When you think of Morocco, the first city that springs to mind is Marrakech. A visit to this city is a must on every journey to Morocco. You can find the best all-inclusive offers in Marrakech on a lot of hotel and travel websites. Let's have a peek at what brings people to Marrakech in the first place.
Marrakech, often known as the Red City, is Morocco's second-largest city. It has a population of almost 800,000 people, and the majority of the houses are painted in bright colors. The Medina of Marrakech is known as one of Morocco's gems and is a vibrant city full of activity. It is a key economic hub with a number of new industries and markets on the horizon.
A beautiful location is given to it by its location at the foot of the Atlas Mountains. Similar to many other North African cities it is divided into the medina, an old fortified city, and a modern city (called Gueliz) nearby where you can find some of the best hotels in Marrakech. Featuring gleaming white snowy winters and hot, steamy summers, the city boasts a spectacular climate. The locals' friendliness and warmth are well-known across the world.
History of Marrakech
The term is most likely taken from the Berber words "mur(n) akush," which means "land of god." Morocco was known as the Kingdom of Marrakech by Arabs, Persians, and Europeans until a few decades ago. It was the capital of an empire that spanned from Spain to Senegal when it was founded in the 11th century.
Trade caravans used the area as a crossroads for caravans going toward Timbuktu in ancient times. While it was originally used as a resting place, it later became a strategic location for troops under the leadership of Abou Bekr, the ruler of the Almoravids. Youssuf Ibn Taschfin, his cousin, erected the first mosque and a dwelling.
It was further refined by the Almohads in the 12th century. The Almoravids built a 9-kilometer red earth wall, which can still be seen today. In the 16th century, it formed part of Ahmed El Arj's Saadian Empire. They constructed a number of spectacular structures and tombs that have remained intact up to this day.
The Sultan of Alaouits, Moulay Ismail, eventually captured it. Under French occupation in 1917, it was governed by Pasha El Glaoui. King Mohammed V took control of it in 1956, but his fortunes were seized following his death.
Later, the capital was relocated to Rabat, where you can find the Story Rabat Hotel, the best accommodation in Rabat, Morocco. Marrakech was relegated to the status of the provincial capital, with a land size of 31,160 kilometers, it is presently the capital of the Marrakech Tensift el Haouz region.
Holidays in Marrakech: Some helpful ideas and suggestions
Wandering around after relaxing in an all-inclusive hotel in Marrakech would be a fascinating experience for you. You can discover shops devoted to certain crafts and the modest souks that can be discovered in narrow alleys and squares are spectacular. A portion of their manufacturing process is even available for viewing.
When they auction their items, the best time to attend is early morning or late afternoon. It takes roughly 3 hours to walk around the souks. The Rue Souk Smarine, a famous textile market located near the Ouessabine mosque, is a popular tourist destination.
Another popular tourist location is the Djemaa el Fna. It is a large square and market area in the old city's median quarter. Many orange juice vendors, water sellers in colorful costumes, snake charmers, and teenagers with chained Barbary apes can be found during the day. As the evening progresses, plenty of food stalls spring up.
There are café terraces from which you may get a view of the souk on the opposite side of the square while avoiding the noise and congestion.
Additionally, you can visit the Marrakech museum where you'll find many sculptures and art exhibits representing traditional and contemporary art. It is worthwhile to pay a visit to the small bookstore and café located at the entrance.
Having cool and peaceful surroundings and lake-sized pools to cool off in during the summer, the gardens are the perfect location to visit. Majorelle Garden, Menara Garden and Olive Grove, Koutoubia Mosque Park, and others are among the several gardens and parks.
Sleep, eat and drink
Marrakech's medina district is the perfect place to go for delicious food. Many cafés, bistros, and restaurants serve French cuisine. Offering a variety of authentic Moroccan cuisines at reasonable prices, the food vendors of the Djemaa el Fna are a must-visit.
If you are booking a hotel in Marrakech, you can choose from a variety of low-cost and mid-priced accommodations. The majority are contemporary hotels with beautiful pools and traditional interior styles. The cheaper hotels are predominantly in Medina, whereas the luxury hotels are mostly in Hivernage and Semlalia. Villas, self-catering studio apartments, and the best boutique hotels in Marrakech, Morocco are also available. There are bars in the majority of them where you can find some of Morocco’s Top Nightlife Options.
The most popular season to visit is around Christmas, Easter, and New Year's Day.
Therefore, book a reservation in one of the best hotels in Rabat, Morocco, just bring a map and be prepared to discover the beautiful place that has inspired many artists if you're planning a vacation to Marrakech.
Learn More About Morocco, Checkout some of our travel guides on Morocco,