| The city of Marrakech in Morocco is truly among the | | | | the city square, is the best accommodation option for |
| most bewitching Middle Eastern metropolitan areas | | | | you to consider. The place offers terrific rooftop |
| that I have visited so far. Once you arrive in this | | | | terrace, hot showers, and guest kitchens. |
| beautiful, exotic Moroccan city, you will soon find a lot | | | | 25. Budget-conscious travelers can also find excellent |
| of reasons to stay for several days or even for | | | | accommodation choices at the alleyways and streets |
| weeks. Starting from its friendly locals, mouth-watering | | | | of the Jema El Fna square, for these are packed with |
| local cuisines, breathtaking palaces, mosques, and | | | | comfy and clean hotels that offer reasonable room |
| madrasas to the wide selections of products and | | | | rates. |
| goodies offered in the city's famous souk markets, | | | | 26. Top discount hotels in the city are Hotel Smara, |
| Marrakech is indeed a must-visit destination for | | | | Hotel Essaouira, and Hotel Imouzzer. |
| travelers who want to experience a unique and | | | | 27. Aside from the city's fine hotels and hostels, |
| fun-filled travel escapade. | | | | Marrakech is also the home of numerous Riad |
| Now if you are thinking of going to this exciting | | | | accommodations. |
| Moroccan town but have little information regarding the | | | | 28. Riads are old grand houses in the city converted |
| city, I have listed below 50 things you need to know | | | | into hotels, inns, and restaurants. |
| about Marrakech that can help you with your travel | | | | 29. While rates are more expensive, Riads are |
| preparations and plans. | | | | wonderful places to stay at to get a better feel of life |
| History | | | | in Marrakech. |
| 1. Morocco's Marrakech city is also widely referred to | | | | 30. Remember that it is always best to have early |
| as the "Red City" or the 'Al Hamra,". | | | | accommodation reservations. Formidable hotels in |
| 2. It is situated in Morocco's southwestern region, just | | | | Marrakech are usually fully booked, especially during |
| below the Atlas Mountains. | | | | the peak season. |
| 3. The city's name is said to be originated from the | | | | Attractions and Food |
| Berber words "mur" and "akuch", meaning "Land of | | | | 31. Marrakech offers magnificent medrassas, mosques, |
| God". | | | | zaouias, synagogues, museums, city walls, souk |
| 4. Just like other Middle Eastern cities, Marrakech also | | | | districts, gardens, parks, palaces, and squares. |
| has two main divisions: the old city, also called as the | | | | 32. The famous Djemma El Fna square is generally |
| médina, and the modern city, which has two | | | | the main highlight of the city. At night, the square is |
| principal districts namely the Gueliz (the European | | | | packed with dancers, musicians, and storytellers that |
| modern district of the city) and the Hivernage. | | | | never fail to entertain travelers and locals alike. |
| 5. The city's medina has 27 neighborhood while the | | | | 33. The city's souk district, which is near the square, is |
| modern city has 11. | | | | the haven for bargain shoppers. In this market, you can |
| 6. Marrakech, founded around 1060 by the Berber | | | | find and buy almost anything from tea pots, jalabas, |
| Almoravids, is one of the country's four Imperial Cities. | | | | shoes, bags, clothes, fabrics to kaftans. |
| It became the capital of an Islamic empire that reigned | | | | 34. Once in the market, be sure to bargain for |
| in central Spain to West Africa. | | | | whatever goodies you are planning to buy, for |
| 7. During the reign of Moulay Ismail, the city was the | | | | bargaining is expected at the souks. Also remember |
| capital of Morocco. However, the capital was moved | | | | that prices vary on an hourly or daily basis, depending |
| back to Marrakech from Meknès by Ismail's | | | | on the number of products sold within the day or within |
| grandson. | | | | period of hours. |
| 8. Although Marrakech is known to be an Islamic city in | | | | 35. Must-see attractions in the city include the Majorelle |
| a male-dominated society, it is still one of the most | | | | Gardens, the Musee Dar si Said, Youssef madrasa, |
| liberal Muslim towns in the Middle East. | | | | the El Bahia palace, and the El Badi palace, and of |
| 9. The early French influences in the city are seen in | | | | course, the Koutoubia mosque. |
| the Art Deco commercial center that is situated in the | | | | 36. Aside from yoga activities, you can also try the |
| modern part of Marrakech. The most significant | | | | Hammams. In Marrakech, there are two types of |
| French legacy is the educated Moroccan locals' use of | | | | Hammams: One is the tourist Hammam, where you |
| the French language. | | | | can enjoy being scrubbed and pampered by |
| 10. Marrakech city's more than two million population is | | | | experienced Hammam staff; and the other one is the |
| mostly of Beber origin. | | | | popular hammam, where Marrakech locals and budget |
| Getting There | | | | travelers usually go. |
| 11. Note that the Marrakech-Menara International | | | | 37. As for the food, the city square features lines of |
| Airport is about four miles southwest of the city. | | | | food stalls that offer delicious and enticing local dishes. |
| Casablanca, another Moroccan city, also has a number | | | | It is a prevalent misconception, however, that stalls in |
| of direct international flights to Marrakech. | | | | the square are there to serve tourists. The food stalls |
