About the city
Marrakech, the "red city" or "pearl of the south", is one of the world's most enchanting cities. At the foot of the snow-capped Atlas mountains lies this thousand-year-old imperial city, where the scent of spices, the muezzin's call and the clatter of coppersmiths combine into an unforgettable experience. Marrakech is Morocco's top tourist destination.
📜 History
Marrakech was founded in 1062 by the Almoravid Berber dynasty and quickly became the capital of an empire stretching from Senegal to Spain. The Almohads built the iconic Koutoubia Mosque in the 12th century. For centuries Marrakech was the cultural and trading hub of the south, with caravans arriving from the Sahara. The medina has been a UNESCO World Heritage site since 1985.
🗺️ Things to do
- ✓Get lost in the medina souks and the magical Jemaa el-Fna square at sunset
- ✓Visit the gorgeous Majorelle Garden and the Yves Saint Laurent museum
- ✓Admire the Bahia Palace and the Saadian Tombs
- ✓Unwind in a traditional hammam with an argan oil massage
- ✓Take a day trip to the Atlas, the Ourika valley or the Agafay desert
- ✓Marvel at the Koutoubia mosque tower (from outside)
- ✓Stay in a traditional riad with a courtyard garden
🍴 Food & drink
Marrakech is a culinary journey in itself. Tajine with prunes and lamb, Friday couscous, harira (lentil soup) at sunset during Ramadan, and the famous tanjia (slow-cooked meat in a clay pot). On Jemaa el-Fna you eat amid the crowd: grilled merguez, snails and fresh orange juice.
🏘️ Neighbourhoods
The medina (old city) within the red walls is the main attraction. The Kasbah district hosts the palaces. Gueliz is the modern French quarter with chic boutiques and restaurants. Hivernage is green and upscale, with large hotels.
☀️ Best time to visit
March–May and September–November are most pleasant (20–28°C). Summer is hot (40°C+), but hotels are cheaper.
✨ What makes it special
Marrakech mesmerises with its colours, scents and sounds like no other city. A sensory experience you won't find anywhere else — perfect for a city break with an adventurous edge, and the ideal base for desert tours and mountain adventures.
📷 City photos
