Why Marrakech?

From the red clay walls dominating the old city (Medina), the impressively appointed Bahia Palace which reflects the values of former Islamic imperial times to the snow-capped peaks encompassing the Atlas Mountains; Marrakech is a charming city bathed in rich tradition with plenty to experience. Outlined below are the reasons behind scheduling a trip to such a fascinating part of North Africa.

Get your walking shoes out for the old city

Considered the heart and soul of Marrakech is the old walled city titled ‘Medina.’ Overflowing in sights, sounds as well and pungent smells that will literally, take your breath away and have you lingering on for as long as time permits, the Medina’s labyrinth of alleyways is a journey well worth investing in. As you wander along, scenes of bustling souks will fall into focus and will present you with every opportunity to purchase a wider spectrum of goods which range from spices, fabrics, antiques and delectable fare. The largest of its kind in the region is Souk Semmarine which cannot be ignored if you’re a keen fan of artisan products, then look no further than the area found sandwiched between Place Ben Youssef and Place Rahba Kedima.

Visit a local hammam

Referred to as public bathhouses that have been in existence for centuries, the hammams in Marrakech are your doorway to enjoying and embracing an age-old tradition designed to purify mind and body before prayer. Paving the way for a scrub and steam, the city’s hammams arrive as both affordable facilities where you will be required to bring your own soap, bucket and mitt to those which target the high-spending vacationer where a host of luxuries and attentive service might be availed of. Importantly, finding your way to the nearest hammam can be thought of as a way to ease whatever tiredness you may be grappling with in the aftermath of a hiking expedition out across the outskirts of Marrakech.

Explore the Mellah

Found towards the south of Bahia Palace which in itself is a cultural landmark replete with carved stucco and gilded ceilings, the acclaimed environs of the Mellah stand testament to the values and mannerisms of the Jewish faithful. Called the Jewish Quarter, the Mellah was born in the 16th century and once afforded much-needed refuge to Jews fleeing persecution within the Iberian Peninsula. A far quieter portion of the city than the Medina, the Mellah features fascinating streets and alleyways that give off more of an authentic ambience than some other sections of Marrakech. In terms of the most interesting areas that would warrant visiting, take stock of the Slat Al Azma Synagogue and Miaara Cemetery which represent examples of the dwindling Jewish population in the city. Also, if searching for sound accommodation near the Mellah, then think of reserving a stay with Riad Elegancia which in turn, provides a good number of trips from Marrakech to look forward to.

Unleash the mountaineer in you

Situated south of the city, the glorious Atlas Mountains are a sight for sore eyes and essentially, a hiker’s dream destination. Therefore, when contemplating a hiking excursion, never lose sight of the fact that you will need to drive 90 minutes to the Berber village of Imlil which will serve as your starting point. A sought-after route is the one that will see to it that you summit the tallest mountain in Morocco – the 4,167-meter-tall Mount Toubkal. With regards to the way forward, ensure that you hike through the impressive Toubkal Valley en route to a mountain refuge where you can rest for the night before rising with the lark to reach the summit to take pleasure in an awe-inspiring sunrise.  

Satisfy your foodie self

Should the temptations of Moroccan street food be too hard to look beyond, then waste no time in beelining for the numerous stalls that are found inside Jemaa El Night Market. Explore every stall carefully prior to arriving at any informed decision but in the event you have a soft spot for succulent grilled seafood, then Stall 14 ought to do the trick. On the flip side, kebab lovers will be drawn in by the aromas of Stall 1. The Night Market also serves up bizarre offerings in the likes of steamed snail soup (babbouche). Located in the Medina is Dar Chef which is a family-owned business that will escort your tastebuds to the bright and colourful world of Moroccan cuisine in no uncertain manner. Once seated, have the Cherif family help you decide between a yummy chicken pastilla well wrapped in a crunchy filo pastry or a slow-cooked tagine complete with a choice of tender, melt-in-your-mouth meat.