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Things to do on weekdays in Marrakech

leisure in Marrakesh
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Updated byPauline Bouveauon 10 July 2022

There are many ways of spending your leisure time in Marrakech, such as cycling, quad biking, and going to the spa, among others. There are also many captivating places near Marrakech, which are optimal for spending time alone or in good company.

Souks in Marrakech

A normal way of spending a day in Marrakech is visiting the souks and/or taking a tour by means of a tuk-tuk or a horse-drawn carriage. At night, you can go to a restaurant, a bar or a disco where you can meet locals and people from around the world.

Palmiya Fun and Water Land

Atlas Voyages is a company that has built an aquatic park in the Palmeraie area of Marrakech. Palmiya Fun and Water Land welcome national and international tourists, as well as locals. Entrance fees are 200 Dhs for adults and 120 Dhs for children. It is home to gigantic pools, slides, and many other fun things.

Well-being in Marrakech

Those who seek wellness and beauty can choose to spend half a day in a spa. Marrakech has many spas, be they Oriental or Turkish. In a spa, you can enjoy a Hammam where you get full cleansing of the skin. You can also go for a massage, a manicure, pedicure and/or hair styling. All of these things could cost only about 900 Dhs. Generally, a spa provides all you could need in terms of beauty.

Good to know: 

In order to get the best deals and package combinations, try to book online before you visit Marrakech.

Cycling in Marrakech

If you have friends in Marrakech, then cycling would be a good choice for spending a day in the city. There are many agencies where you can rent bikes. Atlas Sport, for example, offers good quality bikes in addition to sports clothes and accessories. Through cycling, you will be able to explore the magnificent authentic areas of Marrakech as well as the Atlas Mountains. It will also help you to stay fit.

Quad biking in Marrakech

If you want to experience something unique, then opt for quad biking. An excursion will lead you to explore the outstanding Berber countryside. You will enjoy the most captivating landscapes and fresh air. You can join any online group that regularly organizes quad biking tours across the city.

Exploring the Palmeraie

The Palmeraie of Marrakech includes more than 100,000 trees spread over about 15,000 hectares, especially the date palms and a vegetable plantation. This area is a very well-known natural and touristic heritage in Morocco that you absolutely must visit when you travel to Marrakech. Besides, you can explore this place by camel ride or quad bike.

Epic Yoga Festival

This festival is a mixture of yoga, international, and traditional African musicians. It includes five master classes guided by international musicians, dancers, and engaged artists. These master classes offer unique multi-sensory experiences via video, tribal paintings, games with fire, and many other artistic surprises. In short, this festival represents a wonderful journey of three days through Moroccan and African cultures.

An excursion to Essaouira

The distance between Marrakech and Essaouira is about 180 km, and a trip takes around two to three hours. Essaouira, or the 'Pearl of the Atlantic', is widely known for its charm and beauty. On your way to Essaouira, you will view extensive dry plantations and Argan trees. In this city, you can visit various fortifications that are made up of an astonishing mixture of Portuguese and Berber military architecture. You can also take a tour of the medina and discover the souks as well as a visit to the old harbor, which is mainly dedicated to fishing. Besides, you can enjoy freshly caught fish that is cooked at any of the restaurants near the harbor.

Ouzoud Waterfalls

The distance between Marrakech and Ouzoud is about 150 km and takes about two hours and a half. Ouzoud has spectacular waterfalls, which are considered among the highest and most beautiful in Morocco. These waterfalls are often dominated by a rainbow. They are located in a rural valley, surrounded by olive groves, almond trees, fig trees, etc. This place has many campsites with huts, bathing places, small restaurants offering Berber cuisine, Moroccan craft shops of the Middle Atlas, as well as a pedestrian path that goes down to the foot of the waterfall.

Ourika Valley

Ourika is a valley of the Moroccan High Atlas, located 30 km from Marrakech. It is mainly inhabited by Berbers. It has a pleasant climate and is surrounded by agricultural fields and olive trees, almond trees and cherry trees. Once there, you can visit the following monuments and places of interest:

  • Setti-Fatma: a small village that is the starting point for many excursions in the neighboring mountains.
  • Tnine of Ourika is a small village with great architecture and a traditional souk every Monday.
  • Timalizene Garden: the main garden of the mountain, planted with different local plant species.
  • Safranière of Ourika: a farm that produces only saffron.
  • Bio-aromatic Garden of Ourika: this organic garden of aromatic and medicinal plants allows discovering the scents and therapeutic virtues of plants.
  • Berber Eco-museum of Ourika: it highlights the Berber culture through a collection of photographs, pottery, jewelry, carpets and weavings.

We do our best to provide accurate and up to date information. However, if you have noticed any inaccuracies in this article, please let us know in the comments section below.

About

A serial expat, I have been living in Rabat, Morocco, for two years, after having lived in Mauritius and Senegal. A journalist with a passion for travel, I love writing and sharing my discoveries and adventures.

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