Getting there: big culture shock, small flight time

One of the reasons this hen weekend worked so well as a quick escape was the flight. We had fantastic direct flights from Birmingham: an early morning outbound and a late evening return, which meant we squeezed every drop out of our first and last days. It genuinely felt like a full long‑weekend stay.

We arrived on the Friday, landing at 10:40am and arriving in our riad in the Medina before lunchtime. On the way home we did that crucial last bit of shopping, left the riad at about 3.30pm for our evening flight, and were back home around 10pm.

The flight itself is only about three and a half hours, which every single one of the girls commented on as a huge bonus. Heading to Morocco, you get a real culture shock in the best possible way. You feel as if you have travelled somewhere far, exotic and very different, yet you have only flown as long as you would for a Portugal, Spain or Italy. Three and a half hours direct for that level of escapism feels like a travel cheat code.

We sailed through Marrakech airport, which can sometimes be a bit tricky, but this time entry was smooth and straightforward. Our transfer was waiting for us and whisked us straight to the edge of the Medina.

Arriving in the Medina: chaos outside, calm inside

Many riads in Marrakech are tucked away in the Medina and not directly accessible by car. The last stretch is usually on foot through the narrow, winding, atmospheric alleys that give the old city so much of its charm.

In our case, we had the loveliest welcome. The property manager from our riad came to meet us from the car, which meant no immediate “where on earth are we?” panic, no dragging cases while trying to follow Google Maps, and no getting lost within five minutes of arrival. Instead, we were greeted, guided through the lanes and taken straight to the riad’s door.

The moment those big, beautifully carved doors opened, we were handed our first glasses of sweet, fragrant Moroccan mint tea and everything slowed down. It was the perfect, gentle start to our weekend.

I have had previous trips where the arrival was less seamless: sometimes you are dropped at the edge of the Medina and told to find your own way in, which is very normal here but can feel overwhelming if you are not expecting it. If that ever happens when you book with me, you will never be left wondering what to do; I will always make sure you know exactly what to expect on arrival, have a clear map and directions to your riad, and that someone from the property is ready to welcome you.

Riad Tawargit: serenity behind the doors

For this trip, we stayed at Riad Tawargit and it was absolutely glorious. This was the second riad I have stayed in and I have loved them both, but Tawargit really was next level.

From that first, peaceful welcome and the mint tea I had been dreaming about, every corner of the property felt like perfection. It was spotlessly clean, beautifully maintained, bright and stylish, without losing any of its traditional character. The whole place has an almost serene, cocoon‑like energy.

That is the magic of a riad stay in Marrakech. You step out of the hot, noisy, chaotic streets of the Medina, dodge the scooters and wander past stalls and street sellers, then push open these heavy doors and suddenly you are in a cool, quiet inner world. Light filters into the central courtyard, the air is still, and all you can hear is the drip of a fountain or the clink of a teacup.

It is the most wonderful contrast: outside is colour, noise and sensory overload; inside is calm, cool and restorative. For a hen do where you want to enjoy the buzz of the city but still sleep well, recharge and have real downtime together, a riad like this is perfect.

Shopping the souks: pack an extra bag

Marrakech is the dream destination if you want to shop till you drop, and that is exactly what we did.

After a lovely lunch on our first full day, we headed straight for the souks and really made the most of them. Whether you are looking for leather goods, straw bags, beautiful kaftans, lamps, fountains, home furnishings, rugs, cushions, spices or oils, Marrakech has everything you can imagine and then some. (Even football kits which went down very well with our kids during the world Cup!)

We quickly realised that the prices, once you work out the conversion, are fantastic. It genuinely makes your jaw drop a little when you realise what you are paying for something handmade and unique compared to at home.

My absolute top tip for shopping in Marrakech is to pack an empty spare bag, or even better, buy one there, because you will fill it. We went out on three separate shopping trips and still felt we could have bought so much more. If something is too big to bring home in your luggage, most shops are well used to shipping items back for you, so that gorgeous rug or lamp you are eyeing up does not have to stay behind.

The souks themselves are an eclectic, colourful maze and a huge part of the fun. The market traders and shop owners are incredibly welcoming, and their sense of humour is brilliant. We spent a lot of time laughing as they imitated our British accents and teased us into their stalls. It is all part of the experience.

