Marrakech
January 17, 2007
Marrakech or Marakesh (مراكش Marakesh), known as the "Red City" or "Al Hamra," is a city in southwestern Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains.
Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has the busiest square in the entire continent of Africa, called Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians by day; and food stalls by night, becoming a huge open-air restaurant.
Marrakech has the largest traditional market (souk) in Morocco and also has the busiest square in the entire continent of Africa, called Djemaa el Fna. The square bustles with acrobats, story-tellers, water sellers, dancers and musicians by day; and food stalls by night, becoming a huge open-air restaurant.
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MARRAKECH
Marrakech Tips:
Be very careful when visiting the souks. Hold on to your purse and your partner as it takes less than a minute to lose both. If you get lost, you could head for the Koutoubia Mosque. At 77m high, this monument is the easiest navigation point for central Marrakech and it's also floodlit at night.
Things to see in Marrakech:
Jardin Majorelle
The breathtaking Jardin Marjorelle is the most beautiful garden in Marrakech, combining lush vegetation with traditional Moroccan architectural elements. The French painter and plant collector Jacques Majorelle (1888-1962) settled in Marrakech in 1923 and laid out a subtropical garden, which opened to the public in 1947.
The French designer Yves-Saint Laurent bought it in 1980, restored it with Pierre Bergé and founded a small museum of Islamic art. Bamboo, towering palms and huge cacti flourish next to a goldfish pond sustaining aquatic plants. Ultramarine walls and tiles are set against the cool green foliage.
Place Djemaa El Fna
In the heart of the pink-walled Marrakech Medina is the central square Place Djemaa El Fna, the city's liveliest night-spot, which transforms from a daytime bus station and market to an open-air theatre of folklore in the evening. Tip: Camera-happy visitors should be warned that so much as pointing a lens at a Gnaoua results in them speeding over for some cash. Similarly, the ornately-dressed water vendors rely mainly on tips from being photographed. There are plenty cafés with roof terraces around the place, so get yourself a cosy place in one of those enjoy your coffee/tea and the view.
The rest I leave up to you:)
OUARZAZATE
I’d recommend a day trip to Ouarzazate which is the home of of the largest movie studios in the world, Atlas Studios. Several historical movies were shot on those studios (e.g. Astérix et Cléopâtre, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator and lately Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel). It was also the location of the November 26, 2006 episode of the television series The Amazing Race.
Since Ouarzazate had been a small crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre, and customs post and casbah of Taourirt is must see ;)
ESSAOUIRA
If you find some time I would also recommend a visit to Essaouira , (formerly known as Mogador, its old Portuguese name) which is a city and tourist resort in Morocco, on the Atlantic coast. The Medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town, as transferred to North. The town maybe isn't as well know as Casablanca but definitely much more picturesque.
Marrakech Tips:
Be very careful when visiting the souks. Hold on to your purse and your partner as it takes less than a minute to lose both. If you get lost, you could head for the Koutoubia Mosque. At 77m high, this monument is the easiest navigation point for central Marrakech and it's also floodlit at night.
Things to see in Marrakech:
Jardin Majorelle
The breathtaking Jardin Marjorelle is the most beautiful garden in Marrakech, combining lush vegetation with traditional Moroccan architectural elements. The French painter and plant collector Jacques Majorelle (1888-1962) settled in Marrakech in 1923 and laid out a subtropical garden, which opened to the public in 1947.
The French designer Yves-Saint Laurent bought it in 1980, restored it with Pierre Bergé and founded a small museum of Islamic art. Bamboo, towering palms and huge cacti flourish next to a goldfish pond sustaining aquatic plants. Ultramarine walls and tiles are set against the cool green foliage.
Place Djemaa El Fna
In the heart of the pink-walled Marrakech Medina is the central square Place Djemaa El Fna, the city's liveliest night-spot, which transforms from a daytime bus station and market to an open-air theatre of folklore in the evening. Tip: Camera-happy visitors should be warned that so much as pointing a lens at a Gnaoua results in them speeding over for some cash. Similarly, the ornately-dressed water vendors rely mainly on tips from being photographed. There are plenty cafés with roof terraces around the place, so get yourself a cosy place in one of those enjoy your coffee/tea and the view.
The rest I leave up to you:)
OUARZAZATE
I’d recommend a day trip to Ouarzazate which is the home of of the largest movie studios in the world, Atlas Studios. Several historical movies were shot on those studios (e.g. Astérix et Cléopâtre, Lawrence of Arabia, Cleopatra, Kundun, Gladiator and lately Alexander, Kingdom of Heaven and Babel). It was also the location of the November 26, 2006 episode of the television series The Amazing Race.
Since Ouarzazate had been a small crossing point for African traders seeking to reach northern cities in Morocco and Europe. During the French period, Ouarzazate expanded considerably as a garrison town, administrative centre, and customs post and casbah of Taourirt is must see ;)
ESSAOUIRA
If you find some time I would also recommend a visit to Essaouira , (formerly known as Mogador, its old Portuguese name) which is a city and tourist resort in Morocco, on the Atlantic coast. The Medina of Essaouira is a UNESCO World Heritage Listed city, as an example of a late-18th century fortified town, as transferred to North. The town maybe isn't as well know as Casablanca but definitely much more picturesque.
Essauira
I was in Morocco in January and most of the time it was 17°C (once even 21°C) nights were getting cold though, as low as 5°C
These are average temperatures in January for some of major tourist places:
DAY / NIGHT
Agadir 21°C / 7°C
Casablanca 17°C / 7°C
Dakhla 26°C / 12°C
Er Rachidia 17°C / 1°C
Fez 16°C / 4°C
Marrakesh 18°C / 4°C
Tangier 16°C / 8°C
These are average temperatures in January for some of major tourist places:
DAY / NIGHT
Agadir 21°C / 7°C
Casablanca 17°C / 7°C
Dakhla 26°C / 12°C
Er Rachidia 17°C / 1°C
Fez 16°C / 4°C
Marrakesh 18°C / 4°C
Tangier 16°C / 8°C
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