After spending a week in Agadir, we decided to break up the journey home with a couple of days in Marrakech – and I’m so glad we did. It felt like the perfect contrast: beachy, slow days followed by a bit of city energy before flying back to London.
We took the bus from Agadir to Marrakech, which was actually really straightforward and easy. Nothing stressful – just a few hours of watching the scenery change as we got closer to the city.
When we arrived, we didn’t rush straight out. Instead, we checked in and headed straight up to the rooftop to unwind – which quickly became a bit of a theme for this trip.
- Where We Stayed: 2Ciels Boutique Hôtel
- Day 1: Exploring the Medina
- Day 2: Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
- Final Thoughts
- Related Posts
Where We Stayed: 2Ciels Boutique Hôtel
This hotel was recommended by our friend Fayzah, and honestly – she got it spot on.
The main selling point for us was the rooftop pool, and it didn’t disappoint. It’s one of those places that feels a bit more modern compared to traditional riads, with a stylish design, spacious rooms, and a really relaxed atmosphere.
The rooftop area overlooks the city and even has views of the Atlas Mountains in the distance on a clear day. It felt like a little escape from the chaos of Marrakech – somewhere you could come back to, cool off, and reset after being out in the medina.
Breakfast was another highlight – especially sitting outside in the morning sun. It just set the tone for slower, easy starts to the day.
Day 1: Exploring the Medina
We started our first full day by heading to Madrasa Ben Youssef (around 50 dirham entry). It’s one of those places that really makes you pause – the detail in the tiles, the carvings, the symmetry… it’s incredible to think it was once a functioning Islamic college dating back to the 14th century.
From there, we wandered over to Le Jardin Secret, which felt like a bit of calm in the middle of everything. Hidden behind the busy streets, it’s a peaceful garden with traditional Islamic design – lots of greenery, water features, and quiet corners to sit for a bit.
Next stop was El Badi Palace (entry around 10 dirham). It’s more ruins than palace now, but that’s kind of what makes it interesting — you can imagine how grand it must have been. We grabbed a coffee nearby afterwards and just took a break from walking.
By mid-afternoon, the heat kicked in, so we headed back to the hotel and made full use of the rooftop pool. That balance of exploring and then switching off worked perfectly for us.
In the evening, we went to DarDar rooftop restaurant and this ended up being one of our favourite spots.
We actually arrived around 5pm for drinks first, just in time for sunset, and then stayed on for dinner later. It’s definitely popular (and I can see why), so I’d recommend booking ahead. There was a live band playing, the atmosphere was great, and the whole place just had a really good energy.
After dinner, we wandered through the souks and into the medina — busy, chaotic, but in a way that feels part of the experience. We also passed by Koutoubia Mosque, which is even more impressive lit up at night.
Day 2: Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum
We kept the slow mornings going and had breakfast outside at the hotel again – probably one of my favourite parts of the whole stay, if I’m honest.
Afterwards, we visited the beautiful Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent Museum (around 70 dirham entry).
The garden was originally created by French artist Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s, before being restored years later by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. It’s known for that striking deep blue colour you see throughout (now called “Majorelle Blue”), and the mix of plants from all over the world.
It’s not huge, but it’s one of those places that feels really thoughtfully put together — quiet paths, bamboo, cacti, little fountains. It didn’t feel rushed at all, which I appreciated.
We headed back to the hotel afterwards (no surprises here) and spent more time by the rooftop pool. At this point, it had fully become part of our daily routine.
In the evening, we had dinner booked at Le Comptoir Darna, which is known for its lively atmosphere and belly dancing shows.
But when we arrived, the vibe was completely different. Earlier that day, the mother of Mohammed VI had sadly passed away, so out of respect there was no entertainment. The whole المكان felt much quieter than expected.
Even so, the staff were incredibly thoughtful. They noticed I was pregnant and brought out a small treat for me, which was such a kind gesture and made the evening feel special in a different way.
After dinner, we walked through Jemaa el-Fnaa one last time – picking up a few bits, soaking in the atmosphere, and just enjoying those final moments before heading home.
Final Thoughts
Marrakech felt like the perfect way to end the trip — a mix of culture, good food, and a bit of chaos, balanced out by those slower moments back at the hotel.
It wasn’t overly packed or rushed, which made it feel more like a proper break than just ticking things off a list. And honestly, that combination of exploring in the morning and retreating to the rooftop pool in the afternoon? I’d do it exactly the same way again.
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