Marrakesh
Known as the “Red City” Marrakesh is the capital of the south. The atmosphere is distinctly more African than that of the other Imperial cities, Fez, Rabat and Meknes. The setting of the city is stunning with ochre stucco buildings surrounded by the snow-peaked Atlas mountains. If you have the time, Marrakesh is definitely worth a stay of several days.
The Jma-l-Fna is an unbelievable experience. It is a market scene straight out of the movies with snake charmers, musicians, dancing bears, acrobats and storytellers. Around the square there are numbered stalls that sell very cheap freshly-squeezed orange juice in the morning and afternoon. At night there are tables set up that you can eat at for a very reasonable price. Other sights include the impressive Koutoubia minaret and the Ben Youssef Medersa and the Saadian Dynasty tombs, the ruined 16th-century El Badi Palace the Dar Si Said Museum.
The artistic colors of the museum and beautiful gardens donated by Yves St. Laurent are a refreshing break from the heat of the city. Spring is a good time to visit.
Related Travel Information
Ait Ourir
Ait Ourir is located between Marrakesh and Ouarzazate (40 Kms from Marrakesh) and it can be seen on the way if you are going over the Tizi-n-Tichka pass. It is a typical Berber town with a very lively market on Tuesdays.
Ait Ourir is crossed by Oued Zat, Zat river. Nowadays, it's nearly empty from March to December but we still remember its last fury (1986/87) when the bridge (called "bridge of Zat") and half of "Coq Hardy", a lovely "Auberge" fell down in the river. Having a walk into that river is a unique moment. The view of
Tin Mal
Tin Mal is an excellent sight, but it is pretty hard to reach if you don't have your own wheels. Tin Mal is loacted roughly half way between Marrakesh and Taroudant on the Tizi-n-Test Pass. It used to be a very important place for the Almohads, who used it as a base to conquer the North of Africa and Spain. All that is left now are the ruins of the Mosque. The setting is lovely, however. This is one of the few mosques you can enter (maybe because ther no longer is a roof on it) as a non-muslim.
Smara
Smara is located in the north of the Western Sahara. It has been an important place on the caravan route from West-Africa.
Ma al-Aynayn has his main camp here, just before he set off to try and conquer Marrakesh at the beginning of the twentieth century.
There is nothing very special in Smara, but it is an interesting Saharan town and the oasis offers some good hikes.
Imlil
Imlil is the ideal base for trekking, hiking or camping in the Atlas mountains. If you are coming from Marrakesh your first stop will be Asni. Asni is the end of the line for bus and taxis coming from Marrakesh. From here, you can take a pick-up or taxi. The 17 km trip from Asni to Imlil is startling in its natural beauty. As the road begins to climb, the beauty of the valley, river and small villages look more like paintings than reality. The air in Imlil is crisp and clear as the town stands at an altitude of
When to Travel to Morocco?
Best: Sept-Oct, March-May
OK: winter months, Nov-Feb, are generally fine and warm except in the north or up the mountains.
Worst: July, Aug. Hot inland, though it can be the most pleasant time on the coast.
Ramadan can be an awkward time as many locals neither eat nor drink during the day and may be tired [Oct 15 - Nov 14 '04, Oct 5 - Nov 4 '05].
Length of stay:
Min. worthwhile stay, not incl. flights : 5 days [Marrakesh & Draa/Ziz valley drive]
Recommended: 9 days - 1 month
Main Morocco festivals:
June, Fes Sacred Music Festival; actually wacky world music...
June,
