Like other Moroccan cities such as Meknes, Rabat and Fez, Marrakech is known as an imperial city and was even the first capital of the kingdom. But Marrakech has much more to offer than a postcard image and it is not just its souks! Marrakech requires time to unveil its magic. It is worth living it locally thanks to the indications of the tourist guide on Marrakech. Set within its adobe ramparts, the thousand-year-old city delivers its treasures to every street corner where you can discover the meticulous craftsmanship, the splendour of Hispano-Moorish art or the tranquility of the lush garden of a riad. It is also in this labyrinthine medina that life is in full swing and that your sensory experience will be unique! Marked by its past history, Marrakech has succeeded in combining tradition and modernity. In the new city, you will see the face of a trendy and cosmopolitan city. Its airy districts and wooded gardens are worth a visit because, here too, authenticity is essential!

What to see, what to do Marrakech?

When to go Marrakech ?

The temperature variations can be very important in Marrakech. The best time to discover the city is in the fall and or spring because of the pleasant climate during these two seasons. In spring, the heat is not yet too stifling (the thermometer can show 45°C in August!) and the surrounding nature presents its most sumptuous aspect (notably the Ourika valley and the region of the Ouzoud waterfalls). In autumn, the days are shorter, but the sun, still warm, offers a dazzling spectacle when it shines on the snowy peaks that surround Marrakech. In winter, the city seems trapped in the snows of the High Atlas, but the Tizi n'Test (Agadir road) and Tizi n'Tichka (Ouarzazate road) passes are rarely closed - and the temperature remains around 18°C. If you're cold, you'd better make sure that the hotel heats continuously, which isn't always the case. It rains more in winter than in other seasons, but even then it is still very pleasant in Marrakech. Summer is often hot, and there are few places that provide a little coolness, even in the medina. Because of the weather conditions, the high tourist season in Marrakech is from mid-September to mid-June but avoid school vacations for more tranquility and interesting rates. The low tourist season in Marrakech is from mid-June to mid-September, a period when it is stiflingly hot.

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How to go Marrakech

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How to go alone

Well served, Marrakech is a safe city for independent travelers. Marrakech has a tourist police force that is very attentive. The usual precautions are required, but no more: beware of pickpockets in the souks, the medina is very secure, but do not follow a stranger.

How to go on a tour

Marrakech is part of most tours offered by tour operators but it is possible to make a stay of 4 to 8 days essentially focused on Marrakech around different themes which can be, for example, the crafts and souks or the charming riads. You can also combine a visit to Marrakech with an escapade in the surrounding nature, especially in the Ourika Valley.

How to get around

To visit Marrakech, a car will be cumbersome; you will prefer walking and small cabs. The medina belongs to pedestrians, two-wheelers and carts. The easiest way to get around is really on foot. In any case, you won't be given much choice: cabs refuse to take you through most of the medina's crowded alleys. Concerning traffic, Marrakech has a specificity: it is the only city in the country where you will see girls driving scooters.

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Discover Marrakech

The "Ville Rouge" (Red City) is a sentinel at the gateway to the Sahara. From its origins as a vast palm grove in the heart of an arid plain, it has established itself as the country's tourist capital. In fact, it's hard not to fall under the spell of its myriad of fragrant gardens, markets, palaces and mosques Take part in its vibrant cultural life and admire its rich arts and crafts? Marrakech is a large part of Morocco, with two distinct faces. On one side, the medina, with its labyrinthine alleyways teeming with inhabitants, craftsmen and tourists. On the other, a more modern, cosmopolitan city, built under the French protectorate, with its brand names and hotel complexes rivalling in luxury. Marrakech is a destination of choice, combining dynamism, elegance and authenticity with the timeless allure of an oasis in the heart of winter.

Pictures and images Marrakech

Couloir de zelliges. Atamu RAHI - Iconotec
Promenade en direction de la place Jemaâ el-Fna. Sébastien CAILLEUX
Âne tirant une charrette. Eloïse BOLLACK
Exposition de tapis dans les rues de Marrakech. Sébastien CAILLEUX

The 12 keywords Marrakech

1. Baraka

The term refers to divine grace, luck. If it's not natural, it can be obtained by invoking a holy man or, better still, by making a pilgrimage to his zawiya or shrine. To ensure divine protection, you need to collect earth from around the mausoleum and keep it as a lucky relic. Baraka Allah oufik!

