The 30 best Hotels in Marrakech

About Marrakech

Marrakech, declared World Heritage Site by the UNESCO, is a charming city with a rich artistic, cultural and natural environment. It's like an oasis in the desert that attracts visitors from all over the world. The colors, smells and tastes that you feel from the moment you get off the airplane will follow you forever.

Moving around

The most common option is to get here by plane especially since low cost airlines have opened routes to the city. Once in Marrakech, the best choice for soaking up the atmosphere and lifestyle is to walk around. In fact, the streets of the Medina are so narrow that the only vehicles that fit in them are bikes. You should be careful while walking because you have to dodge in more than one occasion, also with bicycles. The streets are labyrinthine and it's easy to get lost. Anyone can accompany you to the place you're looking for in exchange for a small tip. For longer trips, there's the option of taxis. Most of them have taximeter but it's not usually on. If you ask to turn it on and the driver refuses, the best thing to do is to take another taxi or agree a fixed price with the driver.

Out & About

Marrakech is not a city of monuments but the city itself is a monument. Still, there are several places you cannot miss. The square Jamaa el Fna is the heart and soul of the city. Here everything is mixed: tourists, local snake charmers, street dentists, fresh juices stalls... At night, the place changes completely. Day stalls disappear and give way to the food stalls, improvised musicians and storytellers. Near the square is the Mosque Koutoubia, the roof of Marrakech, the most important one of the city. It's not open to non-Muslims but it is worth seeing it from the outside. Ben Youssef Medersa is the largest and most important of the country and came to admit more than 900 students. The Saadian Tombs are one of the most visited places in the city and in them lies the Saadian Dynasty. Majorelle Gardens, owned by Yves Saint Laurent, are somewhat less known but very beautiful. Also, the Palm field is worth a visit as it has a special charm. The Souk is a spectacle of color and scents and the combination of light and shadows is breathtaking. It's composed of numerous labyrinthine alleys. It's worth taking several hours to walk around it. Also, if you have time, you can get away a couple of days out of Marrakech and visit other interesting places like Essaouira, the waterfalls of Ouzoud or a few days in the desert.

What's going on in

There's no date set for Muslim religious holidays, they vary each year according to their calendar, so you should check before you travel. On July 30th, they celebrate the Party of the Throne in commemoration of the coronation of the King and the 18th November is the Independence Day. During the Sacrifice Party, whose date is variable, families gather in one of the most important holidays to enjoy lamb.

Shopping

North of the square Jamaa el Fna, the Souk spreads along many labyrinthine alleys. It's divided according to the different crafts and there you can buy everything: clothes, leather, pottery, spices, etc... Here more than anywhere, it's tradition to bargain for everything. Walking through the souk, a lot of vendors will try to draw your attention. If you don't stand your ground, it's easy to fall into temptation and leave the souk with many more things than you planned. In addition, you'll find many pharmacies and herbalist stores where you can buy traditional remedies for all sorts of illnesses.

What's cooking?

Marrakech's cuisine combines centuries of history. In addition, spices acquire a major role in the kitchen. The most typical dish is couscous, the key dish of Moroccan cuisine. The Tajine is also well known, it's named according to the vessel in which the food is prepared. It can be of lamb, vegetables or fish. The Méchoui is grilled lamb with spices and Kefta is a sort of elongated meatball of minced and spiced meat. The Harira is a thick soup of lamb, chickpeas, tomatoes and other spices.

Weather

In Marrakesh, the weather is warm most of the year with an average temperature of 20º. During the summer months, the thermometer can climb up to 40 degrees while in winter the average is 13º. The best time to visit is in spring and fall when the heat makes the day pleasant and night temperature doesn't drop much.

Practical information

It's advisable to drink bottled water and be careful with iced drinks, homemade juices from Jamaa el Fna and, in general, with food stalls. Bargaining is part of the customs. Some people are uncomfortable with it but it's another experience of the trip. Furthermore, you won't have much choice if you don't want to pay triple of the actual price. Most travelers do not need a visa to enter the country. Morocco's official language is Arabic but French is also used. The official currency is the dirham but most places also accept payment in euros or dollars. Marrakech is a very safe city but sometimes you may feel uncomfortable because the dimly lit labyrinthine streets can become intimidating. Moreover, particularly in the Medina, people will approach you to try to sell you something or take you to a restaurant / herbalist shop. All you have to do is stand your ground and say no if something doesn't interest you. Other than that, no problems at all.

So...

Treat yourself and stay in a magnificent riad in the Medina to feel like a real maharaja in the heart of Marrakech. This is a city to enjoy without hurries, so sit in Jamaa el Fna and take a delicious orange juice while watching the hectic life of the square.