Travel Advice

24 hours in Marrakech

How best to spend 24 hours in Marrakech in this handy city guide.
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24 hours in Marrakech

Our top tips for how best to spend 24 hours in Marrakech

Now that you’ve booked your mountain bike tour in Morocco with us you need to plan your travel to Marrakech, the start point of your adventure, on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains.

We recommend you arrive at least one day before your adventure begins to allow for any travel or luggage delays. It’s also good to acclimatise to local time and recover from your journey before you start turning the pedals.

To help you make the most of your extra time in Marrakech, we’ve created this handy city guide to help you get the most out of your 24 hours in Marrakech.

Morning

If you’ve stayed in one of Marrakech’s many beautiful Riads, you may be able to enjoy breakfast on the roof terrace, admiring the view over the city skyline. Breakfast will probably be the local delicacy msemmen (Moroccan pancakes), best enjoyed whilst soaking up the sun!

No trip to Marrakech would be complete without a hammam. An experience of these Turkish baths will leave you feeling relaxed and cleaner than clean – the perfect start to your time in Morocco.

Afternoon

After your hammam, pay a visit to the Tombeaux Saadiens, and Palais Bahia to learn a bit about the history of the city.

Marrakech has been influenced by many cultures so immerse yourself in the rich history and vibrant architecture. Take a wander through the seemingly never-ending souks and medina, search out the Koutoubia Mosque (you can’t miss the towering minaret, especially when the prayer call rings out!).

If all the walking around is working up a thirst it’s time to get aquatinted with the Moroccan mint tea you’ll be seeing a lot of. Find where the locals are and soak up the bustling Marrakech street life. If you fancy giving the feet a rest then why not hop on a horse and carriage for a slightly faster paced tour of the city!

Evening

With night falling and the sun beginning to set we’d recommend heading back to Jemaa El-Fnaa square, it really starts to come alive when it gets dark. Food stalls are carted out and transform the square into a hive of sounds, sights, and smells.

Take in the vibrant atmosphere and sample some of the cuisine, there’s plenty to choose from!

4 Local Phrases

‘Rally biseff’ ; To use when haggling – It’s too expensive

‘Washe katkallame nagliziya?’; Do you speak English

‘Meshi Mushkil’; It’s not a problem

‘Shukran’; Thank you

Accommodation Options

Riad Africa

Riad Luzia

Riad Atlas

Marrakech Transport Links

Taxi – Most riads will offer a shuttle service which is cost effective. It’s unlikely you’ll be able to drive to the door of the riad but you’ll be met by someone with a luggage trolley who’ll show you the way. It’s worth having some dirham to tip them for their help!

Marrakech Top Tips

  • Get your bearings. Find your way to the Jemaa El-Fnaa square and take in the landmarks before disappearing into the souks and medina!
  • Haggle! Market vendors will expect to haggle. They seem to enjoy the bargaining and banter, make sure you get a good deal and don’t feel forced into buying anything
  • Avoid the men with the monkeys and snakes in the main square. They can be quite rude and forceful when trying to get money from you
  • Keep valuables close. We have never felt threatened and have found the locals to be nothing but warm and hospitable, but petty crime like pick-pocketing is quite common, as it is in any well big cities
  • If you want to take photographs of the stalls and vendors ask first, they will probably want a tip
  • Don’t feel bad by ignoring vendors or saying no, they’ll try to lure you into their stall, but if you’re not interested just keep walking
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