Possibly to a greater extent than any other city in Morocco, Marrakech presents a never-ending array of options for the traveler seeking a unique destination. Widely considered to be the country’s most popular tourist spot, it appeals to the young and the old; the sedentary and the adrenaline junkies; and the luxury-seeking and the value-minded alike.
While major travel guidebooks devote hundreds of pages to exploring the city’s features, we obviously do not have that option, so following is a brief description of a few of the highlights of Morocco’s Red City.
The Secret Garden, containing both an exotic garden and its Islamic counterpart, is described by The UK’s The Guardian as a hidden oasis of sublime beauty and peace. One may sip mint tea and enjoy traditional Moroccan sweets from the rooftop terrace while admiring the view downward.
A pricey, yet once-in-a-lifetime splurge for staying the night could involve an architectural marvel located close to the Royal Palace known as La Sultana, a 28-room expansive collection of five separate riads essentially rolled into one. Here, exotic treasures can be found in a maze-like oasis.
The Majorelle Garden, a unique collection of tropical desert vegetation blending both Moorish and Art Deco influences–and the adjacent Yves St. Laurent Museum exhibiting the innovations of the late fashion designer–are also both prominent tourist attractions in the city.
Perhaps the most intriguing aspect of the city is its medina–containing both a huge, open space where vendors of every type sell their wares alongside performing entertainers, and an intricate maze of alleyways in which their sales counterparts offer similar goods and edibles.
Dinner shows that include belly dancing and other exotic dance routines may be experienced just outside the city center for prices that seem reasonable compared to similar experiences in cities across the world of comparable size.
Authentic crafts and traditional Moroccan clothing offer great values in Marrakech, as well, while arguably the best coffee in town can be had at Bacha, where waiters in white jackets and fezzes whiz around the floor serving the beverage with 100% Arabica beans.
The Dar Dar restaurant offers traditional Moroccan cuisine, features a nightly DJ, and offers arguably the best view of the sunset in town.
Don’t forget the many opportunities to take advantage of a Moroccan hammam, an invigorating yet relaxing experience.
Perhaps best of all is the accessibility of the city, centrally located along highway routes that make getting there by car a breeze from almost any city in Morocco.