Travel: 48 hours in Marrakech

By Robin Gauldie
Published on 18/11/2012 15:10

Friday, 6pm Arrive at Les Borjs de la Kasbah (www.lesborjsdelakasbah.com, doubles from £100).

Friday, 6pm Arrive at Les Borjs de la Kasbah (www.lesborjsdelakasbah.com, doubles from £100).

7pm Take a horse-drawn carriage to the Djemaa el-Fna, the Square of the Dead, to watch snake charmers and fire-eaters. On the way, you’ll pass the 
elegant minaret of the 12th-
century Koutoubia Mosque.

8pm Dinner at Dar Moha (81 rue Dar el Basha, www.darmoha.com) in the walled garden of a 19th-century mansion, accompanied by traditional musicians and belly dancers. Try the pastilla, a classic Moroccan dish of pigeon in thin pastry, flavoured with cinnamon and other spices.

Saturday, 9am Leave for a half-day exploring and haggling in the souks of the Medina with a personal guide, 
arranged by the hotel.

1pm Lunch on the rooftop at Café Arabe (184 rue Mouassine).

■ 2.30pm Spend the afternoon exploring the Kasbah, the inner core of the Medina, where the key sights are the Dar Si Said, a mansion that houses the Museum of Moroccan Art, the 16th-century Saadian Tombs, and the Maison Tiskiwin, an excellent collection of arts and crafts.

8pm Take a cab to Pacha Marrakech (Ave. Mohammed V, Zone Hoteliere de l’Aguedal, www.pachamarrakech.com) for drinks, dinner and dancing.

Sunday, 9am Take a taxi to the Nouvelle Ville and spend the morning strolling around the tranquil, colourful Jardin Majorelle (www.jardinmajorelle.com).

Noon Al fresco lunch at Café Bousafsaf (Jardin Majorelle, tel: [phone]).

1pm Return to Les Borjs de la Kasbah for a relaxing afternoon in the hammam (steam bath).

8pm Dinner at the hotel’s Le Jasmin restaurant, where the menu is French with a Moroccan twist.

Monday, 8am Check out and head for the airport.

ROBIN GAULDIE

THE FACTS Return flights from Edinburgh to Agadir start from £361, www.skyscanner.net, www.visitmorocco.com