Marrakech, Morocco is a city that is known for its rich tradition, refined cuisine, astonishing palaces, hammams, and the world of luxury. Often called the red city, because of the traditional and recognizable color of its buildings, this place is sure to leave you in awe.
Surrounded by 12 miles of red walls in which this lively city astonishes its visitors daily, the magical walled town of Marrakech has even more to offer than you might think at first. With a history behind it that spans over 1,000 years, this pulsating town will have you charmed.
In a vastly globalized world that constantly has a mountain of new evolving things to offer, this city stands apart as its charm is centered around its remarkable tradition, good food, and beautiful narrow streets, tempting all of your senses at every single corner of the place.
What you Need To Know About Marrakech
One of the most widely known cities in all of Morocco, the city represents a gateway to the Sahara Desert. The city of luxury and immense oriental charm was founded in 1062 by Abu Bakr ibn Umar, with a population of approximately one million people nowadays.
The name translates to “Land of God”. It was the first of the four of Morocco’s imperial cities, lying south of the Tensift River. For a long time, this interesting city was the kingdom’s capital, losing the title to the city of Fes, when the ruling dynasty changed from Almoravids.
It’s worth mentioning that the city is divided into two parts, one of which is the historical center of the city called the Medina, and the new part which is called Ville Nouvelle or Gueliz. Stepping into Medina, you will see lots of red clay, narrow streets, as well as local vendors.
On the other hand, the new modern European part of the city will provide an entirely different experience than that of the city’s core. The new part will guide you into the extravagant world of never-ending luxury, big names in fashion, flashy offers, and contemporary restaurants.
Marrakech Travel Tips
There are a few practical tips to be mindful of as you explore the sensational aromatics, food, places, and art offered by Marrakech. First of all, transportation. If you’re thinking of grabbing a taxi, you should do all you can to avoid any scams and inflated pricing.
The best thing to do is to go for a reliable taxi with a set price. For example, if you need a ride from the airport, consider investing time into booking a taxi in advance so that you’re not left at the mercy of varying taxi offers on the spot. You can go to the Marrakech Airport Taxi, where a single trip to Gueliz (the old city center) will cost you MAD 70.
If you are used to having loads of ATMs all around your native place, be wary of the fact that ATMs are not something you will run across that easily in this place. This is especially true for the old town. They’re much easier to come across in the new part of the city.
Another practical thing to note depends on when you will be visiting. For some people, the Moroccan heat might be a tad too much in the peak of the summer season. Plan accordingly to your preferences, just bear in mind that the summer gets hot. Have a bottle of water on hand at all times, especially when the temperature breaches more than 40 Celsius.
Tap water might not be the best choice for consumption. Grab a travel-friendly water bottle that comes with a water filter or opt for buying bottled water during your stay.
In addition to the above, do be aware of pickpocketing and walking alone at night anywhere where you feel it might not be too safe. Being a huge tourist destination, you will see a lot of vendors where haggling is a completely normal thing. Try negotiating a low price for yourself!
Is Marrakech Worth Visiting?
The beautiful and charming city of Marrakech is definitely worth paying a visit to. With UNESCO World Heritage, a mountain of luxury, small narrow streets, incredibly tasty traditional cuisine, and welcoming people, we are sure you will enjoy this gem of a city.
Whether you want to dive into adventures such as camel rides or shopping in bazaars, it is sure to leave you impressed and coming back for more culture, architecture, and beauty.
