Marrakech is called by different names: it is the ‘red city‘ (because of the color of the houses), the ‘pearl of the south‘, but also the ‘daughter of the desert‘ as it is located close to the Atlas mountains and the last stop before reaching the desert. In contrast to cities like Casablanca, Rabat, Agadir, Tangier and Essaouira it is not located at the coast or even close to it: Marrakech is at the inland and you’ll pass fantastic landscapes before reaching it. For many people the city is the dream location at Morocco and thereby it is also a very touristy city; for me it was the final stop of my tour by train through the country and therefore most things in the city weren’t surprising me anymore.
Marrakech is one of the four imperial cities of Morocco, was founded in the year 1070 by the Almoravids and became capital city until the Marinid dynasty shifted it to Fés in 1269. In 1985 the medina became a UNESCO world heritage site, honoring the unique and well-preserved design of the city. In contrast to other places in Morocco, the city center is entirely flat and thereby easy to discover – you just need to get out of the way of motorbikes. The highest and best visible landmark is the minaret of the Koutoubia mosque. It is surrounded by a wonderful garden and connects the new town with shopping malls and modern hotels with the old medina.
Next to the Koutoubia you’ll find the Jemaa el fna, the vast public space connecting all parts of the city. It is always full with merchants, jugglers, snake charmers and tourists. If you want to have a relaxed view on all the hustle and bustle get yourself a coffee at the rooftop of the Café Glacier. The main sights are now in two areas north and south: in the south you can find the former royal palaces and graves: the Palais El-Badi, the Palais de la Bahia, the Saardi graves, and the Bab Agnaou gate close to it.
If you move to the north you can discover the real medina with its different souks, far outside also the tannery. But most important are the Islamic college Medersa Ben Youssef, the Almoravid dome, the Musée de Marrakech and the Jardin secret, an oasis in the city center. Once you need some relaxation you could go for the Jardin Majorelle (YSL!) north of the medina (but you need to do a reservation days in advance online) or you take the longer distance to the nice Jardins de la Ménara with its olive trees and the pavilion on the water. Especially on Sundays the entire city seems to gather here.
Marrakech has a good airport close-by that connects the city to the world but also a railway station that takes you easily to cities like Casablanca. A trip through the inland well worth doing.
Marrakech
Morocco
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