I had spent the day before exploring the seaside towns of Casablanca and Rabat.
Today, I would be exploring the desert outpost known as Marrakech.
Review: Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour Of Marrakech From Casablanca (Casablanca, Morocco)
Editor’s Note: This post is part of my ongoing Africa Travel Series and my European Travel Series, click here for more posts on all things Europe, and click here for all things Africa.
The sunrise drive to Marrakech
The City Of Marrakech
The former imperial city of Marrakech lies on the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and is considered a gateway to the Sahara Desert.
The area where Marrakech stands today is believed to have been continuously inhabited by Berbers for over 10,000 years.
Today, Marrakech is the fourth-largest city in Morocco and one of its premier tourist destinations.
About The Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour Of Marrakech From Casablanca
The tour I chose was the “Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour Of Marrakech From Casablanca” due to the solid itinerary, last-minute availability and the relatively affordable pricing.
The tour guide picked my up at 6:00 am sharp from my hotel, the Hyatt Regency Casablanca, and escorted me outside where the van and driver were waiting.
The van was a newer model vehicle, with a clean interior, excellent A/C and some bottled water. That was great, because the drive to Marrakech was 3 hours there – and 3 hours back.
Stop #1: Jami’ al-Kutubiyah
After a long and scenic morning drive to Marrakech, the first stop was Jami’ al-Kutubiyah.
The mosque, the largest in Marrakech, was founded in 1147 A.D. and completed in 1158 A.D. It is believed to be the inspiration for other famous Moroccan mosques, including the Hassan Tower in Rabat.
The visitation here was limited to the outside-only view from the garden.
The minaret of Jami’ al-Kutubiyah
Stop #2: Bahia Palace
The next, stop was the Bahia Palace, constructed in the late 19th century as a residence for the ruler’s harem and concubines.
The palace is said to owe its detailed quality craftsmanship to journeyman workers brought in from the city of Fes.
Stop #3: Saadien’s Tombs
Saadien’s Tombs was the third tour stop.
Although it is not known who initially built this necropolis, it is known this is the final resting place for Ahmad al-Mansur (and his family), one of the most important leaders in Moroccan history.
Tour groups waiting to enter the tombs
Moulay el Yazid Mosque
The burial chamber of Ahmad al-Mansur
The tomb of Ahmad al-Mansur
FHOP Tip: When viewing the tomb of Ahmad al-Mansur, be sure to lean in and “look up” to see the hidden golden ceiling.
Look up!
Lunch At Limon Cafe & Restaurant
We had lunch at the delightful Limoni Cafe & Restaurant, where we tried the Moroccan specialty “chicken tagine” dish.
Stop #4: The Medina Of Marrakech
After a delicious lunch, we continued on to the next stop, a walk-through of the Medina of Marrakech (a UNESCO World Heritage site).
The Colorful (And Unique) Doors Of The Medina
An Example Of A Typical Riad
Walking The Medina Streets
The Souks Of The Medina (Shops)
Stop #5: Jama El f’na Market
Finally, we made our way out of labyrinth of souks [and tourist traps] to the main square, the Jama El f’na Market.
Billed in the tour description as a place to “meet soothsayers, snake charmers, and storytellers, and then watch performing monkeys, magicians, dancers, and musicians”, the square was just “opening-up” during the afternoon as the tour guide informed us it really came alive at night.
Stop #6: Musée Berbère Jardin Majorelle
The final stop was the Musée Berbère Jardin Majorelle.
The property houses the Berber Art Museum, the gardens (created by Jaques Majorelle), and the Yves Saint Laurent Memorial.
It is a popular place for tourists and locals alike, and is the perfect place for a nice relaxing morning or afternoon stroll.
The Yves Saint Laurent memorial
The Return To Casablanca
With that, we set in for the 3 hour drive through the desert back to Casablanca.
The Bottom-Line Review: Full-Day Guided Sightseeing Tour Of Marrakech From Casablanca (Casablanca, Morocco)
I was really impressed with Marrakech. It was nothing like what I expected it to be, but just as “magical” as everybody said it was.
It was at both clean and modern, as well as storied and ancient. The sites on the tour felt truly worthwhile and authentically Moroccan, with a well-organized itinerary that didn’t feel rushed.
I could have done without the tourist traps in the souks (“I know a friend who owns a store, he’ll give you a good deal”), but that’s part of the tour game. Aside from that, our tour guide and driver were friendly and informative and left us a lot of time to explore on our own.
If I ever return to Morocco, Marrakech will be my first stop.
Final Review: Highly Recommended! Just bring a nice little head pillow for the 3 hour drive to and from Casablanca.
Cheers!
