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 A medieval city of drama, myth and mystery, Marrakesh will captivate all who venture inside its ochre-coloured walls. Step in and you will be transported back to a place and time that has been consigned to the annals of history. The winding alleys of the Medina and the sights, sounds and smells of the souks, the human drama that is Djemaa el-Fna square and the Atlas Mountains rearing up in the background all make Marrakesh Morocco’s crown jewel.

currency

Moroccan dirham (MAD) 1 dirham = 100 centimes

phone

Police: 19
Ambulance/Fire: 15

newspaper

The Moroccan Times (daily news in English)

hours

Banks: Mon-Fri 8.30am-11.30am and 2.30pm-4.30pm. Businesses: Mon-Sat 9am-1pm and 3pm-7pm

population

1,060,000

info

Office National Marocain du Tourisme
Place Abdel Moumen ben Ali,
Avenue Mohammed V, Gueliz
+044 436 239/131
Mon-Fri 9am-12pm and 3pm-4.30pm

Panoramic view of Marrakesh and the snow capped Atlas mountains, Morocco Maurizio De Mattei/Shutterstock.com

The City

The city is divided into two highly contrasting districts: the medina, founded by the Almoravids nearly 1,000 years ago, and the Ville Nouvelle, a French colonial modernist project from the early 20th century. It is the medina, and its central square Djemaa el-Fna, that will undoubtedly spark the imagination.

Djemaa el-Fna is the heart and soul of Marrakchi life, and really comes alive with the setting of the sun, when a caravanasi of food vendors, selling all manner of Moroccan delicacies, descend onto the square. These are accompanied by snake charmers, wide-eyed story tellers, musicians and performers that lend a medieval scent to the night air. To the north of the square are the important religious buildings and the souks, while to the south are the Imperial quarters where the palaces and monuments of past rulers proudly stand.

The Ville Nouvelle, which in comparison to the medina is a decidedly more ordered and sedate affair, divides into the areas of Gueliz and Hivernage. Here you will find an array of civic buildings, international hotels, bars and restaurants typical of any modern European city.

Camels waiting for tourists in Marrakech Philip Lange/Shutterstock.com

Do & See

The city divides into two highly contrasting districts. The medina, founded by the Almoravids nearly 1000 years ago, and the Ville Nouvelle, a French colonial modernist project from the early 20th century. It is the medina, and its central square Djemaa el-Fna, that will undoubtedly fire the imagination.

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El Badi Palace

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Highlights of Marrakech: Private 4H City Tour

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Koutoubia Mosque and Minaret

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Djemaa El-fna

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Atlas Mountains and 3 Valleys & Waterfalls & Desert Agafay

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Majorelle Garden

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Hammam

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Tanneries

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The Souks

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Menara Gardens

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Saadian Tombs

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City Walls

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Ali Ben Youssef Madrasa

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Maison de la Photographie

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Yves Saint Laurent Museum

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Ryads Al Maaden Medina & Golf Resorts

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Cactus Thiemann

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Oasiria Water Park

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Golf

Morocco typical dish Sylvia Kania/Shutterstock.com

Dining

Moroccan cuisine, in general, consists of the staples of meat―mainly chicken and lamb―a wide variety of fruits and vegetables, and couscous. The most renowned Moroccan dish is the tajine, a slowly cooked stew of meat, vegetables, fruit and nuts. Another famous dish is pastilla, which is composed of either chicken or pigeon between layers of pastry.

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Djemaa El-fna

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Dar Marjana

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Ksar El Hamra

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Casa Lalla

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Dar Moha

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Le Foundouk

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AlFassia

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Pepe Nero

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Les Jardins de la Medina

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Azar

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Limoni

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Bagatelle

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The Restaurant of La Sultana

Traditional Moroccan mint tea with sweets Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock.com

Cafés

Enjoy the different sounds and views in Marrakesh at a nice café with a cup of strong Moroccan coffee in your hand. Moroccans also have a liking for sweet things, so be sure to try out their desserts and pastries, washed down with an aromatic glass of "thé à la menthe" or mint tea.

