Marrakech vs Istanbul: Berbermarkten or Ottomaanse bazaars?
Marrakech is Arabisch sensorisch overload: souks, riads, Atlas-mountains ten south. Istanbul is Ottomaans-Byzantijns mengelmoes with biggest basaar ter world.
Marrakech
Marrakech is a sensatie-overload: the pink city below the Atlas-mountains, Berbermarkten, riads with binnentuinen and the magische Jemaa el-Fnaa at zonsondergang.
Flight from NL: €100 return
View Marrakech →Istanbul
Istanbul is located on two continenten: European west-zijde with the Hagia Sophia, Asian east-zijde with quiet theehuizen. Bazaars, Bosporus-veerboten and the best kebab outside Anatolië.
Flight from NL: €100 return
View Istanbul →Best time to visit compared
Marrakech
March-May and September-November: 22-28°C, perfecte temperature for the souks. Vermijd July/August (40°C+). December-February is mild overdag (18°C) but cold 's nachts, ideal for wellness-travel.
Istanbul
April to June and September to October: 18-25 degrees, perfecte temperature for walking. July and August are 30+ and very busy. Winter is cheap, sometimes rain or snow.
Flights + transfer from the Netherlands
Marrakech
From Schiphol to Marrakech Menara (RAK) in 3 hour 45 minutes. Transavia and Ryanair. From the airport: bus 19 €3 or taxi €15-20 (afspreken vóór instappen).
Istanbul
Directly from Schiphol to Istanbul (IST) in 3 hour 30 minutes. Turkish Airlines, KLM. Havaist bus to center €5 in 90 minutes.
Costs compared
Marrakech
Riad-hostels from €18, riads mid-range €60-100 (with breakfast + dak-terras), luxury-riads €150+. Food: tajine €8-12, mint thee €1, dinner in a rooftop €20-30.
Istanbul
Hostels from €15, mid-range hotels €50 to 90, vacation rentals €60 per night. Food: kebab €5, lunch €8, dinner €15 to 25, çay (thee) €0,50.
Who is it for?
Choose Marrakech if you are...
Sensorische-overload-fans, instagrammers, who new culture because ervaren.
Choose Istanbul if you are...
History-fans, multiculti-stedeloop, cosmopolitische vibe.
Our verdict
Marrakech is cheaper. Istanbul has lake cultureel offer. Both October-April ideal qua temperature.