One of my favourite moments was having a piece of jewellery handmade for me right in front of my eyes: choosing the style, seeing it come together, and walking away with something completely personal as a reminder of the trip.

Between us we bought leather, bags, gifts, little treasures for our homes and, of course, a few things we absolutely did not “need” but fell in love with anyway. Shopping in Marrakech is not optional: you will shop, that is for sure.

Feasting in Marrakech: tagines, rooftops and all the vibes

Next up: the food. I absolutely love Moroccan cuisine. The traditional tagine, slow‑cooked in its own beautiful pot, is pure comfort in a dish. My personal favourite is chicken with preserved lemon, but there are fantastic vegetarian options too, along with couscous, pastilla and all the sweet treats you could wish for.

One of the things I love most about eating in Morocco is the fresh bread that appears with every meal. Combine that with honey, dips and salads and I am in heaven before the main even arrives.

We really did fill our boots on this trip and found some gorgeous settings to do it in. Breakfast at the riad was a feast in itself: pancakes, crumpets, fresh bread, eggs, honey and more, all laid out so beautifully that we were happily fuelled for long days of wandering, shopping and rooftop hopping.

But it was our evenings that really showcased Marrakech at its best, because this city knows how to do a rooftop.

Rooftop 1: Kabana – sunset, live music and mojitos

My first top recommendation is Kabana Rooftop. I am here for the vibes, trust me.

We booked a sunset slot, sitting down around 7pm with sunset at about 8.40pm and it was perfect. We ate dinner with views over the Koutoubia Mosque and the city turning gold in front of us, the sky melting into the most beautiful orange hues as the sun dipped.

The food here is great, but for us the cocktails absolutely stole the show. Of course I had to road‑test my favourite, the mojito, and it did not disappoint.

The real magic at Kabana is what happens as the evening unfolds. At 9pm a live band appears, playing a brilliant mix of traditional Moroccan sounds, classic pop, rock ballads and everything in between. They had everyone up dancing, from groups of friends to couples and families. After the band, a DJ takes over and keeps the energy going into the early hours.

We absolutely loved it. Kabana is a must for any visit to Marrakech.

Rooftop 2: Dardar – hen‑night heaven

Our second night was all about celebrating our gorgeous hen, and we chose the perfect place to do it: Dardar Rooftop.

From the street it looks like an unassuming doorway, just 10 minutes’ walk from our riad right in the heart of the Medina. You climb the stairs and immediately feel the buzz: DJ sets in the restaurant space, then another level up to the rooftop where the lanterns steal the show, glowing softly over everything.

Up on the terrace we had traditional Moroccan belly dancers, an epic DJ and an atmosphere that was just spot on for a celebration: fun, stylish and full of life without feeling chaotic.

I had told them in advance that we were celebrating a hen do and they pulled out all the stops: fireworks on the dessert, free shots for the table and all the celebratory touches you secretly hope for on a night like this.

The food at Dardar was outstanding. I would genuinely put it up there with some of the best meals I have ever eaten. I had an octopus dish which was cooked perfectly, and my friend’s lamb dish was honestly one of the best flavours I have ever tasted. We spent most of the meal passing plates around the table and saying “you have to try this”.

We loved it here and I would go straight back on my next trip.

Rooftop 3: Bendir – boho lunches and easy afternoons

Another spot to add to your list for lunch or a more laid‑back rooftop stop is the super‑cool, bohemian Bendir Rooftop.

It is tucked away in one of the little souks in the artsy area and has that relaxed, creative feel that makes you want to linger. We loved it so much the first time that we ended up popping back for a final drink on our last day.

It is the perfect place for a long, lazy lunch, people watching and chatting over tagines and salads, and it balances out the more high energy nights beautifully.

Jemaa el‑Fna: watch from above, eat in the backstreets

You cannot talk about Marrakech without mentioning Jemaa el‑Fna, the main square. It is a full sensory experience: performers, street food stalls, juice stands, the works. It is busy, chaotic and a little bit mad, in the best possible way.

My tip for Jemaa el‑Fna is to use the rooftops here for a drink rather than a full meal. Prices can be higher because you are paying for those central views, so we liked to head up for a cold drink during the day, cool off and watch the hustle and bustle from above.

