What is there to see in Marrakech?
How do I get from Marrakech airport to the city?
Visiting Marrakech for the first time is exciting and for some, a little daunting. Fortunately Marrakech is amongst the many cities worldwide where visitors can do some city sightseeing by using the hop on hop off tourist bus.
The Marrakech hop on hop off tourist bus runs two routes around the city both beginning and ending at the same spot in Güeliz..
The Monumental route covers the Ville Nouvelle and the north and south Medinas. It has 18 stops and takes 90 minutes to complete. The Romantique route heads out of the city to the vast Palmeraie. This route has 7 stops and takes 60 minutes.
Many visitors do both routes once or even twice without alighting if time allows. With commentary in several languages and frequent stops there is no better way to take in the sights, senses and smells of this exciting city before venturing off to explore on foot!
The first stop on Romantique route are the lovely Majorelle Gardens. Restored to their former glory by Yves St. Laurent and his partner, the lush cool walled gardens are a welcome relief from the crowded streets outside. From here the route heads out of the city on the road to Fez towards the extensive estate known as the Palmeraie.
The stops here include Le Tikida Garden, Issil Club and the complex Hotelier Semlalia. Its name comes from the plantation of tall swaying palms planted by the Almoravids. Over the last 10 years or so this once run down area has gradually been turned into a smart suburb of luxury hotels, golf courses and prestigious villas.
With 18 stops, the Monumental route explores Güeliz - the Ville Nouvelle district of the city with its modern tourist hotels, good quality shopping, bars, restaurants and pavement cafes. L’Hivernage is the adjacent district, created as a lush recreational area for the city’s inhabitants. Here, the Marrakech tourist bus stops at the 19th century Jardins de la Ménara with its green-tiled pavilion, cypress gardens and olive groves. Several stops on this route are ideal for sightseeing in the southern and northern medinas on foot.
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The Marrakech tourist bus stops close to the Bab Agnou one of the entrances to the Kasbah district which was once a walled citadel.
This area has many sights not to be missed and they include the 16th and 17th century Sadiaan Tomb, the ruined 16th century Palais El Badi with it’s resident storks, the charming Place des Ferblantiers in the tinsmith district and the 19th century Palais de la Bahia once a sumptuous royal palace.
The walls of the extensive Jardins de L’Agdal enclose orchards of delicious fruits and olives groves watered with ancient irrigation systems.
Beautiful 18th and 19th century wooden carvings can be seen at the Museum of Moroccan Arts located in Dar Si Said, a small 19th century palace.
Nowadays the residents of the Mellah and mainly Muslim but the architecture and layout is obviously not. Several synagogues and the cemetery can be visited.
Other stops on the Monumental route in the southern Medina include the fashionable Hotel Mamounia known for its 1920’s art deco and impressive list of clientele, that included Winston Churchill. Recommended is a look inside to see the stunning walled gardens and maybe enjoy a refreshing drink.
The 11th century Koutoubia and the Djemaa El-Fna are two popular stops within minutes of each other. The busy heart of the city comes alive at dusk with street performers, story tellers and snake charmers.
It also turns into a huge illuminated open air restaurant.
The Place de la Liberté is just outside the city walls and is the best stop for exploring the northern Medina and the outstanding Muslim architecture on offer. Through the impressive Bab Doukkla gate is the great 16th century mosque and the street continues towards the souks and the tanneries.
This is a shopaholics paradise but the area also has some superb Muslim architecture that definitely shouldn’t be missed. These buildings include the Mosque of Ben Youssef, the 16th century Medersa Ben Yousef, the Almoravid Koubba Ba’adiyin and the Marrakech Museum.
Nearby in the Place Ben Salah is the 14th century tomb of holyman Sidi Ben Salah, one of many located around the Medina. This is a very pleasant area of the medina to take a coffee and watch the world go by. From here it’s an enjoyable stroll through the souks down to the Djemaa el Fnaa.
There is no better way to get acquainted with the fabulous Red City than to be driven along the wide leafy avenues, through ancient gateways, past royal palaces and stunning monuments. When taking a
short break in the city it is one of the quickest and most comfortable ways to see all the sights. Booking.com
How do I get from Marrakech airport to the city?
