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Africa Holidays - Moroccan, Marrakech - Traditional spices and dry fruits

Marrakech Holidays

Reference WW65057
Holidays to Marrakech

Do you want the holiday of a lifetime? Ever considered Marrakech? Choose any of our Marrakech holidays, and you'll find a city that you only need to visit once for the experience to stay with you forever.

This vibrant, bustling focal point for Moroccan business and tourism is alive with sights, sounds and smells all day and some of the night too. The main square of Jemaa el-Fnaa is an absolute must-see.

Wander around the stalls, sample the local Harira soup and sausages and watch the snake charmers do their work. In the evening, this part of the city is a sight to behold; visit one of the restaurants overlooking the square and watch the action unfold. Of course, Marrakech is much more than just the Jemaa el-Fnaa. Fans of fashion will want to see Yves Saint Laurent's powder blue Majorelle Garden and visit the souks to haggle for shimmering slippers and beautiful leather bags.

There are historical sights to explore, as well as food to try and much more. To book, get in touch with our travel experts, who will be happy to help arrange your dream holiday.

Top 5 Things To Do
Go shopping around Jemaa el-Fnaa, a square and market place in Marrakesh's medina quarter
Stroll around Jardin Majorelle, a two and half acre botanical garden and artist's landscape garden
Taste some of the delicious local cuisine
Explore the Yves Saint Laurent Museum, a museum dedicated to the fashion designer
Try a Moroccan cooking class
Location

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Marrakech in more detail

Traversing the alleyways and 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 production. It is this enchanting, fairytale 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' which is a hive of activity - and the place to which tourists are drawn time and again to soak up the carnivalesque 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, among others.

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 the city's backdrop, though they are often hidden by the heat haze which blankets Marrakech.

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 ) that are for hire, but it is also necessary to take in the Medina's on foot, plunging into the hurly-burly maelstrom of passages where tradesmen ply various crafts, from cloth dyeing, copper beating, and leatherworking, to herbalists, perfumers and slipper makers.

Some of the best parts of Marrakech, and certainly those of most interest to tourists, are best explored on foot. The city consists of the Medina (old town) and the Ville Nouvelle (new city), approximately four kilometres apart. Beige-coloured petits taxis are cheap, with metered fares, and provide a good form of transportation between the two destinations if it is too hot to walk. However, many travellers opt to find accommodation in the old city and seldom leave this area. Taxis can be hailed on the streets and it is best to check that the meter is working and turned on before departing. Alternatively, travellers should agree upon a fare before setting off.

Public buses are a bit of a free-for-all and can become unbearably hot, but they are cheap, frequent and cover the entire city. Driving in the city of Marrakech is difficult unless visitors know their way around, and is not recommended, considering the narrow alleyways of the central urban medina area, and the heavy traffic of various vehicles, pedestrians and animals. If travellers choose to hire vehicles (and there are many rental companies available) they would do well to use them for excursions out of the city, and keep them safe in hotel parking lots while sightseeing in Marrakech on foot. The coach bus stations are situated in the new city and cover routes between Morocco's major cities and towns. Mercedes Benz sedans are called grands taxis and are another alternative for getting to neighbouring towns. Travellers can also use the Roby Taxi app. The most recent addition to Marrakech is the extensive tram network, which is helping to thoroughly modernise transportation in the city.

Morocco is not renowned for a glitzy or exciting nightlife, but Marrakech is something of an exception, offering visitors some captivating experiences after sunset. Nightlife in Marrakech is a unique combination of sophistication and tradition, offering everything from local storytellers and dancers to international festivals, lounges, bars and energetic dance clubs. Flyers and posters around town advertise upcoming events and venues, and it isn't difficult to find something entertaining to do at night.

The best of Moroccan entertainment can be experienced at Djemaa el Fna square, where local musicians, storytellers and dancers entertain visitors into the night. The square is truly the heart of Marrakech and an entertainment hub for tourists. This traditional nighttime entertainment is really the best nightlife option in the city, but there is a bar and nightclub scene. Travellers should bear in mind that in Morocco locals refer to nightclubs as 'discos' and to cabaret venues as 'clubs', which are often great fun! The best areas to find bars and dance clubs are the districts of Gueliz and Hivernage, particularly along Avenue Mohammed V.

Morocco is an Islamic country and alcohol is not always available in restaurants and entertainment venues, although the attitude towards alcohol is somewhat laid-back in Marrakech in comparison to the rest of the country. The exception to this is the month of Ramadan when foreigners need to exercise restraint and should only drink in hotels. The hotel bars and restaurants in more tourist-centric areas of the city can usually be relied upon to serve alcohol.

Shopping in Marrakech is an experience not to be missed. From the bustling labyrinth of the souks (an area of market stalls) to handcrafted pottery, contemporary art, couture kaftans and priceless antiques, Marrakech is a treasure trove of exotic goods.

From the souks, shoppers can purchase anything from traditional belgha (leather slippers) to magical potions, while La Porte d'Or is home to some invaluable antiques. The biggest souk in Marrakech is adjacent to the Djemaa El-Fna; while in Gueliz, Intensite Nomade sells trendy kaftans, and contemporary art is available from the Matisse Art Gallery. The Gueliz area also hosts some very upmarket, boutiques. Akkal, in Sidi Ghanem, is renowned for its beautiful, handcrafted pottery. Other popular souvenirs from Marrakech include 'cactus silk', spices, camel leather goods, and cashmere shawls. Many visitors to Marrakech leave having bought a rug. One of the largest and best-known shops is Les Nomades, an Aladdin's cave of carpets with rugs from floor to ceiling. Travellers should do some research before buying a rug, as it's very easy to overpay and buy a poor quality rug that was marketed as an antique.