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Patisserie des Princes

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Dar Cherifa

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Café du Livre

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Café de France

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Patisserie Amandine Marrakech

The Djemma el fna square in Marrakesh posztos/Shutterstock.com

Bars & Nightlife

Drinking in Marrakesh is a discreet affair that takes place strictly behind closed doors. However, once you're safely inside, the party starts to swing to the rhythms of the Gnawa. Hidden away from view on the outskirts of the town, the clubs are a place for locals and tourists to let off steam and get down to some seriously funky beats. Be prepared for a unique brand of Marrakshi mayhem!

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Jad Mahal

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Comptoir Darna

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Theatro

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Nikki Beach

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Royal Mansour Bar

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555 Famous Club

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Cantobar

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Le Bar Churchill

Women on Moroccan market in Marrakech Ekaterina Pokrovsky/Shutterstock.com

Shopping

Marrakesh is a shopper’s paradise. It is a place where some of the finest hand crafted goods won’t cost you an arm and a leg and you’re actively expected to bargain. If this sounds like your idea of consumer heaven then head directly to the souks in the North of the Medina, where you will find different artisans fashioning all manner of products.

There’s also the slipper market, for that most essential of Moroccan footwear: the babouche, which you can slip into after the night’s revelries. Other markets to look out for include the leather market and the carpet market where you can pick-up high quality hand-woven rugs. For sheer interest alone, and to watch real craftsmen at work, be sure to wander through the blacksmiths’, dyers’ and carpenters’ markets. If the bustle of the souk gets to be too much, and you’re all bartered out, then head over to the Ville Nouvelle where the shopping experience comes air conditioned-boutique style. Here you will find exclusive designer wear and one-off original items, artisan and antique shops and warehouse outlets. Happy shopping!

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Rue Souq-el-Kebir

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Food Markets

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Ensemble Artisanal

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33 Rue Majorelle

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Mustapha Blaoui

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Carre Eden Shopping Center

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Herboriste Des Amis

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Djemaa El-fna

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The Souks

mountain bike standing near a red wall in the Muslim city of Marrakech TDway/Shutterstock.com

Tourist Information

Airport

Menara Airport is located 6 km from Marrakesh. Bus number 19 runs to Djemaa el-Fna every 20 minutes during the week and less frequently during weekends and public holidays. The journey takes approximately 30 minutes. A taxi for maximum 5 people plus baggage from the airport to the city centre takes about 20 minutes. Agree on the price before taking off.

Address: Marrakesh Menara Airport, Marrakesh

Email:

Phone: +212 5 2444 7910

Website: www.onda.ma

More Information:

Passport / Visa

Citizens of the European Union, as well as the Untied States, Australia, and dozens of world countries can enter and remain in Morocco visa-free for up to 90 days. Look up individual prerequisites prior to travel in order to possibly apply for visa in time.

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Public Transport

The main bus station is located at Bab Doukkala. From here buses to different cities around Morocco leave, but you also find local buses here. Almost all buses stop at Djemaa El-Fna and Place Youssef Ben Tachfine.

Address: Bab Doukkala, Marrakesh

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Phone:

Website: www.alsa.ma

More Information:

Taxis

Taxi is the favoured method of transport around Marrakesh. There are small taxis (petits taxis) which can take up to three passengers. For destinations further afield there are large taxis (grands taxis). Prices are reasonable but should be agreed in advance.

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Website: www.taxi-amarrakech.com

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Post

You can buy stamps in several shops around the medina and also in some of the most luxurious hotels. The main Post Office in the city is located at:

Address: Place du 16 Novembre, Gueliz, Marrakesh

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More Information: Located opposite McDonalds

Pharmacy

You don't have to go far to find a pharmacy since there are a lot of them in the city, particularly in the area of avenue Mohammed V between place Abdelmoumen Ben Ali and place de la Liberté. A sign in the window indicates which pharmacies are open after-hours but you also find a night pharmacy at:

Address: Rue Khalid ben el-Oualid, Marrakesh

Email:

Phone: +212 524 430415

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Telephone

Country code: +212
Area code: 24

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Electricity

Increasingly 220 volts round two-pin plugs are becoming standard.

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