Marrakech
Gateway to the desert and the Atlas Mountains, Marrakech is both traditional and modern, authentic and exuberant. Between colorful souks and trendy nightclubs, it promises a stay rich in sensations. The city hosts seven saints, eight gates, and a cascade of historical monuments such as the Koutoubia Mosque, Majorelle Garden, and the famous Menara. Marrakech's hinterland offers the Setti Fadma waterfalls, Oukaimeden ski resort, and the Agafay desert expanses. Immerse yourself in Moroccan culture and tradition by visiting Jamaa el-Fna Square, where an enchanted and mystical atmosphere reigns, with music, storytellers, fortune-tellers, and snake charmers. A unique experience.
Explore the city of Marrakech and its magnificent hinterland from our hotels. Experienciah welcomes you to one of its two prestigious addresses. Guaranteed immersion in the quintessence of Moroccan art de vivre and hospitality.
A tribute to the great tradition of travel, an ode to the bustle and hospitality of the fondouks of yesteryear, the JAAL hotel vibrates with a unique energy. That of the legendary artists who have passed through its walls and also that of Marrakech, the ochre city that holds more than one mystery.
As convivial and warm as the red city itself, Relax Hotel Marrakech is a little cocoon that will captivate both business and leisure travelers. With a controlled budget, it offers excellent value for money.
Wander from Jemaa el-Fna Square to the souks: Jemaa el-Fna Square is internationally associated with Marrakech, if not with all of Morocco. A symbol of the "Red City," it is also classified as a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985. Since 2008, it has even been inscribed on the Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. Every day, Moroccans and tourists alike come to meet its diverse representatives. Snake charmers, monkey handlers, musicians, jugglers, acrobats, storytellers, theater troupes, comedians, water carriers, henna tattoo artists, fortune tellers, public writers, herbalists, and even tooth extractors... There's a never-ending show on this mythical square, where kiosks selling orange juice and dried fruits delight the spectators. In the evening, the square turns into a giant open-air restaurant, with each restaurateur using humor to attract customers. However, during the day, Jemaa el-Fna is a must-visit before heading to the souks. Through the winding alleys, you'll discover shops selling creations by Moroccan artisans: wickerwork, pottery, ceramics, carpets, jewelry, as well as spices, fragrances, cosmetics, cakes, and other delights. It's an essential place for its ambiance, colors, scents, sounds, rhythm... And, of course, for returning with arms full of gifts and souvenirs. Visit the Agafay Desert: For a little over a decade, Agafay has been attracting more and more visitors. Located about thirty kilometers from Marrakech, this stony desert is home to lodges that allow you to admire the incredible landscape that sometimes resembles vast yellow sand dunes at sunrise. At the gates of the bustling "Red City," historical operators have opted for a gentle approach with spaces where calm prevails. Others have recently chosen to create festive places. You can stay there, have lunch, spend a day by the pool, take a walk on foot, on a camel, or by quad. Or simply go there to admire the sunset. Everyone will find their ambiance. Fly over the Marrakech region in a hot air balloon: Setting off before dawn for a hot air balloon flight is an incredible opportunity to admire the sunrise over the region from above. Once in the air, you'll fly over the reddish earth, lush oases, traditional villages, and take in the hills and snow-capped Atlas Mountains in a single glance. An unforgettable panorama and experience. Enjoy a round of golf: Marrakech is highly appreciated by golfers. The city offers a diverse range of golfing options to satisfy players of all levels, from amateurs to professionals. With its dozen golf courses, it offers several courses, from 9-hole to 18-hole, as well as numerous practice facilities.
Translation: The Koutoubia Mosque The Koutoubia Mosque is an architectural masterpiece of Hispano-Moorish influences dating back to the 12th century. It owes its name to the "kutubiyyun," the booksellers' souk that once existed in the same square. Its construction began in 1120 under the Berber Almoravid dynasty. It was later remodeled from 1162 by Abdelmoumen, the first ruler of the Almohad dynasty, who oriented it towards Mecca. It was completed in 1199, during the reign of his grandson, Yacoub el Mansour, with the appearance it is known for today. Its magnificent minaret rises to 69 meters, or 77 meters if we include the copper-adorned spire. Only the faithful can access the interior of the Koutoubia, which can accommodate up to 20,000 worshippers. However, visitors can explore its park and admire the architecture of this religious edifice. The Saadian Tombs This royal necropolis dates back to the late 17th century. Built from 1578 during the time of Sultan Ahmed El Mansour Saadi, the sixth Sultan of the Saadian dynasty, these tombs are richly ornamented with Hispano-Moorish decorative arts. They remained hidden for a long time, being walled up in the 18th century and rediscovered only in 1917. Highlights of the visit include the Hall of Twelve Columns, with its cedar wood dome, which houses the tomb of Ahmed El Mansour. In the gardens, remember to look up to see the storks that annually build their nests there. The Ben Youssef Medersa This Quranic school, in addition to its historical value, is an exceptional example of Arab-Andalusian architecture. Founded in the 14th century, it reached its peak in the 16th century, becoming the largest medersa in the Maghreb, capable of accommodating up to 900 theology