You don’t go on holiday to be lulled to sleep in a pastel hotel suite.
Nope, you crave colour, spice and the excitement of an imperial city that just keeps getting better. Ready to explore ancient ruins and discover up-and-coming artisans? Do you hunt for bazaar bargains like a pro? Are you coo-coo for couscous? If you answered yes to any of these questions, check out our holidays to Marrakech, located in western Morocco. Book some sweet deals on a Marrakech package and you’ll be hiking through princely tombs and sipping mint tea before you can say “Salamu aleikum”. Peace!
Start your holiday in Marrakech at the iconic Koutoubia Mosque. Although non-Muslims may not enter the building (it’s an active place of worship), visitors of all faiths are welcomed warmly to tour the grounds and taste some traditional Berber hospitality in the nearby Jemaa El Fna—a square of souks (aka markets) where you can stop for tea and treats. Next, amble south to the Saadian Tombs—the extravagant resting places of North African royalty. From there, take a historic walk to the 19th-century Bahia Palace and explore its peaceful courtyard gardens. Go ahead—sit back like a sultan. For an arvo of fresh air and natural good looks, pick up your car hire in Marrakech from lastminute.com.au and drive north to La Palmeraie, a sprawling garden just south of the Tensift River. You’ll be spending your Marrakech holiday in the Sahara Desert, so make time for getting a toasty tan amidst the thousands of swaying palm trees.
In Marrakech, shopping is an all-day (and all-night) affair. With several networks of souks all over the city, you’ve got to plan your spending sprees strategically. Since you’re in a hurry to get going, just remember two words: Medina District. Feel like a kid in an arcade in the lantern-lit markets of this Old Quarter. You’ll probably hear the hum of vendors, craftspeople and shoppers from the palace gardens.
With a nod to Morocco’s French colonists and flavours from its ancient ancestors, the food scene in Marrakech is worth an entire holiday on its own. Moroccan food is often served family-style, so take some friends or make some friends and start your meal with zaalouk—mixed veggie salads—and dip baguettes into big helpings of savoury tagines, stews and roasts cooked in clay pots. Wash it all down with sweet mint tea, known as “Moroccan whiskey”. Mmm.
Speaking of whiskey, don’t expect to find a lot of that around Marrakech. The city is very open to the growing bar and food scene, but it’s not part of the nightlife culture—especially during Ramadan, when all the bars shut down as an act of respect for tradition. Spend your evenings sipping tea and learning to belly dance and you’ll be set!
Hungry for adventure…and tagine? Get your hands on our cheap holidays to Marrakech and save time and fun money on top hotels and flights that fit your on-the-fly schedule. You’ll have a More-rockin’ good time.
Reviewed on 21 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 8 Mar. 2024
Reviewed on 17 Mar. 2024
You can browse for souvenirs when you visit Jemaa el-Fnaa, a popular shopping spot in Marrakech. Amble around this relaxing area's picturesque gardens or seek out the local tours.
Explore the great outdoors at Majorelle Gardens, a lovely green space in Marrakech. Make time for the shops and local tours in this culturally rich area.
Explore the great outdoors at Le Jardin Secret, a lovely green space in Marrakech. Make time for the shops and local tours in this relaxing area.
^Savings based on all package bookings made with Flight + Hotel on lastminute.com.au from January 1, 2019 to December 31, 2019, as compared to the price of the same components booked separately. Savings will vary based on origin/destination, length of trip, stay dates and selected travel supplier(s). Savings not available on all packages.