Red City of Marrakesh
Officially the Kingdom of Morocco, Morocco is a remarkable country located in the Maghreb region of North Africa. Overlooking the Mediterranean Sea to the north and the Atlantic Ocean to the west, Morocco borders Algeria on the east and the disputed territory of Western Sahara to the south. The country is most known for its arid Atlas Mountains, harsh Sahara Desert and wild beaches along its azure coastline. Inhabited since the Paleolithic era over 300,000 years ago, the region is spotted with breathtaking monuments, architecture and history abound. Currently ruled by King Mohammed VI, the country gained independence in April of 1956 and maintains an official language of Arabic with most following the faith of Islam.
Known as the city of luxury, Marrakesh is the fourth largest and one of four imperial cities in Morocco. Located in the foothills west of the Atlas Mountains, the area is home to beautiful boutique hotels, intimate gardens, upscale spas and hammams, delicious restaurants and charming riads. Marrakesh is a wonderful combination of European, Middle Eastern and African culture and boasts some of the most scenic views, particularly of architecture like Ben Youssef Medersa, Bahia Palace and the Moorish minaret of 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque. If it’s traditional Moroccan goods you’re in search of, look no further than Marrakesh’s medina which dates back to the Berber Empire. This walled maze-like medieval quarter with its Djemaa el-Fna square and souks (marketplaces) is densely packed, selling an infinite amount of ceramics, spices, lanterns, textiles and jewelry that will satisfy anyone.
With two weeks of travel set aside for Turkey and Morocco, our first stop was Istanbul, where East meets West. Afterward, we flew to Cappadocia at the center of Turkey for its hot air balloons and fairy chimneys, and its fascinating Pigeon Valley, Selime Monastery, Ihlara Valley and Underground City. After a few fairytale-like days in Cappadocia, we moved to Fes, Morocco to explore Fes El Bali’s walled medina, medieval architecture, vibrant souks and old world charm, along with adventuring outside the medina walls to enjoy the true “Athens of Africa.” Our final stops landed us in the “Red City” of Marrakesh and its northern region for homemade butter, argan oil and camel rides in the Atlas Mountains.
To reach Marrakesh from Fes, we woke early to catch a long train ride through its capital city of Casa Blanca. Six and a half hours later, we arrived in the early afternoon. Note, it’s best to spend a few extra dollars for first class if you’re sensitive to temperature and scents. Another option from Fes to Marrakesh is heading through the Sahara Desert but it only seemed worth it if you have the time to stop and stay the night, enjoying a night under the stars.
Favorite places to visit in Morocco
Contents
Acquaint Yourself with Riad Melhoun & Spa
Indulge in a Traditional Moroccan Breakfast & Explore El Bahia Palace
Browse the Famous Souks of Marrakesh
Lunch at Café Des Épices & Peruse Rahba Kedima Square
Devour Moroccan Breakfast, Take Two
Delight Yourself at PERSONA Marrakech, Italian Style
Enjoy a Rooftop Spread & Wander Jardin Majorelle
Acquaint Yourself with Riad Melhoun & Spa
Grabbing a taxi from Marrakesh train station, we arrived just outside the walled medina near our stay. Once again, Google seemed to be confused at the medina but we found Riad Melhoun & Spa fairly easily, though, we were tailed by some locals trying to get us to pay for their help; best to politely decline. Upon ducking to enter through a small hidden door, the corridor opened up into a central courtyard with filtered light and a small swimming pool inspired by that of Medersa Ben Youssef, an Islamic madrasa in Marrakesh.
Resting on a plush Moroccan red sofa for check-in, we were offered iced tea and a tour of the riad to check out the hammam and open rooftop with its small pool.
Peering upward, large swathes of fabric draped across the open rooftop and intricately carved wooden balconies and ornate plaster motifs surrounded the courtyard on all sides. If I remember correctly, the space had recently been renovated to its original design intent.
