Arriving in Marrakech: First Impressions of a City of Two Worlds

Marrakech: First Impressions

When I landed in Marrakech, I felt something I wasn’t expecting.

Familiarity.

It was my first time in North Africa and my first time in an Arabic-speaking part of the continent, yet somehow it felt welcoming from the very beginning.

The drive from the airport into the city felt like stepping into another world.

The terracotta-coloured buildings, the palm trees lining the roads, and the warm tones of the landscape slowly introduced Marrakech to me in the gentlest way.

As we got closer to the Medina, the energy changed. The streets became busier. More people filled the narrow alleyways. Everything felt vibrant and alive.

I remember looking out of the car window and thinking,

“I’m finally here.”

Marrakech had been one of those destinations I’d seen for years on television travel programmes growing up in the UK. The kind of place that seemed exotic, mysterious, and far away. And now I was experiencing it for myself.

My First Riad Experience

Our first accommodation was a traditional riad inside the Medina.

Getting there was an experience in itself. The taxi could only take us so far, and our riad host was waiting for us at the roadside, where local shops and bakeries lined the streets.

We followed him as he weaved us through narrow alleyways lined with family homes and children playing in the streets.

At first glance, it felt chaotic. Then beautiful.

You could smell spices cooking.

Hear conversations floating through open doorways.

Catch glimpses of everyday life unfolding around you.

Then suddenly, you arrive at an unassuming but beautifully intricately carved wooden doorway with a heavy golden knocker.

And everything changes.

Behind that door was a hidden oasis. A peaceful sanctuary in the middle of the Medina.

Our riad felt like stepping into a secret garden, with hidden nooks for reading, relaxing, and socialising, all beautifully and elegantly decorated with beaten silver chandeliers, lamps, cushions, and plants.

There were two swimming pools, one in the courtyard and another on the rooftop. My room was on the first floor, where I could look down into the courtyard and see the pool with rose petals floating on the surface.

My room was elegantly decorated with carved wooden wardrobes and a beautiful bathroom that felt Moroccan and modern at the same time.

Every morning, Fatima prepared breakfast and coffee for us. Fresh bread, pastries, fruit, and warm Moroccan hospitality.

We ate on the rooftop terrace, which looked out over a sea of olive trees.

It became one of my favourite parts of each day, a quiet moment of reflection and a time to meet other travellers.

The Magic of the Medina

Of course, I spent plenty of time exploring the Medina itself.

Walking through the souks.

Haggling for spices and jewellery.

Shopping for handcrafted treasures.

Watching artisans at work.

Sipping mint tea on rooftop terraces and, of course, eating tagine.

One of my favourite viewpoints was Nomad, where you can look out across the rooftops and see the Medina stretching endlessly in every direction.

And then there was Jemaa el Fnaa.

The beating heart of Marrakech.

Busy, energetic, colourful, and impossible to ignore. Day or night, there was always something happening.

It’s one of those places where you simply stand still and watch life unfold around you. It can be overwhelming for some, understandably, but it was something I delighted in. I enjoyed getting lost in it.

The Marrakech I Didn’t Expect

But what surprised me most wasn’t the Medina.

It was modern Marrakech.

After a few days in the old city, I moved into an apartment in Gueliz.

And suddenly I discovered a completely different side of Marrakech.

Wide boulevards.

Modern cafés.

Stylish brunch spots.

Boutique hotels.

Shopping centres.

Art galleries.

Beautiful restaurants.

It felt sophisticated, contemporary, and creative.

Almost like experiencing two cities in one trip.

One moment you’re wandering centuries-old alleyways.

The next you’re sitting in a chic café enjoying brunch and shopping in Zara and MAC.

That contrast is what makes Marrakech so fascinating and inviting.

I would recommend that anyone visiting Marrakech experiences both the “New Town” of Gueliz and M Avenue, as well as the Medina.

Beyond the City

One of the highlights of the trip was our day excursion to Ouzoud Falls.

Leaving the city behind for a completely different landscape showed just how diverse Morocco really is.

Driving through villages and experiencing a more authentic side of Morocco was unforgettable. The tagine tasted better, the argan oil was cheaper and purer, and I would recommend buying souvenirs here, as they are often more authentic, handmade, and affordable than what you may find in the souks and Medina of Marrakech.

Marrakech is definitely a city full of contrast.

There are also beach clubs and resorts just outside the city. After hiking at Ouzoud Falls, I treated myself to a day pass at one of the resorts.

A slower pace.

Poolside relaxation.

A beautiful buffet dinner with entertainment.

And a chance to experience yet another side of Marrakech.

The city seems to offer something for every mood:

Adventure.

Culture.

Luxury.

Relaxation.

Connection.

Coffee at Dar El Bacha

One experience that deserves its own mention is coffee at Dar El Bacha.

If you’re a coffee lover, it’s an absolute must.

Elegant interiors.

Impeccable service.

And one of the most memorable coffee experiences I’ve ever had while travelling.

It felt less like grabbing a coffee and more like participating in a ritual. A moment to slow down and savour the experience.

Final Thoughts

When people think of Marrakech, they often think of the Medina.

The souks.

The riads.

The colours.

The chaos.

And while all of that is part of its charm, Marrakech is so much more than that.

It is old and new.

Traditional and modern.

Chaotic and peaceful.

Familiar and surprising.

For me, the magic wasn’t just in seeing Marrakech.

It was in discovering its many layers.

And that’s what has stayed with me.

Not a single attraction.

Not a single photograph.

But the feeling of a city that welcomed me before I even knew it.

“Marrakech wasn’t just a place I visited. It was a place I experienced.”