Marrakech:
A Le Collectionist Guide

The streets of Marrakech tell the stories of millenia gone by, in both spectacular architecture and artisanal know-how.  A treasure trove of culture, colour and spices, discover Le Collectionist’s guide to the red city and embark on a sensory adventure. 

Guided by the irresistible scent of freshly baked bread, slow-cooking tagines and spices, follow your nose and one of our guides through the ochre labyrinth of the Medina. Discover the real Marrakech through your taste buds, frequenting the local bustling food stalls and meeting in a women’s cooperative where you can discover the secrets of Moroccan cuisine. 

Adventure awaits along the Piste Rouge, where you can follow the well-trodden footprints towards Moulay Brahim and visit its famous zawiya. Savour a heart-warming cup of mint tea and then get back on the colourful tracks, lined by Berber villages. After exploring the treasures in the Imlil’s weekly Saturday souk, the journey culminates at the summits of Djebel Toubkal. From the highest vantage point in North Africa, take a moment to admire all the majesty of the Atlas Mountain Range, feeling on top of the world.

In the heart of Marrakech, push open one of the Medina's unassuming doors to uncover concealed havens, traditional Moroccan riads designed for maximum privacy. From one of our luxury riads you can spend the day meandering through the souks and visiting the cultural hotspot. Then, retire at the end of the day in the open-air courtyard to drink mint tea around the pool, under the leafy foliage.

Retreat to the Palmeraie, an oasis just north of the Medina. According to legend, this lush land of 50,000 palm trees owes its beginnings to the Sultan’s soldiers who threw their date seeds on the ground when camping there over a thousand years ago. Enjoy the close proximity to the Medina while being nestled in nature, letting the birdsong serenade you as you admire the stunning landscape from your luxury villa’s garden. 

Outside the dust and humdrum of the city centre, trace along the Ourika Valley to find our villas with breathtaking views over the awe-inspiring Atlas Mountains. For utmost seclusion and privacy, embrace the tranquillity of Ourika Valley.

La Mamounia lives up to its name, meaning ‘safe haven’ in Arabic, yet is a mere five-minute walk from the epicentre. Blending harmoniously quintessential Moroccan architecture with Art Deco style, this iconic hotel has lured in the curious since it opened in 1929. Take part in this elusive history sat at Bar Churchill, where its name-sake became enchanted with this palace, sipping on an expertly crafted cocktail. With heavenly spa facilities, four restaurants each with their distinct character and a casino, a day-trip to La Mamounia is guaranteed to delight.

Yves Saint Laurent was one of the many who was utterly enamoured with Marrakech, buying the colonial Majorelle Garden in the Eighties in the red city that had become his muse. Attached to this sumptuous paradise, in 2017, the Musée Yves Saint Laurent was born. Through audio-visual installations, not only does it proudly display the creative mind’s infamous creations, but also opens the door for you to peer into his universe, looking at the inspirations that fuelled him.  

Inside the ochre ramparts of this ancient city, uncover a history that dates back to the 11th century with intertwining maze-like alleyways. Join the stray cats and mopeds in these winding lanes and marvel at the towering minaret of the Koutoubia mosque or the emblematic Djemaa El-Fna square, where traditional services are sold and storytellers and Berber musicians perform. In this space of cultural exchange, immerse yourself in the effervescent magic of Marrakech. 

Marrakech’s souks are well and truly alive, bursting with colour and connection. In a place where craftsmanship reigns supreme, discover the vendors offering delightful silk and cotton kaftans in both bold and neutral hues, hand-woven Berber carpets and expertly constructed leather bags. Enchanted by the perfume of argan and rose oil and vibrant spices, fall under the spell of the souks. 

Against the cerulean skies and the Atlas Mountains, explore the distinctive landscape of the Agafay Desert, where stone dunes characterise the terrain. Explore its lush oasis where olive trees and eucalyptus flourish and visit one of the Berber villages along the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Then experience the region’s famous warm hospitality in a lantern-lit Berber tent, where you will feast on local delicacies all washed down with a cup of mint tea.

At BÔ ZIN, spend an evening surrounded by lush foliage in utmost elegance. At this chic restaurant and bar, tuck into one of their Asian-inspired dishes, followed by a cocktail that delivers both in taste and theatricality. Come together with loved ones to spend an evening in utmost luxury.