Our room sat on the second level and overlooked the pool and living area below. The room was small but cozy and cute enough, complete with gorgeous tilework at the sink, carved archways over the bed and shower and a Moroccan chandelier.
The rooftop also felt like a special treat, a lush hidden desert oasis. Beautifully cared for cacti lined a small dipping pool that we’d later find out was so warm it felt like a jacuzzi.
Sun chairs were placed in pairs, complete with umbrellas, straw hats and orange linen towels.
At the center was an opening into the courtyard below, which would welcome fresh air in the evenings as temperatures cooled.
Hesitant to leave this gorgeous oasis, we sat at a hightop and ordered a few snacks: caesar salad, a fruit plate and briouat with cheese and vegetables. To drink, a virgin mojito and cold beer.
Briouat or briwat is a sweet or savory puff pasty typical in Moroccan cuisine. They are filled with meat or fish and shrimp, cheese, lemon and pepper and wrapped in a warqa (filo dough) in a triangular or cylindrical shape.
Fresh, crisp and refreshing, the meal was just what we needed. We stayed out at the pool and rested our feet in the warm water until our toes wrinkled. Later on, after settling in, we stepped out for dinner but didn’t get too far, stopping at Restaurant Jama, near our hotel.
Seated in an interior courtyard that felt more like someone’s personal garden than a restaurant and tired as could be, we selected a number of dishes: salad with tomato, onion and olive, which arrived sort of flat, on a plate but was tasty, chicken tajine and meat filled briouat.
A tajine is a North African dish named after the earthenware pot in which it’s cooked. As the food cooks inside the dish, steam rises into the cone, condenses and then falls back down into the dish creating a delicious melding of flavors. The meal was tasty but we ate quickly and hurried back, crawling into bed for the evening.
Indulge in a Traditional Moroccan Breakfast & Expore El Bahia Palace
After a full nights rest, the two of us sat for breakfast on the main patio beside the swimming pool for a traditional Moroccan breakfast. Completely spoiled, the spread was more than we expected; the table was even covered with rose petals and more food than we could finish.
To drink, we were offered fresh squeezed orange juice, traditional Moroccan mint tea and coffee with milk and honey. There were sweet treats like poppy seed cake and Moroccan pancakes called msemmen. Msemmen or rghaif, is a traditional flatbread resembling a crepe, originally from the Maghreb (western part of the Arab world), commonly found in Morocco, Algeria and Tunisia. With multiple inner layers, it’s cooked on a griddle and folded into squares, usually served with honey or a cup of aromatic mint tea or coffee.
The msemmen was delicious and delicate, a treat we’d continue to enjoy during our stay in Marrakesh. If that wasn’t enough, we were served cheese filled omelettes and tiny cups of vanilla yogurt with fruit topping, as well.
And freshly baked Moroccan white bread called khubz that paired nicely with the omelette. Khubz resembles pita bread and is the Arabic word for bread. It’s round and can be hollowed out and filled with grilled meat or other items or enjoyed alone.
On the table was strawberry and apricot jam, along with fragrant honey that paired nicely with the flakey pancakes. After breakfast, we grabbed our day packs and left the sanctuary of our riad behind us. Inside the walled city felt undisturbed and protected from the wildness just outside its barrier. These charming walled cities of Morocco endlessly captivate visitors, encourage discovery and ooze ancient architecture and historical sights. Morocco’s Imperial Cities include the four capitals of Marrakesh, Fes, Meknes and the current capital of Rabat.
The Walls of Marrakesh were first laid out in the early 12th century by the Almoravid dynasty who founded the city in 1070 CE as their new capital. The walls are a set of defensive ramparts enclosing the historic medina districts of Marrakesh. Today, we’d begin to explore outside those walls. Motor bikes whizzing by, cars beeping to squeeze through narrow streets, men standing outside smoking endlessly and vendors tacking goods for sale onto every surface possible; that was the Marrakesh we experienced. Overwhelming at times, my favorite moments were those off the beaten path, calmer and quieter, away from the hectic chaos of the busy city. And perhaps we didn’t make it to enough of those calm spaces but overall, Marrakesh wasn’t exactly what I envisioned, at times more of an assault than a celebration.
