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Discover magical Marrakech

Marrakech is the fourth largest city in Morocco after Casablanca, Rabat, and Fes. It was known to early travellers as 'Morocco City'. Prior to the advent of the Almoravids in the 11th century, the area was ruled from the city of Aghmat. The Almoravid leader, Abu-Bakr Ibn-Umar decided Aghmat was becoming overcrowded and chose to build a new capital.

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» Ait Benhaddou

Home to some of Morocco's best preserved Kasbahs, the UNESCO-World Heritage listed city of Ait Benhaddou once occupied a prominent position on the trans-Saharan trade route and is now one of the country's most famous attractions. Sculpted from traditional mud bricks, the town is a striking sight, perched on the edge of the High Atlas Mountains and fortified by walls of dark red pisé. The highlight of the city is the Telouet Kasbah …

» Atlas Mountains

Sprawling along the frontier of the Sahara, Morocco's mighty Atlas Mountains run all the way from the Atlantic coast to the northern Rif Mountains, separating the cities from the desert. Capped with snow throughout the winter months and cloaked with wildflowers through the summer, the rocky plateaus and lush valleys of the Atlas Mountains provide a striking backdrop for hiking and mountain biking treks from cities like Marrakech, Fez and Agadir …

» Bahia Palace

The crowning glory of Marrakech's numerous palaces, even the name of the exquisite Bahia Palace nods to its greatness - 'Bahia' translates as 'Brilliance'. Located by the medina, on the northern edge of the Mellah, or Jewish quarter, the Bahia Palace was once the 19th-century residence of Si Ahmed ben Musa (or Bou-Ahmed), the Grand Vizier of Marrakech, who famously lived here with his four wives, 24 concubines and numerous children …

» Djemaa el Fna (Place of the Dead)

Djemaa el Fna, or Place of the Dead, a huge open expanse at the core of the medina (old town) of Marrakech, is one of the great meeting places of the world. Traders meet merchants, merchants meet travelers, travelers meet snake handlers. And the past meets the present, with storytellers carrying on a centuries-old oral tradition, keeping their listeners spellbound with tall tales. The square functions as an outdoor market, music hall, restaurant and theatre …

» Essaouira

Earning its place in the guidebooks back in the 1960s, when iconic musicians like Jimi Hendrix, Mick Jagger, Frank Zappa and Cat Stevens descended on its shores, the tranquil beach town of Essaouira might be over its hippie heyday, but its laid-back vibe still entices a steady stream of backpackers and curious tourists. Perched on the Atlantic coast between Casablanca and Agadir, the fishing port and beach town retains a distinctly European feel …

» Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret

Built in the 12th century, the Koutoubia Mosque is not only the largest in Marrakech, it is also one of the most influential buildings in the Muslim world. Throughout Spain and beyond you'll see echoes of its intricate geometric stone work, graceful arches and imposing square minaret. This last feature, flood-lit at night, is a much-needed point of reference when exploring the low-lying tangle of streets and alleyways which comprise the medina …

» Majorelle Garden (Jardin Majorelle)

The Majorelle Garden is one of the most magical places in a city with no shortage of enchantment. Its founder, French painter Jacques Majorelle, fell in love with Marrakech in the early 20th century and after developing this charming oasis, opened it to the public in 1947. Apart from the huge range of exotic plants, including rare succulents and towering palms, the most distinctive feature is the intense, almost psychedelic shade of blue used in the garden's walls and buildings …

» Marrakech Souks

The souks (covered markets) of Marrakech form the teeming, bewildering sub-conscious of the city, a vast network of alleyways pierced periodically by shafts of sunlight. Each souk has a different specialty, be it rugs, leather goods, spices, metalwork or clothing. Haggling is compulsory; the first price the merchant mentions is usually a fanciful multiple of what they actually expect. French is handy but money talks and the traders know it often speaks English …

» Medina of Marrakesh

Marrakesh, once the most powerful commercial and political center in the Arab world, was founded in 1062 by Berber chieftain Abu Bakr ibn Umar as the capital of the orthodox-Muslim Almoravid Empire. Full of ornate monuments built mostly between the 12th and 16th centuries, a visit to its medina, or old town, is like a walk through a heavily fortified open-air museum. It was listed as a World Heritage Site in 1985. Surrounded by ancient walls and enormous gates …

» Menara Gardens

One of the great distinguishing landmarks of Marrakech, the Menara Gardens are grouped around a reservoir which once formed part of an irrigation system. They date back to the 12th century, with the green-roofed pavilion added four centuries later and occasionally used as a royal summer residence in the years since. This modest yet perfectly-proportioned structure is best viewed from the opposite end of the reservoir, reflected in the still waters with the majestic snow-capped Atlas Mountains …

» Museum of Marrakech (Musee de Marrakech)

Marrakech's foremost museum is housed in a 19th century palace which draws on earlier architectural glories for inspiration, all centered on an Andalusian-style courtyard. The current form of the museum is largely due to patron Omar Benjelloun, who did much to reanimate interest in Morocco's cultural heritage. Exhibits include ceramics, jewels, arms, costumes, calligraphy and a collection of Judaica, reflecting the diverse cultural history of the city …

» Ouarzazate

With its strategic location at the foot of the High Atlas Mountains and on the brim of the vast Saharan sands, Ouarzazate has become one of Morocco's most important holiday destinations, popular among both locals and tourists. Long known as the 'Door of the Desert', Ouarzazate makes a common launch pad for camel trekking and camping trips into the Draa Valley and the surrounding Sahara desert, as well as tours of the famous UNESCO-World Heritage listed city of Ait Benhaddou …

» Ourika Valley

Nestled in the foothills of the mighty High Atlas Mountains, the Ourika Valley makes a popular day trip from Marrakech at just 30km from the city center. A lush expanse of terraced fields and forested hillsides, the valley provides a picturesque backdrop for hiking expeditions, with its verdant hills set against the stark red rock of the mountains. At the heart of the valley are the dramatic Setti Fatma falls, a series of 7 cascading waterfalls that flow into the Ourika River …

» Ouzoud Falls

Located by the village of Tanaghmeilt in the High Atlas Mountains, the Ouzoud Falls are Morocco's highest waterfalls, tumbling 110 meters through a dramatic red-rock gorge of the El Abid River. Taking their name from the olive groves that blanket the valley ('Ouzoud' is Berber for 'Olive'), the summit of the falls is still dotted a number of historic water mills, some of which are still in use, extracting olive oil from the surrounding crops …

» Saadian Tombs

The Saadi dynasty, which dominated much of Morocco in the 16th and 17th centuries, is closely identified with Marrakech, and some 60 members of the ruling family are now permanent residents. Assuming your reverence for long-dead Moroccan sultans is limited, the main reason for visiting the Saadian Tombs is the outstanding decorative work on the buildings which house them. Stunning geometric mosaics, minutely detailed stonework …

» Sahara Desert

From trekking across the dunes on a camel, following ancient Sahara trade routes, to sleeping out under the stars in a traditional Bedouin encampment, then rising at the break of dawn to watch the sun rise over the desert plains; visiting the Sahara desert will likely check a few things off your bucket list. Multi-day tours from Marrakech are the most popular way to experience the desert and most trips pass through the gateway town of Merzouga …

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