A vacation in Morocco should include visit to the magical city of Marrakech. This third-largest city in the country translates from the Berber to “Land of God” and for good reason. The city is full of life, sounds, colors and fascinating sights and must be visited at least once. Meanwhile, the city’s location is ideal for touring other areas of Morocco.

Visit magical Marrakech in Morocco

The imperial city of Marrakech is close to the foothills of the beautiful Atlas Mountains and is only a few hours’ travel away from the Sahara Desert. This makes the city a perfect destination for a wider vacation in Morocco.

Meanwhile, Marrakech consists of two parts – the Medina, or historical city and the modern district of Gueliz, with its more European feel. The former features narrow, winding alleys with local shops and colorful souks. Meanwhile, the latter features modern restaurants with excellent cuisine, fast food outlets and big-brand stores.

Getting around the city

Visitors have several ways of getting around Marrakech. Those staying in the Medina will find all the sights are accessible on foot, although it is a lot of walking, and calls for comfortable walking shoes. However, exploring on foot is always the best way to experience any city, but for those who tire, buses and “petits taxis” are readily available.

Like many world cities, Marrakech features an open-topped sightseeing bus, taking travelers from one attraction to another with ease. Meanwhile, another pleasant way to explore is by “caleche” – small, horse-drawn carriage. Caleches can usually be found in Foucauld Square and it is recommended to naggle a bit with the guide before taking off on a tour.

Top attractions in Marrakech

Marrakech has so much to see, it is recommended to plan the day before leaving the hotel. This is because just a visit to the souks can end up taking a full day on its own. The colorful souks are the city’s markets and can be found next to Djemaa El-Fna Square.

While in the souks, it is easy to see that almost anything can be purchased here, including leather work, kaftans, spices, shoes, clothing, fancy tea pots and much more. Moreover, Marrakech features markets dedicated to selling spices alone, which makes a colorful display.

There are also markets dedicated to selling spices alone which show the true bright colors of Morocco in the wares on offer in magical Marrakech.

Visit the Palmeraie

Another popular location is the Palmeraie, true oasis on the outskirts of the city. The sprawling oasis features some 150,000 palm trees and features some luxurious hotels. The Palmeraie makes an ideal spot to enjoy the true feeling of Morocco, riding camels and exploring in the desert.

Evenings and days in Djamaa El-Fna Square

Back in Marrakech, evenings are perfect in the Djemaa El-Fna Square in the heart of the Media, where musicians, dancers and storytellers entertain the crowd. The accumulated colors and sound of drumbeats and music give a true feeling of Morocco, where visitors can also enjoy a wide range of local food and drink.

During the daylight hours, travelers can enjoy watching the monkey performances and snake charmers. The various stalls selling local wares are also a major attraction, while women try to tempt visitors to have a henna tattoo.

Museums and palaces in Marrakech

During the day, the city offers many museums and palaces to visit, including Dar Si Saïd, around five minutes from Djemaa El-Fna. Set in beautiful, old palace, the museum hosts many Moroccan artifacts. Among them are fascinating, traditional musical instruments, intricate wood carvings and weapons. Other displays here include beautiful carpets, ceramics, pottery and art.

Take time to explore beautiful Marrakech, including some beautiful parks to visit. Find out more from the Moroccan city’s tourism website here.