The City of God: a guide to Marrakech

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by: bythesea
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Word Count: 451
Date: Sun, 30 May 2010 Time: 6:34 AM
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The great thing about Morocco is that it has all the attractions of a long haul destination but is just a two and a half hour flight south. Along with beautiful coastline, the highest peaks in North Africa and the entrance to the biggest non-arctic desert in the world, its ancient capital, Marrakech, is a hotchpotch of medieval medinas, royal relics and boho boutique chic.

How to get there
Having just sighted the proximity of Morocco by plane as one of its major plus points, the recent disruptions in air travel and ensuing travel insurance claims may mean that tourists will want to find other, more reliable alternatives. If you've got the time a train trip down through Europe followed by a ferry from Gibraltar is the way to go - the sea crossing only takes about an hour but really is a unique way to enter Africa.

Getting about
Once you're in Morocco, if you're looking to make your way to Marrakech the best bet is coach - Suprabus offer a quick, cheap, clean and reliable option. You might feel tempted to hire a cab, but the down side is they're more expensive and not necessarily any quicker than the fast bus, plus they can be a little scary… Once in Marrakech itself, you'll find that the old town is pedestrianised, aside from bicycles and mopeds - if you want to tour the new town or get out of the city limits taxi is a good option, or bite the bullet and tackle the unwritten road rules head-on by hiring a car.

Where to stay
There are loads of hostels in and around the main square - Djemaa el-Fna, where you can pick up a reasonable B&B for about £10 per night - however Marrakech is far and beyond a backpacker's destination these days, with boutique and all-out luxurious options on the cards, and whether you choose to self cater or opt for a small hotel, riads are all the rage.

What to see & do
Djemaa el-Fna is the heart of the old town, where the Katoubia rises up out of the square to pierce the deep blue sky. At night it becomes a hive of activity with entertainers - touting monkeys and false teeth, food stalls - kebab being the staple, and the souks - food, carpets, leather, spices, cloth, jewellery and iron work. Other key attractions on any visitor list should include the city's historic Jewish quarter - the Mellah, the tanneries, and Agdal Gardens - one of the best examples of this cities beautiful hidden courtyards.

About the Author

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