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AFRICA, DESTINATIONS, MOROCCO · June 16, 2019

10 Fantastic Things To Do In Marrakech


The city of Marrakech is truly unlike any other we have ever visited before. It is full of winding narrow streets, scooters here and there, cats lazily meandering about, donkeys trotting along, and people shouting from every direction. If this sounds like your nightmare, we know the feeling. But after the initial shock wares off, and you begin to get your bearings, we promise it will be easy to see why so many love this city. Read on for our top 10 favorite things to do in Marrakech!

Medina_of_Marrakech-1

1. Drink Mint Tea

Almost every place you go, you will be offered a mint tea. And you should graciously accept. Served out of ornate tea pots on silver trays, we fell in love with this tradition. It is made with a blend of green tea and numerous types of mint. We preferred ours sweet, with bricks of sugar. 

2. Get Lost in the Medina

The streets of the medina are narrow and entangled. Around every corner is a souk overflowing with locally sourced goods, a friendly footy match amongst youngsters, or a row of homes with the most beautiful ornate entrances. It is incredibly easy – and we’d actually encourage you – to get lost in the Medina.

Marrakech_Medina
Medina_of_Marrakech-2

3. Haggle at the Souks

When visiting Marrakech it isn’t a matter of IF you’ll be buying goodies to bring home, but a matter of WHAT you’ll be spending the big bucks on. From the famed Moroccan rugs and pillow cases, to knock-off football kits and leather goods, you will be spoilt for choice. Never settle for asking price! What is the fun in that? You can almost always get any item for 50% the original tag. Happy hunting 🙂

4. Gaze at the Mosques

There is a mosque on every corner, each one more beautiful than the next. The Koutoubia Mosque is the largest in Marrakech and 100% worth a visit. The large stone tower can’t be missed from almost any point in the city. Note: Unless you are a practicing Muslim, you will not be allowed inside. 

Koutoubia_Mosque

5. Wander the Gardens

Next to the Koutoubia Mosque is the stunning Parc Lalla Hasna. A massive garden with plenty of benches and fountains amongst vibrantly colored bushes of flowers. Pop a squat here and admire Koutoubia. We also really enjoyed visiting Jardin Majorelle. This botanical garden, when facing the threat of being turned into a hotel, was acquired and preserved by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Only 70 DHS to enter, it is worth the trip if you have the time. 

6. Stay in a Riad

Typical in Morocco, these small houses typically have an interior courtyard or garden. We stayed at Riad Dar Kleta and can’t say enough good things about our experience there! The interior design will leave you wanting to redesign your entire flat and the unbeatable hospitality of the family who lives there will have you booking a return trip to Marrakesh before you even leave!

Riad_Dar_Kleta-3
Riad_Dar_Kleta-2
Riad_Dar_Kleta-1
Riad_Dar_Kleta-4

7. Eat Tajine

Tajine. A staple dish in Moroccan cooking, you would be hard pressed to find a restaurant not serving it. And for good reason! With many types of meats and veg slow-cooked in a cone-shaped clay pot, our favorite variations were the fish tagine and lamb tagine.

8. Watch the Sunset Over Marrakesh

There are a number of rooftop restaurants throughout Marrakesh, perfect for watching the sunset. Our all time favorite was Atay Cafe! Other popular spots include Nomad, Cafe Des Epices, which is not to be confued with Terrasse Des Epices.

Atay_Cafe
Atay_Cafe-2
Atay_Cafe-1
Marrakech_Sunset

9. Take a Day Trip (or 2) Outside of Marrakesh

Want to escape the hustle and bustle of Marrakesh to explore Morocco? I know we were anxious to, and would highly suggest the trips below.

Atlas Mountains – Easy to explore in just a day, we decided on an Airbnb experience linked here. Taib was our wonderful host. He is part of an ethnic group called the Berbers, who are the original indigenous people of Morocco. During our tour we were able to see how they live in the mountains and even visit Taib’s family home to meet his family for a traditional home cooked lunch. 

