Marrakech

Marrakech (God´s Land) is, without a doubt, one of the most interesting and exotic places in the North of Africa. Founded in 1062 by the feet of the impressive Atlas Mountains, has nowadays over a million and a half inhabitants. In some occasions women may feel a bit uncomfortable, especially if they decide visiting the town without the company of a man, but not to worry too much about that (only if your partner decides exchanging you by a few camels!).

It is easy to get to Rabat, Fez or Casablanca (other important cities in the country) whether you travel by land or by air. There is a vast amount of hotels and most of them are cheap enough. Touristic and cultural attractions are infinite. Marrakech is geographically favorable if you think about going to other interesting places such as Essaouira, Agadir or Ouarzazate.

What impresses visitors the most is the Medina City, which was the capital of the Islamic Empire and since 1985 has been considered by Unesco as a world heritage site. It all goes through the Jamaa el Fna square, the soul of the city: markets, tents, restaurants, coffee shops, flavors, smells...

Going North is the famous Zono (market). Talking about market, it is inevitable to mention that they really enjoy it when people bargain (the art of negotiating prices). One of the pilars of the Arabic culture is trying to reach an agreement when it comes to how much we should pay for an item. It is possible to spend hours negotiating with them and local businessmen might feel offended if you don´t try to take the product for a fairer price.

It is also compulsory to go to Guéliz, the main spot of the new town, constructed by the French in the 30s. Its neighborhood is less characteristic than Medina, but it is pretty cheerful nontheless. There we can find international hotels, restaurants, tents and numerous options for going out at night. Hivernage, in the South of Guéliz and West of Medina, has private villages and five-star hotels, as well as the Opera Theater and the National Congress Palace.

Gardens and museums are special there. It is worth the visit to Dar Cherifa (a mix of art gallery and literary café); Dar si Said (situaded in a palace from the 19th century); and the Marrakech Museum (opened in the late 90s in a meticulously restaured palace of the 19th century).

With regards to the gardens – amazing in the middle of the desert – go to Majorelle (in the 70s the property was bought by famous French stylist Yves Saint Laurent) and La Menara (created in the 12th century and restaured in the late 19th century). If you have time, visit one of the mesquitas  - some are over 10 centuries old!

Arabic culinary is rich and vast (with exception of pork, forbidden in the region). I would recommend tayín (made of vegetables or lamb) with couz-couz. Coffee and tea are also marvellous due to the quality used during the preparation process. Dried fruit such as raisins or apricots, and sweets in general are examples of the grandiosity and perfectionism of the local culture. The beaches are truly mystical places where you can relax your body after a busy day. For safety matters I would say it is best if you follow your hotel´s instructions and tips on which to visit.

In case you have some extra time and is willing to enjoy more of it, other visits around the area may include Essaouira and Agadir – beautiful coastal towns, especially the first one, for being smaller and quieter. You may also want to consider a visit to Ouarzazate, a villa in the middle of the desert, and to Todgha Gorge, a canyon by the Atlas Mountains. A little bit further away there is another good choice: Meknes - wine capital, even though the drink is forbidden by Islam.

Regarding the best time of the year to go to Marrakech, the most advisable is to avoid summer time (July and August). It is not as hot as you might think, but the city will be too crowded with tourists. Pay attention to Ramadan time also (Muslim rite without a fixed date), since services in general might be scarce.

To summon up, going to Marrakech is a trip to the past, to the essence of the Arabic culture. Desert and beach, antiquity and modernity... a fusion of senses!