Flights from Manchester to Marrakech

Discover Morocco's Famous Imperial City

Founded in 1062, Marrakesh is arguably the most important of Morocco's four imperial cities. Lying at the foot of the snow-topped Atlas Mountains, it is also not far from the edge of the Sahara Desert. It is divided into two very distinct parts: the historical city, the Medina and the new city, the Gueliz or Ville Nouvelle.

When To Visit Marrakesh

Most people find the climate in Marrakesh most agreeable in Spring, from mid-March until the end of May, and in Autumn, from mid-September to mid-November. Summer can be stiflingly hot, and winter is somewhat cooler, though still warm by European standards.

Marrakesh celebrates a variety of religious and non-religious celebrations. A largely Muslim country, the Eid al-Adha after Ramadan is widely observed. Dates of this vary from year to year. January sees the annual marathon take place, but the true highlight month is July. Firstly, the Festival National des Arts Populaires is held this month. It's one week of music, song and traditional dance. On July 30th, the coronation celebration of King Mohammed VI takes place, with parades and street parties throughout the country.

Know Before You Go

No visas are required to enter Morocco as a tourist, just be sure your passport is valid for the length of time you intend to stay.

There are no mandatory vaccinations to receive before travelling there, though some doctors recommend Hepatitis A, Tetanus, Diphtheria and Typhus. It's best to avoid drinking the tap water and it's advisable to wash or peel fruit and vegetables before eating them to avoid dysentery and stomach problems.

Morocco is far cheaper than the UK. A basic meal costs around 50 dirham (MAD). Some knowledge of French is often useful, especially when it comes to haggling at markets.

Local Information: Airport Transfer, Accommodation and Getting Around

There are several ways of getting to central Marrakesh from Menara Airport. The Expressbus leaves every 30 minutes, takes around 15 minutes and should cost about 30 MAD. A taxi takes around 10-15 minutes and should cost around 70 MAD, though agree on a price with the drivers beforehand. A budget hostel costs around 60 MAD per night and a 3-star hotel around 230 MAD per person, per night. Buses are cheap in Marrakesh, around 2-5 MAD per trip. Taxis cost around 10-20 for a 3 km journey, though always negotiate a price before.