Marrakech & Essaouira, Morocco

Get lost in the medieval souks of Marrakech, then retreat to the bohemian beach town of Essaouira

7 nights, December/January 2020

Day 1 

• Fly into Marrakesh Menara Airport

• Taxi to Medina based Riad

• Check in to Riad - there are a lot to choose from; Riad Kheirredine, El Fenn, Riad Tchaikana or Riad Tizwa are highly rated

Day 2

• Ease into the holiday with a Hammam or Massage at Le Bains D’Orient

• Visit Musée Yves Saint Laurent & Jardin Majorelle; buy a ticket for both from the kiosk on the day

• Lunch at Le Jardin Restaurant; Moroccan restaurant in a 16th-century building with breezy, open-air dining areas lined with trees.

• Dinner at Trattoria; Italian restaurant in a stunning Moroccan setting

Jardin Majorelle

Day 3 

• Visit the Le Jardin Secret; an elegant, ornate 19th-century palace complex with traditional Islamic gardens, plus a shop & cafe

• Wander the souks and test your bargaining skills

• Lunch at El Fenn; delicious and relaxed

• Late afternoon walking tour of the Medina; your Riad will be able to recommend a good tour guide

• Dinner at Ksar Essaoussan; a hidden gem, quintessential Moroccan restaurant with fantastic reasonably priced food

Day 4

• Transfer to La Petit du La Flouka with Marrakech Taxi Transfert (50 mins) c. 10am

• Relax at hotel pool

• Lunch at Le Flouka Restaurant; al fresco lunch under olive trees overlooking Lake Lalla Takerkoust and the Atlas mountain range

• Transfer back to Marrakech c. 4pm

• Dinner at Nomad; while quite touristy it has nice food and a great view for sunset

• Wander through Jemaa el-Fna and soak up the lively atmosphere

Lake Lalla Takerkoust and the Atlas mountain range

Day 5

• Breakfast at Riad

• Transfer to Essaouira with Marrakech Taxi Transfert (2.5 hrs) c. 10am - look out for the goats in trees

• Check in to Salut Maroc or Riad Raoud Rayhan or Heure Bleue Palais (luxury)

• Lunch at Mandala Maroc; a relaxed cozy cafe, serving delicious healthy dishes

• Wander the medieval streets with coffee at Taraa café

• Dinner at hotel

Day 6

• Breakfast at hotel

• Surfing with Explora Watersports

• Lunch at Ocean Vagabond; laidback beach restaurant with western food

• Afternoon Camel Ride through Get Your Guide

• Dinner at Restaurant KHMISSA; a small inconspicuous restaurant serving a sensational tagine

Seaside streets of Essaouira

Day 7

• Another morning surfing or day visit to Le Jardin des Douars; a beautiful spa hotel Oasis with swimming pools and great food

• Sundowners at Salut Maroc

• Dinner at La Table by Madada; an excellent last supper in a historic setting that serves fresh seafood

Day 8

• Morning roaming the street markets picking up

• Transfer to Marrakech Airport with Marrakech Taxi Transfert

• Flight home