Morocco’s most memorable experience, Marrakesh, is set for the most fashionable and luxurious chapter in over a thousand years.
Both bright and beautiful, the city is the perfect getaway for anyone looking for heat outside of the British season or for anyone wanting to satisfy their wanderlust with colourful surroundings and surprises on every street corner.
Marrakesh and its captivating sights and sounds need to be next on your agenda; the Instagram potential is undeniable…
The Marrakesh Experience
In some parts of the city, it feels as if you are being transported back 500 years and you will probably think not much has changed since back then.
What is a new feature are the street vendors who are potentially irritating; however, bear in mind this is a city where, for many, the only source of income is tourism.
Top Tip: Be altruistic if you can afford it, even if you do come away with something you don’t want or need (we all still love a souvenir)
Expect bejewelled women walking through the Marrakesh markets where camels and human slaves were traded with all the attendant noise, intense heat and smells.
Thankfully the slave markets are no more, but you will still see the mysterious women and plenty of camels; the noise and the odours are probably much the same as in those days apart from the exhaust smell of the mopeds that seem to be everywhere.
Be ready for an assault on all your senses in Marrakesh. When you take your first step into the streets of bustling industrious people, noise, aromas and colour it can make your head spin.
Where to Stop Off
There are two main tourist attractions in Marrakesh, the Medina quarter, with its maze like narrow streets and alleyways (derbs), and the Jemaa el-Fna, a public square like no other…
The Medina
The Medina, with its open-air markets called “souks” is where most of the city’s business happens, making it a magnet for tourists who have the opportunity to buy almost anything known to man.
Top Tip: When browsing be prepared to dodge donkey carts and lorries in the narrow alleyways!
Some of the traders in the Medina wear the traditional kaftan (a long-sleeved coat buttoned at the front reaching to the ankles) because it helps to keep off some of the heat, whilst the alleyways themselves provide some welcome shelter from the sun.
Fresh food is on sale everywhere; a huge variety of olives piled high in dishes, cloves, ginger, saffron and the national staple, cous cous, plus other fruits and vegetables. If you have a sensitive stomach be cautious about eating food from street vendors, although the lamb and chicken dishes are very tasty and most consumers suffer no adverse effects.
Top Tip: Check out the stall before you buy though; these guys won’t be displaying any food hygiene certificates! Carry and use antiseptic hand wipes before eating with your fingers.
For souvenir hunters, there are stalls selling delicately patterned copper and brass items. The workmanship is superb, but don’t dive in without giving the matter some thought. Consider, could I buy this more cheaply at home? Always haggle and if you can’t get the price down to what you think is fair just walk away.
The leather market is also a popular destination, with a huge range of excellent quality items on sale. This part of the world is also famous for its patterned carpets and rugs of very high quality.
Jemaa el-Fna
For drama and action, make for Jemaa el-Fan. This place is like a large open-air theatre where the performances start in earnest around 10 a.m.
This amazing public square in Marrakesh is designated a World Heritage Site, and the name Jemaa el-Fna is thought to mean (among other interpretations) ‘assembly of the dead’, so named because this was once a site used for public executions of Christians and locals that had broken the law.
You will witness things there that you will definitely never have seen before: controlled mayhem, if there is such a thing…
Street theatre performances that are somehow hypnotic, although you won’t have a clue what is going on; snake charmers working their spell on deadly cobras by playing repetitive scales on an oboe and hanging other snakes around their necks!
You’ll also see water sellers attracting custom by clanging metal cups together, acrobats and other street performers, and what are best described as potion peddlers claiming their concoctions can heal anything.
If on a daytrip, you will have left the square by the time things really start to liven up as the sun goes down on Jemaa el-Fna. As the sun sets, dozens of portable grills are lit and smoke tinged with the scent of barbecuing meat rises into the air. Enter the dancers and other performers! This is when things become very exciting and the party really starts to go with a swing.
Quieter Spots
Medersa Ben Youssef
For some peace, quiet and relief from the noise and bustle of the souks, visit the 14th century Medersa Ben Youssef. This was built as a high school and most students studied there for twelve years before becoming the professional classes of Marrakesh. There are tiles, mosaics and intricate carvings on almost all surfaces inside this building, which is believed to be the oldest structure in the city.
Necropolis Tombeaux Saadiens
This complex of tombs is just south of Jemaa el-Fna. It is a fine example of Moorish art and is one of the few vestiges of the Saadian Empire remaining. The site consists of a beautiful flower garden and mausoleums, one with impressive stuccowork and ceilings of cedar wood. The sultans of Marrakesh and their families are interred there in tombs of Carrara marble.
Koutoubia Mosque
This is the symbol of the city. It has a minaret that looks out over Marrakesh from a height of 77 metres and the building is regarded as one of the most beautiful in the whole of North Africa. It has been used as a place of worship for 800 years. Unfortunately, non-Muslims are not allowed to enter the mosque.
Menara Pavilion
This is outside the city but is worthy of a visit if you want to push the boat out a little. The Moorish building is set beside a lake and has fertile gardens that are full of colour. With the snow-capped Atlas Mountains in the background, this popular picnic spot with the locals is highly valued for its sense of calm and peace.
The Leftovers
Apart from the sightseeing in Marrakesh you can learn some new dance moves, have a henna tattoo (no needles involved), visit a hamman (bathhouse) for a freshen up, or sip some tea in an ancient café. There are also modern shops and galleries to explore!
The Journey
Marrakesh is approximately 243km south of Casablanca and flight time from Casablanca is just over an hour. The best time to visit is in the spring when the evenings are cooler and the days are warm rather than scorching hot, although September time is the perfect time to visit if you’re seeking the heat.
There is little doubt that even with all its beauty and wonder Marrakesh can be an assault on the senses but it is a pleasant assault. You will return to the comfort of your cruise ship with lasting memories and countless photographs, probably clutching a metal lantern you didn’t really want with no idea where to put it in your home. C’est la vie.
Have you ever been to Marrakesh or Morocco? What are your thoughts on the markets and what are your top tips for travelling here for a day or two? Leave us your comments!
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