An authentic stay in Marrakech: a different way to explore the red city
Marrakech attracts, intrigues and fascinates. But behind the postcard clichés and the standardised tours, the red city also offers another way of being discovered: in immersion, respecting its rhythms, its inhabitants and its well-kept secrets.
A smooth start
Upon arrival, travellers who have opted for a getaway to Marrakech with flight included are the ideal way to immerse yourself in this city with two faces. Away from the tourist hustle and bustle of overly signposted circuits, there are routes where the city reveals itself in a different way, through its narrow streets, its confidential guest houses and its inhabitants, who willingly share a mint tea or a piece of warm bread.
Experience the city as an inhabitant
Sleeping in a traditional riad, far from impersonal hotels, is already a first step towards a more sincere journey. The morning begins with a Moroccan breakfast: beghrir, msemmen, black olives, honey and freshly squeezed orange juice. Then it's time to get lost in the medina, on foot or in a vintage sidecar, to explore the less-frequented districts, guided by the locals themselves.
Rather than a group visit to the Majorelle garden, some choose to meet up at Comptoir des Mines, a gallery dedicated to contemporary Moroccan artists, or take part in a family pottery workshop run by local craftswomen.
Traditional Hammam and shared meal with local people
Another highlight of a different kind of stay in Marrakech is the traditional hammam in the neighbourhood. Not the one with marble and essential oils, but the one where you can meet local women, where gestures are passed on, where you enter a place of care as much as a social link.
In the evening, a meal at a local's house in the medina is an opportunity to share a seasonal couscous or homemade pastilla, while talking about daily life, traditions and culture. It's these simple moments that make a trip so rich and rewarding.
The area around Marrakech
It only takes a few kilometres for Marrakech to give way to the landscapes of the Atlas mountains or the expanses of the Agafay desert. There, other faces of Morocco are revealed: a Berber beekeeper, a camel ride, a picnic break in a sparse forest. These excursions are available in a private version, far from the tourist buses and imposed stops.
The Ourika and Adassyl valleys are ideal for hiking in small groups, discovering the simple cuisine cooked over an open wood fire, or simply chatting with villagers without theatrics.
Travelling differently
What emerges from these approaches is a desire to unlearn our tourist reflexes and make ourselves available to a city, its voices and its silences. In this version, Marrakech doesn't try to impress: it touches.
As expectations evolve, formulas that are too rigid lose their appeal. On the contrary, offers that focus on the human element, exchanges and real experiences are increasingly popular. For travellers in search of genuine encounters, Marrakech is becoming a richly rewarding destination - provided they are prepared to step outside the programme.
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