Mesmerising Marrakech

Marrakech is one of the major cities in Morocco and a destination that entices and mesmerises visitors. Between the historical city in the Medina and the modern district of Gueliz, travellers enjoy the perfect marriage of tradition and modernity, with souks, restaurants, and large stores. The nearby Atlas Mountains and the Sahara Desert make the city all the more magical.

Seasons and events

The best periods to visit Marrakech are between mid-March and late May or from mid-September to mid-November. Temperatures are very pleasant during those months.

Various religious celebrations are held throughout the year, including Eid al-Adha at the end of the month of Ramadan. The marathon is organised in January, while the "Festival National des Arts Populaires" is held in July and presents traditional music and dance. Another highlight is Mohammed VI's coronation on 30th July, a national holiday with parties and parades.

Important information before your trip

No visa is required for visits under 3 months, but passports must be valid for the length of the stay.

No vaccines are required, but Hepatitis A, Typhus, Tetanus and Diphtheria are recommended. It's best not to drink tap water and to peel or wash vegetables to avoid dysentery and other stomach infections.

French is widely spoken in Marrakech and a few basic phrases are useful. Otherwise, the cost of life is much lower than in the UK and it's recommended to haggle when shopping at the market. Also, extras such as olives, bread and salad could cost a fee at food stalls in Djemaa El-Fna.

Arrival, transportation and lodging

To reach the city centre from the airport, visitors can take the Expressbus, which takes around 15 minutes and costs about 30 MAD. Another option is to take a taxi, for a journey time of about 10-15 minutes and a price of ca. 70 MAD, but always negotiate. If you have little luggage, you can also take bus 11, which departs from outside the airport and costs about 3.50 MAD.

When it comes to lodging, hostel rooms cost around 60 MAD per person and 3-star hotels are about 230 MAD per night.

Public transportation in the city includes buses, with single tickets costing around 2-5 MAD, as well as taxis. A ride with the latter is around 10-20 MAD for 3 kilometres, but it's important to haggle and always agree on the price before boarding the car.