Morocco (Casablanca & Marrakech) 2017

Morocco (Casablanca & Marrakech) 2017 

• I spent 24h in Casablanca with my couple and a weekend in Marrakech with my family 
• Despite the short time in both place I will share some of the places that I liked
  
  

a) Casablanca

Places visited:

• Grand Mosque 
• Old Medina
• Ain Diab beach

Grand Mosque:

• Hassan II Mosque, built in 1993, is the largest in Morocco and one of the biggest in the world, gathering up to 100,000
• Despite its popularity, it preserves its religious content and going inside the mosque itself is only allowed to muslims
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Old Medina:

• Around the Old Medina there are plenty of chaotic and beautiful streets and markets of all kinds

• Even modern graffitis are found in some of the streets, some of which I really enjoyed
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Ain Diab beach:

• Bus number 9 (less than €0.5) took us early morning to one of the most popular beaches in Casablanca, Ain Diab, where we enjoyed breakfast with the sunrise and a fresh swim
  
  
  
  

b) Marrakech

Places visited:

• Jeema el-Fna & surrounding souks
• Ben Yousseuf Madrasa
• Majorelle gardens
• Saadian Tombs
  

Jeema el-Fna & surrounding souks:

• Everything happens around Jeema el-Fna, the main square of Marrakech, and most visited place in Marrakech
• There are many ways of entertainment happening both during the day and night, plenty of bargaining at all times and several restaurants where to enjoy local cuisine
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
• Koutoubia Mosque, from late 12th century, is the highest points in that square and the largest in Marrakech

• All streets departing from Jeema el-Fna are full of souks where you cannot forget to bargain everything!

Ben Yousseuf Madrasa:

• At a walking distance from Jeema el-Fna you can visit the Madrasa of Ben Yousseuf (Madrasa meaning school in arabic), from the 16th century, the largest and most significant in Morocco, which could host up to 900 students 
• Entrance fee is approximately €1
  
  
  
  
  

Majorelle gardens:

• Botanic garden from early 20th century, purchased in 1980s by popular fashion designers (Yves Saint-Laurent & Pierre Berge) and open to public
• Quite overrated in my opinion, and expensive (€7), is still one of the most visited attractions in Marrakech but I did not feel impressed
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  

Saadian Tombs:

• Tombs of the Saadian dinasty dated from 16th and early 17th centuries but discovered in 1917 which can be visited with an entrance fee of €1
  
  
  
  
• Also, both in Casablanca and Marrakech we enjoyed local cuisine, especially Moroccan tea, tagine and some couscous
  
  
  
  
• I have the feeling I have plenty of places to discover in Morocco and I could spend several weeks travelling around 
• Despite the scarce information, hope it helps someone :)