Simon Hawkesley:
Ambiance. How does one bottle the atmosphere of a place? Maybe something that the alchemists and apothecaries have attempted to achieve for millennia.
Within the ancient parchment deeds of ZamZam Riad in Marrakech it is noted that the former owners were,...
...
See all Marrakech holiday reviews
|
Write a review on Marrakech

Bab er-Rob, Marrakech © Judith Duk
Why?  A mysterious labyrinthine medina, snake-charmers and
acrobats on the panoramic central square, colourful bazaars, the
aroma of sizzling Morrocan delicacies: these are the experiences
one can expect from a holiday in Marrakech. The intoxicating city
was an ancient caravan trading post, and retains its traditional
atmosphere along with a lively modern tourist trade which draws
millions of visitors to Marrakech each year for an exotic
get-away.
When?  The sun shines nearly all year round in Marrakech,
which has a Mediterranean climate. Those who enjoy the heat should
holiday in Marrakech during July and August, but the best time to
travel to Marrakech is during spring (April to June), when bright
blue skies offset the rosy hue of the city's clay buildings and
temperatures are comfortable.
Who for?  Anyone who has a yen for exotic destinations will
be charmed by a holiday in Marrakech, which can feel like a trip
back in time to medieval Morocco.
More Info:  To find out everything you need to know to plan a
holiday in Marrakech make use of our comprehensive Marrakech travel
guide, which includes everything from airport facilities to
admission fees for the major attractions. It is also advisable for
western travellers to read up on Muslim customs in the 'Basics'
section of the guide before travelling to Marrakech.
Overview
Traversing the alleyways and souks of Marrakech, particularly in
the Medina (Old City), it is easy to believe you have been
transported back in time or stumbled onto a movie set for a
medieval 'Arabian nights' production. It is this enchanting,
fairy-tale quality that brings thousands of sightseers to the
most-visited of Morocco's three Imperial Cities, Marrakech. The
heart of the Medina is Djemaa el-Fna, an irregular 'square' where
everything seems to happen and the place to which tourists are
drawn time and again to soak up the carnival-like environment.
Tourism, though, has not spoilt the atmosphere: if anything, it has
only added to it. The modern side of Marrakech (called Gueliz or
Ville Nouvelle), with its luxury hotels, banks and streets bursting
with motor scooters, blends well with the past in a metropolis made
up of people from the Berber Atlas tribes, Mahgrebis from the
plains, and Saharan nomads.
Marrakech was founded in 1062 by Youssef bin Tachfine of the
Almoravid dynasty, and his son perfected the city by bringing in
architects and craftsmen from Cordoba to build palaces, baths,
mosques and a subterranean water system. The city walls were raised
from the red mud of the plains, with the snow-covered peaks of the
High Atlas Mountains forming a backdrop for the city, though they
are often hidden by the heat haze.
One of the many ways to soak up the sights and sounds of
Marrakech is in one of the hundreds of horse-drawn carriages (known
as caleches) that are for hire, but it is also necessary to take in
the Medina's souks on foot, plunging into the hurly-burly maelstrom
of passages where tradesmen ply various crafts, from cloth dyeing,
copper beating, and leather working to herbalists, perfumers and
slipper makers; and where shopkeepers cajole passing tourists into
taking a look at their glorious array of colourful crafts.