Marrakech

Near the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, and just a few hours from the Sahara Desert

Marrakech

With its dynamic history, Marrakech captures the essence of Morocco in a spectacular way. It is the 4th largest city in Morocco with a population of over 1 million, situated west of the Atlas Mountains and south of Casablanca. The area has been inhabited by Berbers since Neolithic times. It is known as the ‘red city’ or ‘ochre city’.  

Climate:

Short, hot Summers (average temp is 93 degrees), cool, clear Winters (average temp 72 degrees).

Economy:

Tourism is the number one source of income, attracting over 20 million visitors per year. A large variety of trades and crafts can be found for tourists to find unique treasures.

There are 5 Star restaurants, luxury spas and hammams, and charming riads (traditional houses) in the medina where you can shop for everything from traditional Berber carpets to modern electronics.

The city is home to several universities and Moroccan football teams. It is also host to car racing championships.

 

Things to see and do:

City walls and gates: The ramparts of Marrakech wrap 12 miles around the medina of the city and have at least 8 historic gates dating back to the 12th century. The walls are made of orange-red clay & chalk, giving the city its nickname, ‘the red city’.

Gardens:  there are several beautiful and diverse gardens.  The Majorelle Garden was created by landscape painter Jacques Majorelle and later owned by clothing designers Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Berge. The property includes plants from five continents and houses the Berber Museum.

Jemaa el-Fnaa is one of the best known squares in Africa, and is a Unesco World Heritage Site. It is known as a bridge between the past and the present. You can see snake-charmers, acrobats, magicians, and vendors selling their wares. You will be surrounded by the enticing scents of the Moroccan cuisine offered all around you. The vibrant colors of the fabrics, jewelry, and clothing will offer you visual delight everywhere you look.

The medina quarter is a UNESCO World Heritage site.

Mosques: the Koutoubia Mosque (one of the largest and most famous) was founded in 1147.  Its minaret tower is 253 ft high and is considered an important landmark.  There are many other notable mosques in the city.

Museums: Home to many museums:

• Marrakech Museum  offers exhibits of both modern and traditional Moroccan art, historical books, coins and pottery produced by Berber and Arab people.
• Dar Si Said (also known as Museum of Moroccan Arts), once a mansion, contains a collection of the finest art in Morocco.  

Music, Theatre and Dance:

• Berber music (classical and typified by its loud sound) and Gnaoua music (loud and funky/bluesy)
• The Theatre Royal puts on theatrical performances, comedy, opera, and dance in both French and Arabic. There are a large theatrical troupes that perform outdoors and entertain tourists. 

Palaces: El Badi Palace, the Bahia Palace, and the main Royal Palace which is still one of the official residences of the King of Morocco.  

Riads: Moroccan mansions are characterized by an open central garden courtyard surrounded by high walls. This provided the occupants with privacy and lowered the temperature in the building. There are numerous riads with oldest dating back to the 15th century.

Shopping in the Souks: there are 18+ souks (3000+ stalls) to shop for everything from clothing to jewelry, to rugs, to a variety of foods and mint tea.

Tombs: Saadian Tombs, built in the 16th century, contains the tombs of many Saadian rulers as well as family members and later sultans.  The graves are marked with beautiful marble and mosaic works

Transportation:  

• Menara International Airport. 
• Marrakech Railway Station connect Marrakesh with Casablanca and northern Morocco.
• Buses, taxis, horse drawn carriages

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