Marrakech

About Marrakech

Founded in the 11th century by the Almoravids, Marrakech gave its name to the country in many languages. Its medina, inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985, is a maze of souks, mosques, madrasas and palaces inside long ochre ramparts.

Beyond the old city, Gueliz and the Hivernage district offer cafés and galleries, while gardens such as Majorelle and Menara give a breath of calm. Within one to three hours you can be in Atlas valleys, at waterfalls or heading for the coast.

For the Sahara, Marrakech is a gateway rather than a day trip: the dunes of Merzouga are around 9–10 hours away by road, so we always split the journey over at least two days.

Top things to do

• Jemaa el-Fna. The great square changes through the day, from juice stalls in the morning to food stalls, musicians and storytellers at night.
• The souks. Lose yourself among spice sellers, leatherworkers, metalsmiths and dyers in the lanes north of the square.
• Koutoubia Mosque. Its 12th-century minaret is the city’s landmark; the mosque itself is open to Muslims only, but the gardens are lovely at dusk.
• Bahia Palace. A 19th-century palace of painted ceilings, zellige tilework and courtyards planted with orange trees.
• Ben Youssef Madrasa. A former Quranic school with exceptional carved cedar, stucco and tile decoration around a central pool.
• Saadian Tombs. Richly decorated 16th-century burial chambers of the Saadian dynasty, rediscovered in the early 20th century.
• Majorelle Garden. Cobalt-blue buildings and exotic plants, with the Yves Saint Laurent museum nearby.
• A riad stay and hammam. Sleep in a traditional courtyard house and try a local or spa hammam to unwind.

Outdoor activities

• Day hikes in the Ourika Valley and around Imlil (approx. 1–1.5 h away)
• Toubkal summit trek from Imlil with qualified mountain guides (usually 2 days)
• Mountain biking in the Atlas foothills
• Photography in the medina and gardens (ask before photographing people)
• Hot-air balloon flights over the palm groves (with licensed operators, on request)

Getting there & best time

Getting there

• Marrakech Menara Airport has international connections and is close to the city centre.
• From Casablanca: approx. 3–3.5 h by road; trains also run regularly.
• From Fes: a long journey — approx. 7–8 h by train or road; via the Sahara it is best done over 3 days.
• From Essaouira or Agadir: approx. 3 h by road.
• From Merzouga: approx. 9–10 h by road — always split over 2 days via Dades/Todra or Ait Ben Haddou.

Best time to visit

Spring (March–May) and autumn (late September–November) are the most comfortable seasons. Summer days are very hot, while winter brings mild, sunny days and cold nights, with snow often visible on the High Atlas.