| 12. In the airport, various facilities, including ATMs, snack | | | | in Marrakech have been established long before the |
| bars, restaurants, general shops, duty-free shops, | | | | city turned into a popular destination. |
| tourist information, and post offices are available to | | | | 38. While the local dishes served in the food stalls are |
| accommodate the needs of travelers. | | | | generally edible and delicious, some delicacies, |
| 13. Transportation to the city is also available. | | | | particularly the local snails and goat heads, may be too |
| Remember that Bus 11 will head straight to the city's | | | | extreme for Westerners' taste. You should also watch |
| medina. The bus's schedule, however, is quite | | | | out for the salad dishes, for these can invariably cause |
| unpredictable. You can try using the taxi phones found | | | | diarrhea for those with weak stomachs. |
| in the departure and arrival lounges, or you can catch | | | | 39. The prices of the foods offered in the stalls also |
| cabs near the bus stop area. | | | | vary. You can spend 10 Dirhams for small yet |
| 14. Before commencing the journey, it is best to come | | | | scrumptious servings and about 100 Dirhams for |
| up on an agreed price with the driver for there are a | | | | three-course meals. |
| lot of con taxi drivers who take advantage on | | | | 40. Never ever miss the tea offered at the food stalls |
| foreigners. | | | | and restaurants in Marrakech. The ginseng, ginger, and |
| 15. Do not expect a joyous, hassle-free ride in the city; | | | | cinnamon teas are the most welcoming and delicious |
| the roads of Marrakesh are characterized by busy | | | | among other tea variants. |
| traffic and the nasty road etiquette of most taxi riders. | | | | Travel Tips |
| 16. The city also has no auto general breakdown | | | | 41. The best time to go to Marrakech is during the |
| service. | | | | spring and late fall seasons. You must understand that |
| 17. Most hired cars, however, have emergency | | | | weather in Morocco is quite extreme, especially the |
| breakdown details on board. | | | | summer season starting July to August. |
| 18. One of the best options for you to travel around | | | | 42. The duration of your stay to Marrakech depends |
| Morocco's finest cities is riding the ONCF state railway. | | | | on the things you want to do when you get to the city. |
| Despite the railway's limited services, it is highly | | | | Three to four days are enough if you only want to visit |
| recommended to travelers for its safety, convenience, | | | | the city, but a week or two is recommended if you |
| and affordable rates. | | | | are planning for explorations and excursions. |
| 19. You can also check out the city's grand taxis, which | | | | 43. If your trip is during the summer season, do not |
| are old Mercedes cars that can accommodate up to | | | | forget to bring a cap or umbrella when you go around |
| six passengers. These are quicker modes of | | | | the city. Also remember to book for a room that has |
| transportation compared to the city buses. Specific | | | | air-conditioning. |
| routes are from the bus station to Jemaa-el-Fna and | | | | 44. Once you are in Marrakech, you will see how |
| from the station to the city's Post Office in | | | | tourist-friendly most Moroccans are, especially the |
| Guéliz. Another alternative to bus is the moped | | | | store owners. |
| or the bicycle. Although riding a bike in the city can be | | | | 45. However, there are still some locals who like to |
| fun, it can also be dangerous because of the road | | | | take advantage on travelers visiting the city. |
| traffic and horrible driving etiquette of some taxi | | | | 46. In the city's souk districts, take note that some |
| drivers. | | | | sellers are sometimes too aggressive on their pricing. |
| 20. Also note that most roads in the city are too | | | | 47. Do not buy any product or good without bargaining |
| narrow for cars. If you intend to rent a car, it is | | | | for a lesser price. |
| advisable to park the auto in a safe place within the | | | | 48. Note that majority of the souk sellers know how to |
| city. | | | | speak several foreign languages, so do not be |
| Accommodation | | | | surprised if you hear some locals conversing in French, |
| 21. Marrakech's medina district offers wide variations | | | | Spanish, Arabic, and English. |
| of fine hotels, discount motels, Riads, and small inns. | | | | 49. Never trust hobos offering guides to the city. Most |
| 22. Most expensive hotels found in the medina provide | | | | of these city guides are useless and will just annoyingly |
| excellent facilities, first-class restaurants, and other | | | | demand a lot of money from you. |
| fitting accommodation services. | | | | 50. If you are on your first trip to Marrakech, go |
| 23. In the modern city, however, the surroundings are | | | | straight to the medina and start exploring the city. Just |
| more quiet and most of the hotels offer mid-priced | | | | like any other first-timer tourist, you will surely get lost. If |
| services like breakfast packages, showers, etc. | | | | you do get lost however, do not panic. Take your time |
| 24. If you are an adventurous backpacker with a | | | | familiarizing within the city and just courteously ask for |
| limited travel budget, the newly opened Backpackers | | | | directions. This is just how it goes for first-time |
| Hostel, which is only a few minutes walk away from | | | | travelers exploring the city. |