Africa
Marrakech
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Marrakech is an unforgettable experince. New discoveries await you every time you return
Marrakech has always had a mystique about it. A city of immense beauty - low, red and tentlike below the dramatic peaks of the High Atlas mountains - its narrow alleys beg discovery while its bustling thoroughfares infuse the visitor with the city's excitement and vitality.
Arguably the last outpost of the Mediterranean before the Sahara,Marrakech is still steeped in nomadic and West African influences.Nowhere is this fact more evident than among the crowds and performers of the Jemaa el Fna, the main square at the heart of the old town. Here you'll find a constant reminder that Marrakesh was once the entrepot for goods (gold, ivory and slaves) brought by caravan across the desert.
Marrakech, city of legend, cultural capital, inspirer of artists, fashions and events; Marrakech with its art galleries, festivals, and exhibitions; Marrakech with its famous names, its luxurious palaces and its glittering nightlife.Marrakech, tourist capital for over a hundred years, cunningly blends the treasures of its age-old heritage with the vibrant energy of living cultures.
History and Culture
Marrakech has seen 5 dynasties come and go, each one leaving their indelible mark on its destiny.It was to founded in 1062 by the Almoravids, whose greatest legacy was to bring water to the city, harnessing spring water through an ingenious system of wells and piping networks. We owe them the city's Palmeraie, its gardens and orchards, and the many other amenities that led to its development and influence. Under their rule, Marrakech became the capital of Morocco.
Places of Interest
Most of the city's "unmissable" sights are to be found within the old city walls - the Koutoubia, the great square of Jemaa el Fna and the Menara are all symbolic of Marrakech. Some of the other places not to be missed - Medina Souk, The Southern Medina, Tomb of Sidi Abdel Aziz, Menara Gardens, Dining at Pacha, Koutoubia Mosque, Bahia Palace, Atlas Mountains.
Dining
With some sumptuous dining to be had in Marrakech, gourmets won’t go hungry. The mainstay of Moroccan cuisine is the tajine, a casserole traditionally cooked on its own charcoal stove called a kanoun. Many of the best places to eat are palace restaurants, housed in beautifully restored old mansions (though choose carefully: the worst of these are real tourist traps, with mediocre food and inflated prices). Most restaurants offer a set menu of starter, main course and dessert, sometimes with tea and coffee thrown in and, at grander establishments, additional courses and even entertainment.
Style and Attire
You probably wouldn’t want to walk down the streets of Liverpool or Los Angeles wearing a traditional Moroccan robe, but you might want to lounge around at home in one. Moroccan slippers are a favourite buy – exotic, stylish and comfortable. For women, accessories such as scarves and chunky, exotic jewellery are worth considering, as are the dresses on sale at the city’s boutiques, not to mention exquisite Morocco leather in the form of clothes, bags and belts.
Activities
- Golf
- Hidden sides of Marrakech
- Souks & Handicrafts
- Historical Tour
- Gardens by Caleche
- Full day Trek in Atlas Mountains
- Visit to Essaouira
- Hiking in the Atlas Mountains
- The National Park of Toubkal
- Cascades of Ouzoud
- The Berber Trails(4WD off road tour)
- Excursions to Talatast
- Horse riding
- Camel Trek
- Hot air balooning
- Fantasia dinner & show
Currency
The Moroccan currency is the Dirham and cannot be brought or sold outside of Morocco. Hang on to any exchange receipts as you will need them to re-exchange leftover Dirham on the way out of Morocco.
Language
The official language is Arabic, with Berber dialects widely spoken in the countryside and mountains. But most Moroccans are wonderful linguists who are conversant in French, English and Spanish ( especially in shops and hotels)
Climate
The climate of the northern Moroccan coast and central areas is Mediterranean, with hot dry summers and mild wet winters. Further inland temperatures are more extreme, and the weather is cold in winter and very hot in summer, with the Atlas Mountain peaks blanketed with snow most of the year. Rain falls between April and May, and during October and November. The semi-arid areas on the perimeter of the Sahara desert experience the hot Sirocco winds during summer.
