Overview
This half-day guided walking tour takes you on an exploratory tour of the Marrakech medina. The stroll will take you to the iconic Koutoubia Mosque, the medieval Islamic college of Ben Youssef Medersa, and many other landmarks. Have a feel of the local bread, discover the city's bustling center with the Djemaa El Fna square and its beautiful bazaars, and then buy a meal at a rooftop restaurant while soaking in the sights and sounds of the city below. Whether a private or shared tour, you can upgrade this package if you want hotel pickup and drop-off.
What to Expect
Discover the enchanting and spectacular treasures of this medieval desert enclave as you stroll through the old Marrakech medina with our expert local guide showing you hidden gems along the way.
Walking through old Marrakech is like time travelling. The souks are relentless is tantalizing you with exotic smells, color, sounds, and local trades people in stalls stacked high with pyramids of vivid colored spices, exquisite carpets, and an uncountable number of other unique items. In addition, you cannot help but marvel at the breathtaking architectural masterpieces all over the city.
You set off with your guide in the direction of the magnificent 11th-century Koutoubia Mosque and its imposing minaret. This iconic landmark was the inspiration for the Giralda Mosque in Seville and the red square churches of Moscow.
Enter the oldest quarters of the old city to explore the daily life of the residents. The path is full of old fountains and ancient caravanserai called Fondouks where caravan traders used to lodge on their arduous trans Saharan trade. Many of the Fondouks are now workshops where local artisans create beautiful handcrafted items.
Your tour takes you to an old bakery to sample freshly baked local bread, watch the furnace that provides the steam in the public steam baths and their importance in the social life of the quarters.
You will stroll past the ruins of Sultan Ahmed El Mansour's 16th-century Grand Badi Palace and catch a glimpse of the former affluence of this majestic city. At the height of its glory, the palace was considered the eighth wonder of the world.
The tour takes you to the Bahia Palace, the jewel in the crown of Marrakech and a wantonly luxurious monument of breathtaking magnificence. It was constructed in the later part of the 19th century, and was the most beautiful of its time. It took the most skilled workers and artisans six years (1894-1900) of continuous work to complete the edifice.
Head to the sprawling Djemaa El Fna square to practice the art of haggling at its numerous bazaars, shopping for distinctive crafts you can only get in Morocco. It is a vibrant space and unarguably the busiest on the continent.
Wind down your tour at a bespoke roof terrace restaurant on the bubbly square,
feasting your eyes on the enchanting old city while drinking Moroccan mint tea or orange juice with a delicious local cuisine.
