A visit to Marrakech

Introduction

A celebrated imperial city at the junction of the Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert, Marrakech harbours a colossal wealth of cultural heritage. Nowhere else are the palaces more beautiful, the gardens more luxuriating and the souks livelier. Sheltered behind its powerful ochre ramparts, the medina guards the relics of the city’s history, from the Almoravid dynasty to the Saadien reign. Morocco’s little red pearl, it is often said that a lifetime would not be enough to exhaust all of its charms…

What’s what in Marrakech

The northern part of the medina:  this is where you’ll find the famous Koutoubia mosque, the city’s most conspicuous landmark. Beyond the Jemaa el Fnaa square extend the souks. To reach them, take the road of the Semarine Souk and turn right at Rahba Kedima square.
The southern part of the medina:  this is the oldest part of the city, it houses Marrakech’s most beautiful palaces, its kasbah, the mellah (Jewish quarter) and the sumptuous Agdal gardens.
A few kilometres north east of Marrakech a magnificent palm grove extends itself in an oasis of light and freshness, welcome to the palmeraie!

What to do

Marrakech is the perfect base camp for setting off on a number of day trips, either to the Atlantic coast or to the Atlas Mountains. With the help of our agency and partners, you’ll have all the information and services you need to plan your excursions and transportation from Marrakech.
If you happen to be in Marrakech in October, you must absolutely attend the city’s International Film Festival. From June to July, don’t miss the two week long folk festival held in the middle of the ruins of the Badi Palace.

Some advice for your stay in Marrakech

Don’t hesitate to hire a guide; Marrakech is a vast city and it can be hard to find your bearing for the first couple of days. Our agency can bring you into contact with the city’s best guides once you are on location.
To get a more authentic idea of the essence of Marrakech, stay in a riad in the heart of the medina. Choosing may seem overwhelming as there are currently more than 200! However, we have selected some of the most charming and would be happy to share them with you. For those looking for a more natural setting, the palmeraie is the place to be! Ten minutes from the city gates, after a long day of exploration you will appreciate the serenity of this oasis and its magnificent gardens.

Access

At 204 km north-west of Ouarzazate and 219 km south of Casablanca, Marrakech has an international airport 6 km south of the city. Shuttle buses take off from downtown at twenty minute intervals to take you there. You can also get there by train from Casablanca (3hours), Rabat (4h), Meknes (7h) or Tangier (9h). If you’d like, we can organize your transportation based on your preferences and itinerary.