Located about 150 km from the Atlantic Ocean, in the central southern part of the country, Marrakech is one of Morocco's most beautiful cities.
Once an imperial city, it is also called "red town" or "city of ochre" for its ancient red walls built of sandstone.
Marrakech was and remains the most important cultural, religious, economic and tourist centre in the whole Maghreb, a term that identifies the western area of North Africa between the Mediterranean Sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Although the city's climate can be said to be hot and semi-arid, winters tend to be humid with average temperatures of about 12 °C, while in summer the mercury column often exceeds 40 °C. Precisely for this reason, the best times to visit the city are spring and autumn. During these seasons the temperatures are warm, but bearable, and turning through the narrow and crowded streets of the old town will be especially pleasant with the light evening breeze.
The Menara International Airport connects the city with the rest of the world, while the beautiful railway station allows you to easily reach the other main cities of Morocco.
What to see in Marrakech
Marrakech is really rich in wonders.
The medina, or rather the old town enclosed within the fortified walls, teeming with vendors, stalls and life. To the west, on the other hand, there is the new city made up of the most modern districts, the most important of which is Gueliz.
The souk of the medina is the largest traditional Berber market in Morocco; here you can find everything from traditional Berber carpets to the most modern technological objects and even human teeth, snakes, chameleons, aphrodisiacs and anything else that can come to mind.
Jamaa el Fna is the busiest square in Africa and the beating heart of the city. The origin of its name remains uncertain and is part of its immense charm. During the day there is a large open-air market that in the evening gives way to tables and benches to taste the excellent typical food prepared at the moment, accompanied by the folklore background offered by musicians and storytellers.
Just in the evening, Jamaa el Fna becomes an immense open-air theatre. In addition to musicians there are comedians, acrobats, jugglers, snake charmers, painters and fun-park games. Being able to eat while admiring all this is an experience that you must absolutely try.
The food is exquisite and goes from the classic tajine (sweep with potatoes and vegetables) to couscous, from meat kebabs to fried fish, up to the delicious Moroccan pastries and sweets.
The Koutoubia mosque is characterized by the highest minaret (about 70 m), one of the oldest mosques in the world. Precisely thanks to the minaret, this mosque is often taken as a point of reference by many tourists who inevitably get lost in the maze of alleyways of the medina.
Ben Youssef's Madrasa is the largest in Morocco and was once a Koranic school. Today, however, it is open to the public. For its ecstasy beauty, it is often compared to the wonderful Alhambra of Granada.
The gate called Bab Agnaou, is the only gate in the city that dates back to the Almohade dynasty. From here you enter the Kasbah mosque, where a narrow passage leads to the Sadian Tombs.
The funerary complex dates back to the middle of 1500, but was rediscovered only at the beginning of the last century, soon becoming one of the most remarkable and visited monuments of the city.
The Marrakech Museum, located in the Dar Menebhi Palace in the old town centre, houses exhibitions of modern and traditional Moroccan art, ancient books, coins and ceramics.
Interior of Marrakech museum, Morocco
The Dar Si Said Museum houses the country's best collection of Moroccan art: jewellery, carpets, lamps, ceramics and leather goods.
Not to be missed is Majorelle's garden, in the new city, dedicated to the French artist of the same name who settled in the city at the beginning of 1900. After his death, the villa and garden remained abandoned until the entire property was purchased by Yves Saint-Laurent together with Pierre Bergé. After an intense restoration, they reopened it to the public, also creating the Museum of Islamic Art, located in a particular building of blue color.
Other particularly striking gardens are the Menara Gardens and the Agdal Gardens.
Marrakech is really a magical place. The view of the city from the terraces on the rooftops takes your breath away, especially at sunset when the evening prayer chants rise up to the sky that slowly turns orange, leaving room for the darkness of the night.
Relaxing though full of life, it is the ideal place to spend a few days immersed in the wonderful Moroccan culture, eating local delicacies, chatting with the friendly inhabitants and doing great business at the many stalls.
If you are interested in an authentic Moroccan experience, stay overnight in one of the many riads of the old town.