We traveled from Essaouira to Marrakech on the bass of the Supratours company. The bus station and ticket office "Supratours" is located next to the medina. The ticket costs 80 dirhams. It takes about 5 hours to drive along a good road, with one half-hour stop near a nice roadside cafe where you can eat sandwiches and croissants with coffee.
- waiting for our Supratours bus
- all seats are full, very popular destination
- here we stopped for lunch
There was one powerful attraction in Marrakesh for me - the Majorelle Garden. Somehow we never had time to go there.
But this time we had a firm intention to see this famous garden. We took a taxi from the Supraturs bus station, drove to the beginning of the medina, reached our riad, and left our things. And on the next taxi for 40 dirhams and 15 minutes (the prices are very reasonable, especially after bargaining) we rushed to the entrance to the miracle garden.
- by taxi in the evening Marrakech
Majorelle is open to visitors from 10 am to 6 pm. Entrance costs 70 dirhams. The garden is small in area, but very rich in exotic plants and beauty. Luxurious garden with a huge collection of cacti from all over Africa and beyond. It’s a pity that such a minimal area, and you can’t really walk around there. In the depths of the fabulous garden is the grave of the famous fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent, who created this luxury during his lifetime, and found his last refuge here.
- in Majorelle
- Majorelle magical
From the garden we returned to Jama al Fna with the need to have lunch. We found an excellent cafe Lancien with an outdoor terrace that is heated and illuminated by beautiful lights. The lights attract the attention of visitors and warm those who are already on the terrace. Views from this terrace of the distant peaks of the Atlas illuminated by the setting sun, the minarets and rooftops of houses, as well as the brightly lit bustling square. The food here is good, we took harira soup, tajine, and mint tea. Harira and tajines are prepared almost the same everywhere, in the sense of the same set of ingredients, but the taste is very different in different places. This cafe was very good looking. The cost of a good lunch or dinner for two people is 200/250 dirhams. I don’t know about alcohol, we always took citrus fresh juices, which are just awesome here, or mint tea. Other tourists were often seen with a bottle of wine, so I think that there is good quality wine here. For example, in the same India, or Nepal, it is difficult to find good wine in ordinary cafes. Is that in restaurants at 5 * hotels. And in Morocco, the influence of a huge tourist flow from Europe still affects.
- I recommend this cafe
- views from the terrace of the cafe Lancien
There are a lot of cafes, restaurants, pastry shops, fresh bars and street eateries in Marrakesh. The cost of fresh is from 4 to 10 dirhams, depending on the type of fruit. The cost of fresh and very tasty croissants and cakes is from 6 to 12 dirhams. Tajine from 30 to 80 dirhams, depending on the type of establishment where it is prepared. Harira soup from 15 dirhams. French fries from 15 dirhams. Any delicious yogurt from 1 dirham. Water 1l. - 2 dirhams.
In general, for me, Marrakesh was a kind of transit point, which I explored very little. From which it is convenient to get to the mountains, to the ocean coast, or to the desert. I have never spent at least 1 full day in the city. Each time they arrived in the evening and left in the morning. Here, I only know Jama al Fna well, because I always settled near her in the same riad. From Jama it is convenient to get everywhere, both to the airport and to the railway. and bus stations. There are always a lot of taxis near it. You can’t drive into the medina by car, only by motorcycles and horse-drawn vehicles. Therefore, if your hotel or riad is in the medina, then a taxi will take you to Jamaia, and then you will have to stomp on foot. Keep this in mind. Medina is quite confusing, and it is better to use the services of local helpers, who, for 5 dirhams, will lead you to the door of the hotel. Or ask a guide from the hotel. But it’s better to settle outside the medina, and just go on an excursion there.
And yet, the Jamaa al Fna square and the medina are the most colorful place in the city. Although I can’t stand this square, for the hustle and bustle, the noise and din, and the stench (it stinks of cheap gasoline from hundreds of motorcycles, it stinks of manure, all kinds of fried food, etc.). If fate ever brings me to Marrakech, then I will choose a riad away from Dajamaa, and closer to some park, which are simply gorgeous in Morocco in general, and in Marrakesh in particular. But if you are going to Marrakech for the first time, then of course Jamaa and the medina are a must-see. The number of tourists there just rolls over, and therefore it is quite safe. But still keep an eye on your pockets, gadgets, and bags. Since in such places of mass congestion of people thieves are always operating. About what owners of our riad warned us more than once. And I, in turn, warn you.