From this rooftop bar, gaze out towards the magnificent Koutoubia mosque as the sun casts its warm glow over the red city. At Darbar, there is something for everyone, with Moroccan and international dishes on the menu. Whether you opt for a Moroccan lemon chicken tagine, British-inspired fish and chips or a selection of tapas to share with you loved ones, rest assured that care and attention to detail has been given to each dish. 

An epicurean’s haven, La Terrasse des épices overlooks the Medina with the Atlas Mountains standing stoic in the distance. Inspired by Moroccan and Mediterranean cuisine, this restaurant honours local and fresh produce in their dishes, best enjoyed on the open-air rooftop. Then as the sun sets on the ochre winding streets, the rooftop comes alive, animated by the city’s best DJs and live-musicians.

Since 1974, La Trattoria has been offering mouth-watering Italian plates, with a side of theatre and magic. In the evening, savour a 24-hour slow-braised beef shoulder or homemade ricotta and spinach ravioli with sage butter around the pool. Illuminated by candlelight with glowing Moroccan lanterns overhead, a meal at La Trattoria makes for a truly magical experience. Then, move to the Art Deco bar to sample the bartender’s cocktail creations for a night back in time to the Roaring Twenties. 

Let yourself be serenaded by La Mamounia quartet of restaurants, offering Moroccan, Italian, Asian or Mediterranean creations. For a beautifully intimate evening, seat yourself in one of Le Morocain’s plush alcoves and choose from one of their authentically Moroccan dishes. Alternatively, choose a table in the elegant L’Italien where the wood-fire oven crackles in the middle of the room and the floor-to ceiling windows flood the room with light. Whether you pick the lamb rack adorned with almonds and honey or the truffle pizza with mortadella and burrata, you will be delighted with your choice. 

Let the clip-clop of hooves sets the soundtrack to an afternoon of exploration through the maze-like alleyways of Marrakech. As you noble steed trots apace watch in awe as locals bartering at the bazaars, while the sun gilds the oche city and the perfume of street vendors’ herbs and spices wet your appetite for dinner.

Children will delight as they rise into the air straddled on a camel and hold tight as the gentle stride of the comic animal takes them on an adventure through the spectacular dunes. Its gangly gait is guaranteed to keep the whole family entertained! Then, satisfy everyone's appetite over a meal in a camp lodge, savouring the finest Moroccan cuisine. 

Test your orienteering skills through the labyrinth-like streets of the ancient Medina as the whole family sets off on a treasure hunt. In this Unesco World Heritage Site, follow your map and discover the Koutoubia mosque, Medersa Ben Youssef, and the Saadian tombs. Your treasure awaits! 

Inspired by the craftsmanship on display in the Medina’s souks, what better way for the whole family to immerse themselves in this artisanal heritage than by trying it yourselves. Behind the wheel, let yourself be guided by knowledgeable hands in a pottery workshop and leave with the perfect souvenir of your magical memories of your family holiday in Marrakech. 

The whole family can explore the mesmerising landscapes surrounding Marrakech in the most exciting way possible, on horseback as you steed trots apace. In the lush Palmeraie, journey across this capitating terrain and make memories as a family that your children will treasure long after you’re back in the school routine. 

Take a Moroccan cooking class at the villa or in the Agafay Desert 

Enjoy a night of festivities at the villa 

Admire the sunrise from the skies in a hot-air balloon 

Set sail for Essaouira

Discover Marrakech in a side-car with the help of a local 

From March to May, Marrakech is flourishing in one of its high seasons. From March, the weather becomes increasingly warm yet has not yet reached the stifling temperatures of summer so is perfect for exploring the red city. Ramadan falls during this period so be considerate of reduced opening hours when travelling. 

After the scorching temperatures of summer, late September marks the beginning of autumn and a second high season in Marrakech. With cerulean skies and delightfully warm weather, September and October are perfect for strolling around the souks and lounging in the city’s spectacular gardens. 

As the hordes of tourists migrate back home, take advantage of the quieter streets and slightly cooler temperatures from November to February to explore the Medina in the winter sun. For adventurous travellers, make the most of the cooler weather to explore the Atlas Mountains and Agafay Desert. Just make sure to wrap up warm as the temperatures plummet during the evenings.