Marrakech is the most popular and prominent city in Morrocco. It is known for being the gateway to the Grand Sahara Desert. The climate in Marrakech is dry and hot. It is famous for almost everything you can think of- teapots, crockery, leather goods, argan oil, spices, and whatnot, some things can suit everybody.
The Red City: Build during the rule of Almohads, the red city is surrounded by palm grooves. Near to it are Kutubiayah mosque and a very cultural marketplace.
Things you can do in Marrakech, Morrocco
- Jemma el-Fnaa: The heart of Medina. It is located in the Medina quarter of the city. This is the local market of the city of Medina. This place is the site for traditional storytelling and street plays. As stated, The spectacle of Jamaa el Fna is repeated daily and each day is different. Everything changes — voices, sounds, gestures, the public which sees, listens, smells, tastes, touches. The oral tradition is framed by one much vaster — that we can call intangible. The Square, as a physical space, shelters a rich oral and intangible tradition.— Juan Goytisolo
- Jewish quarter: The Mellah of Marrakesh which was earlier known as Hay Essalam, is the second oldest Jewish quarter in the country. After expulsion from the Iberian peninsula, Jews started settling in Morrocco and they used to reside inside Mellahs that were built to protect them under their dhimmi status. Mullahs used to be commercial sites with walls around them. The reason for its decline was the end of the French protectorate, At that time, the population residing in the quarters was at its peak, accommodating almost about 40,000 inhabitants.
- Tizi and Tichka Mountain Pass in Atlas mountains: Tizi and Tichka is a mountain pass in the country of Morroco linking the southern part of Marrakesh to Ouarzazat via the High Atlas mountain ranges. The elevation of this pass is 7,415ft above sea level, making it the highest mountain pass in North Africa. This mountain road is no less than a picturesque alley of views.
- El Badi Palace: This palace of immense historical importance was said to be the place where Sultan Ahmed al Mansur of the Saadian dynasty used to welcome his guests. The remains of this palace are enough to provoke the imagination of its magnanimity. You get to have photographic spots to capture the beauty of the palace including the underground museum and the terrace. The garden patches in this palace are four in number and situated below the ground level.
- Jardin Majorelle/Yves Saint Laurent Mansion: A go-to botanical garden to take a light but invested break in your journey. Painted with vibrant contrasting colors and embellished with beautiful gardens, cacti, a pond with little turtles, and a coffee shop. This place will not let you keep the cameras down. The place is known after a celebrated orientalist painter Jardin Majorelle. This also houses a museum portraying objects from Amazigh culture.
Apart from this, the city of Marrakesh has a lot to offer in terms of history, beauty, and culture:
- Koutoubia Mosque: This is the most prominent center in Marrakech with a history of being one of the most beautiful of all mosques. The stone minaret is the height of 77 m, made up of white and green ceramic tiles
- Air Ben Haddou: A historic Ighrem or Ksar that is between the route connecting Sahara and Marrakesh and also a UNESCO world heritage site since 1987. It is known for its remarkable Moroccan earthen clay architecture. This fortified village is located next to the Ounila River also known as Asif Ounila.
- The Kasbah: Located in the southern part of the Medina of Marrakesh, the Kasbah was the citadel of the city. It was earlier the royal palace complex which still is the Dar al-Makhzen of the King of Morocco. The main gate of Bab Aganou and the Kasbah mosque(the Mansuriyya Mosque and the Mosque of Moulay al-Yazid)still survives as reminiscent of Al Mansur’s reign. Nowadays Kasbah is more famous as a tourist place than a restricted district which it was during the rule.
- Ouzoud Waterfalls
- Medina Souks
- Bahia Palace
- Essaouira on the Atlantic coast
Marrakesh is known for its traditional style Riad, refined and varied cuisine -tajine, couscous, Tanja, harira, pastilla, briouates, msemens, pastries or mint tea, hammams and the luxurious stay in dunes. There are deserts, mountains, waterfalls and changing landscapes offering breathtaking views.
