Visiting Marrakech

Marrakech is a city in Morocco also known as the "Red City." It gets this nickname from the red mud walls surrounding the city. Even the buildings reflect the sunlight with a reddish hue. With a population of a little over a million, Marrakech is located in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains. The city itself has two separate sections--the old traditional fortified sector (Medina) and the new modern city area.

Marrakech has one of the busiest market squares in all of Africa and the largest traditional market (souks) anywhere in Morocco. During the day the town square is full of dancers, musicians, story-tellers, snake charmers and acrobats. At night it turns into a giant food court vibrating with music and life.

Other than the fascinating marketplace, the main things that people go to Marrakech to see are natural wonders. The spectacular Ourika River valley in the Atlas Mountains, the Draa River valley near the Sahara, or the waterfalls of Beni Mallal are all worth your time and attention. Nearby you'll also want to visit the ancient, isolated city of Essaouira, just off the Atlantic coast. Besides being an excellent example of an ancient fortified city and a thriving fishing harbor, Essaouira is also very rich in cultural displays of music and art.

Aside from the natural beauty and rich cultural activities, there are also many other things to see and experience as well. Marrakech has a number of museums, architectural sites, ornate mosques, and palace ruins perfect for exploring. Another highlight is the Saadian tombs. You can participate in various guided tours around the city or even experience a 4-day trek into the nearby Sahara Desert.

While most of the travel inside the city itself is usually done by walking, there are buses and taxis for your convenience. If you want to experience the sights at a slower pace, try renting a caleche, which is a horse-drawn carriage.

Most food in Marrakech is naturally Moroccan in taste. But there are places that serve more familiar foods such as pizza, pasta, salads, coffee and pastries as well. There are even a few vegetarian selections available too. The Moroccan cuisine tends to favor chicken, couscous, pastillas, and plenty of fresh produce and fruit.

In choosing your accommodation for your stay in Marrakech, you should be aware that the cheapest options are usually in Medina, the old part of Marrakech. Guéliz is a quiet place to find accommodations and the prices are still fairly moderate. However, if you want to spend plenty of time exploring the markets in Medina, be aware that a taxi ride can take a while to get there from Guéliz in the evenings or on the weekend. The more expensive and exclusive places to stay are on the outskirts of the city and further away from everything.

Whatever accommodation option works best for you, we will try to help you make that happen. Marrakech is a city just waiting for your visit, so plan your next vacation today!