Top 10 Things to See in Marrakech
Marrakech: a million miles away from your average UK high street, yet less than four hours away by air.
From buzzing souks to ancient palaces, from the atmospheric calls-to-prayer to uniquely fragrant cuisine - Marrakech is an assault on the senses. Little wonder it's one of the top travel destinations in northwest Africa.
If you're not quite ready for Mumbai or Cairo, then Marrakech is a great place to hone your far-flung-travel skills - it's just as exotic - but a little less 'in your face' than the above pair, and quite possibly a bit safer.
Here's our guide to the top 10 things to do in Marrakech.
1. The Souks of Medina
Medina, the old part of Marrakech, presents a bewildering labyrinth of souks to explore.
A souk is a street marketplace where you can purchase all manner of goods, including leather bags, spices, silver and gold jewellery, and freshly prepared food.
Traditionally, each souk was named after the commodity that was sold there. Even today, you'll find many souks specialise in one particular product.
Getting lost in a souk is a memorable experience - but do ensure you can access Google Maps on your phone (since some cheeky local lads might point you in the wrong direction and into their uncle's shop!).
The Medina souks give you a sense of what Marrakech was like centuries ago.
2. El Badi Palace
El Badi is a ruined Palace near the centre of Marrakech constructed in the late 16th Century by the Sultan Ahmad al-Mansur, of the Saadian dynasty.
Originally, the palace boasted 350 rooms, a vast swimming pool, and a series of gardens. However, most of the interior rooms have not survived the rigours of time.
What remains is still captivating: it's a museum with several detached compartments, displaying ancient art and even a fully restored 12th century mini bar!
The rooftop terrace, meanwhile, offers some of the finest views of the city - as well as the palace itself.
Gardens
Marrakech is famous for its stunning yet tranquil gardens. Indeed, the city is also known as the Garden City.
These green oases present a wonderful way to get away from the hubbub of the hot city streets - and offer a taste of paradise.
You'll also find smaller gardens in the riads (hotel courtyards), and palaces of the city.
Among the best city gardens is Jardin Majorelle, created in 1923 by a French Orientalist called Jacques Majorelle. The garden took 40 years to complete, and features a colourfully painted villa, which has become a favourite among Instagrammers.
Nearby is the Yves Saint Laurent Museum. Do be warned that recent reviews suggest some difficulty in obtaining tickets, and some truculence from the staff!
You'll find more joy at Menara gardens - a botanical garden on the west side of Marrakech.
While Jardin Majorelle is mostly frequented by tourists, Menara is favoured by locals - it's also considerably less hectic than Majorelle.
4. Koutoubia Mosque
The largest mosque in Marrakech, Koutoubia, is located in Medina.
Koutoubia Mosque is easy to find - thanks to its 253 foot (77m) high minaret. It's also a useful landmark for navigating around the city.
Built in the 12th century, Koutoubia became the inspiration for many other prominent buildings - both in Marrakech and wider Morocco.
There's yet another large and beautiful garden outside the mosque, with plenty of tree-shaded benches to relax on before heading back into the city chaos!
5. Jemaa El-Fna Square
A short walk from Koutoubia Mosque you'll find the famous Jemaa El-Fna Square. Here, visitors and locals intermingle, as they peruse the various diverse items and produce on display. Grab everything from fresh orange juice to unique souvenirs.
Snake charmers, fortune tellers and all manner of other entertainment is also found here.
Do note that if you ask to have your photo taken with any of the entertainers, they will demand money - sometimes in a rather aggressive way.
One of the best things to do is find a table in one of the rooftop bars, order a mint tea, and soak up the atmospheric chaos down below!
6. Tanneries
Morocco is famous for its leather tanning industry.
Much of the locally-made leather goes into the myriad of bags, shoes and other items on sale in the souks.
The majority of the city’s tanneries are found to the north of the Medina. It's possible to see how leather is finished in the tanneries - but do take care - there are many scams associated with the tanneries.
7. Bahia Palace
The 19th century Bahia Palace was built for Si Moussa, Grand Vizier of the Sultan.
In contrast to El Badi Palace (above), Nahai Palace is much better preserved (although it is several hundred years younger).
Despite its relative youth, it still gives you an evocative sense of the past. It features more than 150 rooms and a fabulous 2-acre garden, created in the classic Islamic-Morrocan style.
Don’t miss the harem with its marbled exterior court. This connects to the living quarters for the palace concubines.
8. Miara Jewish Cemetery
After the infamous mass exile of Jews from Spain in the 15th Century, Marrakech opened its proverbial arms to many of them.
More than 35,000 Jews occupied the Jewish Quarter of Mellah, which saw around 40 synagogues built.
The Jewish Cemetery was constructed in 1537, just outside the Jewish Quarter. A fascinating place to visit - but one that sadly many visitors forgo.
9. Bab Agnaou
Originally, 19 gates were built in the old city walls. Bab Agnaou was the most famous -and survives to this day.
Completed in the 12 century, it afforded access to the royal areas of Medina. Designed to impress visitors centuries ago, it still wows tourists from all over the world.
Look out for the storks nesting on top!
10. Saadian Tombs
Having entered Marrakech through the Bab Agnaou gate, you have easy access to the city’s royal district - the Kibosh. Here you'll find the historic Kasbah Mosque.
However, far more interesting are the Saadian Tombs, which lay hidden behind the mosque for centuries. After their discovery they were excavated and can now be seen in all their glory.
More than 60 members of the Saadian dynasty were buried here.
The Saadians ruled Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries. The tombs were found again in 1917.
After absorbing this truly fascinating attraction, you can relax in the necropolis - a large garden cemetery enclosed by the southern rampart.
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