Leaving the walled city behind us, we followed the string of visitors into a local palace. At first, Bahia Palace felt unassuming, a hidden gem and special retreat lost among a dry dusty city. With each glance, discovery continued, with massive leafy trees covering much of the entry. The cost to enter was 70 DHS (Moroccan dirham) or about $7 USD.
Meaning “brilliance” in Arabic, Bahia Palace is a late 19th century palace intended to be the greatest of its time. Meant to capture the essence of Islamic and Moroccan styles, countless rooms and open air courtyards spare no expense. From floor to ceiling, each surface showcases intricate designs and breathtaking attention to detail that no doubt took craftsmen thousands of hours to complete.
The palace originated by Si Moussa in 1859, grand vizier or high official, of Alaouite Sultan Muhammad ibn Abd al-Rahman, for his personal use. It would bear the name of one of his wives and continued to expand from 1894 to 1900 by his son, Si Ba Ahmed ibn Musa (Abu Ahmed), grand vizier of Sultan Moulay Abdelaziz, as well as into the early 20th century.
As a black slave rising to power and wealth, Abu Ahmed recruited craftsmen from all over Morocco to work on the palace, especially the northern town of Fez or Fes.
Perhaps most well known for its elaborate designs, the palace is as ornate as ever. Its walls feature stucco carved with Arabic inscriptions, geometric patterns, arabesques and mugarnas. Typically features in domes and vaults, mugarnas are a form of three-dimensional decoration in Islamic architecture where rows or tiers of niche-like elements are projected over others below. Additionally, the floors are set with marble and zellij tiles, a style of mosaic tile work made from individually hand carved pieces.
Among the most famous elements of design are the painted cedar wood ceilings, covered with colorful floral patterns, as well as the carved and painted wooden canopies looming over prominent doorways. These precious materials were imported from distant corners of Morocco including marble from Meknes, cedar wood from the Middle Atlas and tile from Tetouan; each artisan was also recruited for their craft.
In total, the main palace complex covers nearly five acres. It’s comprised of a number of inner courtyards and riad gardens (interior gardens divided into four symmetrical parts), around which various rooms and chambers are arranged.
The palace also holds a hall for business and administrative purposes, school where Abu’s sons and daughters were taught, which turned into a mosque for prayer five times each day, along with Abu’s personal quarters with summer and winter rooms and a private dining space.
Four equal sized rooms were designed for his wives, representing each having equal status, and a quarter for his 24 concubines, 12 rooms with two women occupying each, along with a dining room.
At the center and part of the harem, a domestic space reserved for women of the house in a Muslim family, there is a vast courtyard with a central basin.
Over the years, the palace was added to in piecemeal with many stages and various owners, creating a haphazard configuration. Eventually, the layout became more of a labyrinth, not adhering to any specific floor plan; even a second level was added at some point.
When Morocco gained independence from France in 1956, Bahia Palace was used as a royal residence until King Hassan II transferred it to the Moroccan Ministry of Culture. The building would serve as a cultural icon and tourist attraction from then on.
Fortunate, visitors are able to experience this brilliant space. My favorite areas were the outdoor courtyards and gardens filled with dappled light, colorful flowers and stunning mosaic tiles; a true paradise within a buzzing city.
Browse the Famous Souks of Marrakesh
With my partner feeling under the weather, I went out solo to explore the markets, often the highlight for any traveler in Marrakesh. The medina quarter, Jemaa el-Fnaa, is a massive square and marketplace enjoyed by locals and visitors alike. Despite the square having no formal boundaries, it continues to be the heart of the city, serving as a meeting point and hub for entertainment, purchasing local goods and people watching.
