00:12What's up guys we're here in Marrakesh, Morocco and in this video we're going to show you the
00:15best things to do in and around the city. We're also going to sprinkle in some travel tips to
00:20help keep you safe and have the best trip possible. So hope you enjoy the video.
00:30The bustling city of Marrakesh is located in the center of Morocco. With its vibrant colors,
00:36buzzing atmosphere, mix of tradition and modernity, and aromatic smells, it's a city like no other.
00:43Marrakesh truly stimulates all of your senses at once. In this video we'll highlight the best
00:49things to do in and around this UNESCO World Heritage City. Now let's dive in. We are Zak and Ina.
00:57We make
00:57helpful videos about destinations around the world so you can easily plan your own adventures.
01:13The Medina is the old city of Marrakesh, entirely encircled by light pink walls. It's the heart of
01:20the city, packed with shops, traditional houses called riads, restaurants, and many of the historic
01:27sites. To learn all about the Medina and the local life in Marrakesh, we recommend going on a walking
01:34tour of the city on your first day here. It's a great way to become familiar with the labyrinth of
01:39alleyways as well as the local customs. The tour also takes you to corners that you likely wouldn't
01:46be able to find yourself, such as the workshops of the Souks. Find a link to the tour that we
01:51did
01:51in the description below.
02:00One of the nice things about the city is that it's pretty compact, it's easy to get around places
02:04by walking, but you should be careful crossing the streets because even if there's a crosswalk,
02:09it's not guaranteed that these cars are going to stop for you, so wait for your moment and you should
02:13be
02:13good. Morocco in general is known for its delicious unique cuisine that you can't find anywhere else in
02:24the world. Some staples that you have to try include couscous, meat brochettes, and the most iconic dish of
02:32all, tagine, which usually includes some kind of meat like chicken, beef, or lamb that is left to simmer
02:39and slow cooked with herbs, spices, and other ingredients such as dates, potatoes, and vegetables.
02:46Most restaurants are located near the main square of Jamalfina, and you can find personal
02:51recommendations in our blog post. But don't shy away from the street food stalls, as they offer a
02:57delicious and affordable selection of sandwiches and pastries, as well as freshly squeezed juice and more
03:03exotic dishes.
03:15You can't leave Marrakesh without visiting one of its historic sites.
03:20The Sa'dian tombs are a 16th century burial ground of the Sa'dian dynasty, which ruled over Marrakesh
03:27between 1524 and 1668. The mausoleums are beautifully decorated and are set amidst a garden. The tombs were
03:36walled up by the following ruler to keep his predecessors out of sight and mind, and was only
03:42rediscovered in the early 20th century when aerial photography exposed it. If you think this historic
03:48spot has beautiful designs, wait until we show you the palaces in just a moment.
03:59Marrakesh is known for its beautiful gardens, and Majorelle Gardens might be the most famous one.
04:06Located in Marrakesh's new town, these lush botanical gardens are filled with cacti, palms, and other
04:13colorful trees, offering a true escape from the hustle and bustle of the city. It was originally
04:19created by artist Jacques Morel, who lived in this garden and villa complex. It was later purchased by
04:26the famous fashion designers Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berger, who restored it. Today, it's open to
04:33the public, and some of the houses have been converted into museums.
04:52The Malacheh, or Jewish Quarter in Marrakesh, is another interesting area to visit. Located near the
04:58beautiful palaces that we'll discuss at numbers 4 and 3, this quarter was once home to a sizable
05:04Jewish population. And while most of the Jewish residents have now left this area,
05:09there are still a number of Jewish places here, including the synagogue, the Jewish cemetery,
05:15and the spice market. This place will tickle your taste buds with a wide range of Moroccan spices,
05:21herbs, and herbal teas. Marrakesh is known for its traditional souks, which are basically markets or
05:34bazaars. In the past, a souk was an area where merchants passed through the city and traded goods.
05:40As such, you can find them in different corners inside and outside of the medina. What makes the souks
05:47in Marrakesh remarkable is the wide variety of exotic items that you can buy, such as babooshes, lanterns,
05:56ceramics, carpets, and leather goods. Most of the popular souks can be found next to the main square,
06:02and we put a graphic here on the screen with the names. We also left a link in the description
06:08where you can find directions to each souk.
06:16When you walk through the souks, you will notice that a lot of the vendors will talk to you,
06:19trying to get you into their shop. But if you don't want to buy anything, just say
06:23chokran, thank you, and just walk away. And if you do want to buy something, make sure to bargain,
06:28because usually the price that they will offer is a little bit higher. So haggle down and make sure
06:33that what you pay in the end is comfortable for you.
06:41The Saudian ruler Al-Mansur, who was buried in the Saudian tombs we discussed earlier,
06:47also had built a grand palace in the 16th century. And although it stands largely in ruins today,
06:54it's easy to take a journey back in time and imagine the beauty it once had.
06:59It's easy to do. Step foot inside and you'll see its grandeur, with mosaic tiled floors,
07:04ruined pavilions, and high enclosed ceilings. Make sure to go to the top of the walls,
07:10where you can take in the views of the palace from above, as well as across the medina.
07:29After El Batie Palace, it might be interesting to see the contrast with the beautiful
07:35Bahia Palace, which was built in the late 19th century. The interior decoration combines colorful
07:41tiles, painted ceilings, and ornate wrought iron features that showcase a lavish lifestyle.
07:47The beautiful courtyards with banana leaf plants and trees are a tranquil break from the buzzing city.
08:09If you want a true escape from the noise of the city, and would like to experience some of Morocco's
08:14finest nature, we recommend going on a day trip to the Ousout waterfalls. With a height of 110 meters,
08:21or 360 feet, these are the tallest waterfalls in the country. A day tour from Marrakesh allows you to
08:28spend around four hours at the falls, which is plenty of time to hike down to the river, take in
08:34the beauty,
08:34do a short boat ride to get closer to the falls, and then hike up again. There are many restaurants
08:40with a stunning viewpoint as well, on your way towards the exit. And as a bonus, you'll also encounter many
08:46macaque monkeys who call this place home. We really enjoyed this day tour, and we left a link to the
08:52one
08:52that we joined in the description below. If you have more time to spare than just a day, we also
08:58recommend
08:59venturing to the High Atlas region and the desert. You'll need at least a few days to really enjoy these
09:04unique landscapes, and we explain all about it in our full Morocco video.
09:18Finally, you can't leave Marrakesh without visiting its beating heart, the Jamalfina Square.
09:24It's the hub of entertainment, with a variety of food and juice stalls, musicians, fortune tellers,
09:32henna tattoo artists, and snake charmers.
09:44The square really comes to life in the evening, and can be a bit overwhelming for some people
09:49because of its loud noise and large crowds. An evening spent here wandering around is a truly
09:55Moroccan experience. To escape the chaos, you can head to one of the rooftop cafes next to
10:02the square that offer panoramic views.
10:12Don't forget to check out the Khutabia Mosque, which can be found right next to the square.
10:17It's Marrakesh's most famous landmark, with its large minaret that is visible from every direction.
10:24There are a few things to do in Marrakesh that we didn't mention,
10:27and we've included a list of those on the screen here for you.
10:31If you're planning your Morocco trip, we recommend keeping things organized with our interactive
10:36travel planner. Find a discount code below. We also included important links that you'll need for
10:41your Marrakesh trip in the description, such as a full travel guide with where to stay and where to eat,
10:47as well as directions to get to each spot that we mentioned.
10:51We'll catch you on the next adventure.
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