Home INCENTIVE IDEAS 24 Incentive Hours in Marrakech

24 Incentive Hours in Marrakech

From a desert ride and culinary discovery to a hands-on pottery workshop

Mar 25, 2025

Incentive guide to Marrakech

Flanked by the imposing, snow-capped Atlas Mountains, Marrakech hides a myriad of experiences found nowhere else in North Africa.

What can a guest see and experience in twenty-four hours in this unique destination? There is no one better equipped to provide a list of experiences than Shems Travel & Events, a company that knows the city and its hinterland like the back of its hand.

Medersa Ben Youssef

We have selected four curated incentive experiences that can be organised in a single day where guests can take a bit of Morocco with them.

Historical hop to the Medersa Ben Youssef

After a rich breakfast at one of the local resort and design hotels, attendees can start the day with cultural immersion. What better way than to venture into the heart of town where once the largest Islamic school in North Africa welcomed thousands of students? The Medersa Ben Youssef is a gem of Moroccan architecture and a hotbed of education and learning. After exploring the intricate carvings and open courtyard and hearing stories of the UNESCO site, a revitalising Moroccan tea in the nearby souk will prepare the attendees for the next adventure.

Desert ride and pottery masterclass

Adrenaline-pumping quad and buggy desert ride

The Palm Grove, on the northern edge of Marrakech, is an oasis dotted with thousands of palm trees, where attendees can experience the thrill of riding buggies and quad bikes across the arid plains. As the desert sand whizzes past them, the attendees will put their driving skills to the test. After the adrenaline rides, attendees will have a new-found appreciation for the local flora and fauna.

Pottery masterclass

The afternoon is reserved for a unique hands-on artisan and craftwork masterclass. After a short ride outside the city, attendees will visit a local pottery workshop where master artisans will guide them through the enchanting local pottery-making process, from sourcing the clay to moulding and decorating it. This creative workshop may get somewhat messy, so we recommend comfortable clothing. Under the watchful eye of Tariq, who learned his trade over many years, you will create unique creations.

After a day of cultural, historical and active learning, the evening is reserved for culinary exploration. Marrakech is famed for its colourful, buzzing markets where the iridescent glow of handcrafted products and bijouterie turns heads at every step. The smells and spices are just as colourful and invite visitors to taste the local dishes. The best way to discover the rich culinary tradition is to visit the stands of the local street food vendors.

Jemaa-el-Fna Square

Culinary delights at the Jemaa-el-Fna Square

The street food market in the city’s main square is a kaleidoscope of colours, smells and textures. To top off the day, attendees will taste a bit of everything, from the famous snail broth that the French supposedly “permanently borrowed” from the Moroccans to the delectable traditional sweets like the gazelle horns. By the end of the day, attendees will have a unique insight into all facets of this enchanting, millennial Islamic city proud of its heritage and culture.