Some of you asked me for special tips and my favorite places for food and shopping in Marrakech.
I am happy to share with you those places, but I have to say, that I am Moroccan now, which means that I eat Couscous and Tagine every week and I can buy Djellabahs, Kaftans, Babouches and all the other lovely typical crafts whenever I want; so when I go to the big city, I do much less look for the typical Moroccan places, but more for places where I can find the taste and the style of Europe and the world….
Also I have to admit that going to Marrakech always means something like “consumer noise” – twice a year I simply enjoy then a little shopping-intoxication…
and I have four children now, alhamdulillah, and going to the city is always a bit tricky – so when we all go together, we sometimes even visit places like McDonalds’s because the taste is always and reliably the same and reminds me of my teenage-years, the toilets are clean and they have the most beautiful playgrounds in the country…
Here you go with a mixture of favorite places that actually come to my mind (I am sure I forgot some…):
Typical Moroccan Shopping
The souks of the medina, in the old town of Marrakech – a labyrinth of little shops and handcrafts-ateliers
Centre Artisanal, Avenue Mohammed V, after the Koutoubia mosque towards Guéliz
Cafés, food, snacks, restaurants and nice places
Amal Center, Guéliz, Rue Ibn Sina, women-empowerment-project that offers great food
Pinocchio Gelato Ice Cream, Sidi Abbad
Le Vôtre, patisserie (best cream tarts)
Les maîtres du pain (whole wheat bread and others international bakery products)
Ayaso concept store for eco and organic things, Bvd Zerktouni, Guéliz
Café des épices, Rahba Kedima place, souks in the médina
Le Jardin Secret, medina, rue Mouassine, souks in the médina
The terrace of the C.T.M.-hotel, Djemma el Fna, a quiet simple place, but good to have a tea/coffee and to gain an overall-view of the big crowded square
Dar Bellarj, medina, behind Medersa Ben Youssuf, quiet museum and cultural place
Café du livre, rue Tariq Ben Ziad, Guéliz
Marrakech has a huge offer of very chic and stylish places to eat and drink, but they are also very expensive, so we often eat in the small and not so stylish restaurants in the outside quarters of the city where the locals eat. There you find good tagine, barbecues, chawarma (kebab), beautiful fresh fruit juices and else
Huge shopping places
AlMazar Shopping Mall, 7km route d’Ourika (including the best bookstore in Marrakech: the Virgin Megastore)
Menara Mall, Boulevard Mohammed VI, luxurious shopping mall with some good stores and a nice huge terrace with an overview towards the Koutoubia mosque, many snack bars on the roof (for ex.”Bagels and Donuts”)
Carré Eden Shopping Mall, Guéliz, Avenue Mohammed V, many european stores like H&M, Starbucks, …
Marjane, Decathlon, Mc Do, Pizza Hut, Kitea, Toys Shop,… and many other tall brand shops, end of Allal Fassi/route de Casa
Carrefour, route de Targa, not too big supermarket with a good selection
Places to relax and enjoy some peace and greenery
Riad Sirocco, 15km route de Targa/Souihla , great for hot days out of the city, only 10,- Euros for access to the nice swimming pool including a lunch and drink – great with children to spend a day when it’s too hot
Anima Garden, 28km route d’Ourika, a quiet paradise and a garden of art and beauty with beautiful café
Jardin Majorelle, the well-known garden with the typical clear-blue-details
Terres d’Amanar, 37km route de Asni/Tahannaoute, climbing and adventure parc for much outdoor fun, especially with children
Wishing you a happy time in the red city!
