Morocco is the most occidental country of the Maghreb region, with 30 million inhabitants and over 706 000 km² (although half of it isn’t populated), of which a third is pure desert. It can be divided into four natural regions: the Rif Mountains at the North East, the coast (Agadir, Essaouira, Casablanca, Rabat), the Atlas Mountains in the East and the desert in the South West.

Most of Moroccans speak Arabic and French, but almost 40% of the population is Berber, and they have their own dialect.

The wonderful thing about Marrakesh is that by just covering a few miles you will encounter striking views of the Atlas and discover the diversity that is Morocco. For example if you choose to go down to the South East of the city, you will go through very welcoming Berber villages such as Aghmat, and on the road you can see some of the many gardens made up as terraces. If you go east from there and push up to 70km away from Marrakech, you will come upon the Oukaimeden, the famous ski resort, about 2600m high.

South of Marrakech you will find mountainous surroundings, which will remind you of American canyons, whereas if you go towards the east of Marrakech, you can spot the outstanding cascades of Ouzoud, where the water falls down 100m.

Site Seeing

Dar Si Saïd museum: This is a spectacular palace which was built during the nineteenth century in which you can enjoy some of the best Moroccan woodcraft. There is a collection of Berber weapons, jewellery and clothes, as well as beautiful rugs. Tel: (00212) 44 44 24 64 - Derb El Bahia, Riad Zitoun el-Jedid.

Majorelle gardens: Jacques Majorelle was a French painter who designed his own house near the palmtree plantation of Marrakesh, as well as the luxuriant garden around it. Now owned by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé, it has been open to the public since 1947. There, you will be surrounded by more than 1800 different types of cactuses, banana trees, tropical flowers, and by hundreds of varieties of palm trees. His old workshop is now being used as a small museum of Islamic art. Tel: (00212) 24 30 18 52 - Avenue Yacoub El Mansour.

Koutoubia Mosque: This is Marrakesh’s most famous religious monument. It is a fine representation of Islamic art and architecture, as well as being the spiritual centre of the city. Every morning the muezzin (person in charge of calling for the prayer – adhan – five times a day) calls out from the top of the 70m high structure. Built during the XIIth century by sultan Abdelmoumen, it is known as the ''librarians' mosque'', as hundreds of manuscript sellers started trading there as soon as it was finished.

Medersa Ben Youssef: If you are thinking of visiting a medersa, you should definitely take a look at the one next to the Ben Youssef mosque. It is one of the most significant monuments in Marrakesh, and one of the largest medersas in Maghreb. There you will be able to see some of the best examples of Saadian art. Tel: (00212) 24 39 09 11 - Place Ben Youssef.

El Badi palace : The El Badi palace is also worth seeing, being the place where the Popular Arts Festival takes place every year. King Ahmed el-Mansour decided to build it in 1578 to celebrate his victory over the Portuguese army. The most precious materials were used to decorate the 360 rooms. Unfortunately you will only be able to see the vestiges as most of it has been damaged over the years. Place des Ferblantiers.

Menara pavillion:  This XIXth century pavilion was built facing the immense basin used as a water reservoir for the city. It used to be the place where the sultans met up with their women at night, and allegedly threw them in the water the next morning! It is surrounded by vast gardens and olive trees over a hundred years old. Tel: (00212) 24 43 95 78 - Route de l'aeroport.

Palm plantation: The excellent water pipe system that has been in place since the XIIth century has allowed this magnificent palm plantation to preserve its natural beauty and peacefulness. They are 180 000 palm trees scattered over 13 000 hectares of green land and a prestigious golf course.

Agdal orchard: Near the Marrakesh palm plantation and behind the Royal palace you can see the Agdal orchard, where the fruit changes with the season: oranges, figs, olives… Sometimes, this astonishing location also holds gatherings.

Mellah: The Mellah is an old Jewish district in Marrakesh, with a very important activity: indeed, they say it is the best place to find good deals in the city.

Souks: There are many souks to visit, each one with its own specialty. The Souk Laghzal is devoted to wool, the El Batna to sheep skin and the Zarbia to rugs and caftans.

Setti Fatma: Setti Fatma is situated in the Ourika valley, and there you will find many guides wishing to show you the seven famous cascades.

Annameure: Annameure is a small village that belongs to the Aït Oucheg tribe, and from there you can rent mules to go up to Djebel Yagour, where you can see 2000 rupestral engravings from the Moroccan prehistorical age.

Marrakech Tour: Since December 2005, you can have a look at the most important monuments from a double-decker bus, while learning more about the city’s history. There are two circuits with about 25 stops each: “Marrakech Monumental” and “Marrakech Romantique”. info@marrakech-tour.com

Marrakech museum: This traditional XIXth century house exhibits contemporary art as well as dedicating itself to Moroccan culture. Tel: (00212) 24 44 18 93 - Place Ben Youssef.

Bahia palace: Built in 1880, this palace is a masterpiece of architecture. Tel: (00212) 24 38 95 64 - Rue Riad Zitoune el-Jedid.