In the souks of Marrakech, bargaining is essential (asking prices may be as much as five times what the salesman will eventually take), and the attention of shop owners or staff can be overwhelming. Travellers should be aware that when shopping in the medina with a tourist guide, his commission will be added to the price of the goods purchased. Most small shops are closed on Friday afternoons and on Sundays, although the big bazaars are open every day. Opening times may vary during the month of Ramadan and visitors should research any potential changes.

With a rich and diverse cultural history and enough smells, tastes and colours to spark just about any traveller's interest, tourist attractions in Marrakech are second-to-none, and it will take visitors a while to explore all that this enchanting city has to offer. With its ochre sandstone buildings, Marrakech (known as 'The Red City') offers romance, exoticism and beauty.

Visitors should head to the Djemaa el-Fna Square where Berber merchants, travelling peddlers and entertainers such as snake charmers, musicians, fire-eaters and fortune-tellers can be found. This truly unforgettable cultural experience can feel at times like a free carnival show. History buffs will enjoy the countless monuments to be seen and should not miss out on the Saadian Tombs, Koutoubia Mosque, El Badii Palace and the breathtaking fountains of Echrab ou Chouf and Mouassine. The Majorelle Gardens are a botanical masterpiece, having been touched by the hands of Yves Saint-Laurent and Pierre Berge, and are one of Marrakech's top tourist sights. Hop-on hop-off bus tours around Marrakech are readily available, and travellers will not be disappointed by the incredible array of attractions available for them to explore.

Marrakech is a genuinely intriguing city that invites days of sightseeing, but travellers should come prepared for some unwelcome pressure from the many touts, merchants and unofficial tour guides that throng foreigners. People in the street may misdirect tourists asking for directions into family-owned stores, and women travelling alone may encounter some unwanted attention.

Marrakech may not be the first place that comes to mind when one thinks of ideal holiday destinations for children, but for travellers taking their kids abroad, Marrakech offers a uniquely exotic, eye-opening experience that the little ones will never forget.

Travellers can start with a hop-on hop-off bus tour to discover the sights, sounds and smell of this bustling Moroccan city, and tell the children exciting stories about the sights along the way, including Theatre Royal, Palais des Congres and Les Jardins Majorelle. If they can't stand the heat, take them to Oasiria Water Park to cool off in one of the children's lagoons, ride on the pirate ship, or splash around in the wave pool - just don't forget the sunscreen! The Majorelle Botanical Gardens provide plenty of space for the kids to run around and make an ideal picnic location for the whole family. In a similar vein, the Olive Grove of Mariah, about an hour from Marrakech, is home to a gigantic swimming pool, gardens and even a restaurant.

During the winter months (late November to March), when heavy downpours can occur, make use of the French Institute of Marrakech's cultural activities programme, which includes everything from circus shows to films, and storytelling fit for children of all ages.

To say that Moroccan cuisine is eclectic and exciting is an understatement and anyone eating out in Marrakech will learn this fairly quickly. An exotic mix of Arab, Middle Eastern, Mediterranean and African influences, dining in Marrakech is an unforgettable experience.

Spices are a major part of Moroccan cuisine with cumin, cinnamon, ginger, turmeric, pepper, coriander and saffron being the most commonly used. Travellers cannot eat out in Marrakech without sampling a Tagine, a traditional lamb or chicken stew, which has been slowly braised in a clay pot resulting in delicately tender meat and an intensely aromatic flavour. Some of the most popular dishes include harira soup, couscous, jaouhara (fried phyllo pastry with cream) and bastilla (phyllo-pastry pie with pigeon, egg and almonds).

Visitors can sample street-side barbeques or splash out at upmarket restaurants throughout the city, where palatial-style eateries can be found as well as top-class French, Asian and Italian restaurants. For a truly authentic experience, visitors should head to the Medina at sunset and watch as over 100 kitchens and stalls specialising in different dishes are set up in Djemaa el-Fna Square to become one of the world's largest open-air eateries.

So what's the weather like in Marrakech

The weather in Marrakech is sunny nearly all year round, with pleasantly warm, dry summers and mild, slightly damp winters. The climate is hot, semi-arid, and often typically Mediterranean. Despite the proximity of the formidable Sahara Desert, Marrakech does not have a desert climate. The average temperatures range from 54F (12C) in the winter, to 84°F (29C) in the summer. The hottest months of the year are July, August and September when temperatures can reach 100F (38C); however, Marrakech's humidity is low, making temperatures generally bearable. Winter can bring heavy downpours of rain, which leave the streets of the old town very muddy, and winter nights can be cold, though those visiting the city at this time should still get plenty of sun and will be rewarded by seeing the Atlas Mountains at their most beautiful when they are capped with white snow. Marrakech is a year-round destination but spring (March, April, May) and autumn (October, November) are considered to be the best seasons in the city, as it is warm and sunny but not swelteringly hot.

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  • Currency The Moroccan Dirham is the currency of Morocco
  • Flying from UK Flights from London to Marrakesh are around 3 hours 35 minutes
  • Language The two official languages are Modern Standard Arabic and Berber.
  • Passport & Visas If you are a British passport holder you do not need a visa to enter & your passport should be valid for the proposed duration of your stay.