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
thousands to travel to Marrakech 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 (March to June), when bright
blue skies offset the rose-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 is 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
Westerners 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. 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 again and again to
soak up the carnival-like environment. Tourism, though, has not
spoilt the atmosphere, but seemingly rather added to it. The modern
side of Marrakech with its luxury hotels, banks and streets
bursting with motor scooters, blends well with the past in a
metropolis made up of the peoples of 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 dying,
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.
