Marrakesh Travel Information and Travel Guide - Morocco


TRAVEL GUIDE TO MARRAKECH, MOROCCO
Marrakesh tourism and travel information such as accommodation, festivals, transport, maps, activities and attractions in Marrakesh,Marrakesh is Morocco's most intoxicating city. Ever since Morocco's Jewel of the South became a trading and resting place on the ancient caravan 

 Marrakech is a city located in the heart of Morocco. This is one of its most important cultural centers. It was founded in 1062 by Yusuf ibn Tashfin, who was the representative of the Almoravids dynasty. Pretty soon Marrakech became an important religious, commercial and cultural center of Andalusia, Maghreb and even a part of sub-Saharan Africa. All four of the dynasties that have been ruling Marrakesh during different periods of time have left their marks on the look of the city.


This town is very popular among tourists, however the residents of Morocco never miss an opportunity to visit this charming place that has such a great atmosphere and location. Among the main attractions of the city we should definitely mention the center of Marrakech - Medina, in which is located the mausoleum of the founder of the city; the palace of Bahia and the Castle Gold Apples. Also don’t forget to visit the central square of the city, Jamaa el Fna, where you can get much entertainment from never stopping dancing, music, daily concerts, acrobatic, illusionary, comedy and literary representations.

 
In Marrakech you can always find lots of great food, since its main areas feature various cafes, restaurants, stalls with an abundance of food, bistros and bars, which offer visitors a large choice of traditional and exotic cuisine for a small fee.


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Your visit to Marrakech

A must see during your visit to Marrakesh


Why go?


Forget all those bucket-and-spade beach breaks that can be summed up on a postcard… Marrakesh leaves you with holiday photographs that demand further explanation. How did you wind up sipping tea with blacksmiths, shedding your skin – quite literally – in a hammam (bathhouse), and busting Berber dance moves in the Djemaa el-Fna? Sipping a sunset cocktail on the roof of an 18th-century riad, you think back over the day’s experiences and, in your mind, try to retrace your steps. Possibly there was a donkey cart dodged or a magic shop stumbled upon among the city’s 3,000 winding derbs (alleyways), but that doesn't entirely explain your iron lantern, your henna tattoo and your newfound capacity to shimmy.
When to go?

Marrakech is a true “year round” destination. Spring and autumn sees the city at its best with almost guaranteed sunshine and bearable temperatures (days are warm and nights are not too chilly). At the height of summer, daytime temperatures can reach a sweltering 38 degrees C and shops and restaurants often close during Ramadan in August. Winter can be warm and blissfully free of crowds – but remember that temperatures drop dramatically at night.
Getting there

Transfers: Door-to-door airport transfers are best arranged through your guesthouse or hotel for £12-£18. If you know the way and travel light, taxi hire from the airport costs £10 maximum.
Cruises: Many cruise passengers disembark in Casablanca, where ONCF (00 212 890 20 30 40, http://www.oncf.ma) operates a frequent train service to Marrakesh, departing from Casa Voyageurs station. Journey time is 3hr 30min.
Trains: If you have time to spare, consider the scenic route: Eurostar to Paris, then sleeper train through Spain, ferry to Tangier, and train to Marrakesh via Casablanca. See Seat 61 (http://www.seat61.com/Morocco.htm) for details. Taxis from the train station into Marrakesh charge around £2.
Getting around

Carriages: The best way to get around the Medina is on foot, but shiny green calèches (horse-drawn carriages) are still used for public transport. Your chariot awaits in the Djemaa el-Fna, with brass lanterns and official rate charts (about £7 per hour).
Taxis: These are handy for trips from the Medina to the New City. Meters are often broken, but trips within Marrakesh cost from £75p to £1.50 maximum, plus a 75p night surcharge.
Car hire: Have you seen Marrakesh traffic? Spare yourself the stress, unless you are heading to a remote locale in the mountains or the desert. If you do decide to hire a car, book through major companies such as Hertz (www.hertz.com), National (www.nationalcar.co.uk) and Budget (www.budget.com). A compact car costs from £35 [AP2] per day, a 4WD from £90.

boutique hotel marrakech
Unforgettable experiences on Europe’s doorstep
Marrakech is pure magic. With sunshine 350 days a year, incredible golf courses, 1,000-year-old culture, and people with irrepressible smiles, it is one of the best places to visit. Where else can you go with such a short flight from Europe and experience a culture, the scent of spices, so different from one’s own. Join us in this mystical and magical country and let us show you our Marrakech.

Useful information to help you plan your visit to Marrakech, Morocco:

ATM, Cash, Traveller’s Cheques: You will find ATM machines all over Marrakech. There are also many foreign exchange offices, and we also can exchange money for you at the hotel. The Moroccan Dirham, MAD, is pegged to a basket of currencies, and has varied comparatively little over the past 10 years. Exchange rates have varied between the following narrow bands over the past decade: €1 ˜ 10-12 MAD; $1 ˜ 8-10 MAD; £1 ˜ 14-16 MAD.

Phone and Internet: There are internet cafes all over Marrakech, and you will generally find them easily throughout Morocco. Broadband is now widely available in the cities.

Mobile phones with GSM work throughout Morocco.
When calling Morocco from Europe: 00 + 212 + regional prefix
When calling Morocco from elsewhere: Intl code + 212 + regional prefix
When calling out of Morocco: 00 + country code + number without the first zero
Time differences: Morocco is on Greenwich time all the time; there is no daylight savings time. One or two hours' difference with France depending on the season (daylight savings or standard time); one hour or no difference with the UK and Portugal.


