Saadian Tombs

Your private, half-day excursion through bustling Marrakech begins after meeting your guide in front of the Café de France, an iconic landmark on Marrakech’s main square. Over the course of the day, you’ll discover the majesty and vibrancy of Marrakech’s medina, beginning with a jaunt across the Jemaa el-Fnaa square to the Koutobia Mosque. Gaze at the mosque’s massive minaret, the largest in Marrakech, as your expert guide informs you of the stunning building’s history. Onwards, you’ll head towards the Saadian Tombs, sealed for centuries until their rediscovery in 1917. Marvel at the ornate carvings in a Hispano-Moorish style that frame the crypts of the 16-century royal family. Afterwards, head to the equally ornate Bahia Palace, a 19th-century royal dwelling intended to be the most splendid palace of its time. Gaze at the elaborately-painted ceilings, beautifully-manicured gardens replete with fruit trees, and elaborate stucco patterns adorning almost every surface of the building. To cap the tour off, you’ll wander through the buzzing souks, with their wide array of local artisans and craftspeople, your guide showing you insider tips about the best stalls. The tour ends back at the Jemaa el-Fnaa square, where hundreds of locals meet every day to enjoy the storytellers, musicians, snake charmers, acrobats, jugglers, and performers of each and every sort.

Discover the enchanting and spectacular treasures of this medieval desert enclave on a guided walking tour. Stroll through the old Marrakech medina with an expert local guide as you discover an array of hidden gems along the way. Benefit from skip-the-line access to both the Bahia & Badii Palaces, then pay an optional visit to the Saadian Tombs. Begin your walking tour by passing the ruins of Sultan Ahmed El Mansour's 16th-century Grand Badi Palace. Catch a glimpse of the former affluence of this majestic city. Learn about how, at the height of its glory, the palace was considered the 8th wonder of the world. Then, continue your tour to the Bahia Palace - the jewel in the crown of Marrakech and a monument of breathtaking magnificence. Enter the monument with skip-the-line admission. As you explore inside, find out how it was constructed in the latter part of the 19th century and took the most skilled workers and artisans 6 years to complete. Finally, pay an optional visit to the Saadian Tombs which were sealed up for centuries until they were rediscovered in 1917. Hear about how the tombs date back to the time of the sultan Ahmad al-Mansur. See the 2 main mausoleums within the enclosure, consisting of 66 tombs with 100 more which lie outside in the gardens.

Discover the old city of Marrakech with its labyrinthine streets, famous markets and the Majorelle Garden on this tour. Visit the famous Palais de Bahia, a beautifully decorated palace full of enchanting inner rooms and elaborate mosaic walls. Walk through the Jewish Quarter, with distinctly different architecture from the rest of the medina, and discover the incredible Saadian tombs and the Medersa Ben Youssef, an old school of Quranic study with beautiful Arabian-Andalucían architecture. Admire the wood carvings and visit the tiny students' rooms, then see the Koutoubia Mosque, an icon of Marrakech and a point of orientation for tourists. Head to the world-famous Jemaah el Fna square with its countless orange juice stands, snake charmers, traditionally-garbed water sellers and henna women. Enjoy a refreshing midday pause on one of the terraces with a panoramic view and take in the sights of the colorful crowds below. Then continue on to the incredible Majorelle Garden and make your way through this oasis of calm in the midst of the bustling new city at your leisure. Visit the Berber Museum housed in the bright blue villa and learn about the history and traditions of Berber people and see some of their beautiful traditional clothing. 

Enjoy a comprehensive sightseeing tour of Marrakech, exploring the medieval streets, souks and medina of Morocco’s “Red City” through its palaces and monuments. Following a pick-up from your hotel or riad, explore one of Morocco’s oldest imperial cities at sites such as the Koutoubia, one of the largest and most beautiful mosques of the western Muslim world. Marvel at its 221-foot minaret and masterful architecture that evokes the Giralda of Seville. Continues to a peaceful enclosure in the Kasbah to see the Saadian Tombs, dating back to the 16th century of Sultan Ahmad al-Mansu. Admire the colorful tiles, Arabic script, and intricate carvings, hidden to the world after they were sealed up until 1917. Next, spend an hour at the 19th-century Bahia Palace, built in 7 years by 1,000 craftsmen from Fez. Intended to be the greatest example of Moroccan and Islamic architecture in the world, a haphazard arrangement of secret apartments open onto inner courtyards, set in the center of a 2-acre garden.  Then go to Jemaa El-Fnaa, Marrakech's main square and the market place. Through the medina, there are different souks to explore. From the silk-spinners and the spice sellers to carpets to crystals. Each little street has its own identity and its own unique selling point.

Spend a full day visiting the most iconic attractions in Marrakech. Following a pickup from your accommodation, explore one of Morocco's largest and most beautiful mosques — Koutoubia.  Continue the tour to the Bahia Palace and admire its beautiful gardens filled with fruit trees and sweet-smelling flowers. Then, head over to the peaceful enclosure in the Kasbah to see the cedar wood domes and marble columns of the Saadian Tombs. Next, get ready to see Morocco's most famous souks and experience the daily hustle and bustle of the city before visiting Djeemaa El Fna, Marrakech's bustling market place filled with merchants from the Souk region. After soaking up the colorful atmosphere of the market, there'll be free time for you to buy lunch.  After your lunch break, visit the Majorelle Gardens, designed by the French artist Jacques Majorelle. Enjoy this haven of peace in the city of Marrakech and explore the magnificent tropical garden with its fountains, pools, bamboo forests, cacti, and much more. Then make your way to the Menara Gardens, the famous summer residence of Sultan Abderrahmane, and gaze in awe at the beautiful orchards and olive groves. Before returning to your hotel, enjoy a tour of the historical city walls of Marrakech.

