Marrakech Morocco | The Ultimate 48 Hours Or A Weekend In Marrakech

Shopping in Marrakech Medina | www.rtwgirl.com

Are you headed to Marrakech soon? Last fall I was there for 2 days before we went and explored more of Morocco. I wanted to share our itinerary as it’s a perfect weekend guide to the city. I am sure we could have squeezed more things in but alas this is what we did and I know in my heart I will return to Marrakech.

Marrakech Day 1

Check into our riad, Riad Nesma

Riad Nesma
All of the details! So gorgeous!
Riad Nesma
Where we had our mint tea welcome

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48 hours in Marrakech Morocco - A 2 Day Itinerary

Walk to Place Jemaa El Fna

  • Place Jemaa El Fna is the center of the Medina in Marrakech. Here you can find vendors selling food and snacks. It is mellow in the day and at night it goes full on! Definitely go back at both times.
  • I loved the juice stalls!! So cheap and fresh! I didn’t try any of the food at the stalls but I would recommend doing some research first

Exploring Medina
Walking from our riad to Place Jemaa El Fna
Daytime in Place Jemaa El Fna

So mellow in the day!

 

 

 

 

 

 

Koutoubia Mosque 

The Koutoubia Mosque is the biggest mosque in Marrakech. It's a bit close to Place Jemaa El Fna so I wandered over there to shoot a photo.

Koutoubia Mosque

Shopping (of course!)

Shopping was a huge activity during our stay in Marrakech. My sister in law bought other things for the home but my main focus was on getting a carpet/blanket, caftans, and slippers.

Shopping
Golden vibes in the lamp shop
Shopping in Marrakech Medina
Shopping in the souk
Lunch at Cafe Des Espices

Cafe Des Espices is part of the group of eateries that includes Nomad and Le Jardin. While we didn't have time for Le Jardin, we did get to go to Nomad (see below). I don't remember what we ordered but the food on the menu was a mix of Moroccan and international specialties so everyone in my group was happy!

Lunch at Cafe Des Espices in Marrakech

Medina View from Cafe Des Espices in Marrakech

The view from the top of Cafe Des Espices is great

Marrakech Museum

I broke off and separated from my brother and sister in law. They kept shopping and I wanted to just explore and shoot photos. I got lost in the Medina and stumbled across the Marrakech Museum. Definitely worth the small entry fee.

Marrakech Museum
Marrakech Museum

> After wandering around, I headed back to our riad to chill out before dinner.

Dinner at Nomad

I had done a lot of research prior to arriving in Morocco and one of the restaurants that had rave reviews was Nomad. I emailed them quite far in advance and made a reservation for the three of us. We got seated on the roof and so we got to hear the call to prayer and see the sunset.

The funny thing was while I was in Marrakech I ate predominantly vegetarian. I think it's because I had been in Spain for weeks and not eating many vegetables and a lot of jamon. It was refreshing and delicious!

Nomad Dinner - Marrakech

Nomad Dinner

This dish with lentils, tomatoes, beets, and goat cheese was amazing

Nomad dinner Marrakech

Everything was delicious

Walk around Place Jemaa El Fna

After dinner, we headed back towards Place Jemaa El Fna since it is on the way back to our riad. At night the vibe is so different and it is soooo alive. Vendors are selling juice and food. The snake charmers are out. Entertainers are playing drums and singing. If you do watch the snake charmers and film them, be warned they will ask for a tip.

Place Jemaa El Fna in Marrakech
The man in blue was the snake charmer
Marrakech Juice Stall | www.rtwgirl.com
I drank so much fresh juice while I was in Morocco

Marrakech Day 2 

Breakfast at Riad Nesma

Most riads will have a complimentary breakfast included with your stay. You don't get to order anything but food will come and it's mostly pastries with coffee/tea and juice.

Breakfast at Nesma
Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace was once a palace and is now more of a museum and garden. It was just around the corner from Riad Nesma so I headed here quickly to take some photos. Even though it's popular and there were many tourists visiting, I found moments of solitude throughout.

Bahia Palace - Marrakech

Bahia Palace

Jewish Quarter or mellah

Not far from our riad was the Jewish Quarter or mellah so after visiting the Bahia Palace, my brother, sister in law and I wandered around and shopped of course. I ended up finding a shop where I bought caftans and babouche slippers.

Exploring Marrakech Mellah
Walking towards the mellah
Shopping in Marrakech Medina
Shopping in the Jewish Quarter
Carpet Shopping in Marrakech Medina
Get your barter skills up! It can be a lot of work to haggle for things but I'm pretty good at it.
Synagogue Lazama

While walking around the Jewish quarter we stumbled across this synagogue. You can pay a small entry fee to enter.

Synagogue Lazama

Synagogue Lazama in Marrakech
Inside Synagogue Lazama
Synagogue Lazama
I couldn't help selfie against all the beautiful walls and tiles
Lunch at Kosybar

Right before the entrance to the mellah, we found a little plaza with shops and restaurants and cafes. Among them was Kozybar. I found some reviews online and we decided to give it a go. I was on my non-meat kick so I ordered a trio of salads. My brother ordered a grilled plate.

Kosybar Marrakech

Kosybar Marrakech

You will hear the call to prayer several times a day while you are in Morocco

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Jardin Majorelle

After exploring the mellah and then dropping our things off at our riad, we took a taxi to Jardin Majorelle. A visit here is a must. It's a botanical garden which was bought by Yves Saint Laurent and his partner in the 80s and also now houses the Islamic Art Museum of Marrakech.

Jardin Majorelle Marrakech

Jardin Majorelle Marrakech
Dinner at Zwin Zwin Cafe

We found this little cafe called Zwin Zwin Cafe (now shuttered) near our riad. It is super cute and has 3 floors and a rooftop terrace. We sat on the top and it was a bit windy but we all enjoyed the food, music, and vibe. My brother and I actually arrived the night before my sister in law and came here and they were playing 90s hip hop. I was in heaven. The menu was a mix of Moroccan and international dishes so again we ordered a mix of everything.

Zwin Zwin Cafe

A dish I can't remember anymore (sorry!) But I did order a caramel apple pastilla but the photo was too dark.

Place Jemaa El Fna 

We came back here again to people watch after dinner since it was en route back to our riad. We ordered juices and just wandered around. For a shot from above, head to Cafe Glacier's balcony. You will have to buy something to eat or drink but it's worth it IMO.

Place Jemaa El Fna

Breakfast at Riad Nesma

Breakfast at the riad before we packed up and headed to our next destination. :(

Riad Nesma petit dejeuner

2 days is definitely not enough for me but for some, it is just enough. I love the hustle and bustle of bigger cities so Marrakech was amazing. I have a bunch of friends who were not fans but I always feel like you don't know how you feel about a place unless you go there yourself!

Have you been to Marrakech? Any tips or suggestions?

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