Marrakech – Colors, Scents, and a Touch of Magic

A journey to Marrakech—filled with colors, scents, and little surprises. Three days where we lost ourselves among bazaars, gardens, and magical encounters. This time not just the two of us—but just as unforgettable.

Where fairy tales ripen: Pomegranates in the Marrakech sun—sweet, plump, and irresistibly beautiful.

We travel a lot—and when we do, it’s almost always just the two of us. Our trip to Marrakech was one of those rare exceptions. A spontaneous outburst of enthusiasm from our friend Klara—accompanied by the words: “I’ve always wanted to go there!”—led us to quickly plan a trip for three. While Klara arranged care for her numerous adopted dogs and gave her adult daughter a litany of instructions, Reinhold, as usual, efficiently organized flights and hotels. Of course, not without what felt like a hundred agreements in between—a trio on a trip requires a bit more diplomacy than a classic couple’s journey.

On October 10th, it was finally time: the three of us in the car, heading to Hamburg Airport, check-in, the usual procedure—and then with Austrian Airlines via Vienna off to Marrakech.

Why Marrakech?

It’s almost embarrassing: we’ve traveled to over 60 countries—and yet never made it to Marrakech. Until now. Why Marrakech? Because Marrakech is a promise: 1001 nights, oriental flair, bazaars in all colors, the scent of spices, adventure in the air. And we were ready to fulfill that promise. As soon as we landed, a taxi took us through the wonderfully chaotic traffic of the city—a first taste of the days to come.

Dust, sun, colors—a view over Marrakech is like a glimpse into life itself.

Our Accommodation: Riad Dar Darma

In the heart of the Medina, we found our refuge: Riad Dar Darma. A historic townhouse from the 17th century, carefully renovated by local craftsmen—a place where time flows more slowly and the outside world stays out. Tradition meets artistic details, tranquility meets oriental magic. Even Marrakech can’t bring its noise inside here.

A touch of eternity—still waters, heavy clay vases, and the whispers of centuries past.

The Red City

Marrakech is rightly called the Red City. The walls and houses of the old town, built from red earth, glow especially impressively in the evening sun.

Enchanted paths in Marrakech—every adventure begins with a step into the unknown.

Djemaa el-Fna

The famous Djemaa el-Fna square is an open-air theater: snake charmers, jugglers, musicians—a fascinating chaos.

But beware: if you stand still too long, you might find a snake around your neck sooner than expected. Poor Klara—her horrified look at the sight of the snakes was priceless.

Pure Orient: Where the call to prayer turns the city into a gentle heartbeat.

Marrakech’s carriages: Where history isn’t told but quietly continues.

The Souks

An absolute must: a walk through the narrow alleys of the souks. A sensory labyrinth full of colors, scents, and voices—exotic, lively, a bit like a journey through time. Haggling is, of course, part of it. Reinhold dives right in, immersing himself in the foreign world. I’m used to it from many other trips. Klara, on the other hand, chooses a different tactic: head down, tunnel vision, sprint! We follow, because one thing is certain—she’d never find her way back to the riad alone.

Jardin Majorelle – A Splash of Color in the Desert

Restored by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, the Jardin Majorelle is now an icon of Marrakech.

A quiet paradise full of colors and stories—where every corner bears the signature of a great artist.

Originally created by French painter Jacques Majorelle in the 1920s, this botanical garden enchants with over 300 plant species and the famous vibrant blue. Although the magic is somewhat diminished today with 900,000 visitors a year, the stylish atmosphere remains. A walk through the lush avenues, past the Art Deco studio and the fine Berber Museum, remains an experience—as does a relaxed coffee in the charming courtyard.

Culinary Breaks

For dinner, we head to the nearby Café Restaurant Dar L’hssira. A small, fine menu with Moroccan classics: tagine, couscous, zaalouk, pastilla—and of course tangia, Marrakech’s stew. A delicious end to exciting days.

Immerse, unwind, enjoy—between mint tea, tagine, and the magic of the Medina.

Anima – André Heller’s Garden of Eden

Botanical garden? Art park? Dream landscape? Anima is all that—and much more. Just 30 kilometers from Marrakech, Austrian universal artist André Heller created a living, evergreen artwork on 8.5 hectares.

Lush plants, playful sculptures, and the view of the Atlas Mountains make Anima a sensory experience. A place where nature laughs—and we with it.

A garden like a poem: intricate, enchanted, and wonderfully alive.

A Moment Full of Magic

An encounter straight out of 1001 Nights. Tired and happy, we sit in the café of the magic garden, still dazed by the colors and quiet magic of Anima.

Reinhold is reading to us from the accompanying book when suddenly—a slender, white-haired gentleman appears at our table: André Heller himself.

A brief moment, but full of warm friendliness: He speaks with us, signs our freshly purchased books—and finally bids us farewell with a gentle, protective wish: “God bless you.”

Like a fleeting spell, he vanishes into the afternoon sun—and we remain, enchanted, speechless, and a little happier than before.

Marrakech – Where Scents, Colors, and Dreams Linger

Three days that felt like a dream of colors, scents, and encounters. Marrakech was a fairy tale from 1001 Nights—but for the next chapter, it’ll be just the two of us again. Without escape attempts through the Marrakech souks.