Marrakech is Morocco's second largest city and although it is only a 3.5 hour flight from the UK, it offers visitors a completely different and unique atmosphere to anything found in Europe. Arabic traditions are still just as strong as ever and visitors are sure to be enthralled by the culture which is so clearly on display throughout the city. Temperatures during the summer months can be unbearably high with highs of nearly 100°C in July and August. Even the winter months can be warm so it's best to visit between November and Mark when temperatures are in the mid to low 20°'s.
Best for...
The incredible culture and shopping are what attracts so many people to Marrakech and there is no better way of seeing it than by visiting the world renowned markets or 'souks' as they are more commonly known. Here you experience the true culture of Morocco with the hustle and bustle of traders at every corner selling almost anything that you can think of. The sites and smells are something that you can't find anywhere else and the stalls go on and on. The food and drink in Marrakech is also something to behold with incredible stalls offering local dishes and traditional restaurants overlooking the city's sites.
What to do...
The hustle and bustle of Marrakech can seem overwhelming for first time visitors so the best way to absorb yourself into the Moroccan culture is by visiting the Djemaa el-Fna square. Here visitors can find all of what Marrakech is famous for. Snake charmers, traditional dancers and fortune tellers are just some of the things that can be seen when the square comes to life at night. The Djemaa el-Fna square is also perfect for trying some of the local cuisine at one of the nearby roof top cafes which you can do whilst watching local musicians entertaining the droves of locals and tourists that flock to the square every night.
| The Marrakech souks are the main attraction to most visitors... |
The Marrakech souks are the main attraction to most visitors who come to the city. Selling almost everything you can think of, the souks are a maze of stalls snaking through the old town (known as the Medina). Small alleyways feed off the main streets of the souks and as long as you don't wander too far from the main routes, you shouldn't get too lost. The northern end of the market has the traditional workshops where many of the goods are made. These range from leather workshops which make the traditional babouche slippers on sale throughout the souks to blacksmiths. Further south along Souk Smarine will take you to the stalls which the souks are famous for. Here you can find everything from pots to carpets, wood to jewellery and everything in between. If you're careful you can get some fantastic bargains but beware, bargaining is an unwritten rule and at first, traders are likely to offer you a highly inflated price. As a rule of thumb, offer them 50% of the original price and you will probably end up meeting somewhere in the middle.
Away from the souks, Marrakech has some fascinating palaces, mosques and tombs which are within easy walking distance and make for an incredible experience. The palaces and tombs are a great way of getting away from the hustle and bustle of the busy Moroccan streets and are also beautifully decorated. One of the most interesting is Bahia Palace which is cheap to get in and has some stunning architecture and large gardens. Another attraction well worth visiting is the Saadian Tombs which were built in the 16th century. Inside you will find 66 tombs which are all covered in typically lavish decorations.
