Marrakesh Medina: An experience like no other
The Medina of Marrakesh is one of the most popular sites in the eyes of a tourist. The intriguing culture alongside the beautiful architecture of surrounding buildings and the hustle and bustle of the souks, makes the Medina a “must do” when in Marrakesh.
The markets of Marrakesh, also known as the ‘souks’, is a unique experience which I warn, is not for everybody! The souks are extremely impressive in themselves with winding paths leading across acres of land and separating into a variety of different alleys, opening up an opportunity to explore more than you could ever imagine. The souks are outstanding in their own rights and if you are a lover of vintage memorabilia and beautiful handprinted crafts, you will be in your element here. However, I warn you that if you are used to wandering around mindlessly, whilst taking your time to truly appreciate the beauty of what you are witnessing without being interrupted, this is not the place for you. The workers within the souks are eager to show you their products and try to grab your attention by continuously shouting and calling for you throughout your exploring, which may become unnerving or intimidating for those not used to this sale technique. The souks were an experience that I will not forget and I found it especially interesting to witness the culture that is evident throughout the souks and all those people working within them. However, near the end of our adventure, I began to find the constant calling and attention grabbing to be a little overwhelming.
During our wander, we found a small botanical gardens called Le Jardin Secret and decided to explore the gardens whilst taking shelter from the hustle and bustle of the outside Medina. The gardens are a small insight into the pride that Marrakesh takes in the beauty of their gardens. We were able to witness incredible palm trees alongside a stream of water running through the gardens connected to the Atlas Mountains, which could be proudly seen in the distance. The gardens were also home to some lovely wildlife including terrapins who lived in the streams and some astonishingly beautiful butterflies.
The roads within Marrakesh are some of the scariest that I have ever witnessed and the Medina is no exception to this. As a pedestrian in the souks, you will be sharing the path with motorcycles and bicycles which can be alarming considering the speed that the motorbikes travel at through the narrow pathways. This is only a fraction of the craziness that you are guaranteed to witness during your travels through the Medina, whether your are travelling by foot or in the back of a taxi, the travel etiquette is sure to surprise you.
The Medina is a wonderful part of Marrakesh, however if the souks don’t sound like your preferred environment, I would highly recommend visiting other sites within the Medina such as the Marrakesh museum, the Saadian tombs or one of the many surrounding Mosques. Either way, you are sure to get the feel of the city from the locals point of view and I truly believe that the heart and soul of Marrakesh is not to be missed.
