What to do

  • Hot Air Ballooning Take a relaxing flight up in the sky in a hot air balloon with, looking over the breath taking views of Marrakesh. Fly over the wide open tranquil deserts and the small local villages while travelling through the sky in a relaxed and peaceful manner. This fantastic activity is available to any one with a sense of adventure and an interest in the magnificent culture that Morocco has to offer. An opportunity not to be missed with:
    • Ciel d’Afrique. Marrakesh, southern. Children-friendly.
  • Yoga has become increasingly popular in recent years as visitors come to the city either as individuals or with organised trips. Although it’s been slower to take off than in other parts of the world, Marrakech is Morocco’s yoga centre.
  • Tours Marrakech can make a good base for exploring the Atlas Mountains or for organising one to four day Sahara treks. While there are countless agencies on Ave Mohammed V that will organise such tours for those seeking the comfort of an air-conditioned 4×4 and have money to spare, budget travellers may want to check out the Marrakech stalwart Sahara Tours (Rue Bam Marme et Mouahidine, Tel (044) 42-79-77 / 42-97-47. fax (044) 42-79-72)

Hostel Marrakech Adventures in Morocco. Offers information and secure reservations for many tours and excursions departing from Marrakech. Included in the range of tours available are day trips to Essouaira, Imlil, the Ouzoud cascades and 2, 3 and 4 day tours to the desert (including Zagora and merzouga). Other options include

  • The impressive 110 meter waterfall, the Cascades d’Ouzoud are about 160km away and are well worth a day trip visiting.

Hammams

There are 2 types of Hammam across Morocco.

The first is the “tourist” Hammam, where you can go and be pampered and scrubbed by an experienced staff member. These usually, as they are promoted only to tourists, the more expensive option with pricing usually around 150 Dirham for a Hammam.

The second option is to visit a “Popular” Hammam. Popular Hammams are the places where the Locals go.

At the popular Hammams, you do it all yourself. To make the most of a popular Hammam, you need to take a scrubbing mitten (available for cheap in the Souks) a towel and some extra underwear.

Men & women have either separate session times or separate Hammams.

Nudity in a popular Hammam is strictly forbidden for men; you’ll see some women wearing underwear, and some nude.

Whilst in a popular Hammam, you may be offered help and a massage from another person. It is essential to remember that this massage is nothing else but a massage, with no other intentions. Indeed sexual contact or presumption of sexual contact does not occur in these places. If you accept a massage, be prepared to return the favour.

Normal entrance prices for a popular hammam are 7-15dh; a scrub will cost around 30dh, and a massage another 30dh.

Medina

  • Les Bains de Marrakech; 2, Derb Sedra, Bab Agnaou (same building as Riad Mehdi); tel +212(24)38-14-28. Tourists-oriented in good sense: couples can have hammam together in a private room. Extensive list of massages and spa treatments, from 30min to a full day. Reception and attendants proficient in English; scrubbing and massage personnel speak only very basic vocabulary; understand even less.
  • Dar Si Saïd Museum. Dedicated to the Moroccan craft industry of wood, gathering a very beautiful collection of popular art: carpets, clothing, pottery and ceramics… All These objects are regional, coming from Marrakech and all the south, specially from Tensift, High Atlas, Soussthe, Anti Atlas, Bani and Tafilal.