Marrakech holidays

Most travellers begin their journey of discovery in Djemaa el-Fnaa, a colourfully chaotic square at the heart of Marrakech's medieval medina.

Leave the monkey tamers and snake charmers of the square behind to plunge into the maze of surrounding souks - from spice stands to carpet stalls and artisan workhouses, this jumble of criss-crossing passageways is the city's commercial and cultural heart.

Cultural highs Part of Marrakech's appeal lies in its incredible collection of historic monuments. Marvel at the architectural ambition of the decadently ornate Bahia Palace, the 14th-century Ali be Youssef Quranic school and the lofty Koutoubia Minaret, then dive into the history of the city at one of the many museums that document Morocco's past.

See Marrakech at its best in spring when the scenery is lush and temperatures hover around a pleasant 20C. From April onwards it gets steadily hotter and by midsummer the mercury can hit 45C - great if you're happy to lounge by the pool all day, but not ideal for sightseeing. Accordingly, there are plenty of cheap deals available during this period.

Autumn is more arid than spring but still comfortably balmy, making the two shoulder seasons the most popular (and expensive) times to visit. If you don't mind packing a few jumpers for the evenings, why not opt for a winter break? Christmas temperatures rarely drop below 14C in the daytime and the big sights are generally crowd-free. This means you can get some really cheap all-inclusive holiday deals if you plan ahead.

Annual events Take an all-inclusive holiday to Marrakech and see its biggest cultural event, Marrakech Biennial, which takes place every two years between February and May. It celebrates art, film, literature and music over several months packed with multi-cultural events.

Check out the National Popular Arts Festival in July to enjoy traditional Moroccan music, theatre, poetry and art - or join the crowds of electronic music lovers who visit in September for the cutting-edge Oasis Festival.

Despite being just a three-hour flight away, Marrakech feels worlds apart.

Explore the souks

Hectic and vibrant, the souks of Marrakech are a shopping experience like no other. From handmade Berber wares, colourful spices and mint tea, to traditional hand-carved ornaments, these maze-like market stalls sell anything and everything. Haggling encouraged.

A thousand years of history and architecture