Travel to Marrakesh

Travel to Marrakesh

Located in south-western Morocco in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, Marrakesh is a charming city that serves as the centre of Morocco. Boasting beautiful scenery, the majestic High Atlas Mountains, lovely rivers and many architectural marvels. Marrakesh is also home to one of the most famous squares in the world, the Djema el Fna, where visitors can find plenty of local food and watch local performers turn on their charms and fascinate tourists with their talents.

Transportation to Marrakesh

Travelling to Marrakesh is convenient as the city has its own airport, located five kilometres from the city centre. Medina Airport receives both domestic and international flights daily from major destinations in the world. The airport is fully-equipped with banks, bureaux de change, restaurants, shops and car rental booths. However, there are no buses at the airport and the only way to get to the city is by taxi. A taxi ride into town only takes 15 minutes.

Bus and rail services also operate between Marrakesh and other cities nearby including Casablanca, Tangier, Rabat and Fez. The roads in Marrakesh are in good condition and you can also drive to Marrakesh from other cities nearby.

Getting around in Marrakesh is not a problem. There are public buses provided to take you everywhere in the city. Taxis are also plentiful and they all have meters; however, you will have to remind the driver to activate the meter. Many visitors choose to hire a car, with a driver, for convenience.

What to see

If you emjoy walking around in lovely gardens, head to the Menara Garden and Adgal Garden, where you can admire a large lagoon, flowering trees and many water pools. Muse de Marrakesh showcases many interesting paintings, while El Badi Palace is a palace-turned-museum revealing several artefacts from the old times. Koutoubia Mosque and Saadian Tombs are also among the top places worth visiting in Marrakesh.

Activities and leisure

The main centre of activity is the famous Djema el Fna, the central square where you can find everything you are looking for in Marrakesh, be it local handicrafts, food or impressive performances. In the daytime, the square is packed with food stalls serving local snacks and small shops selling rugs and handicrafts. Many performers such as jugglers, jokers, musicians and storytellers flock to the square to perform their own little shows for tourists. Food is still plentiful at night, but snacks are replaced by more hearty meals.

Daytrips

Making an excursion to witness the High Atlas Mountains is very worthwhile. Just driving out of the city centre can make you gasp with excitement as the views of the countryside are stunning. Stop by Amizmiz to observe the less urban and less touristy town. Another must-visit site is the grand waterfall, the Cascades d'Ouzoud. You should leave in the morning, as the falls are about 160kms from the city.

Safety issues

As with other countries in Africa, you need to be extra careful if you plan to travel anywhere in Morocco. Food from street vendors can cause stomach upsets, and walking alone at night on the beach will make you a potential victim of crime. There have been reports of female tourists being harassed by tour guides and of male tourists being caught by the police for the possession of drugs. Pick-pocketing is also a problem in busy areas. It is strongly recommended that you take out travel insurance for you and your family.