Visiting Marrakech for the first time is exciting and for some, a little daunting. Fortunately Marrakech is amongst the many cities worldwide where visitors can do some city sightseeing by using the hop on hop off tourist bus.
The Marrakech hop on hop off tourist bus runs two routes around the city both beginning and ending at the same spot in Güeliz..
The Monumental route covers the Ville Nouvelle and the north and south Medinas. It has 18 stops and takes 90 minutes to complete. The Romantique route heads out of the city to the vast Palmeraie. This route has 7 stops and takes 60 minutes.
Many visitors do both routes once or even twice without alighting if time allows. With commentary in several languages and frequent stops there is no better way to take in the sights, senses and smells of this exciting city before venturing off to explore on foot!
The Romantique Tourist Bus Route
The first stop on Romantique route are the lovely Majorelle Gardens. Restored to their former glory by Yves St. Laurent and his partner, the lush cool walled gardens are a welcome relief from the crowded streets outside. From here the route heads out of the city on the road to Fez towards the extensive estate known as the Palmeraie.
The stops here include Le Tikida Garden, Issil Club and the complex Hotelier Semlalia. Its name comes from the plantation of tall swaying palms planted by the Almoravids. Over the last 10 years or so this once run down area has gradually been turned into a smart suburb of luxury hotels, golf courses and prestigious villas.
The Monumental Tourist Bus Route
With 18 stops, the Monumental route explores Güeliz - the Ville Nouvelle district of the city with its modern tourist hotels, good quality shopping, bars, restaurants and pavement cafes. L’Hivernage is the adjacent district, created as a lush recreational area for the city’s inhabitants. Here, the Marrakech tourist bus stops at the 19th century Jardins de la Ménara with its green-tiled pavilion, cypress gardens and olive groves. Several stops on this route are ideal for sightseeing in the southern and northern medinas on foot.
Booking.com
Sightseeing in the Southern Medina of Marrakech
The Marrakech tourist bus stops close to the Bab Agnou one of the entrances to the Kasbah district which was once a walled citadel.
This area has many sights not to be missed and they include the 16th and 17th century Sadiaan Tomb, the ruined 16th century Palais El Badi with it’s resident storks, the charming Place des Ferblantiers in the tinsmith district and the 19th century Palais de la Bahia once a sumptuous royal palace.
The walls of the extensive Jardins de L’Agdal enclose orchards of delicious fruits and olives groves watered with ancient irrigation systems.
Beautiful 18th and 19th century wooden carvings can be seen at the Museum of Moroccan Arts located in Dar Si Said, a small 19th century palace.
Nowadays the residents of the Mellah and mainly Muslim but the architecture and layout is obviously not. Several synagogues and the cemetery can be visited.
Other stops on the Monumental route in the southern Medina include the fashionable Hotel Mamounia known for its 1920’s art deco and impressive list of clientele, that included Winston Churchill. Recommended is a look inside to see the stunning walled gardens and maybe enjoy a refreshing drink.
The 11th century Koutoubia and the Djemaa El-Fna are two popular stops within minutes of each other. The busy heart of the city comes alive at dusk with street performers, story tellers and snake charmers.
It also turns into a huge illuminated open air restaurant.
Sightseeing in the Northern Medina of Marrakech
The Place de la Liberté is just outside the city walls and is the best stop for exploring the northern Medina and the outstanding Muslim architecture on offer. Through the impressive Bab Doukkla gate is the great 16th century mosque and the street continues towards the souks and the tanneries.
This is a shopaholics paradise but the area also has some superb Muslim architecture that definitely shouldn’t be missed. These buildings include the Mosque of Ben Youssef, the 16th century Medersa Ben Yousef, the Almoravid Koubba Ba’adiyin and the Marrakech Museum.
Nearby in the Place Ben Salah is the 14th century tomb of holyman Sidi Ben Salah, one of many located around the Medina. This is a very pleasant area of the medina to take a coffee and watch the world go by. From here it’s an enjoyable stroll through the souks down to the Djemaa el Fnaa.
Sightseeing in Marrakech on the Hop On Hop Off Tourist Bus is Relaxing and Fun
There is no better way to get acquainted with the fabulous Red City than to be driven along the wide leafy avenues, through ancient gateways, past royal palaces and stunning monuments. When taking a
short break in the city it is one of the quickest and most comfortable ways to see all the sights. Booking.com
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