2. Caftan

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In the fashion family, we ask for the caftan. Highly modernized, cut from noble materials (silk, velvet), it has become the centerpiece of every Moroccan woman's wardrobe, and is a must-have for any celebration. Today, the caftan is a favorite of top designers, and even Madonna wore one to celebrate her 60th birthday!

3. Carriage

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Marrakech's horse-drawn carriage drivers are now dressed in an attractive red uniform. Very attractive to tourists, this ancestral means of transport has become an emblem of the city. In support of this ancient craft, don't miss out on a romantic ride to the Menara Basin or a tour of the ramparts.

4. Spices

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It's THE secret of Moroccan cuisine. The Saharan caravans that traded spices from the Orient passed through here. It's impossible to escape their presence, in the form of multicolored mounds: they're everywhere, in the souks, in the Mellah... We go for the ras-el-hanout to be ground on the spot.

5. Foundouk

The rehabilitation of the medina includes the restoration of caravanserais or fondouks (the forerunner of the inn), benefiting over 400 craftsmen in the copper and leather trades. Some, like the Sidi Abdelaziz fondouk, are very old and bear witness to an authentic cultural wealth.

6. Hadj

This term meaning "one who has already performed the pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in his or her life" has become a mark of respect and reverence accorded to these exemplary devotees, and by extension, to most elderly people. Don't hesitate to use it to ask an old man for directions, it will be greatly appreciated.

7. Hammam

First and foremost a social function, as people go there to wash, but also to discuss, negotiate and get the latest news. It's also a purifying stage before collective prayer. Top-of-the-range hammams are refined, but the experience is less authentic than the traditional neighborhood hammam, which immerses you in real life.

8. Ksar

A ksar( plural:ksour ) is a fortified village, usually built of adobe and reinforced with beams, whose bare walls form a bulwark against attack. Each ksar has fortified corner towers, built on either side of a collective granary(agadir like the town) and terraces where rural social life takes place.

9. Ramadan

Every year, as throughout Morocco, Marrakech lives to the rhythm of the holy month of Ramadan. In the city's 500 mosques, during Salat al Ichaa and Tarawih, prayers are raised to the heavens, imploring Allah's mercy. It's also an opportunity to break the fast with friends and family over ftour.

10. Regraga

The Regraga brotherhood, one of the oldest in the Muslim world, celebrates the awakening of nature, one of the most important spiritual events. Early spring sees the start of the Grand Daour, a 40-day pilgrimage, usually by donkey, to the Chiadma region. An agrarian rite, but also a commemoration of Islamization.

11. Rose

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Morocco is ranked3rd worldwide producer of the rosa damascena, a variety that arrived with the passage of Syrian pilgrims over 300 years ago. The Dades Valley produces a rose water with a PDO label, but also an aromatic oil of great value used for aromas and perfumes. It is found everywhere and of very good quality.

12. Tadelakt

This word won't escape your ears. It's a texture for bathrooms, a mixture of lime, white cement and pigments. It's soft to the touch and waterproof, which is why it can also be used outdoors. In Arabic, tadelakt means "to massage, to caress".

You are from here, if...

You say inch'allah every time you finish a sentence. Especially when nothing is certain or guaranteed.

You can't escape the Friday lunchtime couscous. It's a ritual, and for those who work, the break is extended by several hours to accommodate it.

You show great flexibility, with plenty of maken mouchkil ("no problem"). And at the same time, you learn patience.

You drink liters of mint tea all day long. Not only does it keep you hydrated, but it's an opportunity to share and socialize.

You give in to the endless greetings (how's your mother, your family, and the youngest?). It's a tradition and an essential step towards integration.

You eat with your right hand in the communal dish, with great dexterity. Only your thumb, middle finger, index finger and bread act as forks.

You wear a djellaba and babouches, at least at home. A comfort you can't give up once you've tasted it.

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