Moroccan Culinary Experience

After a relaxed morning and a free afternoon, your evening begins with an authentic guided food tour through Marrakech’s bustling medina, the most delicious way to immerse yourself in Moroccan culture. As the sun sets, the city comes alive with sizzling grills, fragrant spices, and the sounds of Jemaa el-Fna.

With your English-speaking guide, you’ll weave through lively alleys and hidden corners, sampling freshly baked msemen, spiced olives, steaming bowls of harira, savory briouates, and slow-cooked tangia. End the evening with sweet pastries and traditional mint tea as locals gather for stories and music.

This feast of flavors and atmosphere offers the perfect introduction to Morocco’s culinary soul.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad

After breakfast, you will be driven to Ourika Valley, approximately 1 hour from Marrakech. You will stay in a beautiful property nestled in the middle of the Atlas Mountains, filled with flowers and fruit trees.

In the afternoon, we will take you to the Bioaromatic Gardens to start your culinary experience. You will first select your own herbs and vegetables from the farm and then prepare a three-course meal with an experienced cook. You’ll enjoy your prepared meal during lunch on an outside patio and admire the mountain views.

Accommodation: 5-star Hotel

After a leisurely morning by the pool, we will take you to Le Paradis du Safran where you’ll have a local lunch overlooking the High Atlas Mountains. Here, you will be introduced to various bio-aromatic plants, take in the saffron fields, and walk barefoot along a beautiful trail, with herbal baths and an organic argan oil experience for your feet. There is also a charming shop curated by owner Christine, featuring the best local products from the region.

Accommodation: 5-star Hotel

After breakfast, you will take a private transfer to the charming Atlantic coastal city of Essaouira, an 18th-century fortified town and former Portuguese stronghold. Surrounded by medieval battlements and facing a cluster of rocky offshore islands, Essaouira features whitewashed, blue-shuttered medina buildings, thuya wood workshops, art galleries, boat builders, and sardine fishermen, offering a vibrant contrast to Marrakech's urban feel. The city provides numerous photographic opportunities and attracts visitors with its sea breeze, ideal for windsurfing and kite surfing.

Upon arrival around lunchtime, after checking in at your riad, you may want to dine at one of the many fish stalls near the port, where the morning’s catch is displayed and cooked fresh.

Following lunch, enjoy a guided tour of the town, exploring the port, lively souk, traffic-free medina, and ramparts. You can also visit an 18th-century synagogue, a testament to the town’s strong Jewish heritage.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad

Today, you'll be accompanied by a Moroccan chef who specializes in traditional cuisine. Having worked in various regions of Morocco, particularly in Essaouira, he has a deep understanding of local food and will share its secrets with you.

Stroll through the best local markets, including the famous Essaouira fish market, and soak in its lively, colorful atmosphere. Learn to select fresh, high-quality ingredients for your meal, based on daily inspirations and available produce.

Next, you'll prepare a complete meal (appetizer, main course, dessert) using various traditional Moroccan cooking techniques, such as cooking directly on a brazier. You'll make your own traditional Moroccan bread and bake it in the old communal oven in the medina. You'll also discover the best method to brew the famous Moroccan tea.

Finally, enjoy your culinary creations during a convivial meal and take home the secrets of the unique taste of local Moroccan cuisine.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad

After breakfast, you will make the private transfer back to Marrakech (approx. 2.5 hours) to return to the riad and overnight there for two nights.

This afternoon, you will follow the riad’s chef during a traditional Moroccan cookery class, preparing a three-course meal (salad or pastilla, tagine, pastry, or fruit dessert). The class is usually held on the riad’s rooftop terrace at a special workstation for each guest.

Your evening meal will be your own creation, which you may enjoy in the riad’s restaurant, on the terrace, or at the poolside patio.

This evening, you have the further option to use the riad’s spa and hammam.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad

After breakfast, your local city guide will meet you at your riad and show you all around Marrakech. Your tour will include visits to some of the important monuments of the Red City such as Bahia Palace, Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Koutoubia Mosque.

In between these important sites, you'll explore the various artisanal sections of the souks where people have practiced their crafts for centuries. You’ll have the chance to shop for famous Moroccan spices and all kinds of olives.

Your tour will end after lunch. You'll have the rest of the day free to continue exploring Jemaa el-Fna in the late afternoon - have tea at one of the cafes overlooking the square to watch it come alive as the sun goes down.

Accommodation: Traditional Riad

After breakfast, you will be collected to make the short transfer to the airport for your flight home.

This itinerary is a Small Group trip that has fixed departures where you can join like-minded travelers.

If you wish to customize the itinerary by adjusting the duration or activities, or if you wish to privatize this itinerary for only your group, contact us.