Horse-drawn carriage rides in Marrakech are a popular option for tourists in the city, as you’ll quickly notice during your trip. And it’s an attractive plan for different reasons. In this post, we explain why it might be interesting to board these carriages and enjoy a visit to the city in this way.
Attraction 1: The On-Board Journey
There’s no doubt that entering the medina and getting lost in its alleys is a great attraction for many. But that’s a plan that must inevitably be done on foot, due to the narrowness of the streets. However, outside the medina, the streets widen, allowing for broader and more open viewpoints. From a carriage, you can see many historical monuments, either up close or in the distance, including its red walls with ancient gates like Bab Agnaou or the always slender minaret of the Koutoubia Mosque. Additionally, it’s common to circulate through Gueliz, the modern district of Marrakech, where the carriage will share the road with the latest generation vehicles.
Attraction 2: The Stops
The attraction of a horse-drawn carriage ride in Marrakech is not only in the panorama seen on board but also in what can be enjoyed once you set foot on land. Depending on the duration of the service, these rides usually include different stops to see certain points of interest on foot, which are often too distant from each other to be integrated into a walk. It’s common for these stops to be in the city’s historic gardens, such as Menara and Majorelle, so different from each other: the first, from the 19th century in a spacious Almohad enclosure; and the second, of spectacular exuberance around the colorful blue palace of the same name, created in the 20th century.
Attraction 3: The Horse
A horse-drawn carriage ride in Marrakech presents itself as a perfect plan for horse lovers: these noble and pure animals show all their beauty and kindness to those who board. And the most astute observers will know how to admire their qualities and pedigree. Morocco has been and is a country of great equestrian tradition, as demonstrated by its native breeds, such as the Berber, and the numerous events in which these animals participate, such as the Tbourida, a spectacle declared Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO, which is performed in moussems like those of Tan Tan, Rabat, and other cities.
Attraction 4: The Carriage
Lastly, the carriage itself can also be another attraction of the experience. These carriages usually have a capacity for 4 or 6 people and are made of wood, often cedar, Morocco’s ‘national’ tree. They take us back to a bygone era when there were no motor cars and members of high society had to travel in these non-polluting vehicles that have found a second life in the tourism sector. They usually have a folding top to provide shade on the hottest and sunniest days, and the seats are often arranged facing each other, so that passengers can see each other’s faces and converse during the journey. An experience that, undoubtedly, is often to the liking of children, who are not used to riding in a vehicle of this type.
In summary: taking a horse-drawn carriage ride in Marrakech can be an attractive plan for families and couples who want to add a picturesque touch to their trip and admire the city from a different point of view.
