The Sights and Tastes of Marrakech

1. Wander through the medina (watch out for the motorbikes!) and get lost in the souks. So many beautiful souvenirs that you can pick up here, and make sure to bargain – it is expected and a fun activity!

2. Visit the Secret Garden in the Medina (not so secret these days). The origins of the garden go back to Saadian times, but it fell into disrepair, and was resurrected in 2008. Le Jardin Secret also has a lovely café, where you can enjoy snacks and beverages and rest your legs. An oasis in the middle of the busy medina.

3. Wander through the famous Jemaa-el-Fnaa Square: Watch snake charmers, monkey tricks and African music and dance while enjoying spicy tea at Stall 71 (say Hello to Mohammed, who mans this stall), or the best fish at Stall 14, or Stall 75 for the best Harira soup (vegetarian).

4. Visit the Marjorelle Gardens, which Yves St-Laurent called home for part of his life; there is a Berber museum (warning, all labels on artifacts are in French and they do not like you using your phone inside), and an exhibition of YSL’s pencil sketches over the years.

5. Take a hike into the High Atlas mountains and experience Berber culture. Use a tour guide for this activity

6. Take a day trip to Ourzazate, or the Hollywood of Morocco: Visit the Atlas Studios and the museum, and stop to have a drink or snack at the Oscar Hotel next door

7. Experience a Hammam – There are many in the medina, and you want to make sure you know the best ones to visit for an authentic experience.

Day trips

Take a trip into the Atlas Mountains, or a trip to the Ourika waterfall to get away from the city.

1. Odette Rooftop Bar and Mezze: located in the Riad La Sultana, the rooftop bar offers stellar views of the medina and the Atlas mountains and is perfect for a sunset drink. The five spices calamari was excellent and my favorite cocktail was the Marocano. Bonus: get an aerial view of the Saadian tombs from this rooftop.

2. Le Jardin, in the heart of the medina is a great place to lunch. You cannot go wrong with any of the items on their menu.

3. Looking for something different? Try the camel burgers at The Café Clock; if you miss it in Marrakech, you can find the original restaurant in Fes.

4. Nomad: Rooftop dining at its best! Make sure you have a reservation.

5. La Maison Arabe: Not only is this riad known for its gastronomic delights, it also offers cooking classes. Reservations are recommended. Moroccan fare as well as their Gobi Manchurian (an Indo-Chinese favorite) was excellent.

6. The Story Telling Café: serves Vegan food, (and unfortunately was not open while I was there recently), and showcases Moroccan storytelling.

7. La Famille is an excellent option for vegetarians while enjoying some jazz and resting your feet after meandering through the medina.

8. Naranj, a Lebanese favorite of mine, is located south of the Jemaa el Fnaa square – enjoy falafel wraps and other staples while sipping on a virgin mojito.