Traditionally, an open-air market that locals rely on for essential items, a souk would have had traveling merchants pass through once a week, once a month or at other infrequent periods, typically traveling by camel or donkey with a heavy caravan. However, Marrakesh’s location in the heart of Morocco meant that many traders came through daily, creating a bustling atmosphere filled with bargains, haggling and an assault on the senses. As an important trading route, visitors arrived with goods from all over Morocco, surrounding African countries and even further.
Heading into the square, I wandered past countless vendors selling goods of all kinds. My first time strolling the streets of Marrakesh in the daylight, I stopped each time something piqued my interest, which was more than I care to admit.
Shops spilled on to the dusty streets, hanging goods on stucco walls or stacking them neatly on wood platforms. Colorful blankets and textiles draped heavy, one after another, and carved brass objects shined with brilliance. Using natural dyes, I learned that brightly colored powders were used as makeup.
Handcrafted and unique, Moroccan brass lamps had to be one of my favorite pieces. There was an endless variety and it was impossible not to admire the individual patterns carved into each one.
Resembling paper snowflakes I used to make as a kid, patterns were cut directly into the brass, creating a magical display of light from the inside out. Some were made of iron but lacked the same luster and radiance as the brass lanterns.
Buried inside the store, the owner was almost impossible to spot; he appeared tiny compared to the massive scale of many pieces. Kind and soft spoken, he talked to me about the lanterns, explaining their characteristics. Wishing I could buy every last one, I was sad to move on but had more exploring to do.
From there, I left the walled city and emerged into the main square, which honestly didn’t look like much at first glance. During daytime hours, the square mostly occupied by fruit juice stalls, those selling water with traditional water-bags and brass cups, children chained to monkeys and snake charmers (despite the protected status of these species under Moroccan law). Under the suns heat, each vendor set up their area, spreading goods across woven mats.
As the day progresses, the square becomes crowded, with Chleuh dancing boys, storytellers, magicians and pushers of traditional medicines. Into the evening, the plaza fills with dozens of food stalls offering up local treats and quick bites.
On one edge of the square sits hotels, shops, gardens and cafe terraces, with narrow streets leading into the medina quarter (old walled city). And on another edge is the Marrakesh souk, a traditional North African market catering to tourists, as well as common needs of locals.
Almost shaped to perfection, spice pyramids spilt their fragrance into the streets, urging me to enter. With towering cone shaped mounds, this spice shop had it all. A huge fan of cooking and natural beauty, visiting these kinds of shops is among my favorite while traveling.
Teas, soaps, lotions and potions; my head was spinning. Everything in its raw form, I couldn’t believe my eyes. I wanted to pick up and smell each item to identify what it might be. It was such a difference than the processed and packaged goods we find at home in the States.
As I browsed, a gentleman at the shop offered me a tiny cup of hot mint tea. What a kind gesture and one I would come to rely on throughout my visit.
One of the most interesting medicines I discovered was a tiny jar filled with clear crystals. It was menthol. I was told to dip my nose into the jar anytime I felt sick and breath in deeply to clear my nasal passage. I also grabbed amber perfume shaped as a bar which meant to rub directly onto your skin. It was a delicious and powerful aroma of vanilla, earth and musk.
Truth be told, I could’ve stayed all day, investigating each and every mound. As I’d later learn about and pick up, the shop also carried Morocco’s famous argan oil. Rich and pure, it wasn’t the kind I was used to and the price reflected that.
After sampling a delicious tajine the previous night, I was interested in the dish itself. For only 100 DHS ($10 USD), I picked up a tiny double tajine dish for spices and three small coordinating bowls in a vibrant turquoise color. The shop also had an array of serving dishes, large and small tajines, bowls, cups, leather slippers adored with jewels and embroidery and linens in bright colors.
