Of course, keeping it real I’m gonna tell you 2 more things that you should probably swerve altogether.

Read on!

1. Stay in a riad

A riad is a traditional Moroccan style house with an interior courtyard garden. The courtyard tends to be the central feature of the property, accentuated by traditional Moroccan print tiles, plants and a fountain.

Riads tend to be available in a variety of budgets. We stayed at the Riad Andalla, a stone’s throw away from the buzz of Jemaa el-Fnaa Square. Although Riad Andalla didn’t have a large courtyard with a pool like some of the more extravagant riads, it did have a rooftop terrace overlooking the square where we could enjoy our breakfast. We also chose to have a wonderful tagine dinner there in the courtyard in the evening.

2. Visit the Jardin Majorelle

Marrakech’s top tourist attraction is this vibrant blue and yellow oasis. Designed by French artist Jacques Majorelle, the garden has a connection to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent who purchased it in 1980. There is also a cafe and Berber museum on site and in 2017 a museum dedicated to Yves Saint Laurent opened nearby.

3. Take a trip to the Atlas Mountains

During our stay in Morocco, the weather was a bit on the cool side for sunbathing so we spent much of our time exploring the city. One day we decided to book a trip to the Atlas Mountains. Travelling in a group convoy of 4x4s we stopped at a traditional Berber village, enjoyed lunch with a view and took a few selfies in the snow. Given that we thought Marrakech was going to be scorching hot, you can probably guess we weren’t as appropriately dressed as we should have been for our trip to the mountains!

4. Sample some Moroccan mint tea

Moroccans love their mint tea! Loaded with lots of fresh mint and sugar then served in traditional glasses. There’s even a knack for pouring it from the ornate teapots that it is brewed in. I developed a bit of a taste for it while I was there but as it is the country’s drink of hospitality you are sure to try it at some point during your visit.

5. Go shopping in the souks

The souks are a labyrinth of small shops just off of the main square. Here you will find a variety of goods being sold from spices and tagines to jewellery and pashminas. Haggling is expected, although I wasn’t very good at it but it’s a fun experience. Just be mindful as the souks are a bit of a maze so you can easily lose your bearings!

6. Visit Bahia Palace

Bahia Palace is a beautiful piece of architecture. It was built in the 19th century, originally commissioned by the Grand Vizier of the Sultan, Si Moussa. Sitting at 8000-sq-metre, it may be worthwhile paying for a guided tour if you are really interested, but for those on a budget entrance fee alone is a bargain.

7. Visit El Badi Palace

Much like with Bahia Palace, we made our way to El Badi Palace without booking an overpriced travel agent tour. Entrance fee at both sites is affordable. Built in the 16th century, El Badi Palace is another fine example of Moroccan culture. More ruins than palacial, El Badi is now home to nesting storks. In fact, the storks were the most memorable part for me as an animal lover!

8. Experience Jemaa el-Fnaa Square

Jemaa el-Fnaa is Marrakech’s central square. It is busy and bustling and has a completely different ambience depending on whether you visit during the day or at night. The square is home to a variety of attractions – from storytellers and circus performers to the food stalls and souvenir sellers. Just watch out for the motorbikes whizzing past and the ethically questionable snake charmers and monkey handlers.

9. Don’t be tempted by a henna tattoo

There will be people lurking in Jemaa el-Fnaa ready to give henna tattoos to anyone who wants one – and even those who don’t want one! But it’s well-known that the black henna these ladies use isn’t real henna and can cause severe skin reactions. You may also find yourself paying over the odds for one of these tattoos.

10. Give the tanneries a miss

Morocco is famous for its leather tanneries and sometimes tourists are tempted to pay them a visit. If you google “Marrakech tannery scam” you’ll find many blog posts written from first hand accounts of people hustled by fake tour guides. We didn’t bother with the tanneries but met a couple who did and found themselves locked in a rug store unable to escape until they have forked out £100 for a rug they didn’t want.

If you liked this post you might like my Sex and the City inspired Girl’s guide to Marrakesh.

The post 8 things to do in Marrakech (and 2 to avoid!) appeared first on Quirky Little Planet.

Away from the mayhem of Marrakech is one of the most visited attractions in Morocco – The Jardin Majorelle. A tranquil oasis of vibrant colour and exotic plants. It was designed in the 1920s-1930s by French artist Jacques Majorelle and was opened to the public in 1947.

