How To Make Your Marrakech Holidays Truly Memorable

By Author: Amanda Sutcliffe
Total Articles: 85
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Nicknamed as the 'Red City', Marrakech is Morocco's fourth largest city and the Northwest African region's cultural and trading centre of great importance. It got the nickname from its red walls built by the Almoravid rulers in the 12th century. These walls constructed using red sandstone and other attractive structures are among the major attractions that you can explore during your time spent in the city. Marrakech is particularly popular among the French tourists and you can find many properties in this part of the world that belong to French celebrities.

If you manage to get cheap Marrakech holidays by booking well in advance, you can utilise the amount saved to explore the city's popular attractions and enjoy some fantastic experiences. Among the places you must not miss while getting around in this Moroccan city is its old quarter, also known as 'medina'. It can be described as a labyrinth of narrow alleys, which gives you the chance to have some unique shopping experiences in any of the 'souks' or traditional markets. There are ...
... many such traditional markets that specialise in one particular item. So, you'll find a market called 'Babouche Souk' that sells shoes and another market called the 'El-Attarine Souk' that sells perfumes and spices.

Your Marrakech holidays would also allow you to visit the Jemaa el-Fnaa. It is a bustling hub of trade and activities, located at the centre of the city near the entrance to the medina. It was included in the UNESCO's list of World Heritage Sites in the year 1985 and is among Africa's well-known squares. There was a time when the city mostly attracted people from the mountains and surrounding desert. In recent times, it draws plenty of tourists as well. During your visit to this square, you'll get the chance to shop for a variety of items and enjoy some local entertainment offered by the acrobats, snake charmers, musicians, and magicians.

Another fascinating attraction worth visiting during your Marrakech holidays is the Koutoubia Mosque. It is the largest mosque in the city and is known by many other names, such as 'Kutubiyyin Mosque' and 'Mosque of the Booksellers'. This mosque served as an inspiration for many other buildings like the Hassan Tower and the Giralda of Seville. It was completed in the mid-12th century under the reign of the Berber Almohad Caliph, Yaqub al-Mansur. Today, it is a renowned landmark of the city and has a 70-metre-tall minaret that can be seen from several miles.

During your holidays in the city, you can also explore the finest Moroccan artworks by visiting the Marrakech Museum. It is housed in a palace constructed in late 19th century, called the Dar Menebhi Palace. The palace is a great example of classic Moorish architecture and has a central courtyard, hammam, traditional seating areas, excellent tile work and carvings. Before it became a museum in the year 1997, the palace was renovated with great care by the Omar Benjelloun Foundation. The museum is home to traditional and modern Moroccan artworks, coins, pottery, and historical texts.