Out of no where, I was overcome by a woman dressed in traditional Islamic clothing. She pulled my arm toward her and started chatting away. Before I knew it, I was covered with an intricate henna tattoo design, even as I kept protesting no. Atop the black dye, which looked like a puffy paint, she sprinkled glitter and then voila, she was finished and I owed her for the service. To that, I became frustrated, feeling overwhelmed. Politely declining, I ran off in a hurry, heading deeper into the market, accidentally smearing the puff paint that would end up lasting for days.
One shop I couldn’t pass up was a teeny tiny stall packed with thousands of silver pieces and a charming elderly man. There were all kinds of jewelry, bowls and cups, trays, tea sets, swords, purses and so many other trinkets. Within the silver, various stones were laid and designs patterned, creating one of a kind, vibrant, beautiful pieces.
The old man in the shop took a liking to me or maybe he just speaks to everyone the same. He went on endlessly, explaining the joys of life while I carefully chose a necklace that felt like personal. It was a lovely moment in time. Moving on, I also found a gorgeous pair of hot pink suede slippers with forest green tassels for $20 USD and two traditional Moroccan blankets, complete with gold accents and oversized tassels for 400 DHS ($40 USD).
Without warning, a tall local boy approached me. Talking quickly, I made out that he wanted to show me some fabrics and specifically, how fabrics are dyed. There was some sort of event going on and vendors from out of town had arrived to sell their goods. Curious, I engaged and followed him deeper and deeper into the market. After each turn, the market began to quiet. There were so many more shops selling items in brass and metal, shoes, wood carvings and fabrics; I couldn’t believe anyone actually ever made it this deep into the souk. And how would I find my way out?
Along the way, we chatted about how I found myself in Marrakesh, the items on display and what I might be interested in. He was pleasant and kind but all along I was wondering what his angle was. Of course, where ever we wind up, he’s likely to get a commission on what I buy but I was okay with that. It’s all part of the experience and I love chatting up locals.
Eventually, we reached the stall he had been searching for after weaving in and out of the market for some time. He introduced me to a Berber man who was very excited to show me how fabrics are dyed. He explained, first, dyes come from natural plants and insects that are ground into fine powders.
Water is then heated and the dyes are mixed in. Yarn is added into the hot water, soaked and then dipped into cold water which sets the color. Finally, the yarn is hung out like clothes on a line and dried.
Above the market corridors, large hooks hold up the yarn bundles as they dry, or they can be placed over bamboo poles. After drying in the sun, the yarn is then used to weave beautiful textiles like blankets, scarves and shawls.
The shopkeeper showed me three ways to wrap a scarf depending on the look I was going for and after so much kindness, I decided to pick up a few pieces for myself and those at home. I bought four scarves, two cashmere and two made from agave for $175 USD. Likely too much but I was pleased I got him down from $75 to around $40 USD each.
Though countless handicrafts can be found in the markets, textiles and weaving might possibly lie at the heart of true Moroccan artistry. Textile production is a very special tradition in Morocco dating back to 1500 BC when Berbers first came to North Africa bringing weaving techniques used for practical, magical and religious purposes.
During the 7th century, textiles became an essential part of the Moroccan economy and still holds true today. Berber women weave textiles in the form of shawls, blankets, rugs, tents, sacks, pillows and mats, eventually learning more specialized weaving and dyeing techniques that include various symbols, designs and motifs. These techniques have been preserved over the centuries because weaving and embroidery are a fundamental part of daily life, as well as a source of magic and power.
While visiting the shop, the boy brought me a piping hot cup of tea and then once finished, we moved on to another spice shop. By this point, I was tiring out, losing patience, but I did pick up some argan oil, both regular and orange blossom, and a rock resembling a white crystal that is used as natural deodorant.
All in all, my time in the market was incredible, though, I welcomed a moment to rest.
Lunch at Café Des Épices & Peruse Rahba Kedima Square
For lunch we hopped in the back of a tuk tuk and zipped around the markets. It was one of the best parts of our time in Marrakesh. Our driver wove in and out of narrow streets, nearly crashing into other vehicles or even buildings at times. It was a wild experience and a great way to see all the shops and markets from a different vantage point, realizing there was still so much more to see. In the end, we arrived at a cute spot called Café Des Épices Marrakech Medina on the opposite side of our hotel, even after we had driven all around the walled city.
