Marrakesh Marrakesh is Morocco’s fourth largest city. Its people are a mix of Arab and Berber, many of its residents being rural immigrants from surrounding rural regions and further south. The economy of the city includes administrative activities and modern shops and services. There is still a wide range of handicraft production and small scale industry particularly in the medina. There are also a number of factories and industrial units, notably in agro-processing. However, the city economy and employment are heavily dependent on tourism. Marrakesh being one of the most important tourist attractions of Morocco and many of the cities large unemployed or under employed labour force supplement their incomes by casual work with tourists. Getting to Marrakesh Marrakesh is easily accessible by air, road and rail. There are direct flights from French and some other European cities to Marrakesh-Menara airport, and seven trains a day to Casablanca (journey time 4hours) with onward connections to the rest of Morocco. There are also good bus and grand-taxi connections with all major cities though the journey times are long. For drivers, the roads outside Marrakesh are rarely crowded. However, the Marrakesh-Casablanca road is reputed for the high number of accidents. So drive carefully. The Moroccan authorities organize campaigns for road security during the summer holidays where the roads know the highest traffic. So if you are driving to Marrakesh in the summer, expect to stop several times at police checkpoints. If you are a foreigner, expect to be treated with particular attention. Marrakesh is a particularly good arrival point to Morocco because of its centrality. It is located in the intersection of routes to Essaouira (southern historical Atlantic city) to Ouarzazate (key to gorges south the Atlas) and to Northern imperial cities. Marrakesh-Menara airport is a short taxi ride from the city (some 50Dhs during the day and around 70 Dhs during the night). If you come by train then the heart of the city is just a few minutes by taxi (say 10Dhs). Inter-city busses arrive at Bab Doukkala (15 minutes walk to Jamaa El Fna). In Marrakesh you can rent a car (the prices vary widely from one agency to another). Marrakesh is a spread out city built on a plain ; thus the big number of motorcycles. The rental of a two wheeler is also an option. Finally, a lot of tourists prefer the picturesque option of riding through the city in a ‘calèche’ (a horse-drawn carriage). Remember that taking a calèche to open areas such as the menara or the ‘Palmeraie gardens’ is a very good idea. It is a less good one however when it comes to high traffic areas. Take a taxi instead and do not forget to have change handy. Some taxi-drivers do not care about meters. Some do that because they know the prices to known city parts by heart and others to get extra money. Anyway, a short ride from Gueliz (modern city) to Jamaa El Fna should not exceed 10 Dhs. The ‘Hassle’ which deterred some tourists years ago is significantly decreased by the unseen but vigilant presence of the ‘Brigade touristique’. Annoying unwanted people hassling tourists (those are often non-recognized guides) run the risk of bearing criminal charges. Therefore, in some cases, if you have a genuine Moroccan friend, you might have to convince the brigade that he is causing no problems to you. A Moroccan having friends abroad is advised to declare to the authorities that he is willing to host foreigners. He is delivered a permit to accompany them and is safe from the questions of the ‘Brigade touristique’.

From humble beginnings as a mere crossroads on the trans-Saharan caravan routes, Marrakech today is the administrative and commercial capital of the Moroccan south, as well as the region's prime tourist destination. Modern Marrakech, which measures some 6 by 4 mls, comprises 2 parts, the old Moorish city (or "medina") and the "new city", which was planned and executed by the French from the early years of the 20th century until 1956 (when local administration resumed). As for the medina, most of tourist interest lies in the area around Place Jemaa el Fna and its nearby souks (markets), where there is an abundance of local atmosphere, with acrobats, storytellers and assorted market stalls at all times of the day and night. The medina itself is best navigated on foot with the aid of a reputable local guide. The "new city", with its wide boulevards, tasteful, traditional-style architecture and vast gardens, forms the complementary other half of the city. A tourist area (with the focus on golfing holidays) has developed in the Palmeraie circuit, 7 mls N of the medina. Driving in the city is a nightmare, and tourists should think twice before hiring a car.