The garden also has a famous connection to fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who together with his partner Pierre Berge, bought Jardin Majorelle in 1980 and lovingly restored it in order to prevent it from being turned into a hotel.

When Yves Saint Laurent passed away in 2008, his ashes were scattered in the garden and a memorial was built bearing his name.

Although I’m not much of a green-fingered type, I do love a garden! And I love colour, which Majorelle Garden has in abundance. There are stand-out pops of bold yellow and vibrant blue, known as Majorelle Blue, dotted between the lush greenery throughout the garden.

We didn’t pick the warmest time of year to visit Morocco, so after a gentle stroll spotting birds and admiring the plants and the fish in the pond, we stopped in the on-site cafe for a hot, sweet, mint tea. I actually developed a bit of an addiction to mint tea while I was in Marrakech!

I would definitely recommend a visit to the Jardin Majorelle if you want a break from the hustle and bustle of the city, and although my photos aren’t the greatest I would say that the gardens are a photographer’s or instagram addict’s dream!

The garden can be found on Rue Yves Saint Laurent and is open every day of the year.

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1. Take a leaf out of Miranda’s book – Know before you go.

It is always a wise idea to learn about a country’s customs before you visit, it’s only polite and you don’t want to cause any offense. It also helps if you can learn a little bit of the language. Remember in SATC2 Miranda says that “shukran” means “thank you”? It is also highly beneficial to know that “laa” means “no” so when you are receiving unwanted attention from henna ladies, snake charmers, souk sellers etc etc, a polite “laa shukran” should in most cases be enough to prevent you from being pressured into buying that rug that won’t even fit into your suitcase! You will also find that a little bit of French goes a long way here too, making all those gruelling hours of French lessons you sat through at school all the more worthwhile.

2. Don’t follow in Samantha’s footsteps – Cover up.

Morocco is a conservative country and women in particular should cover up when outside of their hotel. Samantha being Samantha didn’t do this and got into all sorts of trouble. While it is unlikely you’ll get arrested for flashing a bit of cleavage, you may receive some unwanted attention. Invest in some cute maxi skirts/dresses and cover your shoulders with a light scarf, if these aren’t features in your wardrobe then it makes for a good excuse to go shopping!

3. Shop like Charlotte – Just save some space in your suitcase for souvenirs!

Don’t get yourself locked away in a room with fake designer handbags quite like Charlotte did, but do spend time wandering around the souks. There are plenty of gorgeous items on offer from leather goods, argan oil beauty products, hand-made jewellery and homeware. Take a wander through this labyrinth of colour and pick yourself up a pretty bracelet or a beautiful pashmina – and don’t forget to haggle for it. If you think that the seller is trying to rip you off, then walk away, as you are likely to find the exact same item a few doors down in another shop.

4. Shun the stilettos – Only Carrie can carry them off!

If you are shopping in the souks, then it is inevitable that you will be doing alot of walking. Carrie Bradshaw may be able to run around all day in 5 inch heels, but trust me you are better off without. This also applies to any excursions you may take into the Atlas Mountains – wear closed in shoes with a bit of grip – there’s slippery mud and snow to contend with up there. You can always purchase yourself some Moroccan Babouche slippers from the souks, just like Carrie did when she left her passport behind, if you want to add a bit of Sex and the City sparkle to your feet.

5. Beware of the black henna – keep your hands to yourself.

Henna tattoos look beautiful but beware – black henna has been known to contain toxic chemicals and cause severe skin reactions so the best advice is to avoid getting one. The henna ladies are prevalent on Jemaa el Fna square throughout the day and they are persistent too! They will most likely be called Fatima and will follow you, tell you that you have beautiful eyes and they may even snatch your hand (blink and you have a tattoo – they are that quick!) or they may offer to draw you a small tattoo as a “gift” (which they will later want paying for). Just say “laa shukran” and be on your way – Fatima may be a flatterer but it just isn’t worth the risk of rashes, blisters or worse.

With its snake charmers and magic potions, Marrakech is truly a city that would only otherwise exist in a storybook. So pack your suitcase and grab your passport and make a story of your own – one that Carrie Bradshaw would be proud of!

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