Essaouira – Have more time? A highlight of our trip was a two day visit to the coastal town of Essaouira. Easily accessible from Marrakesh via a 4-hour bus, Essaouira boasts amazing seafood, sandy beaches, and lovely people. Full post coming soon!

Essaouira_Fishing_Boats
Essaouira_Door
Essaouira_Camels

10. Honorable Mention

Like most places, there is so much to see and do in Marrakesh. These are the things we missed during out trip for one reason or another, but would have loved to have seen if we were able.

  • Have a Hammam: We visited Marrakesh in April. With the weather already beginning to heat up, the thought of a hot, soapy steam-room wasn’t the most appealing. Looking back though, an escape from the hectic streets for a relaxing treatment sounds like pure bliss. We had our eyes on booking a treatment at Les Bains de Marrakech, since they also offer coed treatment rooms. 
  •  Visit Ben Youssef Madrassa: Closed for restoration works when we visited, the Ben Youssef Madrassa is an Islamic college. It is incredibly ornate. Google photos of this place and you’ll understand why we were bummed to miss it.
  •  Visit Bahia Palace: In English, Bahia Palace translates to palace of the beautiful, brilliant. It boasts a 2-acre garden with tiled rooms opening up to a terrace. We unfortunately just didn’t have time for this one.

There are so many incredible things to do in Marrakech! With that being said, a spot we would consider avoiding is Jamaâ el Fnaa. The square is shoulder to shoulder full of people and everywhere you turn someone is begging for your attention. You’ll find snake charmers and monkeys in chains, which is not entertaining, just cruel. 

As always, let us know if you have any questions and if you end up using any tips from the guide we would love to hear about it!


In: AFRICA, DESTINATIONS, MOROCCO

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The train from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka! This 7 hour train journey transports you from the chaotic city streets of Kandy to the misty mountain tops of Ella. 

It is known as one of the most picturesque train journeys in the world. So does it live up to the hype? Is it worth the 7 hour ride? 

To me, yes, yes, 100% yes. Especially when tickets can be less than $5 USD…After reading tons of guides & then experiencing the train myself, a few tips for your trip:

🎟️ Buy reserved tickets in advance. This will help ensure you have a seat & don’t have to elbow your way for one. You can do so online or at the train station. Online tickets go on sale a month before and sell out quickly! If you buy from the train station, go a day or two in advance of your desired trip date.
⏰ Try to avoid weekends. This is a very very busy train for locals & tourists alike. Book the blue Express train, otherwise this journey will take even longer than 7 hours lol. 
🚂 Choose seats in 2nd or 3rd class, ideally next to a window. In these classes they have open windows & doors where you can get the full experience (& views) to peak out of. If you choose to hang your body, arm, leg, etc out of the train, you do so at your own risk! Don’t be dumb…
📸 Best views are on the right side of the train up to Nanu Oya. After that, best views are on the left side. Aka views are amazing on both sides! You can also move freely around the carriage, so don’t stress it. 

Last tip, enjoy!!! Take it all in. With your eyes, not just your phone & camera 😏. This is by far the best train ride I’ve experienced to date.
Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka is rumored to be one of Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka is rumored to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. 

The train ride is around 7 hours total - zipping past swirling green tea hills, tiny rural towns, rushing waterfalls & colorful stations. 

7 hours might sound like a lot, but I can honestly say, I never found myself bored. Quite the opposite! I was glued to the window (or open doorway 🫠) for fear of missing a single moment. 

As you might have noticed, this train has open windows & doorways that passengers can peak out of. Would you (safely!) give it a try?
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Square Peg offers a calm oasis overlooking the rowdy city of Kandy just below. The views & this property exceeded our expectations in every way! 🌿
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All aboard… The train from Kandy to Ella in Sri All aboard…

The train from Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka! This 7 hour train journey transports you from the chaotic city streets of Kandy to the misty mountain tops of Ella. 

