48 Hours to Fall Under the Spell of Marrakech
Founded nearly a thousand years ago, Marrakech remains an essential crossroads blending history, art and creativity. Here’s how to make the most of a forty-eight-hour immersion in the heart of the vibrant red city.
Built by Amazigh warrior Youssef ben Tachfine, who designed its ingenious irrigation system from the High Atlas, Marrakech is brimming with historical treasures. The oldest quarter of the medina houses the Ali Ben Youssef medersa, while the southern section reveals the ruins of the Badi Palace, the elegant Bahia Palace and the sixteenth-century Saadian tombs.
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Beyond its rich past, the city asserts itself as a true artistic and cultural epicenter, as detailed in the guide published by The Telegraph. The famous Majorelle Garden with its ultramarine blue hues, former home of designer Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, adjoins the museum dedicated to the couturier as well as a space devoted to Berber jewelry. Further on, the modern Guéliz district concentrates excellent contemporary art galleries.
The gastronomic and nightlife scene proves equally dynamic, blending fine Moroccan cuisine from the Sahbi Sahbi restaurant with the organic fusions of Farmers. To extend the escape, an excursion of around forty minutes southward leads to the rocky Agafay desert. Its surreal landscapes, worthy of the Star Wars saga, offer a coveted setting for fireside dinners and nights in camp.
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To explore these multiple facets, spring and autumn remain the preferred seasons, thus avoiding extreme summer temperatures that can reach nearly forty-eight degrees. As for accommodation, the local offering satisfies all desires, ranging from the luxurious historic establishment La Mamounia to more intimate havens of peace such as Jnane Rumi in the palm grove or Riad L’Atelier.
