If you fancy a short city break in the sun, then Marrakech should definitely make your shortlist. It’s not so much a city as an overload for the senses. It’s where mint tea is a ritual, every tile is a design moment, and the air smells like rose petals, petrol and possibility. For the seasoned traveller, Marrakech is equal parts magic and mayhem.
If you’re a keen shopper and not afraid to haggle, then the glittering maze of stalls in the Medina is a place to flex your bargaining muscles. You’ll go in looking for a scarf and come out with spices, lanterns, and no idea why you thought you really, really needed to buy a camel saddle stool.
For something more curated, Tissir Jewellery is a must — exquisite Berber and North African pieces that look fabulous with linen trousers and scream haute boho global citizen.
For skincare that smells like a desert sunrise, pop into Herbalism Marrakech, where white-coated herbalists will explain the virtues of argan oil and mysterious black soap while you nod seriously and buy three of each.
Speaking of black soap — no trip is complete without a hammam. Yes, you will be scrubbed within an inch of your dignity, but the glow is real. As is the discovery that you’re rather more grubby that you realised. Try Hammam Rosa Bonheur for vintage glam, Isis Spa for quiet luxe, or Alpheus Spa if you like your exfoliation with a hint of minimalism. You’ll leave lighter, brighter, and wondering why you ever paid £70 for a facial that didn’t come with a steam room and a powerful masseuse with the forearms of an MMA fighter.
Rooftop dining is practically mandatory in Marrakech. From elegant Aizar and the stylishly global TheMix, to La Terrasse de la Brillante (equal parts terrace and self-esteem boost), there’s no shortage of spots where the view is as good as the food. If tagine fatigue sets in, Pointbar offers top-tier burgers and pasta, while Fluffy at the Medina Mall serves crepes, tacos and the joyfully absurd Le Fluffy Burger — which somehow tastes better when ordered in GCSE-level French. Unlike Paris, the Moroccan approach to tourist French is wonderfully unjudgemental and you’ll be encouraged even if your restaurant requests are delivered with some trepidation and a Doric growl.
Want to take the flavours home? Join a cookery class at Faim d’Epices. You’ll shop in a local market, then escape to a kitchen in the countryside for a hands-on masterclass in spice and charm. Plus, someone else does the washing up.
Marrakech isn’t just lanterns and lounging. The city’s cultural treasures are unmissable. Musée Yves Saint Laurent offers a chic homage to the designer’s deep Moroccan love affair. Nearby, Jardin Majorelle — all cobalt blues and tropical cool — is Insta-heaven. Wander the lavish Bahia Palace, and don’t miss the old medina’s faded grandeur, where history clings to the walls like jasmine in the air.
When you need a break from the buzz, day trips abound. Head to the Atlas Mountains for Berber villages and crisp air, or marvel at the Ouzoud Waterfalls, where rainbows regularly show up uninvited. If you’re feeling adventurous, or in the midst of a mid-life crisis, try sandboarding in the dunes. It’s like snowboarding — only warmer when you fall over, and the après-ski is mint tea under the stars.
Marrakech is a glorious contradiction: ancient yet modern, serene yet chaotic, dusty yet dazzling. You’ll return with glowing skin, the determination to replant the garden and paint the house blue, and a suitcase full of bartered bargains.