students. Those coming from outside Marrakech were boarders, living in small Spartan rooms that contrast with the elegance and beauty of the rest of the school. Notable features to admire include the impressive entrance doors, the courtyard with its large marble basin, the delicacy of zelliges and gebs (hand-carved plaster), the majesty of the marble columns, and the intricacy of the carved wood. After a restoration that began in 2017, the Ben Youssef Medersa was reopened to the public in April 2022. The Badi Palace The ruins of this immense palace immerse you in an almost dreamlike atmosphere. This site owes its existence to Sultan Saadian Ahmed el Mansour once again. It dates back to the late 16th century and was built to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese army during the Battle of the Three Kings, which ended Portugal's attempts to conquer Morocco. "El Badii" means "the incomparable." The sumptuous palace was stripped entirely some decades later, to decorate another palace. Nonetheless, its majesty remains. The former water features on the vast esplanade are now adorned with orange trees, and a large basin crosses the square's width. Don't miss the opportunity to visit a small space (for just an additional 10 dirhams) that houses the minbar of the Koutoubia, the preacher's pulpit used by the imam during prayers. It was crafted in Cordoba, Spain, before being brought to Marrakech. It is an exceptional piece of Arab-Andalusian art with around a thousand elements of carved cedar, inlaid with silver, and adorned with marquetry in sandalwood and ebony. Today, the Badi Palace is known for two things: the storks that reside there and the festivals it hosts, including the Marrakech du Rire, organized by the Franco-Moroccan comedian Jamel Debbouze. Al-Bahia Palace The Al-Bahia Palace (meaning "the Brilliant" in Arabic) was erected at the end of the 19th century within the medina's walls, by the grand vizier of Sultan Hassan I, Sidi Moussa, a former slave who became a prominent figure in the Morocco of the time. Completed in 1867, this palace was extensively expanded and embellished from 1894 to 1900 by his son and successor, Ahmed ben Moussa, to house his four wives and twenty-four concubines. Impressive in size, it covers two hectares and comprises 150 richly decorated rooms crafted by the finest artisans, as well as an 8,000 square meter garden! After Ahmed ben Moussa's death in 1900, others were captivated by the beauty of the place. King Hassan II eventually entrusted its custody to the Ministry of Culture. As a result, only part of the building became accessible to the public. Majorelle Garden This garden is now over 100 years old! It was created in 1922 by the French painter Jacques Majorelle, who established his studio there. The building, still standing amidst the lush vegetation and adorned in the famous Majorelle blue,
As the country's top tourist destination, Marrakech offers a wide array of hotels and resorts. However, resorts exclusively for adults are quite rare. JAAL Riad Resort provides this option, located in the heart of the city. Our Adults Only establishment is situated in the center of Marrakech, allowing you to fully immerse yourself in the vibrant city. It combines Oriental accents with modernity and comfort, offering all the amenities for a serene stay. The resort features cozy rooms and suites, a swimming pool, five restaurants, a rooftop area, a spa, a concept store, and an art gallery. It even offers creative workshops to enhance your experience.
Marrakech does not lack places of all kinds of restaurants, from popular nighttime restaurants in Jemaâ El Fna square to Michelin-starred chefs, not to mention bistronomic eateries. The city's specialty? The Marrakchi Tanjia. You will also find Moroccan, French, Italian, Japanese, and other Asian cuisines, as well as fusion dishes. At JAAL Riad Resort, we offer you three completely different restaurants that serve both Moroccan and oriental dishes, as well as those from distant lands. L’Atelier presents an exceptional breakfast with viennoiseries, cold cuts, cheeses, or eggs workshops. For lunch and dinner, its buffet turns into a world tour of flavors, offering dishes inspired by Thai, Peruvian, Indian, and Lebanese cuisines. Le O2, the pool bar and restaurant, opens onto the pool and gardens of the Resort for a refreshing and relaxing break under the Marrakech sun. From 12:30 pm to 6 pm, it offers drinks and a summery and light menu. The Cat welcomes guests for lunch and dinner. It invites you to discover modern oriental dishes. In the evening, this lounge restaurant comes to life and offers a festive atmosphere.
The tourist capital of Morocco, Marrakech, offers so much to do and see that it's difficult to suggest a minimum number of days to visit. This city presents many facets. Which facet would you like to discover? It is generally recommended to start with a few days and come back later. This is the option chosen by many visitors. Spending five days to a week for a first stay allows you to familiarize yourself with Marrakech, do some cultural visits, and enjoy Marrakech evenings. This seems to be a reasonable duration. Then, you can plan another trip to explore in more depth what interested you most during your first stay.
You can rent a car, with or without a driver, but traffic in Marrakech can be unique due to the multitude of two-wheeled vehicles. One important thing to know: two-wheeled vehicles overtake on the right! Taxis are abundant throughout the city, but haggling over the fare is common. The easiest option is to call the "Taxi vert" operator, which adds 10 dirhams during the day and 15 dirhams at night to the amount shown on the meter. Alternatively, you can use taxi or ride-hailing apps like Heetch and Roby, which are available in Marrakech.