It is known as one of the most picturesque train journeys in the world. So does it live up to the hype? Is it worth the 7 hour ride? 

To me, yes, yes, 100% yes. Especially when tickets can be less than $5 USD…After reading tons of guides & then experiencing the train myself, a few tips for your trip:

🎟️ Buy reserved tickets in advance. This will help ensure you have a seat & don’t have to elbow your way for one. You can do so online or at the train station. Online tickets go on sale a month before and sell out quickly! If you buy from the train station, go a day or two in advance of your desired trip date.
⏰ Try to avoid weekends. This is a very very busy train for locals & tourists alike. Book the blue Express train, otherwise this journey will take even longer than 7 hours lol. 
🚂 Choose seats in 2nd or 3rd class, ideally next to a window. In these classes they have open windows & doors where you can get the full experience (& views) to peak out of. If you choose to hang your body, arm, leg, etc out of the train, you do so at your own risk! Don’t be dumb…
📸 Best views are on the right side of the train up to Nanu Oya. After that, best views are on the left side. Aka views are amazing on both sides! You can also move freely around the carriage, so don’t stress it. 

Last tip, enjoy!!! Take it all in. With your eyes, not just your phone & camera 😏. This is by far the best train ride I’ve experienced to date.
Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka is rumored to be one of Kandy to Ella in Sri Lanka is rumored to be one of the most scenic train journeys in the world. 

The train ride is around 7 hours total - zipping past swirling green tea hills, tiny rural towns, rushing waterfalls & colorful stations. 

7 hours might sound like a lot, but I can honestly say, I never found myself bored. Quite the opposite! I was glued to the window (or open doorway 🫠) for fear of missing a single moment. 

As you might have noticed, this train has open windows & doorways that passengers can peak out of. Would you (safely!) give it a try?
If you’re a plant lover like me, you need to add If you’re a plant lover like me, you need to add the Square Peg Hotel in Kandy, Sri Lanka to your bucket list! 

Potted plants overflow from the hotel’s windows and walls, intertwining with trees along its edges, giving the hotel a captivating, post-apocalyptic charm. In the best way..

Square Peg offers a calm oasis overlooking the rowdy city of Kandy just below. The views & this property exceeded our expectations in every way! 🌿
Postcards from Kandy, Sri Lanka. A city equal part Postcards from Kandy, Sri Lanka. A city equal parts chaotic, vibrant & sacred. A city full of competing sounds - cawing crows, bleating tuk tuks, thrumming drums & whining brass horns. A city I had low expectations for, but left wishing I had more time. 

We stopped over in Kandy to take the famous Kandy to Ella train (more on this later!) & were glad to have some time to explore the city, albeit short. Here’s a mini 24 hour guide to Kandy:

DO // At the center of the city is Kandy Lake. Leisurely wander through town taking in the sights along the way. Next to the lake is the Kandyan Cultural Center where you can experience a traditional Kandyan dance performance. After the performance, head next door to visit the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic, one of the most important Buddhist sites in the world. 

STAY // The Square Peg Hotel was an oasis overlooking the city. In addition to the incredible views, they also have a gorgeous rooftop where they serve traditional curries in the evening & Sri Lankan breakfast in the morning.
This time last year Dave surprised me with an over This time last year Dave surprised me with an overnight trip to Anza Borrego Desert State Park, and it’s still one of my favorite weekend trips we’ve done while living in San Diego. Here’s a mini guide and some inspo to make the trip! 

GETTING THERE // The park is a super easy and very scenic 2 hour drive from San Diego. Stop in Julian on your way for a slice of their famous apple pie and a trip seemingly back in time. 

STAY // @bungalowsofthedesert_ offer adorable vintage trailers with everything you need to be comfortable (think firewood, gas stove, & tea kettle) yet still get the benefits of camping (think dark starry nights & no neighbors for miles). 

SEE // Font’s Point at sunset is a can’t miss with views across the badlands that i imagine are akin to Mars. Check out my latest reel for a few tips on how to get there.

Awin

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