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Marrakech Hotels


Reviews of Hotels in Marrakech : Marrakech Hotels

 
Marrakech has it all: you can sleep anywhere from the flunkiest pension to the cripplingly exorbitant palaces that were once royal grounds. In fact, you’re so spoilt for choice when it comes to Hotels in Marrakech that it can be hard to decide. The first decision to make is where you want to be: in the Medina (old quarters), the Ville Nouvelle (Guéliz) or a couple of places further from town.

The Medina has the most concentration of cheap hotels in Marrakech, with more expensive hotels in the periphery. Given the attraction of soaking up the unique atmosphere of the Medina and the close proximity of Djemaa el Fna and the souks, this should be your first choice.

The main advantage of staying in Guéliz (The Ville Nouvelle) is the concentration of larger, chain-style hotels with gardens, swimming pools and modern facilities. You can also head for the tranquillity of Hivernage and Semlalia, which also have upmarket establishments with a consistent level of comfort. However, Hivernage –despite its close proximity to Djemaa el Fna – lacks any atmosphere of its own and Semlalia is a bit remote.

Whatever you choose, make sure of an advanced booking of your hotel in Marrakech: places fill up quickly, especially the more popular places in the Medina. The high-season period is Easter and Christmas / New Year, when virtually every decent hotel in Marrakech is full to capacity.

Marrakech Hotels: Hotels in Marrakech Medina
Most of the hotels in the Medina are grouped around the lanes immediately south of Djemaa el Fna. There is a great deal of cheap pensions, most of which have cheerful courtyards and roof terraces although they can be cold in winter, along with more upmarket choice on the periphery of the Medina.

Staying here, you will be at the heart of the “real” Marrakech and within walking distance of Djemaa el Fna and other attractions. Note that most hotels fill up quickly, especially in the high season, so book your hotel well in advance.


La Mamounia Hotel Marrakech
The grande dame of Marrakchi establishments and the most beautiful hotel in Morocco. Stunning blend of Moorish style and art deco design, luxurious royal gardens and a world unto itself of endless corridors, amusement arcades, a casino, restaurants, bars, boutiques and beauty spas.

La Sultana Hotel Marrakech
An exotic hotel where the opulence of voguish Moorish style meets the extravagance of chic western comfort. Palatial guestrooms and suites, each with a different fairytale atmosphere and unique surroundings. Fine French and Moroccan dining and an Arabesque spa with its own signature treatments.

Hotel Islane Marrakech
A modern three-star hotel facing the Koutoubia. Rooms in a blend of traditional and modern décor with a set of decent facilities. Distinguished dining at the roof-top terrace with amazing views over the Koutoubia tower directly opposite.

Marrakech Hotels: Guéliz Hotels
Hotels in Marrakech Ville Nouvelle (Guéliz) are mostly four and five-star ratings, with garden, swimming pool and all other modern comfort creatures. The newer places are clustered near the Palais du Congrés and further out of town on the road to Casablanca.


Agdal Hotel Marrakech
One of the better and more affordable hotels in Guéliz. Tastefully decorated rooms well equipped with modern amenities according to category and value. Facilities include two restaurants, a bar, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, gardens and a stylish lounge.

Marrakech Hotels: Hivernage Hotels
Hivernage has a concentration of upmarket hotels aimed mainly at tour groups and package holidays.


Hotel Atlas Asni Marrakech
A four-star hotel, one of the largest and better known in Hivernage. Spacious and well-appointed rooms tastefully decorated in traditional Moroccan style and well equipped with comfortable amenitiesin. Outdoor pool, spa centre with sauna and hammam and a garden restaurant with terrace for outdoor dining.

Es Saadi Hotel Marrakech
A resort comprised of a four-star hotel, palace and a variety of villas. Clean and spacious rooms with modern amenities in the hotel, sumptuous suites at the palace and ground-floor villas featuring an exotic garden with swimming pool. A variety of restaurants and luxury facilities.

Marrakech Hotels: Semlalia and Palmeraie Hotels
Many hotels that open on the outskirts of Marrakech are pure luxury. These are located in Semlalia, some 3 km out of town and further out in the palmeraie. This is the ideal place if you want to spend your time in tranquillity, lazing by the pool in a rural setting. The drive to town is easy if you have a car but can be costly by petit taxi (15dh-20dh from Semlalia and 60dh-100dh from the palmeraie).


Hotel Palmeraie Marrakech
A five-star luxury hotel, a showroom of Moroccan craftmanship with an oasis of fountains, riads, breathtaking mosaics and ornate carved furniture. Well appointed rooms with flourishes and arabesques and high-end modern luxuries. Fine dining, five swimming pools, tennis courts, riding stables and more importantly an 18-hole golf course.

Tropicana Hotel Marrakech
A lively four-star hotel in Semlalia surrounded by flowered patios. Spacious and comfortable rooms with modern amenities and a private terrace. Moroccan and International cuisine, hammam, sauna, fully-fledged gym, animation team and a business centre.

Caravanserai Hotel Marrakech
A 17-roomed luxury boutique retreat overlooking the river Tensift on the edge of a Berber village. 15 spacious deluxe rooms and two suites with their own private courtyard and plunge pools. Traditional hammam and elegant restaurants offering an eccletic mix of Moroccan and International cuisine.



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