread over the length of the city, it is difficult to connect 2 points only by metro.

The metro is in service from Saturday to Thursday from 6am to 11pm, and from 2pm to midnight on Friday.

For more information, visit the Dubai Public Transport website

Or sleep ?

Dubai is filled with hotels with the most luxurious services one another. So you are spoiled for choice. If you want to have a good time you can go to the Atana hotel Dubai, Situated within the heart of the new Dubai, merely a few minutes by metro to The Dubai Mall.