Full Day Marrakesh City Tour including Local Lunch
Description
This day tour includes highlights such as the Koutoubia Mosque(not inside),Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Medrassa and Medina. You'll start at the Koutoubia Mosque and minaret, one of the largest in the western Muslim world. We'll head on over to the Bahia Palace and a local historical museum, before pressing through the labyrinth of the Medina's artisan area. Watch local cooperatives at work and browse traditionally-made handicrafts, after which we'll sit down for lunch in one of its famed riads. We will visit Ben Youssef Medrassa, a historical site today that used to be the largest and most important Islamic school in Morocco. Then we'll dip into the Marrakech souks where bright colours and oriental smells line the street. As part of this tour, we offer a shopping stop, where you can indulge in the city's vibrant shopping scene. This is an optional stop and can be customized to your preferences. We'll round off the tour at the buzzing Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the life and soul of the city.
Tour Options
Itinerary
The largest mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia had inspired other monument such Giralda in Seville. It was founded in the second half of the 12 century; the name of the Koutoubia came from the activity of writers and calligraphers in a courtyard near the mosque. This site occupies an area of 5300 square meters and has 11 domed vaults; its minaret is decorated in its upper parts. The Koutoubia is the first must be seen in Marrakech Medina (Exterior visit).
Built in 19th century, Bahia Palace is one of the masterpieces of Morocco architecture and cultural heritage; it was intended to be the greatest palace of its time: There are more than 120 different rooms, decorated by zellij, tiled floors, smooth arches, and carved-cedar. Riad, courtyard, fountains, magnificent gardens where visitors can literally lose themselves in the beauty of the place.
We will visit Ben Youssef Medrassa, a historical site today that used to be the largest and most important Islamic school in Morocco.
In the labyrinth of the medina, discover the most known Souks in Africa, an opportunity to admire all the richness of an infinitely varied handicraft, represented by the different trades: Colors, sounds and smells a magical atmosphere that worth be experienced.
We'll round off the tour at the buzzing Jemaa el-Fnaa square, the life and soul of the city.
Highlights
What's included
Pickup Locations & Times
The activity start time excludes pickup times. You MUST contact TUI Destination Services for the exact pick-up time and place AT LEAST 48 hours before the start time of the activity.
Traveller Ratings
Important Information
- Infants and small children can ride in a pram or stroller
- Infants are required to sit on an adult’s lap
- Suitable for all physical fitness levels
- Minimum numbers apply. There is a possibility of cancellation after confirmation if there are not enough passengers to meet requirements. In the event of this occurring, you will be offered an alternative or full refund.
- Please note that that one or more of these monuments could be substituted at any time according to availability or any occurred event.
Reviews(269)
Our guide was very good so none of the comments are a reflection on him. The number of people on the tour filled a large bus. Way too many people to be guided through the narrow busy streets and through the sites. There is a full and a half day version. The full include a lunch. The food was mediocre. We left the full day after lunch. I would not recommend this tour, just the guide.
We were given a bad meeting point to start with. Then the visit is very quick , we spend our time walking quickly in the alleys of the medina.however we take time in the shops of friends of the guide. It's ridiculous. They really think we're idiots.
Booked a full day « Marrakech Immersion » tour through viator. Tour guide and driver arrived 20 minutes late to pick us up. Tour guide spent half the day arguing with the driver and complaining to us about him. Lots of time spent finding another family for noon pickup. Called the office to request a different guide and the manager hung up on us after hearing our complaint. Perfunctory stops only outside places of interest. No historical commentary provided. Prearranged stops at vendors with whom the company obviously gets commission or benefit (not permitted by the regulatory body of guides) - one to pressure you into purchasing souvenirs, the other to purchase herbs and Aegean oil. Not recommended at all.
Super friendly and knowledgeable guide made for not only a perfect day of sightseeing but also an education in the culture and history of the city and its people. Our family of 4 were joined by 4 other visitors so made it almost a personal experience. Had lovely lunch on a roof top terrace overlooking the city which made a nice surprise and restful break. There was plenty of time to explore on our own, take photos and soak up the atmosphere especially at the end of the day overlooking the Jamaa El-Fina Square as it came to life. Always felt safe and never troubled.
Thanks you so much for taking time to leave your feed-back and sharing your amazing experience with us, much appreciate your kind’s words. Kindest regards.
I should have listened when I read the most recent reviews for this tour; however, as I always had a good experience with tours that I book through Viator, I decided to go for it. The tour guide was very rude. He would bring us (me and 6 other people) to a site and just disappear. He never presented himself to us. I had to ask him for his name mid-tour. He took us to a place to buy argan oil, and come to find out, the oil (which was expensive) was not pure argan oil. I didn't finish the tour and requested to go back to the hotel because it really was not enjoyable.
From 9 to 12 three famous sights were visited, then lunch and the souks. Very little, practically no information was given on what we have seen. Recommended for those who want to travel in a van between sights instead of a taxi and want somebody else buying the tickets.
I thought the tour was fine, neither outstanding nor the worst. I felt our tour guide was very knowledgable and was actually quite patient given that a few in the group simply didn't listen to the advice he gave about interacting with certain sellers. If you're looking for context I'd book the tour, if you're a bit more of an experienced traveler this one may not be the best for you. I will; however, say another big benefit of this tour was I was able to meet a great group of fellow travelers!
Some of us have taken a similar tour before. Ridiculous being on a bus where you could easily walk, spent more time waiting for buses than anything. Our group was mainly made up of French speaking guests, so the English speaking were in the minority and made to feel so. Eve after we pointed out we felt we were being largely ignored, it continued. No real explanation (in English) of any of the sites. Such a shame as they are worth visiting.
I would not recommend this trip - having previously done a similar trip a few years ago which we thoroughly enjoyed we decided to do a similar trip with family who were first timers in Marrakesh. We booked an English speaking tour which was subsequently joined by another French speaking party. The tour was therefore primarily in French with snippets in English - at one point the guide spent 15 mins giving information in French and only 1.5 mins in English. Even my rudimentary French could make out that he was not giving same detailed information in English. I did point this out to him and he acknowledged it was difficult to keep two parties happy, however we had paid the same as the other party and expected a similar level of service.Lots of time waiting for buses - which is unnecessary as distance between sites is within easy walking distance. Lunch on terrace with views over city and Atlas Mountains was lunch in a room with no views - again our previous tour was in same restaurant on the terrace with the aforementioned views.The tour of the souk was being led through with very little information and those who had previously undertaken a similar tour were left to give information that we recalled from our last tour.All in all not a good experience if you want information on the monuments, history or culture of Marrakesh
We enjoyed our tour, Pros: the bus had AC, lunch was delicious and in a cool spot. we visited some fun areas. Cons: we could have received more information at each spot.
