Exploring Southeast Morocco: A Journey Through History and Natural Beauty

Our arrival in Marrakech, often called the "Red City" for its red-hued walls, was met by a warm breeze in November, the brap of motorbikes and the beeping of car horns as we drove into the heart of the old city. The city offers a dynamic blend of history, culture, and spirituality (it was the capital city for the Almoravid, Saadian, and Almohad dynasties). Religion is deeply woven into the fabric of Marrakech, as evidenced by its numerous mosques and the spiritual rhythm of daily life. The iconic Koutoubia Mosque, with its towering minaret, dominates the city’s skyline and serves as a symbol of Islamic heritage. The call to prayer echoes through the city, reminding locals and visitors alike of the importance of faith in shaping Marrakech’s identity.

Staying in the medina allowed for easy exploration, whether we wanted to get lost in the wandering narrow streets of the souks, or head straight to Jamaa el-Fna, the city’s main square, we could easily traverse the city on foot.

On our first full day in Morocco we enjoyed a guided city tour of Marrakech. Exploring the city with a knowledgeable and licensed guide was an excellent way to orient yourself and learn more about this new city. From the beautiful Bahia Palace and its breathtaking plaster carvings and courtyards in the palace we learned about the history of Marrakech as a capital city, spiritual gathering place and important stop along the salt caravans from Timbuktu.

If the Bahia Palace takes your breath away then you'll enjoy a visit to the Ben Youssef Madrassa (built in the 14th century by the Marinid Sultan Abu Inan Faris, it was originally a religious school for Islamic studies, and has since served as a mosque and a library). From the beautiful mosaics and intricate plaster carvings of the courtyard to the winding hallways of the dormitory the entire Madrassa will leave you in awe. 

The Koutoubia Mosque was another stop on our tour of the city, here you can see the newly built mosque and pillars from the original building. Unlike other Islamic countries Moroccan mosques are not open to the public (except for the Hassan II Mosque in Casablanca which does offer guided tours). Just a short walk from Koutoubia Mosque is Jamaa el-Fna, crowded with locals, tourists, food vendors, henna artists, snake charmers and monkey tamers. It is a sight to behold with endless things to catch your eye, in the evening the square becomes even busier as the food vendor stalls fill up with locals stopping for dinner.

While we didn't see it all in a day, Marrakech was a beautiful introduction to Morocco. For anyone with a bit more time I would recommend a second full day to explore at leisure, do a little shopping or eating and take in this vibrant city.