Jemaa el Fna: This place is the social, cultural and geographical centre of the Medina. It has been the meeting place for North and South populations, Berbers, travellers and entertainers.

Popular Arts Festival: This is one of the most important festivals in Morocco since it first started in the sixties. It takes place every year in June in the ruins of the El Badii palace. There, you will be in awe of the music, dances, costumes, etc. Many national and international groups come and entertain the crowds during ten days. At the end of each show, there is also a superb display of fireworks.

International Film Festival: The highly regarded international film festival in Marrakech usually takes place during the first week of December.

 Restaurants

In the Sabal you can choose between occidental or oriental food, but all that is served is refined and well presented. Try to sit in the terrace as it is exceptionally beautiful. Menu from 25€.

Avenue Mohammed V, 40000 Marrakesh. 

If you’d rather eat fish go to the Puerto Banus, where there are three beautiful rooms: Andalusia style, oriental and traditional. All the seafood is fresh, and it is an ideal place to eat while listening to Spanish guitarists. Special lunch menu at 9€.Rue Ibn Habnal, Gueliz 40000 Marrakesh

Alfred Hitchcock’s “The man who knew too much” was shot in parts of this restaurant, the Dar Essalam. An authentic XVIIth century palace, it boasts four rooms with modern architecture. Menu from 20€.

170, riad Zitoun Kedim 40000 Marrakesh

If you’d like to try the local specialities, have a look at the Ksar El Hamra, in the centre of the Medina. Your evening will be animated by music and dancing, while you enjoy the setting: the restaurant used to be a riad, and has an open patio and beautiful small Moroccan “salons”. Menu from 25€ (pastillas, tajines, couscous…).

28, Sabt Ben Daoud – riad Zitoun Kedim – Medina 40000 Marrakesh

Activities

Horse riding in the Atlas: 

If you are passionate about horse riding and love the open spaces, this is the perfect way to spend the afternoon or the whole day. The ranch is situated 25km away from Marrakesh. 600dh for half a day, 900dh for the whole day.

932, residence Al Massar – route de Safi 40000 Marrakesh

Palm road and Locaquad: 

Feeling adventurous? Then undertake visiting southern Morocco by motorbike or by quad. With Palm road you will be riding very well-equipped motorcycles and will be guided by a professional. If you prefer quads, then you can drive through Berber villages in small groups, about 10km away from Marrakesh.

Palm road: 120€ for the day. Reda, number 6, km 2 – route de l’aéroport. 40000 Marrakesh
Locaquad : JP Gandibleux and Nadia, Mekki Berrada – Assif D number 19, 40000 Marrakesh.

ULM Marrakech: 

ULM Marrakech offers you a unique experience. Professional pilots will take you on a flying trip over the Atlas mountains, the Takerkoust lake, Asni valley… An unforgettable moment. From 750DH.

C. Calmon and M. Massing – BP 1705, 40007 Marrakesh

Skiing:

As astonishing as it may seem, you can actually go skiing while holidaying in Morocco, if you are there between December and April! Less than an hour away from Marrakesh is the small but charming Oukaimeden ski resort. There you can rent all the equipment you need. The day pass is only 100DH.

Rand’Atlas:

This resort is situated 20 minutes away from Marrakesh, at the Lalla Takarkoust barrage. Rand’Atlas offers a variety of fun activities: jet ski, wakeboard, water skiing…

Marrakech Royal Golf:

Built in the 1920s by the pasha of the city, it is one of the oldest golf courses in Morocco. More than 6000m² of land at the foot of the Atlas, and you will be surrounded by palm trees, orange and apricot trees, cypresses.

BP 634, old Ouarzazate road.                                                         

Palmeraie Golf Palace:

This golf course boasts thousands of palm trees and several lakes. There are also many sand obstacles. In the middle of the course is the clubhouse, a beautiful Moresque structure with ochre walls and green tiles. From 250DH.

Jardins de la Palmeraie, BP 1488 40000 Marrakesh.

Hot Air Balooning near Marrakesh - discover the area around Marrakesh in a hot air baloon with a company called Ciel d'Afrique.  They take clients out to the deser in a four wheel drive - be prepared to leave early (5 or 6 in the morning) - the flight time is around one hour over the desert - please consult their site for more info.
Ciel d'Afrique
BP 7333 Sidi Abbad
40000 Marrakech - Maroc   Tel : +212 (0) 24 43 28 43
Fax : +212 (0) 24 43 28 47
Site Web : www.cieldafrique.info
E-mail : contact@cieldafrique.info

Spas

Les jardins de la Medina is a spa centre in the middle of the busy Medina. There you can easily relax with essential oil or alga massages; there is also a “green” space for you to enjoy tea and delicacies.

The Oriental Spa Es Saadi offers its clients hammam treatment, body scrub with black soap, rose body wraps… all in an oriental decor.

Avenue El Quadissia