Marrakesh is like visiting a movie-set, set back in time, except its real. In some streets the city is untouched by modern influences. The city deserves its fame as described in a lot of songs.
Main Street Traffic
Established in 1070 near the foothills of the western Atlas Mountains, Marrakech was the crossing point of arab, berba and african caravan routes and became the center of the regions trading. Its therefore a chaotic but enchanting. Also called the Rose or Red city because of the predominant pink tone of building material, its colour is also enhanced by desert dust that makes redish sunsets. To add to that, the colourful workshops and bazaars of Marrakesh creates a painting in ones mind, thats why like a movie set. Perhaps passive enhailing of its aroma causes that vision, which no camera can properly reproduce!
Favourite spots:
Snake charmer on the Square
The maise-like side streets of the Medina (old fortification) inner city. Difficult to orientate onesself, a guide is affordable and practicle. Djemaa El Fna Square, a frenzy of musicians and dancers and snake charmers.
What's really great:
Marrakesh Spice Shop, aroma fills the streets.
I hired a taxi and its driver (in casablanca) as guide for three days at $30 a day which included all his costs! He also doubled up as bodyguard and showed me how to bargain, without which one cannt pay for any article or service, be it hotel, food or souveriers.
Sights:
Menara Pavillion
Koutoubia Minaret is 67,5 meters high can be seen from 100km away, the area around Marrakesh being preety flat.
- The Menara Pavillion
- Bahia Palace
- the "souks" (markets)
- Atlas Mountains (30km)
Accommodations:
The local Cinema
Hotels are simple but cheap. I would have like to spend a night in the desert, some offers for camping in desert.
Fashionable but expensive are the "riads", moroccan guest houses.
Restaurants:
Food everywhere
Having a guide, no fancy restaurants needed, we ate where the locals do, food is taken by hand from shared dishes on the table, newspaper substitutes ones own plate. Having a steel stomach from my other trips, well degested.
Other recommendations:
Casablancas huge Mosque Tower
Casablanca. Its the only practicle starting point for a trip to Marrakesh, rail (cheap first-class) or bus/taxis combine the two locations.
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