Relieved and on empty, we sat down at the cafe looking on to the plaza bursting with vendors selling all kinds of goods. A perfect spot for people watching and with music creating a cool vibe, we ordered a delicious meal.
To start, we chose a bunch of fresh juices: Green Energy with avocado, orange and dates, a spiced lemonade with lemon, ginger, honey and sparkling water and Feeling Good with spinach, apple and cucumber. Along with our juice, we ordered harira soup and a veggie panini. Olives and dates also arrived on the table.
Harira soup is a traditional North African soup prepared in Morocco and Algeria. It’s full of chickpeas, lentils, onion, rice, tomato, egg, celery, parsley, fava beans and angel hair pasta. The panini was wrapped with aish bread (Egyptian flatbread), Moroccan salad (tomato, onion and green pepper), white beans, roasted cauliflower, tahini, mint, sweet potato and onion. The soup was pretty wonderful but the sandwich was a bit too sweet.
The market in the plaza was a nice surprise. After eating, we roamed the area to see what was available. Women sat at the center of hundreds of pieces, buried amongst their own goods. They displayed woven items like bags, hats, baskets, placemats and other useful shapes.
Mounds of African spices like harissa, cumin, paprika, ginger and cinnamon towered above their plastic bins in rich vibrant colors, oozing scents of deliciousness.
Dried herbs and gourds hung in bunches from stalls like bouquets, while inside, glass jars were filled with spices, flowers, beans, nuts and salts.
Soaps, teas and colorful dyes meant for makeup spread across each market front, spilling over the edges of woven baskets. If only I knew what to do with all these items.
Some were unknown but I found a small set of traditional spices for my kitchen at home.
One vendor had the cutest lizard; his sticky little feet moving one step at a time, slowly and intentionally across our hands as we held him.
There were also a few sweet turtles on display.
Devour Moroccan Breakfast, Take Two
Another morning with a delicious spread, a traditional Moroccan breakfast but with a bit more chocolate this time. Breakfast included a variety of fruit jams, crepes, rich chocolate spread and chocolate pudding.
Fresh fruit, orange juice and coffee with milk and honey were also part of our incredible meal.
Along with msemmen, a traditional flatbread, freshly baked breads and poppy seed cake.
This time, in a remarkable display, we were served Moroccan mint tea, also known as Algerian mint tea and Maghrebi mint tea. A tradition in the Greater Maghreb region, the tea is a North African gunpowder green tea with spearmint leaves and sugar. Pouring of the tea is done at a height with scalding hot tea. Serving Moroccan mint tea is a gesture of respect and camaraderie meant not only to aerate the tea but also to demonstrate the server's skill and dedication to guests.
And enjoy ourselves we did; breakfast was such a wonderful ritual each morning and this was no exception. After finishing up, we made our way into the Atlas Mountains with a local tour guide in search of homemade butter, (more) argan oil and camel rides.
Delight Yourself at PERSONA Marrakech
Our evening was spent in the Gueliz and Ville Nouvelle area at PERSONA Marrakech, which has sadly been temporarily closed since. This modern Italian inspired Mediterranean restaurant was one of the best I’ve had. Moody and well designed, the energy of the space was sexy and stylish, like a secret only a few guests were lucky to know about.
To start, I ordered the Not Tonight cocktail with cucumber, lime, pineapple and basil, while my partner got a Persona Mule with ginger beer, lime, mint and tarragon.
The appetizers were absolutely out of this world. The first, gorgonzola, honey and pear, second, Italian ham (prosciutto) and last, goat cheese and figs. The ingredients were unique, fresh and full of flavor, nutty and creamy, rich and buttery, sweet and savory.
