0830h (8:30am): You will be picked up from your centrally located hotel in Marrakech for this Marrakech in a Nutshell tour.
Set out in an air-conditioned bus with your guide for this sightseeing tour which also includes lunch. Both the historical sightseeing tour and the visit to the souks and Medersa last for approximately three hours each.
The breakdown of your itinerary is as follows:
0900h (9:00am): There will be a 5-minute photo stop at the foot of the Koutoubia Minaret . The Koutoubia is the largest mosque in Marrakech with a stunning 70 metre high minaret.
Following this, visit the Saadian Tombs, sealed for centuries until they were rediscovered in 1917. The tombs date back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. There are two main mausoleums within the enclosure, consisting of 66 tombs while 100 more are laid outside in the gardens. Notice the wonderful Hispano-Moorish architecture that surrounds the burial ground of the royal family.
0930h (9:30am): Explore the Private Museum of Marrakech, belonging to the Omar Benjelloun Foundation, in the medina. Housed in a classical Andalusian building, with fountains in the central courtyard, museum’s collections includes historical books, coins, Moroccan, Jewish and Berber pottery.
1000h (10:00am): Visit the 19th century Bahia Palace, surrounded by beautifully-manicured gardens filled with sweet-smelling flowers and fruit trees. The aristocratic palace has beautifully painted residential rooms and a lush Moorish style garden in the courtyard.
1115h (11:15am): Stop at Dar Nejjarine, where you can pick up some exquisitely-made carpets and other Moroccan handicrafts.
1200h (12:00noon): The tour will stop for lunch at Dar Nejjarine. Dine on a variety of Tagines, kefta (chopped meat), chicken couscous, Tfaya with beans and fruits of the season. After lunch, enjoy some time for leisure here.
1500h (3:00pm): Visit the Medersa Ben Youssef. This Islamic school dates back to the 16th century and used to be the most important such institution in the whole Maghreb.
1530h (3:30pm): Meet a traditional herbalist and see a presentation of the various spices that are used in the Moroccan healing system.
1600h (4:00pm): Walk in the Medina and discover the colorful and exotic Moroccan handicrafts. Explore the market, which is divided into smaller souks according to goods sold. This grand labyrinth features hand-crafted Moroccan good such as babouche slippers, woodworks, brass works, ironworks, bronze works, jewellery, kaftans, carpets, spices, and pottery. You will also be able to visit the best galleries for leather, antiques and hand crafted gold jewellery.
1730h (5:30pm): Enjoy strolling in the world-famous Djemaa El Fna square, Marrakech’s most popular tourist attraction. This bustling square is listed by UNESCO as a "Masterpiece of World Heritage". Snake charmers, acrobats, dancers, storytellers make it a lively hub of activity. The smell of exotic spices fills the air as stalls whip up lip-smacking Moroccan street delicacies.
1800h (6:00pm): Your tour ends with a drop-off at your hotel or the closest drop-off point in Marrakech.