For a wide range of travellers looking for something a bit different; virtually all budgets. It is a prime choice in terms of winter sun, sports facilities, exotic shopping and dining, street entertainments and fascinating excursions to the home of Morocco's ancient civilisations.

The hotels, with the full range of categories available, are high quality and good value for money compared with the competition in other popular Mediterranean holiday spots. In Marrakech alone, there are some 400 original "riads" that have been transformed from old palaces and villas to provide romantic, stylish, upmarket guesthouses for the more discerning traveller seeking true Moroccan flavour.

The souk of Marrakech must be one of the most fascinating shopping spots in the world, offering visitors a mind-boggling array of handicrafts, rugs, perfumes and spices, exotic fashions and fabrics. Berber blankets, jewellery, wrought iron, leather goods, ceramics and hammered copper and brass are of particularly good value and quality. Shoppers should be aware of the local customs in terms of bargaining, and the expression "buyer beware" should be borne well in mind.

Daytime: the storybook Place Jemaa el Fna at the entrance to the medina, with dancers, storytellers, troupes of acrobats, snake-charmers and musicians; the 12th-century Koutoubia Mosque with its 220-ft minaret; the 16th-century Sa'di Mausoleum; 18th-century Dar el-Beida Palace. Local tour guides are apt to refuse to take tourists to any of these "cultural" attractions without including a visit to the souk marketplace, where they receive hefty commissions on purchases made by their clients. A visit to a traditional hammam (bathhouse) is an experience in itself. Nightlife: after Place Jemaa el Fna, the rest is pretty tame stuff - nightclubs, hotel folklore shows, cinemas with programmes from India and Egypt. The week-long Folklore Festival of Marrakech (June), staged in the ruins of the El Badia palace, features folk troupes from all over the country.

Again, the most exotic place to eat is the Place Jemaa el Fna, where improvised tent restaurants are set up in the evening, offering everything from fried fish to traditional Moroccan dishes like cous cous, tagine and pastilla (pigeon pie). The French influence here is reflected in the high cooking standards in most of the hotels and restaurants. Hygiene in many of the more humble (and more interesting) spots is not up to Western standards and guests with delicate tummies might be advised to avoid dairy produce, peel all fruit and drink tea or bottled water. Never eat lukewarm food and always be scrupulous about hygiene.

In the city by far the best way of getting about is the horse-drawn carriage; there always seems to be one available and prices should be negotiated beforehand. The network of buses and taxis, though wholly adequate, pales by comparison. Taxi drivers will overcharge tourists, of course, so visitors should negotiate fares clearly before getting in. The train station is situated in the new city and there are reliable services to other key centres.

The colourful Majorelle Gardens, visited via horse-drawn carriage. Palmeraie (a 15-ml drive) has 10,000 trees spread over 37,000 acres. S of town, towards Taroudannt, is Tameslouht, with fascinating examples of the kasbah fortress architecture left by the former Lords of Atlas. Farther along that same road are the Cavagnac Dam and its artificial lake, where local potters gather on Tues market days. Farther S, now well into the Atlas, lie the villages of Asni and Ouirgane, both well known for their hearty rustic cuisine. Visitors can even ski at the Oukaimeden ski-area (which, at 8,500 ft, is still well below nearby Mt Toubkal's 13,664 ft). On the coast is Essaouira, a pretty fishing port with tiny winding streets and colourful houses.

144 mls S of Casablanca and 222 mls NE of Agadir by road. 100 mls from the Atlantic coastline at Essaouira. Marrakech's international airport lies about 4 mls SW of the city; most international flights arrive via Casablanca, which is Morocco's main international hub.

In an oasis in a level, arid desert plain; the mountains of the High Atlas rise in the distance.

Telephone Area Code: 44
Post Code: 40000
Website: www.tourism-in-morocco.com

Airport : Menara
Airport Code: RAK
Flight time from ther U.K.: 4 hrs. 30 mins