A crisp green summer salad, along with sea bream carpaccio was next. Light and bright, the sea bream was truly mouthwatering and nothing pleases me more than raw veggies.
For main dishes, it had to be pasta. The two we selected were the fettuccine alla carbonara and ravioli ricotta in a tomato basil sauce. Each dish was better than the last, and a matcha latte to finish.
Enjoy a Rooftop Spread & Wander Jardin Majorelle
Another delicious breakfast was up but this time, on the rooftop enjoying the morning light. Hot coffee with milk and honey was paired with a decadent slice of chocolate cake.
Fresh fruit, orange juice, vanilla yogurt and jams started off the meal just right.
Dishes arrived at the table, one after another, impressing us and egging on our hunger.
Fried eggs, Moroccan style pancakes and freshly baked breads were added into the mix.
It was another picture perfect Moroccan style breakfast, one I’d miss dearly.
Our final destination in Marrakesh was a gorgeous labyrinth of exotic plants and trees found at Majorelle Garden. The ten acres of land are also home to Café Majorelle, Boutique and museum, Pierre Bergé Museum of Berber Arts. Designed as both a sanctuary and laboratory by French painter, Jacques Majorelle, beginning in 1922, it took over forty years for the complex to come to fruition. Surrounded by walls and filled with intersecting alleys, intertwining levels and Moorish Art Deco buildings, the gardens were first opened to the public in 1947 but became abandoned after Jacques’ death in 1962. In 1980, Yves Saint Laurent and partner, Pierre Bergé, bought the gardens to save them from destruction, deciding to live in Jacques Majorelle’s villa, renamed Villa Oasis.
In 1923, Majorelle had decided to put down roots in Marrakesh and bought a four acre palm grove on the edge of the medina. Planted with poplars, which gave his home its original name of Bou Saf Saf meaning "the poplars" in Arabic, the lands first dwelling was Moorish in style, with a traditional adobe tower. It wasn’t until 1931, after Majorelle had extended the plot to almost 10 acres, that he hired French architect, Paul Sinoir, to design a studio and villa in the Art Deco style.
The gardens contain an impressive 300 plant species from five continents, mostly collected by Jacques Majorelle over several decades of world travel, while at its heart lies Majorelle's electric-blue Art Deco studio, home to Musée Berbère, which showcases a rich view of Morocco's indigenous inhabitants through some 600 artifacts.
One of the most popular spots in the garden is the memorial of Yves Saint Laurent. Set along the rear wall, opposite the garden entrance, the memorial displays an ancient Roman pillar, one that Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé found on a beach in Tangier. Bergé, who was Yves Saint Laurent’s business partner and life partner was added to the memorial after his death in Provence, France.
“For many years, I have found the Majorelle garden an inexhaustible source of inspiration and I have often dreamed of its unique colors.”
In recent years, the gardens have become incredibly well liked and now rank as one of Morocco’s most popular attractions with nearly 900,000 visitors each year. To increase space for guests, the YSL Foundation expanded the gardens in 2018 by opening up the Villa Oasis where Bergé lived until his death in 2017.
Far from the peaceful retreat they used to be, the gardens are still enchanting and worth a visit, just make sure to arrive early and buy your tickets online in advance. And remember to keep patient as you explore the grounds. There will likely be an abundance of visitors but the experience is worth the wait.
With that, our two week adventure dipping into West Asia and Africa (for the first time) came to a close. Morocco itself had to be one of the most wildly diverse countries I’ve ever visited and don’t even get me started on the souvenirs. There were so many I couldn’t pass up, we filled an entire suitcase with blankets, rugs, lamps, jewelry, slippers, leather jackets, poufs, ceramic tiles, dishes, argan oil, spices and so much more.
The "Red City" of Marrakesh is a wonderful mix of European, Middle Eastern and African culture. Set in the foothills west of the Atlas Mountains, the city home to beautiful boutique hotels, intimate gardens, upscale spas and hammams, delicious restaurants and charming riads.