Marrakech City Discovery
Marrakech, Morocco
Culture shock rating
Worried we’re going to shock your senses? Relax! We believe part of the fun of travel is immersing yourself in the destination and its culture, meeting the people, and learning what makes the place tick. We’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The cultural shock rating ranks how different the experience is from most Western cultures. But no matter the level, don’t worry, you’ll have a local, in-the-know guide with you every step of the way.
Low
Consider these tours your 101 intro to a place. Transportation might be private or a very comfortable public option, and the activities are usually visits to iconic sites and locations that are familiar to most Western cultures – but that will still give you fantastic insight into a destination.
Medium
Expect to rough it for parts of this tour, whether that’s on a packed public bus or in a local market off the tourist trail. There might be a few language barriers or unfamiliar cultural customs, and you’ll get an experience different from what you're used to at home.
High
You're out there in the global community! We’re going to take you down streets you’d rarely explore on your own, introduce you to local customs and languages, and take you for a ride in whatever transport is available. Get ready to take it as it comes, whatever comes. There might be a shock, but oh man, it’s worth it.
Physical rating
Worried our tours are too tough? Relax! From leisurely strolls to muscle-burning treks, we’ve got a wide range of tours with something for everybody. The physical grading gives you an idea of how much huffing and puffing you can expect on the tour.
Low
Slow and steady is all you need here. These tours have very limited physical activity, such as walking relatively flat streets, sites, or markets, and climbing in and out of the transport provided.
Medium
Not too hard, not too soft, these tours are just right! You can expect a bit of physical activity, but nothing overly challenging – perhaps walking up and down hills, riding a bike for up to 30 kilometers along mostly flat terrain, or jumping in a kayak for a gentle paddle on flat water.
High
Get ready for a workout! These tours are our most challenging and involve intense walking, hiking, kayaking, swimming, or bike riding. You could be making steep climbs by foot or pedal, or working your core in the water. We recommend you have a good level of fitness to join this tour.
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Tour snapshot
Beyond the crowded streets and kamikaze traffic, Marrakech holds many timeless treasures. A local guide will open the doors to this elusive city on this Marrakech tour for those of us who know our Arabic language skills and map reading abilities have limits!
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Highlights
- Tour Marrakech medina life as it has been for hundreds of years
- Explore the new side of town with its classy bars and restaurants
- Visit the city gates and discover a breath-taking palace
- Wander through museums and the Kotoubia Mosque
- Enjoy a traditional Moroccan lunch
- Visit a legendary World Heritage site - Djemaa El-Fna Square
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Schedule details
- Duration: 8 hours
- Pickup location:
Hotel Caspien 12, rue Loubnane Gueliz.
- Find the exact meeting point with what3words:
- Pickup time: 9.00 AM
- Drop off location:
Djemaa El-Fna Square.
Language: English
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fees to Maison Tiskiwin, Palais De Bahia, the Photography Museum, lunch, local bus ticket.
Exclusions: Tips / gratuities for your guide, items of a personal nature.
Marrakech is a bustling, busy, and breathtaking city, and there are so many things to do in Marrakech that it can be really difficult to know where to start. To make the most of your time in this Moroccan gem, you could use a local to guide to show you around and make sure you don’t miss those hidden hotspots and Marrakech marvels. Luckily, that’s exactly what our Marrakech City Discovery tour is all about!
You’ll kick off this Marrakech tour in Gueliz, a section of the city that is a far cry from the old-world feel of the medina. Here, you’ll be transported into modern Marrakech, the stylish, fresh, and trendy side of the city filled with upmarket stores and swish bars and restaurants. You’ll take a trip to the Theatre Royal and into Jnane El Harti Park, a beautiful park filled with trees to create shady spots for those scorching Moroccan days. Mesmerised by the allure of the infamous medina, very few people visit this part of the city, so make the most of exploring it with a local!
Next, you’ll visit Marche Municipal via the ever-changing Place du 16 Novembre. Immerse yourself in the activity of Marche Municipal, a street that epitomises local life. With a seemingly endless number of stalls selling anything from traditional Moroccan tajines, to delicious snacks or the finest of local handicrafts, it’s a bit of a sensory overload, but we’re sure you’ll manage. From there, we’ll enjoy an atmospheric walk as we make our way to another local treasure – a local craft project where you can watch locals handcraft items that have been an authentic part of Moroccan life for generations.
Moving right along! You’ll be taken to two very famous spots that are essential to any tour of Marrakech. The first is a city icon and its largest minaret, Koutoubia Mosque, a 77-foot masterpiece that dates way back to the 12th century and is known for its beautiful ornate spires and orbs. The second is Djemaa El-Fna, Marrakech’s legendary open square, where you’ll grab a bite to eat at a local café and look out over this hive of activity, a must-do for all visitors who travel to Marrakech.
Fully fuelled and raring to go after lunch, we’ll wander down the vibrant Rue Riad Zitoun El Kedim on our way to the famed Maison Tiskiwin. This fascinating museum is set in a traditional Moroccan riad, and houses handicrafts and authentic artefacts from all over the country, from the northernmost tip down to the heart of the Sahara.
After this, it’s onwards to the Palais de Bahia, one of the most grand and ornate buildings in Marrakech. Originally built for a sultan and his many wives and concubines, this palace is a rabbit hole of rooms and courtyards, and here your local guide will tell you all about the rags to riches legends that happened within these walls.
Your next stop on this Marrakech tour is the Photography Museum, where you can discover photos of Marrakech taken from 1870 to 1950, showing you how the city has become what it is today. The pictures on display change regularly, as the museum actually owns a collection of over 4,500 photos, making it an ever-changing testament to the history of Marrakech.
Full to the brim with history and cultural experiences, we’ll return to Djemaa El-Fna Square where your whistle stop tour of the city will come to an atmospheric close. Your local guide will be able to give you directions back to your hotel, or you can continue exploring Marrakech, if you have anything left to see after this tour, that is!
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Additional information
Inclusions: Local English speaking guide, entrance fees to Maison Tiskiwin, Palais De Bahia, the Photography Museum, lunch, local bus ticket.
Exclusions: Tips / gratuities for your guide, items of a personal nature.
Dress standard: Morocco is considered by many to be a liberal Muslim country. Many Moroccan women do not wear headscarves, for example, but you may find that Morocco is very conservative compared to what you’re used to at home, so you should dress accordingly. As a general guideline your shoulders, chest, and knees should be covered at all times. Wearing shorts (men or women), low-cut tops, and showing midriff is not recommended as it will restrict your entry into buildings of a religious nature and family homes. Covering these parts of your body will be considered as respectful amongst the locals. Lightweight sleeved shirts, trousers and skirts are respectful, cover your body, and keep you cool in the heat.
Your Trip: Maximum group size is 12.
Confirmation of booking: Please contact Marrakech Urban Adventures 24 hours prior to departure to confirm your trip.
Child Policy: Children must be between 6 and 11 years of age inclusively. Children below the age of 6 are not permitted on this day tour in Marrakech.
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Local contact
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