The Northern Medina of Marrakech

On our first day, we slept in and took it easy—but by then, the sights and the central market square were already swarming with tourists and often pushy local vendors—a start, wild and overcrowded. So on the second day, we headed out early, just in time for sunrise, to visit the beautiful Medersa Ben Youssef, an old Quranic school in the northern part of the old city that opens early—a contrast between hustle and serenity.

From the School to the Garden

As almost the only visitors, we fully enjoyed the peaceful atmosphere—rugged and majestic. Afterwards, we visited the Jardin Majorelle, once created by a French painter and later lovingly maintained by Yves Saint Laurent. At first, the park felt small for the admission fee, but the diversity of plants and the artistic details made it well worth it—a spectacle of color and design.

Tanneries at Sunset

At sunset, we wandered to the other side of the Medina to visit the tanneries, where leather is processed and dyed. The pungent smell of ammonia wasn’t for everyone, so visitors were offered a bundle of fresh mint to hold under their noses from time to time—a moment of tradition and tolerance. The next day, our rental car awaited, and we set off across the High Atlas Mountains toward the Sahara—barely able to contain our excitement!