Visiting Marrakech: Things to do and places to see
Marrakech, one of Morocco's major imperial cities, is more touristy than any other moroccan city. It's almost a shrine for the passionate international travellers.
The tourist diversity in terms of nationalities, age, background and gender grants Marrakech a well ranked position in world tourism.
Marrakech is located four hours further from Casablanca. Its weather is hotter in summer time and colder in winter season.
Besides its hot summer bright sun, in the high tourist season (July - August) Marrakech turns hot with amazing leisure and entertainment activities to do and see.
So what is there to see in Marrakech ?
Marrakech got unique location, is full of history, culture, fascinationg architecture, unique and entertaining people whose tourists have long become part of their common daily life sight.
Marrakech sits on the foot of Atlas Mountains,got the World's most hustling and bustling square - the famous Jamaa El Fna.
Marrakech got snake charmers, fire-swallowers, folk singers, dancers, fortune-tellers and festivals.
Marrakech got the best man-made carpets,antiques,arts and crafts.
Marrakech got old palaces,medieval quartiers,shops,jewelery,pottery and traditional crafts places and festivals.
Marrakech got gardens,walls and storks.
Marrakech has easy access to the Saharian dunes and desert camel trekking excursions.
Marrakech got a close heat break escape just nearby - Essaouira.
And much,much more...
If you can afford it, with an official guide and a stay in a riad you will make the most of your trip.
If you're coming from Europe,you can fly direct to Marrakech international airport. Those coming From North America and Asia will arrive in casablanca airport. From there you can take a connecting flight or take the train from the airport to Marrakech.
Those coming from Tangier,can take the overnight Tangier-Marrakech train(The Marrakech Express).
You can also take the local bus from and to Marrakech(Supratours buses stop close to Marrakech train station.CTM bus station is located near Bab Doukkala,a 20 minute walk from Jema el-Fna)
Accommodation:
There are many places to stay in Marrakech both luxury and budgets
When Tourists want to make every aspect of their trip "al marocaine",they stay at riads.
A riad is a traditional Moroccan house situated in the Medina (old town).
All riads have a central courtyard that will often have a fountain, restaurant or a pool. Some riads also have rooftop terraces where you can eat breakfast and look out over the city.
Some budget Riads(around $100):
Maison Mnabha,Dar Mouassine,Riad Choui Choui,Riad Clementine and the Hotel Sherazade.
Luxury riads:
La Maison Arabe(coordinates Cooking Workshops)
Riad Kniza
Luxury Hotels
La Mamounia,Le Meridien,Sheraton and Sofitel
List of some Marrakech attractions
Medina(Old town)
A wonderful ancient Historic site but still very much hectic part of town. Stunning cultural colorful experience,senses-stirring atmosphere,abundant and unique photos opportunities.
Well worth a visit are the twelve miles long 13th century walls of
the medina(Ramparts) with their artistic gates. One of these gates(Bab ed-Debbagh) leads to the tanneries.
Jamaa El Fna
Nothing memorable than hopping into a Caleche(horse-drawn carriage) from the garden square and head to jemaa el-fna late afernoon.
This square sits in front of a quartier of shops. It is a lively open-air circus that is still reviving entertainment activities that havent changed much since the medieval times.
At the end of the afternoon,the place transforms into an entertainenent center:Snake charmers,story-tellers,Hippie-like jugglers,Monkey tricks performers,street artists. The place is surrounded by snack stalls,orange juice stands and overlooking cafes. Cafes can be full and crowded, you need to go early at least 2 hours before dusk.
Souks(Markets)
Old-desinged big "flea-markets" Stretching out north of Djemaa el Fna around Rue Souk Smarine.Ben Youssef Medersa(religious school),a great example of Moroccan architecture, is just close by.
The Koutoubia Minaret
The almost 70-metre high Koutoubia Minaret is the most ancient of the three Almohad towers (the other two are the Hassan Tower in Rabat and the Giralda Tower in Seville)
Palaces
El Bahia Palace
A reflection of Moroccan architecture and craftsmanship at its finest
Badi Palace(Place des Ferblantiers)
Historical 16th century ruined palace with stork residences. built in 1578 on the orders of Ahmed El Mansour after defeat of the Portuguese in the Battle of 3 kings. Badi Palace is also one of two places(besides Djemma el Fna) where the annual Marrakech Popular Arts Festival takes place
in july. Situated Beyond Place des Ferblantiers
Koubba Almoravid
Museum of Moroccan Arts(also called Palais Dar Si Said)
This is both a palace and Museum. Both are interesting and beautiful artwork and worth the visit. Situated in Derb El Bahia,Riad Zitoun el-Jedid
Ecomusee Berbere
A traditional riad converted into a photography museum.
Saadian Tombs
16th tombs built by Sultan Ahmed al-Mansour.
The Majorelle Gardens
Built in 1920 by French artists Jacques and Louis Majorelle.
The Marrakech Oasis
Arsat Moulay Abdeslam
8 hectares of ancient parkland - quiet and refreshing place
Les Bains de Marrakech(Hammam & traditional Massage Spa treatment)
Can be a relaxing end to a your Marrakech'frenzies tour or in preparation to your next sahara expedition to Erg Chebbi or to Zagora
from Marrakech.
Festivals
Marrakech Popular Arts Festival
Part of the festival is Fantasia- horse-riding spectacle that includes hundreds of charging horsemen (and women) wearing traditional clothing.
Imilchil Marriage Feast(in the nearby Middle-High Atlas Mountains in late August)
Imilchil Marriage Feast is a Berber marriage festival.
Ride Quads
A fun way to get outside and see Marrakech countryside,discovery trails,Berber villages,riverbeds and quarries on four wheels. Great hiking in the Moroccan desert.
If you happen to visit Marrakech during winter,you can take part in the following activites
Skiing
Yes,as hot as it gets in july and august, Marrakech does get snow and enough of it for skiers.Situated at 70 kms from Marrakech,
The Oukaimden ski resort is a well known place to do that.
Thanks for making it this far. Here's a cool Marrakech Video for you(share buttons are on top right to spread this article):
Visiting the city of Marrakech, Morocco:
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