Once the focal point of a great empire, Marrakech stands at the crossroads between the swirling sands of the Sahara and the snow-capped slopes of the Atlas Mountains. Encircled by ochre-coloured walls, Marrakech is one of Morocco's four Imperial Cities. Its very name conjures up images of noisy bazaars and monumental palaces - and not without reason. Take a stroll through its bustling streets and you're bound to hear the hypnotic song of snake charmers' flutes or the melodic wail of muezzins calling people to prayer. Luring travellers from across the world, Marrakech is a magical city that will intoxicate your senses with its mix of cultural treasures, exotic flavours and local colour.
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Marrakech hotels and apartments
Our hotels and apartments in Marrakech include Barcelo Marrakech Hotel, Clubhotel Riu Tikida Palmeraie, Coralia Club Palmariva, Dar Naima Hotel, Farah Marrakech, Hotel Atlas Medina And Spa, Hotel El Andalous, Hotel Riad Asma, Hotel Sofitel Marrakech, Hotel Tikida Garden, Ibis Moussafir Hotel, Imperial Holiday Hotel, Jnane Tamsna, Kasbah Agafay Hotel, Kenzi Farah, Kenzi Semiramis Hotel, Kssour Agafay Hotel, Le Meridien Nfis, Le Meridien Nfis, Les Jardins De La Koutoubia, Les Jardins De La Koutoubia, Mansour Eddahbi, Nassim Hotel, Oudaya, Oudaya Hotel, Palmeraie Golf Palace And Resort, Palmerie Village Hotel, Riad Amina Hotel, Riad Catalina, Riad Dar Naima, Riad Dar Sbihi, Riad Fabiola, Riad Kniza, Riad Lotus Ambre, Riad Lotus Perle, Riad Lotus Privilege, Riad Mogador Marrakech, Riad Tammou Hotel, Royal Mirage, Royal Mirage Hotel, Ryad Mogador Agdal, Ryad Mogador Marrakech, Ryad Mogador Menara, Ryad Mogador Menara, Ryad Mogador Opera and Tichka Salam Hotel.
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Eating out
As Morocco's third largest city, Marrakech is home to a wealth of restaurants and eateries serving international cuisine and local specialities. The modern Gueliz quarter of town offers reminders of French colonial rule with its wide orange tree lined boulevards dotted with welcoming pavement cafes, many of which have retained their original 1950's look and feel. However, no visit to Marrakech would be complete without sampling some traditional Moroccan fare. Try 'bstilla', a classic dish made from either chicken or pigeon with eggs, almonds, onions and spices, layered with sheets of light filo pastry.
Nightlife
Most nightclubs and piano bars in Marrakech are located within hotels and are usually open until the early hours of the morning. The city is also home to one of Morocco's few casinos. However, most visitors tend to head to Marrakech's main square, the Place Jemaa el-Fna. From sunset it transforms into arguably the greatest show on earth. Snake charmers, dancers, tumblers, fortune tellers and fire eaters vie for your attention and perform to crowds of astonished onlookers. If you're feeling hungry, you'll find stalls offering barbecued kebabs, boiled snails and mouthwatering stew-like 'tjaines'. Experience the hurly-burly of this fascinating outdoor show - it's a riot of colour, noise and smells that will forever live in your memory.
Shopping
Marrakech plays host to perhaps the most colourful and fascinating of all the souk markets in the Maghreb. Set within the protective ramparts of the old city, the souks are arranged according to the individual nature of the products on sale. Head to the 'Souk Addadine' and hear the thundering clatter of blacksmiths as they tirelessly hammer away at molten metal to create wrought iron lanterns, copper pots and brass platters. The 'Souk Chouari', meanwhile, boasts seemingly endless stalls of basketwork and the 'Souk Smata' is the place to go if you're looking for leather goods. Covered galleries called 'kissarias' overflow with clothing and fabrics while freshly dyed wool and silk is hung out to dry nearby. Be prepared to haggle with the traders in order to get your hands on some great bargains.
Local information
The 'medina' or old town of Marrakech is surrounded by mighty walls set with lookout towers and ramparts. Within these defensive battlements are a maze of densely packed houses, a tangle of narrow, winding streets, countless labyrinthine alleyways and sleepy patios and courtyards with splashing fountains. At the heart of the citadel is the Koutoubia Mosque. Built in 1162, it is one of the biggest mosques in the Western Muslim world. Its pink-hued minaret is a masterpiece of Islamic architecture and, standing at 70m tall, is the largest building in the city.
Location
6km west of Marrakech International Airport
Transfer time
20-45 minutes
Recommended
Luxury