Admire stunning palaces and centuries-old monuments on a 3-hour guided tour of Marrakech. Your itinerary will include what you would like to see and recommendations from your guide. Discover the fragrant gardens of the Bahia Palace, the Koutoubia Mosque and its 70-meter-high minaret and the recently discovered Saadian tombs. On a visit to the Bahia Palace you’ll be able to enjoy a walk through the beautiful gardens, filled with fruit trees and fragrant flowers. Built in the 19th century, the palace was designed to be the largest of its time. Continue to the Saadian tombs, and admire the cedar wood domes and marble columns. Your last stop on this guided tour will be the Tiskiwin Museum, housed in a riad, and featuring collections of Moroccan art, jewelry, baskets and carpets.

Meet your guide and driver at your hotel/riad for the short drive to La Koutobia Mosque, the largest mosque in Marrakech. Built in the 12th century, its 69-meter-tall minaret is the landmark of Marrakech. Outside the Mosque, you’ll learn about Islam and its 5 pillars as well as the worshipping habits of Moroccans. Your 3-hour guided tour continues to Bahia Palace, a 19th century monument that is an indication of the wealth of Moroccan royalty of that time. The 160-room palace took 15 years to build, and it provides an opportunity to admire and learn about Moroccan architecture. A short walk from the palace, through the old Jewish quarter, you’ll come to the Saadian dynasty tombs, dating back to the 17th century. The site, discovered in 1917, and with its ornately decorated rooms and ceilings, has become a major attraction for visitors to Marrakech. Continue from here to the oldest part of the medina, where your guide will take you on a walking adventure through the maze-like streets, past spice shops, artisan workshops and art galleries. Your guided tour comes to an end in Jemaa el Fna Square, the most famous square in all of Africa. Storytellers, snake charmers, musicians, orange juice sellers and henna tattoo artists all compete for your attention.

Experience the souks and sights of Marrakech on a full-day sightseeing tour with lunch, and learn the “Red City’s” impressive history along the way. You will visit the Koutoubia, one of the most beautiful mosques in the western Muslim world. Marvel at its 225-foot-tall minaret before going to the 14th-century Ben Youssef Medersa, the largest Koranic university in the Maghreb. Continue to the Dar Si Saïd Museum in an Alaouite-style palace of the 19th century. See traditional crafts from southern Morocco, including carpets, costumes and weapons. Next, visit the lovely gardens of El Bahia Palace. Except for the apartments of the sultan's favorite concubine, the council chamber, and the wonderful marble courtyard, the palace is closed to the public. Admire the decorative Saâdian Tombs, built for Sultan Ahmed el Mansour. Continue to Menara Gardens in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and wander among the olive trees surrounding the central lake. Get panoramic views of the snow-capped peaks in the background. Enter the intricate maze of streets that house Marrakech’s souks. Discover different quarters established by craftsmen according to a structured system, including basketwork, dried fruit, spices, Berber carpets, and more. Of particular note is Rue du Souk Smarine, which leads to Place Rahba Kedima, site of the former slave market. Sample traditional Moroccan cuisine in a beautiful setting for lunch, before going to Djemaa El Fna, the vast central square that is the traditional meeting place for peasants and merchants from the Sous region, High Atlas mountains and south Morocco. Alive with fruit and spice traders in the morning, in the afternoon it’s the turn of Gnaoua dancers (descended from Guinean slaves), who come to play music, tell stories, charm snakes and more.

Discover the beautiful old city of Marrakech and wander the labyrinth of famous little streets and alleys. Visit the Palais de Bahia, a decorated palace with enchanted inner rooms and mosaic walls and walk through the Jewish quarter with its interesting architecture. Discover the incredible Saadian Tombs, dating back to the reign of Sultan Ahmed el Mansour and visit the Ben Youssef Madrasa, an old Koran school with beautiful Arabian-Andalucían architecture. Admire the wood carving and visit the little bedrooms for students.  Visit the Koutoubia Mosque, the icon of Marrakech and something of an orientation point for tourists, then head to the world-famous Jemaa el-Fnaa square with its countless orange juice stands, snake charmers, traditionally-clothed water sellers and henna women.

Spend the morning discovering the lively and labyrinthine city of Marrakech and learn about its most fascinating sights and historical events. Start your half day tour either in the morning or afternoon to discover the charming red city Marrakech. A professional driver will pick you up from your accommodation with a new, comfortable and air-conditioned car. Explore the most beautiful and historical places in Marrakech with a local and professional guide who will be pleased to let you know more about Marrakech, its famous monuments and marvellous gardens, as well as its history and traditions. Visit a local market and enjoy the colorful part of this magical city. Before you return to your hotel, visit a local herbalist for a presentation of spices and plants used in traditional Moroccan medicine.