For the best value and often the best food, wander into the backstreets and side alleys leading off the square. That is where you will find some of the loveliest little spots, often with rooftops of their own, where the food is incredible and the atmosphere feels more local and relaxed.

Desert dreams: a day at Agafay

We really wanted this trip to be memorable, and our time in the Agafay Desert absolutely exceeded our expectations.

Visiting Agafay had been on my bucket list for a long time. I had been seeing the desert camps online and booking them for clients for years, and I was desperate to experience it for myself. We were not disappointed.

We spent a full seven hours there, with a lovely air‑conditioned private transfer out from the city. Incredibly, we pretty much had the camp to ourselves, which as a group of five mums with fifteen children between us felt like the ultimate luxury. The peace and quiet was everything.

Our day there was a perfect blend of:

• a beautiful Moroccan lunch,
• time in a pristine swimming pool in the middle of the desert,
• sunbathing on loungers with those endless views,
• shisha for those who fancied it,
• plenty of Moroccan mint tea,
• and most importantly, time to just relax, recoup and enjoy each other’s company.

All of those elements joined together to make this one of our absolute favourite days, not just on this trip but in general. We honestly had the best time and I cannot recommend it enough.

The camp also offers evening experiences with fire pits, traditional dancing and dinners under the stars, as well as options for bigger group bookings. You can even stay overnight, which I am certain will be a highlight of my next visit.

Quad bikes, palm groves and sunset camels

The next day we headed out again, this time to the Palmeraie (Palm Grove), about 25 minutes outside Marrakech in another blissfully air‑conditioned private transfer.

Here we found our thrill‑seeking selves quad biking through the palm groves, and I can honestly say it was one of the most fun experiences I have had in a very long time. We were all a little bit nervous on arrival, but our guides were fantastic.

They fitted us with helmets, gave a clear safety briefing, made sure everyone was comfortable riding before we set off, and kept fairly strict rules once we were out to ensure we stayed safe. Within minutes we were grinning from ear to ear.

I am convinced our guide was moonlighting as a photographer because he took the most epic shots of us all along the way. We stopped part‑way through for mint tea, then finished our race through the desert tracks and headed back to the Palm Grove for our camel ride at sunset.

The camel ride provided more giggles than glamour, but in the best way. There is something about wobbling along in a line, watching the sky turn pink over the palms, that none of us will forget in a hurry. I would highly recommend it.

This is exactly the sort of excursion I can arrange as part of your Marrakech trip, alongside so many others: from Atlas Mountain adventures and waterfall visits to Berber village homestays or even sunrise hot‑air ballooning. The possibilities are endless.

Why I love Marrakech (and why it works for so many trips)

All of this leads me to why I love Marrakech so much: it is such a versatile destination.

My three visits so far have been completely different, and I know I will be back again to do something new all over again. You can build a trip here around almost any style of travel:

• a romantic escape with hammams, rooftop dinners and desert sunsets,
• a fun girls’ trip or hen do like ours,
• a family adventure with camel rides, pools and nature,
• or a solo escape mixing culture, food and spa time.

You can spend your days haggling in the souks, feasting on tagines, chilling in a riad courtyard, racing quad bikes through the palm groves or sipping mint tea by a desert pool, all in one long weekend.

If Marrakech is on your radar and you would love a grown‑up girls’ trip, a hen weekend with a twist or simply a short break that feels much further away than it is, just get in touch and I will help you plan your own version of this magical city escape.

Looking ahead: more Morocco to come

I think you can probably tell how much I love Morocco by now. I will be visiting again in August and heading to the coast this time, to discover a new side of the country with my family in Agadir and Taghazout. I cannot wait to report back.

If you already have a Moroccan itinerary in mind, or you are just starting to dream about it, please do reach out. There are some really important things to know about this beautiful country, from its closed currency to the way the airports work and little tips that can really enhance your stay.

I book a lot of Morocco trips and it is a destination I know and absolutely adore, so I am very much here to help. If you have Morocco on your radar, just get in touch and I will help you shape a trip that suits you perfectly. And keep an eye out: I cannot wait to fill you in on my Agadir and Taghazout adventures in August.